fellowship!
CBF
Cooperative baptist fellowship | www.thefellowship.info
July/August 2008
Serving Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission
General Assembly 2008 Rod Reilly photo
New CBF field personnel Eric and Julie Maas, who will serve in Belize, are embraced during the commissioning service, which was held at First Baptist Church of Memphis, Tenn. “You have blessed these field personnel with your presence in this place,” CBF Global Missions coordinator Rob Nash said. “Truly, we send them together into the world.”
Discerning together Editor’s note: Below is a portion of the remarks made by CBF Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal at the CBF General Assembly. To read Vestal’s complete remarks or listen to video or audio, go to www.thefellowship.info/ new/General-Assembly-coverage. I stand before you today to say that there are churches across this country and around the world who are discerning God’s mission in the world and discovering their participation in it. They are what I call missional churches, i.e., they are defining their identity not by their style of worship, their programs, their buildings, their denominational affiliation, but by their participation in the mission of God. These churches have a vision to be the presence of Christ to one another and to their community and to the uttermost parts of the earth. These churches have a passion, both for the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. And I stand before you today humbly and gratefully to say that CBF is being used by the Spirit to help these churches be captured by that vision and compelled by that passion. CBF is coming alongside these missional congregations to serve them, to connect them with other churches and to extend their ministry among the most neglected. This year we will give more than $700,000 in grants to churches that have completed the “It’s Time” study and are initiating transformational ministry within their community. This year we will appoint 18 new field personnel, missionaries, that are going out from your churches to serve in the most difficult and dangerous places in the world. This year we will complete our sixth year in our 20-year commitment to the 20 poorest counties in America, involving individuals from your churches in transformational community development. This year we have adopted the Millennium Development Goals as a framework to address global poverty and have become a part of the Micah Challenge to help churches engage in the struggle for global justice. This year we have begun a fund for micro-enterprise lending to poor people, a fund that will attract the endowment dollars from institutions and churches. All of this and much more is to come alongside local churches to extend God’s mission in the world. And God’s mission continues. As long as there is one lost soul, as long as there is one wayward prodigal, as long as there is one hungry child, as long as there is injustice and inequality, God’s mission continues. Vol. 18, No. 4 executive Coordinator • Daniel Vestal Coordinator, Fellowship Advancement • Ben McDade Editor • Lance Wallace managing Editor • Patricia Heys Associate Editor • Carla Wynn Davis
Daniel Vestal, CBF Executive Coordinator
Phone • (770) 220-1600 Fax • (770) 220-1685 E-Mail • fellowship@thefellowship.info Web Site • www.thefellowship.info
fellowship! is published 7 times a year in Sept./Oct., Special I (Oct.), Nov./Dec., Jan./Feb., Mar./Apr., May/June, July/Aug. by The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Inc., 3001 Mercer University Dr., Atlanta, GA 30341-4115. 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
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recently released :
Being the Presence of Christ: A Vision for Transformation by Daniel Vestal What is the really good news that the Christian gospel claims to possess and proclaim? Through personal transformation, individuals can be agents of change in the world. By practicing the presence of Christ in our daily lives, we begin to change the world with the deep, spiritual change within ourselves. Daniel Vestal sets out a progressive approach to the study of scripture and prayer, a process that encourages personal spiritual transformation. This personal growth enables the individual to practice Christ’s presence in the world, thus aiding in the ongoing redemption of the world. To learn more, go to www.thefellowship.info/beingthepresence.
Contents 6-9
2008 General Assembly meets in Memphis
10-11 12
Q&A with new Fellowship moderator Jack Glasgow
J.V. McKinney photo
Learn about CBF’s newly commissioned field personnel
14
New resources available through CBF
15
Five Tips for kicking off the missions education year
16
Church Spotlight: Oakland Baptist
CBF field personnel minister to artist community
CBF photo
18-19
meet Becky Buice Green Becky Buice Green has worked at CBF for 15 years. As a global missions finance and administration specialist, she provides assistance to CBF field personnel on budgetary and financial issues. She is also the manager of the Resource Fair at CBF’s General Assembly, organizing the CBF Store, Missions Marketplace and exhibitor booths.
years ago, serving as a secretary at the Baptist Student Union while in college.
Hometown: McDonough, Ga.
“I have the privilege of working with CBF field personnel serving all over the world. These are people who have been called by God to go and serve in some very difficult places, and I believe God called me to this position so that I may enable them to fulfill their calling. My goal is to continue to lend support to CBF field personnel and staff in this work that God has called us all to.”
Education: Murray State University in Murray, Ky. Interesting fact: She first started working in Baptist life 20
Contact Becky Buice Green at bbgreen@thefellowship.info or (800) 352-8741.
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Fellowship People Toni Pipkins
T
oni Pipkins, a 28-year veteran of South Carolina’s Extension Service system, now uses her home economic skills in ministry. Serving as children’s minister at First Baptist Church, Orangeburg, S.C, she meshes program ideas with life skills to develop a missional lifestyle in children. For example, she offers cooking classes. This year, children will learn basic cake decorating skills, and then each will share a piece of sheet cake and an hour of fellowship
David Gushee
A
s an author and ethics professor, David Gushee works to make people aware of the difference they can make in the world. Gushee recently joined the staff at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, a Fellowship partner. He says that Mercer has given him “the freedom … to pursue new initiatives and exciting programs,” including pursuing his ethical concerns. As president of Evangelicals for Human Rights, he has been instrumental in organizing a national summit on torture to be held at Mercer, Sept. 11-12.
