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BE THE CHURCH
CRESTVIEW IN MIDLAND
NOVEMBER 2012
MILES AND MILES OF TEXAS HOPE
BEAUTY FROM ASHES
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CONTENTS
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Cornerstone offers miles & miles of Texas hope — Jerrie Johnson grew up in a loving Christian home in rural Northeast Texas. Richard Robertson grew up in a troubled home in Central Texas, victimized by a violent stepfather. Both ended up incarcerated. But both also found hope and restoration through the ministries of Cornerstone Baptist Church in South Dallas.
Crestview Midland shows community what it means to ‘Be the Church’—Crestview Baptist Church in Midland involved about 150 volunteers in its “Be the Church” Day community service events, sharing the hope of Christ with people in Midland.
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Christian Women’s Job Corps grad sees God bring beauty from ashes—Rose Lincoln was sinking into despair when she saw an ad about the Christian Women’s Job Corps program at South Texas Children’s Home Ministries. The spiritual nourishment she received gave her the strength and grace to grow in her Christian faith and to not lose hope.
Joseph Balderas—When Guillian-Barre Syndrome hit Joseph Balderas, he was left wheelchair-bound. He confronted God and found faith and hope to overcome. He and his wife, Griselda, both enrolled at Baptist University of the Américas. He has continued to make progress and now walks without crutches or canes. Both he and his wife are Dean’s List students and serving in a San Antonio Baptist church.
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COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS 15 Legacy / Alan Lefever 24 Engage Culture / Jim Denison 25 Great Questions / Van Christian 27 Noteworthy 27 Classifieds 29 Passages 30 Edgewise / Marv Knox
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« OUR COVER STORY STARTS ON PAGE 8. Hope Latin, a formerly homeless single mother of three, turned her life around at Gracewood residential group care, has moved to Buckner Family Place independent living and now is a senior at Houston Baptist University.
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HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN
In water they found life. And an education. , local In the poor Rwandan village of Musanze running een betw se schools were forced to choo e, wors ers matt water and textbooks. To make had ols scho and , the water was unsafe to drink funds on no choice but to spend their remaining anda, e2Rw firewood to boil it. Working with Bridg r wate a Baylor engineering students installed route ols purification system and helped scho did more work their But well. by near a from water r. It gave than give Musanze schools fresh wate over 500 children a fresh start. B R I D G E 2 R WA N D A M U S A N Z E , R WA N D A
To learn mor
bout e about Baylor, visit baylor.edu/a
To become a Christian, a person must first realize that he or she is “lost”—totally estranged from God, separated from God by a sinful nature. Get a Bible, the history of God’s relationship with humankind, and read Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (NIV) A person alone cannot reconcile the lost relationship between himself or herself and God. To provide a remedy, God sent his only Son, Jesus, to live the perfect life God demands. Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Although humanity through sin has separated itself from God, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross bridged that gap. Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” All God asks is that a man or woman repent of his or her sins, turn from them and accept the sacrifice Christ made on the cross for those sins. Romans 10:9: “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” God promises in the Bible that anyone who accepts Christ as Savior shall be saved. Romans 10:13: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Baptists believe that a person who accepts Christ as Savior should also follow him in believer’s baptism by immersion and join the fellowship of a church of like-minded believers. Matthew 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
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Hope lives up t PHOTO/TOOLBOX/Britton Orrange
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COVER
HOPE LATIN’S FIRST NAME FITS HER WELL. BUT THAT HASN’T ALWAYS BEEN TRUE. Four years ago, she worked full time at a low-paying job at a department store. She and her three children lived with her mother in a crowded household that also included her sister’s four children and her brother. The situation grew tense. “Let’s just say we had different parenting styles. It caused some friction between my mother and me, and she asked us to leave,” she said. She and her children eventually ended up in a homeless shelter in downtown Houston. “I didn’t want my kids in that environment,” she said. So, she began to investigate other options. A coworker told her about Gracewood, a residential facility for single mothers and their families, operated by Children at Heart Ministries. »
p to her name by Ken Camp | Managing Editor
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PHOTO/TOOLBOX/Britton Orrange
Hope Latin, a senior at Houston Baptist University, benefited from Gracewood residential group care.
When Latin initially contacted Gracewood, she discovered the facility had no vacancies. But she refused to take “no” for an answer. “I continued to call. Within about two weeks, space opened up, and we moved in,” she recalled. In the residential group-care environment at Gracewood, Latin received mentoring and wise counsel in areas such as financial planning, parenting and life skills. “They love the Lord. It’s a ministry God uses to bless people. They’ve shown me God’s love,” she said.
she also works in the university’s financial aid office through the school’s work-study program.
abilities, Latin wanted to take steps toward independence. After three years in the group setting Gracewood provides, she moved to Buckner Family Place, where she has learned to take on additional responsibilities.
After she earns her undergraduate degree, she hopes to enter a m a ste r ’s - d e g re e p ro g ra m and prepare for a career as a “Thank God for Gracewood. Thank Christian counselor. God for Buckner Family Place. I’m grateful for the opportunities I “I hope and pray I can connect with never would have had if I hadn’t been women who are in the same or similar here,” Latin said. circumstances I’ve experienced,” she said. “Through these people, I was given hope. I’ve come to experience God in Her three children—Alexis, 17; a way I can only hope and pray that Christopher, 15; and Sophie, 6—have others will be able to.” excelled in school, following their mother’s example. The two older Looking back, she realizes Christians children participate in the praise at Gracewood, Buckner Family team at their church, where Latin Place and HBU each played a works in the youth ministry. She part in teaching her an important also leads a home Bible study and l ess o n — l i fe ca n c h a n g e fo r care group. the better.
