“General Baptist Ministries exists to maximize Kingdom impact by starting, equipping and inspiring local churches to accomplish the Great Commission.”
WHYGB
Tho se Old Den omi n ati o n s T HREE REAS ONS F OR BE LONGING:
1. Doing together what we cannot do alone. No one church can accomplish individually what we accomplish collectively. Can one church singlehandedly… • Supervise the gathering of 42 churches in India? • Undertake the management of an orphanage in Honduras? • Plant a series of fast-growing, high-impact churches to reach thousands with the gospel? • Guide the revitalization of hundreds of existing churches? While no one church can undertake all these ministries singlehandedly, we do together what we cannot do alone! 2. We are not alone in the struggle. As part of a network of churches we are exposed to the help and encouragement needed to be more effective in our local ministries. Broad connections among and between General Baptists from different parts of the nation and different parts of the world provide a synergy of effort and a keen reassurance that we are not alone in the struggle.
3. A denomination offers services and programs. • Conferences and events offered at very modest costs and in convenient locations. • Consultation services customized to our denominational settings. • Missionary presence to assist local ministries to more effectively reach the world. • Church Planter connections to impact the course of our nation. • Construction and expansion loans. For more information visit: www.GeneralBaptist.com.
Unified GIVING ... . doing together what we cannot do alone
U N I T E D S TAT E S • H O N D U R A S • J A M A I C A • I N D I A • P H I L I P P I N E S • S A I PA N • G U A M • M E X I C O • N I G E R
Since 1823, General Baptists have been growing our ministry here in the United States, continually trying to reach new people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since 1911, we have been sending missionaries overseas, to go where many of us will never go, to reach people groups many of us will never meet. This global ministry is only made possible through generous financial support from General Baptist churches and individuals. The Unified Giving Fund was created to organize this support and give where it was most needed. We can plant new churches because of Unified Giving. We can send missionaries to new countries because of Unified Giving. We can aid in relief efforts because of Unified Giving. And people are being won to Christ because of YOUR gifts to Unified Giving.
General Baptist Ministries 100 Stinson Dr. | Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 573.785.7746 | www.GeneralBaptist.com
Messenger General Baptist
Spring 2019
Table of Contents 6 For His Glory 9 The Miracle of Missions Continues 10 The Call To The Mission Field 14 In God’s Time 16 Churches in India Face Trials 18 God is Moving in Honduras & Faith Home 20 Mission One Teams 21 The Mission Field You’ve Never Thought About 23 GBBC Update 25 National Missions Sunday
The Call To The Mission Field
27 Growing Healthy Churches. Together. 30 Celebrating One Year of Ministry at Kairos Church 31 Lead Now 34 Location, Locations, Location! 36 Cry Out to Jesus 39 A Conversation with Dave Kelle & the General Baptist Pension Plan 42 United For His Purpose, Bound By His Love 44 Trending Now
Lead Now
GBBC Update
10 31 23
4 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
Messenger General Baptist
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FOR HIS GLORY by Clint Cook, Executive Director
As we bumped along the main road, we turned into what looked like a low-lying area or floodplain. It was beautiful. I immediately smiled when I saw the lush fields as they flowed into dirt roads that led to small buildings and homes surrounding the General Baptist church where I would be speaking. As we pulled into the dusty church parking lot, scores of children came pouring out of the building, their bright eyes and huge smiles contagious as they ran from their Sunday School classes. I was pleased to notice that the church building was somewhat larger than the average General Baptist church. The Pastor greeted me warmly just outside the front door. Despite it being my first time to visit this church, any nervousness was suppressed by the pleasant surroundings, meeting the people, and an expectation from the presentation of the Word on this Sunday morning. As we walked inside the building, we continued down the main aisle to the front row where I would sit until time to preach. I felt an immediate kinship to each smiling face
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I found in each seat, row after row. I’m sure these folks wondered what was in store for them from a guy like me! Since I was the guest speaker, the anticipation of what the service would hold was mutual. The service eventually started with music of the good news filling the air. The joyful voices flowed from smiling faces and filled my heart with joy as I joined my General Baptist brothers and sisters praising and worshipping the Lord in song! Where was I? I was attending Sunday morning services at Buclad General Baptist Church on the outskirts of Davao City, on the island of Mindanao, in the Philippines. Buclad is led by Pastor Roboam Sajonia. Why was I there? Because General Baptists, more than 60 years ago, believed in the call given to dedicated men and women who felt compelled to share the Good News with the people of the great island nation of the Philippines. The reason and purpose for our prominent General Baptist presence in the Philippines, with currently more than 400 churches, is the same reason and purpose we have established ministry fields in India, Honduras, Mexico, Jamaica, and the islands of Saipan and Guam. General Baptists are dedicated to obeying the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20. I am frequently humbled by the generosity and prayer support of our General Baptist family all across the world. Lately, I find my mind often going back to Buclad Church on that warm Sunday morning and a conversation I had with Pastor Sajonia just before I preached. The Pastor repeatedly told me how grateful he was to his General Baptist family in the States for meeting an important need of his and his wife, and therefore the Buclad Church, in 2018.
You see, last year Pastor Sajonia’s wife was diagnosed with cancer and was in desperate need of surgery. In the Philippines, before surgical procedures can be done, the patient must pre-pay for the operation. Pastor Sajonia, a long-term General Baptist pastor, and his wife were unable to pre-pay for this life-saving surgery. Our General Baptist International Missions office was contacted and asked if any assistance could be given to help this pastor and wife. GBIM was able to secure the funds, the money was transferred, the surgery was performed, and I now recall how I stood in the doorway of the Buclad Church with Pastor Sajonia and his precious wife hearing how thankful they were to their greater General Baptist family. Pastor Sajonia wanted to be sure I communicated to all General Baptists how thankful they were for making it possible for his wife to have the surgery putting her cancer in remission. The dedication of General Baptists to the Great Commission has resulted in thousands of inspiring stories over our nearly 200-year history. For instance, because of General Baptists establishing fields in India, Pastor Jesse Vemula allowed me to assist him in baptizing new believers. The Hindu and Muslim religions are the dominant faiths in India and most individuals are given Hindu or Muslim names at birth. However, when new believers accept Christ, Pastor Jesse gives them biblical names that they will thereafter be known by to signify their turn from pagan beliefs to the acceptance of the one true God, Jesus, as their Savior. How thrilling it was for me not only to help baptize new believers on an international field, but to assist with choosing their biblical names! These two stories of preservation, healing, and transformation of lives, as well as hundreds more, are the direct result of General Baptist people obeying the Great
Commission. General Baptists have refused to allow language, distance, or culture to be limiting factors in the advancement of the Great Commission. I pray you will join me in telling the Lord how grateful we are that General Baptists have heard and heeded the call of God, like Isaiah, and say, “Here I am, send me.” May we strive to find, inspire, and empower more men and women to join us in this privilege of accomplishing the Great Commission.
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 7
WHYGB
Theo log ic al Connections
A home-grown religious movement had its beginnings in the 1820s in Evansville, Indiana. General Baptists came into existence because of the revival preaching of Elder Benoni Stinson. He boldly and frequently proclaimed the good news of the gospel that “Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for everyman” with the result that “whosoever will may be saved”. This preaching from texts found in the New Testament books of Hebrews and Romans resulted in the planting of new churches, a networking with other like-minded groups, and the birthing of a national organization in 1870. But why General Baptist? The name is actually a summary of the core theology of the movement reflecting belief in a general atonement that anyone who is willing to trust Jesus as Savior may be saved. This theological name stood in contrast to those groups of the 19th century who advocated a particular or limited atonement for in their theology only a few, not the many, could be saved. Though the term “atonement” is not in the General Baptist Statements of Faith, few terms are more important to our historical identity. The “general” in General Baptist is derived from our position on atonement. Atonement can mean the compensation, the restitution paid, or expiation given by God through Jesus Christ for our sin. Atonement can describe the actions of Jesus to secure our salvation, and thus the redemptive work of Jesus can be described as the atonement. Many Protestants continue to disagree over whether atonement is general (i.e., for all) or particular (i.e., only for those who are “elect”). General Baptists argue that the atonement is for all, but the benefits of the atonement “can be received only through repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Statement of Faith IV). Because we believe in a general atonement we are naturally evangelistic and intentionally missionary. How else will our world hear the Good News? For more information visit: www.GeneralBaptist.com.
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The
M I R A C LE MISSIONS
of
Continues By Mark Powell
General Baptist International is pleased to share with you, through the pages of this Messenger, the reality that we serve a God who continues to work miracles. Several years ago the General Baptist Foreign Mission Society (as it was then called) produced a film entitled “Miracle Among the Matigsalug” that chronicled General Baptist ministries with an indigenous group related to the Manobo peoples of the Philippines. A few years later the Foreign Mission Society produced another film entitled “The Miracle Continues.” It has now been forty years and God is continuing to work that miracle each and every day through the gifts, talents, and calling of students and graduates of the Matigsalug Bible Institute. Former missionary Dean Trivitt shares about the early days of that ministry and gives testimony to the ongoing miracles of God. God’s miracles often come in unexpected ways. Missionary Kris Yeomans was ready to board (he was literally in the boarding area) a plane for West Africa when a call from his doctor prompted him to stay for some medical tests resulting in stints several days later. It was as if God moved on Kris so powerfully to preserve his life for future ministry in West Africa. At the moment, the set back was discouraging but now the Yeomans family sees the hand of God. You can catch up with them as they continue to prepare for ministry in West Africa and learn more of this amazing story in an article entitled “In God’s Time” by Kris Yeomans. As believers, we also pray for miracles each and every day. The Christian situation in India can be very difficult. Jessey and Brittany Vemula share how some churches in India face opposition which should be a resounding call
for each and every General Baptist to pray for God to do a miracle in that great country. Some of the greatest miracles we have been blessed to see is the work God does through the lives of the children He has honored us to care for in Honduras. Christina Massey shares some of the ongoing stories on those children’s lives as recently many of the Faith Home children returned for a reunion and brought with them Faith Home “grandchildren” for a visit. Plus Faith Home was host to a wedding of two of the children God brought to Faith Home several years ago in the first Faith Home wedding – how exciting! In this Messenger you will also find information on new, but long envisioned ministries in Honduras as we plant a new church (the first in several years) and the medical clinic receives its license to operate. The licensure of the clinic was envisioned years ago but now, thanks to Dr. Sharon and missionary Teresa Walls it has finally become a reality. Miracle story upon miracle story! Yes indeed the miracle continues. Thank you for joining us in seeing the hand of God work miracles through General Baptist Ministries each and every day.
