Treasure April to June Issue

THREE GREAT REASONS

To go the extra mile to the 2022 National Convention BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA | JULY 24-27 Monday, July 25 With a relaxed atmosphere and wonderful refreshments Laughter & Latté is the perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends...or make new ones.

Throughout the Week Seminars, workshops, and panel discussions will cover a wide array of important and relevant topics around the theme, “When God Intervenes.” Girls will enjoy a panel discussion facilitated by Sarah Sargent and a seminar featuring missionary Anna Forlines. Ladies will enjoy seminars for pastors’ wives along with other important life and ministry topics.

Once again, two seminars will be offered for Spanish speakers.

Tuesday, July 26 During the annual Missionary Celebration Service, enjoy hearing from Shannon Little, a missionary serving at Good News Chapel inTokyo, Japan. A career missionary since 2007, Shannon combines a heart for the Japanese people with her small-town, Tennessee humor.

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LEARN MORE: NAFWB.ORG/CONVENTION See you in Birmingham!

APR-JUN 2022

Treasure ISSN# 8960038) Volume 11 • Number 2

Sustitute

Chosen to

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-chief Phyllis York

WNAC Board Amy Johnson, Illinois Pam Hackett, South Carolina Jonda Patton, Kentucky Sarah Sargent, Ohio Tracy Payne, Oklahoma LeeAnn Wilfong, Missouri Khristi Shores, Oklahoma Jessica Edwards, Tennessee Katie Postlewaite, South Carolina

Contributors Miriam Bishop, Japan Amy Johnson, Illinois Sarah Sargent, Ohio Carolyn Riddick, North Carolina Pam Hackett, South Carolina Amanda Kilgore, Tennessee Phyllis York, Tennessee Katie Postlewaite, South Carolina

TREASURE (ISSN# 8960038) is

produced quarterly by Women Nationally Active for Christ of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc. 5233 Mount View Road, Antioch, TN 37013-2306.

Copyright privileges reserved.

2022 Member of the Evangelical Press Association.

Inquiries Mail questions or comments to Treasure, P.O Box 5002, Antioch, TN 37011-5002; treasure@wnac. org or online at wnac.org and through Facebook: Women Nationally Active for Christ.

Studies April Scorned to Celebrated

6

May Seller to Supporter

13

June Substitue to Chosen

24

Feature Articles Sacrificial Service

22

Adoption Story

32

In Every Issue Amy’s Tidbits Behind the Scenes Thirtysomethings Vision

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by Amy Johnson Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary describes hope as a desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment. As a verb, definitions include: “expect with confidence” and “to cherish a desire with anticipation.” Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

At the time of this article, we continue to hear the phrase, “we are living in unprecedented times,” as we often impatiently wonder if this pandemic era will ever end. One thing people are looking for is hope. As Christians, we have faith in knowing the One who holds the present and the future in His hands. We understand there is a bigger picture. This world is not our final destination. And, ultimately, God is in control. We have hope because of God and His promises.

At church we recently sang the song, “Living Hope,” in which those two words are repeated multiple times. I have heard the song often, but this time, one word hit me differently. As I sang, I paused. Jesus Christ—our living hope. Yes, He offers hope, but it is not a blind hope, a future hope, or a past hope. Jesus Christ is our Living Hope. He is with us now. Each day we can walk and converse with Him. No moment goes by without His knowing where we are.

While the world continues to dish out negativity regularly, and loss and sorrow swirl around us, let us cling to Jesus Christ and the daily hope He offers. Allow Him to intervene in your day-to-day routine. Rest in the fact that, yes, we have hope in Christ—living hope.

As the old hymn states, “This is all my hope and peace, nothing but the blood of Jesus.” I am thankful for His blood and the living hope I have, knowing He is with me today, and He holds all my tomorrows.

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We are the Bishops, currently living stateside, but hoping to be back in Japan soon. Let me describe what a typical Japanese day for us might look like.

From November to April there is lots of snow, so first thing, Doug moves the snow from our driveway. After breakfast, the big kids are picked up by their school taxi. While Doug heads to New Life Church (where the baby and I will meet him later), I take our two little boys to preschool. Doug spends time on renovations for the church, creating fliers to distribute, and preparing sermons.

At ten, our missions’ team meets (us, Speers, Hannah Goucher, Taylor Pate). For lunch, we shop at a nearby convenience store (konbini). Checking out, we engage the cashier in conversation.

Parent’s Day is this weekend, and I attend a preparation meeting at the preschool. Afterwards, one of the moms starts to chat. A casual meetup like this offers great opportunities for conversation.

It is afternoon, and school has ended. The kids bow and say “arigatou” (thank you) to their driver. There are school papers to read (my homework), and the children work on their own assignments.

Before Doug leaves for a prayer meeting, we gather for the evening meal. At church, a small group of seekers has assembled to sing, study the Word, and pray together.

Because 95% of the Japanese have never heard the gospel, the process from hearing to believing can take several years. Building relationships takes time, so we are intentional about interacting with the people God places in our path each day (like the cashier and the preschool mom). God is working and will draw people to Himself. We’re thankful to be a part of His work.

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APRIL STUDY

Shiphrah and Puah Exodus 1 Once upon a time, in a church not so far from here, sat a couple who longed for a child of their own. Though married for over five years, God had not granted their desire. They prayed, fasted, and sought help from medical experts.

The doctors determined their inability to conceive was likely due to a late-diagnosed hernia when the young minister was a child. Trusting God when doctors expressed no hope, the husband followed strenuous recommendations, including his least favorite, taking icecold showers for over two years. Even while complying

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with the doctor’s advice, they knew the ultimate decision belonged to God. Placing their desires at the feet of Jesus, they decided no matter His answer, they would be content and would serve Him faithfully.