With encouragement from the staff at Gracewood, Latin earned her GED and completed a year and a half at a community college before she transferred to Houston Baptist University. This fall, she began her senior year at HBU, pursuing “One of the major things Gracewood “Before, I just lived paycheck to a major in psychology with a minor gave me was a sense of security and paycheck, with no expectation about in Christianity. confidence in myself,” she said. the future being any different,” she said. “It’s hard work. The professors at “These last few months, I’ve been HBU are brilliant, and they want you getting anxious—in a good way— “Now, I’m always expecting and to be just as brilliant as they are. It’s about starting my career and being anticipating what God is going really challenging,” she said. out on my own.” to do next—who he will work through next.” n In addition to her studies at HBU, As she grew in confidence and in her
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PHOTO/TOOLBOX/Britton Orrange
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STORIES OF HOPE
Cornerstone offers hope Jerrie Johnson grew up in a loving Christian home in rural Northeast Texas. Richard Robertson grew up in a troubled home in Central Texas, victimized by a violent stepfather. Both ended up incarcerated. But both also found hope and restoration through the ministries of Cornerstone Baptist Church in South Dallas. by Ken Camp | Managing Editor
After a picture-perfect childhood, Johnson attended college at Prairie View A&M University. When her mother developed diabetes, she returned home to care for her. But she met a young man who had moved to the Texarkana area to live with his grandmother after his involvement in drugs and gangs in Oakland, Calif. “I thought I could change him,” Johnson said. Instead, he introduced her to drugs. “My life spiraled. I began to use—and then sell—cocaine. I ended up a first-class crack addict,” she said. One day, while in the act of shoplifting, she prayed in desperation, “Lord, help me out of this.” When store security detained her and summoned the police, they were surprised by her reaction. “The whole time they were arresting and processing me, I was shouting, ‘Thank you, Lord!’” At the Dawson State Jail in Dallas, she learned about Martha’s House, a ministry sponsored by Cornerstone Baptist Church to help female ex-offenders re-enter society. Johnson completed the ministry’s Christian Women’s Job Corps program, and for the last year, she has served as a mentor to other young women.
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“It’s a house of restoration,” she said. “My future, my life, my hope has been restored.” Robertson never knew his biological father and had a rocky relationship with his mother and stepfather. By age 12, he began drinking, and he started smoking marijuana a year later. Although he made a profession of faith in Jesus and was baptized at age 14, he received no support.
Lying in a prison bunk one night, he prayed: “God, people say they know you. I want to know you for real.” “I told my family I got saved, and it didn’t mean anything to them. It was not too long before I started to question the meaning of it myself,” he said. “I began to yield to stronger temptations—sexual promiscuity, pornography, acid, pills, cocaine and a lot of alcohol.” After dropping out of high school, he moved in with a 27-year-old woman. When she fell behind on her utility bills, he robbed a convenience store hoping to get the money she needed. Police caught him the next morning with a stolen car and $12—all the money he got from the store robbery. He received a 12-year sentence. Lying in a prison bunk one night, he prayed: “God, people say they know you. I want to know you for real.” That signaled the beginning of Robertson’s journey back to God, but he acknowledged some wrong turns along the way—notably a parole violation after his early release. But a fellow inmate reminded him a football player doesn’t leave the game just because he fumbles the ball. “I realized I was on God’s team, and he had not traded me in,” he said. At Dawson State Jail, Robertson learned about Philemon House, Cornerstone’s ministry to male ex-offenders. After his release, he moved into the transitional re-entry program. Three years later, he serves on staff as the ministry’s director. “God is in the restoration business,” Robertson said. “God has been good and faithful.” n
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LEGACY
Saving a Hero by Alan Lefever | Director, Texas Baptist Historical Collection
B
y the time Sam Houston was introduced to Margaret Moffette Lea in 1839 at a party in Mobile, Ala., he already had lived a remarkable life assured to be
recorded in the histories of both Texas and the United States. Houston was born in Virginia in 1793. By 1839, he had served in the military, as a member of Congress, as governor of Tennessee, as general of the Republic
of Texas Army and as president of the Republic of Texas. He also had been part of two failed marriages and was known for being a heavy drinker. In fact, a Cherokee tribe with whom Houston spent part of his life gave him the nickname “Big Drunk.” Houston, who had no real religious background and was 26 years older than Margaret Lea, seemed to have little in common with the strict Baptist woman from Alabama. However, the two immediately were taken with each other and married in 1840. During her marriage, Margaret Houston and her mother, Nancy Lea, hoped Houston would be converted and join a Baptist church. However, as a young man, Houston requested baptism in another church only to have the request declined because of his reputation. As a result, he did not believe he was good enough to be a Christian. In 1854, George Washington Baines, an early Texas Baptist leader, spoke with Houston and noted a relationship with God was not built on one’s past but one’s present and future. Houston realized there was a place for him in the Christian faith after all and was converted. He was baptized on Nov. 19, 1854, by R.C. Burleson and became a member of Independence Baptist Church in Independence, Texas. Legend has it that when Burleson lifted Houston out of the water, he said, “Sam, your sins are washed away,” to which Houston replied, “I pity the fish downstream.” With Nancy Lea’s hope finally realized, she purchased a bell for the church to commemorate the event. That bell still can be seen today at the Texas Baptist Historical Museum in Independence.
