mission:world | A Vision of the Future

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March - April 2014 ::: The World of BMA Missions

mission:vision

ONE IN HEART

BY: ED STEPHENSON | PRESIDENT, BMA

INTRODUCING THE 2014 NATIONAL MEETING

I

t has been a great honor to serve the churches of the Baptist Missionary Association of America as president for the last two years. I love the BMA, and I praise the Lord for His blessings these sixty-five years. I am also convinced that He has more to accomplish through our cooperative work, and I am excited about our future.

As I look to the future I am brought to realize that we must seek to come together as never before. It is with this desire that I present our theme for the upcoming year “One in Heart.” I was directed to this theme while reading from 1 Samuel 18:1, “. . . that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”

The very heart of Jonathan was bonded with the heart of David (God’s anointed) as one.

Before and after Pentecost, one of the defining characteristics of the first church was that she was “in one accord.” We too could see an explosive future if we were to commit ourselves to being “One in Heart.”

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Contents

mission:world Volume 2 - Issue 2 March-April 2014 www.bmamissions.org Editor BMA Productions Design & Layout BMA Productions Published bi-montly by the Baptist Missionary Assocation of America, 9219 Sible Hole Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209 Entered as Periodical Rate at Little Rock, Arkansas.

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BMA Family of Ministries

March - April 2014 ::: The World of BMA Missions

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IMAGINE 4

34

Future structure of the bma

Come with us as we share the vision for the future of the BMA and its structure

James Speer

A look back at his career and influence at Daniel Springs

38

Grace Hills Church

How God is giving a big vision to a 2-year old Church Plant

Missions....................................................................8-19 DiscipleGuide............................................................20-23 For Contact info, websites, and more on the BMA family of ministries, visit BMALife.com

Lifeword....................................................................24-27 Seminary...................................................................28-31

BMA America

IMAGINE A NEW STRUCTURE FOR THE BMA BY: STEVE CRAWLEY | LIFEWORD

A GOD-GIVEN VISION BECOMING A MAN-MADE REALITY

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W

e see things in two ways—through physical eyes or mental imagination. Imagination is the ability to form an image of something that does not exist physically and can be a powerful force. One’s thoughts or imagination is the seed bed for one’s actions. Everything we physically see is the result of an original thought. An oft-told story about Walt Disney provides an excellent example of the power of imagination. Not long after the completion of Walt Disney World, someone said, “Isn’t it too bad Walt

Disney didn’t live to see this?”

Another replied, “He did see it.

That’s why it’s here.” If we ever expect to see something physically, we must first see it mentally. Our omnipotent God has the most powerful imagination in existence, as revealed in the beauty of His creation. This same God has also gifted mankind with a powerful imagination.

God’s gift of imagination is particularly powerful when we allow Him to use it for His honor and glory. James Merritt describes visionary imagination as a

“God-given plan that He desires to become a man-made reality.” I would argue the God-given plan often comes through our imagination. As we serve the churches of the BMA, we have prayed that God would make His vision for the associational departments and agencies clear, that we would be sensitive to understand His vision, and that He would empower us to fulfill it. The following explains some of what we have imagined regarding the future structure of BMA departments and agencies:

“As we serve the churches of the BMA, we have prayed that God would make His vision for the associational departments and agencies clear...”

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Imagine a headquarter location for the departments and agencies of the association to work together physically. Imagine a building that conveys a standard of excellence and pragmatism. Imagine a structure that emanates the Great Commission work of the BMA from the moment of arrival.

Imagine a single place where churches can come to visit to learn more about the worldwide impact their churches make by partnering with other churches to fulfill the Great Commission. Imagine the additional ministry opportunities from the resources churches provide due to reduced expenses for structural maintenance and upkeep.

Imagine an intentional ministry design where de-

Construction for the new BMA Headquarters, Jaunary 2014 6 ::: March - April 2014 | mission:world

partments and agencies of the BMA of America work in concert with each other and with BMA churches like never before.

Imagine departments and agencies not just working together physically but strategically under the auspices of one overarch-

ing vision. Imagine department directors engaging in annual planning sessions where the work of one department augments the work of another.

Imagine a ministry structure that minimizes overhead costs and maximizes efficiency by shar-

ing employees and expenses.

Imagine a BMA Service Team in charge of the accounting, human resource, information technology, production and creativity, and development needs of each department.

Imagine a structure that will allow executive directors to spend more time focused on their mission and passion and less time focused on the administration and financial responsibilities of their respective departments.

Imagine a structure of open communication between departmental directors and boards regarding how BMA department and agencies can be more effective in assisting churches in making disciples.

Imagine pastors meeting with departmental directors to collaborate on identifying more effective evangelism and discipleship practices.

Imagine a working environment based on our new core values: commitment to the Word of God, Servant Leadership, Wise Stewardship, A Standard of Excellence, A Cooperative Spirit, Open Communication, and a Love for People.

Imagine a BMAA Foundation with a Planned Giving initiative providing a venue for members of churches within the BMA to help fund the Great Commission efforts after God calls them home.

Imagine an annual endowment cash flow of more than seven figures provided by the BMAA Foundation due to the stewardship practices of BMA

“We do not want to limit God based upon our finite minds and imaginations.” membership.

Over the past three years, God has allowed us to see this vision in the theatre of our minds through the process of imagination. We are thankful God is now allowing us to see this vision come to fruition with our physical eyes. As God continues His work, it is imperative we stay sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and rely on His power. While God has already worked in amazing ways among us, we are confident the best is yet to come. Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20 that God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (imagine), according to the power that worketh in us.”

We do not want to limit God based upon our finite minds and imaginations. Rather, may we play a role in His God-given vision becoming a man-made reality for the BMA. March - April 2014 | mission:world ::: 7

MISSIONS

IMAGINE THE FUTURE OF BMA MISSIONS BY: JOHN DAVID SMITH | MISSIONS

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P

ausing to dream about the future brings both exhilaration and apprehension. The feelings of excitement are generated when we consider the possibilities of an unlimited God to work in and through us. The apprehension, of course, comes when we are drawn back into the reality of our present circumstances which include our own weaknesses and the difficult environment in which we minister.

A God-given dream has many elements. First, there is the vision which allows us to see the things God desires in our lives before they happen. Second, there is faith in the God who cannot fail. Third, there is action as the dream finds legs and hands. A God-dream is vision+faith+action.

This article allows you, the reader, to have an open window into some of the areas where your missions leadership has been dreaming of what can happen in our associational missions effort around the globe.

Imagine for a moment if our association of churches in the United States truly became a multiplication movement. It is possible to point to multiple fields throughout the world where BMAA churches are investing and see a multiplication movement. Howev-

er, that is not the case here in our own country. Imagine if BMAA churches were to begin to count the mission of God greater than our own associational mission.

This would have some significant implications such as the following: churches that are more concerned about making God's name known than self-preservation; churches that measure their vitality by the multiplication of disciples, leaders, and other churches instead of the culturally-defined measurements of finances, buildings, and properties; churches that do not see their sound doctrine as an end unto itself, but rather as a means to the end of fulfilling God's mission; churches that

“A God-given dream has many elements.

Vision+Faith+Action�

see God's mission as the defining mark of their existence rather than seeing it as simply another item on their "vanity list" of things they offer prospective consumers who might attend their church.

Your missions leadership is trusting God for a real movement among our churches. The practical expression of this dream is being carried out in the encouragement and challenge to local churches toward multiplication. This challenge has been accompanied with training, coaching, and leadership mobilization. In 2014 you will see and hear of definitive steps toward helping existing churches in our association. Our emphasis in the missions department must be on multiplication. In relation to existing churches, that is one and the same. It is not an either-or scenario, it is a both-and scenario. The very things that will bring vitality to existing churches, are the things March - April 2014 | mission:world ::: 9

that drive church planting.

Imagine in international missions a movement that is facilitated rather than financed by outside monies. Our global missions program has fields that are self-sustaining. This means that they do not receive funds for salaries, they do not rely on outside money to drive their multiplication, and they do not rely on outside leadership to guide them. They do all of these things for themselves.

Recently, this writer had the privilege of meeting with the national leadership of BMA Missions in Central America. What a blessing to meet these gifted leaders who have a passion for the mission of God. It was most impressive

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to hear country by country how each one gave testimony of their churches assuming the privilege and responsibility of multiplication in their local area.