Cultural norms during biblical days were difficult for couples who struggled to provide an heir for their namesake. The Bible is full of women who pleaded to God for a child of her own: Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah, to name a few. For wives, it was vitally important to conceive and have children, not just because it was the

APRIL STUDY longing of their hearts, but because their legacy and name were to be passed to their children. Daniel Block wrote in Marriage and Family in Ancient Israel, “For ancient Israelites, the most important contribution a woman could make to a household was to present her husband with children. Indeed, the noblest contribution a woman could make to a household in general and her husband in particular was to bear a son for him.

Through childbearing a woman earned her place in life and her share in the household.

Conversely, failure to deliver on this obligation was viewed as a curse and a shameful disgrace.”

scorned in their culture, but God had incredible plans for them.

Application: What are you longing for?

In what circumstance are you pleading for God’s intervention?

Are you prepared if God’s answer is wait? Or if His answer is no?

Many Old Testament scholars Pharoah was concerned about believe the Israelite midwives the quickly increasing number were women who of Israelites in could not or did “But the midwives Egypt. If war were not have children. to break out, the feared God and As a result, they did not do as the Egyptians would were tasked with be outnumbered. king of Egypt delivering the commanded them, He decided he Israelite babies— must intercede. but let the an insensitive male children live” In his first plan, career choice, to he overwhelmed Exodus 1:17 be sure. Every them in slavery, day they were which resulted surrounded by what they in an Israelite population desired but could not have. exploding (Exodus 1:11-14). In These women may have been his next attempt, he instructed APR-JUN 2022

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the midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill all newborn males (verse 16). For this greatly increasing community, Shiphrah and Puah were probably not the only midwives, but the midwife leadership who stood before Pharoah to receive his instructions. “But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live” (verse 17).

Their disobedience saved Israel from extermination.

Application: Imagine for a moment you were Shiphrah, Puah, or one of the midwives.

What were the reasons to obey Pharoah?

What were the reasons to follow your heart and disobey?

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? If so, what did you choose to do?

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Another essential cultural norm of this time was naming people and preserving that person’s name throughout time and history. (Read through the census of names in Numbers 1-4 and 26.) Note that in this particular story, Shiphrah and Puah are called by name, but the king of Egypt or Pharoah is only known by his title. “God dwelt well with the midwives” (verse 20), even to the extent that He inspired Moses to record their exact names to be read in His Word throughout all time. Isn’t that an encouraging thought?

God also honored their actions by giving them children. “And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families” (Exodus 1:21). Out of their devotion to Yahweh, they risked their own lives by refusing to kill the infant Hebrew boys. The name Shiphrah means prolific, and Puah means childbearing.

God honored their reverence, blessing them according to their names. When God intervened in Shiphrah, Puah, and the other midwives’ lives, they went from being scorned in their culture to celebrated.

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Application: How has God rewarded you for your obedience and reverence to Him?

born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment (Hebrews 11:23).

Application: How has your faith been tested?

Jochebed Exodus 2:1-9 Let’s look at another woman living during this time who also went from scorned to celebrated through God's intervention.

Pregnant Jochebed is introduced in Exodus 2 but unnamed. She is later named in the family record in Exodus 6:20 as the mother of Aaron and Miriam. Jochebed gave birth to a gorgeous, healthy, Hebrew boy named Moses. Because of Shiphrah, Puah, and the midwives’ historical decision, Baby Moses was not killed. Once the king learned his previous plans had failed, he ordered all the Hebrew boys who survived birth to be cast into the Nile. Jochebed’s faith was tested as she also defied the edict (Exodus 2:2).

“By faith Moses, when he was

Jochebed and her family hid a newborn baby for three months. (I’m not sure I could hide an infant baby for ten minutes! Well maybe, if he or she was asleep!) This decision was a beautiful sign of the family’s faith. They trusted God would resolve their situation.

Let’s speculate a bit: This courageous mother worked diligently for three months to keep her son quiet and ultimately alive. Moses was not her first child, so Jochebed knew she couldn’t continue this silent childrearing indefinitely.

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direction. She received the answer, but could she be hearing correctly? She must have been sleep-deprived! She was to place her precious baby into the Nile River. Can you imagine how she must have wrestled with the uncertainty of this plan? Maybe pregnant Shiphrah came to check on mom and baby and reminded Jochebed that God is faithful and could be trusted to provide safety for little Moses.

As chapter two continues, we see God at work. Jochebed placed Moses in a waterproof basket and placed him in the river. Older sister Miriam kept an eye out, and watched as Pharoah’s daughter discovered the basket with the Hebrew baby boy in it (a Hebrew boy with a bounty on his head).

Moses started crying and maybe Miriam saw compassion in the princess when she looked upon the beautiful baby.

Miriam had spent three months helping take care of Moses— she knew he was a keeper.

And Pharoah’s daughter was hooked too. Miriam stepped forward, “Shall I go get him a nurse for you?” (verse 7). The princess agreed immediately, and Miriam knew just whom 10 treasure

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to get—their mother, of course!

See God’s faithfulness in verse 9: “And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this child away and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages.’ And the woman took the child and nursed him.”

God not only returned Moses to his mother and family, but they were paid to take care of him.

Only God can do something that incredible!

God saw Jochebed’s heart, He heard her prayers, and He interceded on her behalf. Her faith is honored in Hebrews 11, the faith chapter. As He did with Shiphrah and Puah, God went above and beyond.

God returned Moses to his family and provided them with financial support. And even beyond this miracle: recent brain research indicates that years birth to age three are the most important years in a child’s development. During the most influential years of Moses’ life, he was surrounded by a family who feared the Lord.

The faith of Jochebed and her husband Amram lived on in their children. Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

Aaron was appointed high priest. Miriam was a leader

of the Hebrew women.

In Jochebed’s life, God’s intervention took a scornful circumstance to a celebrated story of faithfulness.

Application:

APRIL STUDY faith of Shiphrah, Puah, and Jochebed and the ripple effect it had on Miriam.

Application: What kind of ripple effect will your faith have?

When has God gone above and beyond in your life, or in your family’s life?