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IDEAS
CRESTVIEW SHOWS MIDLAND WHAT IT MEANS TO ‘BE THE CHURCH’ by George Henson | Staff Writer
Crestview Baptist Church’s “Be The Church Day” not only enabled its members to be the hands and feet of Christ, but also allowed them to communicate encouragement and hope in Midland
I
nitially, organizers planned 12 projects for the Satur-
rooms where they would teach. They continued to help
day, but so many volunteers signed up, three more
them as they decorated their rooms.
projects had to added. In all, about 165 people spread
out across the community to spread the word through their actions that Crestview cares about its neighbors.
not only in a new school, but also in their new careers. You could tell they were a bit overwhelmed by all they had to
said sharing the love and hope of Christ—not promotion
do, and were so thankful for the help we were able to give
of Crestview and its ministries—was the theme of the day.
them,” Meyers said. Byron Smith, who was minister of community missions
promote our fall activities—we had nothing to hand out to
and the leader of “Be the Church Day,” now works for
anyone. The whole reason for the day was to be a blessing
Buckner International in Midland. About four years ago,
to the community—to send the message that the church
Crestview became convicted it was not as connected with
cares,” he said.
the community as it had been in the past.
Chrystal Meyers led the team at South Elementary School
The church collaborated with Buckner, which paid part
as volunteers worked not only to spruce up the grounds and
of Smith’s salary as the church sought to reach out and
some indoor areas, but also help teachers carry materials
serve the community on a higher level. A big part of
to their rooms as they prepared for the first day of school.
that community outreach includes the church’s ongoing
Her team even helped a pair of first-time teachers find the
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give their time and help these new teachers find their way,
Jimmy Daniel, connections and spiritual growth pastor,
“This was in no way a promotion event for Crestview or to
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“I think everyone on the team enjoyed the opportunity to
CommonCall: The Baptist Standard Magazine
relationship with three elementary schools.
Clockwise from top left: Sherry Thomas helps sort clothes at the Baptist Crisis Center in Midland as part of Crestview Baptist Church’s “Be the Church” emphasis. Bob Haines paints a picnic table at a Midland school. Elise Kail works with a team to help an elementary schoolteacher sort books and get ready for the first day of classes. A Crestview volunteer prepares box lunches for delivery to more than 12 “Be the Church” work sites throughout Midland. Tom McDaniel helps patch the fence of a homebound member of Crestview Baptist Church.
As Smith looked for locations for the congre-
Susan Edwards, director of the Baptist Crisis
gation to serve on “Be the Church Day,” he
Center in Midland, said the 16 Crestview vol-
received word back from several of those
and other leaders considered whether a long-
unteers who served there on “Be the Church
we helped. Especially a lot of principals
term relationship might be expected to grow
Day” accomplished a great deal in a short time.
and teachers wrote how encouraging it was
out of the Saturday of work.
The team painted, made electrical and sprin-
to arrive on a Saturday morning and have
kler repairs and packed 100 uniform and shoe
people help carry things in from their cars.”
“I wanted our church to see that we can minister throughout our community year round,” he said. That’s exactly what grew out of the day, Daniel noted. “The overall reaction was, ‘This can’t be a once-a-year deal,’” he said. “That was the biggest impact—just to see eyes opened to the opportunities for ministry in our community. “There’s a lot of affluence in Midland, but there’s a lot of poverty, too. For those in the middle class and above, there can be a lack of awareness of those needs, and a lot of eyes were opened.”
sets for children preparing to return to school.
tist Church care for them,” Smith said. “We
Meyers, who noted her family joined the
“Crestview was one of the original organiz-
church a relatively short time ago, said the
ers and supporters of the center 30 years ago.
day was a benefit even for her children, who
Many of her members have volunteered 10,
served with her at the elementary school.
15 and even 25 years here. Now another generation has learned more about this ministry,” Edwards said.
“This was an excellent way for me to starting teaching my kids at an early age that as Christians, we are supposed to give back,”
The church received several letters from
she said. n
groups that were helped by the congregation, Smith said. “We wanted our partners to be encouraged and know that the people of Crestview Bap-
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MISSIONS Rose Lincoln found hope and a new lease on life—and a meaningful ministry as a caregiver— through Christian Women’s Job Corps.
PHOTOS/Vicki Hewitt/STCHM
Giving back. Giving hope. by Vicki Hewitt | South Texas Children’s Home Ministries
S
even years ago, Marie Roseline Lincoln
was living her dream.
Born and raised in South Africa, her degree landed her a lucrative job in sales and marketing. She traveled to the United States often on business. On one trip, she met and fell in love with an American man. Both were Christians, immediately drawn together by their interest in ministry. They married in 2007, and she moved to the United States, but the honeymoon was short-lived. She soon found herself trapped in an emotional nightmare. “I never saw his controlling behavior until after we married,” she said.
