Issue 32

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THEBAPTISTVOICE.COM


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CONTENTS SUMMER // ISSUE 32

Summer 2018, Issue 32

Belief in an Age of Skepticism

EDITORS Executive Editor & Publisher | PAUL CHAPPELL Church Ministries Editor | R.B. OUELLETTE Associate Editor | JOHN GOETSCH Managing Editor | ANDREW JONES

GRAPHICS Layout Design | ANDREW JONES

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Photography | WILL LOFGREN

CONTRIBUTORS Executive Editor & Publisher | PAUL CHAPPELL Church Ministries Editor | R.B. OUELLETTE Associate Editor | JOHN GOETSCH

Children’s Building

Managing Editor | ANDREW JONES

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Pinecrest Baptist Church | JOHN ANDERSON Evangelist | SCOTT PAULEY

Lancaster Baptist Church is remodeling their North Building into a dynamic and engaging Kid City building.

Veteran Missionary | DON SISK WCBC Instructor | TOBI ENGLAND LBC Adult Ministries | GABRIEL RUHL Lancaster Baptist School | BRANDON EWING

08 // LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ASIA Read the highlights on how God answered prayer in the Philippines

LBC Student Ministries| LARRY CHAPPELL LBC Ladies Ministry | TERRIE CHAPPELL

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12 // THE 10/40 WINDOW Learn how to pray for almost 5 billion people—over 95% of whom are lost

LBC Children’s Ministry| NATHAN BIRT WCBC Alumnus | LEANNE CARDENAS

ABOUT THE BAPTIST VOICE

16 // LBC LEADERSHIP TEAM A closer look at the team God has assembled at Lancaster Baptist

46 // DR. BOBBY ROBERSON Dr. Paul Chappell: Five ways a friend, pastor, and counselor influenced my life

30 // CAPITOL CONNECTION Dr. Paul Chappell shares how a delay in schedule helped changed someone’s life

50 // THREAT WE FACE Dr. John Goetsch: The prophecy concerning religious liberty

32 // BIBLICALLY GROUNDED Belief matters. The challenge has been in convincing the congregation.

64 // CHURCH SECURITY How do we keep our churches safe in a world where evil is present?

Phone: 800.688.6329 Rates: 2 years (4 issues) US $24

42 // FAITH AT THE EDGE Dr. R.B. Ouellette: Knowing when to engage Bible skeptics

78 // WEST COAST BAPTIST COLLEGE A look back at the twenty-third WCBC commencement exercises

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26 // CURRENTS California AB 2943 would make it illegal for anyone to offer the option of paid help or counseling for an adult who is struggling with same-sex attraction and wants to deal with those feelings biblically.

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38 // CHURCH NEWS Pastor Peter Lopez Dedicates New Building in Peoria, Arizona / Tucson Baptist Temple in Tucson, Arizona Celebrates Their Highest Attendance on Easter

82 // ALUMNUS INTERVIEW A look at West Coast Baptist College graduates around the country

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FIRST WORD a letter from the editor

Biblical Skepticism How do you deal with questions and objections to faith that your friends may pose? Ultimately, faith is only as valid as its object.

live in an age of skepticism. It’s no news flash that the prevailing worldview in America today is secularism. People are disillusioned with religion. Some are discouraged. Some are fearful. Some are hopeless. Our culture is shifting before our very eyes, and there seems to be little to nothing we can do to stop it. We see the decaying morals, and we sense the intolerance toward Christians growing around us. If you’ve struggled answering questions about the existence of God, the historical reliability of the Bible, or the origins of the universe, you’ll find answers in these pages. In this issue, Tobi England confronts the questions most skeptics have about God—the problem of evil. Let’s face it. Some questions can be difficult to answer. When Christians share their faith, skeptics and unbelievers are quick to reject. In his article “The Problem of Evil,” he gives helpful principles to share with someone doubting the existence of God. How do you know when to engage those who reject God’s truth and when not to do so? In his

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article “Faith at the Edge,” Dr. R.B. Ouellette shares practical ways to engage Bible skeptics. In his article “The Threat We Face,” Dr. John Goetsch explains the prophecy concerning religious liberty. Despite the threats, God’s answer is straightforward. Communicate the truth! In my article “Biblically Grounded,” I share how to approach those who reject our faith. Skeptics are not going away any time soon. So how can we find a way to share biblical truth with those who reject its basis? I give four thoughts every believer should consider. Skepticism is not an intellectual problem but a heart problem. Our goal is not to defeat skeptics in a debate but to show them the love and acceptance of Christ in the hopes that some may be saved. Our goal is not to win the argument but to win them to Christ. Ultimately, we should pursue their heart not their head. Not everyone will respond positively to our message but many will. Regardless, we must be faithful to share the good news of the gospel.

SKEPTICISM IS NOT AN INTELLECTUAL PROBLEM BUT A HEART PROBLEM.

DR. PAUL CHAPPELL Pastor & Publisher

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MI N I ST R Y N E W S

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

ASIA Highlights on How God Answered Prayer


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BY PAUL CHAPPELL

The theme of Spiritual Leadership Conference Asia, February 27– March 1, was “Striving Together for Asia and Beyond.” This was more than a tagline—it was a phenomenal reality. As for a report on the conference, it’s hard to even know where to begin—except to say that God worked mightily and answered prayer. We truly could sense the prayers of God’s people throughout the week. This article lists just a few of the highlights we were able to experience.

relationships SEVERAL MONTHS

before the conference, our team in Lancaster coordinated with pastors across the Philippines for a soulwinning outreach with youth rallies on Friday and Saturday, as well as evangelistic-themed services in churches on Sunday. Each of the rallies and services were hosted by local churches and had a guest speaker who was a part of our delegation. From the earliest rallies on Friday night, we were amazed at the response. Not only were the rallies well attended, but God greatly blessed the preaching of the gospel. Many teenagers and college students responded to the invitations and trusted Christ as their Saviour. On Sunday, pastors from our team preached in thirty churches across the Philippines. Most of these services were evangelistically themed. In total, around 750 people trusted Christ in approximately sixty youth

DR. PAUL CHAPPELL is the pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church and the president of West Coast Baptist College. He was a keynote speaker and served as the conference host.

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rallies and church services, as well as through personal one-on-one outreach. Local pastors and churches will work to follow up on each of the new Christians reached in their areas, helping to establish them in their new relationships with Christ. The day before the conference, we held a roundtable to connect businessmen with missionaries and to foster partnerships related to getting the gospel into countries that do not allow missionary visas. It was encouraging to see pastors, missionaries, and businessmen all coming together for missions as we discussed the needs, challenges, and opportunities for missions in specific nations. Over 5,000 delegates from forty-nine countries, including 300 missionaries attended the conference. It was an incredible blessing to serve God’s servants. I wish you could have heard their stories of the doors God is opening for them.

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music THE MUSIC AT THE CONFERENCE was

anointed by God. A 400-voice international choir and 140-piece international orchestra used their talents to glorify the Lord. Churches from across the Philippines sent their choir and orchestra members to sing in the conference. From the opening song, “Hallelujah to the Lamb,” the choir helped set the tone of every service and prepare hearts for the preaching of the Word of God. A trio representing West Coast Baptist College also provided special music. What a joy it was in each evening service to hear these combined singers and orchestra members offering praise unto the Lord.

preaching

NIRANJAN SUNDARARAJ is a Christian businessman who is the coordinator for the Asia region.

spiritual growth

ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT was the biblical preaching

DR. RB OUELLETTE is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Michigan and was a keynote speaker.

KERRY NANCE is the Senior Pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Tampa, FL and was one of the featured speakers.

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and personal testimonies. In each of the three evening services, we had two messages. Additionally, on Tuesday evening, Kim Phuc, “the girl in the picture” on the cover of Time magazine during the Vietnam War, shared her testimony. You could sense the openness and receptivity to God’s Word during the preaching services. I have never attended a conference where every message not only spoke to my heart but ripped at my heart. If you were not able to attend, I encourage you to carve out time to watch every single service online. All of the services and sessions are available for free download at slconferenceasia.com/media. The services were held at the SMX Convention Center. It is the largest private venue in the Philippines which helped accommodate the large crowds. One of the changes we made this year, at the request of delegates from the 2016 conference, was to schedule sessions all the way through 5:00 pm with a brief lunch break. Each session was practical, biblical, and well-attended. Most had in excess of 1,000 people with open Bibles and open notebooks eager to learn and apply.

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DR. JOHN GOETSCH is the Exec. VP of West Coast Baptist College and was a keynote speaker.

THIS WAS ALSO an opportunity

to make resources for spiritual growth obtainable to the many delegates who attended. We were able to make some Bible commentary sets available for free to over one hundred local church Bible colleges and institutes throughout Asia. Additionally, we shipped thousands of books from Striving Together Publications which we made available at greatly discounted prices. To get these resources into the hands of leaders who are preaching the gospel in places I may never have the opportunity to go was a privilege.

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church planting ONE OF THE GREAT

KEVIN FOLGER is the Senior Pastor of Cleveland Baptist Church in Brooklyn, OH and was one of the featured speakers.

6TH ANNUAL SLC ASIA Nearly fifty LBC members and over twenty guest pastors and speakers attended.

highlights of the conference was seeing West Coast Baptist College graduates who are serving in ministry and planting churches in the Philippines, Japan, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, and more. It was such a joy for me to hear how God is using them in spiritually dark and needy places. On our way back from Manila, part of our group flew through South Korea and took a one-day layover to visit our missionaries Barry and Mi-Suk Hoffman. In the evening

service at Emmanuel Baptist Church, we were able to visit with several more graduates, including the Hoffmans’ son and daughter-in-law, Samuel and Sarah, who are serving with his parents. There is another graduate couple who are currently serving in China. They are helping with a church planted by an American missionary who was evicted from the country. This summer, they’ll be planting a church in a needy Chinese province several hours from where they are currently serving.

impact OVER 150 Christians

surrendered their lives to ministry. Pray for these men who were called to preach the gospel and women who sensed God calling them into ministry. May God use them to make an impact for the sake of the gospel! During this last trip to Asia, we were in two megacities— Manila and Seoul—both with a combined metro population of 38 million people. And that is just two cities in a vast, denselypopulated area. It made

me grateful for every gospel light shining. And it encouraged me to continue to pray for more laborers. Since before the conference began, we’ve been praying that God would use it to bring longlasting fruit to His glory. I’m praying that millions of souls will come to Christ in the coming years as a result of this conference. Thank you for your prayers. God is doing great things in Asia, and it was a privilege to be a part!

DEAN MILLER is the pastor of Central Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and was a keynote speaker..

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PA STOR A L LE A DE RS H I P

[ MISSIONS ]

THE 10/40 WINDOW How Do You Pray for 4.7 Billion People? BY PAUL CHAPPELL

hen you consider the needs of the 10/40 window—a region spanning from ten to forty degrees north of the equator on the Eastern Hemisphere—it’s overwhelming. The 10/40 window contains almost 5 billion people—over 95 percent of which are unreached with the gospel. While it constitutes only one-third of earth’s total land area, nearly two-thirds of the world’s people reside in the 10/40 window. Over 3 billion Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims— all without Christ. The overwhelming majority of the world’s least evangelized megacities—such as Beijing, Shanghai, Cairo, Calcutta, Delhi, Jakarta, Tokyo, Bangkok, and a hundred others. Some of the largest unreached people groups in the world—including the Shaikh, Yadava, Turks, Moroccan Arabs, Pashtun, Jat, and Burmese. What do we do with statistics like these? How do we even begin to pray for so many people who need Christ? Well, to start with, we pray

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for the spread of the gospel. We pray, as Jesus commanded us, that God would send laborers into His harvest (Matthew 9:38). And we pray for missionaries and national Christians already on these harvest fields. Remember, the gospel is powerful. God still uses His servants who courageously and faithfully preach it to change lives, cities, and nations for Christ. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). If it’s overwhelming to think of the need in the 10/40 window, it’s also overwhelming to consider the potential for how the gospel can effect change in this region. A specific way that you can pray for the spreading of the gospel in the 10/40 window is to pray for God to open doors of opportunity. Many of the countries in the 10/40 window are closed to missionaries. Second, that Christians who labor in this region

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can be encouraged in their current labors. I’ll never forget during our 2016 Spiritual Leadership Conference Asia standing next to a national pastor from a restricted country during the congregational singing and noticing that he couldn’t sing for the tears streaming down his face. I asked if I could help him, and he told me, “I’ve never been in a place with thousands of Christians worshipping Christ openly. This is the most incredible experience of my life.” Pray for people like this to be encouraged in the Lord. Third, pray for new churches to be planted. We believe the local church is God’s plan to reach the world with the gospel. It is to the local church Christ has given the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19– 20), and it is to the local church that Christ made the promise, “…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Ultimately, this brings us back full circle. How do you pray for 4.7 billion people? You pray for the spreading of the gospel.

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Afghanistan

China, Macau

Japan

Mongolia

Syria

Albania

Djibouti

Jordan

Morocco

Taiwan

Algeria

East Timor

Kazakhstan

Myanmar (Burma)

Tajikistan

Azerbaijan

Egypt

South Korea

Nepal

Thailand

Bahrain

Eritrea

North Korea

Niger

Tunisia

Bangladesh

Ethiopia

Kuwait

Nigeria

Turkey

Benin

Gambia

Kyrgyzstan

Oman

Turkmenistan

Bhutan

Guinea

Laos

Pakistan

Brunei

Guinea-Bissau

Lebanon

Qatar

United Arab Emirates

Burkina Faso

India

Libya

Saudi Arabia

Uzbekistan

Cambodia

Indonesia

Malaysia

Senegal

Vietnam

Chad

Iran

Maldives

Somalia

West Bank / Gaza

China

Iraq

Mali

Sri Lanka

Western Sahara

Hong Kong

Israel

Mauritania

Sudan

Yemen

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Forty-five of the fifty worst countries for persecution are within the 10/40 window. The largest concentration of the three world religions (Islam, Buddhism, & Hinduism) is contained in the 10/40 window.

