fellowship!
CBF
Cooperative baptist fellowship | www.thefellowship.info
February/March 2007
Evangelism at heart of Fellowship’s vision of her in-laws, who both have disabilities, three small children and husband, a manual
laborer who tries to support his family on $20 a month. It has been an especially tough year for the family — Razmire’s father was tragically killed by a bus and the family was informed that the state would no longer provide medicine for their youngest daughter, who has leukemia. Arville and Shelia Earl of seeing people survive have not only paid for the insurmountable obstacles life-saving medicine Razmire’s — like drought, lack of daughter needs, but they have education, ethnic conflict and also helped to create a esus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their school for synagogues and proclaiming the good news her children of the kingdom and curing every disease and and offered every sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 her their love and friendship. The Earls, who unemployment — I’m still work among the poor in amazed at the indomitable Macedonia as Cooperative spirit of people like Razmire Baptist Fellowship field to survive and make a better personnel, call their ministry life for her family,” Shelia Earl “relationship evangelism.” said. “I am so grateful to be “Even after 26 years of here as a witness that God living and working overseas, loves her.”
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CBF Global Missions field of CBF field personnel. and highlights evangelism personnel around the world Fellowship Baptists — resources. True to the Baptist are bearing witness to God’s chaplains, pastoral counselors, principle of the priesthood of love. As they help to meet ministers, churches and laity all believers, the Fellowship spiritual, emotional affirms and empowers and physical needs, each individual’s field personnel are personal ministry of building relationships evangelism. and transforming lives. “From the earliest “Jesus brought the days of evangelism, whole gospel to the Jesus called us to whole world, and it proclaim his love,” was a gospel of word said Bo Prosser, the and deed that did Fellowship’s coordinator not value one kind of congregational life. of witness over the “So the responsibility other,” said Rob Nash, is on me to tell — not coordinator for CBF on me to convict. The Global Missions. “For parable of the sower this reason, our field is a good model for personnel minister us as modern day out of the conviction evangelists. We are to that meaningful sow seeds. And that evangelism is might happen through relationship social interaction, Shelia Earl works with children at a Skopje kinderevangelism that is ministry activities or garten, which was started by CBF Global Missions built upon love and soul winning — but the field personnel (see story on page 10). commitment to the challenge is to sow.” people that God brings into — are being the presence of GIVE – To give to the Offering our lives.” Christ every day through a for Global Missions go to www. Evangelism is at the heart variety of words and works. thefellowship.info/involved/give/ of the Fellowship’s vision — This issue of fellowship! ogm.icm or call (800) 352-8741. “being the presence of Christ provides snapshots of the in the world.” But evangelism many ways Fellowship Baptists By Patricia Heys, CBF is not limited to the ministries are involved in evangelism Communications Photo courtesy of the Earls
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n Skopje, Macedonia, Razmire takes care
Baptist volunteers needed to build houses for Katrina victims
inside
this issue...
subsidized the cost of the homes, with several Baptist organizations contributing the remainder. The Fellowship has given $105,000 to the effort, which included an initial threehouse build in October. Both skilled and unskilled volunteers are needed to work in a variety of areas, including construction, hospitality, landscaping and painting. Volunteers are invited to stay for the entire two-week build or for just a few days. “Just because Katrina is fading from the headlines does not mean the hurt and
• Page 3 — Church Spotlight:
Churchland Baptist
should register and receive additional information through CBF’s Volunteer Office, which is coordinating the Fellowship’s volunteer efforts on this project. There is a $100 per week fee, which covers three meals a day and lodging. If other lodging facilities are used, the fee is $50.
Carla Wynn photo
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ooperative Baptist Fellowship volunteers are needed to build houses and build hope for Hurricane Katrina victims April 23-May 5 in Baton Rouge, La. More than 325 volunteers a day are needed for the two-week Habitat for Humanity build. “We need CBF churches to respond to this opportunity with love and hammers,” said Timothy Wood, the Fellowship’s volunteer program manager. Twelve families who lost their homes during Katrina will be chosen for the new homes. Habitat for Humanity
SERVE – To volunteer or for more information, contact More than 325 volunteers are needed each day in order to build 12 houses in two weeks.
the devastation are gone. If anything, time has made things worse for many hurricane survivors since Katrina’s landfall,” Wood
• Page 8 — Pastor starts a
traveling church
said. “These folks are still our neighbors; they are still in need; and we still need to help.” Fellowship volunteers
• Page 10 — Smiths create
school in Macedonia
Wood at (800) 782-2451 or twood@thefellowship.info. For more on the Fellowship’s disaster response, visit www. thefellowship.info/disaster.
By Carla Wynn, CBF Communications
• Page 11 — General Assembly
information
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Inside CBF
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fellowship
Roundup
Lilly awards second grant for CBF initiative The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship received a $997,874 grant to support its Initiative for Ministerial Excellence — the second such grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. The grant will further the work of the Initiative which began in January 2003. The goal of the Initiative is to help sustain healthy ministers and deliver practical help to congregational leaders across the country. In its second phase, the Initiative will expand its peer learning groups, create a network of at least 50 teaching congregations, develop a “Caring for Ministers” resource for churches and allow for the staffing of a full-time director.
Studies at Brite Divinity School and Wake Forest University Divinity School. Two schools — Baptist University of the Américas and International Baptist Theological Seminary — were recognized as global partners. Changes in the funding formula will be phased in during the next three years.
Ray named disaster coordinator CBF and CBF of Arkansas partnered to appoint Charles Ray, of Little Rock, Ark., as the Fellowship’s first coordinator for U.S.-based disaster response. The twoyear position was created through a partnership Charles Ray between CBF and CBF of Arkansas, who are jointly funding the position. Other state and regional CBF organizations are funding operational expenses for the position.