“She had a good education, a professional
always see it that way. I really feel like I am
background and a lovely home. She
the hands and feet of Jesus as I care for my
seemed to be ahead of the game, But that
clients each day.”
wasn’t all there was to Rose’s story. There was also deep hurt, isolation and sadness about her. Too often, we have preconceived expectations about what CWJC students will look like and what they will be dealing with, but what we find is that poverty and need come in many different forms.” Rose Lincoln eagerly learned the content presented at Christian Women’s Job Corps. “I didn’t want to miss anything,” she said. “The offer of computer classes is what
Although she once had longed for her freedom, Lincoln chose to stay with her husband and prayed for him diligently. When he became terminally ill with colon cancer this year, she gave up all her clients except one and cared for him until his death in April. “Rose is so, so precious,” said Dottie Chiles, Lincoln’s CWJC mentor. “She is brave and fearless and confident in the Lord. In all of my experience as a counselor and mentor,
draws you, but I soon learned that I needed
I don’t believe I have ever known anyone
to become whole first. CWJC became a
who has grown as much in the Lord as
As their relationship worsened, she sank
safe haven for me. You feel this protection,
Rose has.”
further into despair. But one morning,
and all the women have a similar need and
she saw an advertisement for a 12-week
goal … of being in bondage and wanting to
Christian Women’s Job Corps program
be set free. The connection I felt there was
sponsored by South Texas Children’s
amazing, and when you leave CWJC, the
Home Ministries. She decided to apply.
connection doesn’t end.”
“Rose came to CWJC knowing the Lord
After graduating from the program, she
and wanting to grow in her faith,” said Lil Abshier, site coordinator for the program —a ministry of Woman’s Missionary Union that teaches job skills and life skills from a biblical framework, typically to unemployed or underemployed women.
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accepted a position as a caregiver.
Out of a heart for ministry and her deep love of God, Lincoln now seeks to give back as others have given to her. “We think that we need to be delivered from difficult situations, but sometimes, we need to go through them,” she said. “God sustained me and gave me a peace
“Learning to have a heart of compassion for
when I needed it most. He is true to his
the elderly and mentally challenged is the
word, and he makes everything beautiful
most humbling experience,” she said. “I am
in his time. I have such a sense of excite-
doing work most people don’t want to do.
ment and hope for what lies ahead.” n
It’s a higher calling, even though you don’t
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PHOTOS/Vicki Hewitt/STCHM
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APPLICATION
No more bargaining with God by Craig Bird | Baptist University of the Américas
When life hammered Joseph Balderas, he made bargains with God. He received miracles—big, small and in-between. But for years, he ignored God except in crisis moments. “I WAS A SPOILED BRAT,” said Bal-
“God, if you save his life, I’ll change
could buy a house. He asked for
deras, a junior business major at
my life and live for you,” Balderas
God’s help with his goals. They got
Baptist University of the Américas.
prayed. At sunrise, doctors con-
the house, but nothing changed.
That changed on Oct. 15, 2008,
Unable to change his lifestyle
made another vow to a deeper spiri-
spiritual battle that encompassed
alone, Balderas asked God to send
tual commitment, convinced his
paralysis, a six-week coma and
him someone to help—Griselda.
boss to let him have Sundays off and
a medical recovery that continues
The couple married but still found
promised God he would be in church.
to astound doctors and inspire
excuses to avoid church.
Instead, he decided to sleep in.
Balderas asked God to bless a move
“I wasted the last opportunity I
At age 14, Balderas made a commit-
to Houston for a new job, promising,
would have to go to church for six
ment to Christ at an evangelistic
“I’ll put you first.” He and his wife
months,” he said.
event, but there was no follow-up.
joined a church, but the lure of over-
He had no Christian friends. He
time ended their involvement. His
randomly attended a few churches
career drive strained the marriage.
but didn’t stick anywhere.
So, when the opportunity came to
Seven years later, he was a dropout, running with guys “up to no good,” he recalled, when his brother was
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Challenged by his wife, Balderas
when he began a physical and
fellow believers.
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firmed the miracle.
transfer back to San Antonio, they again vowed to put God at the center of their lives.
The strong young husband and father contracted Guillane-Barre Syndrome and found himself paralyzed from his feet to his nose, unable to breathe on his own or swallow. Medications gave him hallucinations, and doctors said he was
hit by a van and dragged 200 yards.
But Balderas soon found him-
suicidal. When he began to recover,
Surgeons told the family death was
self working seven-day weeks and
they said he was mentally unstable
only hours away.
double shifts so he and his wife
because he “wouldn’t accept the
CommonCall: The Baptist Standard Magazine
PHOTO/BUA/Carlos Garduno
Joseph and Griselda Balderas typically display two of the largest and most consistent smiles at Baptist University of the Américas—and they generate smiles, too, as people watch his rapid recovery from wheelchair to walking.
medical reality” and always was
Arevalo—who had married them
In his first year of school, Balderas
smiling and cheerful.
but never convinced them to come
defied his doctors again, progress-
to church—and began attending Alta
ing from wheelchair to walker to
Vista Baptist Church.