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Sixty-six percent of the world’s population lives in the 10/40 window.

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Ninety percent of the world’s poorest people live in the 10/40 window.


MI N I ST R Y N E W S

[ LANCASTER BAPTIST CHURCH ]

BUILDING PLANS for Ministry Expansion Since last year, our pastoral staff and building committee have been making progress on our future campus development.

June 10, Lancaster Baptist Church’s thirty-second anniversary, we broke ground on the new Bus Barn and Publications Warehouse. Our bus fleet and mechanics have a significant need for an indoor space where our ministry vehicles can be properly maintained and where our maintenance tools and equipment can be securely stored. Our bus ministry currently runs thirteen routes, as well as four park ministries, and over 550 people attend church on a weekly basis! It will also provide over 6,000 square-feet of storage space for our publications ministry and two bays for shipping and receiving.

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THE BUS MINISTRY CHANGES FAMILIES

The Williams Family Anthony & Nickia Williams received an invitation to bring their girls to an Easter bus activity in 2015. They loved it so much that they attended Easter services at LBC the following day. Soon thereafter they got baptized and joined the church. Anthony now serves as an usher.

FA C T O R S CO N S I D E R E D :

PROVERBS 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

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Percentage of believers who came to faith before they were 20 YEARS OLD 4yrs

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TEN YEARS is the window of opportunity between the ages of 4 and 14 when a person is most open to the gospel

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FAMILIES REACHED:

The Cruz Family Eduardo & Magaly Cruz began attending Lancaster Baptist Church after their six-year-old daughter, Nevaeh, visited on the bus. Eduardo was saved at LBC and their family is now growing in the Lord together. They are involved in ministry and are members of the His Design class taught by Gabriel Ruhl. Our desire through this new bus garage is to help the bus ministry reach families like this.

NEW CHILDREN’S BUILDING:

Kid’s Playground The children in our community and in our church need to be reached with the love of Jesus Christ. Our children need a safe and fun place to experience love, guidance, and a godly purpose. We believe that this children’s building will be a magnet to the families of our valley. It will also be an incredible tool God will use to create a fun Bible-learning experience for our children and future generations.

NEW CHILDREN’S BUILDING:

Breezeway Entry Children’s ministry plays an important part in coming alongside families to help reach and train their children for Jesus Christ. That is why our stewardship emphasis this year was the remodeling of the North Building into a dynamic and engaging Kid City building. This will provide an amazing space for children’s classes and a central drop-off and pick-up location for young families with children. The first phase will include the first floor and exterior remodeling of the North Building. For this to happen, the WCBC offices will need to be relocated.

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Percentage of formerly unchurched parents who indicated their CHILDREN INFLUENCED their decision on what church to attend

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4 OUT OF 5 church leaders today grew up in church

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Percentage of churches who list MINISTRY TO CHILDREN in their top three church priorities

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THE LANCASTER BAPTIST CHURCH

LEADERSHIP TEAM T

he vision for Lancaster Baptist Church is to bring honor and glory to God. This is the passion of Pastor Chappell. As the ministry has grown, the need for vision development,

delegation, and planning have also grown. As a result, Pastor Chappell has developed an executive leadership team who oversees ministry operations, personnel, and finance. The

executive positions are listed on page 16. The pastoral leadership team is listed on the following pages. These men help fulfill the vision by using their unique gifts.

DR. PAUL CHAPPELL has been the Senior Pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church for 32 years and the Founder and President of West Coast Baptist College for 23 years. He loves spending time with his wife, four children, and ten grandchildren.

GABRIEL RUHL serves as the Executive Pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church and helps to oversee the day-to-day operations and program of the church. He loves serving the Lord and spending time with his family.

DR. TOM SHEPHERD is the Chief of Staff of Lancaster Baptist Church and Ministries. He is also the Chief Academic Officer of WCBC. He is a diehard Alabama football fan. Roll Tide!

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BEN HOBBS oversees ministry finances. He loves spending time with his family in the beautiful California outdoors.

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LARRY CHAPPELL is the Student Ministries Director at LBC and oversees the Live Stream Ministry. He enjoys photography and spending time with his family.

JON SISSON is the Junior High Youth Pastor at LBC and the assistant WCBC basketball coach. He enjoys sports and spending time with his family.

ENOCH KIM is the Korean Pastor in Lancaster Baptist Church and oversees the Korean Ministry. He’s a trained vocalist and loves classical music.

JOHN WILLIAMS serves as the choir, orchestra, and worship leader of Lancaster Baptist Church. He loves the great outdoors.

DANIEL HOPKINS is the music department director of LBC and plays piano for worship services. He loves spending time with family.

JERRY FERRSO is the Outreach Pastor at LBC. He enjoys his grandchildren, mountain biking, and is a dedicated Cubs fan.

BRANDON EWING is the Administrator of Lancaster Baptist School. He is a former Marine, avid runner, and lifelong Houston Astros fan.

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Spring Retreat Nearly every spring, the Lancaster Baptist Church leadership team pulls away to plan and prepare for the upcoming fall season of ministry.

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Fall Retreat In 2015, the leadership team visited the Chappell farm in Colorado for a time of strategic planning and fellowship.

JERRY COLLINS is the Spanish Pastor at Lancaster Baptist Church. He served the Lord for thirtyfive years planting churches in Mexico and the U.S.

ISAI GONZALES is an assistant pastor for the Spanish department at Lancaster Baptist Church. He loves digital photography.

DANIEL CANNON serves as a pastoral staff intern at LBC working in discipleship and adult ministries. He loves any burger with an egg on it.

NATHAN BIRT serves as the Children’s Pastor at Lancaster Baptist Church. He would be happy eating Italian food every day of his life.

JACOB BUNDY oversees the bus ministry and teaches a young couples class. He is an avid sports fan and loves the Jaguars!

JACOB FLEMING works as the singles intern at LBC and oversees WCBC activities. He loves the outdoors and Chick-fil-A.

Soulwinning Outreach Our pastoral staff lead the way in helping to oversee and facilitate four weekly outreach locations throughout the Antelope Valley.

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Leadership

Ministry

As a staff, we are constantly striving for excellence in our ministry. Each pastoral staff member oversees a team and helps to provide leadership in their area of ministry.

Each of the pastoral staff teach Sunday classes, midweek Bible electives, and discipleship training all in an effort to help develop believers in their walk with the Lord.

Staff Advance Near the end of each summer, our staff pulls away from daily responsibilities for two days of training at an off campus location. Staff Advance is a time when we are able to collectively refocus our energies on our core mission.

JEREMY LOFGREN oversees the print, web, and video production for Lancaster Baptist Church. He enjoys time with family, barbecueing, and following politics.

ANDREW JONES is the managing editor of The Baptist Voice magazine and the producer of the Daily in the Word radio program. He’s a big fan of all things Apple.

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SHERROD TIBBS serves in Pastor Chappell’s office. He is from Alexandria, Virginia and enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter.

New Life Baptist Satellite/ChurchPlanting Campuses Jonathan Fountain, Castaic Aaron Atherton, Mojave Peter Mordh, Rancho Vista Eric Duenke, Rosamond Samuel Grosse, Taft

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MI N I ST R Y N E W S

[ PA S TO R A L L E A D E R S H I P ]

Ministry Transitions: Following God’s Call BY JON GUY

OVER THE PAST twelve years, I have

had the privilege to serve on the staff of Lancaster Baptist Church. However, over the next several weeks, I will be transitioning out of my responsibilities here at LBC as my family and I follow the Lord’s leading to start a church in Tempe, Arizona. Transitions bring unique challenges, and sometimes are even seen as a negative but that doesn’t have to be the case. Transitions can be very positive—for the staff member, for the staff, and for the church family. Transitional times allow new and even younger men to assume greater levels of responsibility. They encourage a church family to support and witness the “birth” of a new local church. They also remind us of the great times we shared together and lessons learned along the way. As I think back on my time here at LBC, I have much for which to be thankful. I’m grateful first for pastoral mentoring. I’m thankful that as a twenty-two year old—fresh out of Bible college—Pastor Paul Chappell took a risk and hired me. I had zero practical ministry experience and had far more questions than I had answers (I am still finding this to be the case). Pastor Chappell utilized everything from weekly staff meetings to personal one-onone moments in his office to mentor me. I’m thankful someone was willing to invest in me when there was very little I could give in return. I am also thankful for a wonderful team of co-laborers. Sometimes our greatest fulfillment isn’t found in accomplishing a project, but in who we were able to accomplish it with. Some of the most amazing people serve on the staff at Lancaster Baptist Church. They are highly motivated, incredibly talented, and desire to make much of Jesus! It’s been a joy to serve shoulder-to-shoulder with them

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for over a decade. Some of my greatest memories have been with our church family. Without a doubt, what I will miss the most from LBC are those who call this church home. Many have become as close as family. Those who serve in the choir, play in the orchestra, are a part of our young couples class, or who have simply loved us along the way will forever hold a special place in our hearts. If I have had the privilege to teach or help them in any way, then I am thankful. But they will never know just how much they have taught me. Their worship, their sacrifice, and their love have grown me more into the likeness of Jesus. The practical ministry training I have received during my time here has been invaluable. Developing a heart for people and a passion for the lost; learning administrative skills and organization; understanding ministry processes and practices; growing in leadership with volunteers and teams— these have all been lessons I’ve been able to learn that have better equipped me for the days ahead. Finally, I’m grateful for how the Lord has personally grown me through my time at LBC. It’s been said that God is more interested in the making of a man than the making of a ministry. My time here has not been as much about God making a ministry through me, but God making me. I can honestly say, God has done a lot of work in me as I have been privileged to serve JON GUY has served at LBC. I can only anticipate that as I transition into at LBC for twelve years and will be planting a the pastorate that God will use this new chapter of my church in Tempe, AZ. life to continue to do His work in me.

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Revival Today Do you believe it could happen?


MI N I ST R Y N E W S

MISC.

JOHN WILLIAMS is the new choir, orchestra, and worship leader at Lancaster Baptist Church. John graduated from Bible college with a BA degree in Sacred Music. Since then, he has used that knowledge to lead choirs of children, teens, and adults from children’s rallies, Christian schools, and church choirs for twenty-two years. We are excited and thankful as well to have him as a part of our team.

Providing Productivity Training for Lancaster Baptist Church’s Ministry Staff WE OFTEN USE the expression, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” And it does. Teamwork in ministry is essential— especially between the pastor and his staff. Most pastors and churches that are a little larger have the privilege of having staff who help in the ministry and serve alongside them. Ministry is work. But if a ministry environment is focused only on job

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results yet not giving proper training, there can be a lack of joy and a misunderstanding of mission amongst the team. That is why we try to provide ongoing training for our ministry staff. Every August, our entire staff pulls away from daily responsibilities for two days of offcampus training. We also have weekly staff meetings nearly every

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Friday afternoon when we pause, evaluate, adjust, and move forward as a team with renewed focus and momentum. In addition to regular training, we recently invited a representative from Franklin Covey to provide a day of professional training for many new staff. This time proved to be helpful in the areas of time management and productivity.

DANIEL HOPKINS has served on staff since 2006. For the last several years, he has helped oversee the music department of LBS and assisted the administrator with the academic and international programs. He has also taught music at WCBC. Starting this summer he will be the Music Department Director at LBC.

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GOD’S GRACE is a dynamic change agent that works to transform us into the image of Christ.

These stories are instructive portraits of God’s desire to work in you and His abounding grace to grow and strengthen you. In these ten lessons, discover God’s grace at work in the lives of Hannah, Joshua, Gideon, Daniel, Esther, Peter, Stephen, and others. See the reflection of your own challenges and struggles in their lives, and see how God’s grace gives strength and victory. STRIVINGTOGETHER.COM 023

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MI N I ST R Y N E W S

JERRY COLLINS WELCOME ABOARD! After thirty-five years of church planting in Mexico and the United States, God has led Jerry Collins to join the pastoral leadership team at Lancaster Baptist Church as the Spanish pastor.

