2006 Offering for Global Missions

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OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS 2006-2007

Connect with vital ministries through giving to the Offering for Global Missions

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t the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s 2006 General Assembly, interim CBF Global Missions coordinator Jack Snell

made a surprisingly candid appeal for support.

“Our offerings are flat. We love of the Great Physician haven’t reached our Offering into the lives of marginalized, for Global Missions goal in oppressed and spiritually several years,” said Snell, who needy people around the is now CBF’s director of global world,” said Rob Nash, CBF field ministries. “In many cases Global Missions coordinator. our passions are dulled and “They minister in the hard our compassion is defeated places — where most of by fatigue. Yet there continue us could never serve. This to be unbelievable annual offering “... through statistics that tell enables us to have giving you’re us one of four has a corporate global not yet had the witness together enabling a opportunity to hear ministry [that as Fellowship and respond to the Baptists, carrying uplift s] life word of Jesus Christ.” the healing touch of amidst the This special issue the Great Physician of the fellowship! into famished suffering ...” focuses on the 2006lands.”

2007 Offering for Global The focus of the 2006Missions and the ways in 2007 Offering is “Famished which the Fellowship seeks to Lands … The Great be the presence of Christ in a Physician,” and this issue hurting world. includes six examples of The national goal of the CBF Global Missions field 2006-2007 Offering for Global personnel who impart the Missions is $6.32 million, love of the Great Physician as and 100 percent of gifts to they attend to emotional and the Offering support global physical needs. ministries. There are currently In China, Brenda Lisenby 160 CBF Global Missions ministers at Angel House, one field personnel serving around the world, and the Offering provides for their salaries and benefits, physical and emotional support, ministry of the few places in the country expenses and Global Missions that offers rehabilitation infrastructure. services to children with “Field personnel serve as cerebral palsy. In India, Eddie conduits of the grace and and Macarena Aldape reach

How to Respond LEARN – To learn more, go to www.thefellowship.info/global missions/famishedlands.icm or order free resources on the Offering for Global Missions from The CBF Store. Visit the store online at www.thefellowship.info/TheCBFStore or call (888) 801-4223.

GIVE – To give to the Offering for Global Missions, go to www. thefellowship.info/landing/giving.

icm or call (800) 352-8741.

PRAY – To become a Prayer Associate or to learn more about prayer requests, go to www. thefellowship.info/globalmissions/ prayercentral/.

SERVE – To find out about opportunities to serve with CBF Global Missions, go to www. thefellowship.info/destination missions.

ABOVE: The Offering for Global Missions supports the work of Ana Marie and Scott Houser, who minister in South Africa to adults and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Steve Johnson photo

Volunteer doctors and nurses provided needed medical services in India.

Stretch Ledford photo

out to the Banjara people and tsunami survivors, working to meet medical, social and spiritual needs.

CBF Global Missions field personnel also live and work on the continent of Africa.

Fran and Lonnie Turner work to bring uncontaminated water and hope to Sub-Saharan Africa, where 10 million people face starvation. In South Africa, Ana Marie and Scott Houser care for the caregivers of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. “The Offering for Global Missions is of paramount importance to our ministry in South Africa,” said Scott Houser. “Often our culture lends itself to wanting to give to initiatives with names and places that we can see where our money is tangibly going. But I encourage people

“T

hen Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues,

and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom,

and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them,

because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” Matthew 9:35-38. to recognize that through giving you’re enabling a ministry [that uplifts] life amidst the suffering of South Africa.”

This issue also includes the stories of CBF’s AsYouGo affiliates Nancy and Steve James and Together for Hope facilitators Ray and Kathleen Kesner. In Haiti, the Jameses use their medical knowledge to provide healing and encouragement. And in

South Dakota, the Kesners build relationships among the Lakota people, an American Indian tribe that has been historically marginalized.

“Each of us is being challenged to enter into the pain of the world,” said Snell.

“There is so much to be done, and we are doing so little. It breaks my heart.” f!

By Patricia Heys, CBF Communications

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‘Oases of hope’

Field personnel reach out to forgotten in India encounter with Nythia, a survivor of the tsunami. She was

malnourished, weakened by tuberculosis and troubled with a skin disorder — scabies. Once, as she sat with Macarena, the little girl cried and scratched until she was covered in blood.

The Aldapes, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions field personnel, work in India with tsunami survivors, Banjara Gypsies and other marginalized peoples. The Banjaras, who fall low on the caste system in

CBF Communications photo

Local villagers counseled Nythia’s parents to accept her fate, advice in line with prevailing social mores and the Hindu faith. But the Aldapes befriended Nythia and her family and with the family’s blessing, located a skin specialist.

Eddie Aldape, left, has worked with the Banjara people in India for the past five years.

Vol. 16, No. 6 COORDINATOR • Daniel Vestal COORDINATOR, COMMUNICATIONS & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT • 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

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Indian society, number between 20 to 23 million in India but are often forgotten among country’s growing population of 1.1 billion.

“We have spoken to Christian and nonChristian groups who say, ‘We don’t have any Banjara here,’” said Eddie. “Then we ask them to pick any evening and stand by any city thoroughfare.

When we meet again, the first thing those people say to me is, ‘There are so many The tsunami that hit India in 2004 heavily damaged the community of Banjara in our city!’

Cuddalore and its fishing industry.

The Banjara Gypsies have fallen through the Since the December 2004 tsunami that cracks.” hit Southeast Asia, the Aldapes have been The Aldapes reach out to children like involved with CBF’s disaster relief. In the Nythia and her family members, who all fishing community of Cuddalore, Eddie recently became Christians. Nythia has has worked with local fishermen, whose been diagnosed with Job’s syndrome, and Stretch Ledford photo

They took Nythia and her mother to the city of Pune, where she was admitted to the hospital. Over time, Nythia improved and returned to her village. When the people saw her, Eddie said, “No one could believe their eyes.”

she now lives close to her parents in a home for girls, where she can get needed medical attention. “[Nythia’s] hair is starting to grow,” Eddie said. “She is well on her way to recovery. Nythia and her family are living testimonies of what God can do and how He transforms lives.”

The Aldapes — and those they partner with — have found ways to bring the Banjaras and other marginalized peoples back into society. They work to meet physical needs through their connections with several medical clinics, and they also teach English classes and nutrition and health programs.

The medical clinics are usually held on a bimonthly basis and focus on a specific medical specialty, including pediatric care, skin and wound care and general family practice.

“The Banjara are outcasts around here, so when we go and meet some of their needs they are very appreciative,” Eddie said. “At the same time, they are very confused because they are not used to having someone take care of their needs. We offer hope, and they begin to feel they are valuable to God. What’s made the difference is the gospel.

They are able to see that they do matter.”

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M Eddie Meet and Macarena Aldape CBF Global Missions photo

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ddie and Macarena Aldape remember vividly their first

Macarena and Eddie Aldape

EDDIE AND MACARENA ALDAPE serve as CBF Global Missions field personnel in India. They have two children — Alyssa Ann, 18, who attends Samford University and Emmanuel, 16, who lives with them in India.

Background: Eddie was born in the Rio Grande Valley, and Macarena grew up in Mexico. Macarena earned nursing degrees from Pan American School of Nursing and Baptist Health System School of Nursing. Eddie earned a degree in theology and education from the Hispanic Baptist Theological Seminary in San Antonio, Texas.