crutches to cane to walking with
That was because Balderas finally was “going to church”—even though he never left his bedroom. “I made my bed my temple,” he explained. “I made it my meet-
Meanwhile, Balderas worked on earning his GED and looked for education to provide him a career. The
braces. Meanwhile, the couple launched a food pantry at Alta Vista and began serving as youth directors and children’s church leaders.
ing place with God. And when they told me I’d never walk again, I’d say, ‘In Jesus’ name, I rebuke everything you are saying.’ They would smirk and say, ‘You sure have a lot of faith in this God
Their long-term
“I MADE MY BED MY TEMPLE. I MADE IT MY MEETING PLACE WITH GOD.”
of yours.’”
dream, inspired by BUA’s Faith Walking course, is to work together in a community center that is part of their church. “God was patient with me,” he said. “We want to spend
March 2009, he returned home in a
new business leadership program at
wheelchair—arms and legs still para-
BUA seemed like the right fit. When
lyzed but able to breathe on his own.
his wife took him to register, she
The couple relied on Pastor Jose
wound up enrolling, too.
the rest of our lives serving him by loving people and telling them what a wonderful Father he is.” n
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ENGAGE CULTURE
T
his sentence was scrawled on the bulletin board of the great Notre Dame cathedral in Paris: “The world tomorrow will belong to
those who brought it the greatest hope.” Counselors and psychologists long have known the truth of these words. Viktor Frankl, the Austrian psychologist and concentration camp survivor, reported that those prisoners who believed in tomorrow best survived the horrors of today. Survivors of POW camps in Vietnam stated a compelling hope for the future was the primary force that kept many of them alive.
The hunger for something more
Why? Because we were made for more than this. C.S. Lewis was right: “Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” He has planted a hunger for “something more” in every human, a God-shaped emptiness in every heart. Tragically, we turn to the material to satisfy the spiritual, to the temporal when we long for the eternal. Listen to Lewis again: “Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise. The longings which arise in us when we first fall in love, or first think of some foreign country, or first take up some subject that excites us, are longings which no marriage, no travel, no learning can really satisfy. “I am not now speaking of what would be ordinarily called unsuccessful marriages, or holidays or learned careers. I am speaking of the best ones. There is something we grasped at, in that first moment of longing, which just fades away in the reality. I think everyone knows what I mean. The wife may be a good wife, and the hotels and scenery may have been excellent, and chemistry may be a very interesting job: but something has evaded us.”
JIM DENISON is president of the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture (www.denisonforum.org) and theologian-in-residence with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
What is that “something”? Or better, Who? The Imitation of Christ, written by Thomas a Kempis more than five centuries ago, offers this counsel from God: “Do not be worn out by the labors which you have undertaken for my sake, and do not let tribulations ever cast you down. Instead, let my promise strengthen and comfort you under every circumstance. I am well able to reward you above all measure and degree. … A time will come when all labor and trouble will cease. Labor faithfully in my vineyard; I will be thy recompense. Life everlasting is worth all these conflicts, and greater than these. … “Lift your face therefore to heaven; behold I and all my saints with me—who in this world had great conflicts—are now comforted, now rejoicing, now secure, now at rest, and shall remain with me everlastingly in the kingdom of my Father.” As will we. This is the hope of God.
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BIBLE
Great Questions
by Van Christian
Where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me? (JOB 17:15, NIV)
J
ob is answering his critics in this passage. They want
This is the faith of Jesus who, instead of summoning
him to repent so things will go better for him. Job is
armies of angels to defend and restore him, allows him-
sure of his innocence; therefore, he knows his circum-
self to slip from this life with confidence his life is in his
stances are not likely to change. He believes he probably
Father’s hands.
will die in this condition.
We often find ourselves surrounded by situations that are
Thus, Job has no hope his circumstances will improve in
indeed hopeless by the world’s standards. The temptation
life, and no hope the grave will provide any peace. His
for us is to believe if things don’t get better immediately,
response to his friends is if the only hope they can see is
then God must not care or is punishing us. Such belief
for things to get better, they are not going to be rewarded.
would then certainly result in the most despondent sense
There is a strong connection between Job 17 and Psalms
of hopelessness.
22 and 29 and the Suffering Servant passages of Isaiah.
The proof for us is we have ample evidence God does
In those passages, all prophetic of the suffering death of
care, is just, and will provide the rescue. For Job, it came
Christ fulfilled at the crucifixion, the point is the world
with a restoration of more than he had before. For Jesus,
can only imagine hope that immediately rescues us from
it came with the rolling away of the stone and resurrection
all things going wrong in our lives.
from the dead. Either way, it was just as miraculous: Hope
This point is evidenced by the crowd at the crucifixion.
greater than the world could understand was fulfilled.
They see Christ’s only hope as being in a God who will
Hope does not mean everything goes our way, at least
remove him from the cross; i.e., the pain. Since obviously
not right now. In Acts 26, Paul says his hope is the very
that is not going to happen, they laugh at the idea of any
reason he is in prison. Yet hope holds firm to the belief
hope at all.
everything is not over yet. There is still much more to
Job’s answer, which also is that of the psalmist and the
come, and the end for which we hope is worth the wait.
servant, is he has a hope not contingent on everything going his way. Circumstances may not improve, and in
Van Christian is pastor of First Baptist Church in Comanche
fact, worms soon may be eating his flesh. Nevertheless,
and chairman of the Baptist General Convention of Texas
he has hope. His hope is in a just God who has revealed
Executive Board.
himself as rescuer.