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JERRY AND MARTY COLLINS were

commissioned as missionaries to Mexico from the First Baptist Church of Milford, Ohio in 1984. They were church-planting missionaries with a desire to see people saved. Their ministry began in a remote mountain city in the state of Chihuahua and continued for fifteen years. While in Guerrero, they established the Iglesia Bautista Calvario along with several other village churches. The main reason for their success was starting the School of the Scriptures—a Bible college where students are prepared for the ministry. The Collins also started a Bibleprinting ministry. In Los Mochis alone, they have placed over seven tons of Scriptures into the hands of people. In 2002, the church was turned over to the national pastor and is now fully self-supported. A year later, the Collins moved to the coastal city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa—a city with a population of 500,000. They started the Iglesia Bautista Fundamental and have expanded the ministry with the School of the Scriptures. In January of 2012, the Collins family moved to the border at San Elizario, Texas, located near the border of Mexico and El Paso, Texas. The Sun Valley Baptist Church in El Paso with Pastor Jack Berg became their new sending church. The mission base was strategically located to be able to reach Mexican people on both sides of the border. Bridge of Hope ministry was started

to be able to achieve that goal. The ministry is focused on church planting in Sinaloa and Chihuahua as well as church planting on the border. After thirty-five years of church planting in Mexico and the United States, Jerry Collins has joined the pastoral leadership team at Lancaster Baptist Church as the Spanish pastor. Brother Collins has a burden to help Pastor Chappell reach the Spanish-speaking people of the Antelope Valley and to minister to our Spanish congregation on a weekly basis. Please pray for him and his wife as they transition into this new role. *** JERRY Y MARTA COLLINS fueron

comisionados como misioneros a México de la Primera Iglesia Bautista de Milford Ohio en 1984. Ellos fueron misioneros plantadores de iglesias con el deseo de ver gente ser salva. Su ministerio comenzó en una remota ciudad en las montañas del estado de Chihuahua y continuó durante quince años. Mientras estaban en Guerrero, establecieron la Iglesia Bautista Calvario junto con varias otras iglesias de los pueblos del alrededor. La razón principal de su éxito fue el comenzar la Escuela de las Escrituras, una escuela bíblica donde los estudiantes se están preparando para el ministerio. Los Collins también comenzaron un ministerio de impresión de la Biblia. Solo en Los Mochis han colocado más de siete toneladas de

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Escrituras en manos de personas. En 2002, la iglesia fue entregada al pastor nacional y ahora es totalmente autosuficiente. Un año después, los Collins se mudaron a la ciudad costera de Los Mochis, Sinaloa, una ciudad con una población de 500,000 habitantes. Comenzaron la Iglesia Bautista Fundamental y expandieron el ministerio con la Escuela de las Escrituras. En enero del 2012, la familia Collins se mudó a la frontera en San Elizario, Texas, ubicada cerca de la frontera de México y El Paso, Texas. La Iglesia Bautista de Sun Valley en El Paso con el pastor Jack Berg se convirtió en su nueva iglesia de envío. La Base de la Misión estaba estratégicamente ubicada para poder llegar a los mexicanos a ambos lados de la frontera. El ministerio de Puente de Esperanza comenzó a ser capaz de lograr ese objetivo. El ministerio se enfoca en plantar iglesias en Sinaloa y Chihuahua, así como en la plantación de iglesias en la frontera. Después de treinta y cinco años de plantar iglesias en México y Estados Unidos, Jerry Collins se unió al equipo de liderazgo pastoral en la Iglesia Bautista Lancaster como el pastor hispano. El Hermano Collins tiene la carga de ayudar al Pastor Chappell a alcanzar a la gente que habla español del Valle del Antílope y a ministrar a nuestra congregación hispana semanalmente. Por favor oren por él y su esposa mientras hacen la transición a este nuevo rol.

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CURRENT A LOOK AT HOW CULTURE IS TRYING TO CHANGE THE WAY WE MINISTER

California AB 2943 Why California AB 2943 Is a Threat to Free Speech Everywhere

BY PAUL CHAPPELL

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HOPE THAT BY

now you have seen California’s AB 2943 on the news or in your social media streams. This broad-sweeping piece of legislation is a threat to religious liberty and freedom of speech across the state and, by setting a precedent, across the country. After all, since when can the state tell a church what books to sell or what materials to cover in a

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seminar? That is exactly what this bill would do under the auspices of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act. The bill describes as an “unlawful business practice” any “sexual orientation change effort.” This includes the free-will request of an individual to a church or counseling center to help them resist thoughts about a sexual orientation. The bill specifically defines, “any practices that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation. This includes

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who has struggled with gender identity and wants to deal with those feelings biblically. The bill would entangle ministries in litigation and red tape for practicing their closely held religious beliefs. It sets a dangerous precedent and infringes on all Californians’ First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and religion. Even someone who is not concerned about religious liberty should stand against this bill for the cause of free speech. The state can’t tell a person they are disallowed from having a discussion or receiving counsel that happens to go against what the activist legislature in Sacramento deems appropriate. There are two aspects of this bill that I want to clarify and then ask you to respond to. First, the bill is dangerous even at face value. Second, it is not hyperbole or fake news to say that the bill allows for banning biblical books and censoring biblical seminars and preaching. I’ll explain both: WHY AB 2943 IS DANGEROUS

efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.” This would make it illegal for anyone to offer the option of paid help or counseling (including pamphlets, books, or other reference materials) for an adult who is struggling with same-sex attraction or a same-sex relationship or

Because AB 2943 labels “conversion therapy” as a fraudulent business practice, it is directed at any aspects of counseling or ministry services in which there is an exchange of money. The most obvious would be professional counselors, but it could also include a church retreat for which money is paid, something that was acknowledged in the Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing. Also acknowledged in the hearing is that there is a fine line between free speech (a speaker

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stating what he believes) and seeking to change someone else’s beliefs or lifestyle. Politicians have no place telling a counselee what his or her counseling goals should be. If a person is struggling with an issue and wants help, since when does the government get to decide what that help looks like? In fact, during the hearing in the California Assembly chamber, many people testified that they struggled with sexual orientation issues but that they changed, through counseling, to heterosexual relationships or to their biological gender and were thankful and glad they did. The testimony of these people, however, was completely ignored by our intolerant state legislature. If this bill is passed, it would make it impossible for people like those who gave testimony to receive the help they sought if any money were exchanged in the process. The state cannot discriminate against people of faith, including those struggling with sexual or gender issues, by acting as if they do not exist. Neither should it label a practice as fraudulent just because some in the legislature do not agree with it. This is ideology, not science. From a scientific perspective, no one can definitively say that “conversion therapy” is good or bad. We’re not talking about something that is “proven false”—any more than I could find circumstantial or anecdotal “research” to label practices or beliefs with which that I deeply disagree as fraudulent. For the state to tell an adult what kind of counseling they can receive is a gross government

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overreach and a violation of their free choice. Furthermore, for the state to tell a counselor, pastor, or any other person what kind of help they are allowed to offer or not offer, whether it is a paid or free service, is a violation of First Amendment rights. WHY CONCERNS OVER AB 2943 ARE NOT FAKE NEWS

So what about the claims that AB 2943 could ban the sale of books or the Bible? Didn’t Snopes debunk this? Isn’t this an overreaction? Nobody—including David French who was one of the earliest to write about these concerns—says that the bill has the exact words in it, “We will ban the Bible.” But, as I described in this interview, the reality is that because of the broad-sweeping language

bookstore and arresting the proprietor? Probably not (at least not this year). But, if passed, it could lead to Christian counselors, pastors, and speakers being embroiled in lawsuits for fraudulent practice. Even if they are cleared, the process of litigation will be financially punitive and discourage others from practicing their freedom of speech in similar ways. Plain and simple, AB 2943 threatens lawsuits and punitive action under the Consumer Protection Act for views the government doesn’t like. This is a violation of freedom of religion and freedom of speech. So no, it’s not hyperbole or fake news to say that AB 2943 violates the First Amendment and could very well be used to ban sales of books and church events that help people live according to their faith.

AB 2943 threatens lawsuits and punitive action under the Consumer Protection Act for views the government doesn’t like. of the bill, it could be used to ban the sale of books that provide teaching on what the Bible says or the Bible itself. And for those who point out that liberal politicians who support this bill are beginning to react to such claims saying they are unfounded, I simply ask why those politicians don’t specifically narrow the bill adding protection for religious liberty? The reality is that the bill goes after Christians and is hostile toward biblical truths about sexual identity and morality. In truth, the Bible encourages refraining from any sexual activity outside of marriage and offers hope for change through Christ. So what is to stop the state from eventually saying, “You can’t sell the Bible because it provides ‘fraudulent advice’”? Furthermore, this is a step toward calling a pastor’s exegesis of passages such as 1 Corinthians 6 or 2 Timothy 2:22 (“Flee also youthful lusts”) a hate crime. And is preaching a “business practice” such that it could fall under this law? Not to me, but it could be construed that way to an over-reaching, antagonistic state. Would passage of this bill lead to police walking into a

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WHAT YOU CAN DO

Is there anything that you can do? Yes! Would you ask the Lord to intervene in stopping this bill? If you live in California, call your senator today and ask him or her to oppose AB 2943. Let them know that people should be free to find whatever counseling or help they want. You can find your representatives in the legislature online at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov. Additionally, because this bill was assigned to the California Senate Judiciary Committee for review, please call the members of this committee and also ask them to oppose the bill. Share. Please spread the word about this dangerous legislation. Whether or not you are a California resident, you surely have friends or family who are. Share this blog post or other articles about this bill that give a call to action. And remember that the California legislature tends to set the direction for activists in other states. If this bill is defeated, it will be a First Amendment victory for states across the nation. If it is passed, it won’t be long before other state legislatures begin introducing similar pieces of legislation.

DR. PAUL CHAPPELL is the Pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church and the Founder and President of West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, California.

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CURRENT A LO O K AT H O W G O D I S U S I N G FA I T H TO R E A C H C U LT U R E

Capitol Connection in Washington D.C. BY PAUL CHAPPELL

March 12–14, I had the privilege of joining other pastors and Christian leaders in Washington D.C. for the Capitol Connection meeting. Our goal is not to lobby but to be a witness for Christ and an encouragement to those in leadership. Each pastor visited the elected officials and their staff on Capitol Hill who represent their state or congressional district. We visited all of our representatives, whether or not they are

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Christians, and did our best to encourage and to be good ambassadors for Christ. Because these are officials who represent us, I felt it was important that they know who we are. I’m thankful for Dr. Chuck Harding and Pastor Mike Creed who worked to organize this event and help pastors arrange these meetings. In addition to the congressional meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday, there were evening services Monday–Wednesday. I had the privilege of

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preaching Tuesday evening about acting on the promises of God for revival. God intervened in so many unique ways while I attended this trip. Todd Starnes, a Fox News contributor and friend, was one of the featured speakers during the Capitol Connection. Chris Garcia is a former Trump administration official and head of the Minority Business Development Agency at U.S. Department of Commerce. His family attended Lancaster Baptist Church 1. Pastor Chappell preaching years ago and was led to Christ in 2006 Tuesday at Capitol Connection by Ben Hobbs who is our Financial 2. Pastor Chappell with Rep. Administrator. Steve Knight and GOP Leader When Chris heard I was coming to Kevin McCarthy Capitol Connection, he contacted our offices to offer himself as a liaison to set 3. Pastor Chappell with Todd Starnes and Chad Connelly from up meetings for us at the White House. South Carolina He had also wanted me to share the gospel with his friend, Katherinn, who 4. Pastor Chappell with Chris works at the White House, but we could Garcia and Brigadier General John Teichert not find a time to meet. I also invited Todd Starnes to give 5. Chris Garcia with Katherinn a greeting on the last night of Capitol and Pastor Chappell Connection. Minutes after walking off the platform, Todd collapsed and was taken to the hospital. As my guest, I felt I should accompany him to the hospital. John Teichert, a former LBC member who will be returning soon to our AS AMERICAN CHRISTIANS, WE CAN church and working as INTERACT WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS the Base Commander at Edwards AFB, was IN A WAY MANY CHRISTIANS also able to visit Todd. AROUND THE WORLD CAN’T. Thankfully, he made a full recovery. The delay in my return home also allowed me to share the plan of salvation with Katherinn who was able to slip out of the White House for about thirty minutes. After listening intently, she bowed her head to accept Christ. Such a whirlwind of events reminded me that God’s delays are often Divine appointments. I returned home thankful I didn’t miss the opportunities God had prepared for me.

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BIBLI CALLY GROU NDED HOW TO RESPOND TO SKEPTICS


BY PAUL CHAPPELL

IT

is no surprise that America has religious beliefs on the rest of society.” become a post-Christian nation So if both parties are at an impasse, what can dominated by secularism. The we do to change the tide? If we don’t reason with news media, major universities, skeptics, but only denounce them, how will they and elite institutions control ever come to the knowledge of the truth? The the conversation of our culture. Bible says in Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us Skepticism is growing in power and influence. reason together, saith the LORD: though your The number of those not attending church sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; is steadily growing in the United States. The though they be red like crimson, they shall be as percentage of Americans who have “no religious wool.” The Apostle Peter challenged Christians to preference” has tripled in the last decade.1 Faith “be ready always to give an answer to every man in God is on the decline or so it seems. that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in But despite the dim outlook, many churches you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). who hold to the fundamentals of the Bible Skeptics are not going away any time soon. So are actually exploding. Even in secular Europe, how can we find a way to share biblical truth with there is growth in church attendance. Similarly those who reject its basis? in academia, religious faith is growing. It is estimated that ten to twenty-five percent of all PRAY FOR THEM the teachers and professors of philosophy in the Prayer is the start. We need to pray and ask God country are Christians, up from less than one to soften their hearts and provide opportunities. percent just thirty years ago.2 When we pray, we acknowledge that we rely on In short, the world is polarized over religion. It the Lord’s power. We must not be confident in is getting more religious and less religious at the our own knowledge. “For we are the circumcision, same time. This leads to an odd juxtapose. Both which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in believers and skeptics feel threatened because Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” both are on the rise. (Philippians 3:3). It is the Holy Spirit who draws Three generations ago, most people inherited people to Jesus. “Nevertheless I tell you the their faith. Today, people choose their faith. And truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if sadly, many are opting for a less-religious life. I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto As a result, we have become deeply divided as you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And a nation politically—particularly on matters of when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, faith and morality. People are deadlocked. Those and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, who reject a biblical worldview are seen as the because they believe not on me; of righteousness, “enemies of the truth.” While those who hold to because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; their faith in God are viewed as “forcing their of judgment, because the prince of this world is

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1 in 4 unchurched adults are skeptics— either atheist or agnostics

sharing Christ with family members is to incorporate Him into day-to-day life. Evangelism shouldn’t just be something we do in the world and then get back to normal living. It should involve incorporating faith into our natural living situations. We talk about everything else that’s important to us; why not talk about Christ the same way? We should treat skeptics with the same courtesy as we do our friends. Talk with them. Get to know some of their friends. Share their enthusiasm for hobbies. Learn to be their friend. God will open doors if we show them we care. SHARE THE SCRIPTURES

judged” (John 16:7–11). Jesus again declared in John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” SHOW THEM YOU CARE

We must speak the truth in love. Treat nonbelievers with gentleness and meekness. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). When we witness to others, we are not trying to win debates. We are trying to lead them to Christ. Do not try to prove God’s existence beyond all reasonable doubt. Though we may try, it can give someone the impression he is a project to be conquered. Our goal should be more humble. The ultimate objective is for him to see that belief in God is more reasonable than the rejection of God. Another important element in

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Be willing to plant the seed of the gospel. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Whether or not they believe, God promises His Word will not return void. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). When you trace the spread of Christianity in the book of Acts, it doesn’t mark skyrocketing fame of Peter or Paul. When the Bible describes the spread of the early church, it says that “the word of God increased” (Acts 6:7). Later on it says that the Word of God “grew and multiplied” (Acts 12:24). Again later, it says, “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:20). The triumph of God’s local church was a victory of God’s Word.

