January 19, 2000
Sabbatical yields clear vision for Turk
___By George Henson
___Staff Writer
___ABILENE--A six-week sabbatical in Okinawa provided Director of Missions Truman Turk a much clearer vision of work to be done in Abilene.
___And his sabbatical work as interim pastor and music minister for a military congregation showed him what an untapped resource resides in Abilene.
___"One of the things God opened my eyes to is what a tremendous resource the Air Force families are, and many of our churches are not tapping into it," Turk said. Abilene is home to Dyess Air Force Base.
TRUMAN TURK of Abilene/ Callahan Baptist Area baptizes a new Christian during his recent sabbatical in Okinawa.
___"The other thing I saw was how these members of the military, as they are transferred around the world, carry the gospel with them," he said.
___While he knew it was difficult for established churches to plug in these people who probably will be transferred somewhere else soon, it is important that the churches find a way to minister to them and in turn allow them to minister to the church, he said.
___One ministry Turk sees as vital is an outreach to the spouses left behind when military personnel are activated and sent overseas for months at a time, he reported.
___Based on his experience, Turk recommends other associations consider allowing their directors of missions to take sabbaticals as well.
___"Not only would a sabbatical arrangement translate to other associations, but my heart is to see it also move into the smaller- to mid-size churches. It wouldn't have to be something that expensive, but a chance for the director of missions or pastor to get away a bit," he said.
___"I'd really like to see it for all our directors of missions, because we can get in a rut just like a pastor can. The Lord always uses these types of things. Just like when you go to Glorieta (Conference Center, in New Mexico), the Lord always shows you something you might not have seen when you were caught up in the daily grind."
___Turk was eligible for the sabbatical after serving six years as director of missions for Abilene/Callahan Baptist Area. But he waited eight years to avail himself of the opportunity. The sabbatical was supposed to involve him with something that would enhance his abilities on the job and also give him time to relax and enjoy himself.
___Turk decided 1999 was the right time and contacted a friend in Okinawa who led music in a military congregation to ask if he knew of any opportunities in that area of the world. The music minister e-mailed back that the dates were exactly those his family had planned for a furlough to the United States, so Turk could come to Koza Baptist Church to lead worship.
___Upon hearing of the arrangement, the pastor of Koza Baptist Church decided it would be a good time for him to get away as well. He was there for Turk's first and last Sundays, but Turk led the music and preached during the four weeks in-between.
___"It was one of those God things where he works out all the details," Turk said.
___One of those details was the expense of taking along his wife, Sylvia, and 14-year-old daughter, Tiffany. The association took care of his expenses. Koza Baptist Church took care of their round-trip airfare.
___The time in Okinawa was wonderful, Turk said.
___He worked in the church office each day and enjoyed recreation with his family each afternoon. Most of that time was spent with families within the church.
___"They always had something they wanted us to see, some place they wanted us to go. They were most gracious hosts," Turk said.
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