One of the leaders in that meeting was Pastor Ricardo Herrera.

Pastor Ricardo is the coordinator of the Garifuna work in Honduras. Many of you will remember details of the vast history of the BMA with the Garifunas through the ministry of David Dickson.

This is a great example of a work where outside resources served as the scaffolding and not the edifice.

Once the structure was up, the scaffolding of outside finances and leadership was removed. The Garifuna work continues to grow, and

the last few churches have been started solely by them. One by one, in this conference each leader in Central America gave testimony of their respective works multiplying without depending on outside funds.

The only area of dependence is not financial. There is also emotional and intellectual dependence at times. We are thankful that these excellent leaders are now being called on to make their own decisions and to lead the works where God has called them. We know that these special men are going to be great leaders in our work and assume more of a leadership role in the overall ministry.

john david’s list of ”imagine’s”

01 02 03

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MISSIONS

IMAGINE THE SHAPE OF THE FUTURE INVESTING IN LEADERS, CITIES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND GOOD STEWARDSHIP OF OUR RESOURCES BY: PHIL KNOTT | MISSIONS

O

ne hundred years ago, if you had surveyed every person in the world regarding religious belief, you would have discovered that about 34% of the world's 1.65 billion people at that time would have checked the box "Christian." (from The Leadership Network) One hundred years later, with the explosion of conversions and new churches all over Africa, Latin America and Asia, with all the church planting strategies, evangelistic outreaches, advances in technology and instant communication, it is still around 34%. Can you imagine that?

The percentage basically has not changed in a hundred years!

To create a different future, to change the trajectory of BMA Missions, we need to think and act differently. Imagine with me the shape of the future of global missions.

“People who dream look forward to the future with hope and optimism. God’s visionaries, however, move from a passive state

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of dreaming to an active state of pursuing a vision from God. The focus of the vision gets clearer when they draw close to the Lord in order to listen to His heartbeat and follow Him one step at a time. God’s vision becomes their dream.” Fil Kakilala, Hawaii.

INVESTING IN LEADERS

Effective leadership is everything. One thing seems to be universally true in missions.

Wherever good things are happening there will be a capable and passionate man or woman leading the way. In our BMA Leaders Workshop we begin with the statement, “The health of an organization rises and falls on leadership.” I imagine a model of missions that is driven by a vision to make and multiply disciples and from those disciples produce new leaders. Leaders who can reproduce themselves.

Leaders who share our vision and values and who are getting

the job done. Someone said, “Fund fruit, not fantasy.” We resource those who are doing the most with what they have been given and help them excel even more. We stay with them, pour into them and help to multiply their effectiveness.

“I imagine a leadership of the churches and associations that is well trained. Capable leaders that are trained to multiply in the areas of evangelism, discipleship, leadership, education, church planting and missions.” Dale Broom, Ghana, Africa.

CITIES

About a hundred years ago, fewer than 8% of the world’s population lived in the cities.

Now it is more than half, and

this trend will never be reversed. With this ever growing trend toward urbanization we are experiencing right now the greatest migration in human history. In BMA Missions we must imagine new ways to engage the city. Missiologist Ray Bakke stated, “In reality we have moved from a world of about 200 nations to a new world of some 400 major cities. Missions is no longer across the ocean and geographically distant. It is

across the street and is culturally distant.” The heartbeat of twentieth century missionaries has been the 10/40 window. The greatest missional challenge of the twenty-first century, without a doubt, is the city. It is the new 10/40 window. This is a great learning and vision challenge for many in missions simply because we did not grow up in an urban environment. Our world is made up of many complex issues, but none perhaps more daunting

“In reality we have moved from a world of about 200 NATIONS to a new world of some 400 major CITIES.” March - April 2014 | mission:world ::: 13

than a world of lost people lost in the city.

“Many villagers from all over Thailand come to Bangkok. This makes the city a great location to witness to different people groups who come to the big city in search of something greater, namely jobs and education. We desire to return with them to their villages to spread the good news about their new found treasure, Jesus.”

Brandon Lingle, Thailand.

PARTNERSHIP

Bishop Desmond Tutu complained that “When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They

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said, ‘Let us pray.’ We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land!” I imagine a time when those days of “colonial” missions are behind us. Today there is a need for mutual respect and mutual learning. There are vibrant believers and thriving Baptist Missionary Association affiliated churches in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe and Eurasia. The West is no longer the saving force in international missions. Right now we can learn much about house churches from China, cell churches from Latin America, worship from Africa, and prayer from Asia. Many churches in foreign countries are growing by

leaps and bounds while churches here at home are dying. I imagine a time when churches, maybe even your church right here in America, are revitalized and energized through partnership with an international congregation.

Partnering in mission projects with a church in a creative access nation, a pastor was heard to say, “Over here we live for Jesus. Over there they die for Jesus.” Someone else has written, “My biggest opportunity is to be a resourced, educated white guy and submit to a God-called foreigner who needs me.”

“I wish I could imagine a Middle East without violence, without death and without tears. I wish I

could imagine unhindered opportunities to share the Gospel. The wish list grows long, but reality is totally different. In an area that is hit by violence on a daily basis, planning becomes extremely difficult, almost unrealistic.

Yet the goal remains firm: Preach the Gospel. How can we do so in a place like the Middle East?”

Charles Costa, Lebanon.

FINANCES

Funds to finance foreign mission projects can be a blessing and a curse. Well-intended but misplaced finances can create financial havoc on the mission filed. Jonathan Martin, global outreach pastor at Good Shepherd Community Church, Oregon, created the following acrostic that is helpful: R.A.I.S.E. R--Relationship: We must always lead with relationships, fund people we know and trust.

Money is only as good as the people it follows.

A--Accountability: As a general rule never give directly to an individual pastor or national missionary.

Give through an organization Pastors and Church Planters in India

that provides oversight and accountability. Good people can be ruined by easy access to money, no matter how well-intentioned they are.

IS--Indigenous Sustainability: This is all about helping locals do ministry without having to continually need foreign money. If work can’t continue without western money, don’t do it. Ask yourself, “Are these funds seeding a plant that can be eventually watered and grown by local people?

E--Equity: The financial gift should not create economic inequities in the place it is given. We may think, “This pastor of it from me, now here it is in shouldn’t have to live in this the words of Jairo Bonilla, from shack; let’s build him a house.”

Costa Rica: This is not an evil thing, but we “Our heart for Costa Rica is a need to do so with the knowlunifying vision for our churches, edge that his congregation may a common goal to plant churches no longer see him as one of them that reproduce themselves and and they may never learn to that are self-sustainable in our financially support that pastor. own context. It is a vision for And why should they? Others those cities and communities with will give and always come to the no or few established churches, rescue. those places where Christ is not Investing in leaders, cities, named. It is also a vision in partnerships and good stewardwhich our Costa Rican churches ship of our resources are all part are sending platforms for missionof the future in BMA Missions. I aries to other countries, joining imagine. What a powerful little with God in His global mission.” phrase! It’s where dreams are born and vision is created. Let’s imagine the shape of that future. You have heard some Find more about

“I wish I could imagine a Middle East without VIOLENCE, without DEATH and without TEARS.”

International Missionaries bmaamissions.org/missionaries

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Imagine, If You Will DISCIPLES WHO MAKE DISCIPLES WHO MAKE DISCIPLES BY: LARRY BARKER | MISSIONS 16 ::: March - April 2014 | mission:world

MISSIONS

T

he imagination is an amazing part of who we are.

The ability to dream about a preferred future and to imagine what it might look like provides hope and brings a smile to our faces. Imagine with me what heaven is going to be like as described in Revelation 5:9,

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” Every tribe, every ethnicity, every people group and every nation will be singing praise to God. The song “Imagine if you Will” talks about what heaven will be like: “IMAGINE IF YOU WILL” Have you ever wondered about a better land Where race and creed, together, we are walkin’ hand in hand?

Brother will love brother, and sister will, too Where hope becomes reality and all your dreams come true.

CHORUS So imagine, if you will, a land with no dying No more hungry children, no more babies crying.

So imagine, if you will, no unkind words are spoken No more hearts are broken, or old folks left alone.

Don’t you think you’d like to call it home?