Lynn Cowell, with Proverbs 31 Ministries, shared a unique look at the story of Shiphrah, Puah, and Jochebed. She imagined their stories like a play.

Act 1: Shiphrah, Puah, and the midwives feared God more than Pharoah and allowed the Hebrew boys to live.

Act 2: Between labor pains, Shiphrah, Puah, and Jochebed discussed their situation and pieced together a plan to keep Moses a secret.

Act 3: After the discovery of Moses, Miriam courageously approached Pharoah’s daughter to offer assistance with the Hebrew baby. Curtains close.

Lynn points to the courageous

When God intervenes in our circumstances, things inevitably change. Shiphrah, Puah, Jochebed, and the Hebrew midwives showcase this fact.

Each of them faced a scornful situation that would have failed if left to their own devices. But God did not leave them alone in their condition; He interceded.

Through His intervention, God’s chosen people multiplied, thrived, and ultimately reached the Promised Land. No doubt, these ladies would tell us every moment of uncertainty and fear was worth it.

God is always worth it. So, keep the faith. Be unrelenting in your pursuit of Christ. Someday you might share your own story APR-JUN 2022

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of how God’s intervention came into your life right on time and changed everything.

Remember that couple I told you about at the beginning of the study? God intervened in their circumstances and did what doctors said was impossible. I am the result of God’s intervention; my parents were that young couple.

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About the Writer: Sarah Sargent is a third-generation member and leader of FWB Women’s Ministries. She began serving on the WNAC Board in 2013, and has been a member of the Shine team since its inception, both as speaker and writer. Sarah currently serves as president of the women’s ministry at Reynoldsburg FWB Church and vice president for the Ohio Free Will Baptist Women’s Ministries. A proud alumnus of The Ohio State University, she is a lover of all things Disney and her Labradoodles, Regal and Lexi.

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Different Testimonies...Same Heart The cost of a dozen eggs in 1953 was 39 cents—at least that was the price in rural Eastern North Carolina. As a little girl, I followed my grandmamma around the chicken yard and helped collect eggs from the hen house. Not necessarily my favorite thing to do—the chicken yard was dirty, muddy at times, and stinky with chicken droppings.

Plus, the chickens often attacked or chased me! It was years later that I appreciated the experience from a much different perspective.

My grandmamma gathered

eggs for three reasons: to feed her family, to share with neighbors, and to sell.

The money from selling her 39-cents-per-dozen eggs was placed in a special fund at our church that supported benevolent activities and mission endeavors of the Ladies Aid Society. Her "egg money" was important; it was a commitment to her Lord and her church. For her, it was a means of service. She was a farmer’s wife with no outside career. Money was tight, and every penny counted, but the "egg money" was dedicated to the women’s ministry.

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My grandmamma served by faithfully giving (sacrificially, at times) to the cause of Christ to build His kingdom at home and around the world.

and Lydia, who served Jesus in different ways but had the same heart—to spread the gospel of Christ and to minister to those around them.

Granted, that was 68 years ago, and methods of giving to the cause of Christ in women’s ministry have certainly changed.

I neither gather nor sell eggs!

I had a career as a teacher, so many times I just wrote a check.

I tutor math students or teach piano lessons and deliberately set aside that money for missions projects.

Service in God’s work is different today, but I would suggest that while the testimonies of my grandmother and I are different, our hearts are much the same. When God intervenes in our lives and transforms us by His amazing grace, a heart of service to Him should be the automatic result.

(Ephesians 2:10)

Dorcas (Tabitha) Acts 9:36-42

Join me as we consider two women in God’s Word, Dorcas

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Notice this woman had two names: Dorcas (Greek) and Tabitha (Hebrew). In English, both names mean gazelle—a small, graceful, beautiful deer known for big brown eyes.

Perhaps her name gives insight into the beauty, grace, and compassion that characterized Dorcas’ life.

Few personal details are revealed about Dorcas. The Bible does not state whether she was single, married, widowed, wealthy or poor, or whether she had children. Nor does the Bible mention her genealogy.

However, verse 36 reveals she was a “certain disciple” and “full of good works and almsdeeds (good works) which she did.”

MAY STUDY Dorcas lived in Joppa—a harbor city in Israel that connected Jerusalem to the western world. The Greek name Dorcas may have originated from her residence in this seaport that was frequented and partially inhabited by foreigners who spoke primarily the Greek language.

It is reasonable to assume the city abounded in widows and orphans due to the loss of men voyaging the sea. These families needed help, but there were no welfare programs to take care of them. In fact, the world in that day was not very kind to widows who had no means of support or a family to provide for them.

Dorcas used her gift of sewing (by hand, I might add) to make coats and garments for the widows. In those days, ordering and purchasing materials, cutting, assembling, fitting, altering, and sewing garments, cloaks, and robes by hand were tedious and labor-intensive endeavors. She was personally busy doing charitable works for the poor, for whom she had active compassion and tender mercy. Dorcas had experienced a regenerated heart—the

source of her unselfish life and charity. She was not a Deborah, Hannah, Esther, public speaker, nor a missionary leaving her hometown. As a “certain disciple,” Dorcas served the Lord simply and humbly with the talent and gift she had—her sewing needle.

No doubt, in our churches, there are public-spirited women with humanitarian ideals engaging in various relief activities with the sole purpose of doing good. Unfortunately, some are not motivated by Christ. In trying to emulate Dorcas, they lack her Christian discipleship, forgetting that caring for widows and others in need comes from “pure religion,” which also is revealed in keeping oneself unspotted from the world (James 1:2627). In Dorcas’ heart, God’s inner work of grace prompted her outward deeds—evidence of a truly converted person.

If not careful, we believers are sometimes self-centered, looking for some new religious thrill or spiritual experience, always looking inside and seeking blessing for ourselves rather than others. May our good works flow from a heart APR-JUN 2022

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grateful to God for His saving grace.

Sadly for the church in Joppa, Dorcas became “sick and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber” (verse 37). Grief prevailed. Dorcas died in the middle of her useful life.

