On Mission Magazine - Spring 2018

contents

On Mission highlights missionaries, chaplains and churches working to reach North America and the world for Christ. On Mission is a publication of the North American Mission Board (NAMB), Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).

NAMB is an SBC entity supported by the Cooperative Program and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.® The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering is a registered trademark of Woman’s Missionary Union.® Postmaster: Send address changes to: On Mission, North American Mission Board, PO Box 292, Williamsport, PA 17703-0292.

Because of your valued support of the Cooperative Program, we are able to offer you a free copy of On Mission. To subscribe, call toll free 800-431-7571, or visit namb.net/ OnMission. On Mission grants permission for any original article to be photocopied for educational or church use. Include the following credit: “Used by permission of On Mission, North American Mission Board, ©2018.” For special requests, email us at help@namb.net or call 800-634-2462.

NAMB President Kevin Ezell

Art Director Shawn Elledge

Executive Vice President of Shared Services Carlos Ferrer

Designer Steve Beaver

Executive Director of Marketing & Events Dustin Willis Senior Creative Director Adam Bain

Photo Editor Hayley Catt Associate Editor Meredith Yackel Assistant Editor Josie Bingham

Editor K. Faith Morgan

On Mission Magazine 4200 North Point Parkway Alpharetta, GA 30022

Contributors Kesavan Balasingham Lorna Buis Lee Clamp Ashley Dorce Andrea Fanning Samuel Greenhill Daley Hake Carmon Keith Jason Lagi Meredith Lyons Patricia McCarty Amy Rager Heiden Ratner Tony Rose Dino Senesi Mary Jo Sharp Travis Sinks Afshin Ziafat

© 2018 ON MISSION

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spring 2 018

16

2 President’s Letter

4 The Pulse

8 Because You Give

10 The Five

12 Q&A

14 People Groups

16 Neighborhood Portrait

18 Working together to end hunger 24 Going the extra mile in metro Detroit 30 Coming home 24 40 Team players: The starting lineup for a church plant 48 Sending Well

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52 Recommended

56 My Turn

57 Now What?

Your gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter OfferingÂŽ give missionaries the resources they need to spread the gospel across North America. Give online at AnnieArmstrong.com/Give. volume 2 1 | number 1

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presi dent’s letter

Listen and be ready in the here and now

By Kevin Ezell, NAMB president (@kevezell)

S

o often, God speaks to people through their brokenness. Times of crisis, need and hurt often drive us to search for answers that will bring hope, comfort and a greater perspective on what we are experiencing.

These are also times when many people are most open to the gospel.

But we might miss these opportunities if we don’t listen carefully.

Listening is one of the most important components of sharing your faith. Really listening—not the distracted kind of listening so common today—conveys you care about what someone is saying and what that person is going through. Everyone is experiencing some kind of challenge! But most people won’t risk unpacking it unless they sense genuine concern.

This is difficult when your time is limited to a plane ride or a coffee shop conversation. But God is working in every life and in every situation. All we have to do is listen for clues.

In 2 Timothy 4:2, the apostle Paul told Timothy to share God’s Word whether convenient or not. Of course Paul didn’t mean to do it without being sensitive toward the other person. That’s why in 1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul says, “I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.”

Part of being in tune with how God is at work in a person’s life is listening to his or her story. In this way, the Holy

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Spirit allows us to share words that connect with what they are experiencing.

If we are ready and willing to listen, God will bring many opportunities our way. Pray for a ready heart and for listening ears. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.

For more resources to help you share your faith, visit GCChallenge.com.

ON MISSION

HERE NOW 100% of your gifts support North American Missionaries Week of Prayer March 4-11, 2018 Please give through your local church or online at AnnieArmstrong.com/Give Annie Armstrong Easter Offering ® is a registered trademark of WMU ®

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the pulse

Atheism doubles among Gen Z

G

Measured

eneration Z is the first “post-Christian” generation in the U.S. Research shows that the percentage

of Gen Z that identifies as atheists is double that of the U.S. adult population.

Source: Barna Research Group, February 2018

Who can you trust?

When it comes to news credibility, people are still most likely to trust traditional reporting. People rate the following as a most credible news source:

Who’s to blame for “fake news”?

39% A reporter

31% say it’s reader error. More than a third

32% Nobody, I trust my

reports by comparing multiple sources, and

instincts

27% Friend, family

of respondants said it is important to verify 38% say they don’t correct misinformation they see on social media.

Source: Barna Research Group, February 2018

member or peer

2 2% Famous academic

Running away into darkness

14% A pastor I know

N

personally

early 25,000 runaways were reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited

12% A teacher I know

Children in 2017; one in seven of those were likely

personally

victims of child sex trafficking.

Source: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, February 2018

7% A politician 6% A famous pastor 4

6% A celebrity Source: Barna Research Group, February 2018

Finding family Adults today are more likely to say they have direct ties to adoption (through being adopted as a child or adopting) than they were in years past. Four in ten adults have indirect ties to adoption and have friends or family who have been adopted.

Source: Harris Poll, February 2018

Heard One thing about instilling DNA in the heart of a church planter from a Sending Church is that it is a spiritual work of transformation; the single most important thing you can do is pray.”

Vance Pitman, senior pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Source: Send Network Blog, November 23, 2017

She is the key in the longterm health and success of her husband’s ministry. She is his greatest resource for his own personal health and well-being.

God can powerfully use her influence, leadership and gifts.

She deserves and needs lifegiving support and care.”

Kathy Ferguson Litton, planter and spouse care, on the importance of pastors’ wives.

U.S. workers in foreignowned companies The number of U.S. workers employed by foreignowned companies is at an all-time high. In 2015, foreign-owned enterprises employed almost 7 million people in the U.S.—a 22% increase since 2007. British-owned companies employ the highest number of workers, followed by Japan, France, Germany and Canada.

Source: PewResearch.org, December 14, 2017

Source: NAMB, November 9, 2017

It was a great conversation where we were able to talk about how God loves everybody, how nobody is beyond His reach and how there is nobody He isn’t interested in. It was just a great way to share Jesus.”

Mark Fugitt, pastor and replanter at Mountain Grove Family Church in Mountain Grove, Missouri, speaking about a recent gospel conversation.

Source: GCChallenge.com, 2017

Empty pantries

T

here is food insecurity present in every county in the United States.