Missional ministry grants awarded
Fellowship names identity partners
Photo courtesy Common Ground
The Fellowship has awarded “It’s Time” The CBF Coordinating Council Missional Ministry Grants to the followidentified four theological schools as ing churches: Common Ground Baptist identity partners at the Council’s meeting Church, San Antonio, Texas; Park Avenue in October. Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga.; First Baptist Campbell University Divinity School, Church, Knoxville, Tenn.; First Baptist Baptist Theological Seminary at RichChurch, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Kirkwood mond, Mercer University’s McAfee Baptist Church, St. Louis, Mo.; Central School of Theology and Baylor UniBaptist Bearden, Knoxville, Tenn., Northversity’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary were named Fellowship identity partners, a designation that provides for institutional funding and scholarships from the Fellowship. Nine schools were identified as leadership partners, whose students are eligible to apply for CBF Leadership Scholarships — Baptist Seminary at Kentucky, Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Common Ground Baptist Church will use its grant to host a monthly celebration of the creative arts. Baptist House of Studies at Duke University Divinity School, Emory University’s Baptist House of Studies at Candler School of Theology, Gardner Webb University’s M. Christopher March 1-4 White Divinity School, Logsdon School Fourth Annual Women of Church of Theology at Hardin-Simmons UniverConference Myrtle Beach, S.C. sity, Baptist Studies Program at Lutheran CBF, South Carolina CBF and North Carolina Theological Southern Seminary, Texas CBF host a weekend conference of learning Christian University’s Baptist House of
Vol. 16, No. 6 Coordinator • Daniel Vestal Coordinator, Fellowship Advancement • Ben McDade Editor • Lance Wallace managing Editor • Patricia Heys Associate Editor • Carla Wynn Phone • (770) 220-1600 Fax • (770) 220-1685 E-Mail • fellowship@thefellowship.info Web Site • www.thefellowship.info
fellowship! is published 6 times a year in Sept./ Oct., Special I (Oct.), Nov./Dec., Feb./Mar., Apr./May, Special II (July) by The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Inc., 3001 Mercer University Dr., Atlanta, GA 303414115. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, GA, and additional mailing offices. USPS #015-625 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to “fellowship!” Newsletter, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, P.O. Box 450329, Atlanta, GA 31145-0329
and fellowship. Info: cgoodwin@oaklandchurch.com or (803) 328-3864
March 5-8 True Survivor VII Nashville, Tenn. CBF hosts its annual training event for Christian educators. Info: www.thefellowship.info/involved/events/ truesurvivor.icm or (770) 220-1654 March 9-10 CBF of Georgia General Assembly Smoke Rise Baptist Church, Stone Mountain, Ga. Info: www.cbfga.org or (478) 742-1191 March 9-10 CBF of Virginia General Assembly Second Baptist Church, Richmond, Va. Info: www.cbfv.org or (804) 213-0412
east Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga., and First Baptist Church, Aiken, S.C. After completing “It’s Time: a Journey Toward Missional Faithfulness” study and meeting other requirements, congregations are eligible to apply for the grant. To review the grant application process, log on to www.thefellowship.info/ItsTime/TheMissionalChurch/grant.icm.
Chaplains endorsed by CBF The Fellowship endorsed 13 chaplains at the October Council on Endorsement meeting in Atlanta. The Fellowship now has a total of 550 endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors. The following individuals were endorsed: Lon D. Cullen, Birmingham, Ala.; William D.H. Runyon Jr., Lexington, Ky.; Carol S. Dalton, Swannanoa, N.C.; Sara Jane Moran, Spartanburg, S.C.; Christopher Morris, Winston Salem, N.C.; Melissa H. Whaley, WinstonSalem, N.C.; Michael R. Beach, Oliver Springs, Tenn.; James Ellis III, Killeen, Texas; James D. Jones, Seoul, South Korea; Charles Seligman III, Hupperath, Germany; William M. Stewart, Norman, Okla.; Paul D. Tolbert, Wilson, N.C.; David A. White, Johnson City, Tenn.
Burton honored as Truett alumna of the year Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary Alumni Association honored Anne Burton, one of CBF’s Global Missions field personnel, with its distinguished alumni award, which Anne Burton honors a graduate for his or her vision, accomplishments and service to the gospel in both the church and the broader community. Burton earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a master’s
degree from Truett Seminary. She has served as a chaplain at the University of Southern California, worked with migrants and refugees in North Africa, taught English as a Second Language and ministered among international students.
CBF of North Carolina unveils new logo, look The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina has unveiled a new logo featuring a dogwood, the state flower. The dogwood was also chosen because of its symbolic connections, including the cross formed in the center and the four petals, representing the four “fragile freedoms” celebrated by Fellowship Baptists. The petals also represent CBF of North Carolina’s four major ministry areas — missions, faith development, fellowship and leadership development. The organization also updated the look of its newsletter, e-newsletter and Web site. Check out the changes at www. cbfnc.org.
CBF of Florida names new coordinator Ray Johnson has been named coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida. Johnson is the former pastor of Riverside Baptist Church in Miami, Fla. He has Ray Johnson previously served as a missionary in the Philippines and as pastor of First Baptist Church, York, S.C. Johnson has been involved with CBF of Florida through the representative assembly, administrative council and board of Open House Ministries.
Upcoming Events March 16-17 CBFNC General Assembly First Baptist Church, Hickory, N.C. Info: www.cbfnc.org
April 27-28
March 16-18 and March 23-25 March Mission Madness Eatonton, Ga., and Columbus, Ga. A missions weekend for youth sponsored by CBF of Georgia Info: www.marchmissionmadness.org
May 2-4 Spiritual Formation Retreat Durham, N.C. CBF hosts a retreat for associate ministers. Info: www.thefellowship.info/involved/events or (770) 220-1648
April 13-14 CBF of Florida Gathering College Park Baptist Church, Orlando Info: www.floridacbf.org
June 9-12 Bread for the World Gathering Washington, D.C. The theme of this CBF partner event will be: “Sowing Seeds: Grow the Movement to Overcome Hunger and Poverty” Info: www.bread.org
April 13-14 North Central Region CBF General Assembly Speedway Baptist Church, Indianapolis Info: carcru@cinci.rr.com April 20-22 and April 27-29 Youth Spring Retreats Vineyard Camp, Westfield, N.C. Youth retreats sponsored by CBF of North Carolina. Deadline: Feb. 15 Info: www.cbfnc.org
CBF of Missouri General Assembly Lee’s Summit, Mo. Info: (816) 415-0009 or www.cbfmo.org
June 28-29 2007 CBF General Assembly Washington, D.C. Info: www.thefellowship.info/involved/events/ generalassembly.icm To submit an item, e-mail contact@thefellowship.info.
Coope r a t i v e B a pt i s t F e l l ow s h i p
Inside CBF
Church Spotlight:
Churchland Baptist Church, Chesapeake, Va.