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THE CALL TO THE MISSION FIELD The Trivitt family journey to the Mission Field began in the summer of 1977 as Dean and Sandra attended the General Baptist Women’s Missionary Conference in Oakland City, IN. Judy Jones was a guest speaker. She along with her husband Stanley had served in the Philippines at the General Baptist Bible College (GBBC) and had recently moved to Saipan. She tearfully told of a tribe of people in the central Mindanao highlands that had recently opened a door for General Baptists to begin a work there. The Matigsalug people were some of the first people to settle in the Philippines many years earlier. They were an indigenous people, very primitive. There was little access to the area as well as to the people. Rev. Angel Digdigan had ventured into the area a few years earlier looking for any means of earning a few pesos as he and his wife Vicky were students at GBBC. He had made an inroad with Datu Gawilan and the people as well. He was able to begin to preach the Gospel to them and found them receptive. In the early 70’s a conflict broke out between the tribe and the government as commercial loggers were encroaching into the area! Bro. Angel was instrumental in helping to get a settlement between the tribe and the government in 1975 when the Sinuda area became like a reservation.
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The Matigsalug were known as “Kaingang” meaning “slash and burn farmers”. They would form a small group of families and clear an area and plant some crops. After a short period of time they would then have to move on as the land would cease to be productive. They did not cultivate the land, just dig and plant. They were a very nomadic group. In August of 1977 contact was made with the Foreign Mission Board and Rev. Charlie Carr came to St. Louis and met with our family (Dean, Sandra, Gary and Sheila) to see if we were really feeling God’s call. We were and he immediately called for a psychological evaluation and back ground check. By late September the board had met with us and approved our application. We were then presented at the General Association in Flint, MI in October. We resigned our church, Christy Park in St. Louis, where we had totally felt God’s call to the pastorate there. Our orientation to mission work consisted of spending a couple of hours with Bro. Carr as he shared some about the work and what would be expected of us, which included moving into the tribal area to live with the people. We arrived on the field in January of 1978. First we attended language training as well as serving as Field Director of our mission work on Mindanao.
The Digdigans, Pastor Gerry Otbot and Pastor Delphin Aet and his wife Flora were graduates of GBBC. Pastor Otbot and Pastor Aet were assigned as literacy workers in Sinuda and to teach at the Bible Institute, which at that time was located in Tawas adjacent to Sinuda. They, along with the Digdigans, were instrumental in helping to develop the work and establish house churches and open work. Even before our home was finished in Tawas we were heavily involved in the work around the Sinuda/Tawas area. I was making hiking trips into the interior areas and making headway at spreading the Good News! The Bob and Inez Carr family as well as Mary Lou Howard and her children arrived in the fall of 1978. Bro. Carr assumed the leadership of Matigsalug Bible Institute. Mary Lou Howard was assigned to the Health Care project to train locals to help out in the villages with healthcare needs. Sister Mary Digdigan, Flora Aet and others were instrumental in seeing that project accomplished. Our plan was to establish the work to be indigenous or self supporting. We did plan for projects to help a pastor as much as possible by supplying a carabao (water buffalo) to be used as draft animals to help generate livelihood. These were hard times for the people and for the student pastors. The MBI schedule had students enrolled in classes for 6 months and then assigned to lead a church for 6 months and then back to classes. They would complete their courses and graduate at the end of 3 years. Pictured Left to Right: The Trivitt Family Sheila, Sandra, Dean, & Gary
I have estimated that during the course of the five plus years on the field that I had hiked 10,000 plus miles throughout the mountains. At one point when accompanied by Ano Pandia (one of the first Matigsalug workers and a graduate of GBBC) it was raining very hard. The way was very muddy and difficult. We stopped to rest at one point and Pastor Ano asked, “Sir, why do you do this”? I did not hesitate to answer, “Look what Jesus did for us all”! That was my purpose along with my family to bring the Good News to a people who were waiting to hear the message. It was working! Just before we were scheduled for furlough in May 1980 I was encouraged by a student pastor to visit his village in the Arakan Valley of North Cotabato. It was located in a rebel infested area. He came to our home in Tawas and said, “Sir, I have come to take you with me to visit our village.” So I made quick arrangements and left with him together with Pastor Damale , my great assistant who was a wonderful helper, to spend the weekend with his people. At that time I was not aware that the Datu of this place had said that if that “Americano Missionary comes to my place, I will kill him”! Well the pastor knew that the Datu would be gone attending a “Fiesta” celebration in Camp 4 which is right where we left from. While there we had several preaching and teaching opportunities culminating on Sunday morning by baptizing over 30 new believers including the wife of the Datu and one of his children. On our way back we stopped by another open work and baptized 10 more new believers
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Upon arriving back at Tawas it was time to wrap things up and within a day or so we began our journey home for furlough. We had not been home long when we heard a story about a large group of refugees arriving in the Tawas/Sinuda area. They were from the village and area that we had just visited. The Datu that had made threats on my life had arrived back in his village and subsequently was killed by someone who he had made a bad deal with. Well needless to say Bob, Inez and Mary Lou had their hands full dealing with that situation. The work continued to grow as students came from all over central Mindanao. More than 100 church starts were accomplished. Some of them did not make it as the people were still nomadic and later other groups came in and offered assistance. Toward the end of our missionary experience we were asked to do a three month live-out in the interior region of Tapak. It was a very difficult journey because of a heavy rain and flooding rivers. It was approximately an 8 mile hike up and over a mountain and crossing the river various times. The Dalag family made their home available for us to live in while there. It was a small two room house and proved to be quite an experience. We were able to make significant headway in beginning a work there. A young lady Mylette Dalag was a student at MBI in Sinuda and had helped to organize and start the church there.
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After three months we had seen the church flourish and had acquired some land for developing a future Bible Institute there. We had not been back in the States long until we heard that Sister Mylette Dalag had been killed in a rebel uprising. What a tremendous loss for her family and to the church ministry there. Recently I received news that churches in the area are still active and a District of churches, like an association, had been formed with Tapak being the center church. Ronito Dalag, Mylette Dalag’s nephew, is the Moderator of the District. Roads have been constructed into the area now making it accessible by automobile and motorcycles. What a blessing! And the central work at Sinuda General Baptist Cathedral is continuing to share the Gospel and expand. I pray that this brief article will help folks to continue to pray for and support the mission work around the world. Just maybe God is calling someone today to the mission field. Just after we had returned from the field we were invited to a church in Illinois to share our experience. We shared in the children’s department with stories and display of artifacts. At the end I asked if any of the children felt that someday they would like to become a missionary. A little boy didn’t hesitate to raise his hand and I asked him what kind of missionary he thought he would like to be. He replied, a RETURNED MISSIONARY! -- Dean Trivitt
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IN
’ GOD S
TIME By Kris Yeomans
Since our commissioning at the 2018 General Baptist Summit, I have been faced with a series of health challenges resulting in several arterial stints prior to our departure for Niamay, Niger. With medical clearance, we departed the United States for West Africa on October 25, 2018. This trip provided some challenges. After a substantial amount of prayer and discussion, our field partnership with SIM International in Niamey was put on hold until the beginning of the next school year, August 2019. Part of our work will involve volunteering at the missionary kid’s school in Niamey. That decision, coupled with lack of health resources currently in Niamey and additional security concerns that prompted more missionary movement restrictions, ultimately led us to return to the United States. While this is not something we wanted, or expected to happen, God’s Grace has sustained us, and His Peace has been evident throughout the entire change in plans. He has confirmed that this change for us is all part of His plan. Through the sadness of another delay, He has given us joy that we know only comes from Him, and He continues to keep Niger in our hearts. So, with our extra time in the US, we are moving forward with ministry plans. We began taking more French courses in January, with the hope of being as fluent as possible by summer. January through May we will continue a time of deputation, raising more funds for our share support, and bringing additional awareness to the needs and ministry opportunities in Niger. If you would like to schedule us to speak at your church, please contact us - we would love to visit and share about Niger! We are so excited to share that the Lord is opening doors for a location of our very first church plant in Africa! So, while we aren’t there right now, God is continuing to work and expand His Kingdom, and we are thankful that we (and YOU) are a part of that!! More on this later, as it develops.
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We are so excited to share that the Lord is opening doors for a location of our very first church plant in Africa!
QUESTION & ANSWER With this unexpected furlough, we will answer some of your questions here:
HAVE YOU RESIGNED FROM GBIM? No, we are still full-time with the mission, and have basically moved the short furlough we were planning for 2020 to now, so we plan to be on the field from 2019 - 2021 before returning to the US again. ARE YOU RECEIVING A PAYCHECK WHILE YOU ARE IN THE US? Yes, we continue to be employed by the mission, and our salaries and insurance continue to be covered by our deputation. SHOULD I STOP MY SUPPORT WHILE YOU ARE ON THIS SHORT FURLOUGH? We live off your support, while on the field of service and while we are here in the US on furlough. This is ultimately up to you, of course, but we encourage you to continue giving so that once we are all set to depart, there is no delay due to lack of funding. In fact, our deputation is down due to the purchase of plane tickets to return home unexpectedly, so we certainly need and appreciate your generous giving.