Source: Feeding America, February 2018

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the pulse Foster care and adoption

I

f one family in every three churches in the U.S. adopted a waiting child, every waiting child in the

U.S. would have a forever family.

Source: AbbaFund.org

West The state of evangelism

A

bout one in four Americans identify as evangelical Christians.

Although many attend church every week, they are not always sure about what they believe. Here is how selfidentifying evangelicals compare to their actual beliefs by region.

Source: LifeWay Research, December 6, 2017

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The faiths of our father (and mother)

A

Pew Research study found that one in five adults in the U.S. was raised in

a mixed religious home.

Source: PewResearch.org, February 2018

10%

evangelical by belief

Midwest

15%

evangelical by belief

South

23%

evangelical by belief

s elf-identify as evangelical

/29%

s elf-identify as evangelical

/ 31%

s elf-identify as evangelical

/13%

s elf-identify as evangelical

evangelical by belief

Northeast

5%

/18%

Cost of drug abuse According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the economic burden caused by prescription opioid misuse in the U.S. is $78.5 billion a year.

Noted Disaster response More than 4.7 million Americans registered for disaster aid in 2017—10 times more than the

Source: DrugAbuse.gov, February 2018

previous year. This surge was a result of three hurricanes—Harvey, Irma and Maria—and the tragic wildfires in California.

Source: The Week, December 1, 2017

ccording to a Washington Post-ABC News

Digital fluency

poll, a large percentage of women in the

Opportunities for workers without basic digital

#MeToo

A

U.S. have experienced unwanted and inappro-

skills are fading. Nearly two-thirds of new jobs

priate sexual advances from men. 54% report it

created since 2010 require high or medium

overall, 30% have experienced it at work and 23%

digital knowledge.

have had advances from someone in a position of

Source: The Week, December 1, 2017

influence or authority over their work situation.

Source: ABCNews.com, February 2018

Chronic loneliness An estimated 42.6 million Americans suffer from chronic loneliness.

Source: TIME, November 27/December 4, 2017

Millennial majority Millennials are now the largest living generation in the United States.

Source: PewResearch.org, February 2018

Americans stressed over politics Nearly two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are claiming that politics contribute significantly to their stress level. The American Psychological Association recently reported that 60% of those surveyed considered the present day to be the “lowest point in our nation’s history that they can remember.”

Source: The Week, November 24, 2017

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the pulse

Because you gıve… $10 $50 $500 $1,200 $2,400 8

a missionary can purchase gospel tracts to engage his community in Toronto. a Send City Missionary has a bus fare for a month to travel in an unreached area of his city. a block party starts gospel conversations in a community in Maine. a North American missionary can pay half a month’s rent for a New York apartment. a bivocational, church planting missionary can receive a seminary scholarship.

Every gift to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering®—100 percent— goes to train, resource and send missionaries across the United States, U.S. territories and Canada.

Thank you for giving!

Prepare your church to give and pray for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Find resources to help promote the offering at your church this year at AnnieArmstrong.com/Resources.

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the five

5 Things I learned about

depression in ministry

By Tony Rose

Depression is spoken about often but seldom understood. I recently read a statement in a well-known Christian publication, “I’ve never met a bout of

You cannot just snap out of depression. It can be as crippling as having two broken legs. The undue

depression that a good night’s sleep

stigma associated with depression, especially for

wouldn’t fix.” I can tell you the author

ated shame makes recovering from depression

had never met depression. Here are five things I have learned, not just about depression, but through it.

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2

Depression is far worse than you can imagine without experiencing it.

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Depression is no respecter of persons.

pastors, causes deep internal shame. The associmuch more difficult. Telling someone to “snap out of it” is like hitting a man’s broken leg with a baseball bat. Words of compassion will bring healing.

Words of correction may increase darkness.

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It can undermine a sound-minded faith.

Depression cannot separate the believer from

Depression is like a prowling monster looking for

Christ. It can, however, disrupt one’s sound think-

likely and unlikely candidates to lure into darkness.

ing and convince the most devout believer he is no

Do not buy into the lie that depression only affects

longer loved by God. In the darkness of depres-

the weak. Some of God’s great servants faced this

sion, a believer can doubt every promise of God

darkness. There are no exceptions. Everyone is

and be convinced that every judgment of

susceptible to the enemy’s weapon.

God is upon him.

4

Those who comfort the depressed are under great strain.

The demands on a pastor’s wife while caring for her depressed husband are taxing beyond imagination. She will need help, too.

5

Remember God never wastes our suffering.

The “night vision” of faith can only be learned in the dark (Isaiah 50:10-11). Depression can be the harshest but best teacher you may ever have.

Depression taught me the depths of God’s tender mercies, the richness of His grace and my definitive need for Him. Depression taught me how to trust God in the dark while waiting for my feelings to catch up with my faith.

Tony Rose is senior pastor of LaGrange Baptist Church in LaGrange, Kentucky.

Pastor, are you struggling with depression? Call our Pastor Care Line for confidential help from trained, professional counselors. Call 1-844-PASTOR1 (1-844-727-8671).

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I live in a neighborhood where there are several people from other religious backgrounds.

I know very few of my neighbors and have wanted to start reaching out to get to know them.

I was wondering if you have any advice on how to reach someone from another religion. — Benjamin Pennington, student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Kesavan Balasingham

A

s you get to know neighbors, invite them for a meal or coffee.

If they’re from another part of the world,

Mary Jo Sharp

I

would begin with the admonition

by Jesus in Luke 6:31, “Just as you

want others to do for you, do the same

Afshin Ziafat

I

take the Acts 17 model—a relational model. In Acts, Paul goes into Athens.

He observes and gets to know the reli-

they may not get invited into someone’s

for them.” Think about it. What kinds of

gious culture he’s walked into. He spends

home often. Part of your conversation

things do you wish your neighbors would

time getting to know his neighbors. As

with them should be to understand their

do for you? Begin the process of getting

you get to know yours, ask them one

worldview. You want to try to have an

to know them by asking about their lives,

simple but profound question, “How can

intentional gospel conversation—not

backgrounds and beliefs. At some point

I pray for you?”

just, “What kind of work do you do?”

in the conversation, the rule of recipro-

rather, “What are some of your inter-

cation is bound to take effect, and your

Their answers will tell you what each

ests?” or “What do you guys do for

neighbors will want to know about you.

person is going through. I’ve never had,

fun?” Their answers will be indicators

Then you will have a natural segue into

for instance, Muslims look at me and

into their worldview and culture. Here’s a

discussion about your own background

say, “We don’t want you to pray for us

direct question you can ask someone of

and beliefs.

because you’re a Christian.” Usually,

another religion: “Has a practicing Chris-

they’ll tell you what’s going on in their

tian ever shared the gospel with you?”