D
Photo courtesy The Virginia-Pilot
uring American Education the time when our congregation decided to Week last fall, Churchland Baptist say ‘thank you’ to the public educators of our delivered more than 5,000 cookies region.” to teachers in three local school districts. Founded in 1785, the 750-member The church also invited teachers from the 30 congregation has been involved with the schools to a Sunday worship service and lunch Cooperative Baptist Fellowship since the in their honor. organization’s beginnings in 1991. Currently, While churches often make headlines for the church partners with CBF Global Missions the things they oppose, pastor Larry Coleman field personnel in Thailand and Macedonia, said Churchland wanted to communicate a and church members regularly attend the CBF positive message to the community. General Assembly. The church explained on its Web site: “It is the expression of affirmation. It is the expression of thanks. It is the expression of encouragement for all the hope and opportunity that public education offers to every single child in our Churchland members prepared cookies for teachers at local schools. society. It is
meet Tamara Tillman As the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s associate coordinator for missions education, Tamara Tillman is responsible for developing and managing production of the Fellowship’s missions education and prayer resources, which includes Water for Life, Form, Spark, Ignite and Affect. Hometown: Rome, Georgia Education: Samford University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Experience: Minister of childhood education, First Baptist Church, Dothan, Ala.; Minister of education and youth, First Baptist Church, Eufaula, Ala. Interesting Fact: From 1995 to 2000, Tillman served in the Middle East as one of CBF’s Global Missions field personnel. “My call to ministry is a direct result of missions education — someone invested in me. The church offered me mission encounters at every stage of development. Through missions education Fellowship churches learn about CBF field personnel who are funded through their gifts to the Offering for Global Missions. But even more so, they discover ways to connect and respond to similar ministries in their communities and the world beyond.” Contact Tillman at ttillman@thefellowship.info or (770) 220-1619.
By the Numbers: States and Regions
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States will be represented in the new regional organization CBF Midwest — Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. The 2007 General Assembly will vote on the bylaw change recognizing the new organization. Regional CBF organizations State CBF organizations
A Look Back n
15 years ago
Charles “T” and Kathie Thomas and John David and JoAnn Hopper were commissioned on May 2, 1992 as the Fellowship’s first Global Missions field personnel.
n
10 years ago
The Fellowship became a religious endorsing body for chaplains and pastoral counselors.
n
5 years ago
Phill Martin, the director of education for the National Association of Church Business Administration, served as CBF moderator.
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Fellowship People • • • • • •
Elizabeth Haney For the past four and a half years Elizabeth Haney has served as prayer coordinator for CBF of Missouri, organizing a prayer task team using e-mail. In this volunteer position, Haney, a member of First Baptist Church of Lexington, Mo., reaches not only Fellowship Baptists in Missouri but also in other states. People throughout Missouri send Haney requests, Elizabeth Haney and she keeps up with churches, events and people around the Fellowship. She sends out the names of people celebrating birthdays and churches searching for a pastor. A month before the CBF General Assembly each year, Haney reminds people to pray for the event and its organizers — everyone from the leaders to the staff stocking paper towels. When Central Baptist Seminary moved campuses in the fall, Haney lifted up the school in prayer and encouraged people to pray for the smallest details, including the effort involved in packing and moving books. To the prayer team and others, Haney suggests “when the Lord calls a person to mind, say a prayer for them.” • • • • • •
Brent McDougal Brent McDougal, former pastor of Corinth Heights Baptist Church in Haleyville, Ala., became coordinator of AlabamaCBF this fall. With a doctorate in political science from the University of Alabama and a master of divinity degree from Samford University, the Montgomery native brings education, experience and a network of relationships McDougal family across the state to his new position. As with most state organizations, McDougal expects that one of his biggest challenges will be geography — trying to connect churches throughout Alabama. But energized by the “creative, thoughtful and passionate people” who are involved with AlabamaCBF, McDougal said he accepted the coordinator position because he wanted to be a part of developing and communicating the vision of the organization. “My vision for AlabamaCBF is that we would be a people of renewal, worshipping and growing in the likeness of an ever-creative Christ, a place of fellowship, where everyone has a voice and is welcome at the table, and a partnership of kingdomfocused Christians, joining together to fulfill God’s purpose in Alabama and beyond,” McDougal said. • • • • • •
Ann Miller Ann Miller, director of pastoral care at Cook Children’s Healthcare System in Forth Worth, Texas, was honored by the hospital with the dedication of a prayer garden in her name. The garden, which cost $100,000 to create, contains a labyrinth, waterfalls, walking paths, mosaic tile benches, flowers and trees. Miller, a CBF-endorsed chaplain and chair of the Fellowship’s council on endorsement, has served at the children’s hospital for 19 years. She said it is an honor to be part of something that will be around after she is gone. Ann Miller “The garden will be a place of comfort and peace for families and the general community for many years to come,” Miller said. “As beautiful as the hospital chapel is, a lot of people can’t sit still there, especially dads. They need to be able to walk and pray or meditate. The garden shows that this community appreciates the value of pastoral care and knows the spiritual needs of children and their families need to be met along with the medical needs.” • • • • • •
Mike Walker From Charlotte, N.C., to Seattle, Wash., and now in Kansas City, Kansas, the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit has drawn thousands of visitors. Behind the exhibit’s design is Mike Walker, a member of Providence Baptist Church in Charlotte, who had the opportunity to travel to Israel and observe how the 2,000-year-old scrolls are preserved. The Mike Walker scrolls, which were discovered in Qumran in 1947, are the oldest surviving manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible. Walker’s exhibit design includes sections on the science of the scrolls, their discovery, history of the period when they were written, life in Qumran, Qumran artifacts and a sampling of other sacred texts. But the focus of the exhibit is the display of the scrolls, whose preservation requires strict security, lighting and humidity conditions. “In the Gallery of Scrolls, my goal was to try and remove the guest from this world today and help them revere these irreplaceable documents,” said Walker. “This gallery is intentionally a peaceful and quiet space, in which we have created almost a sanctuary-like atmosphere.”
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Cover Story: Evangelism Resources
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“It’s Time ... to have a passion for the Great Commission of Jesus Christ”
“I
t’s Time ... to have a passion for the Great Commission of Jesus Christ” is the title of one of the study segments of the “It’s Time”
church-wide course. While evangelism can take different forms, it’s always about sharing the gospel. “It’s Time” includes a lesson on telling your own personal story of faith, in a manner authentic to you. Discover your own spiritual potential, your personal call to sharing the Great Commission and your church’s role in the mission of God with this eight-week study. Read excerpts from the series at www.thefellowship.info/ItsTime. To order study resources, call (888) 801-4223 or order online at www.thefellowship. info/TheCBFStore.
Christianity for Beginners Christianity for Beginners is a six-week course designed to introduce people to the Christian faith and to provide basic information for new believers. The small-group, discussion-based learning experience focuses on Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and significance in our lives, and concludes with an emphasis on making a decision to follow Christ and being baptized. Order directly from www.thefellowship.info/ TheCBFStore or by calling (888) 801-4223.
Hospitality Evangelism This resource provides participants with hospitality evangelism-focused devotionals and Bible study lessons. A leader guide, participants guide and video are all available. Order directly from www.thefellowship.info/ TheCBFStore or by calling (888) 801-4223.
