INSIDE:
Tax Issues & Ministerial Tax Issues Seminars Sunday School P.5 Worker Training P.3
Buckeye Baptist Builders. . . . . . . . . . Page 2 VBS Clinics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 2012 Tax Issues Conference. . . . . . . Page 5 Women’s Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 8-9 Press Toward The Mark. . . . . . . . . . Page 12
Prayer Guide P.9
Publication of the state Convention of Baptists in ohio
Ohio Baptist Messenger April 2012 | Volume 60 No. 2
The “1% Challenge for CP” The “1% Challenge” is simply a request to every Southern Baptist pastor and every Southern Baptist church to increase their Cooperative Program gifts by one percent of their church’s undesignated contributions. Frank S. Page, president of the Executive Committee, issued this challenge during the Executive Committee report at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. He said, “To do better what we’re doing together, we’re asking you... we challenge you, we encourage you to raise your Cooperative Program support. Would you do that? One percent? Next year?” During his report, he noted that though the dollar amount contributed through the Cooperative Program has increased fourteen of the past twenty years, a twenty-year decline in percentage of funds forwarded by local churches through the Cooperative Program was a reflection of a much larger cause for concern. He said, “We’ve been headed in the wrong direction in several ways. In 1989 our gifts to total Missions expenditures were 16.5 percent of our total receipts [average per church]. Twenty years later, in 2009, our gifts to total missions expenditures had declined to 12.3 percent. That’s a 4.25 percent drop in missions giving. Did you hear me? I’m not even talking about the Cooperative Program, I’m talking about missions expenditures… that is not right! “Added to this is the individualistic mindset of twenty-first-century churches where everyone assumes they can do what they do best on their own rather than in cooperation with others. We have before us a great challenge and I believe we need to recommit to the principle of unified ministry. What we do best, we do together! To accomplish this, we request that our churches raise their Coopera-
tive Program support by one percent next year.” In the three months since the SBC annual meeting, many pastors and churches have stepped forward to accept the “1% Challenge” for CP. Many state Baptist conventions are adopting this simple plan for their cooperating churches and will present this challenge at their upcoming annual meetings. To view the “1% Challenge” video, go to www.SBC.net and click on the “1% Challenge” video on the home page. Here’s how it works. If your church gave four percent of undesignated receipts through the Cooperative Program last year, consider giving five percent in the coming year. If your church gave two percent, or perhaps six percent, or even ten percent, consider giving an additional one percent through the Cooperative Program in the coming year. The impact of this simple plan could generate almost one hundred million dollars more to fund the Kingdom enterprises of Southern Baptists. Some churches may see this “1% Challenge” as a starting place to increase the total missions expenditures in their church, accepting a “1% or more” challenge! No single church alone can reach every unreached and unengaged people group; no individual church can plant churches across North America to reach our nation for Christ; no isolated congregation can accomplish the work of a cooperating state convention; no solitary church can, by itself, equip a new generation of pastors; no single voice alone can sway the direction of our culture. But, together, we can accomplish much! Truly, we can do more together than we can do alone! Pastors and church leaders are encouraged to accept the “1% Challenge”—for the sake of the Gospel!
Vacation Bible School Institute By Dwayne Lee SCBO Bible Teaching/Leadership
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Jeff Slaughter and Margaret Williams
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Church was transformed into amazing wonders of God’s creation with things like waterfalls, Northern Lights, and the Grand Canyon scattered throughout the buildings. People started arriving Friday evening at 5:00 for the twohour VBSI Open House. This is the first year we included an Open House as part of VBSI. All of the rooms were decorated and open for all to observe and get ideas for their own VBS. We had display areas with Make and Take Crafts,
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ow do you put into words everything that took place on March 9 and 10 at Vacation Bible School Institute? I don’t know if I can, but I will try. VBSI was held at Highland Baptist Church in Grove City. It took more than 50 people two days to set up for the event, decorating classrooms and the sanctuary, setting up the bookstore, and workstations. On Thursday, a semi-truck showed up in the rain to deliver 4 pallets full of VBS material, and another truck brought 60 more boxes of material from Lifeway Christian Bookstore. This year’s VBS Theme is Amazing Wonders Aviation, and it wasn’t long before Highland Baptist
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Worship Rally
Snacks, Music, Bible Studies, Worship Rally information, and Mission Studies. The Lifeway Bookstore was also open and selling all the VBS supplies and decorations. Many churches took advantage of the three Accu-Cut machines and cut out airplanes, world globes, bookmarkers, and other shapes for their VBS craft time.
People brought cameras and took pictures to take back to their own church for ideas of how to decorate for VBS. There was even an Inflatable Bounce House set up outside with an airplane on top of it (Churches can rent these for their own VBS). Everyone received a Passport VBS ~ Continued on Page 7
Page 2 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2012
Buckeye Baptist Builders 2012 Project Schedule Hope Children’s Home 11415 Hope International Dr. Tampa, Fl. 33625
Seneca Lake Baptist Camp 55819 Skyline Dr. Senecaville, Oh. 43780
Freedom Baptist Church 1766 Millville Ave Hamilton, Oh 45013
June 8 – 15, 2012 Build New Addition Meals, Lodging & Camper Set-up
Calvary Baptist church 502 N. Columbus St. Blanchester, Oh. 45107
May 7 – 11, 2012 Prepare Camp for Youth Meals & Lodging Provided May 25 – June 2, 2012 Build New Addition Meals, Lodging & Campers
Shoreline Community Church 790 Carnegie Ave. Akron, Oh. 44314
Trinity Baptist Church 2707 Grantwood Dr. Parma, Oh. 44134
January 9 – 20, 2012 Building Cottages Meals & Lodging Provided
Aug. 13 – 16, 2012 Install Metal Roofing Meals & Lodging Provided
September 7 – 11, 2012 Build Two-Story Handicap Ramp Meals, Lodging & Camp Area
If you can help on any of the above projects or need additional information please call or e-mail. Raymond E. Morris - State Coordinator Buckeye Baptist Builders 1-513-593-5130, Raymor1@peoplepc.com
OHIO SOUTHERN BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF May 4 & 5, 2012
May 18 & 19, 2012
Nov. 16 & 17, 2012
Grace Baptist 5418 Mahoning Ave. NW Warren, Oh 44483
Good Shepherd Baptist 1100 Cleveland Avenue Amherst, Oh 44001
Liberty Heights BC 7904 Princeton Road Liberty Township, Oh
CHILD CARE CHAIN SAW COMMUNICATIONS (HAM RADIO) FOOD SERVICE
SEEKING STAFF The Circleville First Baptist Church is seeking a part-time Worship Leader. If interested, please send your resume to the attention of Tom Perkins, Worship Leader Search Team Chairman, Circleville First Baptist Church, 1540 North Court Street, Circleville, OH 43113. First Baptist of Trenton, Ohio SBC is accepting resume’s for a Senior Pastor. Please send all resume’s to fbcsearch305@gmail.com. The Ohio Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0472-7096) is published every other month by the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio; 9000 Antares Avenue; Columbus, Ohio 432402011. Periodicals Postage Paid at Columbus, Ohio. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Ohio Baptist Messenger; 9000 Antares Avenue; Columbus, Ohio 43240-2011. Jack Kwok, Ohio State Convention Executive Director-Treasurer, Editor; Linnett Snodgrass, Administrative Assistant; Spangler Production & Design, Publication Layout. Published every other month for members of Southern Baptist churches in Ohio. Subscriptions provided out of each church’s Cooperative Program gifts. Member of Baptist Press, news service of the Southern Baptist Convention.