Two disciples were quickly dispatched to nearby Lydda where Peter was staying. Surely he could help! Peter came without delay and found all the widows overcome with grief, “weeping and showing him coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them” (verse 39). In response, Peter sent everyone from the room, then knelt, and prayed to God. He turned to Dorcas and said, “Tabitha, arise.”

God miraculously restored her to life, and Peter presented Dorcas alive to her friends.

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Undoubtedly, a celebration ensued. Verse 42 closes this amazing story with the words, “And it was known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.” God used Dorcas’ reputation and her death and restoration to life as a means to share the gospel and call many others to Christ. I feel certain Dorcas was unaware of the magnificent work she was doing and of its far-reaching consequences. Her heart was committed and faithful to do what she could to minister to those around her.

Application: When God intervened in your life and transformed you by His amazing grace, what heart of service became evident in your life?

Could you be described as a “certain disciple, full of good works”?

What are you doing in your place of residence? Do you see it as a place where God has placed you?

Is there a neighbor who is lonely and needs company? Or a neighbor who needs help with yard work?

What can you do at work or school this week? Is there some way to lend a helping hand, a sympathetic ear, or a caring, serving heart?

Are you doing good to all—or only to select ones or just those in your church?

Lydia Acts 16:12-15, 40

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Paul, Silas, and Timothy were on the second missionary journey and strongly desiring to go into Asia, but the Holy Ghost did not give permission (verses 6-7). Paul then envisioned a man in Macedonia pleading with him to come and help.

Assured the Lord was in it, Paul answered the call, and set out on the journey. Surely they were excited to be called to a major city like Philippi, only to discover upon their arrival there was no synagogue.

Jewish law required the presence of ten males to establish a synagogue and apparently there were not ten God-fearing Jewish males in the whole city. But the vision was of a man calling for help.

Perhaps Paul wondered, “Where is the man?” As a further complication, outside Philippi

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stood arches inscribed with a prohibition against bringing an unrecognized religion into the city.

Verse 12 and 13 indicate they arrived and stayed for some time with seemingly no evidence that anyone was concerned about them or their message. If there were no synagogue, custom allowed Jews to find flowing water and establish a place of prayer where they could avail themselves of the cleansing rites the stream permitted. The Sabbath came, and Paul and his team went to the riverside for prayer.

of purple, a merchant of expensive purple cloth from the well-known textile city of Thyatira. Purple clothing was the mark of wealth and royalty in the Roman world. To be dressed in purple was to say “I am somebody.” It was highly probable that Lydia’s trade brought her to Macedonia, and Paul’s missionary travels brought him to Macedonia.

But it was the Holy Spirit who brought them together.

Imagine Paul’s surprise when nobody was there but a handful of women. All the men were absent. However, Paul was faithful and proclaimed the message of Christ to the women who gathered to hear.

Lydia was among them. She came from Thyatira, a leading city of Asia, where the Holy Spirit had not permitted Paul to go. And here he found himself speaking to a woman in Macedonia—not a man as his vision suggested. God’s plan is often different than we expect.

Lydia is described in Scripture as one who “worshipped God".

That did not mean she was a Christian. It is very likely she was a Jewish proselyte, God-fearing, and a believer in Yahweh, the name commonly used to refer to the God of the Israelites. She did not know about Jesus Christ. Note Lydia’s response to Paul’s message: she heard, and the Lord opened her heart. Lydia “attended” to the words of Paul, received the message, and trusted the Savior. Not only did Lydia believe, but all her household believed, and together they were baptized. The work of evangelizing Macedonia had begun.

Lydia was a successful businesswoman, a seller

Lydia opened her heart, and she also opened her home

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(verse 15). Given her business, her home was probably one of the nicer ones in Thyatira.

She shared and demonstrated the spiritual gift of hospitality.

In verse 40, the missionaries lodged at her home. Her open house was a haven for the saints of God and a center of Christian fellowship in Philippi— perhaps the first Christian church formed in the city.

Application: Is your home a secluded fortress or a haven for hurting souls?

How are you using your gifts, resources, and abilities?

Lydia “attended” the words spoken to her. Are you listening and being attentive to your spiritual journey?

Are you quick to allow the circumstances of life define your level of service to God?

MAY STUDY What a lesson to be learned from these two women, Dorcas and Lydia. Obviously, they were different—different in culture, different in skills and talents, different in financial means, different in life experiences.

Dorcas had a needle; Lydia had a business and a house.

God blesses and entrusts each of us with influence, talent, power, and spiritual gifts to glorify Him and build His kingdom. My grandmother and me, Dorcas and Lydia, you and those around you—our work and service for the Lord may appear quite different, but in essence, has the same heart to spread the gospel of Christ and to minister to those around us.

About the Writer: Carolyn Riddick lives in Smithfield, North Carolina, where she is a member of Unity FWB Church. Wife of retired pastor, Eddie Riddick, Carolyn is a retired high school and college mathematics instructor.

Currently, she serves as pianist, Sunday School teacher, coordinator of the local WAC, and president of the North Carolina WAC. She is the proud mother of two daughters, six biological grandchildren, three foster grandchildren, and one greatgranddaughter. She enjoys spending time with family, reading, playing the piano, and serving in her local church.

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GO THE

extra mile 86 th NATIONAL ASSOCIATION BIRMINGHAM, AL

| J U LY 2 4 - 2 7, 2 0 2 2

The 86th FWB National Convention will meet July 24-27 in Birmingham.

As the denomination returns to the city for the fourth time, attendees will accept the challenge to “Go the Extra Mile.”

Rett Floyd (SC)

Chris Todd (SC)

Tim Baumgarten (AL)

Jim McComas (TN)

Kent Barwick (GA)

Fernando Bustamante (SC)

Sunday morning, Rett Floyd (SC) and Chris Todd (SC) will explore going the extra mile to practice forgiveness (Luke 15:11-32). Sunday evening, Tim Baumgarten (AL) will look at going the extra mile by protecting our Christian family (Romans 14). Monday evening, Jim McComas (TN) will challenge listeners to go the extra mile by reaching the hurting (Luke 8:40-46), followed

by Kent Barwick (GA) Tuesday, who will examine going the extra mile to reach those difficult to reach (John 4). During the Wednesday evening missions service, Fernando Bustamante (SC) will offer a final challenge to leave our comfort zones and go the extra mile to take the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 10).