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Ways to Make Sermon Study More Productive

Over and over, God promotes His Word as the source of our faith and growth. “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4). The Bible carries the power to break up hardened hearts. “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29). These truths aren’t new. You may have all these Scriptures memorized. You may know that God’s promises to bless His Word, but do you believe it? Remember that for a skeptic to believe that God exists is only the beginning. They still need to be persuaded that Jesus is the Son of God, Who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead to conquer death for us. Unless skeptics accept the true Jesus of the Bible as their personal Saviour, they are still outside the Kingdom of God.

The greatest ministry responsibility of a pastor’s life is prayer and study (Acts 6:4). Below are four tips that I hope will be a help to you in making your study time more productive for your congregation.

RETREAT ANNUALLY Twice a year, I block off a full week for prayer and planning. My goal is to leave this week with series titles (or a book of the Bible) assigned to each of our three main service times for the upcoming months.

GIVE MORNINGS TO GOD I block off no less than three full mornings per week for sermon preparation. I believe that the greatest way I can serve our church family is with thoroughlydeveloped sermons.

ANCHOR YOUR FAITH

We worry about the local economy, cultural decline, fragmented families, short attentions, political elections, Islamic terrorism, the national debt, skepticism—and that’s just after watching the 5 o’clock news. Remember that God has already warned us that this day would come, and He has given us our instructions to continue in the doctrines we have learned. “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Timothy 3:13–14). In order to help our churches, our families, and our own lives grow into Christ-like maturity, we must be saturated with God’s Word. Nothing else carries the promise of God’s power.

FILE CONSTANTLY Find a few church members who like to read and email you illustrations. Highlight illustrations you read in other books. Develop a repository of categorized illustrations so you have them.

BLOCK DISTRACTIONS Do not bring your phone into your study. Turn email off, and if possible, disconnect from the Internet as well. Obviously, you need to be reachable in case of an emergency, but fully connected is different than reachable.

1. Ross Douthat, “Crisis of Faith,” The Atlantic Monthly, July/August 2007 2. “Defending the Faith,” by Douglas Groothuis, Books and Culture (July/August 2003)

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PA STOR A L LE A DE RS H I P

[ DEVELOPMENT ]

How to Convey Ministry Philosophy to Church Staff BY PAUL CHAPPELL

ONE OF THE BLESSINGS of teamwork in

local church ministry is the opportunity to invest in those who serve. God specifically calls leaders to transfer truth to others (2 Timothy 2:2). As a pastor, it is my heart to not simply instruct those I am privileged to lead and serve with, telling them what to do in each situation. I want to convey to them a biblical philosophy of ministry on which they can make decisions and develop programs as they serve. Here are five suggestions, ways I have worked to convey ministry philosophy to our staff, and in particular, our pastoral staff: ENCOURAGE LEADERS AT A SPIRITUAL LEVEL

This takes place through group devotions or discussions about spiritual topics at a personal level. More than learning specific methods, it is vital that a team is constantly and consistently developing a personal walk with God and a biblical mindset. HAVE WEEKLY TRAINING

I try to make our staff meetings informative and collaborative, but also a time of development with biblical philosophies. I often prepare a leadership lesson that deals with personal growth and biblical ministry practices. TAKE ANNUAL RETREATS

Getting away twice a year for two days is a good time to come back to the basics of ministry. As a team, we allocate some of that time to plan upcoming programs and events. These retreats are robust, healthy, and very helpful.

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ADDRESS CONCERNS

No one is perfect, and no one needs to feel like they are constantly being examined or scrutinized. But when there is a real concern about how someone is carrying out their area of ministry, address it. INVITE GUEST SPEAKERS

When we have a guest speaker on Sunday, I’ll often ask him to stay over for a Monday staff training. It’s helpful for our entire pastoral team to hear insights and ideas from someone in another church and part of the country, and it’s helpful for me to have another voice sharing similar leadership philosophy. Probably the most significant ingredient to conveying ministry philosophy to your team is a commitment to do it. These five ideas are helpful and are ones I regularly implement. But for them to be effective, there has to be an underlying DR. PAUL heart to train and invest, and there has to be a CHAPPELL is the mutual relationship of trust and joy in serving pastor at Lancaster the Lord together. Baptist Church.

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[ CHURCH NEWS ]

Maranatha Baptist Church Dedication Service

Pastor Peter Lopez Dedicates New Building in Peoria, Arizona

ETER LOPEZ is the senior pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Peoria, Arizona, located in the west valley of Phoenix. He has served as pastor for nearly three years. Their ministry has

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been characterized by spiritual and numerical growth. On April 8, the church held a dedication service for the expansion of their education building. The completion of that building has allowed the church to start four Life Stage Bible classes. It has also provided space for an

Tucson Baptist Church in Tucson, Arizona PASTOR BRENT ARMSTRONG moved from South Carolina to Arizona in 2009 to help revive, rebuild, and reignite Tucson Baptist’s outreach, discipleship, and church growth. Recently, in preparation for their Easter weekend services, Pastor Armstrong set a goal for his church to knock on 40,000 doors in one week. They did it! And God blessed them on Easter Sunday with their highest attendance of over 1,200 and several saved.

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increased one-on-one discipleship ministry and youth group. God’s provision has been miraculous. The building project came in nearly $100,000 under budget. The dedication service was truly a service of giving God the glory for what only He could do. Preparation for their next building phase has already begun.

MISC.

Pastor David Hetzer is the pastor of West Valley Baptist Church in Nampa, Idaho. He graduated from Heartland Baptist Bible College in 2004 and served at churches in Idaho and Texas. In 2009 Pastor Hetzer moved his family from El Paso to plant a church in San Marcos, California. After five years of seeing God bless mightily the Lord moved the Hetzer family back to Nampa in 2014 to become the pastor.

Pastor Scott Gray is the pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Durham, NC. It is an exciting, soulwinning church. He became the pastor of Liberty in 2013. He was in evangelism for ten years. Pastor Gray is a passionate preacher who has traveled around the world preaching in youth conferences and revivals.

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WHEN YOU CAN’T JUST GET OVER IT BIBLICAL INSIGHTS FOR THE REAL WORLD Although we would love to coast through life with little difficulty and minimal challenges, we often find ourselves facing barriers greater than our inner resources to scale. In this book, R.B. Ouellette leads readers through the lives of ten Bible characters and draws insights that will help you overcome the same difficulties they faced. Better yet, you’ll learn not how to “just get over it,” but how to clear the hurdle and be better on the other side because you encountered it.

REWIRED

RECOGNIZING AND RETRAINING WRONG THINKING Our thoughts are so powerful that much of the spiritual warfare that takes place in our lives happens in our minds. In these pages, learn to recognize thinking patterns that undermine your ability to live a victorious Christian life, and discover how to retrain your thoughts with the powerful weapon of God’s Word.

strivingtogether.com 800.201.7748

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MI SSI ON S OUT RE AC H

The Holmes Family in Nigeria The Willis Family Serving in Panama BYRON WILLIS is the

MARK AND SABRINA HOLMES are missionaries

to Nigeria, West Africa, sent out of Faith Baptist Church in Gulf Port, Mississippi. In 2006, they started Truth Baptist Church. Nigeria has 170 million people in a country the size of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. It is the most populous and influential nation in Africa.

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Nigeria is composed of Muslims and Christians almost equally divided. Baptists have been in the country for over 150 years. There is a rich heritage of missionaries throughout the country which gives them a good reputation as missionaries. The Holmes family serves in Abuja which is the capital city with five million people. Just in

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their church, they have thirty-eight languages represented. Their church averages about 220 every week. Their church is home to their Bible institute and church planting efforts. They also have a full-time seminary and correspondence college. Their over seventy graduates have started more than thirty churches.

son of missionary family Jim and Elaine Willis who came to the country of Panama in 1974. They moved from Texas to Las Lomas, in the Province of Chiriqui and started the Templo Bautista de Las Lomas which is the oldest independent Baptist church in Panama. All of the churches started in the Province of Chiriqui are a direct result of James Willis’ ministry. Byron was married in 1987 to a Panamanian young lady named Briceida. They moved to Texas, but after a year of praying and seeking the Lord’s will, went back to Panama in 1989 on $400 a month support. In 1993, Byron started the Iglesia Bautista Bíblica de David in their living room. Their church now has their own building and is the fastest growing and largest independent Baptist church in Panama. Byron Willis has also started a Bible institute, a feeding center, and a girl’s home. David is the Capitol City of Chiriqui and the third largest city of Panama.

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NEW COMPANION GUIDEBOOK Recommended for use in a variety of settings, this companion guide can readily be used as a personal journal for couples, a discussion guide for a small group study, or a resource during marriage counseling. AREWETHEREYETBOOK.COM

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When to Engage Bible Skeptics and Simple Strategies for Doing So

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BY R.B. OUELLETTE

When I was sixteen years old, I encountered my first Bible skeptic. As student at Bob Jones Academy, I was passing out tracts and witnessing to people in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina. It was the last Friday night before Christmas break and unusually cold for South Carolina. There were even snowflakes in the air. My partner, Oddvar Cuvas, ran out of tracts and said, “I’m going to go in this drug store and get warm.” I passed out my remaining tracts and then joined him. Oddvar had engaged the proprietor of the drug store in a conversation. The man seemed extremely knowledgeable and had twisted my friend into a theological pretzel. I violated a rule of two-by-two soulwinning and interrupted the conversation. In no time there were two theological pretzels twisted on the drug store floor. This man knew verses in the Bible I’d never read. He quoted

from the Koran. He quoted from GIVE THEM THE GOSPEL the Book of Mormon. I went home I recommend this whether totally discouraged and defeated. I they are scornful or sinful. thought, “I’m not going to do this We are commanded to “… anymore until I have answers for hear the word at my mouth, and all the skeptics.” give them warning from me” I decided I would learn how to (Ezekiel 3:17). It does not matter answer the Jehovah’s Witnesses, whether or not they believe, the the Mormons, the Catholics, and gospel can still have an effect. any other groups I was likely to After all, the Bible is the “Sword encounter. Then and only then of the Spirit.” Whether or not you would I go back on the street and believe the Sword I have is real tell people the gospel of Christ. is irrelevant to the effect it has There are, it seems to me, two when I stick you with it. Spurgeon kinds of skeptics. There are said, “Defending the Bible is like scornful skeptics, “A wise son defending a lion in a cage. We heareth his father’s instruction: simply need to open the cage and but a scorner heareth not rebuke.” let the lion out.” (Proverbs 13:1). And there are simple skeptics, “O ye simple, HAVE THEM READ THE BIBLE understand wisdom: and, ye fools, I challenge skeptics to read the be ye of an understanding heart” book of John. I tell them there are (Proverbs 8:5). The Scripture twenty-one chapters in the book teaches this in Proverbs 26:4–5, of John. If they read one chapter “Answer not a fool according to his a day they will be done in three folly, lest thou also be like unto weeks. If they have a measure of him. Answer a fool according to sincerity about them, ask them his folly, lest he be wise in his to pray, “God if this is your book, show me its truth.” own conceit.” God will reveal Himself through In other words, there are times His Word and not through the we are to engage those who reject word of man. “For the word of God God’s truth, and there are times is quick, and powerful, and sharper we are not to do so. The guidance than any twoedged sword, piercing of the Holy Spirit is necessary to help us discern when to speak and even to the dividing asunder of when not to. A simple skeptic can soul and spirit, and of the joints be instructed; scornful skeptics and marrow, and is a discerner of cannot. Here are some thoughts the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). about how to deal with them.

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The guidance of the Holy Spirit is necessary to help us discern when to speak and when not to speak.

