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 a 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, ©2019.” 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 Carlos Ferrer
Designer Steve Beaver
Chief Marketing Officer Adam Hollingsworth
Section Editor Tony Hudson
Senior Creative Director Adam Bain
Associate Editors Josie Bingham Shar Walker
Editor K. Faith Morgan
On Mission Magazine 4200 North Point Parkway Alpharetta, GA 30022
Contributors Jonathan Akin Brent Bond The Brave Union Matt Carson Hayley Catt Jeff Christopherson Nick Drake Mike Ebert Andrea Fanning Chris Green Daley Hake Miggi Iniesta Dae Jeong William Johnson Meredith Lyons Daniel McCullough Greta Reynolds Justin Woods Meredith Yackel
© 2019 ON MISSION
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summer 2 019
2 President’s Letter 4 The Pulse 8 Because You Give 10 The Five 12 Q&A
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14 People Groups: Hearing impaired 16 Neighborhood Portrait: West Baltimore
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18 26 32 42
Be an influencer Welcoming home Glory days With the nations to reach the nation 48 Discovering needs in your community 52 Recommended
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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 22 | number 3
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presi dent’s letter
Intentionality changes lives By Kevin Ezell, NAMB president (@kevezell)
O
ne of my favorite accounts from the ministry of Jesus is when He heals the paralyzed man after the man’s four friends brought him to Jesus. On his own, this man had hardly a chance of encountering
Jesus. The crowds were large, access was challenging and the man’s own limitations posed a great barrier. But four of his friends decided their friend’s need was too great, and meeting Jesus was too important to let anything stand in the way. They picked him up and brought him. Even when it looked like they couldn’t make their way in, they carried their friend to the top of the house, began dismantling roof tiles and lowered him down. Can you imagine how much it meant to their friend that they would make that much effort on his behalf? What a great demonstration of friendship and faith! It was the intentional action of some friends that brought the paralyzed man face-to-face with Jesus, and the results were amazing—his body was healed; his sins were forgiven. Who’s Your One is all about helping believers be more intentional in bringing the people they know to Jesus. Most of us know how to share our faith; we just don’t do it. That’s where writing down a name, praying regularly for that person and asking others to join you in accountability will make a world of difference. I hope you and your church will take the Who’s Your One challenge. Don’t wait for someone else to share Jesus with your loved one. Don’t put off any longer having a gospel conversation with that person God has placed on your mind and heart. Start praying for them now. Ask a fellow believer to join you.
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Take some intentional steps that will put you on a path to introducing someone to Jesus.
Request a Who’s Your One kit, and download resources at WhosYourOne.com.
Go2Years.net Every believer has a role to play in reaching the world with the gospel. Commit your first two years after graduation to work alongside a church planter somewhere strategic for God.
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SendRelief.org/GenSend Summer and school-break opportunities give you the tools to apply gospel ministry in everyday life in college and beyond.
the pulse
Heard Global distribution of believers
Evangelism begins when what’s on His heart gets on our heart, and that happens when we pray.” Vance Pitman, Founding pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas and NAMB national mobilizer Source: NAMB, 2019
The United States has long had the largest percentage of Christian population. However, a recent study from Pew Research found more than half (52%) of Christians worldwide live in countries other than those with the largest Christian populations. They found the opposite to be true of Muslims. Sixty-five percent of the world’s Muslims live in heavily concentrated Islamic population centers. Source: PewResearch.org, April 1, 2019
Cultural shift
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S
even out of 10 people in the United States in 2018 self-identified as non-Hispanic whites.
However, the United States Census Bureau projects the population will shift to only 50% non-Hispanic white between 2045 and 2050. Source: ChristianityToday.com, April 1, 2019
It’s amazing to be able to partner, to be able to come in, and we didn’t have to do anything. We just showed up, and NAMB provided everything needed to complete the work. It’s great to be a Southern Baptist.” Michael Sandusky, BCM director at Southern Arkansas University and Send Relief volunteer Source: NAMB, March 2019
The Send Network is a great resource for us. There’s shared collaborative learning we get. There are resources we’re able to utilize. There’s leadership we’ve come in contact with.” Troy Nesbitt, Founding pastor and Salt Network director Source: NAMB, March 13, 2019
Racial discrimination by the numbers Pew Research recently polled a group of diverse races and ethnicities and recorded their perspectives on specific situations.
People acted like they were suspicious of them White: 25% Asian: 35% Hispanic: 37% Black: 65% People acted like they thought they weren't smart White: 26% Asian: 39% Hispanic: 48% Black: 60% Been subject to slurs or jokes White: 37% Asian: 61% Hispanic: 46% Black: 52% People assumed they were racist or prejudiced White: 45% Asian: 23% Hispanic: 21% Black: 25% Source: PewResearch.org, April 9, 2019
The impact of artificial intelligence It is predicted that almost half (47%) of jobs in the U.S. will be replaced by artificial intelligence within the next 20 years. Economists agree this will be the single biggest threat to job growth. Source: Gallup.com, 2019
Measured Exploring faith In a survey of non-Christians and Christians who have not attended church within the past month, we learn how they prefer to learn more about faith.
30%
Casual one-on-one conversation
23%
Casual conversation within a group
20%
Meet someone at church
7%
Video or movie presentation
6%
Concert venue
5% Tract
3%
Conversation with someone on the street
41%
None of these Source: Barna.com, March 26, 2019
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the pulse
Protestants and sobriety Most churchgoers (87%) still believe Scripture indicates that people should never get drunk, and the majority still choose not to consume alcohol. A 10-year study from LifeWay showed that Protestant churchgoers who do not consume alcohol only dropped from 61% in 2007 to 59% in 2017. Only 23% believe Scripture indicates that people should never drink alcohol. Source: LifeWayResearch.com, November 27, 2018
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Ages on life The majority (56%) of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are pro-choice, although only 51% of the same age group would agree abortion is morally acceptable. Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 are still predominantly pro-life (57%). Source: News.Gallup.com, June 15, 2018
Good Samaritans?