“My own experience has led me to the conviction that Baptists do have a genuine desire to reach people for Christ. We are evangelical in theology and spirit. But we are searching for authentic and culturally relevant ways to help people to faith. And, perhaps more importantly, we are searching for a new passion for the Gospel.” — Daniel Vestal, author, “It’s Time”
Learn how others tell the story: Church-wide missions education Whether you’re part of an adult mission study group or you teach preschoolers about missions, you’ll find Sam Bandela (this issue’s “Spotlight” missions personnel) and his story in the March edition of your CBF missions education resources. Using CBF resources, your entire congregation can learn together about the same mission topics. Affect is designed for adults, Form for preschoolers, Spark for children, and Ignite for youth. The colorful and engaging curriculum uses the same basic mission emphasis each month, so
that across the generations your congregation is studying the same topic but on a level appropriate to each age. LEARN – Learn more about CBF’s Affect, Form, Spark, and Ignite™ at www.missionseducation.org or by calling (800) 352-8741 x619. Order directly from www.thefellowship.info/TheCBFStore or by calling (888) 801-4223.
Affiliate – A Different Model for a Traditional Mission Fellowship Baptists with a specific missions calling have the opportunity to enhance their ministries by becoming CBF AsYouGo affiliates. As an affiliate, individuals are self-supporting, but have access to the resources and infrastructure of CBF Global Missions. In Asheville, N.C., Fran and Mike Graham reach out to Slavic immigrants, who often come to the U.S. to escape poverty, oppression and religious persecution in their own countries. The Grahams, who have reached approximately 1,000 immigrants, share the gospel through words and works, helping immigrants have access to basic necessities. Since they became CBF affiliates, the Grahams have been able to pursue new areas of service — including connecting Christian groups and families with new immigrant families needing assistance and coordinating Slavic families to glean fruits and vegetables from local farms June through October.
Become an encourager church —
form the Slavic Volunteer Team. “The encourager church has an interest in missions that only deepens and widens as they become involved in the affiliate ministries,” Fran said.
SERVE – For information on becoming an
affiliate or encourager church, contact Matt Congregations have the opportunity Norman at (770) 220-1609 or mnorman@ to expand their ministry beyond their thefellowship.info. communities by actively supporting CBF affiliates. Encourager churches partner with specific individuals who are involved in longterm evangelism and missions. The churches offer spiritual, relational and financial support that furthers the ministry of affiliates. First Baptist Church of Asheville serves as the Grahams encourager church. The congregation has helped host Thanksgiving and Christmas ministry activities, English as a Second Language From the relationships developed through the CBF affiliate program, the Grahams have been able to connect immigrants (above) with farms where they can glean produce. classes and helped Photo courtesy of the Grahams
Become an affiliate —
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Field personnel provide ‘tangible love of Christ’
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long a river in Southeast Asia, thousands of people live in “poverty that kills,” trying to survive on less than a dollar a day.
Adults and children struggle to meet basic needs — food, water, clothing and shelter. Without these necessities, diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, tuberculosis and leprosy are common, and harmless and treatable illnesses become life-threatening. exam rooms, a dental exam room and pharmacy, offers medical services that otherwise would not be accessible. The medical staff reaches an average of 70 patients a day — approximately 10,500 a
goes further and deeper than making sick people well,” Matt said. “It is our desire to completely transform these communities through the tangible love of Christ.”
W
hen the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Luke 4:40
CBF Global Missions photo
CBF Global Missions photo
CBF Global Missions field personnel Katie and Matt, who live and work along the river, conduct a large part of their ministry through a medical boat. The boat, which is equipped with two
year — for the cost of $8.50 per patient. “The prophets of old and the heart of the gospel mandate that our message not gloss over physical needs with spiritual language,” Matt said. “In the context of the river, a relevant gospel presentation must be tangible in nature. Therefore, out of love for God and love for our neighbor, we must explore ways to help the people and communities along the river obtain their most critical needs. In this way, we become instruments of transformation.” For the field personnel ministering along the river, evangelism takes many forms. It is the healing touch and prayerful words for a 3-year-old boy struggling to breathe. It is the reuniting of a father, once an outcast because of disease, with his wife and children, as the gospel comes alive. And it is a young girl receiving sight through a pair of glasses and experiencing the love of Christ through Katie and Matt. “The mission and vision of our ministry
Without clean water, diseases spread quickly along the river.
Editor’s note: Due to security concerns, names and specific locations of some of CBF’s Global Missions field personnel will not be published. By Patricia Heys, CBF Communications Host a missions speaker Invite missions personnel like Matt and Katie to share their work with your church or group. Contact Amy Morris at (800) 3528741, x630, or at amorris@thefellowship. info to schedule a speaker through CBF face2face.
Shentons tell the story of Jesus through words and works
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opportunities will pop up, and little by to read during her 30-minute reading little, you’re planting seeds. They all know period. We are looking forward to seeing we are Christians and that we are helping [Laila] again and asking what questions them because of Christ.” she may have about what she is reading.” The Shentons build relationships with The Shentons call these “divine people like Laila, a 15-year-old girl whose moments” and they pray for the right family fled Afghanistan after their father words and the right way to tell refugees was shot by the Taliban. Laila attends a about Christ’s love. California high school and is struggling to learn English and catch up with her By Patricia Heys, CBF Communications classmates. The Shentons connected her with a couple at their church to provide tutoring. One day, Laila told them she would like to read the Bible and the next week she asked for a Bible of her own. “When we gave it to her, she squealed with delight and hugged the Bible to herself,” Becky said. “She announced that she wanted to take it to school Becky Shenton, right, helps refugees find housing in Fremont, Calif. Photo courtesy of the Shentons
“W
hen a Christian helps me, I know it comes from deep in their heart,” said an Afghan woman to Becky Shenton, who serves with her husband, Doug, as CBF Global Service Corps personnel. For the refugees in or I was Fremont, hungry Calif., who and you have fled the violence and gave me something to eat, I tragedy of was thirsty and you gave me Afghanistan something to drink, I was a to come to a stranger and you invited me strange, new in, I needed clothes and you country, their physical and clothed me, I was sick and emotional you looked after me, I was in needs are prison and you came to visit many. The Shentons’ min- me. Matthew 25:35-36 istry ranges from helping families furnish their homes and providing money for groceries to helping children with homework and hosting Christmas parties and baby showers. As the Shentons help meet the needs of refugees, they recognize that evangelism is not an end result of their ministry but a process of building relationships. “After they get to know you, they will ask questions,” Doug said. “Amazing
Missions giving Refugees in the U.S., river people in Asia, and countless more around our globe hear the good news of Jesus’ love because of your charitable giving. The year-round Offering for Global Missions supports CBF field personnel. Give through your church or at www.thefellowship.info/involved/give or (800) 352-8741.