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If they seem sincere and open, I ask them to tell me where they find the Bible to be in error. I have yet to find anyone who tells me that there are mistakes in the Bible who can show me a single one. SHOW THEM EVIDENCE

If they seem open and interested, I show them biblical evidences of the accuracy of Scripture. Example one is the number of stars. Man has for centuries been fascinated with the heavens. Brahe at one point counted 777 stars. Ptolemy counted 1,020. And yet God challenged Abraham, centuries before either of them lived, by saying in Genesis 15:5, “And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.” God having created the earth knew and told Abraham that man was not capable of numbering the stars. Now scientists believe there are over 250 billion stars in our galaxy and 100 billion galaxies like ours and would agree that no one could give the exact or total number. Example two is that the earth is round! Until about the third century before Christ there were many who believed the earth was flat. This would include the Egyptians and the Mesopotamians who portrayed the earth as a disk floating in the ocean. And yet far in advance

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of man’s “discovery” that the earth was round Scripture said in Isaiah 40:22, “It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth.” Example three is gravity. The idea of gravity was unknown to many in the ancient world. Some believed that the earth rested upon the back of a giant turtle which rested on a larger turtle which rested on a larger turtle. Others thought the earth rested on water. Some in ancient India believed that it was held up by a gigantic elephant. In those days it was impossible to conceive the idea of gravity. However, Job, the oldest book in the Bible written before the Pentateuch, tells us in chapter twenty-six and verse seven, “He hangeth the earth upon nothing.” I have found these verses helpful in dealing with a person who is simple and teachable to show them the wisdom of God in advance of more modern science. After my experience with the drug store skeptic, I went home for Christmas vacation. Upon my return, I did not go with my fellow teens to Spartanburg, South Carolina to pass out tracts. Many weeks had gone by since I had encountered the skeptic. One Friday night my friend Oddvar came back from his soulwinning efforts running down the hallway of the dormitory, shouting out my name. He burst into the room and said, “Do you remember George Vassey?”

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TEACHING YOUR MEMBERS TO STUDY THE BIBLE Here are a few simple truths I have taught our members to help them understand the Bible for themselves.

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CONTEXT Teach them to read the Scripture in context. Who was the human instrument God used to write this portion of Scripture? To whom was it addressed? To what purpose was it written? A good study Bible, such as the Life Application Bible, will be very helpful in answering these questions.

Of course, I remembered George Vassey. He was the man in the drug store. My final words to him had been, “Mister, I don’t know what to tell you. All I can say is if you’re not saved, you need to get saved. And if you are saved you know better than what you are saying.” Oddvar went on to explain that the man had read the tracts we left. He had, as a result of our feeble but faithful efforts, trusted Christ as his Saviour. He had stopped selling indecent magazines and had plans to turn the unused portion of his building into a rescue mission! Why did this skeptic get saved? Was it the brilliant, insightful, Scriptural defense of two teenage boys? Was it our answers to all of the arguments? No. It was because a couple of kids decided to obey God’s instruction at “…hear the words

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CONCORDANCE Teach them to use a concordance. The old Strong’s or Young’s concordance may still occupy a place on some of our shelves. It is much more efficient for us to use a computer program or app where we can look up words and also, in many cases, have a lexicon to help us know their meanings.

of my mouth and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17). *** I will never forget talking to a young man who had just received his Master’s Degree from a theological institution. He was passionate and intense as he explained to me, “If you don’t look up every Bible word in the original Greek New Testament, you will not know what God meant when He wrote that word!” “Wow!” I said with feigned surprise. “So should I tell my members not to read anything in the Bible until they know Greek?” “No,” he said. “That’s why they have you.” “Oh,” I continued, “then should I tell them not to read anything from the Bible until I have preached and taught on

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COMMENTARIES Teach them to use commentaries. Of course this requires some discernment. Many are written from a theological view that is not biblical. John Phillips is my favorite commentator. He was a member of the Gospel Light Baptist Church in Walkertown, NC. His funeral was conducted by Dr. Bobby Roberson.

that particular passage?” Somewhat reluctantly he said, “Well, no. They do have the Holy Spirit.” There are many Christians who can discourage people from reading the Bible for themselves. But the Scripture says, “Study to show thyself approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15). And for those who might argue this epistle was written to a young man who was in the ministry, read Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

DR. R.B. OUELLETTE is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Bridgeport, MI.

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Bobby Roberson Five ways a friend, pastor, and counselor influenced my life and ministry BY PAUL CHAPPELL

HE WAS A SPIRITUAL GIANT, and everyone knew it but him. Dr. Bobby Roberson, a faithful servant, great pastor, and a friend to pastors across America, went home to be with the Lord on February 12, 2018. To say that he will be greatly missed is an understatement. Over the years, I have been privileged to spend time and preach with Dr. Bobby. He would often preach at Lancaster Baptist Church, West Coast Baptist College, and Spiritual Leadership Conference. I have had the opportunity to preach for him at Gospel Light Baptist

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Church as well as with him at various conferences. Every time I have been with him, I have been encouraged and challenged by his walk with the Lord, humility, and friendship. He has had a tremendous influence on my life in many ways, and I wanted to share a few of those as a tribute to my friend. FAITHFULNESS AND LONGEVITY

In 1956, at the age of twenty-four, Dr. Bobby Roberson became the pastor of Gospel Light Baptist Church in Walkertown, North Carolina. Five years later, at the age

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of twenty-nine, he suffered a heart attack. I’ve heard him tell how in the twenty-one days he spent in the hospital, he went from over 200 pounds to 145. Besides the burden of his physical health, there was trouble in the church, and he didn’t think he could go on. He lost his appetite, dreaded preaching, and told his friend and mentor, Dr. Harold Sightler, “I feel like I’m about to die if I stay there.” But he did stay there. He stayed for sixty-two years. And God has used his faithfulness to not only build a church, but also to challenge and encourage hundreds of preachers to be faithful through the times of testing. I imagine the joy it must have been for Dr. Bobby to be called from his place of faithfulness to the very presence of Jesus and hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). TAKING A STAND

One of my favorite memories of Dr. Bobby is from several years ago when he invited me to preach at Gospel Light Baptist Church, and he was taking me on a tour of some of their new facilities. I was outwardly admiring the facilities and inwardly being impacted by the fact that he, nearly

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in his eighties, had continued dreaming and building all these years. We walked by a bulletin board that had a poster tacked up for a musical group that would be holding a concert nearby. The group didn’t sing the type of music Dr. Bobby would have thought appropriate for church or encouraging of Christian sanctification. He stopped to read the poster, ripped it off with a flourish, and said to me, “Brother Paul, you can’t ever stop watching and guarding the church.” It was the kind of moment that was both surprising and humorous… and that left an impression. In all seriousness, the fact that Dr. Bobby was sixty-two years in one church and didn’t change his convictions or position over the years, but stood strong with a gracious spirit, is remarkable. For over six decades, he followed the admonition of Acts 20:28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” COMPASSION

One of the longest and largest ministries at Gospel Light Baptist

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has been the bus ministry. Every Sunday, hundreds of children and teens—whose parents don’t attend church and who are often from depressed areas with rough homes— ride one of over forty buses to church. Many are saved each year, and all are shown the love of Jesus by their pastor and bus workers. But Dr. Bobby didn’t just oversee a bus ministry. He was involved in it. He loved those bus children, and he showed it to them. Many times, I’ve seen a little child who rode the bus to church run up to him for a hug or to show him a prize from class. Every time I was humbled by his compassion and care. SOULWINNING

Here again, Dr. Bobby practiced what he preached. Not only did he lead his church in faithfilled, strategic outreach, but he personally shared the gospel with people one-on-one. I remember another time when I was preaching at his church as we were walking across the parking lot he saw someone he didn’t know. He stopped to meet him, asked him if he knew the Lord, and led him to Christ right there in the parking lot. He was never too busy or preoccupied to care about a lost person and take time to share the gospel with them. BURDEN BEARING

I was never with him—in person or on the phone—but that he encouraged me in the Lord. Because of his legacy, I rededicated my life to being a better pastor by God’s grace. May the Lord use Dr. Bobby’s influence in our lives to graciously stand for truth, continue faithfully in loving, serving, preaching, and witnessing, and being a burdenbearing friend to God’s people.

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FAMILY TIME DEVOTIONAL KIT RESOURCES TO DEVELOP YOUR WALK WITH THE LORD This practical resource will enable you to lead your family in an ongoing devotional time. Packet Includes: 52 Bible Definition Cards, Family Time Hymnbook, Audio CD of 25 Songs for Children to Learn, Renew Devotional

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THREAT WE FACE The Prophecy Concerning Religious Liberty


BY JOHN GOETSCH

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There are many Christians who are need another word from man—they alarmed at the threats hovering over need a word from God! Nothing will cut our religious liberties. It would appear through the philosophy and vain deceit of that freedom of speech is non-existent man like Scripture. “For the word of God for Bible believing people. Intolerance, is quick, and powerful, and sharper than censorship, and illegal are words often any twoedged sword, piercing even to the associated with those who take a view dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of contrary to the wave of relativism, the joints and marrow, and is a discerner secularism and humanism. Some wonder of the thoughts and intents of the heart” why God doesn’t intervene with some (Hebrews 4:12). But for that content to sort of judgment or send His Son to take be communicated effectively it must flow His people out through the rapture. through a proper conduit. We must be While these are indeed troubling times, “instant in season, out of season; reprove, they are not unpredicted in God’s Word. rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and As the Apostle Paul closes his final letter doctrine” (v. 2b). The right disposition to Timothy, he describes accurately 21st (longsuffering) must accompany the right century culture and the response that position (doctrine). God’s people must exhibit. In chapter This command to proclaim truth is four and verse one, he begins with a non-negotiable. God doesn’t suggest proclamation: “I charge thee therefore an alternate strategy during times of before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, resistance. In fact, this proclamation who shall judge the quick and the dead at comes with a prediction. “For the time his appearing and his kingdom.” will come when they will not endure God’s proclamation is simple and sound doctrine; but after their own lusts straightforward. Despite the threats, shall they heap to themselves teachers, God’s people must communicate truth. having itching ears; And they shall turn The first word of verse two tells us to away their ears from the truth, and shall “preach.” We must herald or proclaim the be turned unto fables” (vv. 3–4). Facts message of God. We cannot be silent. We (sound doctrine) will be reduced to are not part of the secret service. “For “values.” Our modern world has decided we cannot but speak the things which that only that which can be empirically we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). observed is indeed fact. If you cannot see, But notice the content of our preaching. hear, touch, taste, or smell something “Preach the word” (v. 2). This is not our —it is not factual—only a personal value. message, but God’s. The world doesn’t Thus, religion, morals, and ethics are no

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longer a matter of fact but of mere personal value. When this happens, fables replace verification. All kinds of non-proven theories and experiences are acceptable today while the Bible is cast aside as out of date. For those who have swallowed the lie that God’s Word cannot be proven empirically, I would challenge you to read it more carefully. Everything that God did was carefully verified by a multitude of witnesses who did see, hear, touch, taste, smell, etc. The resurrection for example, is the most important fact of our faith.

The Apostle John begins the Book of 1 John with this same empirical evidence. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life” (1 John 1:1). The Gospels are given to us from four different writers who all saw the miracles, heard the teaching, and witnessed the results of Christ’s ministry. Yes, God verified His Word through empirical evidence knowing that we would demand such. Remember,

thought he had stamped out the fire of the early church in Jerusalem only to find that the sparks of that fire landed in Judaea and Samaria, and eventually the uttermost part of the earth, just as God predicted it would in Acts 1:8. What will encourage us to be resilient in these days of resistance? Paul answers that in the next three verses. “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (vv. 6–8). Yes, there is a reward! Don’t lose sight of the fact that there is One who is keeping track of our faithfulness in this critical hour. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have Without the bodily resurrection of the devil’s first and most effective shewed toward his name, in that Jesus Christ from the dead, our faith tool is to cast doubt on the veracity ye have ministered to the saints, is vain and we are yet in our sins of God’s Word—“hath God said?” and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10). (1 Corinthians 15:13–17). As the Thus God has predicted that Could we face the kind of Holy Spirit embarks upon the proof our proclamation of truth will persecution many of our fellowof the resurrection in that chapter, meet skepticism and result in Christians have faced in centuries He begins with, “For I delivered persecution. Paul predicts this past? Perhaps. But God’s promise unto you first of all that which I also resistance. “And they shall turn to them will be just as sure to received, how that Christ died for away their ears from the truth…” us, “…be thou faithful unto death, our sins according to the scriptures; (2 Timothy 4:4). But he encourages and I will give thee a crown of life” And that he was buried, and that he Timothy to be resilient. “But (Revelation 2:10b). Evil men and rose again the third day according watch thou in all things, endure seducers who wax worse and worse to the scriptures: And that he was afflictions, do the work of an are right on schedule, just as God seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. evangelist, make full proof of thy predicted. But in these days, God After that, he was seen of above ministry” (v. 5). Resistance should has not prescribed fatalism or five hundred brethren at once; of not cause us to retreat, but rather fear for His people—but rather whom the greater part remain unto re-arm ourselves with that truth faithfulness. May we too, be right this present, but some are fallen and continue to evangelize the lost. on schedule! asleep. After that, he was seen of As we study the Book of Acts and James; then of all the apostles. And any era of history for that matter, last of all he was seen of me also, we find that the persecution DR. JOHN GOETSCH as of one born out of due time” of God’s people always brought is the Exec. Vice President at (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). growth to the church. The enemy West Coast Baptist College.

Resistance should not cause us to retreat, but rather re-arm ourselves with that truth and continue to evangelize the lost.

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July 15–21 & July 29–August 4

LEADERSHIP CAMP JULY 15–21

GRAPHIC DESIGN CAMP JULY 15–21

MUSIC CAMP JULY 15–21

BASKETBALL CAMP JULY 29–AUGUST 4

VOLLEYBALL CAMP JULY 29–AUGUST 4

WORLD VIEW CAMP JULY 29–AUGUST 4

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WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?