A
ccording to Gallup, in 2018, 27% of adults were more likely to give their money than
volunteer (18%). Only 43% agreed that they were likely to help a stranger in need.
Source: Gallup.com, 2019
Noted The state of SBC church plants Over 27% of SBC congregations outside of the South have been started since 2010. Fifty-one percent of CNBC congregations have been started since 2010. Source: NAMB, 2019
Veterans and homelessness On any given night, there are 76,000 homeless veterans sleeping on American streets. That is 17% of the homeless population. Roughly 56% of all homeless veterans are African-American
Keeping the Sabbath
A
or Hispanic. Over half (53%) of our homeless veterans have disabilities, and half suffer from
ccording to a LifeWay Research study on Protestants
mental illness.
who attend church at least once a month, 70% say
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, March 22, 2019
they take an intentional day of rest. Out of those who take a
choose Monday.
An alarming jump
Source: LifeWayResearch.com, December 4, 2018
The number of patients between the ages of 5
Sabbath, seven in 10 take it on Sunday. Five percent choose Saturday as their day of rest, 1% choose Friday and 1%
and 18 hospitalized due to attempted suicide has doubled since 2007. The study analyzed
Pastors on immigration A 2019 LifeWay Research poll found 87% of pastors agree
300 emergency rooms and saw the number of related ER visits jump from 580,000 in 2007 to 1.12 million in 2015.
the U.S. government has responsibility to stop illegal
Source: RelevantMagazine.com, April 8, 2019
immigration, up from 80% in 2014. They also found only
Baptisms in the SBC
76% believed Christians have a responsibility to assist immigrants even if they are here illegally, down from 79% in 2014. Source: LifeWayResearch.com, February 20, 2019
Over 18% of baptisms reported in 2017 from SBC congregations in North America were reported from congregations started since 2010.
Spiritual formation for Gen Z
N
inety-nine percent of Protestant pastors agree that spiritual formation starts at home, and 92% ranked the Church
as the second most important benefactor. Ninety-three percent agree that Christian community is a positive influence on a child’s spiritual formation, and the majority felt a child’s peers (61%), school (65%) and society (94%) were negative influences. Source: Barna.com, March 19, 2019
Source: NAMB, 2017
Environment over economy Americans are showing the widest margin since 2000 in environmental protection over economic growth. Sixty-five percent polled in a recent Gallup initiative showed environmental preference. Source: News.Gallup.com, April 4, 2019
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the pulse
Because you gĹve‌
Adoption Fund for Ministers Because of your generous financial gifts, SBC ministers and missionaries are able to give the priceless gift of love and family to children.
Since 2017...
160 $172,000 55 95
children have come home.
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in adoption grants have shown our ministry families that they are loved and supported.
children have been adopted domestically.
children made the long journey from another country to find their family.
Thank you for your gifts to Send Relief and the Adoption Fund for Ministers! Help bring more children home through your gifts at SendRelief.org/Donate.
The next generation of e is sitting s in your congregation!
mi sionari s
The Multiplication Pipeline is an intentional development resource for the local church to discover, develop and deploy church planting teams from within. Learn more at namb.net/Pipeline
the five
5 Benefits
of cultural opposition The church of Jesus Christ has always resembled her King best when she was in a place, not of dominance, but of yielded weakness. Here are five ways hostility can be an advantage.
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Opposition reminds us what matters.
tertiary issues. When there is opposition, tertiary issues are forced out, and believers awaken to the singular aim of gospel saturation.
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murky religious smog and witness the magnificence of their Savior.
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Opposition raises prophetic voices.
Seasons of opposition tend to elevate new prophetic voices and usher God’s people into a new day. Hostility is likely to elevate godly voices to gain a missionally effective future. The dominant voices of the past who have
Believers often get caught up in fighting over
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time, this will help our neighbors see past the
Opposition weeds out frauds.
The days are over where fish bumper stickers on corporate logos increase revenues. Authentic Christianity becomes costly when confronted with a cultural majority that has little appreciation for the principles we represent. Again, this isn’t all bad. Opposition assists in distinguishing between broad-sweeping evangelical labels to those who genuinely walk with Jesus in His mission. Over
perpetuated the spiritual status quo will have little compelling insight into the church’s future.
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Opposition enhances the need for genuine discipleship.
Often the term “discipleship” is confused with leadership development. We “disciple” people to care for kids, lead in music and facilitate small groups. We’re not actually helping people develop
the disciplines and spiritual rhythms that will allow them to thrive outside the walls of the church. Opposition helps prioritize discipleship.
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Opposition unites believers.
We often find more organizational passion in our sacred distinctions than we do in fulfilling our shared mission. Competition with contending brands replaces our rivalry against darkness. But opposition has an effective way of deflating spiritual hubris. When we awaken to our mission and to the actuality of our true competition, we find estranged kingdom allies living in close proximity. And in this kingdom realignment, we discover the unity Christ intended. The world finally will see that we are His. Jeff Christopherson is an author and chief missiologist at NAMB. Adapted from article originally published on ChristianityToday.com.
Lead your church into counter-cultural ministry. Find tools at namb.net/Pastor.
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How is ministry as a chaplain different from that of a local church pastor or church planter? 12
Chaplains are called to share the gospel with people in places that the Church often cannot go. Find chaplains your church can support and pray for at Missionaries.namb.net.
William Johnson
I
have been a planter, a pastor and a chaplain. Even though the ministries
sometimes overlap, there are definitely
Philip A. Kramer
S
erving as a chaplain with the Army Rangers is an incredible ministry
opportunity, not least because it offers
Justin Woods
I
have been a pastor and church planter as well as a reserve chaplain.