E
vangelism
e said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’ Mark 16:15
C B F
G l o ba l
c h u rc h
members
Eleanor & Stu Dodson In their motor home named Ebenezer, the Dodsons, members of First Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., have set out to live their retirement years missionally. One recent road trip took them to Fort Erie, Canada, where they worked at a home for refugees. When a woman from Ghana asked to see their motor home, Eleanor brought her inside and listened to her story. As a six-year-old child, the woman was forced into servitude as reconciliation for a wrong her parents had committed. Twenty-five years later, she escaped and began the long journey that brought her to Canada. After hearing the woman’s story, Eleanor looked at her and said, “Your faith is so strong. You know, I love you, and Jesus loves you too.” The woman started to cry and said, “Do you know that no one ever told me they loved me until I came to Matthew House? I never heard the word love in my whole life.”
M issi o n s
F ie l d
P ers o n n e l
Lizzie Fortenberry
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tell you, whate of the least of sisters of mine Matthew 25:4 CBF Global Missions photo
Each year international students arrive at the University of Southern California as strangers to the campus, the city and the culture. For the students and their families, the adjustment to life in a new country can be a lonely and often overwhelming experience. Following Jesus’ teaching of loving your neighbor, Lizzie Fortenberry reaches out to her new Los Angeles neighbors through activities like cooking classes, lunches and teas. She builds community — a place where the women feel they belong. She has found that in the midst of deepening relationships she has opportunities to share her love for Jesus. “Our hope is that these women will see the hope of Christ through our lives, whether it’s through a cooking class or a conversation in their homes or some other interaction,” Fortenberry said.
Photo courtesy the Dodsons
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Being the presence of Chris
e v a n ge l is t
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G l
Connie & Rodney Johnson
Fellowship Baptist Dale Riddle has been leading revivals for 30 years. Riddle still leads revivals on a regular basis, but he also encourages churches to share Christ’s love by building relationships with people in other ways. He has found one of the most effective ways of getting congregations involved in evangelism is through handson mission projects. “Evangelism in 2007 is certainly taking on a new look and causing me to rethink ways of getting churches to experience revival,” Riddle said. “But the challenge is simple — allow people to see first-hand the way most of the world has to live and provide them an opportunity to live out the great commission that Jesus gave us. It is the best means that I have discovered to impact lives in our local churches, as well as the people of other countries. Christian people return with a new vision, purpose and with an excitement they have never had before.”
It was 102 degrees along the Rio Grande in son and a volunteer construction team were re for the day when Rod met a storekeeper named moved to the area looking for a better life. “God opened the door for us to share the go said Rod. “His whole family accepted Christ.” The Johnsons helped Alex replace the roof o was leaking so badly that he didn’t want his wi get cold and wet in the winter. Alex and his family are attending a small loc they are learning about being disciples of Jesus “What a blessing it is to us to be able to see Rod said.
Photo courtesy Dale Riddle
Dale Riddle
st through words and works
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he King will reply, ‘Truly I ever you did for one these brothers and e, you did for me.’ 40
o ba l
Photo courtesy Sunny Mitchell
c h ap l ai n
Sunny Mitchell In Sasebo, Japan, located on the country’s southernmost island, U.S. Navy chaplain Sunny Mitchell preaches the gospel every Sunday morning to Sailors and their families at the base chapels. For the men and women serving in Japan, who live far away from their friends, loved ones and the familiarities of home, Mitchell is the compassionate presence of Christ.
M issi o n s
Mexico. Rod Johneady to wrap up work d Alex, who had
ospel with them,”
cal church, where s. God change lives,”
Photo courtesy the Johnsons
on his house, which ife and new baby to
A ffi l ia t es
“Through chaplaincy, I have the opportunity to fulfill my calling of bringing Christ’s healing love to Sailors, Marines, their families and even the Japanese community,” said Mitchell, a CBF-endorsed chaplain. “I have discovered that in order to do evangelism you must be an authentic representation of the God you serve. When you build relationships and gain trust, people are more willing to hear what you have to say.”
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he Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ Luke 4:18-19
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Traveling church reaches out to newcomers along Florida Panhandle
H
ow can a community be reached for Christ? For John Fogarty and Walk on Water Ministries in Freeport, Fla., the answer lies
in being the presence of Christ by meeting people’s need for friendship and community.
Fogarty’s dreams for the new church include eventually building a permanent structure, which would serve as a corporate worship center for the cell groups. He also hopes to start a coffee shop in Freeport and establish a network of local youth ministers, which will work across denominational lines to reach students. But right now, Fogarty is praying for
has been a blessing, particularly their inclusiveness,” Fogarty said. “Their pulling alongside of us was the greatest thing about the training.” The Fellowship has assisted Fogarty with training, resources and relationships, and has also provided funds to help purchase the W.O.W. tent, truck and trailer. “What he is doing is definitely moving us beyond the ‘bricks and mortar’ approach to doing church,” said Bo Prosser, the Fellowship’s coordinator for congregational life. “John is definitely modeling for us a missional approach to church planting, going to the people and responding to the needs of a community,” Prosser said.
funding for additional equipment for their traveling ministry — everything from bungee cords to a laptop computer — and other needs, such as money for advertising, New Testaments and a Web site. “It is not our intent or desire for people to leave their churches to solely join us, but that we build up the whole body of Christ,” Fogarty said. “It is our desire for all involved to be encouraged to help ignite and fuel a new passion for Christ and the carrying out of the Great Commission by taking their enthusiasm back to where they attend and serve.”
Photo courtesy John Fogarty
as people from several denominational backgrounds get involved. The church will officially launch in March, but Fogarty has already participated in several community events, including a living Nativity at Hammock Bay, a new real estate development with 5,000 homes. “We want to build community and to be seen as an asset to the community,” he said. “We want to bless the community, to be willing to be a friend and to With a portable tent, the W.O.W. church can be set up at fairs, beaches, parks and community events. show them Christ.”