Ministry: Macarena has served in various missions capacities in Mexico and Europe.

Eddie has also served on mission trips to Mexico from 1989 to 1995, as well as to North Carolina in 1992. The Aldapes were commissioned by CBF in 2001 and have worked as strategic coordinators for Banjara Gypsy people in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Aldapes work to empower indigenous people to reach their country for Christ, as well as establish relationships with individuals and churches.

boats were damaged or destroyed, to rebuild and repair their boats.

Another ministry of the Aldapes is their partnership with the HIM Institute of Technology, a home to more than 50 Banjara children whose parents suffer from leprosy. The children are taught English and computer skills.

“In India I found that our friends are helping to create places of refuge, oases of hope for children whose parents are suffering from leprosy,” said Darrell Watson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Forsyth, Ga., who traveled to India in 2006. “Though the disease of leprosy has nearly been arrested, those adults suffering from the vestiges of the disease, as well as their children, are still being ostracized and shunned by society.” f!

By contributing writer Celeste Pennington, Estes Park, Colo., and Patricia Heys, CBF Communications

Adalpes Minister in India

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‘Christ followers’ provide early intervention, rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy

Jay Paul photo

Jay Paul photo

“What shocked me are the cultural similarities,” Fenton said. “And how well children with cerebral palsy. One is Angel House Rehabilitation & I understood and fit into the Chinese culture. I’ve been richly blessed by this Education Center in Guangxi Province along China’s southern border. experience.”

At Angel House, each child is intetone or tightness that results in stiff moveAs part of the training, Fenton modgrated into a professional program. The ments of the legs, arms or back. It can also eled therapy through “playing with a purgoal is to help youngsters with mild to inhibit speech when it affects muscles of pose.” She also invited caregivers to shop moderate cerebral palsy assume normal the tongue and throat. for toys that build physical and mental roles in society, said Brenda Lisenby, who The Angel House staff of 14 forms a dexterity. Fenton modeled home visits, serves in China as one of the Cooperative professional team consisting of special advised staff on basics from how to dress Baptist Fellowship’s Global Missions field education teachers, rehab workers, care and how to greet parents professionally personnel. givers and administrators. Their program to ways they could draw parents into the “Why do you provide this service?” includes speech therapy, exercise for program. She was especially encouraged parents often ask Angel House director developing gross and fine motor skills, by the pure dedication of many families, Kate Wang Fang. like Fei Fei’s.

Her answer: “Some families “We are Christ in China would followers.” travel two hours, Although one way, just to the government help their child,” keeps no record Fenton said. of these births, Angel House one private study accepts children estimates that through age 13.

1.78 million For nine years, Xi Chinese children Xi lived under the under the age of care of a nanny.

13 have cerebral While the woman palsy (CP), a mofed and clothed Xi tor impairment Xi and provided due to brain limited physical damage. Primartherapy, there was ily because of almost no social Brenda Lisenby, right, has facilitated early intervention training for Angel House teachers. poverty and liminteraction. Xi ited services — and China’s laws limiting cognitive development, and role play deXi entered the program at Angel House one child per family — these children are signed to prepare students for transition unable to talk and utterly withdrawn. abandoned. While there is no known cure into society.

Caregivers immediately drew her into a for cerebral palsy, most children benefit “Because nonfrom early intervention. government orgaIn a bright room at Angel House, nizations (NGO) a teacher gently holds onto a toddler are rare in China, stretched out over a giant blue ball — anKate struggled to get other young child is also at play, trying Angel House off the to fit variously shaped plastic blocks into ground,” said Lisencorresponding openings. by. “We relate openly When Fei Fei, 3, arrived at Angel as a Christian orgaHouse, he was unable to sit up, and he nization. We are not lagged behind in verbal skills. With early always well received. intervention, his cognitive and speech Some local schools development improved to nearly normal and local governlevels for his age. He sits without assisments prefer not to tance and he gained strength in his legs. partner with ChrisFei Fei’s family matched his progress with tian organizations. great enthusiasm, love and sacrifices of But then there are Angel House director Kate Wang Fang, right, works with Xiao Yu as her mother their own. His grandfather eagerly handothers who do wish participates in training. crafted devices to aid in Fei Fei’s therapy, to partner with us.” and when the toddler was ready for bracIn operation for more than three years, stimulating environment. They also ines, the family paid $150 in cash — equivathis grassroots rehabilitation and education volved Xi Xi socially. Students play games, lent to a month’s income in China. center is quickly growing and maturing take trips to the park, eat at restaurants Angel House serves 20 children with a with the assistance of local and western and enjoy shopping. After three years at range of physical disabilities. CP can afteachers — and volunteers. Suzann FenAngel House, Xi Xi has thrived. Now, she fect only the legs, only the right or left half ton, a developmental interventionist with greets visitors and talks on the telephone. of the body or arms legs, even torso and Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) in During their celebration of the Chinese facial muscles. The most common form Mt. Vernon, Ky., has traveled to China four New Year, Xi Xi called home to say, “I love is spastic CP, involving too much muscle times to train the early intervention staff. you, Mama!”

Lisenby Ser ves at Angel House, China

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M Brenda Meet Lisenby BRENDA LISENBY, a Texas native, serves as one of CBF Global Missions field personnel in Nanning, Guangxi China.

CBF Global Missions photo

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n all of China there are few schools designed specifically to serve

Background: At Austin College in Sherman, Texas, Lisenby earned a Brenda Lisenby bachelor of arts in history and a master of arts in elementary education.

Ministry: In 1989, Lisenby served in Nanning, China, teaching English as a Second Language classes. She then served in Beijing and taught at the Coal Mining Institute.

In 1999, Lisenby was commissioned as a CBF Global Missions representative to China. She works with Angel House and coordinates partnerships with Chinese schools, governments and churches. She also works coordinating mission tours, supervising English programs, maintaining a Web site, educating American believers and encouraging Chinese partners help her build networks with Christian groups who share like-minded vision of working openly in China.

Working at Angel House has also been life changing for volunteer and staff — including Lisenby, a Texas native with a master’s degree in elementary education. For six years, she taught English at a Chinese university. She continues to recruit teachers and work with partners to provide courses in English for Chinese students. She notes that there are many English teaching opportunities — short-term, long-term, for middle school- and university-level students.

But now she believes that God may be redirecting her ministry to focus on groundbreaking work in special needs education, just initiated in China in the ’90s. With her background in education, her facility with the Chinese language, and her growing network, she is excited about the potential for serving in this way.

“We definitely work among a marginalized segment of society,” Lisenby said. “This work gives me an opportunity to impact whole families and even the community at large, as the Chinese learn how to affirm and welcome special needs individuals into their society. I am amazed at how God works.” f!

By contributing writer Celeste Pennington, Estes Park, Colo.

OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS 2006

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‘One well at a time’

Clean water helps Africans fight drought, disease hopelessness and hope. It’s a truth that Fran and Lonnie

Turner learned as kids growing up in Harlan County, Ky. In Zambia, they’ve discovered that a regular supply of uncontaminated water can be the difference between life and death.

“That is key. Without it not any development can occur anyplace in the world.”

In 2005, the Turners encountered graphic images of drought as they traveled throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

“In our 30 years working in this region, we had never seen the Limpopo River dry, but it was,” Lonnie said. “At Victoria Falls, located in Zambia and Zimbabwe, there was very little water. In fact, many local people said they had never seen it so low — many dams and wells were dry, so people had to carry water for miles.”