Remember, most people are fairly well

lives and what their needs are. And guess

Most of the time, they will say, “No.”

entrenched in their own view of the

who God is going to call and equip to

With their permission, present the gospel

world. It may take time for them to see

meet those needs? It’s going to be you.

using the 3 Circles, and use what you

a different viewpoint as truth. However,

learned about their worldview to give the

never rule out that your neighbors might

Afshin Ziafat is a former Muslim and cur-

illustration context in their life.

already have Jesus on their radar, since

rent lead pastor of Providence Church in

it’s the Holy Spirit that draws people to

Frisco, Texas. Learn more about his minis-

Kesavan is a church planter serving

Himself. You’ll never know until you begin

try at providencefrisco.com.

in Toronto. Learn more about him at

the conversation!

AnnieArmstrong.com, and read his insights on cross-cultural evangelism at

Mary Jo Sharp is assistant professor of

namb.net/Kesavan. Learn the 3 Circles

apologetics at Houston Baptist Univer-

at namb.net/3Circles.

sity. Read more from Mary Jo at MaryJoSharp.com.

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The Rohingya are forced to leave everything they know because of constant oppression from Burma’s government.

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The Rohingya

people gr ou ps

T

hey want peace. Burma was known as “the rice bowl of Asia” because of its once fertile and resource-rich land. It is now one of the world’s least developed and least free countries.

The United States has become a safe haven for some. More than 3,000 refugees from Myanmar have been resettled in Georgia according to federal records. About 500 Rohingyas now live in Clarkston, Georgia.

Under military rule since 1962, Burma is the source of one of the world’s most prolonged refugee crises. The Rohingya, a Burmese people group, have become one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.

“While there is much work to be done to advocate for the plight of these people through international coalitions, here in the states the need is simple,” Clarkston Send Relief missionary Lorna Bius says. “Believers must be present among refugee populations to discover who the Rohingya are.

Despite being able to trace Rohingya history to the eighth century, Burma does not recognize the 1.1 million person minority in its borders. The government is issuing laws which restrict movement, education, jobs and effectively deny the Rohingya the possibility to acquire citizenship in Burma.

They can even be slaughtered legally.

“There is no peace,” says one Rohingyan refugee. “The government is still setting Rohingya villages on fire. They’re still killing us. They hold people at gunpoint.”

From August to December 2017, the United Nations reported 625,000 Rohingyas fled.

“I feel bad for my home, but I am afraid to go back; they could kill me,” says another refugee. At more than 100 years old, this is his fourth flight from the country. “There’s no point in going back. Don’t send us back as bait for a monster.”

The refugee camps in Bangladesh are overpopulated. As of January 22, 2018, Bangladesh started sending more than 650,000 Rohingya refugees back to Burma.

“I’m finding this to be true of work with all people groups. Nothing replaces being in the community and having face time with real people—in this case, the Rohingyas. James Amar, here in Clarkston, is helpful for us.”

Born in a tiny village in Burma, James can relate to the Rohingya. James and his father had planted 360 secret house churches in the four Burmese states before James and his wife had to flee the country.

Now they work in Clarkston, holding Bible studies with with Rohingya refugees.

“We wanted to go back to our country,” says James. “But it just wasn’t safe.”

“I think believers are hesitant about reaching out to serve the Rohingya,” Lorna says.

“They are primarily Muslim which may seem a challenge to Christians. However, we cannot adopt an attitude towards many Muslims who come here that they are invaders instead of God’s creations.

We should care about them and make the effort to get to know them.”

To learn more about how you can help refugees and internationals, visit SendRelief.org.

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Taylor Field, Graffiti Pastor Taylor Field believes in meeting the basic needs first. Graffiti Church bloomed out of that harvest.

Learn more at namb.net/EastVillage.

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East Village

E

ast Village in Manhattan cleaves to its colorful past. Historically one of the first stops for new immigrants, the neighborhood became associated with counterculture until the punk movement arose in 1970. The nightlife scene that followed turned East Village into an inexhaustible grid of utterly hip bars, bookshops, cafes, clubs and art galleries.

Louis Taylor, The Chess Monster

Louis Taylor was in the park playing chess—and winning a lot—when pastor Taylor Field found him.

Louis later became a follower of Jesus at Graffiti Church. Learn more at namb.net/EastVillage.

Tonya Wilkerson, Graffiti Children’s Director

Tonya Wilkerson is part of the Graffiti team, embracing not only their city but the children in it. Providing a safe and loving place is one of Tonya’s tasks as children’s director. Learn more at namb.net/EastVillage.

East Village is also home to Graffiti Church, intentionally planted at what was once the archetype of a dangerous drug neighborhood, now turned artsy downtown cool.

1.6% Church planting here can Evangelical be intimidating. With a total population of 116,462 in East Village, roughly 51.6 percent are affiliated with a religion, yet less than 2 percent identify as evangelical. Church planters face Religion in the difficult task of breaking East Village 43.4% Catholic into the culture and present 38% Unaffiliated ing the truth of Christ to New 8% Jewish York City skeptics.

2% Islam 1.6% Evangelical 7% Other

For Taylor Field, church Sources: NAMB research, planter of Graffiti Church, New York City government building relationships and sharing Jesus by meeting people’s basic needs is the best way to reach his neighbors in New York.

“People sometimes need to see the gospel before they can hear it,” Taylor says. “When we first got here, there were so many immediate needs that we started there. It’s not the only way, but it’s one of the ways to reach others.”

Andrew Mann, Graffiti 2 in Mott Haven, Bronx

Led by Andrew Mann, Graffiti 2 church plant offers the Bronx community programs to help them develop physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Learn more at namb.net/EastVillage.

PHOTO BY ASHLEY DORCE

nei gh bor h ood portra it

Go to AnnieArmstrong.com and follow NAMB on social media @namb_sbc to learn more about Graffiti Church and God’s work through them in NYC.