One way the ministry as a chaplain is
some differences. One difference is that
unrivaled access to my constituents—far
different is simply access. I have access
you don’t “choose” the people to whom
beyond that enjoyed by local church
to people because we wear the same
you minister as a chaplain. No matter
pastors. When my Rangers jump out of
uniform and speak the same language.
their religion, denomination, beliefs,
planes, I am with them. When my Rangers
Presence at commander’s calls, PT ses-
social status or nationality, you do your
deploy to Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, I
sions and drills means access to people
best to bring the comfort and peace of
am with them. When my Rangers experi-
and relationships. Access quickly paves
Christ during what is usually a crisis or
ence the pain, heartache and death that
the way to Christ-centered conversations.
emergency situation.
war brings, I am with them. I also find there to be more freedom in
Another difference is ministry rarely hap-
The Army chaplaincy ministry is an out-
the chaplaincy. I have freedom to directly
pens in a church. Ministry happens with
ward-focused mission. Yes, we conduct
engage hurting and curious people with
firefighters at the station after a tough
chapel services on Sundays, and these
the gospel without pressure to keep the
call, or in a firetruck or by phone the next
provide vibrant, Jesus-centered worship
machine of a church moving. Chaplaincy
day. Ministry happens on a road after a
opportunities for soldiers and families
allows me to personally evangelize at
car wreck, in the back of an emergency
all over the world. But our main effort
a faster rhythm simply because I have
vehicle or on the street as a family grieves
is to cultivate relationships, share Jesus
access to so many people every day. I
over the loss of property due to a fire. For
and make disciples with our constituents
am so grateful for the opportunity to
me, being a chaplain often follows being
wherever they work and live. I am con-
minister in the military and for the part-
a firefighter or first responder—you earn
vinced that no greater opportunity exists
nership with local churches. Together, we
the right to minister spiritually after you
to build bridges with unchurched people
develop effective disciple makers and
minister through service.
and introduce them to Jesus.
build Christ’s kingdom.
William Johnson is a volunteer fire and law
Chaplain (Major) Philip A. Kramer is an
Justin Woods, Ch, Maj. USAF, is a Baptist
enforcement chaplain. He is also planting
Army Brigade chaplain at Fort Benning
missionary at the US Naval Academy and
team leader at the Montana State Baptist
and lead pastor at Crossroads Chapel.
Air Force Wing Chaplain at Joint Base
Convention.
Andrews.
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Hearing ImpaÄąred
people gr ou ps
G
oing to church is easy for the majority of people in North America. We can slip in, consume an hour-long worship service catered in large part to our own demographic and preference, navigate seamlessly through a socially stimulating atrium and leave ready to take on the upcoming week. We do this without thinking. The worship style, format of the service and the serious or seemingly inconsequential conversations happen instinctively for us. We are comfortably accustomed to this time meeting our own needs. But, for the hearing impaired, going to church can be as cumbersome as it is isolating. Their reality is often overlooked. Their voice often goes unheard. They aren’t looking to be catered to—they are simply looking to connect and belong. Phyllis Harbaugh is a pastor’s wife from Sterling Heights, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. Phyllis first became interested in deaf ministry in the late 80s when a deaf man visited her church, and no one there knew American Sign Language (ASL). Although the man didn’t remain at her church, she and another lady began to learn ASL and interpret at church every week, even though there were not any deaf people attending. They continued doing this for months.
Through their faithfulness, as many as 60 deaf people now regularly attend their church. A group that was once largely overlooked in the church is now able to take part as equals in the kingdom work of the local church. By simply taking notice of an underserved people group in their community and being diligent to make them feel known and welcomed, they made a huge impact in the congregation. “Many of us believe the ‘gifting’ God has given us isn’t good enough,” says Phyllis. “But, obedience is really what matters.” It’s not about our gifting so much as it’s about our noticing. Obedience often requires slowing down and taking note of those around us. The underserved people groups in our communities are there and they have always been there, but they have escaped our notice. They have faded into the background of our busy minds like a person getting lost in a crowded sea of people. We can communicate so much without saying anything at all. What are you communicating to the hearing impaired in your community? How can you be obedient in helping advance the gospel in your area?
Are you ready to identify needs your community? Go to SendRelief.org/MinistryGuides to learn how to get started.
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West Baltimore 16
PHOTOS BY DAE JEONG & DANIEL MCCULLOUGH
n e igh bor h ood portrai t
T
here are weeds growing out of the sidewalks, there is plywood covering the rowhouse windows and the “America’s Greatest City” park bench slogans are almost impossible to read through the splinters and chipped paint. But Pascha Lee insists there is no more beautiful place on earth than West Baltimore.
Women and girls
Pascha Lee has mentored Kya Holmes for 7 years. Not too long ago, Kya decided to give her life to Christ. She says, “I now have that person I can talk to about anything. I have grown so much.”
Men and boys
10:12 Sports pairs at-risk boys with football and basketball coaches from local churches. “In West Baltimore, there’s a lack of men to help teenage boys navigate through life,” Jeff Thompson says.
All things to all people
In a community like West Baltimore, new church plants like Gallery Church Sowebo must play many roles. “The whole history and culture of this neighborhood has a tie-in to the church,” says Jeff.
“We know our neighborhood gets a bad reputation,” she says. “When you drive around here, all you see is dilapidated buildings. But at the end of the day, West Baltimore is a place where great things happen because it’s a place where there are people committed to seeing this neighborhood thrive.” Pascha runs a mentoring ministry called Imagine Me that pairs at-risk teenage girls with women in local churches. Some of those mentoring relationships have lasted ten years or more and resulted in many girls making decisions to follow Christ. “People here are like people everywhere,” she says. “They need to know God created them for a relationship with Him. That makes them worth the effort.” Believers like Pascha and Jeff Thompson, who’s part of another West Baltimore church plant and runs a ministry called 10:12 Sports, have their work cut out for them. The crime rate in this community is four times the national average. Three out of every four households is run by a single mother. Christian role models are in short supply in West Baltimore. But one new ministry at a time, one new church plant at a time, God’s making West Baltimore more beautiful than ever. “We want to see a strong, spiritual, Christ-centered shift in this community,” says Jeff. “That’s our calling—to see Christ change lives and make West Baltimore better than it’s ever been.”