Convention & City Highlights For a second year, attendees will take part in the Washing of the Saints’ Feet on Sunday afternoon, followed by the Lord’s Supper during the evening service. Dr. Eddie Moody, executive secretary, notes the importance of these moments: “Sharing in the ordinances together at the beginning of the con-

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vention sets the right tone of humility for the rest of the meeting, carrying over into business sessions, board meetings, and all other activities. I encourage everyone to join us.”

Attendees are encouraged to participate in IMPACT Birmingham, a one-day evangelistic campaign of service and outreach on Saturday, July 23. This year, IMPACT will focus on serving the homeless community in Birmingham.

In addition to worship and business, attendees will enjoy scores of seminars, panels, and workshops presented by the various departments and agencies of the National Association. Find schedule updates: nafwb.org/convention.

Convention Choir and Orchestra will return in 2022. To be in the choir, learn more at fwbworship.com. For orchestra, contact Joshua Riggs (jkriggs@mail.com). And, if you’re interested in the praise team, contact Kevin Justice (kevin@unityfwb.org) to submit a video for consideration.

Birmingham has seen many changes since Free Will Baptists first met there in 1957. Learn more about the sights, sounds, events, and flavors of the “Magic City” at VisitBirmingham.com. Circle July 24-27 on your calendar and begin praying now. We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham.

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N 1968, my parents left California. With all of our earthly possessions in a U-Haul truck, we moved to Torrington, Wyoming. My dad, Fred Lucas, felt a strong calling to start a Free Will Baptist church in the city. He had never pastored before, and because of his age, my dad chose to be a tentmaker.

God blessed, and we soon found a house and a building for the church. Both of my parents found jobs, and part of their salaries paid the rent and utilities on both places.

Every night, except Wednesdays and Sundays, they knocked on doors and invited people to church. Slowly, people began to come. One of my dad’s first

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converts was Tim Hackett, who later became my husband.

The church outgrew our small, rented building, so we began to pray God would open up another place. He did! Someone contacted my dad about a church in town that was closing its doors permanently, and were able to purchase it.

My parents were committed to teaching the congregation about Free Will Baptists. Mom started a Ladies Auxiliary (now WNAC), and they held bake sales and rummage sales to help with the church’s finances and to support missionaries. My parents continued to work full-time jobs to keep the church and our home running smoothly.

In 1974, my dad encouraged church members to sponsor a food drive for Free Will Baptist Bible College (now Welch College). He delivered 1,300 pounds of ground beef, potatoes, and beans to the school. President Dr. L.C. Johnson and Food Services Director E.W. Tippett were present to receive this gift of food. Dr. Johnson said the contributions of food were “reminiscent of the early days of the college.”

committed service to the Lord.

Thankfully, they passed this trait onto the next generation, and hopefully, Tim and I will faithfully do the same.

About the Writer: Pam is the wife of Tim Hackett, pastor of Fairview FWB Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where they have served for 30 years. She serves as co-teacher of the ladies Sunday School class and as the mission prayer and mission study chairperson of Fairview’s Women’s Ministry. She is the mother of three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Pam currently serves on the WNAC Board and was the South Carolina coordinator for 14 years.

As I look back on this phase of our lives, I do not remember our family having any regrets.

My parents' sacrificial efforts were never a burden but a

Equipping Fathers to Lead

Equipping Fathers to Lead Family Worship

Family Worship

Ken Coley and Blair Robinson

• Unique perspective on family worship • Practical tools to equip fathers to lead

Ken Coley

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Blair Robinson

• Helps pastors train and parents to lead in discipling their children

Equipping Fathers to Lead Family Worship offers a historical, theological, biblical, and pedagogical text that focuses on the responsibility that Christian fathers have to lead their families in the worship of God. The book is for use in local churches and Christian households and is meant to serve as a resource to assist pastors and leaders to equip fathers and family household leaders with personal and family worship practices.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS KENNETH COLEY, ED.D. is senior professor of Christian Education at

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Available On October 29, 2021

Sustitute

Chosen to

Leah Genesis 29:1-30:25; 35:18-20; 49:29-33 If you were like me as a kid, you experienced the embarrassment and hurt of being picked last for a team or the pain of not being chosen at all. Your self-confidence and sense of self-worth took a nosedive.

Maybe you have a family member who excels at everything while you struggle to put a meal on the table without burning it (not that I would know anything about that). Our egos are fragile, and a strong will is a must in not allowing people or circumstances to determine our 24 treasure

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worth.

This study takes us to the book of Genesis, to a pivotal time in the history of the Jewish nation.

We will take a closer look at the life of Leah, the first wife of Jacob. Take time to read through the Scriptures above to reacquaint yourself with the story as we look at truths we can apply to our lives as women of faith.

New Man in Town In Genesis 27-28, we find Rebekah, Jacob’s mother, sending him to her brother

JUNE STUDY Laban in Haran. He was fleeing from the wrath of his brother, Esau, whom he had tricked out of his birthright as the eldest son of Isaac. Chapter 28 relates Jacob’s dream of a ladder to Heaven, his encounter with the Lord, and his vow to return to his father’s house in peace.

Jacob arrived in Haran on a spiritual high. Entering the town, he saw a covered well with flocks waiting to be watered. He asked those tending the sheep if they were familiar with his uncle’s family.

As they were speaking, Laban’s lovely daughter Rachel arrived with her father’s flock. Jacob rolled the stone off the well so Rachel and the others could water their sheep. Filled with emotion, he kissed Rachel and told her who he was. She immediately ran to tell her father, who invited Jacob to his home and eventually offered him a job. And so, the game began…

The Power of Love Laban was happy to have a family member who was also a hard worker. Jacob labored without pay for a month before Laban asked him what he wanted for his wages.