WHERE DOES OUR SUPPORT GO WHILE YOU ARE IN THE US? Whether you support us weekly, monthly or annually, 100% of our share support goes into our deputation account, whether we are in the US or in Niger. These funds pay our salaries and insurance, as well as expenses for providing updates via mail, etc. WITH ALL THE CHALLENGES AND CHANGES IN PLANS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE RECENTLY, DO YOU FEEL LIKE GOD IS LEADING YOU IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION? We do not feel like God is leading us in a different direction now. While we certainly weren’t expecting the changes we’ve experienced, we knew all along that getting this brand new ministry off the ground would be a tremendous challenge, and even more so in a place like Niger - where Satan has had a stronghold for many years. Satan is going to fight with all he has to keep more evangelism and resources from being poured into one of the most unreached places in the world. We not only want your prayers, we NEED them, for us and this brand-new work for General Baptists in West Africa. In closing, as you pray, continue to remember our family as we adjust to a lot of transition, pray that we will pick up French quickly and that our courses will be effective, and continue praying for the work in Niger (and especially this new church plant that is already in the works!). Thank you all, so much for your faithful prayers and support on our behalf. Kris, Nicole, Emily & Eden Yeomans Missionaries to West Africa | GBIM Email: kris@generalbaptist.com US Phone: 270-820-1114 or 901-646-5758
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 15
CHURCHES IN INDIA FACE TRIALS
By Jessey and Brittany Vemula
God has been good to us, and we are grateful for spend time with the Good Shepherd’s Children’s Home His goodness and faithfulness toward our family and kids and even learned how to play some traditional Indian ministry here in India. God has used us in this ministry games. It was both a privilege and a blessing to have both of evangelism, church planting and raising leaders in the of them spend part of their holiday season with us. midst of opposition. We have heard so many stories of our A couple weeks later we had the privilege of hosting Christian brothers and sisters and pastors being persecuted our Filipino brothers and sisters from GBBC for the in this country, and many churches were burnt or torn fourth time. This team stayed a total of two weeks with down. That is the work of the devil to destroy the work and us. When they arrived they went to the Lydia Sewing the workers of God, but God protected us every day and Center to be part of the graduation ceremony. Twenty never let us fear or escape from what we are called to do. women graduated, and four of those women gave their As many of you know, through our ministry Facebook lives to Christ. The team also participated in a minister’s page, there is still political opposition to the construction conference, blanket distribution, and visited the water well of the church in Boggulabanda village. Recently, we had locations in the Bhadrachalam area. They also participated State elections in our state of Telangana, and because in cottage prayer meetings, birthday celebrations (which of that we could not meet with politicians. We are not requires preaching), and Sunday worship services. Three going to give up on the church construction, and we days of VBS were held for the kids in our Siddipet area will continue to approach the police, local leaders and with twenty children in attendance. Jove, Nisse, and Ann politicians for permission approval. Our led the kids in stories, crafts, and music church at Siddipet will be standing with activities. All of the children had a the believers of Boggulabanda church wonderful time learning about Jesus and help them in any way possible. So through the activities. Even though please pray for this situation and for us these teams have gone back home the to do the right thing for God’s kingdom. blessings and impact they made in this We had the pleasure of hosting ministry shows. two short term mission teams. At the Our years here have had both joy and beginning of November we hosted sadness. We want to thank those that Schuyler Brantley and his son Jeremiah prayed for and sent sympathy cards for ten days. During their ten-day stay when we lost our son Jeremy. Words Schuyler had the opportunity to preach cannot express our thanks and the at several meetings. They visited the comfort that we received through your Lydia Sewing Center in Bhadrachalam support. Please continue to pray for us where most of the women are and the ministry here in India. unreached Hindus. Jeremiah got to Schuyler & Jeremiah Brantley
16 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
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God is Moving IN HONDURAS By Dr. Rodney RodneyWalls Walls By Dr.
As most years are, 2018 was one of challenges and victories! In the challenges, what God said to Paul, we too have found true AGAIN, “My grace is sufficient for you.” It always is. GOD IS MOVING IN HONDURAS. In our 16 General Baptist churches there were 53 conversions and 40 baptisms in 2018. Glory to Our God! I was recently on the site of our new property in Nueva Plan. We were laying out the building, so hopefully, we can get a foundation in soon. Exciting! Pastor Simeon is so eager and so is the newly developing church. This is on the edge of an existing settlement, but is located in a developing area where in the years ahead many houses will be built. BUT, God’s house will be there first! THE MEDICAL CLINIC is now registered and licensed with the government. The building was constructed over ten years ago and served as storage more than anything during that time. But it is now licensed to operate as a clinic here. Dr. Sharon (our Honduran doctor who has been here for over a year seeing Faith Home children) and Teresa worked so hard over the last 14 months, and they are thrilled. They have been excitedly talking about how to make the clinic the ministry that God wants it to be. It will continue to serve the Faith Home children and staff, but this year it will also begin serving our churches as well. The Lord has gotten us to this place and we know exciting things are coming. LISEL came to Faith Home with severe medical needs include fetal alcohol syndrome. She continues to be in our home where she can receive the very best of care and medical attention from Teresa who is a nurse. She is now almost 2.5 years old. Her road remains full of great and difficult challenges (her special needs mandate special care), but we rest on the promise that God’s grace is sufficient! Please continue to pray for her. Everything seems to be a challenge, but she is a joy. As we move forward in 2019, we continue this journey with God.
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& at FAITH HOME By Christina Massey
The last part of 2018 was a blessed and busy time for Faith Home Honduras. In December, we had high school graduation for eleven students and a Faith Home wedding. The medical clinic received its license and we received two new children. We had an alumni reunion and of course Christmas celebrations! We also held a joint graduation ceremony for the eleven students in the Willingham Center. Many of those who graduated already have jobs and the rest hope to have jobs soon. They are transitioning well and we are so proud of the amazing young men and women they have grown into! A FAITH HOME WEDDING. This was a fairytale that started at Faith Home. Eleazar grew up at Faith Home with his parents Marco and Mina. Kidian came to Faith Home as a teenager. They both left Faith Home a few years ago. What a blessing for them to say their vows where they first met. NEW CHILDREN! What a surprise when Samuel’s brother Cristofer and sister Sofia came to live with us at Faith Home at the end of December. Samuel came to us two years ago when he was only seven days old. He is happy to have his siblings living and playing with him. FAITH HOME REUNION Many of the young adults who grew up at Faith Home came back to visit the Saturday after Christmas and brought our Faith Home ‘grandkids’. What a blessing to see what God is doing in and through their lives! DID YOU KNOW? There have been 123 children to date who have lived at Faith Home (not counting children of house-parents). Fifty-three have transitioned out at age 18 or older. Twenty-two have been reunited with family before turning 18. The faces have changed over the years, but each one is a precious soul forever changed because of the ministry of Faith Home! We are grateful for all you do to make possible this ministry of helping children receive the hope of Christ in the midst of often hopeless circumstances.
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 19
Our Mission One Program exists to provide support and aid to our missionaries and nationals as they minister on our various fields. Our program provides opportunities for individuals to participate as members of mission teams, interns, and as short-term missionaries. We offer diverse mission team opportunities including medical, construction, evangelism, and education/leadership development teams. Currently, we send teams to Honduras, Mexico, Jamaica, Saipan, Niger, India, and the Philippines. Our internship program (Launch) is available to upper level high school students and college age students. In some cases, college credit is given upon completion of the internship. Our interns serve two to eight weeks on one of our international fields. Responsibilities vary upon location. Short-term opportunities are available to adult individuals ranging from two weeks to two years. Responsibilities vary upon the location as well as the skill set of the individual. Please contact Mission One Coordinator Dr. Jim Pratt at jim.pratt@generalbaptist.com to schedule a mission trip or to participate in the Mission One Program.
TE NT A T I V E 2 01 9 MISSIO N O NE TEAM SCHEDULE JAN. 17 – 24
HN19A
BOOKER/BRADY
CONSTRUCTION
HONDURAS
JAN. 25 – FEB. 1
HN19B
SMITH
MAINTENANCE
HONDURAS
FEB. 8 – 15
HN19C
CHRISTY
MEDICAL
HONDURAS
FEB. 15 – 22
HN19D
ZELLER
CONSTRUCTION
HONDURAS
FEBRUARY
MX19A
TBA
LEADERSHIP DEV
MEXICO
MAR. 1 – 8
HN19E
DEJOURNETT
CONSTRUCTION
HONDURAS
MAR. 8 – 11
HN19F
PRATT
LEADERSHIP DEV
HONDURAS
APRIL
PH19B
POWELL
LEADERSHIP DEV
PHILIPPINES
JUNE
SS19A
TANKSLEY
OUTREACH
ST. LOUIS AREA
JUNE1 – 8
HN19G
JULIAN/OCU
CONSTRUCTION/MINISTRY
HONDURAS
JUNE 21 – 28
HN19H
LEE
DENTAL/OUTREACH
HONDURAS
JUNE 21 – 28
MX19B
DAYWALT
OUTREACH/MINISTRY
MEXICO
JUNE 28 – JULY 5
HN19I
BIGGERSTAFF
CONSTRUCTION/MINISTRY
HONDURAS
JULY 26 – AUG. 2
HN18J
OBER
OUTREACH/MINISTRY
HONDURAS
AUG. 2 – AUG. 9
HN19K
SHOULDERS
OUTREACH/MINISTRY
HONDURAS
OCT. 14 – 25
PH19A
TBA
360 CONFERENCE
PHILIPPINES
NOVEMBER
HN19L
TBA
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
HONDURAS
NOV. - DEC.