Carolyn Gibson
H
er son and daughter-in-law’s plan to adopt children from Haiti has whetted Carolyn Gibson’s appetite for more oversees ministry. Gibson hopes to return to Haiti someday to continue work she began in two trips to the Caribbean nation. She has caught the vision of her church — Ashworth Road Baptist Church in West Des Moines, Iowa — to be the presence of Christ in the world.
Carson Foushee
C
arson Foushee credits the Fellowship and its Student.Go program for undergraduate and graduate students as the conduit God used to point him in the right direction. Although he had known about the Fellowship, he hadn’t been involved until he began considering what he would do after graduating from Elon University in North Carolina. The leisure and sports management student had worked with a minor league baseball team and in community relations with the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. Challenged to consider blending sports with ministry, he found Student.Go on the 4
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with a senior citizen. Pipkins also develops Vacation Bible School curriculum for First Baptist. Noah’s story is the theme for 2008, and church members will build a huge ark, with the wood donated to Habitat for Humanity. “Everything we do is a jumping off point to minister to someone else, to help others in the name of Christ,” she said.
Toni Pipkins
Gushee will speak on ethical issues in several churches this year and hopes to hold seminars and workshops. The Mercer post also gives him more freedom to be involved with the Fellowship. “I am hoping to build an ongoing partnership with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,” he David Gushee said. “I would like to help CBF in bringing about moral vision and equipping churches in dealing with moral issues.”
A retired pediatric physical therapist, Gibson accompanied her daughter-in-law to an orphanage in Haiti last August. She noticed several children with disabilities and was particularly aware of a paralyzed young girl, who she promised to try to secure a wheelchair for. Gibson returned in February, with the chair and taught the nannies how to care for the child.
Carolyn Gibson
Web. He signed up and spent last fall in China. Now as part of a Student.Go special mission immersion experience focused on the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, he will travel this summer with 11 other students to visit Fellowship field personnel across the globe. “We will participate hands-on while we are Carson Foushee on the field, including digging a well, working in refugee camps and doing medical missions,” he said. “When we return, we will develop a project in our own communities and help get other students involved.”
WhyI give... “Through the years I have prayed for CBF, and my quiet times every day still include the Fellowship. I give directly to CBF each month. And when I give through my church, I designate that the amount going to missions be sent to CBF Global Missions.”
Ann Burnette
Blaine Foote photo
Crievewood Baptist Church Nashville, Tenn.
M
ore than a decade ago, Ann Burnette began sending birthday cards to CBF field personnel and their children. Over the years, she has found a way — through ecards, donated cards and phone calls — to send thousands of birthday greetings. And she always tries to include a balloon or a dollar bill for the children. “I really enjoy getting reports
and prayer requests from CBF [field personnel]. I pray as I get their letters, and I pray on their birthdays,” Burnette said. “I love getting pictures of them — my files are overflowing. I do not have enough space for pictures, so I started pinning their pictures to the window curtains, but they are full now. I keep a file folder for the ones with whom I correspond — with letters, cards, prayer requests and pictures.”
Burnette’s late husband, Joe, served in Baptist churches for more than 50 years. The couple attended some of the Fellowship’s first gatherings. Burnette said they were thrilled to participate in several General Assemblies and meet the field personnel with whom they had been corresponding. “I want to keep sending cards and ecards as long as I can,” Burnette said. fellowship!
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Building bridges
General Assembly discerns priorities, celebrates missional churches
D
uring the 18th annual Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly June 19-20, held for the first time in Memphis, Tenn., more than 2,000 Fellowship Baptists spent time discerning and praying for the future priorities of the organization. “Now we have come to a time in the
“We cannot discern the present and
of these Delta lands, and people who call themselves ‘Baptists’ are a vital part of that hope,” Hyde said. “Sharing the gospel means breaking barriers, and here on the banks of this great river we have more than our share ... which is why we have built bridges.” American Baptist human rights ad-
life of this movement when we are healthy
future without reflecting on the past,”
vocate Lauran Bethell, who serves in the
and strong enough to step back and ask,
said CBF Executive Coordinator Daniel
Netherlands, talked about bridging gaps
‘What has God prepared for us now?’”
Vestal. “Whatever CBF becomes will
in relationships as Jesus did with the Sa-
CBF moderator Harriet Harral said. “In
be determined by providence. But my
maritan woman at the well. She challenged
what new or improved ways are we now
understanding of providence is that we
the Assembly to not become imprisoned
being called to step out on faith to follow
are asked to make decisions that have real
by fear of crossing the bridges of culture,
Christ and serve God better?”
consequences. We help shape the future
morality and gender. Bethell spoke specifi-
by our actions and choices.”
cally about ministry among prostitution
The Assembly considered seven priority areas during discernment times
The Assembly gathered under the
and human trafficking victims. “There are many Christians and …
and discussion sessions before presenting
theme of “Embrace the World: Building
the feedback as an offering during the
Bridges.” Randy Hyde, chair of the
churches who … suffer from the fear,”
Friday morning business session. This
Assembly steering committee and pastor
she said. “It’s a fear of falling and a fear of
strategic prioritization began in the fall
of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church in Little
failing … [or] a fear of the unknown of
with CBF staff, the Coordinating Council
Rock, Ark., welcomed attendees and set
the other side.”
and state and regional organizational
the tone for the gathering.
leadership.
