Posted: 7/09/04

Immersion Spanish class equips Texas Baptists for missions

By Craig Bird

Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–Norma Griffith probably will lose some of the Spanish-language proficiency she worked so hard to gain. But the image of a little girl sitting on the bare ground at an orphanage in Piedras Negras, Mexico, has taken up permanent residence in her memory.

“I just keep wondering what will happen to her,” the 72-year-old explained as she completed a two-week intensive Spanish immersion class at the Baptist University of the Americas.

Griffith's concern for children extends from Piedras Negras to east Dallas, where she works as a volunteer with young children at the White Rock Center of Hope. And those same young children will motivate Griffith to use her Spanish skills as she talks with them–and their parents.

Mike Massar, pastor of First Baptist Church in Tyler, is greeted by a member of Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana in San Antonio when the intensive Spanish immersion class he is taking visits the church for Wednesday night prayer meeting.

That one-two payoff–a bonding with the Hispanic people and culture, as well as improved grammar and vocabulary knowledge–is exactly the intent of immersion classes at BUA. Scholarships are provided to members of Baptist General Convention of Texas churches by the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions.

“The new frontiers for our Baptist witness have shifted from merely a focus on geography to a focus on culture,” BUA President Albert Reyes told class members. “By 2015, every-other Texan will be Hispanic. … I am convinced we will not have a Baptist voice or witness that will be heard in the future if we fail to prepare leaders who understand and communicate effectively to the non-Western or Hispanic worldview.”

Julie O'Teter couldn't agree more.

“In our society today, we need to be able to communicate at basic levels with everyone, and that starts with a respect for different cultures,” the mother of three teenagers said. “It also says that we Anglo Texas Baptists are serious about being co-laborers with Hispanic Baptists, equal partners in sharing Christ with our state.”

O'Teter, who studied Spanish 20 years ago at Baylor University, said the class jump-started her confidence so she can “struggle through” becoming proficient.

“I really am grateful my boss (E.B. Brooks, who leads the BGCT church missions and evangelism section) saw the importance of me investing the time in this. I'm hosting a singles mission trip to Nuevo Laredo in July, and what I've learned will really get some use then,” she said.

This was the ninth class at BUA in 11 years for Jody Hornback, Mission Service Corps outreach director at First Baptist Church in Hull. “Everybody wants to know why I keep coming back–I guess it's because I can't learn Spanish,” she joked.

“Actually, I got frustrated years ago on a bird-watching trip to Costa Rica because I couldn't read the signs, so I started studying Spanish. I tried several things and even went to a language school in Mexico before I came to the Mary Hill Davis course.

“And what a difference to be in a Christian environment! Along the way, I just fell in love with the people and the culture, so I've just kept coming back to improve my knowledge.”

People in her small East Texas town know about that love and contact her when they need a Spanish speaker.

“I've even been able to translate in court for a young girl who couldn't speak English and help her,” she said. “For a while, I even drove 25 miles each way, two round trips every Sunday to play the piano for a Spanish church.”

Jack and Carol Hodges of First Baptist Church in Duncanville also came to BUA because of a sign–at least his desire to be able to read them. “Jack didn't know 'hola' for 'adios,' so we came to San Antonio last February for the class before we took a trip to Argentina and Chile,” she said. “It was a marvelous experience, so we came back this summer for the longer course.”

Her brother, Gordon Moore, told them about the class–by e-mail from the Canary Islands, where he is a missionary.

“He read something about it in the Baptist Standard and called it to our attention,” she explained. “We came wanting language skills, but we left with so much more–more than we ever bargained for. Yes, we know a lot more Spanish, but we also carry away a tremendous appreciation for the integrity, knowledge, goals and visions of Dr. Reyes and BUA. …

“It is not enough to know the language; we must also learn the history, culture and religion. We realize we must change our approach and methodology of telling people about Jesus by understanding and adjusting to a changing world.”

This was the second time Guillermo and Ana Chavez have taught the class.

“This experience is a good first step toward a linguistic partnership for people who like to be exposed to Hispanic culture and the language,” he said. “It encourages them to go back to their own reality, ponder on the experience and come back next time with more questions. BUA presents a more holistic approach, and the church will benefit as it is equipped to render better service in a difficult and complex landscape like Texas.”