Imagine if you will, that becoming more and more of reality here in North America and in our churches. As I have imagined what our churches and church plants should be like here and now, my imagination has run biblically wild with these observations: First, imagine, if you will, everybody reaching everyone everywhere! There are 5 million people a month moving to cities in the United States. That means that a new Chicago is birthed every two months. People are moving into cities faster than churches are prepared to reach out to them and church planters are able to move there.

The opportunity to reach them is slipping away from us.

Right now 81% of the population in the United States lives in cities but the reality is that churches are not living where the people are living.

Imagine, if you will, what would happen if we begin to focus on being where the people are “of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” There is a huge disparity between where we are located and where most of the people live. Imagine, if you will, people called to go and reach people nobody else is reaching right here in the United States.

In praying for the un-

reached, I began to look at two states where we have churches. In Mississippi there are 63 people per square mile and one evangelical church for every 750 people; however, in New Jersey, where we have one BMAA church, there are 1,100 people per square mile and one evangelical church for every 7,500. We need vibrant churches and church plants everywhere but we must also pray for God to raise up laborers where the need is so great.

Second, imagine, if you will, churches that are scripturally sound and contextually relevant! We ask our missionaries to study the culture they are called to reach so that they might develop a strategy to penetrate the “lostness.” Here, we must be willing to do our homework and exegete the cul-

“...the reality is that churches aren’t living where the people are living.” ture where God has placed us.

Unfortunately, sometimes we go to an area with a detailed plan to plant a church and we have not tried to understand the people who live there.

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In our Multiplication Workshop materials Dr. Dave DeVries says, “You can’t love the people around you like Jesus did if you don’t know who they are and the context of their lives. By researching and knowing your community in depth, you will begin to understand it, respect it, and love it.” Imagine, if you will, planting churches that will reach our children’s children not just our parent’s parents.

Third, imagine, if you will, reaching people in the zip code we live in no matter who they are, what color their skin is, how much money they make, or what ethnicity they might be. Prejudice has no place in the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ and mono-cultural churches cannot cope with what God is doing in most communities in North America. There are people all around us who need Jesus, but sadly, many Christians are unwilling to do anything about it because of their race.

Imagine, if you will, churches and church plants focused on the people who live around them no matter who they are because Jesus placed us there to reach “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” If we are unwilling to reach the people where we are, we do not need to move, but rather repent and

begin listening to their story, share our story, and then tell His story. How can we say we have a burden to reach all nations if we only look like one nation?

Fourth, imagine, if you will, being compelled by a multiplication mentality that all kinds of churches are needed to reach all kinds of people everywhere, even

tudes and being moved with compassion.

The need is great everywhere here in the United States because in 1900 there were 27 churches for every 10,000 people. Today it is estimated that it is closer to only nine churches for every 10,000 people. We are losing ground, and deciding where to start is like two ants arguing over who gets the elephant. Imagine, if you will, that tomorrow a biblically sound church was planted right next door.

What would you do?

Hopefully, we would walk next door, get to know them, pray for them, and then do everything we could to help them fulfill the Great Commission.

Fifth, imagine, if you will, churches focused on their sending capacity instead of their seating capacity. Just imagine what could happen if every church had a vision to plant ten churches in ten years. If two couples were to move to a city with the goal of reproducing themselves and multiplying every three years, it could happen. Four couples could plant 32 churches in ten years. As you study the multiplication of the early church you notice that when churches were illegal, church planting was exponential, but when it became acceptable, church multiplication slowed

“How can we say we have a burden to reach all nations if we only look like one nation?”

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right next door. The goal is not to find disgruntled members or steal sheep but to penetrate lostness. At best, only 25% of United States citizens say they are born again. That means over 238 million people need Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Imagine, if you will, churches and church plants focusing on the multi-

down, and when it became advantageous to be a Christian church, multiplication came to a screeching halt.

A church multiplication strategy is committed to developing not a church plant but a network of churches in a city or area. In Luke 10:6 Jesus sent seventy of His followers out in groups of two with their mission being to find a person of peace. When they left that city, who was left in charge of the Lord’s work?

Paul, in his church planting journeys, used this same strategy of finding a potential leader, then training, empowering, and leaving him in

charge. If 10% of our churches were planting churches, the number of churches would double in seven years, but it will not happen if we do not change the way we think about church planting.

In conclusion, all of this must be driven by our beginning to imagine a future where we are so compelled by the love of Christ that it is no longer about salaries, buildings, programs or models. Rather, we are motivated to make disciples who make disciples who make disciples.

Not tomorrow, but today! Not over there, but right where we live! Not with people just like

us, but with everyone God has placed in our circles of influence. Not by ourselves, but with all who will help!

Imagine, if you will, what God wants our churches and church plants to look like today and into the future.

Imagine, if you will, how God wants you to be involved.

God’s purpose is to give us a dream to fulfill, “Go and Make Disciples!” Satan’s purpose is to steal that dream!

When Peter denied Christ he crashed, and he crashed hard.

When Peter died to self he became a champion for Christ!

Just imagine, if you will!

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DiscipleGuide

IMAGINE WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER I

BY: SCOTT ATTEBERRY | DISCIPLEGUIDE

magine an association of churches who help each other win souls and make disciples. Imagine a network of congregations who combine resources to reach the nations for Christ.

Imagine a collection of local bodies who believe that we work better together.

The Baptist Missionary Association was founded on that vision in 1950. Today, the vision is stronger than ever. DiscipleGuide has the privilege of serving the BMA vision by helping local churches make disciples. That’s what we’ve done for over sixty years, and that’s what still drives our ministry today. Although our ministry may look different now than it did sixty years ago, we haven’t changed what we believe.

We still believe that every church matters to God.

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No matter the size of a congregation, every church is vital to God’s Kingdom. Not only that, but every church has been given the same commission: To make disciples.

From God’s point of view, “successful churches” are those who make disciples. The good news is that every church can do this – regardless of size, finances, or facilities. Of course, there are obstacles to making disciples. If that weren’t true, there would be more churches doing it.

The average church in the BMA may not have the time or resources to study, write, edit and prepare their own discipleship materials or to plan and produce a training event or camp. That’s why DiscipleGuide exists. We believe in the local church, and we want to serve congregations who need help (and what church doesn’t need help?)

As we look forward to improving our disciple-making resources for BMA churches, the possibilities are great!

Imagine a pastors’ consultation and counseling ministry that is just a phone call away.

Imagine a regular forum where teachers and leaders can share their insights and needs to help shape future resources.

Imagine web-based simulcast events where teachers can receive training and participate in real-time discussions based on the curriculum they are using.

WE STILL BELIEVE GOD DOES BIG THINGS THROUGH SMALL CHURCHES Read the biographies of great pastors and missionaries throughout history and you’ll discover that the majority of them grew up in small churches.

Likewise, chances are that your pastor grew up in a small church.

When Christ established His church, He established a small church. In fact, every church in history has at one time or another been a small church. Anyone who thinks that a “small church” is unattractive or undesirable hasn’t taken the time to consider the facts. Most of the churches in the New Testament were small enough to fit into people’s houses.

Small churches are conducive to fellowship and mutual edification.

“From God’s point of view ‘SUCCESSFUL CHURCHES’ are those who make DISCIPLES.” Small towns NEED small churches, because without them, there would be no church at all.

Big towns NEED small churches because not everyone feels comfortable in a large setting.

The fact of the matter is that God works just as mightily through small churches as he does through larger churches.

That’s why DiscipleGuide focuses on small churches. We dream of the ways that we can help the hard working pastors and volunteers maximize their ministries for the Kingdom.

WE STILL BELIEVE THAT WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER

Imagine upgraded camp facilities that will provide every camper with an unforgettable experience.

Imagine a top-notch retreat center at Daniel Springs where churches can conduct retreats.

Imagine literature that March - April 2014 | mission:world ::: 21

Aaron Williams SOAR 2013

coordinates with camps and conferences so that learning is maximized.

Most churches can’t afford to maintain a fully staffed campground, but by partnering together, DiscipleGuide is able to make the dream of summer camp a reality for almost 3,000 students every year. Many of these kids would not otherwise have an opportunity to paddleboat across a lake, compete in “camp games,” or make friends from multiple states.

Most importantly, for many of these students, the camp

experience means hearing the gospel taught on their level and trusting Christ as their Savior.