MUD OUT SHOWER/LAUNDRY
Friday 6:00 PM Registration 6:30-9:30 PM “Involving Southern Baptists in Disaster Relief” Saturday 7:15 AM 8:00 AM 12:00 PM 12:30 PM 3:00 PM
Continental Breakfast Unit Training Lunch Provided by DR Food Service Evangelism Training Dismissed
Background check information will be requested during this session. All volunteers must have a background check performed. “...Giving a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name” from Matt: 10:42
Training for new volunteers Friday and Saturday Cross-training for current volunteers on Saturday DR clothing sales DR Badges will be issued or updated as needed Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age (21 years of age for Child Care unit)
To Learn More contact Ministry Evangelism Assistant
Serving in Southern Baptist Disaster Relief requires membership at an
Sam Kelley: (614)309-9751 skelley@scbo.org
Ohio Southern Baptist Church
CPR Training will be available for those already trained in Disaster Relief. This requires pre-registration at a cost of $ 20.00 per person for the CPR class only!
Volunteer and Trainer sleeping rooms are available in the church Friday night. Bring a bed roll and personal items.
Disaster Relief is a ministry of the SOUTHERN BAPTIST COOPERATIVE PROGRAM and RAY ROBERTS STATE MISSION OFFERING
April 2012 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 3
Ohio Collegiate Ministries Organizing trip to Passion 2013 By Brian Frye For the past three years, Ohio Collegiate Ministries (OCM) campus groups have been attending the Passion Conference in Atlanta. Many of the students that are reached through the various OCM ministries have little church background. The Passion Conference is an opportunity for them to be exposed to great Christian teaching, interact with other Christian students from all over the country, and participate in corporate worship and corporate missions focus like they never have before. Many of our students leave encouraged by the knowledge there are so many other Chris-
tian students passionate about Christ. As we reflect on how this conference impacts our students and serves as a catalyst for ministry when they return, we are beginning our efforts now to make sure Passion 2013 will impact as many students in Ohio as possible. Passion 2012 had 42,000 people in attendance. This next year, they are expanding capacity, making Passion 2013 likely the largest gathering of Christian college students ever. As this event has grown every year, we have learned two things: it helps to go with someone who has been before, and it is easier to have central planning for travel, lodging and registration. In light of
this, and in an attempt to connect to more church based college ministries and graduating high school seniors, Ohio Collegiate Ministries is organizing a central planning group for Passion 2013. Who should plan on attending Passion 2013? The Passion Conference is for college age students 1825 and for graduating high school seniors. We encourage all church based college ministries, Sunday school classes or college age fellowship groups to attend. We also encourage youth leaders to consider sending their graduating high school seniors. This would be a great way for them to catch
Event s
Sunday School Worker Training Event 1 Date: August 4, 2012 9am – 4pm
Speaker: Bob Mayfield
Location: Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church 38550 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Elyria, OH 44035
Event 2 Date: August 11, 2012 9am – 4pm
Speaker: Dr. Thom Rainer
Location: Dublin Baptist Church 7195 Coffman Dublin, OH 43017
scbo.org/register
What will the attendee gain from attending this training? • • • • • • • • •
Give each attendee a sense of value Develop more and better leaders Encouragement Create an atmosphere of growth Develop techniques that will help grow their class spiritually Learn strategies that will multiply their group Receive training in the areas of leadership The ability to network with peers across the State Introduction to new SS material
For more details please contact:
Wendy Hammock, 614-827-1826 or wehammock@scbo.org
Additional Information:
Early bird registration through July 11 Cost $8.00 per person. Advanced registration from July 12 through July 26 Cost $15.00 per person. $25.00 on site (Registrations non-refundable) Lunch included
a vision for how God can use them on their college campus. The dates for Passion 2013
are January 1st through 4th; a day on each end of those dates should be added for travel.
How can I get more information? The Passion Conference website (268generation. com) can give you general information about the conference, but to learn about registering and traveling with the OCM group, contact Ty Waardenburg via email at thewaardenburgs@gmail.com. You can also follow the group on Twitter to keep up to date on new information; @OCMPASSION2013. Registration costs increase over time and space will be limited. If you are interested in learning more, please get in touch with Ty as soon as possible.
VBS Clinics Classes Provided in the Following Areas:
• Pastors & Directors • Preschool & Kindergarten • Pre-teen/VBX/Youth • Middle Children & Younger Children • Crafts • Missions/Music • Recreation/Snack • Decorating Ideas
Other Information
Door Prizes. Literature on display. Pre-orders made two weeks in advance will be available for pick up at the clinic. On-line order forms will be available 1/31/12 at www.scbo.org.
Dates and Locations:
Northeast Region April 14 - 10am-12pm Broadman Baptist Church 350 E. Bath Rd. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223 Southwest Region April 14 - 10am-12pm FBC Kettering 3939 Swigart Rd. Beavercreek, Ohio 45440
Contact:
South Central Region April 24 - 7pm-9pm Northview Baptist Church 1139 Northview Dr. Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 Southeast Region April 28 - 10am-12pm Faith Baptist Church 200 Grove Rd. Belle Valley, Ohio 43717
Wendy Hammock, 614-827-1826 or wehammock@scbo.org
Page 4 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2012
2012 Mission Round Table at Spring Hills Baptist Are we there yet?
Mission Round Table hosted 168 people representing 13 Associations. Muskingum Valley Baptist Association with 49 in attendance won a $250 LifeWay gift card.
Pastor Doug Morgan, Edgewood Baptist Church Trenton, Ohio, shares how to engage children in missions throughout the year.