Photo courtesy of the Turners

Photo courtesy of the Turners

This truth emerges in various ways as the With water wells, which cost Turners dig boreholes, a form of water wells, $2,000 each to build, the Turners have for thirsty villagers in Zambia’s bush. As Cohelped support a number of different operative Baptist Fellowship field personnel, communities. the Turners invest their expertise and gifts from CBF to help the people of Sub-Saharan Africa have access to uncontaminated water.

“In Matthew 25, Jesus said, ‘I was thirsty and you gave me water. I was hungry and you fed me.’ As a disciple of Christ, I need to be engaged,” said Lonnie.

With a dependable supply of fresh water, villagers can do better than survive seasons Water wells provide uncontaminated water to communities, helping to fight off famine and water-borne illnesses. of drought. A steady supply of uncontaminated water is also the missing ingredient to securing Zambians against water-borne illness, from guinea worm to diarrhea to cholera.

The Turners are veteran workers in Sub-Saharan Africa. When they first arrived in the region nearly 30 years ago, life expectancy was 50 years, but today, that estimate has dropped to about 37 years, according to the Macmillan High School Atlas for Zambia.

“Fran and I grew up with poverty,” Lonnie said. “As we review our own pilgrimages, we can see the importance of education in our lives. We also had caring people around us to offer assistance.

With access to clean water, sanitation and Lonnie Turner, center, has facilitated the development of boreholes, a form of water wells, throughout primary health care, you can turn around Sub-Saharan Africa. a community’s future. When people have But where the Turners helped install access to certain resources, it gives them The Turners provided a borehole, hoes, wells in 2005, they discovered green and their families and their communities fertilizer and seeds for income-generating fields one year later. On their return visit hope. It can affect a whole nation. As projects at Widows In Agriculture, a in 2006 to Membeshi, for instance, the believers and followers of Christ, we must community of 20 women farmers — Turners were greeted with news that be people of hope.” many who are HIV positive and care for villagers had harvested a bumper crop Lonnie Turner serves as HIV/AIDS children orphaned by AIDS. of maize. and public policy coordinator for the The Turners have also facilitated the “It was wonderful to see the excitement Fellowship. He can reel off facts about rehabilitation of one borehole located on on their faces,” Lonnie said. “There was AIDS, but cautions that more African the campus of a rural primary school, food enough for everyone. They had people die from malaria than AIDS, with more than 1,000 students. planted tomatoes, groundnuts (peanuts) including one in five children in Zambia.

“Their basic need is water,” Lonnie said.

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M Fran Meet and Lonnie Turner Photo courtesy of the Turners

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supply of fresh water can be the difference between

Lonnie and Fran Turner

FRAN AND LONNIE TURNER serve as CBF Global Mission field personnel in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: The Turners are both from Harlan, Ky., and they both attended the Oneida Baptist Institute, a Christian school in Eastern Kentucky. As a student at the University of Kentucky, Fran earned a degree in social work. Lonnie earned a bachelors degree at Campbellsville College and then attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a master of divinity. He also holds a masters in international politics from the Free University of Brussels, Belgium.

Ministry: From 1976-1995, the Turners served in Zambia, Africa. Lonnie worked as a church planter, missions administrator and student worker, and Fran worked in cooperation with an HIV/AIDS ministry, the Family Trust and the National AIDS Prevention and Control Program through the Ministry of Health. The Turners have served with the Fellowship since 1995, and they currently live in Cape Town, South Africa. The Turners work in partnership with local churches, the Ecumenical and Interfaith Community and civil society to address concerns relating to HIV/AIDS, poverty and war in the Southern African Development Community, which includes Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

and cotton, too. We even enjoyed a meal in the village.”

Land-locked Zambia is one of Africa’s poorest countries, with two-thirds of its 10.4 million people living below the national poverty line. But Zambia has considerable agricultural potential, with about nine million hectares of arable land. Only about 20 percent is currently utilized, most of it for rain-fed maize production.

In a world plagued by the effects of drought, disease and persistent poverty, these efforts could seem like a drop in the bucket.

“This situation is not hopeless,” Lonnie said. “We are fighting poverty one well at a time.” f!

By contributing writer Celeste Pennington, Estes Park, Colo.

Tu r n e r s B r i n g Wa t e r t o S u b - S a h a r a n A f r i c a

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Caring for caregivers

Houser family walks, prays, weeps alongside those who suffer from AIDS

Steve Johnson photo

Steve Johnson photo

and Josh Smith to provide a psychosocial support program for NOAH’s thousands husband, Scott, work alongside AIDS organizations in South of community center volunteers. These volunteers work to develop community Africa, amid a culture of violence and death. centers from existing structures that meet As Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and tried not to hurt him,” Ana Marie the physical, social, spiritual and emoGlobal Missions field personnel, they said. “When the nurse drew blood, she tional needs of these children without serve with their children in Gauteng was as kind as she could be, too. But as taking them out of their environment. province, where approximately 31 percent I watched, I just couldn’t wrap my heart “Our mission statement is connectof the people are HIV ing people who care positive. In South Africa, with those who do where an estimated the caring,” Scott said.

5 to 7 million people “It’s a ministry of reare infected with HIV/ lationships, seeking to AIDS, life expectancy bridge ministry initiais projected to shift tives that are ongoing downward from 60-plus with interested indiyears to 46. viduals in an effort The Housers have to alleviate human developed a ministry of suffering.” caring for the caregivers.

All five of the They connect people who Housers’ children care — in South Africa — Daniel, 17; Elizaand the United States beth, 15; Christina, 8; — with those who do the Erika, 5; and Louisa, caring for people infected 2 — are involved in The need for children’s homes in South Africa continues to increase as greater numbers of with or affected by HIV/ the ministry. Each has children are orphaned because of AIDS related issues.

AIDS. accompanied parents “In the midst of all the dying there around what must be going through this on doctor visits with AIDS patients and is a whole lot of living going on — little boy’s mind. It was too much for been part of supporting Kitele in many courageous, bold living,” said Ana Marie. me to keep my composure. I know Jesus different ways. Elizabeth has helped at a “It is magnificent the way some here live would have cried, too.” daycare run by Metropolitan Evangelical their lives by sacrificially helping those Nurturing Orphans of AIDS for HuService, and Daniel has volunteered at the who have no one to care for them. Surely it is God at work.”

One of the caregivers in South Africa, with whom the Housers have developed a friendship, is Hannah Kitele, a 30-year-old single mother and foster parent. Kitele cares for her own two daughters and between 10 to 15 foster children, many who are HIV positive.

The Housers have provided rent money for Kitele and her family, cooked the Scott Houser, right, has served in South Africa for 13 years. family meals and advocated on Kitele’s behalf. Ana Marie manity (NOAH) predicts that by 2015 Helen Joseph Hospital. has often helped Kitele by taking children there will be approximately 2.2 million or“A large part of our ministry has to the doctor — like the three-year-old phans in South Africa as a result of AIDS been through our family,” said Scott. “So boy whose glands were swollen and related issues. The need for foster parents, many of our ministry partnerships and whose mouth was covered in sores and like Kitele, will increase. The Housers are relationships have come about through whose mother had died the week before. working in conjunction with CBF Global the influence and the involvement of our “The doctor examined him so carefully Service Corps field personnel Caroline own children.”