IN19A
POWELL
OUTREACH/MINISTRY
INDIA
DECEMBER
IN19B
PORCADILLA
FILIPINO TEAM-GBBC
INDIA
20 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
ThE Mission FielD You've
NEVER
By Dennis Powell
Thought About
As a lifelong General Baptist, you may have heard my name from time to time, but you may not have thought of the mission field I serve. Many General Baptists know about our international mission work in several countries. Many General Baptist also keep up with our national mission work in planting churches in the United States. However, there is another mission field where General Baptists have not yet been. The mission field where I serve has a population of 22 million people and they are all part of colleges and universities across the United States. On this mission field, most people are not yet followers of Jesus Christ. This is primarily because, although they have heard the name of Jesus, they really have no idea who Christ is and what He came to do. As a General Baptist missionary, I serve in partnership with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, one of the oldest and largest campus ministries in the United States. Our vision is to see students and faculty transformed, campuses renewed, and world
changers developed. We are currently present on 695 campuses across the United States and growing. We focus on two main activities. First, we try to gather together Christian students and faculty into witnessing communities, so they can grow in their faith together and know that they are not the only believers on the campus. Students and faculty groups regularly gather together for prayer, Bible studies, book discussions, special speaker events, and other activities to grow in relationship to one another and to Christ. Second, we actively seek to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people who are open to hear the genuine good news of Christ. This generation of college students often have a seriously inadequate understanding of Christ and Christianity. Once they hear who Jesus really is and what He really said, their curiosity is aroused, and they are more open to the gospel. We often invite non-believers to join in a Bible study of one of the gospels. As it clears up their misperceptions
of Christ, they become more open to considering His claims. Our ministry sees more than 4,000 people come to faith in Jesus Christ each year. We believe that God has called us to reach every corner of every campus with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We long for revival among university students, faculty, and staff. For over 75 years InterVarsity has had a vital presence on hundreds of college campuses, courageously proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior, engaging in discipleship around Scripture, and loving people of every ethnicity and culture. My specific role with Intervarsity is as an Area Director within our Graduate and Faculty Ministries. I supervise, encourage, and support our Campus Staff Ministers in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin who work with students and faculty on a daily basis. I see myself as having a Barnabas ministry helping our staff to minister well. As an Area Director, I have the privilege of hearing many stories of life change that happen as men and women encounter Christ for the first time. I am also working in Western Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Southern Illinois to develop faculty chapters at several campuses.
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 21
Professors often teach on campus for 30-40 years, thus they have a tremendous impact on the lives of their students. We want to see faculty flourish on campus so their Christian witness can show students it is okay to be a thinking person and a person of faith. My work with Intervarsity also includes working with General Baptist International to develop a partnership. Jim Pratt, Assistant Director of General Baptist International and I are praying and searching for a person whom God would call to help us reach international students with the gospel. Over half of international students come from just three countries: China, India, and Saudi Arabia. We have a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with students from closed countries who can then share the gospel in their home country. “LC”, who was a Bio-Chem Ph.D. student at the University of Illinois is from China, but he came to the United States to study as over one million other internationals do. LC was an atheist who began regular conversations with David about who Jesus is and what He has done for us. At the end of each conversation,
22 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
David would ask “LC” what he thought. His response was, “I need to do more research.” After two years of these conversations, David felt the need to encourage LC a bit more. LC gave his usual response to which David said, “LC, when you do an experiment, does it continue on indefinitely or at some point do you need to end it and draw your conclusions?” LC answered, “We eventually have to end the experiment and determine our
You can impact a genEration of young Adults who will impact their wOrld for Christ thrOughout their lifetimEs.
conclusions.” David said, “You know enough about Jesus right now to make up your mind about whether he really is the Son of God.” LC paused for a few minutes and then stated, “I have finished my research. I believe the claims of Christ and I want to follow Jesus.” Within a few weeks LC was baptized in a local church, and his wife and two children also accepted Christ as their Savior. One of these days, LC will return to China to teach at a university and he will have the opportunity to impact many lives for Christ. It is not safe to be a Christian in China, but the gospel is still alive and well. Would you be interested in hearing more about this ministry? Would you be interested in helping develop a partnership between Intervarsity and General Baptist Ministries? Do you have a heart for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for college students? Contact me and let’s talk over a cup of coffee about how the gospel can be shared by General Baptists in this mission field you have never thought about. I would also be honored to have the privilege of sharing about this ministry with your church.
Dennis Powell is a lifelong General Baptist who has served as a church planter, pastor, and now in campus ministry. You can learn more about Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at intervarsity.org. You can contact Dennis to set up a time for a cup of coffee at dennis.powell@intervarsity. org or (501) 206-6568.
GBBC UPDATE
Dr. Joyce Porcadilla
We are grateful to our Abba Father because He has definitely blessed us beyond what we deserve. We are thankful to all of you, our ministry partners, because you remind us always that we continue to exist here because of God’s gracious hand. Through your prayer and financial support, God allows us to experience and taste His daily sufficient grace. We are keenly aware that without the grace of God that has been manifested through your partnership, it would have been truly difficult for us to exist this long. Allow me to share with you some highlights of our school year so far.
360 YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM
The first semester ended with a successful and spirit-filled 360 Youth Leadership Forum which was led by a team from the U.S. composed of Clint Cook, Executive Director; Jim Pratt, Mission One Coordinator; Barry Cullen and Darrell Hillhouse, Pastors of Providence and Mt. Zion General Baptist Churches, respectively; Tyler Feller, Pastor of McLeansboro General Baptist Church; and Landon Sartin, Worship Pastor of Strong Tower Church. The said 360 Youth Leadership Forum was held on October 22-25, 2018.
DORMITORY UPDATE
While fund raising is still going on since we do not have the full amount ($120,000) yet to start the first phase of the construction, a simple groundbreaking ceremony led by our Executive Director, Clint Cook, was held on October 22, 2018. It was a rainy afternoon then but this did not stop us to celebrate God’s providence as we broke ground and anticipate the start of another facility that will house our future leaders. Please continue to fervently pray with us that the amount needed to build this new dormitory will be raised soon. We hope that before the next school year will start in June 2019, we will have the funds so we can commence construction.
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 23
The Stinson Institute The Stinson Institute of the Philippines finally took off with 19 students on October 15, 2018. The curriculum, as presented by GBIM Director Mark Powell in April, was designed in coordination with the General Baptist International Missions (GBIM) and Oakland City University (OCU) to provide further education for GBBC and MBI graduates as well as lay people or professionals who have received the call to ministry. Dr. Jim Pratt and Dr. Darrell Hillhouse were the first professors who taught the first batch of modular classes. The next sessions will take place in April 2019 where another group of professors will be coming to teach.
India Mission Trip A group from GBBC left for a short mission trip to India as part of the missions exposure and cross cultural immersion experience. An advance team left November 21 specifically to document and to take part in the different ministries on the other side of India. The rest of the team left December 2, all returning on December 12. We thank God for His provision and for His guidance. We thank all our ministry partners who continue to pray for us and who have contributed financially to send this team from GBBC to go to India. We are truly grateful because we have been given this great privilege to go beyond our borders, share the Gospel and the love of God and make Jesus known. We continue to seek God’s direction and His protection as we continue to commit our lives in faithful service to His institution. We are thankful that we are halfway through with school year 2018-2019. We are grateful to our Almighty Father for all the opportunities He has given GBBC to minister to its pupils, students, their families, surrounding communities, and even beyond our borders. We also seek God’s provision as we work toward the improvement of our campus, physically, academically in our course offerings in all levels, and in our human resources. I sincerely thank all of you for the support, encouragement, and prayers that you give to this institution especially for the affirmation, trust and confidence you give to the administration, faculty and staff.
24 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
Jacksonville, FL
“We’ve never done it this way before!”
observed Executive Director Clint Cook but in 2016 work began to establish a new church in Jacksonville, Florida. What’s so different? The difference is that as a teenager Pastor Pete Lapaz was won to faith in Christ by Missionary Cecil Green in the Philippines! Now semiretired Pastor Lapaz has been gathering a core group to establish a new General Baptist church in Jacksonville, Florida. Church Planting has always been a primary mission for General Baptists. Our movement was organized by a church planter who established churches on the American frontier in the 1820s. Our denominational mission to plant churches is underwritten by the general budget but it is also made possible by special gifts such as those received on National Missions Sunday. Thanks to your gifts on National Missions Sunday new believers will be welcomed to All Nations General Baptist Churches in Jacksonville, Florida and eventually as many as five additional churches will be established in that city. Currently the church has more than 50 participants with four different nationalities represented. Their latest additions included a family from Ukraine.
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 25
GENERAL BAPTIST National Youth Conference
June 14–16, 2019 Lake Williamson Christian Center Carlinville, ILlinois
EMPOWERED Speaker: Brandon Petty Contact Congregational Ministries for More INformation: 573.785.7746 www.gbnyc.org
HTTPS://THOMRAINER.COM/BLOG/ THOM S. RAINER PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIFEWAY CHRISTIAN RESOURCES THOM S. RAINER IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF LIFEWAY CHRISTIAN RESOURCES. HE IS THE AUTHOR OF MORE THAN TWO DOZEN BOOKS, AND HIS BOOK, I AM A CHURCH MEMBER, WAS #1 ON THE CBA BESTSELLER LIST FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. HIS MOST RECENT BOOK, SCRAPPY CHURCH: GOD’S NOT DONE YET WAS RELEASED IN OCTOBER 2018 BY B&H PUBLISHING GROUP. HE BLOGS AT THOMRAINER. COM, AND HIS PODCAST, RAINER ON LEADERSHIP, IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATED CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP PODCASTS ONLINE TODAY. DR. RAINER RESIDES IN NASHVILLE WITH HIS WIFE, NELLIE JO. THEY HAVE THREE SONS AND TEN GRANDCHILDREN.
JANUARY 7, 2019
SIX REASONS WHY SOME CHURCH MEMBERS RESIST GROWTH
The confrontation was probably one of my more sobering moments as a pastor. The woman, a long-term church member, used the classic moment right before I preached to tell me God had spoken to her. He told her under no uncertain terms I was supposed to leave the church. My first challenge was to figure out why God had told her and not me. It seemed like direct communication would have been far more efficient. My second challenge was framed in a simple one-word question, “Why?” She responded with smug certainty, “Because all of these new Christians are messing up our church.” Oh. Of course, I am not alone in dealing with this perplexing reality. Many church members really don’t want to see their churches grow. Some of them are content with sufficient growth to pay the bills, but none thereafter. I have learned from countless pastors and members over the years why this seeming Great Commission disobedience is so pervasive in many churches. Here are six of the most common reasons.
1. Relational patterns are disrupted.
Growth brings new members to ministries, groups, and church social functions. Leadership may shift with the incoming new members. Many members are simply not comfortable with new attendees changing long-term relationship patterns.
2. Many are too comfortable with the status quo.
They would rather obey the perceived mandate of the Great Comfort than the mandate of the Great Commission.