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Working together to end

hunger

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Hunger is a hidden problem, but the solution is not a secret—the Church.

By Josie Bingham

The need

Church in Wildwood, Missouri, to offer a solution— a food-packing event aimed to produce one million meals for families in the St. Louis area.

here are currently 49 million people

“The greatest impact we can have is to help peo-

in the U.S.—including 12 million

ple in need of food,” said Sam Rowley, a St. Louis

children—who are food insecure.

city business leader. “When we found out what

Missouri has the 12th highest

the homeless and food statistics were in St. Louis,

percentage of food insecure homes in the nation.

where you have one out of 27 families in food crisis

That means 930,000 Missourians are going to bed

affecting over 2,000 kids, we had to take action.”

hungry or drastically rationing their meals.

To get things started, Sam reached out to Knowing the food poverty epidemic that plagues

long-time friend, Rick Biesiadecki, to discuss

Missouri, Send Relief teamed up last August with

something they’d both been part of before but

OutReach, Incorporated, in Iowa and LifePointe

never executed themselves.

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“Sam and I had talked about food poverty statistics

nered together with Send Relief to pack 660,000

in the St. Louis area for a long time,” Rick said.

meals at St. Louis’ Family Arena.”

“We’ve both participated in food-packing events but never in the St. Louis area and certainly not while running one. When Sam called me to ask,

20

The solution

‘Why don’t we do something on a larger scale for

In St. Louis, 5,000 volunteers packed over half

our community?’ I knew it was going to be a minis-

a million meals made from raw, non-perishable

try event with a broad influence for a short amount

products like macaroni and cheese, fortified beans

of time. If we did this once, we’d soon need to

and rice, soy and instant apple cinnamon oatmeal.

think about doing it again.”

Each volunteer had a 90-minute slot every day for one or two days to scoop the correct measure-

With businesses, churches and the state locking

ments of each ingredient into bags, thus creating

arms, the impact would be great.

healthy meals that would potentially abet hunger in homes across their community.

“When churches, relief organizations and businesses rally together, anything can happen,” Sam

On August 26, 27 and 28, the Family Arena was

said. “Here, our churches and businesses part-

emptied out except for people, plastic tables,

Send Relief was able to pack and distribute meals to cities rocked by the Category 4 storm. Thousands of Americans who worried about where their next meal would come from were able to be cared for because of 5,000 volunteers in St. Louis.

unperishable foods and the boxes for the pack-

all for Jesus and to fulfill His command to help

aged meals.

those in need and to feed the hungry.”

Volunteers were assigned tables. Tables were

The reward

lined with stations. Each station presented either a scoop, pack or weigh task that volunteers would

“There need not be one hungry person in St.

spend their 90 minutes accomplishing. Licensed

Louis tonight,” said Rick after the packing event

Send Relief truck-driving volunteers would then

was over.

deliver the meals to distribution organizations across St. Louis and beyond.

“It wasn’t just one church or a group of churches coming together from across the street. It was

“People from all over Missouri were talking while

a statewide effort of many people groups and

they measured ingredients, packed them in bags

organizations from all kinds of backgrounds joining

or weighed them before sealing them and plac-

together for one region. The community standing

ing them in boxes,” Sam said. “It was a fun, loud

to feed people together planted the vision that

frenzy, and the time passed rather quickly. We told

everybody can make a difference.”

everyone we could. We had 5,000 volunteers and tons of donations that helped our plan to pay for

Hope was brought to St. Louis because churches,

every meal.”

businesses and state organizations decided to unify and provide a solution to a very serious

Each bag provided six meals. Every box held

matter. But the impact of the food-packing event

about 33 bags which equaled 200 meals. The cost

didn’t stop there. When hurricanes struck the

for each box was just $30. According to Sam, the

Southern U.S. and Puerto Rico, the meals packed

event raised enough to not only sponsor meals

by LifePointe helped.

and boxes of meals, but tables that held the meals people packed.

Send Relief was able to pack and distribute meals to cities rocked by hurricanes, too. Thousands of

“Instead of Sunday worship, many of us were

Americans who worried about where their next

worshipping as we worked in the Family Arena,”

meal would come from were able to be cared for

said Rick Biesiadecki, pastor of LifePointe Church.

because of 5,000 volunteers in St. Louis.

“Every table, every volunteer, every pair of gloves being put on to handle and prepare the food was

“As believers, we need to stand together and

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As believers, we are called to care for the poor and for the hungry. But it can be bigger than us! When believers reach out to their communities and get their communities involved, there’s opportunity for gospel conversations and outreach while meeting physical needs.

make a difference,” Rick said. “But food poverty

to attempt to pack that many meals, but we serve a

is not just for the church to fix. When believers

big God. Look what happened!”

reach out into their communities and appeal to all people, that gesture offers the chance for others to experience how serving feels, how it impacts

What’s next?

their lives and the lives of their neighbors. I tell our

In 2018, Send Relief will host two meal-packing

church we shouldn’t be a silo but an open door

events: one in April at the Send Relief ministry cen-

inviting opportunities for gospel conversations and

ter in Appalachia and one in the Northeast region

for aid. This food-packing event was an example

in the summer.

of that. Together, businesses, believers and state organizations can be instruments of God and help

“Meal packing is by the community, for the com-

their community meet a basic need.”

munity,” said president of Send Relief, David Melber. “As believers, we are called to care for the

A celebration party complete with performances

poor and for the hungry. But it can be bigger than

by local bands was held for volunteers after the last

us! When believers reach out to their communities

bag was packed.

and get their communities involved, there’s opportunity for gospel conversations and outreach while

“We wanted everyone to feel the excitement of

meeting physical needs. Send Relief is all about

what they’d accomplished while packing,” said

sending help and sending hope. Addressing pov-

Sam. “It was a big deal—crucial, even—that we

erty and food scarcity as a unified front—churches

came together to do this for our city. We hope to

and state—is more influential and more productive

do more in the future as Rick had mentioned that

for the kingdom of heaven. Meal packing is one

this event is not a one-time solution.

terrific way that happens.”

“Most people thought we were nuts to try,” Sam

Josie Bingham is the assistant editor of On Mission.