“There is hope springing from the silt
The Assembly also emphasized ‘building bridges’ at the commissioning service at First Baptist Church of Memphis, where 18 field personnel were commissioned. It was the first time a commissioning had been held at a CBF partner church in many years. (See page 10-11 for more information on the new field personnel.) More than 60 workshops were offered during the two-day event, including 18 which related to the United Nations’
Rod Reilly photo
Millennium Development Goals.
The General Assembly gathered in small groups for prayer and discernment about CBF’s future priorities.
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Randy Hyde
Joanne Carr
Amy Grizzle
Rod Reilly photo
The Karen choir from Crescent Hill Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., performed during the closing session of the General Assembly.
The General Assembly concluded
Church has also been inspired through
attendees contributed $17,487 toward
with a celebration of missional churches,
its local partnership with Karen refugees.
the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Offering
highlighting three church partnerships
Many Karen are Baptist and have been
for Religious Liberty and Human Rights.
with CBF field personnel.
relocating from Burma to U.S. cities like
In its fourth year, the offering will go to
Louisville. Each Sunday more than 125
the Baptist World Alliance and European
Karen worship at this CBF partner church.
Baptist Federation.
Members of Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, told of their five-year, fivestate tour of ministry sites part of Together for
“This is the new global mission — the
Hope, the Fellowship’s rural poverty initiative.
church joined together with field personnel
CBF Offering for Global Missions, which
In Kiev, Ukraine, several CBF partner
around the world, engaged in mission and
pays for field personnel salaries, benefits
churches from North Carolina have
ministry with the gospel of Jesus Christ,”
and operating and ministry expenses.
been working with CBF field personnel
said Rob Nash, CBF global missions
Gennady and Mina Podgaisky, who
coordinator. “Today we have witnessed
minister at a foster home for street
our field personnel and our congregations
children called Village of Hope. And
joining hands together.”
in Louisville, Ky., Crescent Hill Baptist
Matt Cook
Krystaal
Rob Nash
The General Assembly will next convene July 2-3, 2009, in Houston, Texas. By Patricia Heys and Carla Wynn Davis,
At the evening worship sessions,
Harriet Harral
Additionally, $13,325 was given to the
Bethany Dillon
CBF Communications
Raquel Contreras
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An hour south of Memphis, about 20 college students spent two days serving in Helena-West Helena, Ark., where CBF field personnel Ben and Leonora Newell live and minister. The service project was part of the Memphis Sessions, CBF’s first collegiate event at the annual General Assembly.
The General Assembly met in Memphis for the first time, where downtown trolleys provided transportation from the Convention Center to hotels and area attractions.
Photos by J.V. McKinney and Rod Reilly
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The Resource Fair featured more than 60 exhibitors, The CBF Store and a missions marketplace, where proceeds from the sale of art and crafts benefit impoverished communities.
Rod Reilly photo
More than 60 people arrived early for CBF’s General Assembly to serve at local ministry sites. “There are people who blessed us, and we need to bless back,” said Zintzun, one of 13 teenagers from Open House Ministries, a CBF partner ministry that serves a poor area of Miami-Dade County. The teenagers arrived the day before the Assembly so they could serve at the food bank.
Rod Reilly photo
Rod Reilly photo
Rod Reilly photo
Building bridges — General Assembly 2008
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Rod Reilly photo Rod Reilly photo
The Leadership Summit, which focused on celebrating God’s call, featured roundtable discussions and messages from six pastors. The speakers talked about their personal callings, including the challenges and blessings of being a pastor, and emphasized the importance of nurturing the calls of youth and young ministers.
Current, the Fellowship’s young leader’s network, “packs the booth” at the CBF Resource Fair.
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Embrace the W n Carita Southeast Asia
n Leah Crowley Homestead, Fla.
Ministry: Artist in residence
Ministry: Open House Ministries, assistant director
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
Hometown: Pinebluff, N.C.
Church: Ebenezer Baptist Church, Baltimore, Md.; The Life Church, Memphis, Tenn.
Church: First Baptist Church, York, S.C.
n Dee Donaldson Ethiopia
n Lindsay Southeast Asia
Ministry: Education
Ministry: Advocate for women and children
Hometown: Fort Myers, Fla. Church: Sanibel Community Church, Sanibel, Fla.
Hometown: Fayetteville, N.C. Church: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, Fayetteville, N.C.
n Cynthia Levesque Guangxi, China Ministry: English teacher
n Elaine Childs Croatia
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas Church: GraceHeart Ministries, Burleson, Texas
Ministry: Programs coordinator Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn. Church: First Baptist Church, Knoxville, Tenn.
n Eric and Julie Maas Belize Ministry: Belize Baptist Training Center, directors
Note: Due to security concerns names and specific locations of some of CBF field personnel will not be publicized.
Hometown: Greenville, N.C. (Eric); Raleigh, N.C. (Julie) Church: Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville, N.C.
GIVE |
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The CBF Offering for Global Missions is the funding mechanism for field personnel salaries, benefits and operating and ministry expenses. By giving to the Offering, Fellowship Baptists enable field personnel to be the presence of Christ around the world. To give, call (800) 352-8741 or go to www.thefellowship.info/give.