3. Some have a me-centric view of congregational life.
Thus, the church exists for me, myself and I. It’s all about my worship style, my programs, my ministries, and my pew. The church is more like a country club where I pay my dues and get my perks. If the new people get in my way as the church tries to reach them, I will raise my voice loudly.
4. Church members may want the pastor on call to take care of them. Too much growth spreads the pastor too thinly. If my pastor can’t meet my needs 24/7, we have too many people in the church.
5. Others are simply uncomfortable with any emphasis on numerical growth.
The pendulum has swung too far. For many years, many churches over-emphasized numerical growth, so much so that it seemed like the number was an end in itself. Today, many church leaders and members resist any emphasis on numerical growth, often to the detriment of Great Commission accountability.
6. New people are different.
New Christians and non-Christians are particularly different from most longer-term church members. Their presence can make churches messy. Some members don’t like messy churches. Kind of like the Pharisees didn’t like Jesus relating to messy people.
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 27
I recently wrote a blog post about church members who are heroes and heroines in their local churches. Pastors remember them fondly for a lifetime. They tell stories about them. They thank God for them. But pastors also remember church members who are harshly negative, like those who resist Great Commission growth. My story took place a quarter of a century ago. I have moved on, but I have not forgotten. Let us be church members who gladly obey Christ’s command to make disciples as we go into our communities. Such obedience will likely result in growth. And that’s not a bad thing.
TWENTY CHURCH MEMBER HEROES AND HEROINES FOR 2018 As we conclude this year, I want to recognize twenty church members who are incredible blessings to their churches. They were nominated by their pastors and church staff. My regret is limiting the list to twenty. I could have continued the list for many pages. Below are each of the heroes and heroines, noted by their first names. The quote that follows is from the pastor or church staff member who made the nomination. These were my twenty finalists, but they are not in any particular order.
1. Lois, the example of hope and perseverance.
“She lost her husband to a heart attack, lost two sons to cancer, and her daughter suffered brain damage due to a difficult child delivery. In every testimony service, she would stand and say, ‘Pastor, God has been so good to me!’” 2. Laura, the sacrificial servant. “She is nearly 90 years old and still sweeps the sidewalks of our church every week despite our encouragements to let someone else handle it! She’s currently in rehab from a fall, but I guarantee you she’ll pick up the broom as soon as she’s able.” 3. Ronnie, the gospel sharer. “He shares the gospel with people all the time and is my number one prayer warrior. He loves my family and has taught my son (and me) many things I knew nothing about, such as hunting, fishing, gun safety, and carpentry. Incredible encourager.” 4. George, the inviter. “He’s 85 years old and asks me to go visit with him. He’s constantly inviting people to church. He never misses a service or Sunday school class, even though he uses a cane. I wish every church member was like George.” 5. Michelle, the consummate servant. “We are currently without a secretary, and she has stepped up to make the bulletins, slides, and the usher and nursery schedules. She is not yet 30 in a church with mostly older people. She also works with kids who come on the bus.” 6. Seth, the teenage evangelist. “He began praying for friends and sharing Jesus with them. Since then, five of them have followed Jesus. He is now doing a gap year in Ethiopia working with street kids.” 28 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
7. Randy, the man without limitations.
“He is on dialysis three days a week. He has had both legs and several finger tips amputated. Yet, he works circles around just about everyone else in the church with the time he does have.” 8. Saul, the sacrificial servant. “He has such a servant’s heart. He and his wife have taken both of their vacations in past summers to chaperone at youth camp. His kind and humble spirit is a blessing to our church.” 9. David, the Sunday prayer warrior. “He comes in on Sundays at the same time I do to turn on lights and make coffee. What I love is that he gives me space to get ready, then we have some great talks about life, which leads him to praying for me before anyone gets to church. Few know he does this.” 10. James, the one who puts others first. “He is 91 years old. When we introduced a blended service, he approached me after worship and said, ‘I really don’t like all that new music, but I don’t have to if we are reaching people.’” 11. Daisy, the person of joy. “She is the happiest person ever. I appreciate her, I and am always thankful for her presence and love for my family.” 12. Maggie, the encourager. “This 92-year-old lady taught me a life lesson. As a young pastor, I was struggling with members leaving our church. One day, she came into my office and cut the leaves off my plant. She said God does to churches as we do to plants: Cut off the dead foliage so the plant can live!” 13. Crystal, the forgiving grace-giver. “She started an evangelistic Bible study for girls who had harassed her daughter for her faith. Rather than shut these girls out, she engaged them with the gospel.”
14. Richard, the facility servant.
“He is our go-to building and grounds persons. He cares for the church property as it truly were his own home. He does so quietly and always with a smile.”
15. Howard and Diane, the grieving victors.
“They lost their son to a drowning and transformed their grief into a ministry to homeless, poor, lonely, and addicted people bent beneath the crushing load of life. They love like Jesus loves.” 16. Chad, the attorney missionary. “He is a young man and a lawyer with a job offer. Instead of taking it, he is following God’s call to South America. That is the most important thing in his life.” 17. David, the super deacon. “He is in heaven now. The best deacon ever. A rock in any situation, but more importantly, he knew I was human and just needed to relax and have fun. He worked hard at making sure I had down time. Never had anyone like him. I miss him so much! 18. Linda, the divorced pastor’s wife. “He divorced her after the birth of their disabled son. She doesn’t complain. She cobbles together part-time jobs while still volunteering with the kid’s ministry. She only has Jesus and is happy to tell anyone that’s all they need.”
19. Kristi, the devoted children’s worker.
“She has served in the church nursery for more than 15 years. Always faithful, early to get there, and a hard worker, she’s had to miss two Sundays in those 15 years and made sure they were covered. She serves the babies and families and shows them God’s love.”
20. Carol, the person of powerful prayer.
“The best thing she does is pray. Her prayer life is vibrant. If she said she prayed for you, she did. Many people pray, but she is a person of prayer.” So many more. So many I left out. So many heroes. So many heroines. You church members make our churches a wonderful and serving body. Feel free to add to this list. I salute all of you. I thank all of you.
JANUARY 1, 2019
10 REASONS FOR OPTIMISM IN 2019 – RAINER ON LEADERSHIP #498
We kick off 2019 with 10 reasons we are optimistic about churches. From an openness to consulting to church revitalization, we are seeing God move in churches in fresh ways. The 10 reasons for optimism that we discuss are: 1. More church leaders are admitting their churches are struggling. 2. Churches are increasingly connecting with their communities. 3. There is significant evidence of greater Great Commission obedience. 4. Toxic church behavior is less tolerated. 5. Church revitalization has become a major movement. 6. More young pastors feel called to lead a church revitalization. 7. More church leaders are seeking coaching and consultations. 8. Churches are working together toward fulfilling the Great Commission. 9. Church planting and church revitalization are not perceived to be either/or. 10. The multi-site and multi-venue movement is entering an era of growth and maturity.
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Celebrating One Year of Ministry at Kairos Church Whirlwind - a very energetic or tumultuous process. That’s the best way to describe the first year of Kairos Church’s existence. We have been absolutely blown away by how God has shown up to provide and how He is using Kairos to reach our community. At the same time, there have been moments of difficulty, trial, and hardship. In just one year, we’ve had to postpone our launch due to a hurricane, hire three different worship directors, and navigate a period of declining attendance and a scarcity of funds. We also had to move facilities right before Easter. Despite all this, God was still moving, God was still working, and we were still obediently following. As I look back over the last year and celebrate the wins, and remember the tough times that challenged us and ultimately grew us, one thing I know for sure is that we never could have accomplished it alone. Through our partnership with National Missions Go Project and General Baptist Denomination, as well as other churches and pastors, we were able to see the vision for Kairos grow and thrive in the midst of adversity. Receiving gifts, prayer, and support throughout this journey was crucial in helping encourage me, my wife and our church leadership. On October 14th, 2018, we had our one-year anniversary service. As we looked back we were able to celebrate all that God did in just one year. I wanted to take a moment to share that with you. It has been your prayers, donations, and support that made it all a reality. On October 14th, we had our largest attendance to date with 300 in attendance. We also baptized five people after our 11:00 am service. In just one year, we went from an average attendance of 95 to 211. Kids Ministry average of 25 to 68. Adult average of 70 to 144. Moment Maker (Volunteer) Average of 35 to 90. On average we are seeing 12 First Time Guest on Sundays and 62% of our congregation is volunteering. In every area we more than doubled. As exciting as that growth is to celebrate, it was the number of decision made that we celebrated the most. In just one year we have had 139 decisions for Jesus and 34 baptisms. We are excited to be at a place of financial self-sufficiency and it was through our partnership with General Baptist that allowed us the time to get here. Christmas at Kairos set another record with 402 people joining us. We are so blown away by how God moved and used our church to help our community embrace Jesus. We held two identical Christmas services at 9:30 am and 11:00 am. 46 of those people were VIPs (Visited Kairos for the first time). 110 kids got to perform on stage, learn about the birth of their savior and enjoy all the fun for Grinchmas! Most importantly, four people let us know they began a relationship with Jesus. Our event was covered by a local newspaper and you can read about it here, http://www.dailyridge.com/ en/2018/12/27/the-grinch-celebrates-christmas-at-kairos-church/ What started with 13 people in a living room has grown to over 250 people gathering, serving and worshiping Jesus every single week. We are believing for even greater things and that God is just getting started in reaching our community with the gospel. -Brent Wernsing • Lead Pastor, Kairos Church • brent@kairoschurch.cc Winter Haven, Florida • kairoschurch.cc
30 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
LeadNow is General Baptist’s ten-month-long internship program that is dedicated to creating environments that inspire, encourage, and equip the next generation of leaders. This program is specifically designed to provide exposure, experience, one-on-one training, and essential teaching necessary to build leadership competency in the ministry area of the intern’s gifting. Over the past two years, young adults have stepped out in faith and joined LeadNow for many different reasons. Everything from wanting to build confidence to longing to understand how the church works and what it takes to be a leader. This program has drastically changed people’s lives, and we believe over the next five years it will impact many more. If you are interested in filling a gap year or just growing in leadership overall, take a leap of faith and join LeadNow. If you are between 18 and 30-years-old and you’re considering applying or want to know more about the program you can contact Ashleigh, the LeadNow director, at ashleigh@gorelevant.com or check out our website at leadnow.today.
amber mcallister:
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in LeadNow? The most valuable lesson I’ve learned in LeadNow has been learning the importance of brave communication. Learning how to effectively communicate with other people has been a game-changer for me. Understanding that conflict leads to growth when I approach the conflict with an attitude and mindset that is Christ-centered has strengthened my relationships tremendously. What are you most known for in LeadNow? In LeadNow, I am most known for scaring people when they least expect it. I get way too much joy out of hiding behind a wall and recording a good scare. I watch and rewatch the videos more times than I’d like to admit. I do this so often in the internship that we have made a highlight page on our instagram of the best scares so far this year.