22

added. “They thought we were in over our heads

Learn how to get involved in hunger relief at SendRelief.org.

Join us for

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The North American Mission Board is a simulcast host location for this encouraging and educational event.

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Going the extra mile in metro Detroit

F

By Andrea Fanning

24

rom economy crises, to automotive industry cuts, to clean water issues, Detroit’s struggles have influenced the entire metro population of more

than 4 million. Violent crimes rank among the highest in the nation. Less than 10 percent of eighth graders in Detroit’s inner-city schools are proficient readers. This is a city of hurting people who need hope. Yet only about 43 percent identify as religious. Catholicism ranks highest at 17 percent.

The negative statistics aren’t new to Travis and Jennifer Whittaker, but their approach to making a difference is. As church planting missionaries, they want to see Christ bring lasting hope to Detroit by transforming people who will, in turn, transform their city. The Whittakers chose a name for their church inspired by a different side of the city’s heritage—the grid system which places each road exactly one mile apart.

In September 2015, Mile City Church held its first service.

Church for today Every week, Mile City Church meets in the Detroit suburb of Livonia on the campus of Schoolcraft College about 15 miles from downtown. “We value helping, we value people and we value helping people move forward,” says Travis.

Each Sunday begins with a flurry of volunteers

PHOTOS BY SAMUEL GREENHILL

Known as the headquarters for the “Big Three” in the auto industry—Ford, Chrysler and General Motors—Detroit has experienced prosperity, population explosion and an overwhelming, but recent, urban decay.

25

Travis and his wife, Jennifer, are bringing the hope of the gospel to the Motor City.

Every week, the team at Mile City Church transforms a rented space for worship service.

setting up signage, nursery space and children’s

smile, a handshake and free coffee. The idea is to

ministry equipment. Mile City Church rents their

make everyone feel welcome. Through the Starting

space, so they must turn the conference center

Point series, Whittaker teaches the foundations of

into a vibrant and welcoming worship center every

faith. Throughout the week, City Groups meet all

week. With relevant and approachable messaging,

over metro Detroit.

it’s a church for today and for tomorrow. Travis

26

utilizes a range of visual aids from banners and

Brenda was one seeking hope. After her husband

sermon monitors displaying Scripture, to leaking

left and her parents passed away, she was looking

soda bottles demonstrating how easy it is for vision

for something to hold on to. Her children started

to slip away. Families are drawn to the hospitality

going to Mile City Church, and she decided to

and to the children’s ministry. Mile City Church is

join them.

filled with people of all ages responding to the gospel message.

“It was so warm and welcoming,” she says. They attended the Starting Point group together. “It was

An online “first-time visitor” video gives guests the

an awakening. I could breathe. I found out that no

lay of the land before they set foot on the prop-

matter where I go or what I do, Christ was there

erty. And when they arrive, they are greeted with a

to rescue me.” Travis baptized Brenda, and her

story is one of many lives changed and celebrated.

Baptism is a reality Travis doesn’t take for granted.

It is his calling coming true—born years ago on a pumpkin farm down the road.

Homegrown heritage Travis grew up working in the family farming business just outside Detroit. His grandfather was a barber who became a pastor later in life. Travis accepted Christ at an early age. After college, he struck out on his own as a musician, letting the

The vision of our church is helping people move toward God. Our discipleship track has seven markers: faith, weekly gathering, daily encounter, groups, coaching, generosity and serving.”

chords and lyrics testify to his faith—until God called him to do more.

One day while visiting his family, Travis sat in the

Eyes on the road

old barber chair that once belonged to his grandfather and everything changed. “I never wanted to

“The vision of our church is helping people move

church plant,” he says. “I wanted to keep singing

toward God,” he says. “Our discipleship has seven

for Jesus instead of teaching due to my stuttering

mile markers: faith, weekly gathering, daily encoun-

problem, but I heard the call of God challenge me

ter, groups, coaching, generosity and serving.”

to lead in a new way that day, and I knew I had to do it.”

As part of the discipleship process, multiple City Groups meet in the metro area consisting of about

When the Whittakers took the leap of faith to plant

15 people each. The church also offers topical,

Mile City Church, they felt called to locate near

short-term experiences dubbed “explore groups”

the farm. “I had to let God’s voice be the loudest,”

as another way people can connect and grow.

says Travis. Now at the end of every service, the

“I want to get closer and closer to my Creator,”

church planter who never wanted to speak publicly

says Travis. “The mile markers help us do that as a

challenges his congregation with a visual reminder.

church; they keep us on track.”

“When you see a mile sign, pray for the Mile City.”

Travis considers raising up and equipping leaders a

27

I want to get closer and closer to my Creator. The mile markers help us do that as a church; they keep us on track.”

high priority, both within his community of believers at Mile City and outside church walls. He says, “Mile City was never started to build buildings; it was to build His church and make disciples. Mile City is a church that wants to plant more churches, to be a Sending Church and to be a multiplying church.”

As the plans for Mile City develop, growth is the 28

goal—both spiritually and physically. The Whittakers along with the men and women serving beside them continue to dream big and pray hard. On the horizon is a more permanent meeting location as well as a second church plant in another part of the city. But Travis isn’t as concerned with plans as he is about “making Jesus the big deal.”

Andrea Fanning is a freelance writer for NAMB.

29

Travis and Jennifer Whittaker are church planting missionaries featured in the Week of Prayer for North American Missions and the Annie Armstrong Easter OfferingÂŽ. Learn more about the Whittakers at AnnieArmstrong.com.

Coming home

PHOTO ESSAY BY SAMUEL GREENHILL

empton Turner viewed football as his ticket out of East St. Louis — a way to escape the violence and gangs. After an altercation with a gang member that ended with a 9mm gun to his head, he left for Houston, Texas, and continued pursuing football, sex and drugs. His lifestyle eventually caught up with him, causing 30

him to lose his football scholarship and leading him to party his pain away at Mardi Gras. It was there, on Bourbon Street, where Kempton placed his faith in Christ. Kempton returned to St. Louis — the city he longed to escape — to reach a community in need of the gospel.

31

Because I was raised here, I’ve got a real heart for the people. It’s a small city. It’s a dangerous, poor place, 85 percent fatherlessness. The houses, the buildings and the roads show the desperate place that East St. Louis is in. The people know struggle.”