Photo courtesy John Fogarty
And instead of constructing a building, hosting programs and events, and inviting people to come in, Walk on Water (W.O.W.) takes “church” to individuals — with a truck, a trailer and a tent. Fogarty and his wife, Janet, prayed for an opportunity to return to the Florida Panhandle where Fogarty had grown up in the early 1970s. Even then, individuals were beginning to stream into Florida’s coastal areas, but the interior remained primarily rural. Now, people are moving further inland along the U.S. Highway 331 corridor between Fort Walton Beach and Panama City. Walton County, home to Freeport, is one of the 100 fastest growing counties according to Money magazine. “Where God has placed me is to see Freeport now as a little bitty crossroad,” Fogarty said. “We are here to begin laying a network, a foundation to assimilate those who are coming in — to be a step ahead, not a step behind.” The ministry is designed to carry the gospel to the influx of new people — at fairs, beaches, parks and at community events. The W.O.W. Church will be a cluster of cell groups within a 15- to 20mile radius of a corporate center. Fogarty believes the small groups will help build up and expand the body of Christ in the area
As part of his preparation to launch the new church, Fogarty attended the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Boot Camp for church starters, which is held every August. The week-long training event assists ministers in assessing their calling and ministerial gifts and exploring practical resources for church starting. “The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
The Fellowship helped John Fogarty purchase a truck, trailer and tent for the traveling W.O.W. church.
SERVE – For information on how you or your church can become involved in supporting, encouraging and starting new Fellowship churches, contact Prosser at bprosser@thefellowship.info or (770) 2201631.
By contributing writer Vicki Brown, Jefferson City, Mo.
2007 Boot Camp for Church Starts July 29 - Aug. 3 Waco, Texas For information on scholarships or to register, contact David King at dking@thefellowship.info.
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Churches new to Fellowship find variety of partnership opportunities
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esthunt Baptist Church began in 1968 as a suburban neighborhood church on the West End of Richmond, Va., where
a brand new housing development was being built. Since its beginning, the church has gone through a number of milestones, including ordaining its first female deacons in the 1970s, doubling the size of its building space in the 1980s and a revitalization in the 1990s. Recently, Westhunt marked another churches and provide opportunities for milestone by deciding to become a Cooplaypeople to participate in the decisionerative Baptist Fellowship partner church. making processes of a national ecclesial During the past few years, the church organization,” Gillen said. has focused on defining its identity and The Fellowship’s purpose is to serve values, discussing Baptist principles Christians and churches as they discover such as soul competency, separation and fulfill their God-given mission. Each of church and state and year, the Fellowship has the “CBF exists to serve opportunity to be a resource priesthood of all believers. the local church.... These discussions led the for churches like Westhunt, church to consider national who are partnering with Being a part of the organizations that share its CBF for the first time. CBF movement vision and mission. “CBF exists to serve links a church “In the past year, I began the local church,” said Bo to like-minded to talk about how important Prosser, the Fellowship’s coit was for us to find a national ordinator for congregational ministers and organization who will be a relevant resources.” life. “We provide resources partner with us,” said West— both in print and elechunt pastor Mike Gillen. “I told the church tronically that will enhance the ministries that there are organizations in which we can of the congregation. Additionally, we are participate, who want us to be uniquely us.” available for personal consultations and After learning about the mission and coaching to help church leaders strive for ministry of CBF, the church decided to maximum ministry effectiveness. Being a partner with the Fellowship and voted to part of the CBF movement links a church include the Fellowship in its annual budget. to like-minded ministers and relevant “I’m hoping our connection to the resources.” CBF will generate missions partnerships, foster relationship with like-minded sister By Patricia Heys, CBF Communications
CBF resources available through Cokesbury
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Learn about the ministries and mission of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. www.thefellowship.info
Attend the CBF General Assembly, which will be held this year in Washington, D.C., June 28-29. The Assembly includes opportunities for worship, learning, networking and fellowship. www.thefellowship.info/involved/events/generalassembly.icm Connect with a CBF state or regional organization and participate in the organization’s meetings and ministries.
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www.thefellowship.info/inside cbf Pray for the ministry of the Fellowship, partner organizations and your church. Order free copies of CBF’s Water for Life prayer guide. www.thefellowship.info/TheCBFStore Invite a CBF leader or CBF Global Missions field personnel to come speak at your church through the CBF face2face speakers’ bureau. Contact Amy Morris at amorris@thefellowship.info or (770) 220-1630 Become a teaching congregation, giving students at CBF partner seminaries the opportunity to learn, grow and serve in your church.
Contact Terry Hamrick at thamrick@thefellowship.info or (770) 220-1615 Develop relationships with other CBF partner churches in your area.
Contact Joel McLendon at jmclendon@thefellowship.info or (770) 220-1643
Become an encourager church for CBF Global Missions field personnel, providing prayer and administrative, financial, physical and spiritual support to specific individuals. Contact Matt Norman at mnorman@thefellowship.info or (770) 220-1609 Promote the ministries of CBF and seek out missional opportunities in your community. Order the “It’s Time” missional study or CBF missions education resources.
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www.thefellowship.info/TheCBFStore Give to the CBF Offering for Global Missions, which directly supports the ministries of field personnel around the world. www.thefellowship.info/involved/give/ogm.icm
Antiphony: Call and Response University students and young people gathered in Atlanta over the New Year’s holiday for the Antiphony gathering. The theme for 2006-2007 was “Call and Response,” focusing on how and where God might be calling young people. “All too often there are those who tell you that you are the church of tomorrow,” said Antiphony speaker Reggie Blount. “But I wonder how well our churches acknowledge that God has already gifted each and every one of you to be the church of today.” Antiphony included a New Year’s Eve Gala, square dance, “Recess” party, film festival and chat rooms with panel discussions. The conference was sponsored by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions, Passport Inc. and the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. The next Antiphony conference will be held 2008-2009. Story and photos by Melissa Browning
Melissa Browning photos
Through a new partnership, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship resources will be available through Cokesbury. All Fellowship resources and curriculum, including “It’s Time” and missions education resources Ignite, Spark, Form and Affect, will be for sale through Cokesbury, the retail division of The United Methodist Publishing House. “It’s our strategy to partner with like-minded organizations that are excellent in what they do,” said Bo Prosser, the Fellowship’s coordinator for congregational life. “Cokesbury has worked to understand our position, history and theology, and therefore can make available not just our products but a world of products that are specifically valuable to Fellowship churches and individuals.” The partnership will also give Fellowship Baptists the opportunity to support the Fellowship by purchasing their resources through Cokesbury. Whenever Fellowship Purchase resources Baptists purchase through at Cokesbury Cokesbury and indicate • Online www.cokesbury.com they are affiliated with • Phone (800) 672-1789 CBF, a portion of the sales • At one of 71 retail stores beyond an established threshold go to CBF.