Likewise, thousands of students, adults and church staffs are ministered to through our DiscipleGuide conferences every year. It would be impossible for most churches to independently produce conferences like the SOAR student conference, Pas-

tor’s Oasis conference, National Senior Adult conference, and the Great Escape student & children’s leaders conference. But when we work together, we can provide all of these great events for every church.

The same is true of our curriculum. Very few churches have the time or resources to invest in writing their own curriculum, es-

“Our greatest potential can only be achieved when everyone ‘buys in’ to the vision.”

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DiscipleGuide pecially for every age group in the church. So, partnering together, DiscipleGuide is able to produce quality curriculum developed especially for our churches. In fact, for over 60 years, our curriculum has shaped the lives of future missionaries, pastors, deacons and lay people.

Imagine curriculum focused on short-term studies of specific church needs such as developing orphan care ministries, church-planting strategies or small group Bible studies.

Imagine new one-year curriculum series for Wednesday or Sunday evenings based on E. Harold Henderson writings.

Imagine transition teams that assist churches in putting together pulpit committees and conducting pastoral searches.

Imagine peacekeeper ministries that assist churches in resolving conflicts and avoiding splits.

We know that churches have great challenges today. Most pastors are stressed out, and the majority of volunteers are incredibly busy. They give of themselves to a tremendous degree. At DiscipleGuide we want to help by providing resources and encouragement that can help them accomplish the ministry to which God has called them.

Imagine what we can do together. Our greatest potential can only be achieved when everyone “buys in” to the vision.

Otherwise, everything we imagine for the future will only be in our imagination. It only works

when we combine our efforts and resources. DiscipleGuide is 100% committed to servFind more about ing your church.

DiscipleGuide Is your church www.discipleguide.org 100% committed to DisicpleGuide? Let’s help each other get better by working together.

DISCIPLEGUIDE TRUSTEES LOOK TO THE FUTURE During the April 2014 National Association Meeting in Little Rock, the DiscipleGuide Board of Trustees will recommend the relocation of the Texarkana offices to the BMA headquarters building in Conway, Arkansas. The recommendation comes on the heels of a relocation study which reveals significant advantages and financial savings to be gained by relocating the Texarkana offices.

Currently, DiscipleGuide is located in three cities: Conway, Arkansas; Gary, Texas; and Texarkana, Arkansas. The conference director and staff are located in Conway, the publications staff is located in Texarkana, and Daniel Springs Camp is located in Gary, TX. “We are excited about the prospect of having everyone in the same building,” commented DisicpleGuide Executive Director, Scott Attebery. “Of course, the camp is always going to be in Texas, but combining the publishing and conference offices will be a tremendous help to us.”

March - April 2014 | mission:world ::: 23

Lifeword

IMAGINE A TIME IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE BY: RICK RUSSELL | LIFEWORD

I

magine a time in the not too distant future -

• When each BMA church and church plant across the world has its own broadcast (or multiple broadcasts) that can touch the lives of every person who speaks that language.

• When it is normal for Lifeword to have dozens of different media programs in each language.

• When Lifeword-enabled podcasts, YouTube and Vimeo programs run the gamut that includes, but is not limited to:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Doctrinally-sound Bible expository programs Musical programs in dozens of languages and styles Student ministry ideas Programs about computer repair, mobile phones and application Original dramatic productions in the style of the popular radio programs of the 30’s and 40’s 6. Sports commentary programs of interest to fans of every sports team 7. Gardening, auto repair, investing, parenting, BMA history 8. Medical issues and advice 9. Church planting and growth issues 10. Affordable and sustainable building techniques for third world

And, imagine that each of those programs also points people to the loving grace of Jesus Christ. I hope you gather from that list the idea that Lifeword programming is undergoing an exciting change!

Until now—actually, including now,—buying broadcast time has been so expensive that only rarely has it been economically feasible for us to have more than one program in a language. The fact that Lifeword has grown from 48 programs in 34 languages has only been possible because of the Lord’s blessings. Now, God is allowing you and me to be participants as technology ushers in a wonderful new opportunity.

The convergence of the Smart Phone and the worldwide available, over-the-air broadband Internet service will forever change our concept of what a radio or TV station is. Until now, radio and TV stations were limited to their own federally-assigned geographical locations. I grew up listening to my Uncle Bob on KMDO radio in Fort Scott, Kansas. But when my family traveled more than about 30 miles from home, Uncle Bob wasn’t there anymore. One of my early TV memories is seeing pictures of the construction of the new, “twice as tall” tower at my local TV station.

The additional 500 feet of antenna height would allow the station to be seen 100 miles away!

But imagine a time when you will listen to radio stations and watch TV stations that are tens of thousands of miles away. Actually, you don’t have to imagine that.

Many of you already do this as

you pull out your smart phone and start apps such as iHeartRadio, Pandora, Stitcher and YouTube. I love listening to the central Arkansas news and weather even when I am in India. I already use my smart phone far more as a radio and TV than I do as a telephone, and the rest of the world is not far behind! The limiting factors right now are the following: the cost of the smart phones, the cost of the data, and accessibility to broadband data.

Imagine the time when those limiting factors will drop by the wayside.

It’s already beginning. India’s president has pledged to buy 5 million fully-functioning tablet computers—at a cost of $20 each—and give one to every college student in the country. In Ghana, where the average family makes $400 per year, mobile phones are now a basic necessity of life. In the jungles of the Peten’, Guatemala, where a father considers himself extremely wealthy if he is able to provide each member of his family with an egg each day and meat once a week, dad can get a 3g mobile phone signal nearly anywhere he goes. And camel caravans that have traveled the same routes for centuries are changing their routes to enable the caravans to camp in areas where mobile telephone signals can be received.

O3b, the satellite company that intends to make broadband inter-

“The convergence of the Smart Phone and the worldwide available, overthe-air broadband Internet service will forever change our concept of radio and TV.” net service available to the “Other 3 billion” people on earth, http:// o3bnetworks.com/welcome-too3b.aspx successfully launched its first four low-altitude satellites last June. Four more satellites should be in space by the time you read this. With that constellation of 8 satellites, O3b plans to begin commercial operations that will provide mobile phone service providers around the world with access to fiber-optic-speed internet service at a small fraction of today’s cost.

How will all this affect you?

Not only will you be able to hear Lifeword on-demand wherever and whenever you would like to, you will also be able to listen to any language that we produce, and you’ll also be able to listen to practically any Lifeword program that has ever aired. Imagine a time when we won’t be limited to airing one or two programs a week in each language. When March - April 2014 | mission:world ::: 25

our imaginations give way to the nearby reality, the churches of every Lifeword language will be able to have as many different programs as they can produce… including your church!

That’s why we are busy right now, encouraging new program producers all around the world— including here in America. Until now, we’ve typically only been able to afford one program in each language, and in many languages we can only afford one or two programs each week. So we would typically try to find the best Bible communicator in each language and build a Lifeword program around him. We still want that guy to host Lifeword’s flagship program in each language, of course.

But now, we’re going to want him to make at least five programs a week. In addition, now we have room to encourage all kinds of programs. (See the list above, and add to that list the hobby that is your particular passion!)

That vision of the future is behind our current push to put Low Power FM radio stations on the air in as many places as possible and just as soon as possible. We know that LPFM is not the wave of the future. LPFM

is simply a way to get us ready for the future. These little FM stations provide us with a way of using existing technology to create a “programming vacuum” in each language. When we put these LPFM stations on the air, we do so knowing that we don’t have enough indigenous language programs to provide them with a continuous stream of fresh programming material. So our hope and prayer is that there will be pastors, church planters and

“If we want to help to win entire communities to Christ, we must air programs that appeal to ALL the people…”

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lay people who will step in to fill that vacuum with their own original programs.

As I’ve told our Lifeword co-workers around the world, if we want to help to win entire communities to Christ, we must air programs that appeal to ALL the people, not just those who are already believers.

Lifeword’s current producers cannot produce all of those programs by ourselves—we will need a lot of help. Fifty years of broadcast experience tells me that a wide variety of interesting programming will be the key to making these LPFM stations attractive to the entire community and effective as evangelistic tools.

In third world settings, some of the program topics will be different from those we want to develop for America. Our international producers are working on programming ideas like the ones at the bottom of the page.

Imagine all of these newly created programs being archived and shared with the

other LPFM stations within that language region so that each station has access to a wider variety of programming and Lifeword will quickly amass a tremendous catalog of interesting, indigenous programs.