Joanne Hopkins, Ohio WMU President, fires up the ladies to be on mission in Ohio.
L-R Brian Galloway, IMB Representative; Jack Kwok, Ph.D. State Executive Director; Roo Kwok,; Josh Ellis, Union Baptist Association of Huston.
Quiet Love Ministry of Cambridge, Ohio brought 14 participants. www.quietlove.us.
Pastor Dan Ghramm, Gateway West in Cleveland Hope shares his church planting story.
Watch scbo.org for further details on 2013 event! February 23rd, 2013 at First Baptist Church, Grove City.
“Souper Bowl Sunday” Debbie F. Gill January 4, 1955 February 17, 2012
Homegoing of Debbie Gill Search “Homegoings” on www.scbo/news for obituary
Clough Pike Baptist church located at 1025 Clough Pike Cincinnati, Ohio, has developed a unique way to celebrate “Souper Bowl Sunday.” During the year each Sunday school class collects food items for the food pantry. Each food item is assigned a point value. The points are tallied at the ending date of the contest. The class with the most points wins! The class that wins receives a trophy and a delicious homemade breakfast buffet prepared by our pastor’s wife Kara Barnette. Kara is the director of our church sponsored food pantry and also coordinates the food distribution throughout the year to local families in need. Our church members have good time collecting the food items and demonstrate a giving spirit during this competition as well.
Above: Daryl Bisig’s Sunday School class accepts the Souper Bowl Sunday trophy. At left: S.S. teacher Daryl Bisig with trophy.
April 2012 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 5
2012 Regional Seminars For Church Tax Issues & Ministerial Tax Issues Helping Churches and Church Staff handle common tax issues
SEMINAR LEADER
Registration deadline:
SEMINAR DESCRIPTION
Friday, July 6 Cost: $10 / person (Includes lunch & materials)
This seminar introduces a step-by step process that a church or ministry can use to determine and organize a comprehensive financial support plan for ministers and employees. It reviews ways to respond to tax laws wisely and to promote good stewardship.
• Tuesday, July 17, 2012 – Parma Baptist Church, 12193 W Pleasant Valley Road, Parma • Wednesday, July 18, 2012 – State Convention Office, 9000 Antares Ave, Columbus • Thursday, July 19, 2012 – Lakota Hills Baptist Church, 6300 Tylersville Road, West Chester Dr. Keith Hamilton, CFP, AFC, CRPC, is serving as a Specialist in Church Financial Services with the Georgia Baptist Convention. He specializes in tax matters relating to issues concerning churches.
• Practical church financial policies that help prevent IRS problems • IRS record-keeping requirements • Dangers in using benevolence funds improperly
Dealing with Ministerial Tax Issues: Who should attend: • Recent housing allowance rulings Ministers, Church Treasurers, Financial Secretar- • Taxability of health insurance benefits ies, Budget and Personnel Committee members • Pastor’s appreciation gifts • Compensation versus the pay package: and other leaders. Which is correct? • Employee or Self-employed? Topics: • Who is a minister for tax purposes? Dealing with Church Tax Issues: • Handling designated gifts/love offerings le- The answer might surprise you • New 403(b) IRS regulations for Church gally Retirement Plans • Safeguarding against an IRS audit • Giving contribution credits properly • Federal/state payroll reporting requirements
This conference is made possible through the Cooperative Program ministry support of your local church.
For Church Planters and wives within the first four years of the plant. Associational Missionaries and Church Planter Strategists are also invited. The Forum will begin at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 3rd at Dublin Baptist Church – 7195 Coffman Road, Dublin and conclude after lunch on Friday, May 4th. Lodging will once again be provided by The Crowne Plaza – 600 Metro Place North, Dublin
Register by contacting Charlotte Barbo at cbarbo@scbo.org or 614-827-1804 by April 9th. If you have suggestions for discussion topics for the Forum, contact Gary or Quinton: Gary – 614-309-9743 or GaryOdom@scbo.org Quinton – 614-827-1792 – Qmoss@scbo.org
Page 6 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2012
Ministry Opportunities Abound By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist & Reflector
Tennessee Baptist vision team explores needs in Cincinnati area
CINCINNATI — Last November Tennessee Baptist Convention messengers voted without opposition to begin a partnership with Baptists in the Greater Cincinnati/Dayton (Ohio) area. A team of about 41 Tennessee Baptists from across the state traveled to Cincinnati Feb. 20-24 to explore missions and ministry opportunities with four associations in the Greater Cincinnati area. Most everyone who made the trip agreed that the needs are apparent and multiple opportunities for ministry await Tennessee Baptists in the partnership that officially begins Jan. 1, 2013, and will continue through Dec. 31, 2017. Baptist leaders in Cincinnati have divided the area into nine regions. Those regions have a combined population of 1,184,657 people but only have 75 Southern Baptist churches, a ratio of one church for every 15,759 people. By contrast, there is one church for every 2,000 people in Tennessee. The Cincinnati area has been chosen by the North American Mission Board as one of its “Send North America” target areas. “The lostness is vast here,” observed Travis Smalley, pastor of Lakota Hills Baptist Church in West Chester. “There are a lot of people here not hearing the gospel,” agreed Steve Renfrow, one of four church planting strategists in the Greater Cincinnati area. “Many people are unchurched or underchurched,” he continued. He noted that in his association 50 percent of the churches average less than 50 in worship on Sunday morning and 80 percent average less than 125 in worship.
A church planting focus
Ohio Baptist leaders agreed that the focus of the partnership needs to be on church planting. There are about 75 churches in the area now. Leaders in the Greater Cincinnati area have a goal of 202 churches by the year 2020. The Baptist State Convention of Ohio has a similar goal —
2,020 churches by 2020. “It is going to take a God-given church planting movement to reach those goals,” observed Bob Burton, Midwest regional mobilizer for the North American Mission Board. Several Ohio leaders noted that many of the Southern Baptist churches that were begun decades ago are now in communities where the population has changed dramatically. “We need new churches that can bridge the gap in those communities that have changed,” observed David Coppedge, one of the church planting strategists. He acknowledged that many of the older churches in the city have not “transitioned to where we are now. “We need church plants that can impact what is the real Cincinnati,” Coppedge said. He noted that while they are getting suburban church planters there is a real need for urban church planters “who are comfortable working in a city.” Smalley, who is chairing the “Send Cincinnati” effort, agreed. “We are in a real need of churches being planted inside the beltway of the city,” he said, noting that in the city limits of Cincinnati there is one Southern Baptist church for every 46,000 people. Another area where new church plants is desperately needed is for language groups. Because of its international airport, “the world comes to Cincinnati,” observed David Smith, pastor of Creek Road Baptist Church in Cincinnati. “For us to reach the world we don’t have to go far outside our property line,” he observed. Reaching ethnic groups is especially important to Smalley. He noted there are 16 ethnic groups in the church’s current ESL classes. “Our vision is to launch ethnic churches using ESL as a platform,” he shared.