CommonCall: The Baptist Standard Magazine
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Caring for children and families for 60 years Residential Care for Children Family Counseling International Ministry
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NOTEWORTHY
CLASSIFIEDS
REGION Baylor to study impact of seminaries behind prison bars Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion has been awarded a $1.3 million grant to study the impact of a seminary inside a Texas maximum-security prison and a similar one at a Louisiana prison. The five-year study will examine the extension program of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary housed at the Darrington Unit in Rosharon, as well as a nondenominational program at Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly called Angola. Smith named Victim Relief Ministries executive director Edward Smith, who has served as deputy director and disaster response leader for Victim Relief Ministries, has been named executive director of the Richardson-based nonprofit organization. Smith succeeds Gene Grounds, who founded Victim Relief Ministries 12 years ago and will serve now as chair of its board of directors. Victim Relief Ministries, an interdenominational organization, grew out of Texas Baptist Men and continues to serve as an independent but affiliated TBM ministry. Five universities named as ‘military-friendly’ schools G.I. Jobs magazine has named five universities related to the Baptist General Convention of Texas to its list of militaryfriendly schools—Dallas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, University of Mary HardinBaylor and Wayland Baptist University. The designation means the Texas Baptist universities rank among the top 15 percent of schools across the nation in doing the most to embrace America’s veterans and military personnel as students.
NATION Religious groups support people with disabilities The Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition is encouraging congregations and other
religious organizations to make use of a new questions-for-candidates resource available online. The questions, for both federal and state offices, ask candidates to clarify their stance on issues including employment, educational opportunities and healthcare for 8 million people with disabilities who currently rely on Medicaid.
WORLD European leaders endorse seminary move Leaders of the European Baptist Federation voted overwhelmingly to move the International Baptist Theological Seminary from Prague to Amsterdam as an international Baptist studies and research center with close ties to the Union of Baptist Churches in the Netherlands. The European Baptist Federation Council approved three recommendations from seminary trustees at their annual meeting in Elstal, Germany, near Berlin—to sell the Prague campus for the best possible price; to convert an Amsterdam church into a “Baptist House” with studies to begin in fall 2014; and to focus mainly on doctoral work in Baptist and Anabaptist studies and practical theology. Restrictions on religious freedom tighten Religious believers throughout the world face a rising tide of restrictions, according to a study conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. In the one-year period ending in mid-2010, 75 percent of the world’s population lived in a nation with high or very high restrictions on religious beliefs or practices. A previous Pew study found 70 percent of the world lived under religious restrictions. The latest study covered 197 countries and relied on 19 sources of information, including the U.S. State Department’s annual reports on religious freedom. Compiled from Associated Baptist Press, Religion News Service and other sources.
CommonCall: The Baptist Standard Magazine
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BUSES/VANS/CARS Eldorado National, Startrans, Turtle top, Buses and Vans. Serving the transportation needs of Texas churches since 1989. Lasseter Bus & Mobility. (800) 880-5620.
MISCELLANEOUS “This American Stands with ISRAEL” bumper sticker. Quality product; powerful message. Our youth ministry is selling these as fundraiser for outreach in the community. Only $6.00 to Revolution Church c/o Pam Kaufman, 6000 Mabelene Road, #39C, Hanahan, South Carolina 29410, or Paypal at www. revolutionchurchofcharleston.com. Picture of sticker on webpage. Thanks.
POSITIONS Highland Baptist Church, Lubbock, is prayerfully accepting résumés for the position of full-time associate pastor to lead in family ministry, church growth and administration. Please send résumés to Highland Baptist Church, 4316 34th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79410 or personnel@highlandbaptist.org. For questions, call (806) 795-6453. First Baptist Church, Plano, is seeking a full-time minister of students. This person will coordinate and grown middle school and high school ministries. Relationship building and ministry to students, workers with students and parents are essential. Experience in student ministry and completion of a ministry degree are required. Please send résumés to tommys@fbcplano.org. Perfect career for committed believer. Man/ woman, returning military, retired or bivocational. No monetary investment to start. www. L2LGodandCountry.com. Pastor—First Baptist Church, Knox City, Texas, is looking for a man called of God to lead our congregation. Send résumés to: P.O. Box 355, Knox City, Texas 79529. Memorial Baptist, Pasadena, Texas, is seeking an associate pastor with a passion for student ministry. Email resume to memorialysc@gmail.com. Immanuel Baptist Church, San Angelo, seeks full-time music and young adult minister. Blended worship with choir. Email: pastortommy@ibcfam.org. First Baptist Church, Santa Fe, New Mexico, is seeking a full-time Associate Pastor for youth. Submit résumés to lvandyke@comcast.net. Calvary Baptist Church of Abilene, Texas, is seeking a part-time student minister. Submit résumés to mr93220@gmail.com. Colonial Hill Baptist Church in Snyder, Texas, is seeking full-time minister of youth. Please submit your resume to Colonial Hill Baptist Church c/o Tommy Culwell, P.O. Box 290, Snyder, Texas 79550, or submit by email to tommy@colonialhill.org. First Baptist Church of Azle, Texas, is seeking a full-time qualified youth pastor. Send resume to: First Baptist Church, 1017 Boyd Road, Azle, Texas 76020, or email to: fbcazle@integrity.com.