Daniel Vaughn:
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in LeadNow? The most valuable lesson I’ve learned in LeadNow has been that an organization is only as good as its vision and mission. They set the the tone of the culture, and in their absence, an organization will die. But when they are strong, a culture is cultivated in which people can’t help but be productive. What are you most known for in LeadNow? In LeadNow, I am most known for my obsession with a personality test we took at the beginning of the program called “The Enneagram.” The interns love to call me their personal Enneagram Coach. I’m known for constantly relating people’s behavior back to their Enneagram type, as well as sharing Enneagram memes via group message.
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 31
alex donaldson:
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in LeadNow? The most valuable lesson I’ve learned in LeadNow has been how to lead with a God confidence when placed in a leadership role. What are you most known for in LeadNow? In LeadNow, I am most known for my sarcasm. I guess you could call me the “savage” of the group.
hailey davis:
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in LeadNow? The most valuable lesson I’ve learned in LeadNow has been that’s it’s okay not to be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way. I’ve also learned the importance of letting people in and asking for help when I don’t understand something. Questions don’t make you weak, they make you a better leader. What are you most known for in LeadNow? In LeadNow, I am most known for my dance moves. You can find me on the kids hall or maybe even the stage in the auditorium dancing. It just depends on the day.
joey deaton:
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in LeadNow? The most valuable lesson I’ve learned in LeadNow has been that I was the one getting in the way of my own leadership development. I’m much more confident taking on new responsibilities and taking steps outside of my comfort zone. I realized that when I stopped standing in the way of my own progress God was able use me for so much more than I ever imagined. What are you most known for in LeadNow? In LeadNow, I am most known for my bad “dad jokes”. I say nothing could be father from the truth.
hannah howard:
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in LeadNow? The most valuable thing I have experienced so far through LeadNow is learning how to communicate with people in all different seasons of life and with different personalities. What are you most known for in LeadNow? In LeadNow, I am most known for being the “Baby whisperer.” On a Sunday, you can always find me in the baby room holding a baby, and if you do happen to find me in the hallway chances are I’ll have a baby there also.
32 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
danielle freeman:
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in LeadNow? The most valuable thing I’ve learned so far in LeadNow is that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined. God is equipping me to overcome my own fears in order to become the leader and person He has called me to be. What are you most known for in LeadNow? In LeadNow, I am most known for my passion for drawing, painting, photography, art history, and all other things creative!
olivia farley:
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in LeadNow? The most valuable thing I’ve learned in LeadNow so far has been understanding that I have everything I need to be the leader God has called me to be. I’ve always lacked confidence in myself and been afraid of failure. The great thing about LeadNow is that it’s a safe place to fail. What are you most known for in LeadNow? In LeadNow, I am most known for being “The baby.” Out of all the interns, I am the youngest. It’s pretty cool knowing that everyone here looks out for me. It’s like a little family.
whitney flake:
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in LeadNow? I have learned so much in LeadNow. The most valuable thing I’ve learned so far is how to relate to others, no matter the background or current circumstance we all are human and at a very basic level, we all have a need to feel loved and needed. What are you most known for in LeadNow? They call me “The Mom,” because I truly enjoy caring for others. I even offer to hem other interns pants. All jokes aside, making sure everyone’s heart is ok is on my top list of priorities.
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 33
Location, Location, Location!
By Dr. Franklin R. Dumond
A
n early mentor of mine and a long term leader among General Baptists, Dr. Ken Kennedy, once summed up for me a key principle of ministry. Reflecting on his successful ministry in suburban Louisville he cited three prerequisites for church growth: location, location, location. In those days he was entirely correct! Why? Because in those days most everyone attended church. It was just what folks did in the 1950s and 1960s. With that fact in mind location was the most important element in church growth. Bill Easum in Go Big! cites a similar principle when he described an approach to church growth of moving piles of dirt across the church lawn. This attracted the attention of passersby and helped spur growth in his West Texas church. Times have changed. While location remains an important element in church growth, it is not the determining factor it once was. Anyone who travels the backroads some distance from major population centers will often come upon spacious, modern facilities occupied by congregations that once fit nicely into a small frame building. In many of these settings the weekly attendance of the church is larger than the total population of the village or community. On the other hand anyone who travels the thoroughfares of most urban areas will also discover many churches on busy streets with a smaller congregation housed in a small to mid-sized facility. Thousands of people pass by these facilities every day but only a few travel there for weekly worship services. While location was a prime ingredient in church growth once upon a time, relationship has become the prime ingredient in church growth in our time. Dr. Gary McIntosh profiled this reality in his book Growing God’s
34 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
Church: How People Are Actually Coming to Faith Today. In his study of how and why people came to faith in Christ Dr. McIntosh reports family and friends and conversation as key ingredients. Relationships, rather than location, have become key to church growth in our day. Craig Groeschel describes this as a church that has “It”. This contagious expression of faith, this sincere regard for people and this honest connection to God becomes attractive to those outside the faith. Good friendships are usually intentional, rather than accidental. You are surrounded by people who don’t have a relationship with Christ. Building a bridge to share your story has to be intentional or you may never see the opportunities you have to relay the most important message in the world. To assist Turnaround Churches to capitalize on the key importance of relationships a series of templates has been provided in the Turnaround Plan Book. These can easily be reproduced as bulletin inserts or handouts to help those already attending focus on those relationships that can be leveraged for Christ. By setting them up as three on a page they can be reproduced on most church copiers. If printed on card stock they become handy bookmarks and reminders for regular prayers and regular invitations. By identifying potential participants and by resourcing the existing congregation with tools to extend meaningful invitations, dramatic steps in church growth can be realized. By choosing one emphasis at a time (family member, community connection, neighborhood connections) and promoting outreach invitations three times in a year, members of the congregation can be challenged to share their invitations on a regular basis.
PEOPLE I KNOW WHO SHOULD BE PART OF OUR CHURCH 3.
FA MILY M E M B E R S
I will: • pray for this person daily starting
1.
4.
I will: • pray for this person daily starting
I will: • pray for this person daily starting
• invite them on
• invite them on
2.
5.
I will: • pray for this person daily starting
I will: • pray for this person daily starting
• invite them on
• invite them on
PEOPLE I MEET
DURING THE WEEK
• invite them on
3. Someone at a Restaurant: I will: • pray for this person daily starting • invite them on
1. Someone at Work:
4. Someone Who Calls My Phone:
I will: • pray for this person daily starting • invite them on
I will: • pray for this person daily starting • invite them on
2. Someone at a Store:
5. Someone I Call on My Phone:
I will: • pray for this person daily starting
I will: • pray for this person daily starting • invite them on
• invite them on
PEOPLE IN MY
NEIGHBORHOOD
3. Someone Living Next Door: I will: • pray for this person daily starting • invite them on
1. S omeone Living Across the Street:
4. Someone Living a Few Houses Away:
I will: • pray for this person daily starting • invite them on
I will: • pray for this person daily starting • invite them on
2. Someone Else Across the Street:
5. Someone Met Unexpectedly:
I will: • pray for this person daily starting
I will: • pray for this person daily starting • invite them on
• invite them on
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 35
Knight
By Amanda Ball-
A
s I read the scripture in Mark chapter 10, about blind Bartimaeus, my heart sympathized with him because I understood how he must have been feeling. Bartimaeus was blind and this was a hindrance to him. He had a desire to be healed and made whole. When Bartimaeus was told that Jesus was entering Jericho he began to shout out to Jesus, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47 NKJV). Everyone around him tried to quiet him, but blind Bartimaeus was relentless and continued to cry out to Jesus.
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See Bartimaeus had heard about the great miracles of Jesus and he had all faith that this man Jesus could heal him and give him sight. As the scripture goes on Bartimaeus continued to cry out to Jesus and when Jesus heard him, He had Bartimaeus brought before Him. So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. (Mark 10:51-52 NKJV) I am so grateful that like Bartimaeus when I was feeling alone and helpless, I knew to cry out to Jesus! I distinctly remember sitting in the hospital. The room was white and sterile in appearance, it smelled, well like a hospital smells, and every time I changed positions my bed would creak and squeak. My family was surrounding me with conversation and laughter as we chit chatted about life and played card games. In walked my physician. He was a tall, slender man with a deep complexion and well-groomed dark hair. His smile and eyes were warm, though his countenance was heavy. He greeted everyone in the room with a thick accent and a firm handshake. Then he politely asked everyone to leave the room, except my grandmother, who had been by my side for my entire hospital stay. The doctor started handing me copies of test results and explaining what was normal and what was of concern. When he handed me the last paper he was holding, the scan of my brain, the tone of his voice changed. It was now deeper and dripping with disquiet. He sat down next to me on the bed. He began by asking, “How are your family and friends as a support group?” I just smiled, and he continued, “We need to have a serious talk.” Then as he continued to speak, I recall my heart starting to race and my thoughts swirling out of control. I was only registering a few of the words he was saying. “Very concerned” led to “we have found a spot on your brain” and this led to “it’s a mass” then ended with “Well Ms. Ball you have a tumor on your brain.” What?!?!? We went from a few normal tests to being concerned over a spot…a mass…to a BRAIN TUMOR!!