32

33

34

The decay of property and infrastructure in East St. Louis reflects the spiritual darkness in the city as well.

35

36

We are seeing the Lord slowly begin to transform the city through rehab houses, but even deeper than that, transforming hearts through the power of the gospel.�

37

A consistency of presence and support has won Kempton respect and trust in the area he called home as a child.

38

39

Learn more about Kempton and how you can support him and other Week of Prayer missionaries at AnnieArmstrong.com.

Do you want to mobilize your church and start planting churches in places like East St. Louis? Visit namb.net/ Pipeline.

The Ratner family is working together to reach their hometown for Christ.

PHOTO BY DALEY HAKE

40

W

e had a dream of what we wanted our church to be—we just needed more hands. And God started sending us people. From the beginning, there have been people who have helped build our church from the practical and spiritual side of things. They have been alongside us week in and week out, and we have seen God’s people mobilized to join us on this journey.

The starting lineup for a church plant

Team players

41

By Heiden Ratner

A people to reach

T

here are 2.6 million people living in Las Vegas. One of the unique things about

this city is it’s still a pre-Christian culture.

There hasn’t been a strong move of the gospel or church planting or even revival in our city, but it’s open for that. It’s primed

for that. I feel like the time is now.

In Matthew 9, Jesus saw people and felt compassion for them. That’s how I feel about Las Vegas.

Ninety-two percent of the people in our city don’t have a real relationship with Jesus. This desert place is not just dry physically—it’s dry spiritually.

There needs to be an awakening. There needs to be a move of God in our city. And that’s actually happening right now. We’re excited to be part of what God’s doing and are expectant to see Las Vegas become like a river of living water.

42

One of the things we say at WALK Church is, “A lot of people say this is the city of sin, but we really believe this is the city of Him.” God is truly at work in our city. We want to join Him on what He’s already doing here in Las Vegas.

Learn about church planting in Las Vegas at namb.net/LasVegas.

A team of people and churches come together to support the mission of WALK Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.

43

44

It takes a lot of hands to do what we do week in and week out. It takes a lot of people. It takes a lot of prayer. People we have never met have been part of the WALK Church family through prayer.

Sending and Supporting Churches

volunteers. We call them our Dream Team. They

When I think about this task of building our church,

their “Yeses” on the table. They’ve bought into

I go back to what Jesus said in Matthew 16. He

the vision and mission of WALK Church. It’s why

said, “I will build My church.” We’ve seen Him do

they come Sunday morning ready to serve. They’ve

the building throughout this entire time, and He’s

made huge differences in the life of our church.

used His church to do that.

There’s no way we could do what we do without

help us take big steps toward the vision God has given us at WALK Church. These volunteers have

our Dream Team.

God called people out of our Sending Church to join us. We also had a Supporting Church that

Early on, when we didn’t have as many people, I

blessed us with a trailer that was like church in a

was doing so much by myself. But people have

box. We had been saving and budgeting to some-

said, “Hey, I’m coming alongside you to help. Let

day buy all of this gear, and they just sent it to us.

me take that off your hands. Don’t rob me of my

That was a miraculous moment along our church

ability to serve. Don’t take my blessing from me to

plant journey.

bless the church back.”

It takes a lot of hands to do what we do week in

It’s been humbling for me to let go of some

and week out. It takes a lot of people. It takes a lot

responsibilities—to see other people use their

of prayer. People we have never met have been

time, talents, treasures and gifts to serve the body.

part of the WALK Church family through prayer.

When I was able to step back and allow other people to be used for God’s glory, I began to

Learn how to become a Sending or

experience freedom myself. I was able to focus

Supporting Church at namb.net.

on what God was calling me to do primarily which

Learn how to support church planters

was to preach and teach the Word, to connect with

through prayer at PrayForPlanters.com.

people and to pray for our church.

Learn how you can become a

Team members

church plant team member at namb.net/SendMe.

When I think about the volunteer team, I get excited and encouraged. We rely heavily on our

45

We couldn’t do what we do if there weren’t people and churches supporting our ministry through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. So, we’re deeply grateful.

Generous givers

We don’t want to plant just one WALK Church;

The thing that’s amazing for us is we know there

city and even among the nations. It’s through your

are people alongside us doing the building

giving to AAEO that we are able to accomplish the

through giving. They’re building through partner-

mission God has given us. That’s why we are a part

ship and living their lives on mission specifically

of this. That’s why we believe in AAEO. It’s why our

through the support of the Annie Armstrong Easter

church gives to this special offering. And true, vis-

Offering (AAEO).

ible life change is why we’re thankful for it.

we want to plant WALK Churches all around the

We couldn’t do what we do if there weren’t people

Learn more about the Annie

and churches supporting our ministry through this

Armstrong Easter Offering at

offering. So, we’re deeply grateful. We’re humbled

AnnieArmstrong.com.

by the fact there are people we may never even know joining us and locking arms with us in the mission and ministry of WALK Church in the city of Las Vegas for the glory of God. We’ve been able to start a food pantry out of the school where we meet. And we’re seeing people and families being fed because of the giving from our partnership with NAMB. We’ve been able to serve the teachers at the school as well. We’re able 46

to continue hosting block parties and parties in the park for our community. People are blown away

Our mission at WALK Church is to free people to walk in Jesus. We know humans don’t do the freeing. Jesus does the freeing through us. When we have a team of people who understand they’ve been set free to set somebody else free, then free people can free people. We’re all on mission together in this pursuit of freedom. When we bow in prayer, when we set up the stage or when we give to AAEO, we do it all with the mind-set we want to see people experience freedom today.

they don’t have to pay to get in. Generosity goes a long way and allows us to build relationships so people can experience Jesus in a way they may never have before. All of this is possible because of the kindness of churches across North America.

Heiden Ratner is a church planter serving in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Learn more about Heiden Ratner at AnnieArmstrong.com.

JULY 30-31

2020

ATLANTA

sendconference.com

This article was excerpted from Sending Well: A Field Guide to Great Church Planter Coaching by Dino Senesi

Three influencers in church planter coaching

By Dino Senesi

We met at a local sandwich shop for lunch that summer.