Jesus used the term disciple but never Christian. So what is the difference? How can a true believer become a disciple? BY GABRIEL RUHL

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Years ago, the words Christian and disciple could be used interchangeably. The word Christian means “Christ-like,” and the word disciple means “follower of Christ.” Religious people of our day use these words rather loosely. Our Saviour was gracious to give us clarity. There are many attributes of a true disciple, but Jesus gives three distinct characteristics.

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CONTINUE IN THE WORD

Jesus was speaking to believers when He said: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32). A true disciple of Jesus Christ is daily searching the Scriptures and finding truth that frees them—not from acts of obedience—but rather to acts of obedience with free and joyful hearts. David said he walked in liberty because he was seeking

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God’s precepts (Psalm 119:45). Continuance in God’s Word is not automatic. It is the result of strong purpose and self-discipline. LOVE ONE ANOTHER

A disciple of Christ is one who not only studies His teaching but also obeys His commands. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34–35). This new commandment is the most challenging task on every Christian’s daily to do list. If loving one another wasn’t complicated enough, He clarifies it by telling us to love others the way He has loved us. As I study the love of Christ, these three main attributes of His love absolutely amaze me. His love was completely selfless. Matthew 20:28 describes His desire to minister and His lack of desire to be ministered to. Our desire to be Christ-like calls us to release selfish desires and be humble servants. His love was allforgiving. Nothing in life compels me as Christ’s love expressed through His forgiveness. We are never more Christ-like than when we forgive. His love was sacrificial. We know and appreciate that Jesus sacrificially gave His life, but His daily ministry shows great personal sacrifice as well. His service was always at cost to Himself. There was no limit to the sacrifices He was prepared to make. It is the highest love that gives without any prospect of return. We are nothing without love (1 Corinthians 13:2).

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BEAR FRUIT

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:7–8). This passage reveals the upward view of discipleship. A fruitless disciple of Christ is a contradiction in terms. If there is not real fruit in our lives, we cannot claim to be true disciples. Remember that not all believers are disciples. What is fruit? It is produced by God in the life of a disciple for God’s glory, and it is manifested in two areas: the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) and fruit that remains (new converts). When we produce fruit, we are reproducing ourselves as Christians. In order for fruit to remain, it must be thoroughly grounded. Fruit is seen when souls are won, baptized, discipled, and led to spiritual maturity. Jesus links fruit-bearing with the cross. If we will die to our selfdominated lives, the Spirit of God can make our lives fruitful! As we teach through our discipleship curriculum, it is imperative that we grasp the reality that we are doing more than teaching the major doctrines of the Bible. We are to participate in the process of helping a new believer pass from being a spectator Christian to a disciple of Christ—one who is grounded in the Word, loving others, and producing fruit in his spirit and in the lives of those he brings with him to Jesus. GABRIEL RUHL is the Adult Ministries Director at Lancaster Baptist Church.

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Why Christian Education? Is There a Need for Christian Education in the Twenty-first Century? BY BRANDON EWING

Second Timothy, the Apostle Paul paints a dismal portrait of the last days. Paul writes that men will be lovers of themselves and lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God. They will be covetous, proud, ungrateful, disobedient, and unholy. Paul continues with a litany of other charges; interestingly, among this list is the statement that men will be “ever

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learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Paul explains, “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” At the center of this description stands the distinct disability to learn and perceive truth. To educate is to cause to learn. As Christians, we know that true education is to cause to learn the absolute truth found only in the Word of God. Is it possible that decay in dissemination of truth is to blame for the

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debauchery of the last days? If this is true, is not there a greater need than ever for Christian education in the twenty-first century? Noah Webster, the “Father of American Scholarship and Education,” once stated that, “the education of youth [is] an employment of more consequence than making laws and preaching the gospel, because it lays the foundation on which both law and gospel rest for success.” We must understand that there is an aggressive attack on American youth in the twenty-first century and education is the main mechanism through which this attack is carried out. If you do not believe this assertion, listen to the words of atheist, human secularist, and American education reformer, John Dewey: “I believe that education is the fundamental method of social progress and reform. All reforms which rest simply upon the enactment of law, or the threatening of certain penalties, or upon changes in mechanical or outward arrangements, are transitory and futile… through education society can formulate its own purposes, can organize its own means and resources, and thus shape itself with definiteness and economy in the direction in which it wishes to move….” Though differing on the source and nature of truth, both Christian and non-Christian educators would agree that education is the medium through which truth is broadcast. Sadly, in this information age, we have all of the data and yet no ability to discern the truth. As British satirist and journalist, Malcolm Muggeridge describes it, “[Modern] man has decided to abolish himself. Tired of the struggle to be himself,

he has created boredom out of his own affluence, impotence out of his own erotomania, and vulnerability out of his own strength. He himself blows the trumpet that brings the walls of his own cities crashing down. Until at last, having educated himself into imbecility, having drugged and polluted himself into stupefaction, he keels over a weary old brontosaurus and becomes extinct.” We have “educated ourselves into imbecility” because our great systems of education are void of the truth found in the Word of God. Take as evidence

Watson replies, “Astronomically, it suggests to me that if there are billions of other galaxies that have roughly similar stellar population densities as represented by my view, that, potentially, trillions of planets may be associated with such a galactic and therefore, stellar population. Meteorologically, the blackness of the sky and the crispness of the stellar images tells me that there is low humidity and stable air and therefore we are most likely to enjoy a beautiful day tomorrow…Why? What does it tell you, Mr. Holmes?” “Watson, you are an idiot!” exclaims Holmes. “Someone has stolen our tent!” We have all the sophisticated answers, but we are unable to apply them in a meaningful way to the circumstances of life. We may be very intellectual, yet we lack the wisdom that comes from applying knowledge through the truth of God’s Word. For this reason, it is vitally important to reach and teach children at an early age. According to the Apostle Paul, an area of strength for Timothy was the Christian education he received as a child (2 Timothy 1:5). Bible knowledge is the prerequisite to proper accumulation and application of truth; without it, we allow ourselves to be easily deceived. So, is there a need for Christian education in the twenty-first century? As we head further toward the last days, the need for Christian education is greater now more than ever.

Though differing on the source and nature of truth, both Christian and nonChristian educators would agree that education is the medium through which truth is broadcast. the fact that our most respectable institutions of higher learning often have biblical maxims as their mottos, yet lack the application of such truths in their student bodies. For instance, the inscription carved on the Main Building at the University of Texas at Austin reads, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Ask a student to explain the meaning and you will be hard pressed to find an answer. The scenario we encounter today is much like the story of Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes on a camping trip. “Watson,” says Holmes, “look up and tell me what you see.” “I see a fantastic panorama of countless stars,” said Watson “And what does that tell you?”

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BRANDON EWING is the administrator of Lancaster Baptist School.

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MUNDANE PRECEDES MIRACULOUS BY JOHN ANDERSON

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NEARLY EVERY WEEK, PEOPLE ALL ACROSS

the world sit in churches and hear of the miraculous power and acts of an incredible God. Because of the miraculous nature of Christianity, many times we leave ourselves vulnerable to believing that everyday life is supposed to consist of miraculous events. We fail to see the value of the mundane. The Apostle Paul reminded the believers at Corinth

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“The miraculous does not take place without the mundane!”

that their labour was “… not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). In our preaching and teaching ministries, we sometimes are so focused on seeing cataclysmic results that if we do not have an “awesome” Sunday we are somehow missing out on God’s work in the world. Unfortunately, we sometimes unintentionally limit Christianity only

to the spectacular and the miraculous. growing in his faith.” Miraculous! The more I study the miracles of My first phone call this morning was Scripture, I am amazed by how many with a discouraged Christian whom God miraculous events were preceded allowed me to encourage through His by mundane days. Moses did the Word. Miraculous! miraculous of leading God’s people The miraculous does not take through the Red Sea. Before this place without the mundane! Don’t miraculous period was a mundane shortchange the process that God is period of keeping sheep on the backside using in your life today to show you His of the desert with his father-in-law. miraculous power tomorrow! The walls of Jericho came falling So stay-at-home mom who may not down by the power of God. Before, God feel that what you are doing today told His people to take a seven day walk is noteworthy or life changing, take around the city—pretty mundane. hope! God is using the meals you Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The cook, the house you clean, and all Resurrection and the Life called Lazarus the other mundane tasks of today to to come out of the tomb and the spirit train a champion for Christ tomorrow of Lazarus was reunited with his body, who is watching and adoring your and he came out alive! Before Lazarus “Mundane Monday.” was raised to life, Jesus told some people Men who are tired after a long week around the mouth of the grave to take of working and serving the Lord in your away the stone. In other words, “Move local church, rejoice! Your commute to the rock”—pretty mundane. work this morning, your meeting in the Jesus fed a multitude of 5,000 men office, your cup of coffee before you get with five loaves and two fish. Somebody on the route, all may seem mundane, had to pack that lunch—mundane. There but God uses these mundane things to are hundreds of miracles recorded in the produce miraculous results! Bible, but most of them are preceded by Teacher, coach, employee, friend, or the mundane processes of life. whomever you may be, trust God! Today, I woke up to many tasks and Be faithful today with whatever responsibilities that must be handled mundane task you face on a “Mundane on this “Mundane Monday.” Driving Monday.” God is really working and my kids to school, praying with them, using the mundane tasks of today to reading my Bible, worshipping the do miraculous things tomorrow, don’t Lord in prayer and song, emails, phone shortchange the process, embrace your calls, meetings, two appointments “Mundane Monday,” and watch your God tonight, helping Sara with her car, do His miraculous part. and many other small, mundane and ordinary things. But already in the mundane, I JOHN ANDERSON have experienced the miraculous this is the Senior Pastor of Pinecrest Baptist Church in morning. I heard my 12-year-old son talk McDonough, GA. to God, and I thought, “Wow, he really is

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MUSIC [ CHRISTIAN LIVING ]

Four Ingredients for Biblical Songs How can we choose the kind of music that encourages such unity and engagement?

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inging to the Lord in the congregation can be one of the most exciting and meaningful activities of the local church. No other activity equally engages the mind, will, and emotions. No other activity requires unity around the truth of God’s Word. It is a wonderful experience when God’s people are fully engaged and unified in worship. What makes a biblical song? How can we choose the kind of music that encourages such unity and engagement? Unfortunately, it is not enough to simply appeal to music from the distant past. How can we evaluate our songs, both new and old, for their biblical and practical use in the congregation?

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THE SONG IS GOD-CENTERED

How do we define “great music” without being too subjective? Much could be said about beauty and aesthetics, but here are some practical ideas. First, be sure the melody is discernable and singable in its range, contour, and tempo. There are songs with great lyrics but that utilize a melody that is simply unfit for congregational singing. Second, let the music support but not overpower the congregation’s singing. Don’t turn up the volume to the point you can’t hear whether or not the congregation is singing. Third, when using familiar songs, use alternation methods to keep the congregation engaged. Alternate between congregation and choir. The options are endless.

By strict definition, biblical worship is any obedient response to the truth of God. For worship to take place, biblical truth must be accurate and clearly presented, and the congregation must respond appropriately and obediently to that truth. The truth about Who God is and what He has done should elicit our highest praise and most joyful singing. But how can such a response be possible when the text of the song does not present clear truth about God? What good is our singing when it isn’t clear to whom and about whom we are singing? First, our songs should be directly and objectively about God. While personal testimonies and subjective experiences can be helpful and meaningful, we must be sure we sing truths that relate to the general experience of all Christians present. Not only should our songs be directly about God, they should also be directed to God. Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 both end with a clear command that our singing is to be “to the Lord.”

THE TEXT PRESENTS BIBLICAL TRUTHS The truth presented in our songs should be clear. The congregation should understand what they are saying. Singing a text that is vague or archaic will ultimately make congregational singing a mere ritual—a vain repetition for the sake of tradition instead of a heartfelt response to truth. The truths presented in our songs should also be complete. That is, they should allow the church to sing all of the great doctrines of the Bible throughout the course of a season or year. Theologians of the past have long considered the songs of a church to be a systematic theology for the church.

THE MUSIC ENCOURAGES A RESPONSE If all that mattered in congregational worship was the presentation of truth, there would be no need for singing. However, worship requires an appropriate response. Every ritual of worship is an opportunity for the Christian to demonstrate clear affections for God and His truth. We must consider the music we use in worship. It will either support and encourage the right response, or it will distract and discourage the congregation from singing. The key to encouraging involvement and an affectionate response in singing is to use great music.

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THE SONG INCLUDES THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION The most important musical group in the church is the congregation. Preach about passionate singing. Give them great songs to sing. Facilitate opportunities for musical development. Structure your service in such a way that emphasizes their singing more than that of the platformed musicians. Be mindful also to choose songs that are accessible to your congregation as well. Is the song in a singable range and style? Is the congregation familiar enough with the song to sing it as a congregation?

JOHN TYLER is the Music Chairman at West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, California.

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Children’s Ministry Matters BY NATHAN BIRT

Children’s ministry is important! We get to share unconditional love and tools to help grow them for a lifetime. BY NATHAN BIRT

SUMMER

Matthew 18, we observe a scene in which Jesus brings a child into the midst of a large crowd. No doubt, as Jesus was speaking about entering into the kingdom of Heaven as a little child, the young toddler was melting the listeners’ hearts. But at the end of His discourse, Jesus gave a sobering warning. The audience no doubt hushed while Jesus

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scolded anyone who would offend one of these little ones. “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6b). As we serve God’s little ones, we should remember how seriously Jesus took children’s ministry. Children’s ministry is not merely an opportunity to have the kids out of the adult service or to babysit them until their parents are done

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IN OUR VALUES

fellowshipping in the lobby. This is a time that we should take seriously as we influence and mentor the next generation in God’s Word. Oftentimes, we complain about how the younger generations are leaving church at any opportunity, but what are we doing now when they are in our church? How can we take children’s ministry seriously every Sunday?