The next intensive Spanish immersion class at BUA will be Oct. 18-22. Applications include the form for receiving the Mary Hill Davis Offering scholarship. RV hook-ups are available.

Information is available by contacting Mary Ranjel by e-mail at mranjel@bua.edu or by phone at (800) 721-1396.

Posted: 7/09/04

TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Confessional questions

Lee R. Scarborough, the second president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was one of the most trusted and respected leaders among Texas and Southern Baptists during the first half of the 20th century.

At a time of crisis in the Northern Baptist Convention, he wrote: “I join Paul, Spurgeon, Wayland, Mabie, Broadus, Carroll and the heavenly hosts of other departed leaders, Mullins, Truett, Gray, Love, DeMent, Cree, Groner, Porter, McDaniel, Strong, Laws, Massee, and the host of others like them in the South and in the North in a wholehearted subscription to a Baptist confession of faith and want my life, time, talent and money to count alone for the propagation of these truths.”

His statement is further evidence that Baptists have normally held that it is proper for them to frame, publish and adhere to confessions of faith. That question should be settled.

Two important questions do remain: What should be the contents of any particular Baptist confession of faith? How should such a confession, once adopted, be utilized? On these questions Baptists are not now agreed, and to them serious attention should be given.

James Leo Garrett Jr.

Fort Worth

Housing problem

It has been great to see that religious leaders seek to make poverty an electoral issue. They want to ensure that the American Dream still exists–that a man by hard work can provide a comfortable living for his family.

The facts are that this is no longer true when it comes to housing. The minimum wage (or way beyond, to $12.50 an hour) will not provide an adequate dwelling for a man's family. In many large cities, rentals are so high that a clean, secure two-bedroom apartment is beyond the reach of many, many working-class families.

For so long, the political issues have focused on more money for education, while a secure, warm, draft- and rain-free, vermin-free environment to return to will be more conducive for children to learn.

Baptists are supporting Habitat for Humanity, which is making great strides in providing homes for people in dire need, and many people, especially young college students, are actively working on these homes.

But the need is so great; Habitat is only a drop in the proverbial bucket. The greed also is so great. The rich get richer, while the middle and lower classes get poorer.

Why don't our political candidates address this housing problem?

Margaret McDaniel

El Paso

Musical suggestion

Concerning the ongoing controversy in church music, a suggestion: Why not sing modern music in youth programs, at camp and in children's church? They seem to have originated with today's youth in Christian entertainment.

Many of us do not worship moving to catchy rhythms and hand-clapping. Worship is in the heart, and traditional hymns contain the heart of God and the “meat” of his word.

“Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise! The glories of my God and King; the triumph of his grace!”

Are hymns like that included in the “spiritual songs” preferred by today's ministers of music? They don't seem to be. We wish they were, even if there were only 50 singing them.

If the important thing is to worship, why have our wonderful old hymns been virtually discarded? Beats me.

Cecile Landon

Justin

'So what' attitude

I read Marilyn Green's letter (June 28), and I am somewhat concerned at her “so what” attitude.

We are Americans, and we should fly our flag under much higher standards than those practiced by others around the world. As Christians, what we do may determine whether others come to faith or not.

Our history teacher taught us if you go too far to the left, you go toward communism, and if you go too far to the right, you go toward Nazism.

Communism seems to be no real threat today, but Nazism is alive and well on planet Earth.

There is one major element of Nazism I would like for you to explore–authoritarian egotism. When people dare not question authority, then the one in authority has complete authority.

Aren't we glad we live in the United States, where one can disagree with authority and still be alive to disagree another day? Yet Green says we should not question Gen. Boykin's authority.

We are losing our democracy because of people like that, and I am here to tell you that Jesus Christ is coming back for a pure and holy church, not a renegade, rogue and prostituted church.

Bonnie Parvino

Avinger

Baptists' 3 R's

I'm glad you mentioned both the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist General Convention of Texas in your assessment of the 2004 SBC annual meeting (June 28).

Politics, not prayer, has driven both entities–and 80 percent of the rest of the state conventions–for the past two decades. Everyone's more concerned about being in control of “things”–the entities and the property–than they've been concerned about the lost going to hell. We're paying for it now and will for years to come.