Housers Care for Caregivers in South Africa

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M Ana Meet Marie and Scott Houser CBF Global Missions photo

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nowing that Jesus wept frees Ana Marie Houser. She and her

Ana Marie and Scott Houser

ANA MARIE AND SCOTT HOUSER serve as CBF Global Missions field personnel in Johannesburg, South Africa. Their entire family is involved in their ministry — Daniel, 17, Elizabeth, 16, Christina, 9, Erika, 5, and Louisa, 2.

Background: Both Ana Marie’s and Scott’s parents were missionaries. Ana Marie grew up as a missionary kid in Panama and the Domician Republic, and Scott was raised in Kenya and Tanzania. Scott and Ana Marie met at Baylor University, and they married in 1985.

Ministry: After serving in South Africa from 19891999 with another Baptist sending agency, the Housers were commissioned as CBF field personnel in 2002. The Houser family works with caregivers of people living with AIDS. They are developing a memory box initiative for children orphaned because of HIV/AIDS, participate in support groups for youth and adults either infected with or affected by HIV and are involved in teaching AIDS prevention courses in schools.

In addition to NOAH and Kitele, the Housers work with a number of other partners in South Africa — Metropolitan Evangelical Services, which provides hospice services and temporary shelters; CARE, which focuses on training caregivers and counselors and has established a children’s home; Sinomlando (“We Have A History”), which is involved in their memory box initiative, and Community Information Empowerment Training, which has developed an AIDS prevention curriculum for use in secondary schools.

“It’s our time to step up and be alongside people in suffering rather than asking why or how this came about,” Ana Marie said. “The reality is that it’s here with us, and we as Christians are to be alongside the suffering, to know about it, to feel it and be willing to be there. Now is the time for Christians to step up and care.” f!

By contributing writer Celeste Pennington, Estes Park, Colo., and Patricia Heys, CBF Communications

OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS 2006

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Together for Hope facilitators engage in ministry of presence in South Dakota 3,200 miles in two weeks, building relationships and new

ministry partnerships along the way.

chine for the Bridger community. Other ministry efforts include building half a basketball court in Bridger and taking school supplies and library books to a reservation. The ministry has also partnered to bring a mobile dental truck to the area, treating children who may have never seen a dentist before.

The Kensers also facilitate missions trips for volunteer teams, develop relationships with local residents, and help “to assess opportunities for community and economic development,” Ray said.

The ministry is something they just fell into, Kathleen said. After a few years of retirement, Kathleen started looking for a place to invest time and energy. She started by going to Helena, Ark. — another TFH ministry site. She gave a report of her experience

CBF Communications photo

Photo courtesy of the Kesners

Photo courtesy of the Kesners

The Kesners went to South Dakota, at minimal prices to Lakota women, where they facilitate ministry as part of enabling them to more affordably make Together for Hope (TFH), the Cooperative quilts.

Baptist Fellowship’s rural poverty initiative that strives for economic and community development in 20 of the poorest counties in the United States.

South Dakota has four of these counties, mostly on American Indian reservations.

Most of the time the Kesners conduct their ministry from their home in LibKathleen Kesner, left, worked with erty, Mo., but took Tony Garter, this trip to meet former pastor of new people, build the Eagle Butte Baptist Church, to trust and “to find provide large print out what life was Bibles to a Sunday School class. like,” Ray said. “We learned [certain things] just because we were there.”

It’s a ministry of presence, where the Kesners primarily work on building relationships of mutual trust among Lakota people, an American Indian tribe that has been historically marginalized and unjustly treated by Americans. This history has led to some skepticism toward non-Indians, even those who want to come alongside to make like better.

“It takes a lot of patience and a lot of time,” Kathleen said. “It’s not Ray Kenser, right, helped construct the Tipi Bed and Breakfast in Bridger, South Dakota. like going in somewhere else where people come flocking at church on the same night to you.” that Chris Thompson, forFor example, it’s taken mer South Dakota facilitathree years for residents of tor, reported about his trip Bridger, S.D., to begin acceptto South Dakota. ing the Kesners and other “Light bulbs went off TFH volunteers. The first when I heard about South year volunteers traveled to Dakota,” Kathleen said. “I Bridger the residents kept just knew that was where I their distance. The next year, wanted to work.” a few residents met the volThat spark would lead to unteers, and now the Kesners the Kesners’ involvement believe relationships of trust in Warm Embrace, a winare being forged. ter clothing drive ministry The Kesners have worked to bring a mobile dental clinic to the area, providing One sign of trust came started by Thompson’s wife, services for many children who have never been to a dentist. when a Lakota woman gave Dana. In December 2003, volunteers a star quilt, a traditional Lakota “We sell it so they can continue to have Ray used his truck to haul the first colart. After learning more about star quilts, dignity — something they bought not just lection of winter clothes to the Cheyenne Kathleen collected more than $35,000 something given to them,” Ray said.

River reservation. They’ve been on every in fabric donations, which she then sold They also hope to find a quilting maWarm Embrace trip since.

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M Ray and Meet Kathleen Kesner Photo courtesy of the Kesners

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n May, Missouri residents Kathleen and Ray Kesner covered

Kathleen and Ray Kesner

RAY AND KATHLEEN KESNER serve as facilitators with Together for Hope High Plains, the Fellowship’s rural poverty initiative in South Dakota.

Background: Kathleen was born and raised in Rye Hill, Ark., and Ray was born and raised in Palestine, Ark. The two met in high school and have been married for 50 years.

Ministry: For 26 years, Ray served as a pastor in churches through out Arkansas and Missouri.

He also worked in theological education and as a pastoral counselor. Traveling in their RV from their home in Liberty, Mo., the Kesners work to build relationships of mutual trust among the Lakota people in South Dakota.

“It’s just something that kind of grows on you,” Kathleen said.

The Kesners became South Dakota ministry facilitators in December, after Thompson resigned because of time constraints.

“Kathleen and Ray have already proven capable in their willingness to spend significant time away from their Missouri home actually to be with local community leaders within counties in South Dakota,” said national TFH coordinator Tom Prevost. “They are building on the trust that the Thompsons earned along with the many Fellowship folks who are helping to keep the promises of Together for Hope.”

As the Kesners continue ministry leadership, they hope for more jobs in the area, which would help strengthen the area’s economy. They also hope their ministry will have a spiritual impact, although that sometimes seems most difficult. Some negative experiences with missionaries in the past have led to skepticism about Christianity among many Lakota. Consequently, the Kesners don’t push a Christian agenda but rather try to encourage local pastors and be the presence of Christ.

“We work with our presence,” Kathleen said. f!

By Carla Wynn, CBF Communications

Kesners Build Parnterships in South Dakota

OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS

7

Encourage and empower

CBF affiliates Jameses work to bring healing, hope to people of Haiti Carolina, Nancy and Steve James are immersed in heat and

the tropical atmosphere of the Christian University of North Haiti.

Their Haitian style bungalow, a bright coral with green trim, pops against the background of tropical foliage and flowers. Chickens peck through their garden and lizards climb the walls of their home anticipating the next meal.

Doctors receive no income subsidies from the government, local churches or foreign sources and are forced to focus on wealthier patients in order to earn an income.