Imagine the time when O3b becomes a worldwide reality and Lifeword has a radio or TV station in each Lifeword language.

These stations will present on-demand and continuous streams of interesting, humorous, enter-

taining features that will entice lost folks to listen to winsome Christians from their own culture talking about things that the lost person also enjoys and providing a tool that the Holy Spirit can use powerfully to bring the lost to Himself!

Now imagine those stations being heard around the world by nearly every adult who speaks that language.

I can hardly wait!

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMING IDEAS •

Have the village chief do a weekly program.

•

Do a regular program of nutrition, food safety, hygiene, etc.

•

Get the best cattle/caribou/goat/fish farmers to do a program every week.

(Some could be daily.) “Here’s what we’re doing on our farm this week in order to prepare for our best-ever cassava crop.”

•

Air a regular program featuring indigenous Christian music (live, hosted or recorded)

•

The best cooks in the village could do a program together.

•

The local nurse/physician/midwife should do programs on disease prevention, etc.

BMA Seminary

IMAGINE

THE FUTURE OF BMA SEMINARY I

magine the BMA Seminary campus unlimited by schedules or geographical location.

Imagine free theological education. Imagine a curriculum that makes a difference in the lives of individuals, churches and associations. Recent technological advances in communication 28 ::: March - April 2014 | mission:world

and education can help advance these ideas.

Imagine with us an updated platform for training BMA pastors and missionaries. The seminary has faithfully trained students for nearly sixty years; however, some prospective students living outside of East Texas

have found it difficult to move or commute to Jacksonville. With a distance education platform, any pastor can complete a suitable degree through online classes and short seminar-type classes without leaving his field of ministry. We still maintain a regular campus setting for those who

find living on site more conducive to their learning styles.

Some even begin their programs on campus and then finish by distance if the Lord gives them a place of service before graduating. The seminary expects to begin offering the Master of Arts (Religion) as an exclusively online degree in 2014. At this time students must combine online, motion, and independent studies to complete other degrees through distance education. The seminary looks forward to more online degrees in the future.

Imagine that flexible learning platform also being affordable, especially for those of limited means such as missionary and missions candidates. Imagination is not necessary for our national BMAA missions personnel. In the fall of 2013, the seminary made available tuition scholarships for all BMAA missionaries and their spouses. In the spring of 2014, these scholarships also became available for missionaries that are endorsed by the missions directors of BMA state associations.

Imagine a learning platform for more than just pastors and missionaries. Anyone can enroll in the seminary with the goal of increasing their knowledge of the Bible. Imagine pastors, missionaries, Sunday school teachers, and laymen obtaining a quality education from the seminary.

Imagine free instruction in accurate biblical and theological knowledge. BMA Seminary now

offers free online studies strictly for the educational benefit of the general public. Though taken for Imagine churches and indinon-credit, the instruction viduals that remember to pray and interaction with semiregularly for the seminary. A nary professors can progreat day to begin is Graduation vide foundational knowlSunday on May 18th by includedge. The eight-week long courses include various ing a time of special prayer for assignments and oppor2014 seminary graduates and tunities to interact with receiving a special offering to fellow students. Students support the seminary’s efforts to who complete the course train current and future minisreceive a certificate of comtry leaders. The seminary needs pletion. Individuals who wish to take courses for funding for student scholarships, credit or pursue a degree developing distance education should register for regular courses, student educational supsemester courses. port, technology upgrades, and a Imagine a learning new data management system. platform that is not restricted by language. This is a future dream but with translators and improved technology, it is not inconceivable. For the past several to provide experiential training years, seminary professors have in DiscipleWay’s seven spiritual been assisting missionary Ricky disciplines. The new curriculum Williams in the initiative to design produces disciple makers provide theological education and provides graduates with a courses to Latin American minrepeatable and intentional proisters and missionaries. cess transferrable beyond enrollImagine that every student ment in the seminary. who graduates from the seminary is equipped to fulfill the Great Commission by Find more about the making disciple BMA Seminary makers. In 2012, www.bmats.edu seminary faculty adjusted the curriculum for ministerial leadership degrees

GRADUATION SUNDAY

March - April 2014 | mission:world ::: 29

Sharing the Rock I

nspiring a missionary vision is part of the Baptist Missionary Association of America’s stated purpose and intent for its departments and agencies. Churches of the association meet annually to keep informed of how the various departments, committees, and

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auxiliaries accomplish this purpose. The 2013 national association meeting involved more than just listening to reports. It included an intentional effort to assist a new church plant in Norman, Oklahoma.

BMA department directors

Scott Attebery of DiscipleGuide Church Resources, Steve Crawley of Lifeword, Dr. Charley Holmes of BMA Seminary, and Dr. John David Smith of BMA Missions invited those attending the annual association meeting to join them in a door-to-door evangelistic

BMA Seminary effort on behalf of the New Generation Baptist Church, a mission project of the BMA of Oklahoma.

The church’s missionary pastor, Steve Puckett, said, “I was encouraged to see the interest and support of those who participated in the outreach. They also encouraged those from our church who were there.”

In what directors called the “Norman Invasion,” fifty-two individuals gathered to participate by forming small teams designed to canvas neighborhoods near New Generation. Ten others provided prayer support. According to Holmes, the teams contacted 175 residents in less than two hours and shared the gospel with 41 of them. Eight of those who heard the gospel made personal professions of faith! More than a dozen others showed interest in attending the church.

Building on the inaugural event in Norman, national department directors have planned a similar effort for the 2014 annual meeting of the BMAA in Little Rock, Arkansas. “Sharing the Rock with Little Rock” will allow attendees to join BMA departmental leaders in an evangelistic outreach to the city. Paul White, Missions Director for the BMA of Arkansas, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to work with the national directors, local churches, and state mission projects in organizing the effort. He said, “This is one of the best things we’ve come up with.

It gives purpose to our being in Little Rock for the national meeting.” Initial plans include possibilities for outreach to the downtown

Riverfront area, neighborhoods near BMA churches, and a medical clinic designed to reach the Hispanic community.

Holmes added, “Flexibility is a must when coordinating such a project that involves people from many locations. Having participants sign up in advance should help the directors secure an adequate supply of literature and to organize the logistics of assigning teams to various locations.

We hope that participants will include those who can form both visitation and prayer teams. We pray that the number of participants will double in Little Rock to include more than 100 visitors and twenty prayer partners.”

The directors encourage interested participants to sign up before April 1, 2014 by one of two means.

First, participants can email their names, mailing addresses, and cell phone numbers to Carol Shine at

carol.shine@bmats.edu. Second, participants can sign up by phone by calling 1-800-259-5673 and mentioning the “Sharing the Rock with Little Rock” outreach effort.

Participants will meet on Monday, April 28, 2014 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Updated information regarding the “Sharing the Rock with Little Rock” effort appears on Facebook at Arkansas State Missions and BMA Seminary.

Regarding his hopes for “Sharing the Rock with Little Rock,” White said, “My first priority is to have teams that share Christ. Second is to guide people to one of our churches if they need a church home. Third is to energize and encourage our Little Rock pastors by making the BMA churches better known in their areas. There is something about missions that excites. I can see a ripple effect that begins in Little Rock and goes back to our churches.”