Think about it: For the past two conventions, only 2 percent of the body have been showing up for the meeting. Folks are tired of playing politics. Politics solves nothing; prayer solves everything.

We've wasted money and people for two decades: States with two convention organizations; associations with two organizations; pastors and churches taking “sides.” I always thought you were either on the Lord's side, or not.

The younger generations will have none of it. They've showed us that “Southern Baptist” is a pejorative word and deleted or omitted that from the names of the new churches they're building across the land. There used to be pride in that name–no more.

The answer is the same biblical formula we've known for years: Repent–“you've lost your first love.” Return. Be restored.

Until there's weeping and mourning for the way we've been, there won't be a Spirit-filled revival and blessing from God.

Bob Gillchrest

National City, Calif.

Weary boxers

Your analysis of the SBC annual meeting drew a mental image in my mind of two weary boxers sprawled out in the ring at the end of the 15th round, totally expended with no desire for a rematch.

I look forward to where the BGCT is headed.

Barry Chinn

Austin

Convention control

Your SBC editorial reports what some have known for 30 years: The struggle for control of the convention(s) has been about power, politics and personal ego rather than evangelism, encouragement and enveloping unity within believers.

Your closing statement says what we've been trying to say: “The world doesn't care that we've resisted the rise of fundamentalism. It's tired of hearing what we're against and wants to know what we're for–and why that matters.”

The people in the pew, the neighbors in the street, the missions around the world don't care what the convention politicians fight about. They want to know we are for Christ, his message of salvation, his church's unity and his eternal peace.

Dale Lovett

Olney

Ridiculous resolution

The recently proposed resolution by T.C. Pinckney for all Southern Baptists to take their children out of the public school system is ridiculous.

Obviously, he has not been in the same public schools I have had the honor to be in as an instructor at Texas Tech University. I have supervised some of the strongest Christian educators in our public school system.

I wonder if he read the recent article in the Baptist Standard that ranked education majors right at the top in several different spiritual categories. Parents reading this will agree that teachers in the public school system are some of the most dedicated Christians in the world, willing to give over and beyond what they're expected to do to fulfill the role of being a teacher. Teachers would be in some other profession if they were not in education as part of their ministry.

I wonder if Pinckney ever had a 5th grade teacher like my children had, whose only classroom rule was: “Do everything in love.” She had a special board by her desk for the children to write their concerns. They all knew that they would be prayed over by Mrs. White every night.

In regards to Bruce Shortt's comment, “The belief that children will positively influence schools as 'salt and light' is 'misapplied theology,'” I'm afraid I need a tutoring session on this theory as it is in complete contrast to what Jesus Christ taught us about reaching out to others.

Sheri Sowder

Shallowater

Jesus' passion

I cringe during SBC week every year, because I know at least one bone-headed statement will be front-page news and make my job as pastor more difficult. I also cringed when I heard Bobby Welch's comment about why he was going to make evangelism a top priority (June 28).

Why? Basically, his reason was because the Baptist kingdom is declining. His focus is a bit off.

We should be concerned that people are missing God and his purpose for their lives, they are winding up in all kinds of harmful life situations and living in pain and suffering, and they are headed for an eternity of separation from God that is horrific beyond description.

Those are the reasons evangelism should be the top priority–genuine care and concern for the well-being of others.

I'm weary of the “me focus” that abounds in so much of church and convention life, and I don't think I'm alone. It isn't “all about us.” It should be all about Jesus, and that means our passion should be his passion–reaching the lost.

Drew Wilson

Waco

Culture casualty

Outgoing SBC President Jack Graham's recent call for Baptists to engage more actively in the culture war could cause more harm than good (June 28).

This war is in direct conflict with the New Testament model for effective evangelism. The Apostle Paul did not express disdain for Greek culture; he found a way to preach Christ to the Greeks without disrespecting them (Acts 17:22-34). The leaders of the church in New Testament times did not criticize the morals of non-Christians. The focus then, as it should be now, was first reaching people for Christ then explaining God's laws to them and encouraging obedience.

People will not generally adopt biblical morals until they become Christians.

By fighting them, we will not convince them they are wrong, and we will lose our chance to convert them. Furthermore, why should our culture listen to Baptists about biblical values, when our divorce rate is similar to theirs.