Laban’s daughter, Rachel, was exceptionally beautiful. Various translations describe her as having a beautiful figure and a lovely face. His older daughter Leah was described as having “weak” or “delicate eyes” with “no sparkle” in them. Maybe she had eyesight issues; we do not know. But we do know Jacob’s eyes were all for Rachel, and he asked for her hand in marriage as his wages. He told Laban he would work seven long years for that privilege.

Laban recognized a good thing when it dropped in his lap, and also realized it would be sensible to marry her to a family member, the common practice in that day. The arrangement was set, and the pieces began to fall into place.

Ahh, young love…well, at least for Rachel. Most Bible scholars agree that Jacob was 77 years old when he arrived in Haran and 84 on his first wedding night. Scripture does not give us any definitive answer on the ages of Leah and Rachel when they met Jacob, but they were most likely in their late teens or early twenties. In any case, those seven years flew by for Jacob as he anticipated making Rachel his wife.

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Poor Leah! She was probably used to living in Rachel’s shadow. Everyone was drawn to the beautiful Rachel, and Leah could not compete. Even though she was the eldest and should have been married first, her father had not given a second thought to agreeing to Rachel’s engagement—or so it seemed.

Application: Have you ever been pushed aside? Maybe someone younger—and less qualified— got that promotion you had been working to get. Possibly your husband decided you were not enough for him anymore.

A friend decided she liked spending time with someone else. How do we react to these rejections?

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How did Jesus respond to rejection? Numerous times through His ministry, Jesus was rejected by the religious establishment and even His own family. John 5:43 says, “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not….” Yet, His unconditional love for them never wavered, and He sought to bring them into His eternal family. We must keep the love of God shining through us even in the most trying circumstances. When you are mistreated, give grace. When you are rejected, give love.

When you are abandoned, give forgiveness.

Oh, What a Night!

When the time finally came for Jacob to marry Rachel, the story took a strange turn.

Hidden under bridal veils in the darkened marriage tent, Leah slipped into her place beside Jacob as a substitute bride. Jacob, none the wiser and thinking Rachel was finally his, performed his husbandly duties. In the morning he had a rude awakening and demanded to know how Laban could do such a thing after his faithful years of service.

Laban explained that giving the younger daughter in marriage

JUNE STUDY while the older daughter remained single was simply not done. He "pulled a fast one" and wronged Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. The Barnes Commentary says, “Let it be noted that this may be an instance of Jacob reaping what he had sown in cheating Esau.”

Don’t you imagine Leah felt betrayed as well? Even though she was now married to the handsome and successful Jacob, she was not his first choice. She knew he would resent her, even though her father was the one who placed the game pieces on the board.

What was done was done, and she had to make the best of it.

Maybe part of her was happy with the arrangement. She would have a husband—and Rachel would not.

After Jacob’s angry outburst, Laban agreed to give him Rachel, as well, in exchange for another seven years of work.

Again, Jacob consented to the terms, and Rachel became his betrothed—again. Just when Leah thought she had won, the rules of the game changed.

The Rivalry Continues Leah was caught in a web of

deceit and lies perpetrated by her father and husband/cousin.

She was married to Jacob, and she wanted their union to be a real marriage. Yet, Jacob ran to Rachel’s bed as soon as possible, leaving Leah alone and rejected. Genesis 29:30 tells us Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah; Leah was definitely aware of that fact.

But God had no intention of leaving Leah in that state.

“And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb…” (29:31). When Jacob came to her, the Lord blessed her with a son whom she named Reuben. She said, “Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me” (29:32b). More sons were born to her and Jacob: Simeon, Levi, and Judah. Throughout this time, Rachel was childless.

Can you imagine Rachel’s anger to see her unloved sister giving Jacob healthy sons? In her jealousy, she blamed Jacob for not giving her children, so she told him to sleep with her maid so she could claim a child. Sound familiar?

Abraham, Sarah, Hagar…the family dynamic stretched down through the generations.

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Rachel’s maid, Bilhah, gave birth to two sons, Dan and Naphtali. Rachel declared she had fought hard with Leah and was winning.

Leah, barren for a while, decided to send in a substitute, as well. Her maid, Zilpah, gave birth to Gad and Asher.

Now we encounter the odd interchange between Leah and Rachel about some mandrakes Reuben brought to his mother.

(Mandrake is a plant the ancients believed had fertility powers.) Rachel begged Leah to share, to which Leah replies angrily, “Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband?

And wouldest thou take away my son’s mandrakes, also?”

(Genesis 30:15) Apparently, the rivalry was still alive and well.

So, Rachel struck a bargain with her sister. In exchange for the mandrakes, she would allow Jacob to sleep with Leah that night. That illustrates the power Rachel had over Leah and, in a way, Jacob, as well.

Leah must have been so desperate to spend time with Jacob, so she agreed to Rachel’s offer. That evening when Jacob came home from the fields, Leah informed him she 28 treasure

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had paid for his presence for the night. She conceived and gave Jacob another son named Issachar. Later, she had yet another son, Zebulun.

Leah also gave Jacob a daughter, Dinah. Then God opened Rachel’s womb, and she gave birth to Joseph.

Application: How desperate are you to feel loved? Sometimes, as the old song says, we look for love “in all the wrong places.”

Ultimately, our sense of fulfillment and acceptance must come from our relationship with Christ. No husband, boyfriend, best friend, career, possession, or money can give us that sense of wholeness and unconditional love only found in Jesus Christ.

JUNE STUDY I will be the first to admit, in some instances, I am not a very independent person. Several autoimmune diseases play havoc with my health, wellbeing, and self-confidence.

My husband, God bless him, “stands in the gap” for me, and I love him more than any words could ever express. Still going strong in our 45th year of marriage, I cannot imagine life without James.