March - April 2014 | mission:world ::: 31

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2014 BMAA National Meeting Schedule MONDAY - April 28th

EVENING - 7:00 pm Music: Central Bapist College Choir Annual Sermon

MORNING 8:30 am - Display/Exhibit Set up 2:30 pm - Registration Set-up (Enrollment and Finance Committee)

EVENING

WEDNESDAY - April 30th MORNING

7:00 pm - First General Session - Welcome/Introduction (President) - Special Music - President’s Message - Closing Prayer

TUESDAY - April 29th MORNING 8:00 am - WMA Registration 8:30 am - WMA Meeting 8:30 am - Brotherhood Meeting 10:00 am - Pastor’s and Laymen’s Conference

AFTERNOON - 1:30 pm - Called Meetings Missions Lifeword DiscipleGuide Moral Action

BMA Seminary Nominating Committee Ministers Resource Service

AFTERNOON - 3:00 pm - Second General Session Missionary Special Music 3:20 - Opening instructions to the messengers 3:30 - Initial Report of Enrollment Committee 3:35 - Petitioning Churches 3:45 - Proposed Changes to the Statement of Principles of Cooperation 4:00 - Nominees for Nomination Committee 4:10 - Clerk’s Report 4:15 - Moral Action Agency Report 4:45 - Miscellaneous Buisness Closing Prayer

8:30 - Missionary 8:45 - Music 9:00 - WMA Report 9:10 - Brotherhood report 9:20 - Master’s Builders Report 9:30 - Coordinating Council’s Report 9:40 - Nominating Committee’s Report 9:50 - Lifeword report 10:25 - Vote on any changes to SPC 10:30 - Special Music/VIdeo 10:35 - Committee on Arrangements Report 10:45 - Minister’s Resource Services 11:15 - Miscellaneous Buisness

AFTERNOON 2:00 - Missionary Speaks 2:15 - Music 2:30 - BMA Seminary Report 3:00 - Revolving Loan Fund Report 3:10 - DiscipleGuide Church Resource report 3:40 - Final Nominating Committee’s report 3:50 - Special Music 4:00 - Minute and Clerk Hire 4:10 - Election of Officers and Annual Speaker 4:20 - Election of Missions Advisory Committee members 4:30 - Final report of Enrollment Committee 4:40 - Miscellaneous business Closing Prayer

EVENING 7:00 - Music 7:15 - Missions Department Report 7:45 - Closing of the 65th Annual Session 7:50 - Missionary Commissiong Service

JAMES SPEER

A LOOK BACK AT MORE THAN 30 YEARS AT DANIEL SPRINGS CAMP

M

ore than 30 years of love, patience and sacrifice in the ministry of James Speer at Daniel Springs Baptist Camp have created a wholesome, inviting place where, each year, many children come to know Christ.

Speer began his ministry in 1968 as a music and youth pastor at Berean Baptist in Memphis, Tenn., followed by First Baptist in Springhill, La., and Temple Baptist Church in Little Rock.

Next he was pastor at churches in Houston, Texas and Baton Rouge,

La., before taking the position at the camp in September 1979. He brought kids to camp throughout the years before he was elected director, and he served on the board of trustees for a period of time as well. In three decades as director, he has seen numerous changes — most notably improvements to the facilities, including the addition of air conditioning and remodeling of cabins and bathrooms by churches that attend camps.

Gene Elrod of Lufkin, Texas, a retired pastor after 30 years of ministry, met Speer at Central

Baptist College in 1963.

He said, “James was one son of a large family. His dad was a leading pastor in Missouri. He came to CBC in 1962, and I came in 1963. We both sang in the college choir. I didn’t know him again until the National Encampment at Gary Springs. I was on the board of trustees. I got to know him as the director when I was bringing youth groups. He’s a unique personality, very lively, a good friend. He was always able to be efficient at what he was doing, but to do it in a way that made the teens and children feel

comfortable. He wasn’t intimidating to the kids, but at the same time, they knew he was the director. He did a good job for a long time.”

David Watkins, a semi-retired pastor who serves as a field representative for BMA departments and agencies, said of Speer, “We were on staff together at First Baptist Church in Springhill, La., around 1970. We became great friends, played softball together … and at that time in his life he would eat nothing but hamburgers. We raised our kids together.

Our kids loved James. He made them laugh and giggle. He was always great with kids. He’s a good guy, and I think he’s done a good work for 30 years at the camp. I think his success came from the fact that he could get along with the kids, that he loved kids and ministered to kids and built a relationship with them.

He related to them and had a way with them that endeared him to the young people. He’s been so faithful through the years and has done a great job at the camp.”

Allen Tilley, pastor of First Baptist Church of Carthage, Texas, where Speer is an active member, said, “I first met James 35 years ago when I took a bunch of youth to camp — back when it didn’t have air conditioning and the water supply was questionable. I was struck by his love for kids and his love for helping kids come to know Christ. James has a heart for youth. It serves as an inspiration to all of us. He loves seeing boys and girls come to Christ and surrender to ministry and missions. I think because of

the number of kids that grow up in our association — countless have been saved over the 35 years — the ministry has been not only to our youth but to our association, the leaders of today. Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, was saved at Daniel Springs. It’s kind of an amazing ministry.”

Every year, 3,500 to 4,000 children attend camps at Daniel Springs, and an average of 175 professions of faith are made. Since 1965, more than 13,000 have been saved at camp. Children from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri have come together at camp, forming friendships with people they would not have otherwise met. Often those meetings have turned into lifelong bonds and even sparked marriages later in life.

Speer said, “We feel like here at camp that we strive to build relationships be-

tween churches and individuals from different churches. Some of the kids will be writing and emailing and texting and calling kids from other churches. When they have a friend from another church, they’ll be texting and calling and emailing their friend to find out when their church is coming to camp.”

THE CHALLENGES OF CAMP MINISTRY

Their preferences in music will always be different,” he said. “I think it’s become a lot better over the years. One good thing about me being here for a long period of time is that things haven’t

the worship time. We still have a problem with (dress) length.

It’s hard for kids and moms to understand, because they want to dress like everyone else does. You have to fight that battle.”

Tilley said Speer has lived a life of dedication and sacrifice.

“Because funds never allowed the camp to hire an assistant director, he’s kind of devoted his life to this,” Tilley said. “I think it takes a lot of patience, a lot of perseverance, and from watching James, a lot of sacrifice. He’s been required to live in housing on the campground. He’s given up a lot.

He’s not been able to go and buy a house like I have. Whenever the campers are there, it’s a 24-hour a day job all week long, and it’s really demanding.”

“The best part of the job is working with the kids. It’s always been the highlight.”

Speer said some of his toughest challenges over the years have been trying to appeal to a wide range of church demographics through the music programming and dealing with dress code infractions.

“We have small churches from east Texas and south Arkansas and then churches from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Little Rock and Jackson, Miss.

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changed that much as far as the type of music. One of the biggest battles is probably our dress code.

We finally went from all dresses and long pants to the kids being able to wear shorts in the daytime. We still require dresses and pants and modest dress during

THE REWARDS

Speer said, “The best part of the job is working with kids. Kids over the years, even though they’ve changed some, going from no cell phones to everybody having a cell phone — things like that — I still see that kids like for an adult to know who they are and call them by name. Kids and their needs haven’t changed much.

It’s always been the highlight. I look forward to the time when the kids are going to be here.

“The off season is a down time for me, so I end up working in the AWANA program at our church. That’s kind of like my fix.

I always tell them I’m the bouncer at AWANAs. I take care of the discipline problems. A lot of kids at AWANAs come to camp also. When I see them at AWANAs and I do activities with the school teachers at school and I see the kids around town, it’s a pretty neat relationship.”

Tilley said, “Thousands of kids are there every year, and a good portion of them come to know Christ. A few years ago, they started offering a children’s camp, and that brought its own set of challenges. A lot of them were away from home for the first time. James is always teasing them and making them laugh.

It’s here that kids get introduced to the gospel. Both my kids grew up going to Daniel Springs. They loved it.”

CLOSING A CHAPTER

Speer said he is thankful for mentors, encouragers, pastors and youth pastors that have been

a part of his life throughout his ministry. He mentioned professors Kenneth Brown, Wassel Burgess and A.R. Reddin from his Central Baptist College days and classmates Doug Hoffman, Jim Herring and Tom Ratliff.

He said many young youth pastors have encouraged and supported him over the years.

His wife of 48 years, Barbara, works alongside him as camp secretary. Speer said they will likely move to Carthage, Texas, to be near their children, grandchildren and church family.

“For the first two years I’ll probably be answering my phone for the new camp direc-

tor — wanting to know where the sewer lines are, where the water cutoff lines are. I’ll probably be working with our church. I don’t know if it will be in an official capacity or not. I teach a Sunday school class. I’ll continue to work in AWANAs and other areas of ministry.”

Tilley said Speer is an ideal pastor’s friend, calling to check on him regularly.

“James typically has a smile on his face, enjoys life and enjoys his ministry. He’s been a good friend to me personally, and I’ve enjoyed our time together. I’m thankful he’s going to stay here in the area.”

MORE THAN WE COULD ASK OR IMAGINE BY: BRANDON COX | GRACE HILLS CHURCH 38 ::: March - April 2014 | mission:world

CHURCH PLANTING

W

hen Angie and I went through the BMA's church planting assessment process in September of 2011, we were just a couple of months into the process of gathering the core team that would launch Grace Hills Church the following January. It was a season of big dreaming, so when it was time for the part of the assessment in which the planter shares a 10-minute vision-casting message, the only text I could think of was Ephesians 3:20 which says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." The word Paul uses for "think" or "imagine" here refers to getting a picture in our minds – an "image" of what we think God's best would be.