Light does not need to fight darkness to prevail; it only needs to be light.

Steve Pruett

Bossier City, La.

Posted: 7/09/04

Mission Waco offers Christian hope to poor, marginalized

By Janelle Bagci

BGCT Summer Intern

WACO–Mission Waco–founded nine years ago in the abandoned remains of a pornography theater and four bars–has become a light in the darkness for the many underprivileged people living in Waco.

Mission Waco offers hope to poor, marginalized and unchurched people, said Executive Director Jimmy Dorrell. Programs for youth, adults and the elderly address social and educational needs hindering people from being self-sufficient.

It's a holistic program that deals with the root causes and development issues of life, Dorrell said. Mission Waco's main focuses are being compassionately relationship based, mobilizing middle-class Christians and fighting social injustice.

“We at Mission Waco are some of the only healthy role models these guys have ever seen,” Treatment Programs Director Pam Stelk said.

Dorrell believes middle-class Christians have withdrawn from inner cities and retreated to the suburbs because they think it is the best for their children and families, but the majority of needy people are in the inner cities.

Mission Waco wants to take people where they are and stretch them by helping them apply Christian values in relating to the poor, he explained.

“To follow Jesus is to risk. A crisis of faith is where development happens,” Dorrell said.

Baylor University enables Mission Waco to more easily mobilize middle-class Christians, he noted. Through volunteer opportunities, students with high income and Christian backgrounds are opening their eyes to the plight of the poor.

Waco ranked 19 in the nation for cities containing people below the poverty line in 1990. “That means 20 percent of the kids are below the poverty line,” Dorrell said. “Many people can only work 29 hours a week because the company doesn't want to pay for benefits. That means they're making $10,080 per year, which is $7,000 below the poverty level. …

“As a middle-class white guy, I would have said the legal justice system is fair. Now I see it's not.

“We've been called to move in and work among the people.”

From that call, Mission Waco has launched 15 programs designed to bring hope and empowerment to the poor.

Children's programs for 6- to 11-year-olds during the school year include after-school tutoring and King's Club–a Saturday morning Bible class and play time in eight low-income neighborhoods. During the summer, kids attend various camps.

In the youth program, which includes students from 6th through 12th grade, activities range from art, cooking and dance to discussions on abstinence and hygiene. During the school year, there is an after-school development program. Young people can attend camps and programs throughout the summer.

The program has “brought the youth off the streets,” Youth Program Director Nikkea Fisher said.

Most participants in the youth program are low-income and do not have a father living at home, Fisher said. Some have been abused verbally, physically or sexually. Mission Waco provides a support system for spiritual, social and educational growth.

“All of them have progressed in some way, whether in school or spiritually or just respect,” Fisher noted.

Mission Waco's “M-Powerment” program educates teens and adults who lack the skills needed to get or keep a job. Within six weeks, the program provides reading, math and computer skills and appearance and attitude training.

Adults can take GED and job skill classes through the program. A computer lab is open Monday through Friday and provides free Internet access for job searches and self-paced tutorials for a variety of computer programs.

Attitude is a common deterrent to companies looking to hire. With “a lot of people that don't have experience working … they're going to have an attitude because that's the only way they know how to communicate,” said Carlton Willis, director of the M-Powerment program,.

“I always ask them, 'What is going on in your life that is preventing you from getting and keeping a job?'”

All graduates of the program have obtained jobs, and more than two dozen have gone to college, Willis said.

M-Powerment also trains low-income senior adults with interview and re-certification skills. McLennan and Hill counties allow 49 job openings for low-income seniors. Seniors apply for the jobs and go through a training process to learn the trade. Soon after, they are able to become permanent workers.

In addition to general assistance for the under-educated, Mission Waco offers specialized programs to address more specific needs.

Manna House, a Christian-based residential treatment facility for men struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, provides a safe and structured program to eliminate chemical dependency. Counselors address all known issues, not just alcohol or drug abuse. “Chemical dependency is just a symptom of what's wrong,” Stelk said. “I've been doing this for 20 years, and this is the most healthy and holistic program I've ever been a part of.”