The world is targeting this up-and-coming generation, known as Gen Z. They sit in church for a few hours a week (if that), but the agendas and advertising of the world have their ears for the majority of their lives. Through media, entertainment, and virtual reality, Generation Z is being inundated with the world’s philosophy— which is, simply put, do whatever feels good (1 John 2:16). As children enter our classrooms, we must remind ourselves that Satan’s targets are surrounding them. We should never waste our time with activities that don’t communicate or reinforce God’s Word in their lives. Whether you have been serving in ministry twenty-five years or twenty-five minutes, let’s focus on the value of the children whom we are privileged to teach. Jesus did. IN OUR VISITS

Generation Z is becoming numb to real, face-to-face relationships. What can you give the kids in your class that Disney, Instagram, and Apple can never give them? A Christfocused, real relationship. Our desire should be that these children “may be able to comprehend with all saints

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what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:18–19). Show the kids in your ministry that you are not just concerned with their time in Sunday school, but that you care about their entire lives. Drop by their homes with a surprise gift or set up an appointment to talk with their family about their next spiritual step. Show them the love of Christ, and they will love Christ in return. IN OUR VOICES

This generation is used to fast, bright, and captivating screens communicating to them constantly. The average Gen Z-er is used to five different screens communicating to them simultaneously, contrasting the average millennial with only two screens. The few hours (or even minutes) that we have with them should be the highlight of their week. Use technology. Use enthusiasm. And most importantly, use your voice to teach and explain the Bible in creative and thought-provoking ways. The Word of God is the only influence in their lives that can change their eternity. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23).

NATHAN BIRT is the

Children’s Ministries Director at Lancaster Baptist Church

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As we think through how to keep our people secure, remember that our ultimate hope is in God. But how do we keep our churches safe in a world where evil is present?

CHURCH SECURITY W BY RICHARD ODENTHAL

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ITH THE UPSWING

in violent attacks on churches nationally, the question of how to protect our churches from attack is one that has risen to the level of extreme concern. Church security is the responsibility of each individual church.

“Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night because of them” (Nehemiah 4:9). In my experience, there is no “one size fits all” answer to that question. However, there are steps that every church may take that will

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mitigate against attack and enhance its response. ESTABLISH A SAFETY AND SECURITY TEAM

As a rule, the team should be comprised of church family members. Not all churches have members who are experienced in personal security, but all

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churches have members who can evaluate both the facility and the church family with an eye on security and safety. Members should understand and comply with the pastor’s vision. They should be vetted to ensure their capabilities. As a rule, smaller teams are more efficient and effective in accomplishing their goal. Final recommendations must be approved by the pastor prior to implementation. ESTABLISH A CHURCH POLICY ON ARTICLES ALLOWED IN THE WORSHIP CENTER

Perhaps the single most effective action that may be taken to protect the church family is to establish a policy on items allowed in the worship center. While there is a great amount of debate on this policy, Lancaster Baptist Church has prohibited nearly all items other than ladies purses in the Worship Center. One church that I know of has prohibited “over coats” and bulky ski coats (this church is in San Diego, California area) as inappropriate. The intent here is to limit the ability to bring in weapons or dangerous devices from entering the church.

DEVELOP A MULTILAYERED OBSERVATION PROGRAM

Church security begins outside the church and before and after services. The most effective way to ensure security is to involve virtually all church ministries in the action by establishing a multi-layered network of observers who report suspicious activities or persons to the security team (often ushers). This happens before they gain entrance to the church property so incidents can be prevented. If an incident does occur, fewer church members may be exposed to the danger. To illustrate this process, at Lancaster Baptist Church, the first level of observation is the parking ministry. These members most often observe attendees as they drive onto the property and park their vehicles. If someone is observed in violation of the policy, members are encouraged to tell that person of the policy and encourage them to leave the prohibited item in their vehicle. If met with resistance or refusal, the parking attendant merely report this via handheld radios to the supervisor who, in turn, notifies the security team members

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THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO ENSURE SECURITY IS TO INVOLVE VIRTUALLY ALL CHURCH MINISTRIES IN THE ACTION. on duty of the issue. Thus alerted, the security team personnel can locate the individual early for further action as necessary. The second level of observation involves our greeter ministry. These people greet virtually everyone attending the service. Should they observe a violation they advise the individual of the policy, and if compliance is not made, they also advise security team members for more immediate action. As a rule, there are security team personnel near the main entrances to the worship center building. They are available to immediately contact persons out of compliance with the policy and explain the policy and, if necessary, escort the individual from the church property. It is important to note that in more than a year that this policy has been in effect, the rate of initial compliance is estimated at 99% with no significant incidents. The goal is to provide as safe a worship environment as possible for each service.

The responsibility for safety and security of the church rests with the local church. While the steps listed above are by no means complete, they represent a place from which to begin the process. Ultimately, the whole church family should be involved at least to the level of, “if you see something, say something.” Church security is a team effort.

Richard Odenthal is a member of Lancaster Baptist Church and a retired Captain from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He has been involved in personal and corporate security for nearly fifty years. During that time, he has participated as an operator, planner, and supervisor in security operations for presidents, dignitaries, the 1984 Olympic Games, national sporting events, community events, churches, synagogues, colleges, schools, and other facilities.

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AUTHENTIC STUDENT MINISTRY BY LARRY CHAPPELL

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TEEN CULTURE MANUFACTURES PLENTY OF

excitement and hype. Every new show or event is marketed as the greatest, coolest, most epic of its kind, ever. But what our pop culture lacks is anything that is genuine or meaningful. Young people don’t need a youth group or youth workers who compete in excitement; they need to see authentic Christianity. Young people have a tendency to portray themselves

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“If we aren’t real, we’re just wasting our time. Transparency and authenticity go hand-in-hand.”

as something they are not—we all do, in fact. As youth leaders, we are supposed to model exemplary Christianity. We know this so well that we can still fit the mold even when our relationship with the Lord struggles. This cripples our effectiveness in ministry to young people, because they have a keen awareness of what is real and what is not.

If we aren’t real, we’re wasting our giving glory to God, getting wisdom. time. If our personal ministry and These are important, but at some point walk with the Lord is not authentic, we we need to bring it down to a practical have put ourselves at a tremendous level. What do these concepts mean for disadvantage. The Holy Spirit will not them? work through us, and the teens will see James breaks down an abstract right through our facade. concept, religion, with real world Ministering with authenticity means application. “Pure religion and undefiled that we practice what we preach—that before God and the Father is this, To our actions match our message. When visit the fatherless and widows in their we compel our youth groups to live for affliction, and to keep himself unspotted the Lord, they will be watching to see if from the world” (James 1:27). This was our relationship with Christ is serious. something the Christians to whom he The prime biblical contrast is wrote the letter could do that day. It was between Jesus and the Pharisees. Jesus practical. was personal, helpful, honest, and It’s easy to get stuck in the daily tasks transparent. The Pharisees were more of youth ministry, but remember, you concerned about the show and privilege are in the spotlight. You are an example of religion than actually helping anyone. to those to whom you minister. They avoided heart issues and were While the danger of an unauthentic comfortable with covering their own Christianity is great, remember that a sinfulness. real walk with God is powerful. Teens Where does this leave us? Do we need will sometimes hear whole books of the to be perfect to be effective ministers? Bible preached with a single theme and Thankfully, no, or none of us would be remain unaffected. But then they watch qualified. Hypocrisy is not when we a pastor, a parent, or a youth pastor live sin. Hypocrisy is when we use religious that principle, and everything clicks. activity to hide our sin. The Holy Spirit can apply hours of Bible Transparency and authenticity go teaching in a single action. hand-in-hand. We have to exercise Youth ministry is not about being careful discernment, but there has hip or cool or fun or crazy. Just be real. to be some transparency. Personal Walk with the Lord, and allow the young illustrations are a great way to show people to observe your life. The Apostle humility, be real, and allow the teens to Paul embraced his role as an example. He observe our lives. They can learn from wrote it this way in 1 Corinthians 11:1, how we reacted to difficult situations, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am and how the Lord helped us to overcome of Christ.” temptation. Authentic Christianity is also intensely practical. Our tendency is to LARRY CHAPPELL teach and preach about Christianity at is the Senior High Youth 30,000 feet. We give high end looks at Pastor at Lancaster Baptist Church. big principles—following God’s will,

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CH R I ST I A N LI V I N G

[ LEADERSHIP ]

The Story of a Young Skeptic BY SCOTT PAULEY

ADONIRAM JUDSON was born August

9, 1788. I first met him as a freshman in college through the pages of his life story. Growing up in church, I had heard the name of Adoniram Judson. To me, he was a pioneer missionary to Burma. Judson and his wife Ann were some of the first Baptist missionaries to be sent out of North America. Yet Judson was not always a missionary. Adoniram Judson learned to read at the age of three. He had a brilliant mind and a personality that attracted others to him. By the time he was a young man many considered him a free thinker. He knew all about the God of his father, the God of the Bible, and at the same time he knew nothing. A Christian home is one of the great blessings of life. Yet it is possible to grow up surrounded by truth without knowing Jesus Christ in a personal way. At some point, every young person must cross the threshold from their parent’s faith to their own. As a freshman at Brown University he began to question everything he had been taught growing up in a pastor’s home. Much of this skepticism was planted in his mind through the influence of a fellow student named Jacob Eames. Eames was an outspoken unbeliever. It is impossible to exaggerate the influence of a single friend for good or evil. Adoniram and Jacob spent most of their time in pursuing pleasure. Their greatest aim in life was personal fame. Little thought was given to eternity. Then came the events of September 1808. It was late when Adoniram turned his horse into a small village inn. There was only one room left and it was next to the room of a dying man. Adoniram was determined not to allow thoughts of death to disrupt a good night’s sleep.

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Through the night the groans of a dying man made it nearly impossible to rest. Questions and fears filled his mind. Finally, as day began to break, he dressed and went downstairs to pay his bill. Little did Adoniram know that his world was about to change forever. As he turned to leave, he asked the innkeeper what had happened to the man in the next room. The innkeeper replied with a serious tone that the young man had died. The words seemed so final. When Adoniram asked the name of the man the answer shook him to his core. The dying man was a college student from Brown University. His name was Jacob Eames. Adoniram Judson had come face to face with death, with eternity. His best friend had often laughed at the thought of death, and together they had scoffed at the idea of Heaven and Hell. But now everything was different. Judson would later say that his thoughts were consumed with one word—lost. Jacob Eames was lost. He was lost. It was this divine appointment that brought Judson to a realization of his own sin in the sight of a holy God. What if that had been him? Where would he spend eternity? Judson placed his faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. He would become a key figure in SCOTT PAULEY the record of world evangelism. This one event was is a full-time evangelist from not the end. It was the beginning, the beginning of West Virginia. an amazing adventure with God. scottpauley.org

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Ministry127 is a website hosted by Dr. Paul Chappell that brings together a wealth of sermon helps, videos, illustrations, slides, podcasts, and many other ministry tools contributed by a team of faithful friends and leaders from around the world. It is designed to encourage and equip spiritual leaders. 069

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CH R I ST I A N LI V I N G

[ APOLOGETICS ]

The Problem of Evil BY TOBI ENGLAND

LET’S FACE IT. Some questions can be difficult to answer. When Christians share their faith, skeptics and unbelievers are quick to reject. One common objection deals with the presence of pain and suffering in the world. Skeptics argue that if God were good, He would want to prevent evil, and if He were all-powerful, He would be able to prevent it. They conclude that if evil exists, a benevolent, all-powerful God does not. Some people argue that evil doesn’t really exist. Just like darkness is the absence of light, so evil is thought to be the absence of good. But we are left wondering why God allows good to be absent. Others argue for the necessity of experience. Maybe we must experience suffering so that we do not repeat wrong behavior. Perhaps God allows suffering and evil in the same way a parent may discipline a child who insists on playing in the street. Yet the necessity of experience does not seem adequate to explain the abuse, injustice, and atrocities in the world. To fully explain the existence of evil, we must explain the existence of sin. In Romans 5:12 the Apostle Paul writes, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Adam, Eve, and their descendants are responsible for evil, sin, and suffering. In fact, the entire creation suffers under the weight of this sin (Romans 8:22–23). And it all began with a choice to rebel against God’s law. Norman Geisler notes, “God created only good things. One good thing He made was free will.”1 Free will keeps us from being robots. We can love, worship, and relate to God because of it. But it also enables us to choose what is wrong. A helpful illustration of this principle can be found in a car wreck. Imagine

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driving up to an accident where a new car has been completely totaled. Hopefully, nobody was hurt, but it is clear that the vehicle is not worth repairing. No one would snap a picture of that car and send it back to the manufacturer with the demand, “Why did you build a wrecked car?” We recognize that when it left the showroom, that car was in perfect condition, but someone wrecked it. Likewise, the world that we live in has been wrecked by sin. It is no longer in its original condition. So does that mean there is no hope? Evil exists. God isn’t to blame for it. And we just need to deal with it? Not at all! The fact that evil exists means a moral law exists, which points us back to God. While Christians acknowledge that evil exists, we also know that the same God who created this world loves us too much to leave it in its current condition. Instead of removing the possibility of evil by denying us a free will, God overcame the presence of evil at the cross. When His plan is complete, suffering, sickness, and death will be things of the past (1 Corinthians 15:20–26). Because of the gospel we can have atonement, restoration, and hope. When God made something good out of nothing, it is called creation. When He makes something good out of evil, it is called redemption. TOBI ENGLAND 1. Geisler, N. (2011). If God, Why Evil? A new way to think about the question. Grand Rapids, MI: Bethany House. p. 33.