To hear the story of Pascha Lee and Kya Holmes, go to sendrelief.org/StoriesOfHope. And to see the story of 10:12 sports, go to namb.net/1012.
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i nterv i ew
Be an Influencer: A conversation with Johnny Hunt In a culture that counts social media likes and
library and kindly gave me spending money for
shares as a measure of meaningful influence,
over three years.
what does it really mean to use your influence for the sake of the gospel?
OM: What have you done because of their influence?
ON MISSION: Who is someone who sticks
JH: Janet and I underwrite a college education
out as a major influencer in your life?
for a young couple in seminary in Argentina. We do that as a direct result and influence of the same thing that was done for us. In the last two years,
influences in my life was Odus and Viola Scruggs.
another young student in our church was sent to
When I pastored my first church—Lavonia Baptist
seminary with our funding.
Church in Gaffney, South Carolina—at age 23, God used them, a senior adult couple who had
We are grateful to pass on the influence that was
lost two children, to be drawn to my wife Janet and
invested in us.
me. Their desire was to parent a pastor before they died. They were blessed by our ministry, and we
OM: How can a believer prepare to influence
were certainly blessed by their lives.
his or her community for Jesus?
They paid for our college tuition, bought me
JH: In order for me to influence my community,
and my family clothes, helped build my personal
I have to think of acts of kindness and ways to
PHOTOS BY DANIEL MCCULLOUGH
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JOHNNY HUNT: One of the first and greatest
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Use your influence through personal relationships to bring the gospel to those who are far from God.
It is important to step into people’s lives in a consistent way to share the gospel with them.
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connect. Many say you can influence anyone who you connect with. Janet and I open our home to anyone in the community we know. From those who do our laundry to those who cut and wash our hair to those who serve us coffee at Starbucks or change our oil, we make sure they know they’re welcome in our home for hors d’oeuvres. If they come, and some do, we present them with a gift. Often, Janet shares her story of how she was influenced by Jesus. When we go out of our way to live intentionally, we influence the community we live in. OM: What advice would you give to a believer wanting to influence a non-believer? JH: It has been said people don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care. James Dobson once said, “We know who we love, and we know who loves us.” I believe that is true in each of our lives. If we genuinely love and care for someone, it is going to come across loud and clear. For example, today I reached out to a Chinese woman and her husband and invited them to be guests of Janet and mine for Easter. We constantly reach out to let them know we are praying for them and to tell them how much they mean to us. We encourage them with texts or letters.
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I also reached out to a gentleman named Percy today to tell him I enjoyed our conversation earlier and would like to continue that conversation as well as ask him to be my guest for Easter. You show people you care when you make investments in them. Make time, and you will have the opportunity to influence them. OM: As a believer, why is it important to share your faith? JH: It is important to share your faith for various reasons. It is an act of obedience to the Great Commission. I recently read research explaining how men and women who desire to live godly lives are sharing the gospel. I also read how to ‘finish well’ as a believer and one of the major talking points was you share your faith with others! I also need to share my faith with others because I desire for others to have the privilege to encounter 22
God’s Son in forgiveness, and I feel an urgency and am compelled to mention eternal life! OM: What verses come to mind concerning the biblical importance of sharing your faith? JH: Several verses come to mind, but Luke 19:10 says, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.”
Sharing your faith doesn’t have to be a complicated production. It’s the natural outflow of a personal relationship.
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In order for me to influence my community, I have to think of acts of kindness and ways to connect. Many say you can influence anyone who you connect with.” Johnny Hunt
John 17:18 says, “Even as the Father has sent me,
Southern Baptist churches, would share their
even send I you.” In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Bible
faith. If that happens, we would see twice as many
gives reference to the fact we are new creations
people come to a saving relationship with Jesus
in Christ. He refers to us as ambassadors for
Christ than we did last year. And, we would see
Christ. We are here as pilgrims, ambassadors from
more people baptized than we ever have in any
another country, to share the message of heaven
given year. Remember, that’s only 10 percent of our
to all on Earth.
active Sunday morning attendance.
OM: Tell me about Who’s Your One. Why is
I would encourage everyone to pray daily for their
a movement like this significant now?
one and ask God to give you opportunities to be extremely intentional in making the gospel known.
JH: My one is a man named Percy. I reached out
Pray for courage to invite them into gospel conver-
to Percy today to invite him for Easter services. He
sations, and pray to see them saved over the next
thanked me for thinking about him and said he
12 months. Then, we would baptize over 530,000
would be honored to be our guest. I have already
people compared to last year when we baptized
shared the gospel with him once, and I look forward
less than 250,000.
to him hearing the gospel again. Hundreds and hundreds of churches have already
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To understand why Who’s Your One is an important
joined. I really believe Southern Baptists are ready
movement now, you have to reach back to 1948.
for this movement. So, I pray for this movement
About 71 years ago, baptisms in the Southern
to have the wind of God at its back. I’m praying
Baptist Convention were as low as they are now.
for the Spirit’s power to be its momentum—and
But, we can turn this around if just 10 percent
that with the integrity of the gospel, we will make
of our Sunday morning attenders, which is over
known the good news of Jesus to this nation.
5.3 million people on any given Sunday in our
To find out how to launch a Who’s Your One campaign at your church, go to WhosYourOne.com.