But and it is a BIG but, I cannot depend on him to fulfill me completely as a person, a woman, or a child of God. To find my identify and purpose, my complete faith and trust must be placed in God. Nothing on earth can do that for me.

Please do not think that a new house, new career, or bigger bank account will make you feel better about yourself.

Those things may make your life a little easier, but they will not make you feel happier or more content. One version translates Ecclesiastes 5:10 like this: “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!”

On the Road Again Sometime after Joseph was born, Jacob decided to take his family and possessions and go home. As he traveled, he learned his estranged brother, Esau, was coming to meet him. Jacob had no idea how he would be received, so he put the maidservants first, followed

by Leah and her children, with Rachel and Joseph in the rear where they would be the safest.

Later, when the family was traveling from Bethel to Ephrath (Bethlehem), Rachel went into labor and died, giving birth to Benjamin. Jacob buried her there, and they continued on their way.

Leah then became the single matriarch of this pivotal yet convoluted family. We do not know where or when Leah died, but we do know Jacob gave his sons specific instructions to bury him with his ancestors in the cave at Machpelah where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah were buried, and where he had also buried Leah (Gen. 49:31).

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rivalry and bitterness, Jacob did share a family with Leah and the closeness of intimacy that, hopefully, gave her a sense of his caring and love.

What’s in a Name?

It is always interesting to look at the meaning of names, especially in biblical times, since names played a significant role in ancient families.

Lessons to Learn Leah’s story is one of manipulation, deceit, rivalry, and perseverance. Hers was a heart that longed to please her God and to be loved by her husband.

But Leah’s story is also the ultimate comeback. From substitute to chosen, she believed in the goodness of her God and her love for her husband. She was given the honor of burial in the “Cave of the Patriarchs,” and her sons became tribes of Israel.

When Leah named her first son, Reuben, she said it was because the Lord had noticed her misery, and now her Undoubtedly, there "Our hope husband would were times Leah was love her since must be tied brokenhearted and she had given to the unchanging hopeless, but she him his first heir. promise continued to honor Simeon’s name God and her family. of God." reminded Leah the No matter how hurt Lord had heard and betrayed we may feel, we she was unloved and had are never without hope. God’s given her another son. Levi goodness can light up the was a celebration of the third darkest valley, His peace can son, while Judah was an calm the most anxious heart, acknowledgment of praise and His love can mend the to the Lord. Zebulun’s name most broken spirit. conveys a reward from the Lord and, if not love, a hope for Take heart today, dear sister. respect from her husband for The same God who heard bearing him six sons. It seemed Leah’s anguished pleas for Leah tried to use her sons’ children, and who saw Leah’s names to petition Jacob to give broken heart and her desire her his love. to be loved, is the same good 30 treasure

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JUNE STUDY Father who sees you today.

Trust in the Lord; stop trying to figure it out yourself. Believe He is working even when you cannot see it.

You could be His next “comeback kid!”

I love this quote from Lysa Terkeust in her book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: “Our hope can’t be tied to whether a circumstance or

another person changes.

Our hope must be tied to the unchanging promise of God. We hope for the good we know God will ultimately bring from our situation, whether the good turns out to match our desires or not. And sometimes that takes a while. The process will most likely require us to be

persevering. Patient. Maybe even longsuffering…I’ve got to walk through the low places of the process before I’m perfectly equipped to live the promise.

(See Psalm 40:1-3) Keep crying out to Him, friend. Keep hoping in Him. And know God will take every cry you’ve uttered and arrange those sounds into a glorious song.”

Note: I highly recommend Lysa’s book. I found it while dealing with a devastating family situation where I could do nothing but pray. The truths she states from God’s Word kept me sane. My husband, James, and I are still dealing with this situation, but, after reading and doing an online Bible Study with Lysa, we feel much better equipped to keep our emotions in check and keep our focus in the right places.

About the Writer: Amanda Kilgore and her husband, James, live in Bristol, Tennessee.

Amanda sings with the worship team, and together, she and James serve on their church’s safety team. They are also chaplain coordinators with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, which sends chaplains to minister in both natural and man-made disasters.

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Adoption Story

Our adoption story began in 2019. My husband, Joey, and I had prayed for a child since 2012. After several doctors’ visits and tests, we learned I had some physical issues hindering our ability to get pregnant. My doctor treated the problem, but said it might take longer and be more difficult to conceive. If this procedure failed, the next step would be in vitro fertilization.

As a woman, I was upset. It made me angry to see my friends get pregnant, and angry as I watched the mothers who already had children. I had wanted a child for so long.

During this time I prayed, asking God, “Why is this 32 treasure

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happening to me?” Selfishly, I made the situation all about me, and it took a while to get out of that mindset. Soon I started praying, “Lord, if it’s your will, please bless Joey and me with a child, either naturally or through adoption.” I prayed this every day.

And one day, the Lord began to answer when I was approached

by Allana, a close friend and church member, and our local elementary school principal.

She knew about a little girl in foster care who was new to our community and enrolled in four-year-old kindergarten. She asked if we might be interested in adoption, not knowing that was precisely what we had

been praying for some time.

We experienced God’s sense of humor when we learned the four-year-old had a little sister. Was He saying, “Okay, you want a child so badly; how about two?”

At that point, a long and, sometimes stressful, journey began. There always seemed to be something else to do, like driving 100 miles each way for Saturday morning DSS classes, home studies, fire inspections, and mountains of paperwork.

Throughout the process, we were regularly babysitting the girls in our home. Each time it felt tougher to let them go.

Finally, on November 22, 2019, after nearly eight months of preparation, Kimberly and Khloe moved in with us—six days before Thanksgiving. We were thankful for SO much!