When we moved to northwest Arkansas to begin planting Grace Hills, we had an image of what

Grace Hills members hosting Blocktober

God might want to do in, around and through us. We wrote about our dream even before our first meeting by summing up our vision in this way: We exist to gather a community of people who are coming to know Jesus and serving others for the global glory of God. We also decided that we wanted to plant a sort of "teaching hospital" in which everything we learned about how to plant a church could be shared with others, especially with those whom we would later send out ourselves to plant in and beyond our region.

“He’s testing our imagination and challenging us to think bigger...”

God is proving His Word true.

He's testing our imagination and challenging us to think bigger in terms of what He is willing to do with a body of people who are concerned with the things that God is concerned with – people who are far from Him. Since launching publicly in a movie theater in January of 2012, we've baptized over forty people in our unheated, outdoor, portable baptistry (our first occurred on a nineteen degree day). We currently have a dozen different small groups meeting in homes and other spaces in the community. We've averaged between 160 and 175 in worship in recent months. And we've just brought on our first Church Planting Leader in Residence, Michael Smith, who will be planting a BMAA church a year from now somewhere in our region, applying what he's learning in our real life laboratory.

March - April 2014 | mission:world ::: 39

Baptizing in outdoor, portable baptistry

The Cox Family, Church Planters, Grace Hills Church, Rogers, AR

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We've seen passionate outreach work, and we've watched the gospel change lives. We recently hosted a free outdoor fall family event called Blocktober that saw about 800 guests, a majority of whom were originally from places outside the United States. We've partnered with a local school in an ethnically diverse, lower income neighborhood. Each year through our We Love NWA initiative, our members spend hundreds of volunteer hours doing projects all over the community. And we've utilized Google, Facebook and social me-

Grace Hills Church meets in the Malco theater

dia so that people recognize us all over town from seeing us online.

In January, we're launching a second morning worship service, a Celebrate Recovery to reach people who have hurts, habits, and hang-ups (and that's all of us), and a lay counseling program to serve the emotional and relational needs of northwest Arkansans. And as for the future, we're merely scratching the surface.

When we started, we could imagine the future in abstract

terms. What we couldn't have anticipated is the stories that have arisen as God has done His work.

Consider Tammy, who had never been a part of a church in her life. She met Jesus in law school but never plugged into a congregation until she was baptized at Grace Hills and is now growing in her faith. Or German, who grew up in Los Angeles and had never found a spiritual home until he was baptized at Grace Hills, and now translates our services

into Spanish via headset and be tested by fire. The choice is shows up early to set up tables often ours to stretch our imaginaand signs in the lobby. tion of what God is able to do in, A mentor of mine once said around and through us. What are that we all tend to start a new you imagining about His ability ministry with a big dream and right now? then when it gets hard, we scale our dream Find more about back to avoid Grace Hills Church disappointment. www.gracehillschurch.com Every God-given dream we ever pursue will March - April 2014 | mission:world ::: 41

DiscipleGuide’s Daniel Springs Baptist Camp in Gary, Texas, provides the perfect “getaway” environment. It’s the perfect place to focus on Christ without the interruptions of everyday life.

Each camp features solid Bibleteaching, meaningful relationship building, and fun-filled recreation while encouraging students to be strong in their commitment to Christ in three areas: personal life, family life, and church life.

2014 Camp Schedule February 14–16

Summit (pre-teen retreat)

March 14–15

Texas GMA Houseparty

May 24

Camp Workers Reunion

June 10–13

Galilean Camp

June 17–20

GMA Retreat

June 24–27

SonRise 1 (pre-teen)

July 8–11

SonRise 2 (pre-teen)

July 15–18

SonQuest 1 (7th–college)

July 22–25

Ark-La-Tex Family Camp

July 29–August 1

SonQuest 2 (7th–college)

August 7–9

Corpus Unum (Spanish)

danielspringscamp.com

42 ::: March - April 2014 | mission:world

A review and preview of missionary news around the world

Philippines: Danny Ballard We had a great week in General Santos at the BMAP annual meeting and enjoyed spending time with the pastors and church members. It was extremely hot and the heat really began to drain us. When the meetings were over we headed back to Bacolod.

We flew from General Santos to Iloilo and there we boarded a RoRo boat for Bacolod. I must admit that I was extremely tired and ready to get home, as were all of the pastors. The boat was extremely full due to the many individuals who were taking their board exams in the city. There were only a few available seats.

The pastors from Negros were so kind and insisted that I take one of the only seats available. I was hesitant at first because I knew they were very tired, also. Little did I know that the Lord had a

plan and reason for me to take that seat. Beside me sat a young man that also looked very tired and was trying to sleep. I wanted to introduce myself but I didn't want to interrupt his sleep. I began to pray and ask the Lord for guidance. Several minutes later I noticed that the young man had sat up in his seat and was listening to his music. I took the opportunity to introduce myself and we began to talk. I found out that he lived in Bogo City, about 30 kilometers from Bacolod City.

He was in Iloilo City taking his board exam for criminology and was on his way home. As we continued talking in broken English and Tagalog, I asked him if it would be ok for Pastor Randy, the BMAP pastor in Bogo, to visit him, and he said sure.

Pastor Randy was on the boat so I texted him and told him that there was a gentleman I would like to introduce him to. I introduced Pastor Randy to the gentleman and left the two of them to talk alone. When I came inside to see how the visit was going, I saw the biggest smile on Pastor Randy's face. He shared with me that the gentleman had just prayed to receive Christ as his Savior! The Lord had used Bro. Randy and me to bring this young man into His family that night and now the

young man has been faithfully attending Pastor Randy's church.

Once again, what seemed like an inconvenient situation to me, God used it and turned it into a miraculous moment. That night the angels in heaven once again rejoiced as one more lost soul was added to the family of God! Amen!

California:Jesse Garrido We are excited to see God's hand at work here in Northern California as we prepare for the upcoming months. Recently we were showered with love from three of our neighboring BMA churches that came out to show their support for the work being done here in Ceres. We had a church workday and so much was accomplished. What a testimony to the neighborhood. We want to thank you all for your prayers and financial support that makes our work possible. We prayerfully ask

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that lives be touched and hearts be receptive to God’s word as we reach out to the unsaved.

Dominican:Jesse Hales We are very thankful that God continues to bless us with more and more understanding of the Spanish language. I never seem to retain as much as I wish, as fast as I wish but I always seem to retain more than I realize. It surprises me by flowing out of my mouth when I least expect it. I finish with a conversation and stop in amazement and think, "I didn't know I knew that word." We are very thankful for God's blessings in this way and for those of you who have been faithfully praying for us. We both look forward to using this blessing from God to help in multiplying the children's ministries in the Dominican churches.

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PNG:Jeremy Hambrice Praise God with us that after about four years of preparation (training and support raising) we have finally made it to Papua New Guinea. Your past prayers for us are a big reason as to why we have made it, and your future prayers are going to be what keeps us here. We have just started to learn the national trade language called Pidgin English. This will only take us about eight months to learn. During these eight months we will be asking the Lord to lead our team by His Spirit to one of these unreached language groups here in the jungles of PNG. Would you pray for us that we can stay focused and on task in order to learn the trade language and that God would make it clear to us where He wants us to go?

Mexico:Eric Johnson Hello from Mexico. We are doing well and God continues to bless His work in the churches of your neighbor to the south. Last year we had four new churches petition for membership in the association, and the spirit of missions is evident in our churches.

Here in Pachuca, the work is growing and we are excited to report that we were organized as a

church in November. After three years in Pachuca, our congregation is now “EL Alba” Baptist Church! Pray for us as we seek to train many young men and women for the Lord’s work. As we see God working in Mexico through our association, we are thankful for His grace and guidance. Please keep Mexico in your prayers.

Hawaii:Fil Kakilala God is patient and kind. In the Pacific Isles where life seems to take its own sweet time, one's patience can get tested. I bought me a t-shirt that says: "I'm not late, I'm on Hawaiian time."

In a place where being tardy is fashionable, the quote is a comic reminder for me that God is not rushed in building quality leaders in the Isles. Praise God that He is raising good men and women to lead for Christ in Hawaii and in the Pacific.