Stengthening existing churches
Another area of need is to help the existing churches in the Greater Cincinnati area, Ohio leaders agreed. The partnership with Tennessee needs both a focus on church planting and helping the churches that are already in the area, said Dennis Holmes, one of the church planting strategists in the Greater Cincinnati area.
Kim Margrave, volunteer missions specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Convention, is working with four church planter strategists in the Greater Cincinnati area. From left are David Coppedge, Dennis Holmes, Margrave, Steve Renfrow and Chuck Sams. Sams recently retired, but is helping in the initial stages of the partnership which officially begins Jan. 1, 2013.
“In Ohio we have been concerned about strengthening churches so they can plant churches,” Holmes shared. He noted that was one reason why there was an intentional effort to introduce Tennessee Baptists to both church planters and existing church pastors during the vision trip. “While we would like to see a church planting partnership, we also want (Tennessee) churches to partner with existing churches (in Ohio) to strengthen them and revitalize them,” Holmes said. Chuck Sams, a church planting strategist who retired recently, but is continuing to help in the initial stages of the partnership, agreed. “We have a number of small struggling churches that could benefit from missions teams which could strengthen them and broaden their vision and outreach,” Sams observed. Tennessee Baptists “can help them become more effective,” he added.
Barriers to cross
Reaching people with the gosple in Ohio is not easy and there are barriers, leaders agreed. “When you cross the Ohio River, Southern Baptists are a minority,” Holmes observed. He noted Southern Baptists have an “identity problem” in Cincinnati. He did note, however, that World Changers have helped to improve the image and identity of Southern Baptists in the area. Other barriers cited included negative attitudes toward religion in general, the strong influence
of Catholics, the age of existing churches, financial resources and more. Don Pierson, TBC prayer specialist who was part of the vision team, put the perceived barriers into perspective. “There are no hindrances or barriers with God. They only become hindrances if you focus on them.”
Ray Luck, director of missions for McMinn-Meigs Baptist Association, said the partnership would offer “about anything a team would want to do” including leading Vacation Bible Schools, construction and more. Ron Davidson, director of missions for Shiloh Baptist Association, was impressed about the potential for partnering with Baptists in the area. Tennesseans respond He pledged to ask every Randy Maxwell, director church in his association to select of missions for William Carey one of the church planters in the Baptist Association, based in area to pray for him and to conFayetteville, said he was excited tact him to encourage him and to about the partnership because of ask what they can do to help his its proximity (about seven hours ministry. from Fayetteville). Pierson acknowledged there As he visited various areas were so many needs. “It is overin the region, Maxwell was im- whelming to decide where to pressed with the leaders he met. start a church,” he observed. “They have a vision here. They Reagan Wagoner, missions need help to carry out that vision and Next Generation pastor at to reality. That’s where Tennessee Thompson Station Church in Baptists can help,” he observed. Thompson Station, noted the “The vision tour was great,” “Lord spoke to my heart about observed Jeff Bowden, disciple- the lostness of the area” as he ship pastor with responsibilities drove around Greater Cincinnati. for evangelism and missions at He noted they were told First Baptist Church, Lenoir City. that the majority of the existing “I was able to meet local as- churches had few if any members sociational leaders, local pastors under the age of 40. and church planters. I saw the “I felt the Lord saying as we greater Cincinnati area — neigh- drove, ‘Who will go and reach the borhoods, churches and people 20-somethings and the 30-somein the community.” things and their children?’ ” Bowden cited the lostness of Wagoner added that it was the city and the need to start new “encouraging to get to meet and churches, and to encourage cur- hear from men who were seeing rent churches. this city, just five hours north of “Tennessee Baptists can and us, as a mission field where there must respond to this great need are people hurting and in need of of sharing the gospel of Christ to our great God.” Cincinnati,” he said, noting that Wagoner said “they are speFirst Baptist Church of Lenoir cifically praying for three church City “will be responding.” Ministry ~ Continued on Page 10
April 2012 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 7
VBS ~ Continued from Page 1 that required passage stamps from the different display areas. Anyone who collected all seven stamps received a free gift. After the Open House, everyone gathered in the church sanctuary for a Worship Rally featuring Jeff Slaughter who led the music and motions of all this year’s VBS songs. Doug Morgan, Associate Pastor at Edgewood Baptist Church in Trenton, did a monologue giving a brief description of each day’s theme. Dwayne Lee gave out an assortment of VBS material for door prizes. The Rally was a high energy time of praising God with over 300 people in attendance. This is Jeff Slaughter’s last year working with Lifeway VBS. He has been composing and choreographing all the songs for VBS for the past 16 years, writing 130 songs during those years. Jeff sat at the piano and sang some of his favorite songs from the past 16 years. We watched a video tribute to Jeff and gave him some gifts to remember Ohio Baptists. Among those gifts were, of course, an OSU shirt and hat! Jeff mentioned that he looked up the significance of the number 16 and found that it means “achievement” and also it was the amount of time it took for all four of the Gospels to be written. Jeff thanked the Lord and Lifeway, “for the wonderful opportunity and privilege I have had to be able to serve in this way and for allowing me to write His Gospel in these songs during these 16 years.” When asked what Ohio meant to Jeff, he replied, “I have very dear friends here who have prayed for me, encouraged me, and loved me since the beginning of my journey with VBS. Probably the closest friends I’ve made through my experience with VBS have been Ohio people.” What a wonderful compliment to Ohio Baptists from a well-loved and respected man of God! Another highlight of the Worship Rally was a surprise celebration for Margaret Williams, member of FBC Vandalia who has served in Ohio VBS for 30 years. Margaret’s family came from Aurora and Dayton to surprise her and participate in the celebration. We concluded the evening with a reception for Jeff and Margaret. Jeff signed autographs and had his picture taken with attendees. Then ev-
University Baptist Church, Middletown Ohio presents the 3rd Annual Senior Adult Conference June 2, 2012 • 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm All senior adults and senior adult leaders are invited to attend this free event on Saturday, June 2. A lunch will be available for purchase at the event for only $10.00. Jeff with 100 voice Children’s Choir
eryone crashed to catch a good night’s sleep. By 7:00 Saturday morning Highland Baptist Church was again buzzing with workers getting ready for the day of workshops. By 9:00 AM there were 420 people registered. The day was packed with workshops for VBS Directors, Pastors, Craft Leaders, Mission Leaders, Teachers, and more. The whole event concluded with a drama and a 100 voice Children’s Choir singing all the VBS songs for this year. The Children’s Choir consisted of children from several churches in the Metro Columbus Association. During practice that afternoon, Jeff Slaughter sang some of the songs with the children, posed for pictures and signed autographs. The children were very excited to see Jeff in person and to be able to talk to him. Some of them couldn’t believe that he was “here in real life!” It certainly was the highlight of the weekend for those children. Flyers Pizza did an outstanding job providing all the food for VBSI and the reception. They also held a drawing for one church to receive free pizzas for their VBS Family Night. The winning church was Covenant Church in Galloway. The Bible Teaching and Leadership Resource Group and the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s VBSI a wonderful success. Thank you to all of you who participated by teaching a workshop, to those of you who helped set up and tear down, to Lifeway Christian Bookstore for being on site to sell VBS materials, to Highland Baptist Church for turning their building over to us for three days, and a big thank you to all of you who attended the event. We pray that your VBS this year will reach many, many children for our Lord.