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SERVE |
PRA
Extend the ministries of your church from local communities to global communities by becoming a CBF partner church. You can partner with CBF field personnel in a variety of ways — from prayer and emotional support to hands-on missions immersion. To learn more about partnerships, call (800) 352-8741.
World
PRAY |
CBF commissioned these new field personnel June 18 at the General Assembly in Memphis, Tenn.
n Wilargene Murdock India
n Karen and Kenny
Sherin
Ministry: English teacher Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
Missouri
Church: First Baptist Church, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Unity Faith Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Progress Village, Fla.
Hometown: Indian Trail, N.C. (Kenny); Lillington, N.C. (Karen)
Ministry: Together For Hope advisers
Church: Memorial Baptist Church, Columbia, Mo.
n Brittany Phillips China
n Matt and Melanie
Storie
Ministry: Outreach program developer
Marion, Ala. Ministry: Sowing Seeds of Hope, literacy and ministries coordinators
Hometown: Belton, Texas Church: Meadow Oaks Baptist Church, Temple, Texas
Hometown: Salisbury, N.C. (Matt); Sanford, N.C. (Melanie) Church: First Baptist Church, Salisbury, N.C.; Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church, Sanford, N.C.; Grandin Court Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.
n Christopher and
Jessica Rose Peru
Ministry: Operación San Andrés, coordinators
n Dan and Jolene Tucker Tuxpan, Mexico
Hometown: Katy, Texas Church: Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston, Texas
Ministry: Iglesia Bautista Bethel, pastors Hometown: Deer Park, Texas Church: San Jacinto Baptist, Deer Park, Texas
A yearly prayer resource that focuses on the ministries of CBF field personnel is available free through The CBF Store at (800) 352-8731. CBF also distributes a monthly list of prayer requests from field personnel — sign up for Prayer Associates at www. thefellowship.info/pray.
LEARN |
CBF missions education resources Affect, Form, Spark and Ignite provide opportunities for preschoolers, children, youth and adults to learn about missions. To order resources call (800) 801-4223 or go to www.missionseducation.org.
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Q&A
with
Jack Glasgow CBF moderator
Jack Glasgow has served as pastor of Zebulon Baptist Church in Zebulon, N.C., since 1981. He currently serves as the Fellowship’s moderator, presiding over the Coordinating Council and General Assembly. Previously, Glasgow has served as moderator of CBF of North Carolina and served on the national and state coordinating councils. Zebulon Baptist has partnered with the Fellowship since the organization’s beginning. How do you view the role of moderator? When Christians seek to work together in mission, sion making. I believe the moderator has the responsibility to make sure that our agreed-upon processes for decision making are followed and that the Coordinating Council listens, evaluates and responds effectively to the
Rod Reilly photo
they need a healthy process for participation and deci-
opportunities and challenges before us. I look forward to working with our staff and leaders of the committees and initiative teams of the Council to involve the entire Coordinating Council in providing effective governance to our movement and leadership that is responsive to the Fellowship and to the Spirit. I look forward to a good year with the Coordinating Council, so that next year we bring to General Assembly reports and recommendations that show the vibrancy of our Fellowship movement and continue to
At the 2008 General Assembly, Jack Glasgow provided a report on the Fellowship’s involvement in the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals.
will help us to give a clearer answer to that question.
CBF and the CBF states and regions. I am blessed to
After the priorities are defined, the Coordinating
be a part of a tremendous CBF state organization in
Council needs to organize itself in the best way to
North Carolina. There is so much growth and energy
address those priorities. We may be at just the right
being experienced. But, every state and region has its
time for some “reengineering” of the Coordinating
own unique opportunities and challenges. We need to
Council so that we point ourselves in the right direction
strengthen the mutual relationship between each orga-
and allocate our resources to address our priorities.
nization and the national body.
In addition, I want the Coordinating Council to contin-
move us along the pathway of the missional journey.
ue its passion for things that truly matter. Their energy
Why are you excited about the future of the
for directing the Fellowship to address the Millennium
Fellowship movement?
What would you like to see the Coordinating
Development Goals in the past year was amazing. That
Council focus on in the coming year? First, we will continue the strategic prioritizing process begun under Harriet Harral’s leadership. There has been an amazing willingness to listen to all constituents – staff and field personnel, Current, Christian educators, Coordinating Council, Movement Leadership Team, and this summer, the participants in the General Assembly. This has been a spiritual, prayerful undertaking. I am excited to see a very real indication that a consensus of the Spirit is emerging. The Coordinating Council will need to take this broad input received in the past year and articulate our strategic priorities in the year to come. People often ask, “Where is the Fellowship movement going?” Our prioritizing process
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needs to continue. Their desire to support CBF as a leader in the missional church conversation and movement should continue. The Coordinating Council’s heartfelt desire to make our Fellowship’s leadership more diverse needs to find concrete expression. We need to support women in ministry, invite persons of color into full participation, and engage young persons in the leadership of our movement. And, invariably when we talk about our priorities in CBF our Coordinating Council focuses on mission and evangelism. We need to keep the Fellowship focused on its calling to be the presence of Christ among all people, particularly the most neglected. Finally, I want the Coordinating Council to be a helpful part of building strong covenants between
I love this Fellowship. I love the people and the churches that make up this Fellowship. I sincerely trust CBF people. I trust that their desire is to experience a loving and inclusive fellowship beyond their local church. They enjoy being in one another’s company, whether on a mission trip or at a General Assembly. I trust that they want to share the love of God and their faith in Christ with all people. They cherish Baptist freedoms. They are concerned for the poor. They want to do justice. They are willing to build bridges and tear down barriers. They believe in partnering. They are a spiritual people. Who would not want to keep on the missional journey with such a people? If we remain passionate in our commitment and devoted to being the presence of Christ together, we will enjoy an amazing future.