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Offering for Global Missions
School offers children hope for a better future
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here’s an African proverb that says “it takes a village to raise a child,” but if you ask Kathy Smith she might tell you that children
Photo courtesy Kathy Smith
Kathy and her husband, Darrell, required to pass a test before starting first have been living and working in Skopje, grade. And when families live in poverty, Macedonia, for nine years as Cooperative when children are immigrants, when Baptist Fellowship Global Missions field there is no one to help them navigate the personnel. Darrell travels throughout the system, these tests are difficult to pass. region using his training in Kathy had been praying environmental science to for two years, seeking a “Many of these develop sustainable water new calling from God, and children were and farming projects. the idea of a kindergarten almost starving When the Smiths first seemed to be a perfect fit. moved to Macedonia, “It was like light bulbs when they began the Kathy found herself busy program. The meal going off in my head as I with their children as she started to think of my years they were given each balanced teaching them working in mother’s day day caused their from home and making out programs and teaching health to improve. connections with women Sunday School,” said Smith. in her neighborhood. It “I had been asking God for Their education was through one of these a ministry that would be levels were also connections that Kathy unique to my gifts, but I rising. ” found God opening a new didn’t know what that might door in her life, giving her look like.” a chance to follow her passion through a But the work of starting a kindergarten new calling. in another country is not an easy task. For It started with a friend who came to the first few months, the teachers from the Smith with a burden for the children community, who had no formal training, of Skopje’s ghetto. In Macedonia there divided the children’s days into singing are no state sponsored kindergartens or songs and copying their alphabet over preschool programs, but children are still and over. Smith’s job quickly shifted from
The kindergarten has helped children pass the state test necessary to start first grade.
GIVE
Photo courtesy Kathy Smith
can also raise a village.
Kathy Smith hopes the kindergarten will help break the cycle of poverty.
big picture dreams to teacher training. She learned how to convey new concepts in Albanian as she stretched both her vocabulary and her skill set. She described the process as tearful and wonderful. As the misunderstandings were overcome, Smith said she grew closer to the women who were investing themselves in the program. “When I can succeed in making a new friend, when we can understand
each other, it makes me feel like I can keep going,” Smith said. “When I am teaching adult English classes, a simple invitation to a cup of coffee is my greatest reward.” But these invitations to coffee are not always easy to come by. When the kindergarten began, many Muslim parents were suspicious of a religious group offering free education, even though Macedonian guidelines prohibit religion being taught in the school. “The parents ask me why the education is free,” Smith said, “and when they ask I am able to say it is paid for by Christians living in the U.S.” Smith believes this is one reason the Offering for Global Missions is so important. She says it provides a way for field personnel to make long-term commitments to their communities. “To make friends with people in a cross-cultural context takes a great deal of time. To have real, heart-to-heart, true friendship takes years,” Smith said. “But here, once people open their hearts to you, you are in their hearts forever. You become family.” While the idea of starting a kindergarten first seemed different from the agricultural development the Smiths moved to Macedonia to do, the impact of this little school on the community has been nothing less than transformative. With each new hug from a child or their parents, Smith sees hope that the cycle of poverty will be broken for these families. “Everyone was amazed at the change in the children’s health [when they started school],” said Smith. “Many of these children were almost starving when they began the program. The meal they were given each day caused their health to improve. Their education levels were also rising.” And when the children were ready for first grade, they all passed the entrance exams to begin elementary school. “I still have no idea where this is going,” Smith said, “but it is the prayer support, the financial support of our churches that makes this long-term investment possible. This is a gift more valuable than gold.” By contributing writer Melissa Browning, Chicago, Ill.
To give to the Offering for Global Missions, which supports the Smith’s ministry and the entire operation of CBF Global Missions, go to www.thefellowship.info/ involved/give/ogm.icm. The national goal for 2006-2007 is $6.32 million.
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Assembly to feature joint worship with ABCUSA
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here will be a historic moment during this year’s General Assembly, held June 28-29, in Washington, D.C. When American Baptist Churches USA and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship convene in worship Friday, June 29, it will be a historic gathering and celebration of Baptist unity and shared values. “We are connected to American Baptists as people who share some common heritage and hold dear, core Baptist tenets as expressions of our faith,” said Connie McNeill, CBF’s coordinator of administration. ABCUSA and CBF have much in common, including many churches affiliated with both groups. CBF also partners with ABCUSA’s Ministers and Missionaries Benefits Board to make job and retirement benefits available to staff at CBF partner churches. Both CBF and ABCUSA share several partners, including the Baptist World Alliance. The groups also share a commitment to historic Baptist principles and to missions. Their shared efforts — in hurricane relief, sending missionaries and starting churches — will be
Highlights Wednesday, June 27 1:00-4:00 p.m. “The Minister and Politics: How to be Prophetic Without being Political” An ethics conference sponsored by Christian Ethics Today Speakers: Tony Campolo, Jim Wallis, Melissa Rogers, Greg Boyd 5:30 p.m. Bountiful Feast A spiritual formation event sponsored by the Fellowship’s Spiritual Formation Network Speaker: Glenn Hinson Thursday, June 28 Morning worship with an address from Fellowship moderator Emmanuel McCall
highlighted during the joint worship service. “We look forward on this special night together to celebrating those areas of mutual cooperation and mission,” said Roy Medley, ABCUSA’s general secretary. During its biennial meeting, American
Evening worship with an address from David Coffey, Baptist World Alliance president Friday, June 29 Morning worship with an address from Fellowship Global Missions coordinator Rob Nash Evening worship combined with American Baptist Churches USA, including address from CBF coordinator Daniel Vestal
Baptists will celebrate 100 years of ministry. In 1907, they were constituted as the Northern Baptist Convention, the name remnant of an 1845 Baptist schism over slavery that formed the Southern Baptist Convention from which CBF later emerged. In 1950,
Northern Baptists changed their name to the American Baptist Convention and in 1972 adopted its current name. Now, they number approximately 5,800 churches and 1.5 million members. “There will be close to 10,000 Baptists in the nation’s capital on the weekend before July 4th, celebrating Baptist history, heritage, freedom and fellowship,” said Bo Prosser, CBF congregational life coordinator. “There will plenty of opportunities for sharing in each other’s events with the highlight of the time being a combined worship experience centering on our witness and fellowship.” Also involved in the joint worship service will be leadership from the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention. “We believe this is just the beginning of fruitful work together with CBF and with other Baptist bodies,” Medley said. By Carla Wynn, CBF Communications Register online at www.thefellowship.info.