TOUR with Johnny Hunt
2019 AUG 11-12 AUG 25-26 SEP 8-9 SEP 22-23 SEP 29-30 OCT 13-14 OCT 27-28 NOV 20-21
Fayetteville, NC Orlando, FL Dallas, TX Memphis, TN Flowery Branch, GA Pensacola, FL Fayetteville, AR Denver, CO
2020 JAN 12-13 JAN 26-27 FEB 9-10 FEB 16-17 FEB 23-24 MAR 1-2 MAR 8-9 MAR 22-23 MAR 29-30 APR 19-20 APR 26-27 MAY 3-4
Birmingham, AL Baton Rouge, LA Clearwater, FL Knoxville, TN Frankfort, KY Hampton, VA Indian Trail, NC Spartanburg, SC Des Moines, IA Laurel, MS Jackson, MS Broken Arrow, OK
more to come
#WhosYour1
Welcoming
HOME Early in their marriage, John and Angela King felt God’s urging to open their home to children, but the way it happened wasn’t what they expected.
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When we came to Hope Church, there was a clear vision. God just really connected our passion for children to His heart to care for the forgotten.” John King
By Paul Wynn
“W
“When we moved here and were around other families doing foster care, we thought, ‘Okay,
e originally thought we would adopt,”
maybe that is something we can handle,’” says
says Angela. “We thought that would
Angela of the process to overcome their fears.
be an international adoption because that was what we had been around and seen.” Over time,
Bringing hope to families
though, the Kings saw God close doors to international adoption. But then God opened doors to
The Kings already had three biological children,
foster parenting.
ages 4 to 9, so they agreed they would start by fostering one baby girl. But within a week of taking
For Angela, the unknown was challenging.
that first placement, God called them to take her 3-year-old brother as well.
“We had never really seen many people doing foster care, so it was scary,” she says.
That pair of siblings has now been placed in the Kings’ home on three separate occasions. Over
Church community
that time, they have developed a close, loving relationship with the children’s birth mother.
As they began to explore foster parenting, the Kings came to Hope Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“We were initially afraid of what a relationship with
That’s where they discovered Fostering Hope, a
the birth family would look like,” says John. “But
ministry of the church whose mission was to sup-
Angela has built trust where there was distrust, and
port and encourage Christian families involved in
we’ve been able to speak God’s truth and love into
foster care.
their lives, too.”
“When we came to Hope Church, there was a clear
Every night, John and Angela read a story from a
vision,” says John. “God just really connected our
children’s Bible to the 3-year-old. When he went
passion for children to His heart to care for the
for an overnight visit with his mother, he asked
forgotten.”
to take the Bible, so Angela packed it in his bag.
So two years ago, the Kings became certified foster parents.
“His mom told me he brought it to her and said, ‘it’s
ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE BRAVE UNION
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Sometimes, it feels really lonely as a foster parent. Being around other families on the same journey is huge.” John King
bedtime; I need a Bible story.’ It’s a ritual they have
says John. “Being around other families on the
continued to do together.”
same journey is a huge encouragement.”
Fostering together
Hope beyond church
Fostering Hope has been a key resource for the
Hope Church has seen the impact the ministry
Kings all along the way. When a newborn baby was
can have with the social workers in the foster care
placed with them, Fostering Hope brought meals
system as well.
for the first two weeks, so they wouldn’t have to worry about cooking while adjusting to their new
“We’ve seen people from the Department of
version of normal.
Family Services come and visit our church because they just want to know what the difference is. Why
The ministry also provides diapers and clothes,
are there people from this church who are just
and they have an online and in-person community
flooding into our system to take care of kids they
where foster parents can find recommendations on
don’t even know? We get to share with them that
doctors and therapists for children or even just ask
it’s all about the gospel,” says John.
for advice on parenting through specific behavioral challenges they are facing.
“Foster care is a huge opportunity for us to do what James 1:27 tells us to do, ‘care for widows
The ministry has extended far beyond the Hope
and orphans in their distress,’” John adds. “We,
Church congregation as well. Families from 15
as Jesus’ followers, have the privilege of being His
Las Vegas-area churches are engaged in the vital,
hands and feet to these children.”
ongoing ministry. Paul Wynn is a freelance writer and producer. “Sometimes, it feels really lonely as a foster parent,”
Learn more about the ministry of Fostering Hope on the Stories of Hope podcast, and get practical advice for fostering and adoption on the Adopting and Fostering Home podcast at SendRelief.org/Podcast.
Learn how your church can help children in foster care at SendRelief.org/Adoption-Foster-Care.
31
Glory days 32
Produced by Tony Hudson
900
Southern Baptist churches close
every year. But one San Diego church decided that, no matter what it took, they were not going to be one of them.
PHOTO ESSAY BY DALEY HAKE
33
I get very emotional when I talk about Jimmy because he’s so special. I feel like Jimmy is my son.” Sam Calhoun, Associate Pastor and former Senior Pastor of The Hill Church
I think of Sam as someone I aspire to be, as really a father in the faith.” Jimmy Steele, Replanting Pastor of The Hill Church
34
Bob and Jen Uhrich uprooted their family of seven and moved across the country to help Jimmy replant The Hill Church in La Mesa.
35
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The ministry of The Hill Church is covered in prayer by the diverse congregation, both the legacy members and the new ones.
37
Change hurts because you like the way it used to be. We all like being comfortable. I think a lot of people don’t understand the sacrifice older people have to make if we want to see the kingdom of God advanced.� Sam Calhoun
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If struggling churches would not see themselves as a white flag of surrender but as a base camp that can receive new momentum, they can be used for the kingdom in a mighty way.� Jimmy Steele
40
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Watch the full story of the replant of The Hill Church in a multi-media presentation at namb.net/LaMesa.
To learn more about replanting, go to namb.net/Church-Replanting.