Featured Speakers:
David Jakes Administrative Director, The Association of Baptist Ministries with the Aging Nancy Jakes President, Baptist Senior Life Ministries, Scottsdale, AZ Steve Hopkins State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, Bible Teaching/Leadership Resource Group Leader
Topics of Discussion:
• The importance of senior adults in the Church today • Ministries available for senior adults • Making connections between senior adults and young people in your Church • Finishing Well Registration will begin in April, please contact the Church at: office@universitybaptist.us or call (513) 424-2612. Upon registration indicate: Meal, no meal, wheelchair, deaf interpreter.
William Wilson, MD
David Jakes
Nancy Jakes
Steve Hopkins
William Wilson, MD
Partnering with the Bible Teaching/Leadership Resource Group - a Cooperative Program Ministry of Mission Ohio
ROYAL AMBASSADOR CONGRESS APRIL 20 - 21, 2012 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1167 Highview Drive FAIRBORN, OHIO THEME: “HAVING A CHRISTLIKE CONCERN” RACER DERBY TRACK MEET
CAMPCRAFT COMPETITION TROPHIES AWARDED
Prepare now to bring your Royal Ambassador Chapter to the annual Congress. Plenty of fellowship, messages from God’s Word, challenges, individual and chapter competitions, and the famous R. A. Lunch (Hot dog/ chips / drink)! Cost: $ 10.00 per person STATEWIDE MISSION PROJECT: COLLECT RECYCLEABLES AND BRING THE FUNDS TO CONGRESS. TRACK YOUR POUNDAGE SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE THE CHAPTERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS. MONEY WILL BE DONATED TO A LOCAL FOOD BANK. MEDALS AND PATCHES WILL BE AWARDED. CONTACT BOB ANDES (937) 581—1239 FOR MORE DETAILS
Page 8 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2012
Women’s
Missions & Ministries
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus By: Jean DiFilippo Women’s Ministry Director, Scioto Valley Baptist Association
Beautiful Feet
lis, stirred all of our hearts with her solo “His Life for Mine”, and storyteller Donna Wilson filled the church with laughter as The Scioto Valley she shared during the Baptist Association hostbreakout session. ed the Southeast Ohio State WMU President Women’s Spring Retreat Joanne Hopkins brought “Turn Your Eyes Upon greetings from WMU Jesus” on Saturday, March and recipients of the Joan Story Teller, Donna Wilson 3, at First Baptist Church White Scholarship Fund in Athens. Ninety-eight women from shared reports of their recent mission more than twenty-five churches at- trip to Haiti. tended. Men from FBC, Athens, First All in all, the day was very upliftSouthern in Pomeroy and First South- ing and encouraging as we were all ern in Southpoint parked cars and challenged to continually “Turn Our served lunch. Eyes Upon Jesus.” 2013 Southeast Ohio Keynote speaker, Norma McMur- Women’s Spring Retreat will be March ry, challenged us to look at Jesus’ power 2. Please mark your calendar and plan and glory. Worship leader, Cheryl El- to join us.
those who bring the Gospel of peace...
Joyful Confections: Fudge & Scones, Grand Rapids, Ohio. Donations to Joan White Scholarship L to R: Cheryl Ellis, Jean DiFilippo, Norma McMurry
Upcoming Events
Lunch Fellowship
Date
Event
April 21 April 28 May 5 May 18-19 June 11-15 June 18-22 July 25-August 3 July 30-August 3 August 6-10 September 14-15 September 16-23 October 12-13 November 8 December 2-9
Northwest Spring Retreat Beautiful Feet Metro Columbus Spring Retreat SLBA Spring Retreat Kids Kamp 1 Kids Kamp 2 More than Gold Kids Kamp 3 Missions Camp Fall Retreat & Mission Celebration Ray Roberts State Missions Offering Mother Daughter Retreat Pastor’s Wives Luncheon Lottie Moon International Missions Offering
Join Us On Facebook! OWN-Ohio Women’s Network L to R Joan White Scholarship Fund Recipients from FBC Groveport, on mission to Haiti, Nancy Wilkerson and Dawn Bellamy Also pictured Randa LeMasters
Ohio WMU President Joanne Hopkins
BLOG
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Missions & Ministries April 2012 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 9
Women’s
April prayerguide guide forremembering remembering theHorn HornofofAfrica Africa April2012 2012 ~~ AAAprayer April 2012 prayer guidefor for rememberingthe the Horn of Africa Nam id velit non risus consequat iaculis. Nam id velit non risus consequat iaculis.