Continued
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CLASSIFIEDS
POSITIONS, CONTINUED Trinity Baptist Church, Amarillo, seeks worship pastor to lead the comprehensive music and worship ministry. We have two identical blended (though leaning contemporary) worship services on Sunday mornings. The ideal candidate will have the ability to lead from an instrument, have choral experience and be theologically conservative. Please send résumés to Pastor Nate Magloughlin at nate@tbcamarillo.org. Southfork Country Church, northeast Plano, is seeking a part-time worship leader with good leadership skills. We would prefer an individual who is able to play guitar and give traditional hymns and modern praise and worship songs a country music sound. Email pastor@southforkcountrychurch.com. Evangelical non-profit seeks executive director—Baptist Medical Dental Fellowship (BMDF) is a ministry committed to loving God and people through healthcare missions. We are Christian healthcare professionals of all types, medical and dental residents and students—intentionally focused on sharing the Gospel through: short-term healthcare projects, international partnerships, U.S. church-based free clinics, disaster relief, as well as by encouraging and collaborating with long-term healthcare missionaries in the field. Our ideal executive director will have: a passion for missions, an ability to plan and motivate volunteers, and a capacity to oversee a growing 600+ member organization. Knowledge of the healthcare industry, comfort with financial management and fundraising and familiarity with our Baptist heritage is a plus. Find BMDF’s complete Executive Director Profile under the “Leader Profile” link on our homepage at www.bmdf.org. Send résumés to BMDF’s Search Committee Chair, Dr. Greg Osborne at greg@osbornedds.com. Sampson Resources needs phone sales reps. Good job with base salary, commissions, bonuses; office near Dallas/Galleria. Send resume to info@ sampsonresources.com. First Baptist Church, Diboll, Texas, seeks minister of music and education. Pay is negotiable based on experience. Please email résumés to personnel@ dibollfbc.com. First Baptist Church of Paint Rock, Texas, seeking a full-time pastor. Send résumés to Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 295, Paint Rock, Texas 76866. Indian Hills Baptist, Grand Prairie, Texas, is accepting résumés for pastor. Send résumés to garyc5700@gmail.com. Family life coordinator—Gracewood in Houston is seeking a Christian female, single or married, live-in Family Life Coordinator for its Family Care Program, Spring Branch campus. Further details at www.gracewood.org, or email tamara. collins@gracewood.org. First Baptist Edna, Texas, seeking full-time minister of youth/education. Candidates need passion for youth. Send resume to betty@fbcedna.org. Minister of music—First Baptist Church, Canton, Texas, is accepting résumés for a full-time minister of music/pastoral care. We are seeking a God-centered worship leader to join our growing, thriving ministry and to lead blended worship. Responsibilities: Provide leadership for all choirs, plan dual A.M. services with the pastor, assist with pastoral duties, supervise all media. Please send resume and video (optional) by December 15, 2012, to: firstcantonmusic@yahoo.com, or mail to: First Baptist Church of Canton, 303 South Athens, Canton, Texas 75103. Children’s Minister—First Baptist Church, Henderson, Texas. Full-time position. Send résumés to pmorrison@thefbc.org. Or mail to Patsy Morrison, First Baptist Church, 207 West Main Street, Henderson, Texas 75652. Part-time music minister—First Baptist Church, Dickinson, Texas; jmedrano@fbcdickinson.org.
REAL ESTATE Home of emeritus missionary “Uncle Buddy,” on Holly Lake Ranch golf course, Tyler area. Asking $120,000. (903) 769-4599.
PASSAGES
UPCOMING East Texas Baptist University will hold Tiger Day for all high school students and college transfers and their families Nov. 3. Participants will tour the campus, meet faculty and students, receive admissions and financial aid information, and visit academic departments. Lunch in provided, and participants will receive tickets to the football game at 1 p.m. that afternoon. For more information or to register, call (800) 804-3828. Baylor University’s Center for Ministry Effectiveness and Educational Leadership will hold a symposium on the Psalms in the Armstrong Browning Library Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. The program will include a time of worship using Psalms, a plenary session and a panel of speakers. William Bellinger, professor and chair of the religion department at Baylor, will address the subject “The Psalms and Christian Worship.” Members of the panel will be Terry York, professor of Christian ministry and church music at Truett Theological Seminary; Timothy Vaverek, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Gatesville; and Christopher Culpepper, rector of Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church in Fort Worth. A lunch will conclude the meeting.
NOTABLE Glenn Bratcher received Hardin-Simmons University’s Keeter Alumni Service Award during the school’s alumni awards banquet held as a part of homecoming activities. Named as distinguished alumni were Patricia Blanton, Paula Edwards and James Furgerson. Baptist Child & Family Services has promoted three people. Asennet Segura has been named executive vice president of residential operations. She has worked for BCFS 15 years. Kari Tatro now is executive vice president of emergency management. She joined BCFS in 2007. Mia Palmieri is vice president of strategic planning and
program development. She formerly was the special assistant to the BCFS president. Beverly Giltner has retired as dean of Dallas Baptist University’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics after 18 years in that role. She will continue as a professor of physics and computer science, which she began doing in 1969.