‘You’re going to love it here’
Washington, D.C., pastor provides guide to nation’s capital CBF Communication’s Carla Wynn is a quick visit, and definitely worth it). talked with Jim Somerville, chair of the Also, the National Gallery of Art — my General Assembly steering committee and favorite. You can sit on a sofa in a whole pastor of First Baptist Church, Washington, room full of Monet paintings and feast D.C., about touring the nation’s capital — your eyes while you rest your feet.” site of the 2007 CBF General Neighborhoods: Assembly. “If you’re coming shington, D.C.! Sommerville back to D.C. for Greetings from Wa provided his the second or recommendathird time, let tions below and me recommend pointed out that visiting some of while hotel rooms the fascinating may be expenneighborhoods. sive, touring the There’s Old Town city doesn’t have Alexandria, to be. with its historic “Thanks waterfront, Jim Somerville visited the to your tax shops, homes White House with his wife, contributions all those great museums and the church Christy, and daughters, Catherine and Ellie. are free,” Somerville said. “Seeing the where both monuments and playing Frisbee on George Washington and Robert E. Lee the Mall — that’s free, too. And if you worshiped (not at the same time!). bring your own water bottles and buy a There’s Dupont Circle, with its beautihot dog from a vendor, you can spend ful fountain, coffee shops, bookstores all day sightseeing for almost nothing. and some of the most interesting peopleEverybody has to visit Washington watching opportunities in the city. There’s sometime, right? So combine this General historic U Street — once known as ‘Black Assembly with a family vacation and go Broadway,’ where Duke Ellington played home feeling like you got a bargain. You in some of the city’s hottest jazz clubs. won’t regret it.” And that’s only a start — don’t miss Museums: “The National Air and Georgetown, Adams-Morgan, Capitol Hill Space Museum is the most-visited muor Chinatown. Washington has someseum in the world! It’s thrilling to see the thing for everyone.” Wright Brothers’ flyer, Lindbergh’s ‘Spirit Must See: “Come to worship at First of St. Louis,’ and the Mercury capsule Baptist Church at 11 a.m. Sunday (1328 in which John Glenn orbited the earth, 16th Street, NW), sing hymns, hear a just to name a few. sermon, see the pew where Jimmy Carter Nearby are the new Museum of the sat when he was a member and spend American Indian and the Hirshorn Musesome time staring at all the stained-glass um of Modern Art (the sculpture garden windows of famous Baptists. w w w. t h e f e l l o w s h i p. i n f o
O f f i c i a l H o t e l I n f o r m a t i o n
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 2007 General Assembly Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. June 27-30, 2007 (Auxiliary events only will be held June 27 and June 30, main General Assembly meeting will be held June 28-29.) H o t e l I n f o r m at i o n Grand Hyatt Washington (headquarter hotel) – 1000 H Street NW • Washington, DC 20001 Single/Double – $160 plus tax (Current room tax 14.5%) Triple/Quad – $180 plus tax (Current room tax 14.5%) Renaissance Washington DC Hotel – 999 Ninth St. NW • Washington, DC 20001 Single/Double/Triple/Quad – $160.00 plus tax (Current room tax 14.5%) Pre-registration for the 2007 General Assembly is required before making a hotel reservation at the Grand Hyatt or Renaissance. Please make your hotel reservations by phone or online by May 30, 2007. Online — For pre-registration and reservations, go to www.thefellowship.info/involved/events/ generalassembly.icm. After registering online, you will be directed to the room reservation Web site for the Grand Hyatt or Renaissance. You will be asked for a credit card number to hold the reservation, and your credit card will be charged at that time. The deposit is refundable if cancelled 7 days prior to arrival. Phone — Please call the CBF Resource Center at (800) 352-8741 to pre-register for the General Assembly. After registering, you will be given instructions to make your reservations by phone at either the Grand Hyatt or Renaissance. Once in touch with a hotel, you will be asked for a credit card number to hold the reservation and your credit card will be charged at that time. The deposit is refundable if cancelled 7 days prior to arrival.
If you have time, visit the magnificent Washington National Cathedral, which took nearly 100 years to build (did you know you could lay the Washington Monument down inside that church and still have some room at each end?).” Celebrations: “There’s no place like Washington, D.C., to celebrate the fourth
of July. If you want to avoid the crowds, come down to the Mall on July 3 for the dress rehearsal of the special broadcast on PBS — ‘A Capital Fourth.’ On the Fourth itself, you’ll want to find a spot to watch the fireworks explode over the Washington Monument. There’s nothing much more thrilling than that.”
Sam Bandela, one of CBF Global Missions field personnel, has served with the Fellowship since 1994. Since 2000, he has been ministering in India. Background: Bandela was born and raised in India. His family was Hindu, but Bandela’s mother became a Christian after developing a relationship with missionaries. When his mother died, the missionaries took care of Bandela and paid for him to go to boarding school, college and then seminary. Bandela has worked as a counselor, pastor and Asia/Pacific area director Sam Bandela for Habitat for Humanity International Inc. Ministry: After working among unreached people groups in northern India, Bandela’s ministry transitioned to the South when the tsunami struck in December 2004. Since that time, he has facilitated medical clinics, spurred economic development and worked to plant churches in the southeastern part of the country. Bandela accomplishes this ministry primarily through purchasing and
CBF Global Missions photo
Coope r a t i v e B a pt i s t F e l l ow s h i p
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www.missionseducation.org or call (888) 801-4223.
To order CBF’s missions education curriculum, go to
year-round missions education resource from CBF.
arts are all part of the Spark curriculum, the colorful
culture of India, tasting the food and enjoying the
to the region, using the Bible, experiencing the
upcoming March unit of Spark. Playing games native
Your children can learn about Sam Bandela in the
Children and Missions
0610P009
distributing practical items. His sewing machine ministry has allowed hundreds of teenage girls and widows to earn an income by providing them with the essential equipment and training to get started in business. Recently, Bandela provided bicycles to 50 evangelists and church planters to help them travel to remote villages to proclaim the gospel. He is also committed to sharing Jesus Christ with people oneon-one as he makes inroads in this geographic area. “My heart is in India,” Bandela said. “That is where I came from — I came from unreached people groups. And I believe that if India is to be reached in our time and generation, it has to be reached by the Indian nationals, who need no visa and no language learning. They are familiar with local backgrounds, lifestyles and above all, familiar with local customs. However, they need to be enlisted, educated, encouraged, equipped and empowered. Christians in America need to join our hands together and we say ‘we are with you and we’ll join with you and pray with you’.”
Field Personnel Spotlight: Sam Bandela
Photo courtesy of the Earls
(800) 352-8741
www.thefellowship.info
P.O. Box 450329 • Atlanta, Georgia 31145-0329
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
fellowship!
Arville Earl, one of CBF’s Global Missions field personnel, reads to a child in Macedonia.
Pull-out poster Pages 6-7
Stories on pages 4-7
Serving Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission
Cooperative baptist fellowship | www.thefellowship.info
Evangelism
February/March 2007
CBF