A few weeks later, we set the date to meet the girls for the first time. April 1, 2019— known to most people as April Fool’s Day, has much more importance to me. My dad died in 2017; April 1 was his birthday. When the foster mom suggested that date, I thought, “Okay, God, I hear You!” We fell in love with the girls the instant we met them. Kimberly was Those first few months were four, and Khloe was 15 months. eventful. Shortly after moving They had no idea why we came in, both girls contracted a by to see them, stomach virus. A few Proverbs 22:1 but as soon as weeks later, we were “A good name Joey and I left, we in the emergency room is more were convinced desirable than with Kimberly, who cut they were meant her head while playing great riches.” to be part of our at church. Not too family. long after that, we were back at the ER after Khloe, as the Now came the "red tape." song says, “fell off the bed and When we contacted the bumped her head.” girls’ caseworker with DSS (Department of Social Before the adoption could be Services), we explained our finalized, the biological parents’ desire to be Kimberly and rights had to be terminated.

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emotions when we learned their rights had officially ended.

While we were glad and excited for us, it still made us sad and even angry that their parents didn’t care enough to fight for their two precious little girls.

This rejection will have to be explained to Kimberly and Khloe one day. But “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

On February 24, 2021, our prayers were finally and completely answered— adoption day! To make that day as special as possible, when the girls got up that morning, Joey gave them flowers, and each received a letter explaining why this day was so special for all of us. I also wrote the words from Proverbs 22:1: “A good name is more desirable than great riches.” Kimberly and Khloe were finally Postlewaites, something they had been excited about for some time.

Hearing the judge grant our adoption that day was one of the happiest and most emotional moments of my life.

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Happy because they were finally ours—no more DSS appointments or caseworker visits. Emotional because this was the culmination of a nearly two-year process that often felt longer. Throughout this entire experience with its many ups and downs, I can say with absolute certainty, “God has been faithful!”

About the writer: Katie Postlewaite lives in Johnsonville, South Carolina, with her husband, Joey, and daughters, Kimberly and Khloe. She is a very active pastor's wife at Westside FWB Church and works as a secretary at Johnsonville Elementary School.

April 11-15, 2022

Prayer Requests 1

2

3 4 5

IM Missionaries

(Use the IM directory in this packet as you pray for missionaries.)

IM Global Partners

(Use the included “52 Weeks of Prayer” guide to pray for our partners around the world throughout the year.)

World Missions Offering (Let everyone know about the change in date for our WMO this year by sharing the card.)

Unreached People Groups (Learn more about specific UPGs by using the map in this packet.)

IM Office Staff

(You can see photos of everyone in our home office staff as you pray for them by name.)

WNAC groups around the country are participating in a missions-focused week of prayer leading up to Easter.

Downloadable resources available or contact IM for a mailed packet

For each day’s specific request, we have a corresponding resource. We invite you to download the resources by scanning the QR code below or contact Stacie by email (stacie@iminc.org) to have the packs printed and mailed to you or your group/church.

CONTACT US Email stacie@iminc.org (877)-767-7736 www.iminc.org

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@imincorg

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Scan the QR code to access digital resources

thirtysomethings

by Sarah Sargent

Francine Rivers’ book Redeeming Love quickly became my favorite when I read it 15 years ago.

It is a fictional story inspired by the Old Testament account of Hosea and his wife Gomer. God used Hosea and his unique story to show His immense and redeeming love for His people, Israel.

When I read this book, I often dreamed of (and prayed for) a man to love me the way Michael loves Angel (the main characters in the book). Comparing real people to fictional characters has often led to disappointments.

Driving to work recently, I listened to the audiobook again, and this time my mind and heart heard the story differently. I compared Michael and Angel with my relationship to Christ. Since I was a little girl, God has been pursuing my heart. Even when I was distracted by sin and life, He was faithful. He continually offered me His redeeming love, grace, and mercy.

I no longer pray for a love like Michael’s because God offered that kind of love to me when I was a seven-year-old girl in children’s church. He’s been loving me that way ever since. And He has loved you like that, too. Please take some time and re-read Hosea. Ask God to help you understand and experience more deeply His unconditional, redeeming love.

About the writer: Sarah Sargent is a third-generation member and leader in Free Will Baptist Women’s Ministries. She has been active at all levels of the ministry from an early age. In 2013, she began serving on the WNAC board and has been a member of the Shine team since its inception as both a speaker and writer. She serves as president of the women’s ministry at Reynoldsburg FWB Church and vice president for Ohio Free Will Baptist Women’s Ministries. She is a proud alumna of The Ohio State University, loves all things Disney, and her Labradoodles Regal and Lexi.

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W

VISION by Phyllis York

Have you ever taken a before and after picture? You know, the ones that show a difference in hairstyle or color. Other photos show the contrast in your complexion after using a particular product. And the biggie is the one showing weight loss (or gain). These examples demonstrate the difference after someone or something intervened.

Ephesians 2 reminds the believer of our before and after picture when God intervened with His grace. In verses 1-3, Paul describes our pre-conversion condition. We were spiritually dead, missing the mark of God’s standard. Disobedient conduct characterized our lives. And God was angry with us like He was with everyone else.

But God intervened with His rich mercy (compassion when in distress) and great love (deliberately choosing to love us), providing the way to become His child. God made us alive in Christ, or He regenerated us. He made it possible for us to have a relationship with Him. He made us positionally a resident of Heaven, which will be a reality one day.

This is one before and after picture that excites me! How about you? If you haven’t experienced this transformation, find someone who can explain how to have the best before and after picture you will ever take.

About the writer: Phyllis York is the interim director for WNAC and lives in Smyrna, Tennessee, with her husband, Tim. She has been a leader in Free Will Baptist Women's Ministries since 1992.

In 2010, Phyllis began working for WNAC as administrative assistant to Director Elizabeth Hodges. Spending time with her three grandboys is her favorite thing to do.

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AN OFFERING TO SUPPORT VITAL FREE WILL BAPTIST MINISTRIES: BOARD OF RETIREMENT, COMMISSIONS, EXECUTIVE OFFICE, THE FWB FOUNDATION, WNAC, VERTICAL THREE

SUNDAY, APRIL 24 LEARN MORE: NAFWB.ORG/ TOGETHERWAY

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