Serving as an extension of their encourager church, First Baptist Church in Burnsville, N.C., the Jameses have three major goals: network people by understanding the concrete needs in Haiti, encourage staff at medical clinics as well as Haitian Christians and empower by sharing medical and spiritual training.

Despite cankered dirt roads and transportation Photo courtesy of the Jameses

After six years in the States, the Jameses were invited back to Haiti by the general secretary of the Haitian Baptist Convention, Emmanuel Pierre. The Jameses, who previously spent 16 years serving at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Limbe, Haiti, are now Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions AsYouGo affiliates.

The Jameses seek to provide for medical needs and share their faith. As affiliates the Jameses are self-supporting, but they are a part of the CBF Global Missions transformational development team, which encourages growth in every aspect of a person’s life.

“The goal is to go beyond curing the fever and to have Jesus go into the places

as the people sang.

“We came to Haiti to be a help to people, and we found out what Jesus wanted us to do was be part of his nonviolent transformation,” Steve said.

“Without Jesus transformating our world through the returning of good for evil, love for hatred, trust for mistrust, nothing is going to progress.”

One trip to a clinic in Danda resulted in three blown tires, a motorbike losing its brakes, a dead motor and run-ins with United Nations troops. Despite continuous hindrances in the trip, Steve was able to help several Haitian doctors and nurses treat an HIV positive, malnourished baby,

Photo courtesy of the Jameses

Steve and Nancy James travel to medical clinics throughout Haiti, offering training and support to staff.

A clinic in Haiti provides needed medical services.

in their hearts that need forgiveness and reconciliation,” said Steve, who has a medical degree from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Mexico.

Skilled medical professionals in Haiti are often overworked and poorly paid and hospitals lack the proper infrastructure to function. According to the Jameses, 80 percent of Haitians can’t afford to pay for medical care.

struggles, Steve travels to different clinics to offer medical assistance. During one visit, he saw the Lord’s transforming power come over a man who was thrashing and babbling. As Steve touched the man and prayed for the Lord’s power, another doctor prepared a shot to calm him and the people in the waiting room broke into a hymn, which moved the man to silence

Jameses Bring Healing and Hope to Haiti

a woman with tuberculosis and many other patients who traveled long distances on foot to the clinic.

Infrastructure problems and sporadic electricity can be frustrating at times, but the Jameses are persistent in their desire to be the presence of Christ in Haiti. As affiliates the Jameses are thankful for how CBF has helped to provide emotional and spiritual support for their family.

“We really feel like we are a part of a team that surrounds us and empowers us every step of the way, from our church family to the broader Fellowship,” said the Jameses. “We have had many moments where we have felt the presence and power of Jesus working in the lives of those with whom we live and serve.”

Nancy and Steve grew up as missionary children in Burma and went to school together in South India. In 1964, Steve and Nancy were forced out of Burma with

w w w. t h e f e l l o w s h i p. i n f o

M Nancy Meet and Steve James CBF Global Missions photo

F

ar from their home in the Appalachian mountains of North

Steve and Nancy James

NANCY AND STEVE JAMES serve as CBF Global Missions AsYouGo affiliates in Haiti.

All six of their children — Kirstin, Miriam, Carrie Eileen, Andrew Raymond, Asia Grace and Micah — have lived with them in Haiti.

Background: The James’ were both born to missionary families who served in Burma in the ’50s and ’60s. As children, Nancy and Steve attended school together in South India.

Steve earned a degree from AldersonBroaddus College in Philippi, W.Va., and attended medical school in Mexico at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Nancy graduated as a registered nurse from Mounds-Midway School of Nursing in St. Paul, Minn.

Ministry: The James began working in Haiti in 1983. They served at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Limbe, Haiti, until 1999. As Fellowship affiliates the James’ seek to use their medical and spiritual knowledge to network, encourage and equip Haitians.

their families, but they met again years later during college and married in 1972.

While each considered serving in Southeast Asia or Africa, Nancy was introduced to medical needs in Haiti when she traveled there as a nursing student.

“I returned to school to study even harder,” said Nancy. “Being able to see so many of the illnesses we were studying about and see how they were treated really left an impression on me and helped me to be a better student.”

Though Haiti has experienced lingering political unrest, the Jameses are persistent about sharing the nonviolent love of Christ, which they see as the “heart of his cross and resurrection.”

“Understanding Christ’s nonviolence has empowered me to serve the poor, to go to those places that are more difficult, where others may not want to go,” said Steve. “It’s been a blessing to have that consciousness.” f!

By Courtney Hodges, CBF Communications

OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS 2006

OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS

8

LEARN 2006-2007 Offering for

Global Missions Resources

T

he resources listed below explain the Offering for Global Missions and the CBF Global Missions strategy. Use these resources to fit

your congregation’s unique approach to missions promotion.

All promotional resources are free and can be ordered through The CBF Store. Contact The CBF Store at (888) 801-4223 or www.thefellowship.info.

“How-To” Guide The “How-To” Guide for promoting the 2006-2007 Offering for Global Missions is a comprehensive, easyto-use resource for teachers and leaders.

The guide is divided into four sections — educate, promote, encourage, engage — and includes descriptions of resources and explains a variety of methods for connecting with CBF Global Missions. Also included is a DVD, which provides video segments on CBF Global Missions work in South Africa, SubSaharan Africa, South Dakota and an overall Offering reflection piece. Video tapes are also available by request.

Banks With one touch, the pre-folded Offering for Global Missions banks become small, 14sided world globes. The banks contain a slot on top for coins and a space on the

bottom for a person’s name. The banks are especially appealing to children and could be distributed through Sunday School classes, missions groups or children’s sermons.

Offering Envelopes The Offering for Global Missions envelopes provide a convenient way for church members to give to the Offering.

Bulletin Inserts CBF’s values of listening, equipping and partnering are demonstrated in the details of stories from CBF Global Missions field personnel who live and work around the world. The bulletin insert focuses on Brenda Lisenby in China, Eddie and Macarena Aldape in India, Fran and Lonnie Turner in SubSaharan Africa and Ana Marie and Scott Houser in South Africa.

Promotional Posters Two sizes of color promotional posters are available. Both sizes include the Offering for Global Missions national goal

of $6,320,000 and space for congregations to set their own Offering goal.

including highlighted ministries in the fall and spring emphases. The Web site also provides information about the face2 face2f ace2face face Speakers’ Bureau and access to photos, clip art and chart illustrating giving progress. www.thefellowship.info/global missions/famishedlands.icm missions/ /famishedlands.icm f!

Offering for Global Missions E-Update Each issue of this electronic newsletter provides timely, innovative ideas and links to resources to help promote the Offering. It also contains prayer calendars and opportunities for volunteer missions service. To subscribe, e-mail your request to ogm@thefellowship.info ogm@thefellowship.inf or call (770) 220-1630.

CBF Global Missions Gift Catalog The Gift Catalog contains project requests from CBF Global Missions field personnel around the world. Purchasing from the Gift Catalog is one way to support and participate in the ministry of field personnel all year long. Projects range from meals and books for children to livestock and seedlings. To access the catalog, go to www.thefellowship.info/ globalmissions/giftcatalog.

CBF Global Missions Web Site The CBF Global Missions Web Site provides information about the Offering,

Inspire: Missions Education Resources LEARN MORE about the stories and work of CBF field personnel through the Fellowship’s missions education resources.