With the nations to reach the nation By Shar Walker
iving in a refugee camp feels hopeless. I was born in a refugee camp. I grew up in the refugee camp. I’m going to die in the refugee camp. That’s how I viewed my life.” The ginger smell of the Nepalese tea was a
During his two years with this family, he learned the
comforting presence amidst the aroma of harsh
nuances of western culture. He lived in one world
realities of Samuel Rai’s life.
as a refugee in Nepal, and now he was dubiously navigating the choppy waters of learning another
Samuel grew up in the largest refugee camp in
cultural context.
Nepal for 15 years before his family began the long process to come to the United States. Six months
“It’s tough being a refugee because you’re going
after the family arrived in 2009, Samuel started
through so many cultural changes,” Samuel says
living with an American family from his church.
in between sips of tea.
PHOTOS BY GRETA REYNOLDS
42
Samuel and his wife host neighbors at the neighborhood cafĂŠ every Tuesday night.
43
Local refugees in Clarkston play soccer at Sam’s weekly neighborhood café.
But even in those challenging times, God was
If you walked into the local grocery store or some
already shaping Samuel to reach the nations and
of the apartment complexes in the area, you will
to train others to do the same.
see the shades of the nations. Clarkston has been used as a refugee resettlement location for years,
44
Reaching the nations in Clarkston
and Samuel and his family have seen this as an opportunity to steward their experiences by laboring to advance God’s kingdom in an ethni-
In July 2018, Samuel, his wife and their son moved
cally and culturally diverse context.
to Clarkston, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, to partner with the Clarkston Send Relief Ministry
“God has brought the nations here in this state,”
Center and Clarkston International Bible Church
says Samuel. “If I were in Nepal, I wouldn’t be
(CIBC) to “glorify God by making disciples locally
able to meet people from China and Africa, but
and globally.”
here we can meet people from all over the world.
One of the reasons we believe God brought the nations here is so that we can learn cross-cultural ministry in our city.” Samuel and his family are passionate about reaching the nations with the gospel and discipling them to love God, love others and to multiply their ministry where they live, work and play. Because he knows what it is like to be a refugee,
Cross-cultural ministry is a big word, and it’s messy—if you’re going to be a teacher of cross-culture, you have to experience cross-culture.”
he is specifically passionate about reaching refugees in Clarkston with the gospel. Not only does he want to have a global impact, but he wants to “be with the nations to reach the nations.”
people’s stories and share the good news and
To live with the nations and to engage multiple
hope of Jesus. In addition to the Tuesday night
nationalities, Samuel and his family chose to live in
neighborhood cafés, they have movie nights, tutor-
an apartment complex where the vast majority of
ing sessions and soccer games as other ways to
residents are refugees.
build relationships with their neighbors.
“The biggest need for refugees is friends. They
Cross-Cultural Training
need someone to be with them,” he says. Along with reaching their neighbors with the Samuel tries to reflect the life and ministry of
gospel, Samuel trains men and women to do
Jesus and the togetherness He had with those He
cross-cultural ministry in their neighborhoods
served. He reclined, conversed and dined with
and abroad.
the men and women He was reaching. He was with His neighbors.
“When you think of international ministry, don’t simply think outside of the country. If you want to
To reach their neighbors, Samuel and CIBC host
send someone outside of the country, send them
Tuesday night neighborhood cafés. They offer free
to us first. Let us train and teach them, so that
tea and coffee, snacks and fun with international
when they go overseas, they will not feel weird or
music playing in the background. The Lord has
awkward,” says Samuel.
opened doors for them to build relationships, hear
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Samuel tries to reflect the life and ministry of Jesus and the togetherness He had with those He served. He reclined, conversed, and dined with the men and women He was reaching. He was with His neighbors.
With the download of a book or a quick Google
“Cross-cultural ministry is a big word, and it’s
search, we have countless information about
messy—if you’re going to be a teacher of cross-
various people groups, but Samuel wants to train
culture, you have to experience cross-culture,”
men and women not just by intellectual under-
Samuel says.
standing but through experiential learning. He wants teams to learn more deeply how to reach
Having been a refugee and having lived in the
the nations with the gospel while they are among
United States for over a decade, God has written
the nations themselves. His training combines
Samuel’s story so that he is uniquely positioned to
learning through formal teaching and experience.
teach and train others how to communicate God’s Word effectively across cultures. From the refugee
Teams are invited to Samuel’s diverse neighbor-
camp of Nepal to Clarkston, Samuel continues
hood and get to experience what it is like to be
to use his gifts to advance God’s kingdom and
among a cornucopia of nationalities. During these
train God’s people to endure in the good work of
training sessions, you’ll also find Samuel and his
spreading the gospel.
wife teaching by doing. They have groups eat on the floor and enjoy fresh rice and curry with their
Shar Walker writes for On Mission magazine.
hands. They train teams in major world religions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, and teach how to share the gospel in these contexts.
46
Learn more about ministry to refugees and internationals at SendRelief.org.
Sign up for a vision trip to the Send Relief ministry center in Clarkston at SendRelief.org/MinistryCenters.
New Podcast!
EVANGELISM WITH JOHNNY HUNT
47
Do you have questions about leading your church in evangelism? Johnny Hunt sits down with NAMB president Kevin Ezell to answer questions and give practical solutions to evangelism challenges faced by pastors and congregations across North America.
Send your questions to evangelism@namb.net
This article was adapted from the Discovering Needs in Your Community ministry guide series developed by Send Relief.
How to discover needs in your community
Every area has needs—places of brokenness that God has called us, as the Church, to help restore. Use this step-by-step guide to discover the needs all around your neighborhood. By Send Relief
I 48
family and a sense of community for a city longing for relationships,” says Ashley. “That has led
n 2013, Ashley Austin and his family
to countless opportunities to communicate the
relocated to Victoria, British Columbia,
gospel. If restoration is taking something that’s
to begin the process of planting a church
disconnected and making it whole, when we join
there. In order to plant a church that met the
God in what He’s doing, He transforms even the
community’s needs, they spent time learning the
most unlikely of situations.”
community’s context. By discovering the context first and then building relationships in the community to discover specific needs, the church has
Identify the context of your community
grown from the original group of nine adults and six children to 350 attenders at the original site
As you begin to learn about your community,
and has planted a second church in another part
it’s best to understand the community’s context.
of the city.