Millions of people are dying without knowing Jesus and destined to an eternity Millions of people are dying without knowing and destined to an eternity in hell. Please do your part this month, spend aJesus few minutes each day in hell. Please do your part this month, minutes each interceding for the people that live in thespend Horn aoffew Africa that do notday yet know interceding for the people that live in the Horn of Africa that do not yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Based on Isaiah 9:2, pray that God would bring Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Based on Isaiah 9:2, pray that God would bring them out of the darkness and into His light. them out of the darkness and into His light. Sunday Sunday 1 ~ Over 100 1 ~ Over 100 million lost millionare lostin the people people are the Horn. Ask in how Horn.will Ask God usehow Godtowill use you intercede you to intercede for them. for them. 8 ~ Pray that as 8 ~ Pray that locals hear theas locals hear the “Easter Story”, “Easter they willStory”, believe theydesire will believe and to and desire to know Christ. know Christ. 15 ~ Pray that 15 ~ Pray many fromthat many from every tribe, every tribe, nation, people, nation, people, and language and language would come to wouldChrist. come to know know Christ. 22 ~ Pray that 22 ~projects Pray that the the projects done in the Horn done the Horn will beineffective will be effective in providing in providing opportunities to opportunities to share the gospel. share the gospel. 29 ~ Pray that 29 ~ Pray that small groups small groups would learn would learn Biblical truths Biblical (abide in truths the (abide in word, praythe in word, pray in faith, share the faith, share gospel, and the gospel, grow in and the grow in Lord) the Lord)
Monday Monday 2 ~ Pray that the 2 ~ Pray that of the Global Body Globalaround Body of Christ Christ around the World will the World take time towill pray takethe time for losttoinpray for Horn the lost in the Africa. the Horn Africa. 9 ~ Pray that as 9 ~ Pray that as one person one person comes to know comesthat to know God, they God,connect that they can can connect with others to with to form others a church. form a church. 16 ~ Pray that 16 ~ would Pray that God open God would open doors to places doors that areto places that are closed. currently currently closed. 23 ~ Pray that as 23 ~ Pray that as local believers local believers are persecuted, are persecuted, they can stand they in cantheir stand firm firm in their faith. faith. 30 ~ Pray that 30 ~ would Pray that God do God would do the seemingly the seemingly impossible and a impossible and a Church Planting Church Planting Movement Movement would break out would breakofout in the Horn in the Horn of Africa! Africa!
Tuesday Tuesday 3 ~ Pray for 3 ~ Pray foragain many born many bornclergy again Orthodox Orthodox clergy who meet in who meet in secret to study secret Word, to study God’s God’s insteadWord, of instead tradition.of tradition. 10 ~ Pray that 10 ~ Pray that others would others would answer the call answer the call to GO serve to GO serve Him and to help Him and to help in the ‘harvest in the ‘harvest fields’. fields’. 17 ~ Pray that 17 ~ Praywould that Africans Africans would see that you see that you can’t EARN can’tway EARN your to your way to to paradise, but paradise, but to trust in Jesus! trust in Jesus! 24 ~ Pray that 24 ~ Pray that local believers local believers would learn to would learn to love their love theirand enemies enemies share withand those share with those around them. around them.
Wednesday 4 ~Wednesday Pray that 4 ~ that thesePray Ethiopian these Ethiopian clergy will clergy will share effectively effectively God’s truth share with God’s and truthteach with others others and teach it at church. it at church. 11 ~ Many 11 ~ Many people in the people the Horn ofinAfrica Horn ofread. Africa cannot cannot read. Pray that the Pray that Bible can the be put Bible can be put in audio forms. in audio 18 ~ Prayforms. that 18 ~ Pray that workers would workers would step out of their step out zones of their comfort comfort and meetzones people and meet where theypeople are. where they are. 25 ~ Pray that 25 ~ would Pray that God draw God would draw many to Himself manyacross to Himself from the from and across the Horn many Horn and many would believe. would believe.
Thursday Thursday 5 ~ Pray for God 5 ~ Pray God to protectfor them to protect from beingthem from kickedbeing out of the kicked out of the Local Church & Local Church & that opposition that opposition would fail. would fail. 12 ~ Pray that 12 ~ time Pray truth that each each time truth is shared that is shared that God’s Word God’s not Word would return would not return void. void. 19 ~ Pray that 19 ~ Pray that local believers local believers in Ethiopia and in Ethiopia Djibouti willand be Djibouti will be bold in sharing bold witness in sharing their their others. witness with with others. 26 ~ Pray that 26 ~ Pray workers &that local workers & local believers alike believers alike would hunger would hunger for God’s word for God’s and hide it word in and hide it their hearts.in their hearts.
Friday 6 ~ AsFriday believers 6 ~ As believers celebrate ‘Good celebratepray ‘Good Friday’, Friday’, pray that Muslim that Muslim believers would believers would acknowledge the acknowledge the death of Christ. death of Christ. 13 ~ Pray that 13 ~ Pray that workers can workers can learn language learnenough language deep to deep enough share Biblicalto shareand Biblical truth answer truth and answer tough questions. tough questions. 20 ~ Pray that 20 ~ Prayeverythat believers believers everywhere would where would financially give financially give so that workers so that workers can remain on canfield. remain on the the~field. 27 Pray that 27 ~believers Pray that new new believers would abide in wouldand abide Jesus bearin Jesus fruit and bear much for much fruit for Him. Him.
Saturday Saturday 7 ~ Pray that 7 ~ Pray that field workers field workers would not get would get caught not up in caughtthings’ up in ‘good ‘good but seethings’ how God but see how God desires them to desires them to spend their time. spend theirthat time. 14 ~ Pray 14 ~ would Pray that God God would speak to people speak to people of the Horn of the Horn through dreams through dreams and visions that and visions that will lead to Him. will~ lead Him. 21 Prayto that 21 ~ Pray that ALL believers ALL believers would see it as would see it to as their calling their calling to share the good share the good news with those news with those around them. around them. 28 ~ Pray that 28 ~ time Pray seeds that each each time seeds are planted, they are planted, would fall onthey wouldsoil falland on be good good soil and able to grow. be able to grow.