To learn more about Glasgow and read the full version of his Q&A, go to www.thefellowship.info/moderator.
Fellowship responds to May disasters to support them as best we can with their plans for recovery,” said David Harding, the Fellowship’s coordinator for international disaster response. “CBF is positioned to help MBC reconstruct their own facilities, to restore their ongoing ministry objectives and to help disaster victims return to their livelihoods.” One way is by replacing shallow wells contaminated Together with CBF representatives Bill and Michelle Cayard, Gene Wilder, by storm surge with new wells right, helps distribute relief supplies after the earthquake. Wilder, pastor of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Tenn., came to China as part of using low-cost technology, a sabbatical trip that had been planned for more than a year. “News of Harding said. the earthquake hit the U.S. just as he was boarding the plane for China,” In China, CBF Michelle said. “He came anyway and was able to minister to the people here, although in a completely different way than we had planned.” representatives Bill and Michelle Cayard have been partnership with Hua Mei, the Cayards working with Hua Mei International to were able to get CBF relief money to Hua aid earthquake survivors. Because of Mei the day after the quake. Within a their long-term presence in China and month, Hua Mei distribution efforts had helped more than 10,000 people. Together with Hua Mei, the Fellowship has and will continue to hold disaster response and grief counseling training for local Chinese pastors, who seek to lead their churches in a Christ-like response. In four locations, the Fellowship will work with Hua Mei to rebuild churches. Not only will restoring churches provide worship space for the rapidly growing Christian community, but it will help congregations meet needs in their own community — rebuilding schools, hospitals, community centers and medical clinics. As relief efforts continue in China and Myanmar, “the real need is for funding to help the local partners do their work,” Harding said. CBF photo
F
or thousands in eastern Asia, there was no warning that their lives were about to change forever. Few in Myanmar knew what seemed like a regular storm would take so many lives. Those in central China didn’t know that what seemed solid ground would turn so volatile so quickly. In both places — Myanmar on May 2 and China on May 12 — major disaster left a devastating mark. As people around the world questioned how they could help cyclone and earthquake survivors, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship began its relief and recovery efforts as it often does — through local Christian partners. In Myanmar, the Fellowship is working with the Myanmar Baptist Convention (MBC), which quickly began its response helping thousands of cyclone survivors desperate for water, food and shelter. “MBC is our main partner, and we want
By Carla Wynn Davis, CBF Communications
GIVE |
To contribute to the relief efforts, use the contribution envelope in this issue and indicate fund No. 17023 “Cyclone Response” or No. 17024 “China Earthquake” in the memo line or call (800) 352-8741. You can also give online at www.thefellowship.info/Give/Donate. fellowship!
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Resources New from CBF Glimpses of Missional Faithfulness This collection of stories captures glimpses of missional faithfulness among CBF partnering congregations, sharing stories and inviting church-wide reflection. It can be used by individuals or in a small group setting. A natural follow-up to It’s Time: A Journey Toward Missional Faithfulness, the resource is designed to help churches understand, begin and advance in the missional journey.
Prayer Pathways: A Year-long Guide to Praying for CBF Missions and Ministries This year-long guide, in booklet form, is a free congregational resource, offering expanded opportunities to pray for field personnel, chaplains, pastoral counselors and church starters, as well as other CBF ministry initiatives. Enhanced with beautiful photography, the guide features a weekly prayer focus, scripture and a birthday prayer calendar.
Disaster DVD In the blink of an eye, disaster can strike, leaving survivors with a sense of despair and hopelessness. That’s why you are needed as a CBF disaster responder — to bring hope and rebuild lives. In this free video, CBF disaster responders share how serving has made a difference in their lives. Learn how you are needed, what you can do to help and how serving as a disaster responder might just change your life.
The Minister: A Renewable Resource The Minister: A Renewable Resource provides practical sustenance for ministers and their congregations, as together they view professional ministry not merely as the performance of tasks but also as the presence of gifts and graces. Available this fall, the resource addresses the importance and challenge of congregations caring for the caregiver and of ministers receiving and ensuring self-care.
Affect Affect, CBF’s missions education resource designed specifically for adults, is now a full-color quarterly magazine containing monthly units. Using Affect is included inside the Affect magazine, providing leaders with information about using Affect in traditional missions groups, worship and Bible study, as well as ideas for individuals to use Affect at home as a part of their devotional lives.
Call The CBF Store
— To order these resources, call The CBF Store at (888) 801-4223.
Karyn Hurry, who works at the CBF office in Atlanta as a resources assistant specialist, is available to answer your questions about the Fellowship’s resources and make recommendations on what might best fit the needs of your church.
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for kicking off the missions education year By Devita Parnell
with new items. Also, be sure to point teachers to
As churches gear up for a new year
www.missionseducation.org for monthly Teacher
of classes and opportunities for spiritual development and growth, consider the following ideas for starting the missions education year with excitement.