I was only 20 years old, freshly graduated from nursing school, engaged to be married, planning my future of career, wedding, house, children, all of my hopes and dreams..... And this doctor was sitting beside me in a hospital bed with a shuddering voice telling me it may not happen because I have a BRAIN TUMOR!!! At this moment I felt like blind Bartimaeus. See Bartimaeus was surrounded by all the people in Jericho, but still probably felt alone, left needing something more. I too, felt alone even though I was surrounded by a hospital full of people. I was unable to inventory my thoughts or feelings, but I knew I needed Jesus to intervene. So like Bartimaeus I cried out to Jesus, not just once, but relentlessly I cried out to Jesus. We met with the brain surgeon and team. We made a plan and proceeded with my best health options. Surgery was scheduled to remove the tumor. I knew the Great Physician was working this all out. The day came for my last scan before surgery. My physician entered the exam room with a look of confusion on his face. He was in utter shock as he showed me the images of my scan. There was no tumor and there was no evidence of a tumor. The doctor explained that he was unsure what had happened since all the other tests and scans confirmed a brain tumor, but now there was NOTHING there. I knew faithfully what the explanation was!! I cried out to Jesus and He healed me just as He had healed Bartimaeus!! I tell my story because like Bartimaeus, I had a need and Jesus answered when I cried out. I want to follow Jesus closely so others can see His miraculous work through my story. Every prayer isn’t answered in the way I may intend. Every day doesn’t go as I plan. Every answer isn’t always what I anticipate. I still face battles and trials, but there is a man named Jesus who will guide me when I cry out to Him!
I still face battles and trails, but there is a man named Jesus who will guide me when I cry out to Him!
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 37
FE ATURED
S P EA KER S
DARRELL MILLER
JESSEY VEMULA
P a s t o r a t F i r s t G e n e r a l i n Tr u m a n n , A R
Missionary to India
R e plenish t he So u l “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” – JER EMI AH 3 1 :25 ES V R E G U L A R R E G I S T RAT I O N - $ 2 4 5 • P R I VAT E R E G I S T RAT I O N - $ 3 4 5 E A R LY R E G I S T R AT I O N I S AVA I L A B L E T H R O U G H M AY 1 . ALL FEES INCREASE BY $25 AFTER MAY 1.
C O N TACT G E N E RA L B A P T I S T M I N I S T R I E S F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N . (573) 785-7746 OR CMOFC@GENERALBAPTIST.COM
A Conversation with
D AV I D KELLE Pastor David Kelle recently retired after more than 42 years of service in a variety of General Baptist churches and mission settings. I had the privilege of asking him some questions about his ministry and his participation in the General Baptist Pension Plan.
1
You have served faithfully in a variety of ministry settings for more than 40 years. Looking back what ministry placement provides you the fondest memories? KELLE: I am not sure I would classify my earliest memory of ministry as a fond one. It took place while I was a student at Oakland City College and working as a volunteer at church. The church had an active bus ministry and was bringing in a lot of children from underprivileged families. I will never forget the afternoon the pastor called me and asked if I could go with him. He did not tell me what the occasion was until he picked me up. He had received a call from a judge who was about to order the police to go to the home of a family and remove the children because of the conditions in the home. These were children that we had been picking up and bringing to church for some time. Our message to them in word and in action was our attempt to share the love of Christ with them. The pastor informed me that the judge gave him the opportunity to find a family in the church who would foster these children, or the court would place them in foster care. The pastor explained to me that he had prayed and called several families, but no one in the church felt they were in a position to take on the responsibility of these children. The best the pastor had to offer the judge was that we would go pick them up instead of him sending the police. Our hearts broke as we went to the home and picked up the children. They knew us so they went willingly with us. The reality of what was going on hit them when we met two social workers on the parking lot of the court house. I can still feel how tightly those DUMOND:
children gripped my hand as we walked towards the two cars that were going to take them away. The girls in one car and the boys in the other. They would be separated. The pastor was carrying the youngest. I remember hearing her cry as he pulled her arms from around his neck and placed her in the car. That afternoon two grown men sat in a station wagon on the parking lot of the court house and cried our eyes out as our hearts broke for those children and their parents. This event made me realize that ministry would not always be easy and some of hardest times would be when we had tried so hard and yet not been able to meet the need. My mind and heart have gone back to that parking lot many times over the past 42 years of ministry. Of course, there are wonderful memories of times when God blessed, people gave their hearts to Christ, couples joined their lives in marriage, babies were dedicated, prayers were answered and the church was faithful to be the light in a dark and broken world. DUMOND: If you had it to do all over again would you still invest your working career in ministry or would you have pursued some other career path? KELLE: Dr. Robert Head, one of my professors at Oakland City once said to me, “If God will allow you to do anything else, do it!” God would not allow me to do anything else. I have discovered that the worst place on earth is the best place to be if it is where God wants you. And, vice-versa, the best place on earth is the worst place to be if God wants you to be somewhere else. No, I wouldn’t change a thing.
2
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 39
3
When did you begin participating in the General Baptist Pension Plan? KELLE: The Lord called us to our first pastorate in the spring of 1976. Our first Sunday as pastor was Mother’s Day that year. I do not remember the exact date, but I believe it was within the first month or so that we began participating. DUMOND: I know that I did not begin participating until my 3rd church after seminary insisted that it was part of my package. Up until that time I was too busy just making ends meet with a young family that I had not gotten around to pension planning. Why did you begin participating? KELLE: Dr. Glenn Spence talked with me as I began my first pastorate. He said something to the effect that I had gone to college to prepare for ministry and I needed to enroll in the Pension Plan to prepare for the future when I would retire. His presentation was convincing. I enrolled and never stopped. There were times when it was not easy with two small children and all the expenses of raising a family. Martha and I knew the day would come when this investment in our future would pay off. We are grateful for Dr. Spence’s advice and that we hung in there to the end. DUMOND: The plan has changed over the years from the days when it was invested in church loans, to a group managed investment strategy, to a selfmanaged investment in American Funds. How have the changes made it easier for you to participate? Has the selfmanaged aspect of the current plan impacted you? KELLE: I always felt confident that those who were administering the plan were wise and had our best interest at heart. The flexibility of the American Funds allowed be to adjust my investments as I grew closer to retirement. I believe the plan has grown and matured as our needs have changed. DUMOND: When you have had questions about the plan have the plan administrators been able to assist you with answers? KELLE: Yes, both the office staff and the plan managers are ready to provide all the information needed to assist participants. DUMOND: Looking back over your participation, what would you change if you could re-visit your options? KELLE: I would have cashed out before the 2008 crash when we lost 42% of our pension. No one really saw that coming. However, the advice of the administrators of the plan suggested we just sit tight, and that is what we DUMOND:
4
5
6 7
40 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
did. Since then our investment grew back to the pre-crash level and before I reached 65 it more than doubled the precrash amount. We are thankful for how God has provided for us. DUMOND: What is there about the General Baptist Pension Plan that has assisted your retirement planning? KELLE: We have rolled our investment out of the plan as I reached 65 and began preparing to retire. It is now invested in a tax-sheltered annuity that has very little risk. This is allowing us a level of confidence that we can relax and enjoy our time and our family without feeling the pressure to earn income. It is giving us the opportunity to be involved in ministry in some new ways. We don’t know how the Lord will use us in the future, but we feel we are financially free to follow Him where ever that may be. DUMOND: Why would you recommend this plan to younger and middle aged pastors? KELLE: I would recommend, urge, challenge and exhort every minister to give serious consideration to investing in their future and the future of their family through the pension plan. No matter your age, you are getting older and before you know it, you will reach your Medicare birthday and the day will come when you will be glad that you can take a step back and enjoy retirement. DUMOND: What was the smartest thing you did to prepare for retirement and what are you most looking forward to in your retirement? KELLE: Investing in the Pension Plan was one of the smartest things we did in preparing for retirement. The other is investing in a home of our own. We began by just purchasing the property, then built a garage with an apartment in it. This allowed us to have all the utilities installed for a future home. This also gave us a place to stay when we would come home from the mission field on furlough. We worked hard to have that all paid off before we had our home built. When we came home from the mission field and took a pastorate, we were able to have our home built and live in it for the past 13 years. We worked hard to get that home paid for before retiring. It is a great feeling to have a home to call ours. We are so grateful for the way the Lord has provided and made this all possible. It is certainly not by our might or power, but by His mercy and grace that we are able to retire. Do this for your family!
8
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10
General Baptist Pension Trust
Q F A
1. When was the General Baptist Pension Trust established? The General Baptist Pension Trust was established in 1968 and has been successfully in operation now for more than 50 years.
6. What are the required level of contributions? The employee contributes a minimum of 2% of salary and may choose to contribute up to 20% of salary. The employer contributes 5%.
2. Who may participate in this plan? The plan was developed to provide retirement benefits to employees of General Baptist churches as well as employees of denominational and institutional ministries.
7. How are funds invested? Each participant may choose their own mix of mutual funds provided by American Funds. This allows each participant to engage in the level of risk or safety that meets their needs. American Funds provides detailed fact sheets to not only evaluate performance of the various funds but to also describe what enterprises particular funds feature. Thus a participant who wants to be socially conscious can make informed choices based on this background information.
3. Are professional financial advisers available? Yes! Currently Sharon Kissinger of Kissinger & Kirkman Investment Centre, LLC serves as account advisor. She is always ready to answer questions and discuss options with participants so they can make informed choices. 4. Are there special features that benefit pastors? Currently IRS regulations allow pastors to designate up to 100% of their pension benefits as housing allowance upon distribution. Housing allowance is currently not treated as earned income for Federal Income Tax but it is considered self-employment income for Social Security/Medicare Tax. Housing allowance is currently under review in the Federal court system and changes are always possible as a result. 5. What kind of plan is this? The Pension Trust is an IRS Section 401(a) money purchase plan whereby the employer and the employee each contribute portions. The employer portion is made on a pre-tax basis so it becomes taxable upon withdrawal. The employee portion is made on an after-tax basis so at withdrawal it is not taxable since taxes were already paid on this portion. Generally retirees have a lower tax rate and thus a lower total tax bill on the distributions than would otherwise be the case.