Context includes important historical events, current cultural traditions and future desires and
“There’s now a sense of belonging, a sense of
goals. Create task forces or teams to dig into
each of these areas, and then compile the teams’ findings into one report that accurately portrays the community’s context.
1. Research the past Use the local library, archives and older members of the community to help you learn the things in the past that have made your community what it is today. • What major crises or conflicts has the community faced? (fires, damage from natural disasters, racial tensions, etc.) • Did these events unite or divide the community? How has the community moved past these things?
2. Understand the present Look at current city council agendas, news items, statistics and even social media trends in your area. • Identify areas experiencing growth and areas experiencing decline. What economic and social issues have impacted both areas? • Identify the demographics of the community. Which demographic groups are growing faster than others? What reason is behind this surge in growth? • What city/county services are meeting the needs of the community? What infrastructure needs are not being met? • What programs are being offered for senior adults, teenagers and children through the city?
49
3 Tips for ministry 1. SERVE, DON’T LEAD. Gain credibility and trust by serving those in need and those who minister. Learn by taking an active
in the area and seek God’s guidance by prayerdriving and prayer-walking the neighborhood.
1. Pray over your community • Pray for every inch of your neighborhood. Take
role in the ministry instead of leading from outside. Listen to the
note of the condition of homes, schools and
community’s dreams and goals, and respond to those. Remember
playgrounds. Pray for the children and families
that your ministry is all about glorifying God through serving them.
who live, work and play there.
2. BRING YOUR CHURCH ALONG. Tell the church what you are learning. Keep them informed about the needs and the work of the ministry. Ask members to prayerfully consider using their passion for the needs of the community. Encourage them to engage with humility, a servant’s heart and a spirit of fellowship.
3. USE RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR CHURCH GET STARTED. Send Relief has a series of Ministry Guides with directions for starting a multitude of ministry programs at SendRelief.org/MinistryGuides.
• Pray for the local churches. Take note of each church’s location and programs. Pray that God will bless each church’s work in the community. Ask God to lead you to those churches that could become partners with yours. • Pray for the children and families in the neighborhood. Pray that God will help you learn their stories and identify their needs. • Pray for the homeless, abused, addicted, lonely, neglected and afraid in your community. Ask God to give you the sensitivity to identify who
• What issues does the city council see as most pressing in the community?
3. Picture the future This information can be found through the
50
they are and what they feel and need. • Conclude every time of prayer by asking that God would show you the needs and bring you clear next steps.
library and the city council.
2. Spend time in your community
• What developments (shopping, parks,
• Visit local stores and businesses. Note to
multi-family housing, subdivisions) have been
whom they market their products and who is
planned for the future?
shopping in the establishments.
• What future new programs or expansions are planned through the city?
• Note who is out and about in the community and where they are found. • Note what demographic/ethnic/racial/age
Identifying the needs of your community
breakdowns are observable. • Note where people gather in groups (coffee shops, restaurants, ballfields).
The next step is to learn the ministry needs within
• Note how people move about the community
the community. Explore the physical community,
(car, bus, taxi, ride-share services, walking).
listen to and learn from people living and working
3.
Listen to and learn from people in the community • Talk to several people as you explore the community about what they perceive as the community’s best assets and greatest needs. Talk to individuals, business leaders, community leaders and church members. • Talk to local government officials about the needs they want to address in the community. • Ride with local police officers to explore their observations and understandings about the community. • Talk with other area church leaders about how they understand the needs of the community. • Talk with school officials and teachers about the needs of the community they see through the children in their classrooms.
Strategically Considering Ministry Opportunities 1. How do you see God leading in this process? What needs do you feel God has shown you? 2. What partnerships in our community have you discovered that could connect with you to meet the needs you have identified? These could include government officials, school officials and teachers, other community churches and leaders, local shelters or other preestablished programs addressing the needs you’ve discovered.
3. Who in our church is passionate and equipped to lead or participate in ministry to meet these identified needs? Consider children’s workers, parents and/or families, teenagers or youth groups, Sunday school classes, senior adults—anyone with a desire to help provide resources to help meet these needs. 4. What resources and relationships has God given your church to support this ministry? Consider missions offerings, other financial resources, church members who are connected to local schools, those with skills in couponing and Sunday school classes as places to start. 5. What space in the church or in the community could be used to meet these needs? These questions can help you determine whether or not: • There is a desire within the congregation to meet this need. • There are resources of people, space and money to meet this need. • This ministry is sustainable over time. • You feel God leading you as a congregation in this direction. Remember that it is at the intersection of God’s calling, the identified needs of the community and the passions and gifts of your church that you can meet these identified needs as well as change lives in the process.
This article was adapted from the Discovering Needs in Your Community ministry guide. To download the full guide, including sample questionnaires and other helpful information, go to SendRelief.org/MinistryGuides.
51
r ec ommended
Ministry Difference Makers Gregg Matte (B&H Publishing Group, 2019) When you think about people who make a significant difference in the world, what type of person do you think about? Our minds tend to wander to successful people, like politicians, athletes, CEOs or those who have money and status to show for their influence. As Greg Matte eloquently puts it in his book Difference Makers, “A difference maker realizes that life isn’t the sum of all her experiences or possessions. It isn’t about fame or friends or followers on social media. The aim of life is the Great Commission. The call of life is to go.” Greg’s book is inspiring. He spurs readers on to love and good works by challenging us to leverage our influence to advance God’s kingdom. From Esther to Ezra and others in between, he skillfully surveys difference makers in the Bible, and he reminds us that God used, and continues to use, broken people for kingdom purposes. If anyone has ever felt they have little to offer the world or are at a lost in figuring out how to use their lives to glorify God, this book is for them. Matte reminds readers that difference makers realize God has equipped them and wants to use them. It’s easy to stand on sidelines in fear when God desires to put us in the game and use our lives and stories to make much of Himself. Difference Makers calls Christians to seek the glory of God and the good of others where God has placed them. 52
“We were all made for more than watching.” Shar Walker writes for On Mission magazine.