So "hang loose" my heart when folks come to church "fashionably late."

They're not late; they're on MORE ONLINE island time!

www.bmaamissions.org

Florida:Boris Lebedev This month, our church celebrated Harvest Day. There was a special service where more than one hundred people attended.

Also we opened a new group that prepares people for baptism. The English group is still continuing, and we are praying to open a group in Spanish. We have five people waiting to be baptized, and two more are still deciding.

Please pray for the people that are going to be baptized. We have many prayer requests about the radio ministry, and we want to set up a low-power transmitter to put more than four languages on the air. That is Russian, English, Spanish and Romanian. Also we are praying for a missionary in our area that could work with the Romanian people of our area. A prayer request is for a car that we could use for the Russian ministry in our area. Thank you, God bless you

West Africa:John Lindsey In recent articles, I have shared that God has blessed me with the privilege to train Africans in several West African nations.

These trainers are to teach disciples the way to train others to use Chronological Bible stories

to promote a clear basic understanding of Scripture, especially the Gospel. Recently some of the first generation of trainers, including Adu Boahene and Hayford Jackson, conducted a training seminar in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. They trained a total of 16 people to teach 22 Bible stories that extend chronologically from the creation of the spirit world through the empowerment of Christ’s Church in Jerusalem.

Most of the people trained were local church planters in Burkina Faso, but two of them were new missionaries of Burkina Faso Churches being sent to the nations of Niger and Democratic Republic of Congo. Both of these nations have large Muslim populations. The new missionaries were very grateful for the Bible story method of teaching scripture because it is non-confronting to Muslims and, in Africa, is a readily accepted way of conveying ideas and teachings. Please continue to pray for these and other BMA workers across Africa as they proclaim the truths of God’s Word through “chronological Bible storying”.

New Mexico: Anthony Pennington

Leroy lived in the Longview Mobile Home Community, one of our mission points. The community is predominately Hispanic. I had met him this past summer during VBS. He was friendly and said I could come anytime to see him and his elderly mother. Leroy was about my age. We would chat from time to time and I could see he was interested in spiritual things.

One evening about three months after we met, I felt it was time to talk to Leroy about the Lord. It was a Monday evening after the Kids Club that Mary, Chloe (our granddaughter) and I dropped by. He was watching the Wheel of Fortune and I asked him to turn it down a little so we could visit.

Leroy said he had not been feeling good and thought something was wrong with his heart. Having been trained in Evangelism Explosion, I like to use the two diagnostic questions to determine where a person is spiritually. Leroy did not have the assurance Heaven was going to be his home when this life was over. I shared the good news of the gospel and he prayed and received Jesus into his life. He stood up and said with a big smile "I feel good!" We gave him a Bible in Spanish and English. I saw him the following Thursday and set up a time for follow up. Leroy died off a massive heart attack on the following Sunday. God's timing is always perfect and He gives sinners an opportunity to be saved even at the very end of their lives. Remember Stella, Leroy's mother in your prayers as she grieves the loss of her son. Please, if God impresses on your heart to share the gospel with someone, don't hesitate to do it!

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Canada:Michel Poirier Here in Quebec, we have new visitors who come regularly, and we pray that they will get more into the word to reproduce themselves. Witnessing on the street to these people is a challenge especially with winter arriving fast.

Not only is the weather cold but also the hearts. In Haiti we have seen a lot of people saved. The church we began in August has tripled in attendance. We need to do a lot of training with the cell group leaders. The place where we are meeting needs a roof, chairs, and most of all we need to raise funds for the ministry there.

We plant new cell groups, nurture them, organize and go to another area. Pray for us and for financial assistance as we try to win these people.

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Texas:Matthew Prather It is exciting to see what God is doing in Celina, TX. We continually meet people who are not Christians or have not been to church in many years. It is amazing as we continue to build relationships with people that have moved to Celina from different states from all across the United States. Many of them do not have a support system here in Celina.

We have had the opportunity to encourage them and the share the Gospel with them. Through this we have seen several new families become a part of our Community Groups and are beginning to see their lives change as they are learning to study the Bible and trust God for answers and direction in their life.

Mexico:Tommy Rose The time has been passing fast here in Costa Rica. It doesn't seem possible that we have not been in the States since August 2013. It has been very neat to partner with the churches here in Costa Rica and minister with them. We have been able to meet some very interesting people and have seen God move in their life as we join the church in “Evangelismo Explosivo.” With the time

passing quickly we are getting very excited to move to Mexico and join God’s work there. Thank you all for your support and prayer.

Mexico:Ricky Williams Five students are enrolled for online classes at the Bible Institute. Two are from Chiapas, one from Playa Vicente, one from Axochiapan and one from the Mexico City area. All of them are in situations that don't permit them to attend a regular institute class like many from the past. Not only is this new for the students, it's new for the teachers. But Andres Pacheco, Jorge Meza, and Genaro Acosta are adjusting well to the new format for teaching their classes. Our extension classes continue to function in Atlaltipa, Axochiapan, and Veracruz.

Just recently the Bible Institute facilities were the location for DiscipleWay (DiscipuloSoy in Spanish) training. Twelve pastors and workers from several locations in Mexico attended the weeklong event. It certainly impacted our local missionaries Ricardo and Aurelio. They are already using it with two disciples.

Continue to pray for peace and tranquility for Mexico.

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David Dickson*, Magnolia, AR Elijah Poulin*, Ica, Peru Mr. & Mrs. Rick (Tina) Cummins**, Conway, AR Caleb Allen*, Bacolod City, Philippines Sara Rose*, Costa Rica in Language School Mrs. Donny (Datha) Parrish*, Conway, AR Mrs. Brad (Heidi) Faulk*, Pasco, WA Czech Republic Nationals Cox/Lemons Ministry, Terrell, TX Linda Thompson*, Missions Office Hispanic work in USA Abigail Faulk*, Pasco, WA Anthony Pennington Partnership, Albuquerque, NM Argentina Nationals Ashraf Sara*, Allen, TX Mr. & Mrs. Mike (Diann) Jones**, Conway, AR Myah Huson*, Costa Rica in Language School Neil Greenhaw*, Bentonville, AR Donny Parrish*, Conway, AR Mr. & Mrs. Boris (Vera) Lebedev**, Ft Walton Beach, FL Jeremy Hambrice*, Papua, New Guinea Mike Cross*, France Alicia Ramshur*, Philippines Lauren Greenhaw*, Bentonville, AR Mr. & Mrs. John (Alisha) Herring**, Nixa, MO Missions Office Directors Cape Verde Nationals Silas Rose, Costa Rica for Language School Boris Lebedev Partnership, Fort Walton Beach, FL Russian work in USA London Greenhaw*, Bentonville, AR Mr. & Mrs. Luis (Lisa) Ortega**, Conway, AR Mrs. Phil (LaJuana) Knott*, Bryant, AR Mr. & Mrs. Grady (Denise) Johnson**, Hidalgo, Mexico Buddy Johnson Partnership, Waxahachie, TX Sadie Faulk*, Pasco, WA Missionary Applicants El Salvador Nationals Mr. & Mrs. Jared (Ashton) Eakin**, Alexander, AR Children of our Missionaries

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Jase Lemons*, Terrell, TX Guatemala Nationals Myanmar Nationals Isaac Jones*, Smithville, MO Doyle Moore*, Bacolod City, Philippines Sam Jordan*, Jordan Honduras Nationals Haiti Nationals Bro. Udonishi, Japan Peru Nationals John & Louela Page**, Cambodia VSM students Sam Cox*, Bentonville, AR Burkina Faso Nationals Bolivia Nationals Dale & Celia Broom**, Ghana Doris Dickey*, Missions Office Michel Poirier Partnership, Quebec, Canada Mr. & Mrs. Todd (Tina) Cox**, Terrell, TX Penny Gathright*, Honduras India Nationals Brazil Nationals Taiwan Nationals Dominican Republic Nationals Macey Herring*, Nixa, MO CIS Nationals Lebanon Nationals Lane Morris*, Ecuador Tymber Crawley*, Conway, AR BMAA National Meeting, Little Rock, AR BMAA National Meeting, Little Rock, AR BMAA National Meeting, Little Rock, AR

* Birthday ** Anniversary

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48 ::: March - April 2014 | mission:world