8. How long must I invest to be fully vested? All participants are fully vested upon entry into the program so your money is protected subject only to the investment choices you make. On-line accounts make it easy for participants to track their balances and to adjust their portfolios. 9. Is an information packet and application available? Full information and an enrollment packet may be requested by contacting General Baptist Ministries, 100 Stinson Drive, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901. General Baptist Ministries may also be reached by phone at 573-785-7746. The switchboard is open MondayFriday, 8 a.m.—4 p.m. 10. How do I find information online? Additional information may be found at our website. Please visit http://generalbaptist.com/national-offices/ pension for more details.
I have participated in the General Baptist Pension Program since 1981. I have been well pleased with the returns on my funds. I was always able to easily transfer contributions from one fund to another as growth trends were indicated. I would highly recommend the GB pension program to anyone interested. – Sue Schremp
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 41
United For His Purpose, Bound By His Love. I
have always been a visual learner and perhaps you could say I have a vivid imagination. In January I was given the awesome gift of becoming Director of Women’s Ministries. My first day in the office I sat and looked at a wall that holds the pictures of all of the former directors. It was very humbling for me to look at those faces and think about the legacy that was there. My mind then began to wonder back to over 100 years ago. A small group of women gathered with one purpose and that was to support missionaries that were serving on our foreign fields. I am sure they looked at that task as a challenge that could only be met with God’s help. Several years later I answered the call to go to Honduras. Before we began our term I just knew that my heart would break for the children of that country. After all I was going to Faith Home. I had just completed a 30-year kindergarten teaching career so children made
42 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
perfect sense. We had been there on subsequent visits and I had seen those faces and knew how their smiles could melt your heart. However, God had another plan for me. Upon beginning our term, I was given the responsibility of working with the Women’s Co-op. The co-op consisted of a group of women from the neighboring villages who met each week for Bible study and crafts. The products that they produced were then sold to our MVP teams and others in the villages. Money earned from their crafts went to help support their families. I was soon drawn to those women and found myself establishing a real connection with them. Our relationship lasted for four years as we served on the field. These women soon became my friends but most importantly we were sisters in Christ and I relied on their friendship as much as they relied on mine. This past October I was blessed to return to Honduras and speak at their Women’s Conference. In a lot of ways, it felt as if I had never left. Once again, I became overwhelmed with grace. In fact, some of the most important lessons I learned about grace I learned from
those Honduran women. They always extended such grace to me. I never understood why God chose me to live with the privileges and surroundings that I had. On the other hand, why did these sweet, precious, women of God have to struggle so much? Most days they wondered what they were going to feed their families the next day. One thing however always remained the same. They were wives, mothers, grandmothers, and most importantly they were Women of Faith who loved their families and Jesus with a passion. There was a statement that I have used often to describe my time on the field and it goes something like this; “I have learned far more than I have taught and I have received far more than I have given”. This year Women’s Ministries is resolute in their determination to get back to our founding mission. We have such a responsibility to support and encourage our sisters in Christ. There are similar stories from all of our mission fields. The opportunities are many. Let’s focus on all of the ways that we can make a difference and not focus on all of the things that stand in our way. The possibilities are “Boundless”. Vicki Smith and her husband Sid served as missionaries to Faith Home in Honduras from 2006 to 2010. She and Sid were part of the launch team for Real Life Church in Mountain Home, Arkansas where they continue to serve. On January 1st, she assumed the duties of Director of Women’s Ministries. Vicki has a passion for missions and loves to encourage women to be all that God desires them to be. She is available to speak to your women’s group or assist your church in starting a women’s ministry. You may contact Vicki by calling the Women’s Ministries office or contacting her via email at vicki.smith@generalbaptist.com.
General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 43
Trending Now Most Teenagers Drop Out of Church as Young Adults by Aaron Earls - Lifeway Research
Church pews may be full of teenagers, but a new study says college students might be a much rarer sight on Sunday mornings. Two-thirds (66 percent) of American young adults who attended a Protestant church regularly for at least a year as a teenager say they also dropped out for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. Thirty-four percent say they continued to attend twice a month or more. While the 66 percent may be troubling for many church leaders, Did you stop attending church regularly for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22? the numbers may appear more hopeful when compared to a 2007 Among young adults (Ages 23-30) who attend a protestant church study from LifeWay Research. Previously, 70 percent of 18- to regularly for at least a year in High School: 22-year-olds left church for at least one year. 2017 2007 “The good news for Christian leaders is that churches don’t seem YES to be losing more students than they were 10 years ago. However, the 66% 70% difference in the dropout rate now and then is not large enough NO statistically to say it has actually improved,” said Scott McConnell, 34% executive director of LifeWay Research. 30% “The reality is that Protestant churches continue to see the new Note: Attending church regularly was defined as attending a church generation walk away as young adults. Regardless of any external service twice a month or more. factors, the Protestant church is slowly shrinking from within.”
Why They Drop Out The five most frequently chosen specific reasons for dropping out were: moving to college and no longer attending (34 percent); church members seeming judgmental or hypocritical (32 percent); no longer feeling connected to people in their church (29 percent); disagreeing with the church’s stance on political or social issues (25 percent); and work responsibilities (24 percent). Almost half (47 percent) of those who dropped out and attended college say moving to college played a role in their no longer attending church for at least a year. Read the full report online at www.LifeWayResearch.com Source: Lifeway Research One LifeWay Plaza | Nashville, TN 37234-0192
44 | General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019
Top Five Reasons church dropouts say they stopped attending Church Among young adults (Ages 23-30) who attend a protestant church regularly for at least a year in High School: I moved to college and stopped attending church
34%
Church members seemed judgmental or hypocritical
32%
I didn’t feel conected to people in my church I disagreed with the church stance on political/social issues My work responsibilities prevented me from attending Note: Respondents were asked to select all that apply.
29% 25% 24%
Pastors see Economic Turnaround in 2018 giving
by Aaron Earls - Lifeway Research
Compared to 2017, have your offerings for 2018 been... The economic recovery has reached the offering plate, Among protestant Pastors according to a study from Nashville-based LifeWay 50% Research. 42% 37% Today, 8 in 10 Protestant pastors (79 percent) say the 40% total offerings at their church this year are at or above last 30% year’s levels, including 42 percent who say this year is 20% 15% ahead of last year. Few pastors (15 percent) say giving is not keeping pace with last year. 6% 10% Those positive giving numbers have followed the 0% BELOW 2017’S SAME AS 2017’S ABOVE 2017’S NOT economic upturn, said Scott McConnell, executive OFFERINGS OFFERINGS OFFERINGS SURE director of LifeWay Research. Note: Survey conducted in August and September 2018. “The increases in offerings so many churches are experiencing coincide with what most economists refer to as ‘full employment,’ as well as increased wage growth in 2018,” McConnell said.
Economy perception The increase in giving has buoyed pastors’ perceptions of the economy. For the first time since LifeWay Research began asking pastors economic questions in 2009, more pastors say the economy is having a positive rather than a negative impact on their church. Today, 45 percent of pastors see the economy as benefiting their church, while 35 percent say it is having no impact. In 2010 in the midst of the Great Recession, 80 percent of pastors said the economy was negatively affecting their church. That number has been falling steadily since then. How is the current economy impacting your church? Among protestant Pastors
80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 1 0% 0%
66%
68% 62%
25%
27%
8%
10%
NOV 2009
M A R 2 010
N O I M PA C T
N E G AT I V E LY
P O S I T I V E LY
80% 67%
64% 56%
23%
24%
25%
16% 9%
8%
9%
J A N 2 011
M AY 2 011
M AY 2 012
3% O C T 2 010
30%
51%
33%
13%
13%
S E P 2 014
J A N 2 016
45%
45%
35%
35%
17%
S E P 2 017
14%
S E P 2 018
Note: Don’t Know (3% JAN 2016, 2% SEP 2014 and SEP 2017, 6% SEP 2018, 1% all other surveys) Does not equal 100% due to rounding.
@generalbaptist #gbministries
Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest trends and research about the American religious beliefs. General Baptist Messenger Spring 2019 | 45
Unified GIVING ... . doing together what we cannot do alone The early Church knew while not all were called to travel the known world preaching the Gospel, all were expected to financially and spiritually support the work of those who were, as well as give toward emergency relief. Paul mentions on numerous occasions the help he receives from the established churches and the offerings he delivers to the poor. (Romans 15:23-24, Galatians 2:10, Philippians 4:16) People from all over would come together in support of a few, so that the Gospel could branch out to even more places. Unified Giving allows us to follow the example of the first believers and gather our resources to send and support more missionaries than ever before to all corners of the world, and to provide relief to the poor, the widowed, the orphaned, and the disaster-stricken. It enables us to do greater things together than what we can do alone.
General Baptist Ministries 100 Stinson Dr. | Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 573.785.7746 | www.GeneralBaptist.com
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Clint Cook
Clint is the Executive Director of General Baptist Ministries. As Executive Director, Clint has cast the vision of Staying Connected, Staying Strong. No Pastor can be left behind. No mission field can be forgotten. No local church can be cast aside. No General Baptist can be overlooked.
Dave Stone
Since 2006, Dave Stone has been the Senior Pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky where he preaches the Truth to 25,000 weekend worshippers across six regional campuses. He’s authored eight books. Dave has a heart for people and a passion for families. He and Beth have three children and three grandchildren. When Dave speaks he has the unique ability to touch both your heart and your funny bone.
Carl Nichols
Carl Nichols is the lead pastor of Relevant Church in Locust Grove, GA. Relevant was named one of the fastest growing churches in America by Outreach Magazine in 2017. As Lead Pastor, Carl's primary responsibilities include weekly teaching, leadership development, and directional leadership of the church. Carl also serves as the co-director of Go Project, a national church-planting initiative.
Thom S. Rainer
Thom is the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. In addition to speaking in hundreds of venues over the past 20 years, Rainer led Rainer Group, a church and denominational consulting firm, from 1990 to 2005. The firm provided church health insights to over 500 churches and other organizations over that period. He is the author of more than two dozen books.
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Defining
Moments July 15-17,2019 Collinsville, Illinois www.gbsummit.org 1 5 0 TH A n n u a l S e s s i o n