Gospel Above All J.D. Greear (B&H Publishing Group, 2019) Many evangelicals in America are wringing their hands about declining baptisms and the rising number of the religious “nones.” Some say we need to change our beliefs on sin, exclusivity and even marriage to be “on the right side of history;” others choose isolation and non-engagement. In Above All, J.D. Greear suggests a better approach—going back to the gospel. The purpose of J.D.’s book is to show how secondary things, like preferences, programs and politics, can actually displace the gospel as our main focus and derail us from impacting the world. Many Christians and churches have moved on from the gospel, thinking it’s just the milk of the early Christian life meant to be set aside for the ribeyes of the mature Christian life. But constant embrace of the gospel is the engine for the Christian life. The gospel is not something we “learn on the Romans Road and then leave behind,” writes J.D. “It contains everything necessary for success in the Christian life.” If we keep the gospel above all, then it will keep us and our churches on our central mission—making disciples. When the focus of our ministries is helping ordinary members multiply disciples in our communities, it will make us eternal optimists not cringeworthy pessimists. It will make us a gracious people who become like the gospel we believe. It will unify us in a way that crosses cultures. It will cause us to sacrifice our preferences for the cause of the Great Commission. And we will find that, just like Jesus, we can reach people from every political persuasion. Indeed, the gates of Hell won’t stand against us. Jonathan Akin is Director of Young Leader Engagement at the North American Mission Board.
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Leading Advocates Dhati Lewis (B&H Publishing Group, 2019) I will never forget the first time a fellow brother in Christ of a different ethnicity advocated for me. I was at a loss for words. It was surreal to have someone manage the tension I faced and freely offer representation on my behalf. As an African-American pastor serving in a multi-ethnic context, I am overjoyed how Dhati Lewis sheds light on the transforming importance of advocacy in this book. I believe this age-old, timeless, biblical model we’ve seen displayed in Jesus, is one of the answers to divisions in our churches today. Dhati biblically addresses the heart of both individual holiness and systemic injustices and the urgent role biblical justice plays in our communities. By challenging the body of Christ to evaluate their hearts, while scripturally understanding the heart of God on these issues and applying comprehensive reconciliatory efforts, we will overcome our fears to be advocates for one another. Chris Green is Equipping Pastor at Summit Church. 54
Mission Stories of Hope Tony Hudson, producer (Send Relief, 2019) This new bi-monthly podcast from Send Relief is jam-packed with powerful storytelling, and each episode takes listeners into the heart of a matter. Within the first minute of the first episode, I was hooked. I was completely caught up in the tale of Jorge Santiago and how he and his family helped bring the light of the gospel to Comerio, Puerto Rico, after Hurricane Maria by way of generators. I listened to Jorge explain the prayerful dream of a pop-up laundromat which, in turn, gave way to the reopening of local elementary school. He didn’t gloss over the challenges but rather gave an honest account of his experience and the practical ways he navigated them. I appreciated the authenticity (as well as the excellent sound design), and by the end of the 11-minute episode, I was ready for more. Stories of Hope explores the ways people can meet needs and affect change, and the style and tone of the podcast has a reach that extends beyond religious circles—in the best possible way. As I listened, I got to join in the journey as a once-homeless man found a family, a young refugee found her calling in foreign policy, an animal lover found a way to reach troubled teens and a former inmate who was full of hate found peace at last. With each story, I felt incredibly encouraged but also challenged to engage in community and look for opportunities around me. Who knows what small, intentional act could play a part in the next amazing story? Andrea Fanning is a freelance writer in Birmingham, Alabama.
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my turn
Together for the gospel By Miggi Iniesta
them for 30 minutes. I got to hear their stories
I
and share what I was doing in Portland through participated in GenSend in Portland, Oregon,
GenSend. This led to an opportunity to share the
the summer of 2017. When I first arrived in the
gospel and to pray with them.
city, I saw a couple of homeless people sitting on the sidewalk. I watched people ignore them, make
GenSend invited God to bring people into my sphere of influence who do not come from an urban context. God’s drawn me toward people who are living in the city and don’t know how to process the brokenness they are witnessing. Through God’s guidance and wisdom, He’s given me the grace and love to come alongside them and teach them the language of the city. I would encourage other urban missionaries and church planters to take the time to learn from existing churches in the city. There are churches that have been in your city for decades or generations. They may be different, and we may not agree about everything. However, they know the city. They have been shaped and molded by the city where you may not have yet. We need to humble ourselves and partner with our brothers
56
faces at them, walk around them or even cross the
and sisters. We can work together in unity to bring
street to not have to deal with them. Then I saw a
the message of the gospel to the broken for God’s
couple who were in their early 20s. I felt God telling
glory, our joy and for the peace of those who will
me, “These are image bearers who do not know
be saved by God’s grace because we loved them
me. Love them well.”
enough to share the good news of Jesus.
So, I went into a nearby coffee shop and bought
Miggi Iniesta is a student at California Baptist
three hot chocolates. I sat down and talked with
University and former GenSend student missionary.
Students aren’t the missionaries of tomorrow; they’re the missionaries of today. Discover your next opportunity to equip students at namb.net/Students.
EACH YEAR
Southern Baptists need 1,200 new churches.
But fewer than 650
qualified church planting
missionaries are available.
NOW WHAT? 57
Learn how to identify and train church planters and church planting teams from your own church at namb.net/Pipeline.
EVERY CHURCH ON MISSION
volume 22 | number 3