1
Enlist teachers with passion
Helps and ideas that support each unit of CBF missions education.
3
Celebrate the church’s mission As a way to mark the summer’s end and the fall’s beginning, plan a
church-wide event such as a picnic, festival or
The best teachers are the ones who can
fair that celebrates the church’s involvement in
bring to life a written lesson. When it comes
missions. Focus on mission involvement that has
to teaching about God’s mission to redeem the
occurred over the summer. Ask mission teams
world, enlisting teachers with passion is crucial.
that have been on the field over the summer to
Think outside the box about who those teachers
participate by sharing brief stories, pictures,
might be. Are there people in your congregation
music or foods. Also, review Form, Spark and
who love to travel and experience the world through
Ignite, CBF’s missions education resources for
interesting foods, language or culture? What about
preschoolers, children and youth, for upcoming
people whose professions allow them to intersect
featured topics of study. The topics are also listed
the world’s diversity? Sometimes all it takes to ignite
online at www.missionseducation.org. Each area
a classroom is a teacher who has an innate curiosity
of study features a mission project suggestion that
about life. Don’t worry about whether the person has
you can announce at the kick-off celebration. The
experience teaching a certain age level. To ease the
celebration can also present the missions educa-
new teacher’s mind, pair him or her with someone
tion year “in brief” and give participants a foretaste
who does have special knowledge about age-level
of all the upcoming year has to offer.
appropriateness.
2
Equip teachers to teach Set aside time before the year begins to introduce teachers of all age-levels
to the written curriculum. Walk through a lesson
plan to ensure that teachers are comfortable using whatever resource you have selected. CBF’s missions education resources provide an introductory “How to Use” section that gives tips for arranging a classroom or adapting the material for other non-traditional settings. If your church has a resource room, be sure that teachers are aware of its contents and the procedures for stocking it
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Connect missions to overall church curriculum Missions education can occur outside the traditional Wednesday night
classes. Look for opportunities to connect the dots between what preschoolers and children are learning in class to what the entire congregation is learning. Affect, CBF’s adult missions education magazine, provides suggestions for integrating missions into worship settings, church newsletters, on Wednesday nights around the dinner table and even at home with families. To extend the learning
5
Plan a missions retreat Fall is the perfect time for getting away. Retreats provide a natural opportunity
for new experiences. Consider planning a church-
wide retreat for families that includes both mission action and mission reflection. Spend Friday evening in preparation for the mission activity of Saturday. Engage in meaningful conversation about the “whys” of joining with God in the transformation of the world. Use examples of CBF field personnel and churches who partner together to accomplish the work of God. Also, include family devotion times and tactile experiences that appeal to a variety of ages and learning styles. Saturday’s mission activity should include jobs that small and large hands can do. Conclude the day with reflection and worship. Ignite, CBF’s mission education resource for youth, includes a retreat plan as well as devotions, field personnel studies, Bible studies and project ideas that can be easily adapted for a family retreat.
at home, provide copies of the Affect magazine for parents of preschoolers and children.
Devita Parnell serves as the Fellowship’s missions education specialist. Contact her at dparnell@thefellowship.info or (800) 352-8741. For more ideas and information about ordering CBF’s missions education resources, visit www.missionseducation.org or call The CBF Store at (888) 801-4223. You can also sign up online for a monthly missions education e-newsletter. fellowship!
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Member care provides crucial support While serving in France four years
Womack, who retires this summer after eight years as the team’s director. “We found that by helping with the emotional, physical and spiritual splinters, the crosses are lighter because there are many shoulders on which to rest the burdens.” In 2004, a group of donors established the CBF Field Personnel Wellness and Member Care Endowment Fund, with a lead gift of $100,000 pledged by Ed and Laura Anne Vick, of Raleigh, N.C. Today, the endowment principal is worth $636,895 and provides approximately $32,000 for emergency member care needs each year. “I don’t believe you can truly understand how important [this] is until you are placed outside your home culture,” said Karen Morrow, who serves with her husband, Frank, as one of CBF’s field personnel. “Our own weaknesses are multiplied when we experience culture shock, and often we don’t have the necessary resources
ago, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel Joel and Tiffne Whitley learned they were expecting twins and Tiffne’s pregnancy would
The Whitleys immediately met with members of the Fellowship’s member care team, including two physicians and Milton Womack, the team’s director. “When I was pregnant with the twins, Dr. Tim Hartzog and Dr. Charles Taylor both recommended that we return to the States. This decision probably saved the life of our boys,” Tiffne said. The team continued to support the Whitleys throughout the pregnancy, providing information and resources, helping them understand doctors’ reports, and preparing them for medical decisions they might face. Their twins were born premature and spent three months in neonatal intensive care but are now healthy three-year-olds. “It is amazing how God works, and we are so thankful for the member care team and how they allow God to work through them to minister to field personnel,” said the Whitleys, who now serve in Spain. CBF’s member care team helps field personnel maintain their physical, spiritual and emotional health and assist them when problems arise. The team, which is funded primarily through gifts to CBF, includes 42 individuals who volunteer their time and expertise. This network includes not only physicians and counselors, but legal and financial advisers as well. “Wellness allows for productive ministry and longevity on the field,” said
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By Patricia Heys, CBF Communications
CBF photo
Jacqueline Gardiner-Veal photo
have serious medical complications.
to deal with issues on our own.” For Michelle Cayard, a CBF representative in China, the member care team provided crucial support when she developed severe pain in her leg and was unable to walk. With limited access to medical care, she called Don Langford, a physician on CBF’s team, who assessed her condition as a ruptured disc and recommended she return to the United States. The diagnosis was confirmed and Cayard had immediate surgery. “For us, the support was invaluable,” said Michelle, who serves with her husband, Bill. “We [had] limited access to medical care, limited ability to make use of the care available, and emotional conflict over how best to handle the situation. It’s hard to communicate the comfort and relief we felt at having competent, caring advice at this time of confusion, isolation, and fear.”