Discover Church Planter Coaches

48

J

“Explain to me how a system works,” I asked. With pen and a napkin in his hand, John drew a simple

ohn and his wife, Connie, were our small

illustration that explained how his tanker cleaning

group leaders. Yvette (my wife) and I

system worked.

experienced an incredible season of

growth under their leadership. We valued the bibli-

I don’t remember many details, but I will never

cal community we had over those four years.

forget the “moment” of the conversation with my friend. John stopped in the middle of the draw-

John was an engineer who designed automated

ing, looked over the top of his glasses at me and

systems to clean the inside of oil tankers all

smiled. “Pipe is easy to work with because you can

around the world. I loved spending time with

predict and control the variables,” John said. “But

John, and I needed a systems expert with an

remember, people are not pipe.”

outside perspective. So, it made sense to ask him for some practical advice.

A coach is an invaluable ally for a church planter as he navigates his first years of planting.

Three Variables in Coaching Systems God did not hardwire me to be a systems engineer. But my conversation with John left a lasting impression. The challenge we faced became clearer that day. My first step was to identify the variables. Then I needed to discover what our church planter coaching system could and could not influence.

Variable 1: The Holy Spirit “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all I have said to

you” (John 14:26, ESV).

A planter may plan what to do next, but how can he know what God wants? His coach may decide what question to ask, but does he sense the leadership of the Holy Spirit in his coaching? Coaching without awareness and work of the Holy Spirit will produce activity without fruit.

Tony Stoltzfus said, “Coaching is about having faith in the heart-changing power of the Holy Spirit.

None of us would claim to understand the mysterious work of the Holy Spirit. As with the wind, we do not move the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit moves us.”

One desired outcome in our one-day coach orientation is for each coach to have someone listen to

49

Coaching is about having faith in the heart-changing power of the Holy Spirit. None of us would claim to understand the mysterious work of the Holy Spirit. As with the wind, we do not move the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit moves us.

them, put a hand on their shoulder, and pray for them. Numerous times this happens over the course of the day. At the end of each day, we ask coaches to share personal highlights with the group.

Variable 2: The Church Planter Church planters are always looking for advice.

Planters are reluctant to add a daunting list of daily

One Thursday afternoon in Atlanta, a coach

meetings, tasks and commitments. But once they

attempted to give his highlight but was overcome

experience the value of great coaching, they will

with emotion. When he collected himself, he

want more.

explained, “Most events I attend I create. I open

50

the building, set up the room, provide the food

For example, Buff McNickle moved from Florida

and do the training.” He apologized for what he

to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to plant Great Falls

was about to say because it sounded so selfish.

Church in 2013. Buff described an immediate

“But today was all about me,” he confessed.

return on his time invested in being coached:

My passion for coaching leaders intensified more

I quickly realized this wasn’t another task or

that day in Atlanta. Who shepherds the shepherds?

burden, but truly a blessing if done well and

Who listens to the one who is always there to

consistently for a season. My coach helped me

offer a listening ear? Who cares for the caregiver?

truly know what it meant to “walk in step with

No question, on that day, a host of coaches had

the Holy Spirit.” Our coaching sessions helped

listened, cared and prayed for this weary leader.

me to think, track and take the necessary steps

And God through His Holy Spirit had given rest to

to help me live out the mission of God in my

his soul.

church plant and everyday life. His ability to draw out my thoughts and move me forward to

Coaches led by the Holy Spirit provide soul care

action has helped tremendously.

for weary church planters.

Buff had a great coach who influenced his coachCoaching cultures and systems can create a

ability. We are quick to blame the planter for his

dependence on the skills of a coach. We want to

lack of interest in coaching. But coaches may bear

create systems that depend not on the skills of

part of the responsibility. Church planters may

the coach, but on the heart of the coach and on

have perfectly good reasons for resisting your best

the work of the Holy Spirit through a life-giving

intentions to coach them.

relationship.

The following ten factors will lower the planter’s

Here are three questions for you to answer to help

coachability. A church planter may:

get your system set up:

1. Already have a coach.

1. Discovery: Who makes a great church

2. Think he already has a coach.

3. Misunderstand the role of a coach.

4. Have had a bad coach in the past.

5. Know someone who had a bad coach.

6. Feel no connection with his assigned coach.

planter coach candidate?

2. Deployment: How do I prepare coaches to coach?

3. Development: How do I set coaches up for success?

7. Question the credibility of his coach.

8. Struggle to manage the time and tasks.

If you are a coach, you must believe in what you

9. Mistrust your motives.

sell—the “why” behind what you do. If you are

10. Have more perfectly good reasons not

developing coaches, you must sell them to your

listed.

planters. The value of the relationship must far outweigh the cost. “Because coaching is a require-

As you learn more about obstacles to coachability

ment” doesn’t work well with church planters.

in your area, you will discover ones you can influ-

Planters may agree on those terms but the influ-

ence. My friend John was right; people are not

ence of coaching will be limited.

pipe. But you can address these variables with your team of coaches and planters.

Three basic traits to look for in coaches are: fruit of the good work of Jesus, full engagement in God’s

Variable 3: The Coach

mission and a heart to develop leaders.

The coach in your system is the one variable that

Dino Senesi serves as coaching director for NAMB.

you can influence the most. Your system needs discovery, development, and deployment processes.

Take your next step in church planter coaching at namb.net/Coaching. Listen to NAMB’s podcast “Church Planter Coaching” at namb.net/Podcasts.

51

r ec ommended

Ministry The Church Planting Wife Christine Hoover (Moody Publishers, 2013) Being a church planting wife is complex, arduous and risky. There’s likely no limit to what church planters’ wives would give for a step-by-step guide to their calling. Christine Hoover is wise enough to know no such guide can be written.

Instead, in The Church Planting Wife, Christine offers a wellspring of encouragement wives will keep returning to and sage shots of wisdom they’ll need along the way.

Christine has worked alongside her husband, Kyle, to plant Charlottesville Community Church since 2008. She’s been there. She’s been the “helpmate to the man who does everything.” She’s struggled with the doubt, weariness and loneliness that are so typical during the first years of a church plant. By the grace of God, she’s persevered. What a blessing it is that the Lord has led a talented author through the process of working alongside a church planter!

Each chapter includes a”Cultivating Your Heart” section to help you dig deeper and examine your own heart. Also included are eight insightful interviews with church planting wives from across the nation.

52

Christine’s book is helpful, honest, practical and yet theologically packed. The Church Planting Wife is a gift to those who pour out their lives in the shadows of ministry.