The November unit of Form, the preschool resource, Spark, the children’s resource, and Affect, the adult resource, focus on the ministries of Ana Marie and Scott Houser and Caroline and Josh Smith as they care for those in Johannesburg, South Africa affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Chapter three of Ignite, the resource for teenagers, also focuses on field personnel work in South Africa.

Check out the January and February units, which feature the Fellowship’s work in South Dakota and China.

In March, units focus on rebuilding efforts in India.

To order these resources or for more information, go to www.missionseducation.org www.missionseducation.or .

Connect your church

face2f face2 ace2fface ace links churches with engaging missions, other speakers

C O O P E R AT I V E B A P T I S T F E L L O W S H I P

limited to field personnel, staff and missional church representatives. These speakers can talk about missions and a host of other topics based on the church’s interest and needs, including the growing desire of churches to know how to be missional. Field personnel and staff also promote the Fellowship’s Offering for Global Missions, which funds field personnel and their ministries around the world.

Why should you schedule a face2face speaker?

• To better connect your church with the Fellowship • To listen and learn from engaging stories shared by Fellowship staff or Global Missions field personnel • To promote the Fellowship’s Offering for Global Missions, the major funding source for global ministries

w w w. t h e f e l l o w s h i p. i n f o

• To learn ways in which your church can be more missional

ing for and when you would like a speaker.

• After listening to your church’s interests and need, face2 face2f ace2fface ace will match your What events can I get a speaker for? church with a speaker.

Speakers are • face2 face2f ace2fface ace will handle available for events much of the logistics of including: getting the speaker to • Sunday mornyour church, and provide ing worship services any additional resources • Wednesday your church needs to acor Sunday evening company the speaker’s services presentation.

• Children’s • Churches are asked to and adult missions provide meals and lodggroup meetings ing for speakers, and, if • Mission fairs/ possible, reimburse travel Conferences expenses. If necessary, CBF • Camps and rewill subsidize travel expensRick Burnette, one of CBF Global treats Missions field personnel in Thailand, led es. Honoraria are at the a children’s sermon as part of face2 f f face.

How do I get a discretion of the church. speaker for my church?

• For additional information, visit • Contact face2 face2f ace2fface ace at (770) 220-1630 www.thefellowship.info/face2face. f! or face2face@thefellowship.info face2face@thefellowship.inf and identify what kind of speaker your church is lookBy Carla Wynn, CBF Communications CBF Communications photo

KAREN MANGHAM was looking for a way to make missions personal for her church, and she found it through face2 face2f ace2face, face, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s initiative that links churches with speakers who share about missions and other relevant topics. face2f face2 ace2fface ace sent a missions speaker to Mangham’s Central Baptist Church in Gray, Ga., where Mangham said a flame of enthusiasm for missions was kindled in her small church.

Through talking and interacting with one of the Fellowship’s Global Missions staff and former field personnel, the church made a solid connection with someone who had worked full-time in missions.

The speaker put a face on missions for the church, and helped field personnel and their ministries have more meaning. face2f face2 ace2fface ace speakers include, but are not

Global Mission Resources

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face2face Connecting Churches with Speakers

OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS

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GIVE Children at Roswell First Baptist

raise money, awareness of missions

B

y collecting more than $7,300 to build a water well for a school in Zambia, children who attended Vacation Bible School (VBS)

at Roswell First Baptist Church learned about the impact a few pennies could make.

Photo courtesy FBC Roswell

Bob Perkins Jr. photo

Lonnie Turner, one of the Cooperative a well at Zambia’s Chanyanga Basic Baptist Fellowship’s Global Missions School. field personnel, traveled to Roswell, Ga., Dedmon contacted the Turners and a suburb of Atlanta, and thanked the children for their offering. He told them how the money will make a difference in the lives of African children.

“Water is the number one issue for the people of Zambia,” Turner said.

“Without water, many school-age children have to spend most of their ABOVE: Lonnie days getting water for their Turner spoke to children at family. And that leaves Roswell First little time for school and Baptist Church homework.” about how the money they Brenda Dedmon, gave affects minister of children at the the lives of children in church, said each year the Africa.

VBS offering is dedicated to global missions, and this Children built year she learned about the treasure chests work of Fran and Lonnie to help remind them to collect Turner in Sub-Sarahan money as part Africa, who were trying of Vacation to raise $2,000 to build Bible School.

told them of the church’s goal to raise the money needed to dig the well. Then she began promoting the VBS offering with the children in Sunday School.

“We gave each child a ‘treasure chest’ bank along with a calendar of things for them to do between May 21 and June 4 to help them remember to collect money,” Dedmon said. “For example, we asked them to count the number of faucets in their house and put a nickel in the treasure chest for each one. We also asked them to donate a penny every time they flushed the toilet. This helped them to focus on the need for water and how often we take it for granted because it is so easily available here.”

A member of the church contributed to the promotion by building a wooden hand pump. Each day of VBS, a bucket was positioned at the end of the pump with the amount of the offering printed on it.

At first it was a small bucket, but it grew each day matching the offering amount until on the last day of VBS it was revealed that $2,316.50 had been collected by the children.

Hearing of

Ways to GIVE to the Offering for Global Missions Online — Go to www.thefellowship.info/ landing/giving.icm. For questions regarding online giving, contact igive@thefellowship. info.

By Mail — Make your check payable to CBF and send it to Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, P.O. Box 101699, Atlanta, Ga., 30392. To designate your gift to the Offering for Global Missions, write “Offering for Global Missions” in the memo line.

By Phone — Call CBF toll free at (800) 352-8741

the need in Zambia and being moved by the children’s offering, a church member donated an additional $5,000, which Turner said will be used to construct other wells in the area, plus provide books and other school supplies in Chanyanga.

“It was overwhelming to say the least,” Dedmon said.

Lonnie Turner told the congregation their generous offering had made many African children and adults very happy.

“What you’ve done is provide justice to these people and their children,” he said. f!

By contributing writer Bob Perkins Jr., Atlanta, Ga.

Offering for Global Missions essential to corporate, cooperative engagement with the world

viewpoint: Rob Nash, CBF Global Missions Coordinator I’VE JUST been a few weeks on the job as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions coordinator, so each day offers new discoveries related to Rob Nash this joyous enterprise of sharing the grace and love of Christ around the world. I’m learning from some good teachers who minister in the hard places of the world with determination and with the joy of knowing that God has called them to their particular places of service. Here is what they are teaching me: ■ There is considerable cost to following in the footsteps of Jesus. I like the commission that Jesus gives to his disciples in John’s gospel. It is clear, precise and to the point — “As the Father has sent me,” he says, “so send I you.”

In difficult places, day in and day out,

our field personnel work in powerful and effective ways, ministering to AIDS patients, digging wells, building homes, feeding the hungry, and sharing the love of Christ with people who desperately need that love. This same kind of commitment is demanded of each one of us in our engagement with the world.

■ Local congregations in the United States are essential to the task of global mission. We’ve paid it lip service in the past. We’ve called local churches toward mission involvement in the world and prayed that such engagement would occur.

Now it is happening. The 21st century is the century of the local congregation when it comes to global mission. In these early days, I have listened time and again as field personnel have described the ways in which local congregations are joining them in meeting the spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs of people all over the world. This local church participation in global mission is leading

Roswell First Children Raise Money for Missions

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Vi e w p oint : R ob Na sh

to the revitalization of the American church while at the same time offering new models for Christian engagement with the world.