IMPORTANT NOTE: IMPORTANT NOTE: The goal is for ONE MILLION people praying this month for the The goal is for ONE MILLION praying month forthe the Horn of Africa. Thank you for people doing your part!this Help track Horn of Africa. you for doing your part! Help number Thank by logging in your participation at … track the number bywww.prayforthehorn.com logging in your participation at … www.prayforthehorn.com
Page 10 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2012
Cooperation and the Southern Baptist Convention In the opening decades of the twentieth century, leaders of Southern Baptist Convention ministries and leaders of state Baptist ministries made frequent financial appeals to Baptist churches for a wide range of ministry needs. The churches being asked to fund the ministries of the Southern Baptist Convention were the same churches being asked Oldham to support the ministries of individual state Baptist conventions. Inundated with so many requests from so many legitimate ministries, pastors and churches alike grew weary. Recognizing the drain these requests made on the churches, our Baptist forbears hammered out a plan that both recognized and sought to address the problem of so many special offerings. The plan was remarkably simple – (1) individuals give their tithes and offerings to their local churches; (2) the churches would forward a percentage of their contributions to their state Baptist convention for ministry in the state; (3) the state convention would then forward a percentage of its funds to provide support for SBC ministries. Through a unified, cooperative program of giving, both sets of ministries could be funded – state ministry needs and ministry endeavors of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1925, this cooperative
venture between churches, state conventions, and the Southern Baptist Convention was given the name Cooperative Program. By definition, the “Cooperative Program is Southern Baptists’ unified plan of giving through which cooperating Southern Baptist churches give a percentage of their undesignated receipts in support of their respective state convention and the Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministries.” As faithful stewards give of their tithes and offerings through their local churches, they partner with other Southern Baptist Christians to accomplish Kingdom-sized ministries. Two of the world’s largest missionary-sending agencies – the International Mission Board of the SBC and the North American Mission Board of the SBC – are equipped and resourced to deploy more than ten thousand missionaries across the nation and around the world; Tens of thousands of college students are reached with and for the Gospel through Baptist Collegiate Ministry, the
largest campus ministry organization in America; Hundreds of new churches are planted annually in major cities and among multiple ethnic, racial, and language groups in the United States through a collaboration of local church, associational, state convention, and SBC efforts; More than sixteen thousand future church leaders are trained in the largest theological seminary consortium in the United States; Thousands of children are fed and housed through children’s homes ministries in multiple states; More than sixteen hundred mobile disaster relief teams, scattered across the states, constituting the third largest relief organization in the United States, are trained and on ready-alert for deployment whenever a natural disaster strikes the United States. The synergy of cooperative ministry is incalculable. As Nehemiah’s story shows, we each can accomplish so much more when we work together – cooperating for the purpose of penetrating lostness, making disciples, and evangelizing the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Roger (Sing) Oldham Vice President for Convention Communications and Relations Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee
April 5, 6, 7 in Greenfield, Ohio Sponsored by Southern Hills Baptist Association and SCBO Thursday Evening, April 5
Friday Afternoon
Worship and Message by Carl Kerby with Reason for Hope.
Community Outreach - An invitation to a community wide showing of the “Passion of the Christ”
Friday Worship and Message by Jeff Smith, Youth Pastor of Clough Pike Baptist Church. Youth can choose from 3 ministry treks: • Kelli Hundley - Block Parties Done Right • Carl Kerby - World View/ Relativism/Apologetics • Neal McKinney - Getting Radical (Faith Worth Dying For) • Amber Gallagher - Purity Girls • Amber Gallagher - Purity Guys • Kenny Cousar - New Believers 101 • Jeff Smith - Are you Developing Students/Your Student Ministry (adults only)
Learn how your youth group can participate by calling 513-724-7182 or e-mail southernhillsoffice@fuse.net
Ministry ~
Continued from Page 6 planters we connected with in Cincinnati, and asking the Lord how we could come alongside them financially or by sending volunteers to help them as they get started. “We are also open in any place we partner or send teams to the fact that God may call some of our own people to go and start something new. “We are praying that the Lord would continually give us fresh vision to reach the lost, and part of that fresh vision right now is Cincinnati.” As they were driving they came across “area after area that only had one Southern Baptist church for every 10,000-15,000 people. We are praying that God would use us to bring change to that state,” Wagoner said. Jackie Suggs, a layman from First Baptist Church, Selmer, called the vision trip “an eyeopening experience.” Suggs noted there are a lot of diverse areas in the Cincinnati area, but the residents all share a common bond — “They all need Jesus.” Kim Margrave, TBC volunteer missions specialist, said the opportunity “is great for Tennessee Baptists to serve in southwest Ohio. “Cincinnati has some great church planters to work alongside of to encourage and strengthen their work. Many of these church plants are in difficult areas. We also have the opportunity to serve existing churches to reach their communities through various outreach ministries,” she said. Dennis Holmes is excited about the possibilities of the partnership. He noted that short-term missions groups have come to the Cincinnati area for a number of years. Holmes stressed there is nothing wrong with that and short-term projects will still be needed. “But we are looking for ongoing partnerships,” he said, noting that he envisions Tennessee Baptist churches adopting a church planter in the area and helping him in his ministry on an ongoing basis. “You can have a stake in a church planter’s life. Be an encourager. Connect with the planter. Make an investment in him and his church,” Holmes suggested. “It makes a difference.”
April 2012 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 11
NEW CHURCH START: Cold Creek Community Church
By Planter Gene Smith
As Christ proclaimed in Mark 10:14, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” Children and families are the future of the church. As we reach out into our communities to win those for Christ we need to put the family unit at the forefront. Children today are being flooded with so many worldly influences that are constantly competing for their attention. As the church, we are going to have to rise to that same level and compete for their attention even more. With a massive influx of technology, children are enticed to have the latest and greatest this or that which in turn they define their lives by these worldly goods and influences. We need to take the gospel to them and pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to influence them that what they do with Jesus will be the most important decision that they will ever make in their lives! We, at Cold Creek Community Church, a new church start-up in Castalia, Ohio, believe that reaching the family for Christ is one of the most vital parts in fulfilling our God-given vision. We have begun to fulfill that vision! On Sunday, January 29th we baptized two new converts into the family of God. First, was my son Samuel Smith who had made a profession of faith in Christ in December and second, Annie
Wadsworth, who made a profession of faith in Christ in October, 2010, in her Sunday School Class at Port Clinton Baptist Church by the witness of Mrs. Mayanna Young. We are so grateful to be part of the kingdom of God by baptizing these two precious souls into our Lord’s kingdom. Please pray for us at Cold Creek Community Church that we continue to reach the lost for Christ, especially through local family units. We have had a great start not only through these baptisms, but through initial Bible study. We had our first meeting on January 5th with 12 in attendance and have been averaging (approx.) 9 every week thereafter. There are several events that we have planned for 2012 includ-
ing GPS door hangers on every door in the community, Backyard Bible Club, a sports camp and a block party. Please pray and consider supporting us in any way that God would lead you or your local church. We will especially treasure your prayers! If you would be interested in serving on our intercessory prayer team, please contact us at 419-680-4084 or 419-684-8044. This new work is made possible by the Cooperative Program gifts of Southern Baptist churches as well as the Ray Roberts State Missions Offerings. The church planter is Gene Smith and the sponsoring churches are First Baptist Church Clyde, Ohio, and East Fremont Baptist Church in Northcoast Baptist Association.
Better Together ~ Ohio Saturday, April 21st, 2012 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Spend a day focused on how to get healthy physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually with First Place 4 Health.
8:00 - 9:00 AM ~ Continental Breakfast and Check-in 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM ~ Programming including lunch
Do you crave balance in your life?