Amy Rager and her husband, Barry, moved to Indianapolis in 2013 to plant New Circle Church. Amy has four children, is training to become a real estate appraiser and serves in her church plant.

Gospel The Gospel Conversation Sam Greer (Replicate Resources, 2017) In a day plagued with monologue, the world desperately cries out for dialogue.

In The Gospel Conversation, Sam Greer challenges the reader to move from a monologue approach focused on memorized gospel presentation to an ongoing dialogue rooted in the gospel.

The Gospel Conversation traces how gospel transformation leads to God’s glorification. Along the journey, there is invitation and celebration which results in gospel-centered congregations who place emphasis on believers taking personal evangelism personally. These gospel congregations, in turn, lead to God’s glorification which is the ultimate goal of the Church.

Sam uses his 13 years of experience as a pastor to challenge believers to put in the work of the evangelist through genuine conversations including gospel truths. Sam uses the model of Jesus to show how casual conversations can easily transition into gospel conversations with intentionality and focus. “Jesus asks much of His followers, but He gives more to them,” Sam writes. “Gospel conversation is work, but it works and it’s worth it.”

According to LifeWay Research, 8 out of 10 unchurched Americans would welcome a gospel conversation. Church leaders will find The Gospel Conversation not only challenging for leaders but also easily implemented in the context of their local church. What are we waiting for? Start the conversation.

Lee Clamp is the state director of evangelism for the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

53

Leading Reaching the Unreached: Becoming Raiders of the Lost Art Peyton Jones (Zondervan, 2017) There are many books on spiritual revitalization, but my favorites take us back to the basics in Scripture. Reaching the Unreached: Becoming Raiders of the Lost Art is one of these books. Peyton Jones reminds today’s church of the adventure in joining God on mission to reach those around us. After raiding temples for years as an adventuring missionary church planter (and this book is packed with stories of his European explorations), Jones challenges the Church to get out of lecture halls and engage in the Holy Spirit’s mission to exalt Jesus.

Jones presents an inspirational peek of what could be and should be common experiences in every Christian’s life. He states the missing ingredient in our lives is mission. He challenges the overwhelming consumer culture by raising questions like, “Why does the average Christian seem bored when the book of Acts is so exciting?” Jones not only asks if we missed something, he shows us what it is.

Reaching the Unreached is a much needed book when the church seems stuck and doesn’t know where to look. This book is for anyone who desires to experience the fullness of calling, purpose and power that God brings through His Spirit. As 54

Peyton wrote in the book, “Your gifts are designed to reach the world for Jesus.

So what’s holding you back?”

Travis Sinks is the assistant pastor of Redemption Church Delray Beach, a church plant in Florida. He and his wife, Alesha, have two amazing boys. Travis blogs at travissinks.com.

Mission The Wayward Way Taylor Field (New Hope Publishers, 2018) In The Wayward Way, Taylor Field pulls up a chair to a believer and has an honest conversation about the hard days and years of life. Worn-out ministry leaders will find this book especially helpful. It’s a welcomed conversation with a trusted friend who has been through the most weary of times.

In the Christian life, there will be times of weakness, discouragement and confusion. They are difficult. They are deep. They are real. They are also times when people lose themselves in life—often wandering through pathless seasons. As Taylor writes, “Being in the wilderness can be a state of mind rather than a place.”

However, the wilderness is a common scene in the Bible. By pointing it out in The Wayward Way, Taylor draws out characteristics of this difficult terrain.

Taylor reflects on the men and women from Scripture, as well as leaders of recent history, and offers insight for how they overcame their wilderness days.

No one escapes wayward times in life. If you are not in a difficult place right now, you may know someone who is.

This scripturally sound and powerful book will equip you with compassionate wisdom. Taylor has created a confidential and comfortable place for wisdom and renewal to invade any tired heart. Drawing from the Bible and from some of his own experiences of life in New York City, Taylor helps us see challenging times in a unique, upside-down way.

Lorna Bius is a Send Relief missionary serving in Clarkston, Georgia.

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my turn

Your gifts, His mission

By Brianna McKinney

responsibilities and corner offices. Their culture and

T

work focus doesn’t allow them to stop and look here are 177 different embassies represented

around the metro to see who is sitting next to them.

in Washington, D.C., which means the

nations are coming to us! This past summer, I got

I spent time doing collegiate ministry putting signs

to serve this manifold of cultures with GenSend—a

up on campus for “That Thursday Night Thing,”

Send Relief program where

where GenSenders (like me)

collegiates’ passions and

connected with locals over

gifts intersect with the needs

board games and waffles every

of North America. I got to

Thursday. We’d get theatre

live on mission and use my

kids, people doing internships,

gifts as a designer to impact

all kinds. There was one guy

a church plant by creating

from the Dominican Republic

branding and marketing

who came while he was doing

materials. During my time

an internship on the Hill. And

with GenSend, I saw that

one night there were at least

what I was doing wouldn’t fall

five different languages being

void but could actually help

spoken. I think that’s when it hit

people discover the church

me how simple it could be to

even after I leave the city.

use our gifts and our passions to tell people about Jesus.

What I noticed about D.C. was at every metro stop, you

56

People would ask us constantly,

come upon a different ethnic group. I’d ride the

“Why are you doing this?” “Why are you serving

train every day, and there was always someone next

strangers?” That afforded us the unique opportu-

to me speaking a different language. From what

nity to tell them about Jesus. Those people will go

they’re wearing to what they’re saying to what’s

back to the 177 nations, and if we can impact them,

important to them, it is all different.

we can impact the world.

What I figured out through my time at GenSend

Brianna McKinney served on a GenSend team in

was the people of D.C., are all thirsty for commu-

Washington, D.C. summer 2017.

nity. They just don’t know how to get it because they’re all so busy working toward promotions, job

Students, learn how you can get involved in GenSend over school breaks and summers at SendRelief.org.

See more GenSend testimonies at SendRelief.org/GenSend.

EVERY YEAR 1,000 SBC CHURCHES

close their doors

F O R G O O D,

leaving communities and neighborhoods U N R E AC H E D

with the gospel.

NOW WHAT? 57

Learn how to replant dying churches and plant healthy new churches at namb.net/SendNetwork.

EVERY CHURCH ON MISSION

volume 21 | number 1