Joel and Tiffne Whitely, with daughter, Megan, and twins, Cade and Dylan.
To give to the CBF member care endowment fund, contact CBF Foundation president Don Durham at (800) 352-8741 or ddurham@thefellowship.info.
Church S potlight
Oakland Baptist, Rock Hill, S.C.
Photo courtesy of Oakland Baptist
R
ock Hill, S.C., may not be the first place that springs to mind when people think of work with internationals. But it is there at Oakland Baptist Church that members have become engaged in ongoing, strategic ministries to refugees and other international families and students living in their city, just south of Charlotte, N.C. It is also there that Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel Butch and Nell Green are based to help churches find ways to minister to internationals. “Butch and Nell have been instrumental in helping our church open its eyes to the many international people living in our backyard,” said Oakland’s associate pastor Christy McMillinGoodwin. “They have taught us, led us and encouraged us.” The Greens, who formerly worked among unreached people groups in Brussels, Belgium, said that, at one time, distance between cultures was measured by geography. Now, it is measured by differences in language, culture and worldview. “Not only do these things create barriers to the gospel but they create barriers to meeting social needs,” Nell said. “The church is poised to minister holistically to the entire world right here. No longer is the career missionary the church’s window to cultures far away. Now we need only look out the window into our own backyards.” With the Greens’ encouragement, Oakland sponsored a trip last year to visit CBF field personnel in several European and North African locations. “Visiting our CBF field personnel and having field personnel visit Oakland has
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Oakland Baptist member Janet Ownley, right, visited with African refugees.
helped us as we are developing ministries for internationals,” McMillin-Goodwin said. “They have helped us understand the plight of the international person, whether refugee, legal or illegal migrant. They have helped us learn how to pray for migrants and refugees. They have given us the courage to respond to those around us and to respond to God’s calling us in new areas of ministry.” Oakland also used the experiences from the trip to apply for an “It’s Time” grant of $25,000, which was awarded by CBF. The grant will be used to help resettle three refugee families and to expand the ministry the church has begun among international students at nearby Winthrop University. The church has plans to visit CBF field personnel working with international students in the United States to help it develop this ministry further.
In addition to the refugee resettlement and student ministry, the church also has a growing Spanish-speaking group that emerged from an English as a Second Language class and a group of young people composed of Baptists and Muslims that meets regularly. “You should not expect this ministry to grow your church numerically,” Nell said. “But your church will grow spiritually. As we engage with God’s world and as we become intentional about missions, God changes us. Missions is more about what God would do in us rather than through us. As Oakland and other churches have discovered, this will bring a joy and excitement than can only come as cultures intermingle and share.” By contributing writer Sue H. Poss, Greenville, S.C.
To connect with CBF field personnel, contact Chris Boltin at cboltin@thefellowship.info or (800) 352-8741. Learn about service opportunities at www.thefellowship.info/serve. fellowship!
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Expressions of faith Field personnel encourage artists, build bridges ing the music, dance and visual arts of their
they’re playing,” said
native community to express Christian faith.
invited back to his com-
a wedding attendee
They hope that these expressions will help
munity to participate in
to his friend. “These
remove the walls between communities and
the annual arts festival.
local churches.
And while he celebrates
Christians are just like we are.” Jonathan and Tina, who serve as CBF field
“When we began looking at how the arts
Recently, Wayan was
this step toward accep-
personnel, believe that the arts have the power
are used in local communities, we realized
tance, he is facing a new
to break down barriers, as music did at a wed-
that the arts could be a part of redefining in
challenge — diabetes.
ding in Southeast Asia. The wedding couple,
popular understanding what it means to be
Through his relationship
who were two of the few Christians in the com-
a Christian,” Jonathan said. “To follow Christ
with Jonathan and Tina,
munity, invited many of their non-Christian
doesn’t mean that you leave your culture
Wayan was provided
neighbors to join them
behind and accept Western
with a blood sugar tester,
for the celebration.
donated by a church
live out your faith in your
member at Winter Park
no separation between
local community wearing
Baptist Church in Wilm-
ethnicity, culture and
your traditional clothes,
ington, N.C. Now, Jona-
religious tradition,
playing your traditional in-
than and Tina are helping
even in North Ameri-
struments, and that is valid.”
raise funds for Wayan to
ca,” said Jonathan. “As
Pak Wayan became a
the world becomes more multi-cultural, I think we have a difficult time dividing
CBF photos
culture, but that you could
“So often there is
Christian five years ago, During the Crescendo Summer Institute, artists from different countries gather in Sarospatak, Hungary.
what is cultural and
CBF photo
“D
id hear the music
have cataract surgery. “Though still struggling with this life-
and when he did, he lost his
changing illness, he is working diligently to
inheritance and was asked
change his diet and lifestyle,” said Tina. “Not
to leave his community.