Leander more than 20 years. Monte Byrd, 15th, as pastor of Mill Creek Church in Bellville.
DEATH
James Hawkins, 15th, as pastor of Higher Heights Church in Tyler, Oct. 5.
Clif Baker Jr., 88, Sept. 16 in Dallas. Baker was on his way toward an operatic performance career when he felt God lead him into church music, where he served 47 years prior to his retirement in 1994. He was minister of music at Gaston Oaks Church in Dallas 19 years and also served there as director of adult ministries following his retirement. His first church music position was with Arcadia Park Church in Dallas, while he still studied at Baylor University. He also served at Highland Church in Waco, College Avenue Church in Fort Worth, First Church in Beaumont and First Church in Oklahoma City. He also was a charter member of the Century-men—ministers of music who sang on Southern Baptist Convention Radio & Television Commission programs and conducted concerts around the world, including singing in the Great Hall of China in 1983. He was preceded in death by his wife, June, and brother, Her-bert. He is survived by his daughters, Mary Grisham and Jean Ryden; son, Clifton III; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Friendship Church in Albany, 25th, Oct. 7. Butch Hinkle is pastor.
ORDAINED
First Church in Lyons, 100th, Oct. 14. Gary Samford is pastor.
Gary Wallace and Barry Biggs as deacons at Trinity Church in San Antonio.
Oakwood Church in New Braunfels, 30th, Oct. 21. Ray Still is pastor.
REVIVAL
Howard Payne University has appointed Dale Meinecke assistant vice president for external programs and church relations. He will oversee enrollment services and development of the university’s New Braunfels and El Paso campuses as well develop relationships with area associations and churches. Houston Baptist University has elected six new members to its Sports Hall of Honor. Selected by the athletic department executive staff were Ron Cottrell, basketball/athletic director; Mary-Ellen Hall, softball; Ken Kelley, golf; Cheri Wood, softball; Magnus Fhyr, cross country; and Joey Serralta, soccer.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Church in New Baden, 100th, Oct. 21. The 11 a.m. homecoming service will be followed by a fellowship meal. Freddy Burden is pastor.
First Church, Three Rivers; Nov. 3-5; evangelist, David Billeiter; music, Terry Wilkins; pastor, Lyn Means.
Sherry Maggard, 10th, as preschool director at Central Church in Bryan. Jarvis Philpot, 65th in ministry, Nov. 18. He has served Round Mountain Church in
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EDGEWISE
filled our hearts as we prepared this prepublication edition of CommonCall: The Baptist Standard Magazine. Not tentative, skittish schoolboy hope, like “I hope I get an iPhone for my birthday.” But biblical hope: “God led us thus far. And even though we cannot see the future, in hope, we’re stepping out on faith.” Our journey to CommonCall followed a long path and a clear mission. It began in 1888, when visionaries started a newspaper to draw Texas Baptists together. Since the beginning, we have existed to inform, inspire, equip and empower people to follow Christ and expand the kingdom of God. Along the way, the Baptist Standard changed names twice, office locations several times, formats and printing styles many times, and editors 12 times. Across the years, our legacy has been forthright news about and for Texas Baptists. To that end, we primarily have published newspapers, but we’ve also employed other media. Generations ago, we printed books. Recently, we have operated a website and produced a digital edition on the Internet. Beginning next January, we will celebrate our heritage by extending our legacy even as we innovate once again. Actually, twice again. For certain, we will continue to publish the Baptist Standard. But not with paper. Everyother week, subscribers will receive a digital edition produced with the latest technology, so that it will be easy to read on your computer, tablet and phone. The new Standard will include the same kind of content you’ve been reading on newsprint—Baptist and religion news; trends affecting faith and life; articles about missions and ministries; stories about faithful people; and letters and opinion. And every month, subscribers to the current printed Baptist Standard will receive CommonCall, a magazine crafted in direct response to extensive conversations with Texas Baptists supplemented by surveys of pastors. MARV KNOX is editor and publisher of CommonCall, the Baptist Standard, and FaithVillage.com.
The magazine will highlight human-interest stories about changed lives, Christians who put faith in action, missions, evangelism and family life. It also will present thought-provoking leadership articles and stories about effective church ministries. We asked pastors what kind of articles they want their members to read—material to equip them for service to Christ in their churches and in their day-to-day lives. We’ll follow their guidance as we select content month by month. The magazine’s name represents the solidarity and shared purpose that binds Texas Baptists. CommonCall, reflects our desire for this magazine to unify churches and our convention. It also champions our shared commitment to help every Christian fulfill his or her calling. So, we’ll produce a state-of-the-art digital news publication, the Baptist Standard. And we’ll respond to the expressed desires of Texas Baptists to receive an uplifting, inspirational magazine, CommonCall. Individuals and churches who subscribe soon to CommonCall will receive two free bonus subscriptions of the Baptist Standard. This offer may not last long, but we want to give every Texas Baptist and every Texas Baptist church an easy, economical opportunity to tap into the Baptist Standard legacy and gather together around CommonCall. In the best biblical sense of the word, we hope to continue blessing Texas Baptists for generations.
P.S. If you have questions about our changes or ideas for either the Baptist Standard or CommonCall, contact me: marvknox@baptiststandard.com; (214) 630-4571 ext. 1013.
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CommonCall: The Baptist Standard Magazine
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