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is an instructor at West Coast Baptist College.

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FIND ANSWERS TO YOUR SPIRITUAL QUESTIONS AND

BECOME

GROUNDED IN YOUR FAITH CONTINUE : Discipleship Program Designed to ground new Christians in God’s Word and Bible doctrine, this resource includes fourteen fully developed lessons with thirteen weeks of daily devotions. It covers basic Bible doctrine and emphasizes personal application. STRIVINGTOGETHER.COM | 800.201.7748

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CH R I ST I A N LI V I N G

[ LADIES ]

God’s Choice for You BY TERRIE CHAPPELL

AS WOMEN, we have the opportunity

to make choices on a daily basis. Sometimes, the choices we make seem small and insignificant. Other times, they involve life-changing consequences. If you are a mom, though, there are a few choices that you didn’t make. Some choices God Himself made for you. GOD CHOSE YOU FOR YOUR CHILDREN

God in His infinite wisdom graciously and lovingly determined, before the world began, the child (or children) you would have. He knew their temperaments. He knew their strengths, their weaknesses. He knew what would make them laugh and what would make them cry. He knew what they would like for dinner and how they would like to play. He knew how they would learn best and what subject they would most enjoy in school. He knew what type of guidance they would need to become men and women who would one day be used of God…and He knew the mom they would need to make that happen. He knew the tender touch you could provide and the loving discipline you could impart. You are God’s choice for your children. You are the woman God made to influence their moldable hearts. He chose you for them. Embrace and fulfill God’s choice for your life. GOD ALSO CHOSE YOUR CHILDREN FOR YOU

He knew, before the world began, that you would learn from their childlike faith, simple wonder, and loving acceptance of others. He knew that you would need a toddler to rub food in his hair right

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before church, so that you could demonstrate loving patience. He knew that same toddler would melt your heart with a timely hug in the middle of a crazy day. He knew that your children would change you for the better, causing you to be less selfish and more sacrificial. He knew that you would be capable and strong, but that your children would test your capabilities and strength. He knew that your children would make you depend on Him, cry out to Him, and seek Him. He knew the loss of a child would draw you to Himself in ways you would never imagine. He knew that you would love them with an indescribable love, and He knew that love would give you a small glimpse of His love for you. He chose them for you. I love it when God makes the choices in my life. TERRIE CHAPPELL I’m thankful for the four children He chose for is the Ladies Ministry me, and I pray that you will savor the blessings He DIrector at Lancaster Baptist Church. has chosen for you this week as well.

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Do you ever wonder if you are really fulfilling God’s calling for your life? Maybe you feel confident in His calling, but feel as though you lack the spiritual resources to do what God wants you to do. It’s easy to default to our daily routines, trying to fulfill our own purposes in our own strength. But, we are called to something more! At this year’s conference, you’ll be reminded that you are called by God, and with His calling comes His enabling! Join us September 13–15 to learn what He has called us to and how we can fulfill those purposes in our lives through His power.

WWW.WCLADIESCONF.COM

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MI SSI ON S OUT RE AC H

[ MISSIONS ]

Overtime

A Personal Testimony of God’s Grace

BY DON SISK

IT’S NO SECRET that I love college basketball. I’ve been a Kentucky Wildcats fan for as long as I can remember. Anytime there is a game, you can count on me to watch it if I’m free or to read the stats after if I couldn’t watch it. Over the past twenty years, I’ve also become a West Coast Baptist College Eagles fan. I don’t miss a home game when I’m in town. No matter the team, there is nothing more exciting than when the teams are tied at the end of the regulation period and go into overtime. Several years ago, I wrote a book entitled Fourth Quarter. The essence of the book was that the average person in America retires somewhere between the ages of sixty and sixty-five. Yet the average American lives to almost eighty years old. I suggested that rather than spending those last twenty years doing nothing, those of us in our golden age should think of those years as an athlete thinks of the fourth quarter (or second half) of a game—important to the success of the whole game. Nobody—coach, teammate, fan—likes to watch a player have a great first half or three quarters of their game and then slack off in the final minutes of playing time. Similarly, you and I may retire, but we must not check out of the game. Although the exact nature of our day-to-day activities will shift and even slow down, as long as we are living, God has work for us to do. When Fourth Quarter was introduced, a pastor friend (and it’s probably fortunate that I can’t remember who it was) remarked, “Brother, you’re not in your fourth quarter; you’re in overtime.” I was seventy-eight years old then, and this year, I celebrated my eighty-fifth birthday. So yes, I’m sure that by now I’m in overtime. I thank God for each of the years He’s given me, and I want every moment of them to count for Him.

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These past several years have held many blessings and opportunities I would not have known had I spent them doing nothing. They’ve included opportunities to preach, to mentor, to encourage others, to enjoy lifelong friendships, and more recently, to care for my dear wife, Virginia, during her months of declining health due to an inoperable brain tumor. I spent most of her last eight months by her side, canceling nearly all of my previously-scheduled meetings. Those were difficult, but rich times together and with the Lord. Through all of these events, the Lord has been so faithful. In my newest book, Overtime, I hope to encourage you as I share some of the experiences the Lord has allowed in my life these past several years. Your overtime years, no doubt, look different than mine. Health, responsibilities, family, and many other factors influence our later years. But while we may play different positions on the court, if you know Jesus as your Saviour, we’re both on the same team. I pray these pages will encourage you to make the most of the overtime minutes God has given to you. DR. DON SISK Whatever stage of your game you’re in, I hope is a veteran this book will encourage you to continue playing missionary and a member of LBC. and to finish strong for Christ.

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DR. SISK’S NEWEST BOOK A PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF GOD’S GRACE

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WEST COAST BAPTIST COLLEGE

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES


DR. PAUL CHAPPELL FOUNDER & PRESIDENT OF WCBC

There was no way I could have known twenty-three years ago, when we welcomed the first group of students to West Coast Baptist College, what a joy it would be years down the road to see WCBC graduates serving the Lord in fruitful ministry. It seems now that wherever I travel to preach, I’m either preaching for or meeting up with WCBC alumni who are faithfully serving the Lord in that area. I so appreciate the labor of our graduates and the spirit with which they serve. It is a thrill to hear—whether in person or via written updates—what the Lord is allowing them to accomplish for Him. I realize that God has used many people to influence these graduates toward this special moment. Thank you for the support and encouragement you have provided throughout their lives and during their college years.

888.694.9222 | wcbc.edu


CA MP US UPDAT E

Commencement Excercises

MISC.

The Global Vision Award was awarded to Niranjan Sundararaj. Knowing God had spared his life in a terrorist attack years before led him to work with Dr. Chappell and the Asia conference team to assemble the Spiritual Leadership Conference Asia. Through his organization and assistance over 6,000 people from 49 countries assembled in Manila to be challenged with reaching the 10/40 window with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

GRADUATION IS ALWAYS

a sacred time for us as we send forth graduates into the harvest fields. West Coast Baptist College exists to train laborers for His harvest. This principle guides everything we do. From classroom instruction to hands-on ministry experience, WCBC continues to train graduates who are making an eternal impact.

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On Tuesday evening of graduation week Pastor Tim Butler from People’s Baptist Church in Greenville, North Carolina, preached the Baccalaureate Service. Both his daughter Emily and son-in-law Sam Forster graduated the next day. On Wednesday morning May 9, West Coast Baptist College held

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its twenty-third annual commencement service. That day, 163 graduates received recognition and diplomas for their hard work. Several graduates were honored for spiritual and academic achievements. Only eternity will reveal how the Lord will use this commencement service and these graduates for the harvest.

The 2018 Caleb Award was presented to Eldon Lofgren and Bill Weible. These two Lancaster Baptist Church deacons and their wives have sacrificed countless hours laboring in prayer and planning on behalf of West Coast Baptist College. Both have been members for over thirty years.

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WEST COAST BAPTIST COLLEGE

LEARN BY

DOING WITH PRACTICAL TRAINING UNDER THE LEADERSHIP

OF A LOCAL CHURCH FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS, WEST COAST BAPTIST COLLEGE HAS BEEN TRAINING LABORERS FOR THE HARVEST

People do what people see—that’s why mentoring in a local church Bible college environment is so special. At West Coast Baptist College, not only do the students receive quality academics, they apply their training in a local church ministry at Lancaster Baptist Church.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT 888.694.9222 or WCBC.EDU 079

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MI N I ST R Y N E W S

MISC.

New Online Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies at West Coast Baptist College WE STARTED West Coast Baptist College in the fall of 1995 with a passion to train the next generation of spiritual leaders for ministry in the local Baptist church. It has been amazing to see what God has done. Twenty-three years later, God has allowed us to see thousands of young adults trained and enter the ministry. WCBC alumni are serving Christ

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as pastors, missionaries, evangelists, assistant pastors, and Christian educators all around the world. More than ten years ago, we began offering online education through our online Master’s degree program. Hundreds of Christian workers have taken advantage of this program to further their Bible education. Nearly every day we hear from

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online students and graduates about how God has used this Master’s program in their lives to equip them more thoroughly for the work of Christ. Specifically, our online Master’s has been helpful for those who desire a deeper understanding of the Bible, but ministry responsibilities or other life circumstances prevent them from physically

moving to a Bible college. We are excited to announce that we are ready to take another step forward in offering Bible college education online. Beginning this fall, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies online from WCBC. While the degree concentrations for pastoral, evangelism, and missions require on-campus mentoring and instruction, we are delighted to offer this degree in biblical studies and pray that it will help train and equip Christians to have a greater understanding of the Word of God. Our mission has always been and will always be training laborers for His harvest. We still believe that the on-campus, ministry-immersion experience of WCBC under the authority of a local Baptist church is the ideal method for training for ministry, especially for 18–21 year olds who generally are able to relocate for college. But we also realize that there are some who simply cannot move and attend a college in person. Perhaps some are already serving in ministry or have family and career responsibilities. That is why we have created WCBC online. If you have questions about the new online bachelor’s program, take a look at our website or call our college office at 888.694.9222.

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The Student Assistance Fund allows students to complete their education and fulfill their call to full-time ministry due to the sustaining gifts given. Because West Coast Baptist College does not accept government funds, many students are unable to finish due to financial needs. Your gift will literally be God’s answer to the prayers of a diligent student.

wcbc.edu/donate

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A LUMN US I N T E RV I E W

Q+A

LEANNE CARDENAS SERVING THE LORD IN COJUTEPEQUE, EL SALVADOR

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eanne Cardenas was saved at Lancaster Baptist Church and graduated from Lancaster Baptist School. Her joy for the Lord is evidenced by her heart for others. Recently, we asked Leanne to tell us how God led her to El Salvador and how God is using her in a unique way. TELL US ABOUT HOW YOU WERE CALLED TO YOUR CURRENT MINISTRY?

I was in my last year at West Coast Baptist College when God used a missions conference to burden me about missions. Through a series of events, I learned about the need Adam and Esther Fridenstine had in ministry. After two months of much prayer and counsel, the Lord lead me to Cojutepeque, El Salvador, as a one year intern. It was during my internship that the Lord impacted my heart for the people in Cojutepeque and Emmanuel Baptist Church. After having served as an intern in 2014, the Lord led me back to serve on staff at Lancaster Baptist Church. However, I knew my love for El Salvador still remained, and I fervently prayed that the Lord one day would call me back. Two years later, I have seen how God led and provided more than I ever imagined. TELL US ABOUT WORKING WITH THE FRIDENSTINE FAMILY.

Growing up at Lancaster Baptist Church, I remember watching Adam and Esther Fridenstine working in ministry and hearing when they were getting ready to go on deputation. I never imagined myself working with these extraordinary servants of God.

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EXPLAIN TO US SOME OF THE MINISTRIES YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AT YOUR CHURCH/SCHOOL.

Adam and Esther graduated from West Coast Baptist College in May of 2008. With the assistance of Leanne and others, the Fridenstines are planting and seeing churches grow in El Salvador while directing a Christian school and Bible Seminary to see future generations sent to the harvest field of souls.

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I have the privilege of working as the outreach and discipleship secretary. I am also one of the secretaries for our Bible college. Our Bible college has approximately thirty students who are being equipped for the ministry. Nine have graduated, and we are excited to be graduating four more this year. Outside of my weekly responsibilities, I teach a 3–5 year old kids Sunday school class. I serve as a teen worker, and I disciple three teen girls every week.  WHAT IS SOMETHING GOD HAS TAUGHT YOU?

I have learned that God cannot be limited. He has taught me over and over again that when He calls us to serve Him, He will enable us. With His power He will bless us above what we can ever imagine. I remember the fears I had during the time I was getting ready to come back to the mission field. I have to say they were all wasted fears because God has shown me that His grace is sufficient and His promises are real. There is no greater joy than serving my Lord and being in the center of His will.

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WEST COAST ONLINE As the time for Christ’s return approaches, the need to take a firm stand in the Word of God worldwide grows stronger. West Coast Baptist College offers a Masters in Religious Education with concentrations available in biblical studies, Christian education, or church music.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT

masters.wcbc.edu OR CALL 888.694.9222

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Biblical Preaching.

The Daily in the Word Podcast— listen in the car, around the house, or at the office. DITW


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