only has the blood sugar tester helped him
Wayan serves as Jonathan
physically, it has given him the opportunity to
what is of our faith. In some places in Asia, if
and Tina’s gamelan instructor, teaching them
you follow Christ, then you can no longer say
and other musicians how to play the 20-piece
Jonathan and Tina provide support to
you are part of the community. Christianity is
metallaphone instrument that is the founda-
other artists as well. They facilitate visual art
seen as the religion of the foreigner, and local
tion of music in Southeast Asia. His group of
exhibitions, teach music and dance classes,
Christians are sometimes asked to leave.”
students has quickly grown from six to 16,
work with local musicians to create compo-
and earlier this year the group played a piece
sitions for worship and provide training to
Wayan wrote based on Psalms 150.
seminary students.
Jonathan and Tina encourage Christian artists to stay connected to their cultures, us-
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testify to the God who provides.”
During his village’s arts festival, Wayan was invited to direct a performance of dancers and musicians.
They are also connected with international
are squashed can’t flourish. So these networks
story’s meaning. And artists today are doing
communities of artists, including Christian
had to emerge to care for this segment of our
the same thing. There’s tremendous potential
Artists Networking Association (CANA), a
society that is marginalized — artists.”
among artists to create expressions of the
multidisciplinary network, and Crescendo,
Jonathan and Tina encourage churches
gospel that will continue to speak even when
a network of professional classical musicians
and individuals to partner with Christian art-
and visual artists. Each year, Jonathan and
ists and communities around the world. They
Tina play a part in hosting Crescendo’s annual
hope Fellowship Baptists with skills in music,
cerns names and specific locations of some of
summer institute. Tina, a dancer, works with
dance, painting, drama and other art forms
CBF field personnel will not be publicized.
the musicians and artists in movement and
will share their gifts.
improvisation skills, teaching them relaxation
“God has placed within us such creative
techniques and encouraging them to feel at
potential,” Jonathan
home in their bodies.
said. “And the arts
“We want to help them to not feel so iso-
they have walked away.” Editor’s note: Due to global security con-
By Patricia Heys, CBF Communications
speak in ways that
lated,” Tina said. “Many of these artists have
make visible things
never been exposed to the fact that you can
that are invisible.
be an artist and be a person of faith. Some are
When you read scrip-
in places where they’ve been told it’s impossi-
ture you know you
ble to be an artist and be a Christian, and the
see the music, the
church around them has not supported them
poetry, the stories.
— it has devalued their gift. That probably is
You see that Jesus
why most of these networks began because
walks away and leaves
we cannot be creative in a vacuum. Gifts that
us to figure out the
Online — Go to www.thefellowship.info/give. For questions regarding online giving, contact igive@thefellowship.info.
Mail — Use the contribution envelope included in this issue and make your check payable to CBF.
Phone — Call CBF toll-free at (800) 352-8741.
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Field Personnel S potlight
Ronnie Adams
Stretch Ledford photo
R
onnie Adams, one of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s field personnel, serves in New York City, working alongside Metro Baptist Church to reach out to the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. Background: A native of Dallas, Texas, Adams previously served at several churches throughout Texas and Oklahoma. He was commissioned by the Fellowship in 1995. Ministry: Hell’s Kitchen, located on the west side of Manhattan, is one of New York’s most transitional neighborhoods. Metro Baptist Church sits in the shadow of the Lincoln Tunnel and just a few blocks from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The church reaches out to the homeless community through the distribution of toiletry kits and clothes. In addition, Metro Baptist serves low-income families in the neighborhood, providing a food pantry, along with health education, discounted counseling services, English classes and after school programs. Each summer, the church hosts six weeks of summer camps, which are led by teams from
Ronnie Adams provides tutoring for children in Metro Baptist’s after school program.
Fellowship partner churches. Adams helps facilitate these ministries and connects Fellowship partner churches with service opportunities. “The whole idea here of reaching people for Christ is relational evangelism,” Adams said. “It’s a long-term process of letting them see how God is reflected in your life, and through that having an opportunity to share with them about faith and our walk with Christ and why it’s important to us.” Adams also partners with several housing communities that serve the HIV/ AIDS community in New York. Each week he travels to three communities, leading
Bible studies, building relationships and providing pastoral care. “My passion and what I love the most is providing pastoral care to that community,” Adams said. “It’s been a difficult journey, but an incredible journey. I’ve ushered many people into the kingdom in their last days. So many of the people I work with have had a faith connection, but they’ve been condemned or judged out of it. They come to realize it was not God, but a religion that did that. So as I begin to share with them God’s love, God’s compassion and God’s mercy, they get reconnected.” By Patricia Heys, CBF Communications
Different Isn’t Wrong — Just Different This summer preschoolers have the opportunity to continue studying about missions in Form, CBF’s missions education resource designed for preschool learning and activity. Preschoolers will be introduced to the work of Ronnie Adams in New York City this July. Through active play and stories they will learn about the people living in New York and about the work CBF field personnel do there. They will also learn that being different isn’t wrong, it’s just different. For more information about the Fellowship’s missions education resources, visit www.missionseducation.org.
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship P.O. Box 450329 • Atlanta, Georgia 31145-0329 www.thefellowship.info (800) 352-8741