■ A corporate Baptist engagement with the world is essential. Nothing is more important to effective global mission than a corporate and cooperative engagement with the world. Our cooperation together as Fellowship Baptists enables our field personnel to remain in their places of ministry for decades at a time, developing the relationships and connections that are essential to effective mission and ministry. This cooperation also allows for congregations to participate in a national global mission endeavor that is directed toward a single purpose under the Lordship of Christ. We are able to do together far more than we would ever be able to do separately.

■ The Offering for Global Missions is essential to this corporate and cooperative engagement with the world. The funds w w w. t h e f e l l o w s h i p. i n f o

that your church contributes to OGM go directly to supporting the mission and ministries of our field personnel. Our field personnel, in turn, develop projects and partnerships that enable local congregations to participate alongside them in meeting human need and reaching the least evangelized people of the world. It is truly a partnership in the gospel that results in a meaningful engagement of the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The lessons I’ve learned are not difficult ones. We are in this grand calling to global mission together as individual Christians, as churches, and as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Our common venture is a true partnership in the gospel that is grounded in the work of field personnel committed to a place and its people, supported by the prayers, funding and mission teams of congregations, and directed by the power of God’s Spirit at work in the world. I’m glad to be part of it. f!

OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS 2006

OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS

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PRAY Prayer Guide serves as

educational, devotional resource

T

here’s a slightly new twist on the Fellowship’s most popular missions resource this year — the field personnel prayer calendar,

formerly a separate piece called Partners in Prayer, has been incorporated into the annual prayer guide.

“We have used both pieces in the past the world that our field personnel are to promote CBF missions and it’s wonderinvolved in every day,” said CBF Global ful that they have combined the two this Missions associate coordinator Tamara year,” said Gloria Freeman, the director of Tillman. “It raises awareness. As people Woman’s Missionary Union at First Bappray for needs around the world, they tist Church, Ahoskie, begin to understand N.C. “Every one of my more fully how their C o o p e r a t i v e . B a p t i s t . Fe l l o w s h i p ladies has a copy of the global missions dolprayer guide. My hope lars are invested.” is that they use it with “I use the prayer their families during guide in my persontheir devotional time, al devotional time,” that it will be a source Freeman said. “But of discussion about the we also use it in our various people groups, team meetings and and that they will betincorporate it into A . Ye a r- L o n g . G u i d e . t o . G l o b a l . M i s s i o n s . P r a y i n g ter understand how our our group prayer 2006-2007 global missions offering time.” is used.”

Freeman espeThe year-long prayer cially appreciates the guide has been the Fellowship’s most rephotographs that are used in the guide. quested piece with 35,000 to 45,000 copies “We are able to read about a people being distributed each year. group and see their picture which helps us The guide is a personal devotional to even better know who we are praying tool, providing a scripture focus each for and helping to support ministry with,” month, a reflection on that scripture, she said. and prayer requests from CBF field Mark Green, minister of music at First personnel for each week. The birthdays of Baptist Church in Gainesville, Ga., saw CBF field personnel and their families are the prayer guide for the first time at the included.

2006 General Assembly and was so im“It’s an educational tool that exposes pressed that he ordered copies for every an individual to areas and needs around member of the choir.

“As I looked through it, I realized it highlighted some of the missionaries that were commissioned at that meeting,” he said. “I also thought the guide was beautifully produced and was a great tool for creating awareness of the many different mission projects that CBF is supporting around the globe.”

Green will encourage choir members to use the guide in their private devotions to pray specifically for the mission focus each week.

“In addition, I am going to read the focus

for each week in choir rehearsal as part of our group prayer time,” he said. “I want our choir to support our missionaries through constant prayer, and I want to educate our choir on CBF global mission work.”

The theme of this year’s guide is Water for Life and it emphasizes the need to pray for those who have not yet experienced “the refreshing water offered in relationship with Christ.” f!

By contributing writer Sue H. Poss, Greenville, S.C.

Water forLife

Prayer Requests Ana Marie and Scott Houser CBF field personnel in South Africa Pray for more individuals and/ or families, like Hannah Kitele, who are willing Ana Marie and Scott Houser to care for orphaned children for life, not just temporarily, and give them a home.

Ray and Kathleen Kesner Together for Hope facilitators in South Dakota On the Cheyenne River Reservation, pray that Together for Hope may continue to provide a peace-making influence in the Bridger community, which has a history of conflict.

Pray that Warm Embrace will be able to raise the necessary funds to complete

C O O P E R AT I V E B A P T I S T F E L L O W S H I P

the basketball court they began constructing last summer. Pray, too, for the Lakota youth who are already beginning to use the court. Pray that this will Kathleen and Ray Kesner be an instrument of hope and that it will become a shining symbol of the presence of Christ in the community.

Pray for the continued development of work in Red Scaffold on the Cheyenne River Reservation, including a new Pow Wow Ground. Pray that this will be the first of several projects completed in Red Scaffold.

Pray that each project will communicate the presence of Christ to the community.

Pray for the strengthening of our partnership with Tree of Life, which ministers to the Rosebud and Crow Creek Indian Reservations. Pray that this strengthened relationship will open up opportunities

w w w. t h e f e l l o w s h i p. i n f o

Prayer Associates Each month, CBF Global Missions through regular mail and e-mail distributes Prayer Associates, containing the prayer requests of CBF Global Missions field personnel serving around the world.

Prayer associates are people who are committed to praying for CBF Global Missions on a regular basis. To subscribe to Prayer Associates or to learn more, go to http://www.thefellowship.info/ globalmissions/prayercentral/. globalmissions/prayercentral/ /.

for us to connect with housing and other needs on these reservations.

Brenda Lisenby One of CBF’s Global Missions field personnel in China Pray for the transformation — both physical and spiritual — in the children’s lives, and their families, as they receive professional services and individual respect for perhaps the first time.

Brenda Lisenby Pray for the staff at Angel House as they seek to become more professional, obtain more training, and effectively serve this marginalized population in Guangxi.

Pray for director Kate Wang Fang as she leads this school, that she will have the strength and courage to face and overcome tremendous obstacles in the community and the financial challenges

of running Angel House. Also, pray that Angel House will become self-sustaining.

Pray for more appropriate facilities.

Currently Angel House is located in two apartments on the third and fourth floors with no elevator and neighbors who do not welcome a school in their building.

Pray for volunteers who can provide training and encouragement to Angel House and other similar centers and schools in China that are serving those with special needs.

Fran and Lonnie Turner CBF field personnel in Sub-Saharan Africa Pray for the additional funds needed to dig wells and boreholes.

Lonnie and Fran Turner A hand-dug well with a pump costs $2,000 to build. A borehole costs at least $5,000.

New Devotional Resource

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Prayer Requests

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SERVE CBF volunteers serve in missions settings around the world

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or the third summer in a row, Ed Christmas traveled from his

“I’ll tell the students about everything from jobs to retirement and holidays,” Christmas said. “This helps them with their listening skills. Then I will get them to tell me about similar things in Chinese culture. This way, they’ll practice their speaking.”

Neither Ed nor Carolyn Christmas had previous teaching experience, but the Amity program is set up so that anyone can be a teacher.