What can you expect:
Have you vowed to “get it together” this year? Are you in a funk and need some encouragement? Do you want to live longer and stronger? Want to know about food and exercise that will work with your lifestyle? Desperate to lose weight and keep it off forever? Join us for a day of hope and “how to” for balanced living and sustainable weight loss. This event will introduce you to the concept of whole-person wellness, and reinforce not just physical health, but Total Health! Join us! Because, we really are...better together!
Schedule:
• Exercises You Can Do • Incredible Weight Loss Stories from Real People • Practical Information on Nutrition and Health • Motivational Messages for Growing Spiritually • Lunch and Snacks
Cost: $39* *If registered by 4/5/12. $49 after that date. Location:
West Side Baptist Church 154 Gordon Ave Hamilton, OH
Contact:
Karen Rhodus Email: karenrhodus@outlookministry.org
Guest Speakers:
Carole Lewis - First Place 4 Health National Director Vicki Heath - First Place 4 Health Associate Director and ACE-certified Fitness Professional & Others!
FP4H has arranged for a reduced rate of $89 at the following hotels: Best option for those coming in from the Dayton Airport or from North on I-75 (29 minutes from the church): Fairfield Inn Middletown 6750 Roosevelt Parkway Middletown, Ohio 45044 (513) 424-5444 http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ mwdfi-fairfield-inn-middletown *Rate does not include tax. Tax is currently 12.5%. Please mention West Side Baptist when making reservation. Best option for those coming from the Cincinnati Airport or from South on I-75 (21 minutes from church): SpringHill Suites by Marriott 12001 Chase Plaza Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45240 (513) 825-9035 www.springhillsuites.com/cvgfp *Rate does not include tax. Tax is currently 16%. Please mention West Side Baptist to receive reduced rate.
Partnering with the Bible Teaching/Leadership Resource Group - a Cooperative Program Ministry of Mission Ohio
Page 12 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2012
He is Risen
Press toward the Mark
“He is not here; He is risen,” proclaimed the angel on the day of Christ’s resurrection. We continue to proclaim the same message today, because people for whom Christ died and rose again still need to hear and obey this message. Additional media and venues expand our delivery of this message, but the message remains the same. It remains the same because the need of all humanity remains Jack Kwok, Ph.D. the same, and the remedy for Executive DirectorTreasurer humanity’s need remains the State Convention same. All of humanity has sinned of Baptists in Ohio against holy God. This sinful rebellion against God resulted in every human’s judgment and damnation. Therefore, everyone is spiritually lost and separated from God. Death is the penalty for sin. It is the unavoidable result, because when one sins against God that person walks away from life. Death is the only other path available when one departs from life. The ultimate end for this condition is hell. All who die physically without a remedy for their spiritually lost condition will remain separated forever from God in hell. The remedy for all humanity is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus: the Gospel or good news. Jesus died for us. He took our place and suffered for us. He paid the penalty in full. No one can add nor subtract from the payment by Jesus for our sins. His burial verifies that He really did die. The angelic announcement of
His actual, physical resurrection verifies that the Father accepted the payment by Jesus. Had Jesus not been an acceptable and sufficient offering for our sin, He would remain in the tomb to this day. However, He arose. We know that our sin debt has been paid. All the claims and promises of Jesus can be accepted and trusted for His resurrection verifies that He is the Christ, the son of the living God: Redeemer, Savior, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah! Since the only remedy for the universal problem of humanity’s sin problem is the Gospel. All of humanity needs to hear the message. As believers in the Gospel, that is our mission and ministry. We are ambassadors of Christ with the mission from our Master to tell the good news to the whole world. For those of us in Ohio, the world begins in our state but it does not end there. We share the responsibility for telling the whole world. The 2020 vision for Ohio Southern Baptists directs us to concentrate on Ohio. Because He is risen, let us press toward the mark of having one million members in 2,020 Southern Baptist congregations by the year 2020. While we are primarily responsible for Ohio, that does not excuse us from the responsibility of telling the whole world about Jesus. God gave Southern Baptists a unique plan to fulfill this responsibility: the Cooperative Program. Since 1925, Southern Baptists have been able to share in taking the Gospel to the whole world through the Cooperative Mission Program. Tithes and offerings from members of a Southern Baptist church support the ministry of their local church. Their local church sends a percentage of their undesignated receipts to the Cooperative Program.
How to submit Church News Send all church news and information to Linnett Snodgrass at lsnodgrass@scbo.org For information about the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio and more Baptist Press news, go to our website www.scbo.org.
The Cooperative Mission Program funds the work of the state convention and world-wide missions beyond the state convention. Overseas and home missions have occupied the priority positions for Cooperative Mission Program ministries beyond the state convention. Today, the Cooperative Mission Program provides the backbone support for Southern Baptist missionaries in over 130 countries around the world. Here at home, the Cooperative Mission Program enables missionaries to minister in every state and territory of the United States. The Cooperative Mission Program enables Southern Baptists to take the Gospel around the world every day of the year. Other ministries receive Cooperative Mission Program support. These ministries support our world-wide mission thrust: executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, mission boards, seminaries, and several commissions. While Southern Baptists are doing many godly and righteous ministries through the auspices of the Cooperative Mission Program, the main purpose remains taking the Gospel to the whole world. As we celebrate the Resurrection this season, let us renew our commitment to taking the Gospel to the whole world: Ohio and beyond. April is designated as Cooperative Program month. Please take this opportunity to share our global mission vision and plan with your church during the weeks ahead. When your church engages budget planning, please pray earnestly about increasing your participation in global missions through your Cooperative Mission Program giving. Let us Press toward the Mark of global missions, because HE IS RISEN!
How to become a
Christian If you are not a Christian, have never surrendered your will to the Lord Jesus, let me share briefly how you can make this life changing decision. GOD WANTS YOU SAVED. First, you must believe that God loves you and wants you to have peace in your heart and an everlasting life (John 3:16). Second, you must recognize that you are a sinner, that you have done things which have displeased God and that you have separated yourself from Him (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Third, you must believe that Jesus came to this earth, was actually God in the flesh, lived a perfect life, and yet went to a cruel cross, dying for your sins, paying once and for all the penalty of sin (I Peter 2:24). However, it’s not enough just to know these three things. Many of us knew them for years before we ever gave Jesus our lives. Fourth, you must personally ask Jesus to come into your life and forgive you of your sins (Revelation 3:20). You can pray this prayer now and if you mean it with all of your heart, Jesus will come in just like He said. He cannot lie. Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I’m really sorry for my sins, Lord. I ask you now, Lord Jesus, to come into my heart, forgive me of my sins, take control of my life, and make me the kind of person You want me to be. I now receive You into my heart. Thank You for coming in. I will follow You all the days of my life. In Your name I pray, Amen.