“Many of the students will eventually ask, ‘Why did you come?’” said Christmas. “And we say, ‘We came because we’re Christians and we know God loves us and God loves you, and we want to share God’s love with you.’ I think when they realize we are volunteers and we have paid our way to come, they know we have something special. Amity’s mission is to show the servant side of Christianity, and that is what we are doing.” f!

Photo courtesy of Ed Christmas

U.S. and around the world. Volunteer opportunities range from teaching home in Burlington, N.C., to China, where he taught English to to construction to providing medical services. Wood said he “fulfills a role middle school teachers. like a broker, matching individuals and Through the Cooperative Baptist Wood, who helped place five CBF teams who want to serve as short-term Fellowship’s Volunteer Missions, Christvolunteers into Amity’s four-week volunteers with the appropriate CBF mas was connected with opportunity.”

Brenda Lisenby, one of In China, that person CBF Global Missions is Lisenby, who first field personnel, and the went to China in 1989 Amity Foundation, an and originally planned independent Chinese to teach English for voluntary organizatwo years. Later, she tion created by Chinese decided to make a career Christians in 1985 to commitment to working promote education, soin China, and she now cial services, health and coordinates partnerships rural development. Amfor the Guangxi Zhuang ity focuses its efforts on Autonomous Region and serving China’s poorest CBF English education regions, where resources resources throughout are scarce.

China.

Volunteer Ed Christmas, left, has served in China teaching English for the past three “Amity specializes in Christmas, whose summers.

ESL (English as a Second wife, Carolyn, served Language) programs and has been for 20 summer education program this past as a teacher in China in 2004 and 2005, years,” said Timothy Wood, the Fellowship’s July, helps potential volunteers become engaged students in discussions on Volunteer Missions program manager. aware of available opportunities in the American and Chinese cultures.

• Worship with Chinese Christians and dialogue with Christian leaders in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi. Visit with CBF teachers of English and guest teach at the church’s English classes. Play with students at Angel House, a school for children with cerebral palsy, and allow them the opportunity to develop and display important social skills.

This list reflects volunteer missions possibilities related to the ministries of the CBF Global Missions field personnel featured in this issue. To learn about additional Volunteer Missions opportunities, go to www. thefellowship.info/destinationmissions/ VolunteerMissions/ or contact Timothy Wood at twood@thefellowship.info or (800) 782-2451.

South Dakota

China • Physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist and/or developmental interventionists are needed to assist in Tianjin Institute of Children’s Welfare. The therapists would provide daily therapy for orphaned children, long term evaluation, and training to the local Chinese aunties, who also work with the children.

• Adults needed to teach English at Zhongshan Road Church to adults and children of varying levels of English competency.

• Adults needed to teach English in China for the Amity Foundation, using an American culture and oral English curriculum provided by Amity.

C B F S e r v i n g A r o u n d t h e Wo r l d

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• A network of churches is needed to provide funds and labor to move the Pow Wow Grounds in the Red Scaffold community in Ziebach County. This is on the Cheyenne River Reservation.

A bridge constructed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs has encroached on their present community grounds.

• Warm Embrace, a Together for Hope High Plains partner, needs help completing a concrete basketball court in the Bridger community of Ziebach County. Half the court was competed in 2006, and they plan to complete the second half in 2007. Half court construction cost is $5,000.

• Lakota Training and Leadership Institute has opportunities for volunteers to serve through children’s Bible camps or sports camps. They are located near a village of approximately 300 people.

Construction needs such as painting and other similar home repairs also exist in the adjoining neighborhood.

Vo l u n t e e r O p p o r t u n i t i e s

• White Clay, Neb., Ministry Center which serves the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation needs help starting a Lakota Crafters Cooperative. Primary needs are funding and specific crafting supplies.

The center also has construction and clean up needs on adjoining property which they have recently acquired.

volunteer opportunities, contact Wood, (800) 782-2451 or twood@thefellowship.info.

By contributing writer Laurie Entrekin, Atlanta, Ga.

Stretch Ledford photo

Volunteer Opportunities

SERVE – For more information about

Kwan Kew Lai provided medical services in India on a 10-day trip organized by CBF volunteer missions.

CBF Global Missions Categories of Service www.thefellowship.info/destinationmissions Career: Personnel who are employed by CBF Global Missions to share their faith crossculturally.

Contact Matt Norman at (770) 220-1609 or mnorman@thefellowship.info.

a specific mission calling to areas CBF is not currently sending career or GSC personnel.

Contact Matt Norman at (770) 220-1609 or mnorman@thefellowship.info.

Global Service Corps (GSC): One- to threeyear assignments that fill strategic needs all over the world.

Student.Go: Summer or semester ministry opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to serve among unevangelized and marginalized people.

Contact Amy Derrick at (205) 989-8160 or aderrick@thefellowship.info.

Contact Amy Derrick at (205) 989-8160 or aderrick@thefellowship.info.

AsYouGo Affiliate: Self-supporting personnel serving through the CBF Global Missions field team structure. Whether through business or education employment or through the direct financial support of churches, it provides a global missions connection for CBF-minded people with

Volunteer: Individuals who pay their own way to be a part of CBF Global Missions work around the world. Assignments can be short- or longterm.

Contact Timothy Wood at (972) 242-5977 or twood@thefellowship.info.

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OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS 2006

C O O P E R AT I V E B A P T I S T F E L L O W S H I P

By contributing writer Melanie Kieve, Alabaster, Ala.

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As part of the promotion, the church also holds a dinner and program for Missouri State University international students.

During March, the church focuses on giving to North American missions.

Other promotion ideas include asking church members connected to missions to speak during worship, hosting visiting field personnel in members’ homes and communicating through bulletin boards and newsletters.

Why does McCullars participate in such a tireless promotion?

“Because we cannot send out missionaries if we don’t have money,” she said. “But the most important thing is prayer. If you don’t pray, nothing will happen.”

The byproducts of promoting missions giving have not only been beneficial to CBF Global Missions but also to the church, whose members are consistently involved in missions.

“Educate the people about the needs around the world so they will know how to pray and give, and involve as many people as you can to help with the promotion of this education through all organizations of the church,” McCullars said. f!

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WHEN LOIS MCCULLARS says her church promotes the Offering for Global Missions everywhere in her church, she’s means everywhere.

“We place CBF posters all over the church — in every hall, Sunday School department, the elevator, even bathrooms,” McCullars said. “The CBF [office] probably wonders what we’re doing when we order so many of them.”

But the Offering promotion of McCullars’ church — University Heights Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo. — goes far beyond posters. It is part of a multifaceted effort that excites the congregation about the Offering and inspires members to missions action, McCullars said The months of December and March are dedicated to missions giving. Focused on global missions, the December promotion begins with Missions Day worship service, which includes a parade of flags and international costumes and missions sermon. That evening the church holds a Christmas dinner featuring visiting CBF Global Missions field personnel.

During the rest of December, global missions is highlighted during morning worship services, Sunday School classes, adult and children missions group meetings and a Wednesday evening service.

Missouri church promotes Offering with multifaceted approach

Jay Paul photo

(800) 352-8741

www.thefellowship.info

P.O. Box 450329 • Atlanta, Georgia 31145-0329

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

LEARN about CBF Global Missions

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In China, Angel House provides early intervention and rehabilitation to children with cerebral palsy.

GIVE to the Offering for Global Missions

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PRAY for field personnel and their ministries

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Serving Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission

Offering for Global Missions

OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS 2006-2007

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