The program is more structured than other Waco rehabilitation facilities, with benchmarks to strive for and rules to follow.

“Our guys embrace them because they know rules keep them safe, clean and sober,” Stelk continued. “Last time I checked, we have 11 times the success rate of the national average.”

From Manna House, graduates of the program apply for transitional housing and eventually housing at the ARK, a safe, affordable apartment-style housing unit designed to facilitate Christian community.

Most Manna House men know where to find community and a good meal. Although it is not limited to Mission Waco's participants, Friday Morning Breakfast provides people with a free breakfast and entertainment.

At First Lutheran Church, a few people congregate at 6:30 a.m. for Bible study and prayer time before breakfast to the sound of two men playing accordions. Many more seeking solace from their hunger stream in at 7 a.m.

Local churches sponsor meals consisting of eggs, biscuits, orange juice and fruit.

People meet from different races, cultures, and economic statuses. There are lots of “different races and we come together as one,” said Jackie Adams, a regular participant in Friday breakfast. “Oh, I love it, it starts my weekend off right. I love it. I love the Bible study part. That's my food.”

“I used to donate plasma,” Adams continued, describing how she found out about Friday Morning Breakfast. She told the man drawing her blood: “I need some fuel.”

“He said, 'You need to get you some food.' And then he told me about Friday morning breakfast. I said, 'Where's that at? ' He told me where to come, and I've been coming ever since. … When I miss, I feel a sense of loss.”

In addition to Mission Waco's numerous programs for children, youth, adults, senior citizens and people dealing with specific needs, yearly mission trips take volunteers to Mexico City, Haiti and India.

A weekly women's program is available for spiritual and social community.

The Clothesline, a Mission Waco clothing store, sells gently worn name-brand clothing. “I get a lot of my clothes from the Clothesline, they have a some really great stuff,” Stelk said. The Clothesline receives donations of clothes and uses profits to help support Mission Waco substance abuse recovery programs.

Mission Waco's Poverty Simulation also gives participants the opportunity to experience poverty for a weekend.

For more information about Mission Waco, call (254) 753-4900.

“These are the representation of the least of these,” Dorrell said of the people whose lives Mission Waco touches. “And we are privileged and blessed to be able to serve.”

Posted: 7/09/04

On the Move

Jerry Bivins has resigned as pastor of Ardis Heights Church in Greenville.

Paul Blake to Center City Church in Goldthwaite as pastor.

Travis Burleson to First Church in Gonzales as pastor from Sunset Canyon Church in Dripping Springs, where he was associate pastor and student minister.

Danny Martin has resigned as pastor of Calvary Church in Cisco.

Joey Maxey to First Church in Seguin as youth minister.

Jason Morgan to First Church in Halfway as music minister.

Rick Perkins to New Beginnings Church in Cedar Creek as interim pastor.

Julee Rachels has resigned as recreation director at First Church in Longview.

David Roach to Rocky Creek Church in Victoria as youth pastor.

Ross Shelton to First Church in Castroville as pastor.

Matt Smith to First Church in Temple as minister of youth, where he had been interim.

Jennifer Sullivan to First Church in Halfway as children's director.

Jonathan Sullivan to First Church in Halfway as youth minister.

Drew Super to Direct Church in Direct as pastor.

Josh Tylich to Flatonia Church in Flatonia as summer youth and children's pastor.

Nissa Walker to First Church in Temple as minister of childhood education, where she had been interim.

Joe Walts has completed an intentional interim pastorate at First Church in Castroville.

Posted: 7/09/04

Presidential Prayer Team organization
launches its Pray the Vote initiative

By Sarah Farris

BGCT Summer Intern

In hopes of encouraging Christians to vote this fall, the Presidential Prayer Team launched its Pray the Vote and Prayer Party initiatives prior to Independence Day.

Pray the Vote is built “around God's people praying for fall elections–not specific candidates and not specific parties–just elections,” said Presidential Prayer Team President John Lind.

The Prayer Party program–part of Pray the Vote–gave people resources to hold gatherings during July 4th celebrations.

“We want to get people to take advantage of the (holiday) and pray specifically for the election this fall,” Lind said.

The idea for prayer parties came, like many of the organization's ideas, from one of the Presidential Prayer Team members.

Some of the Pray the Vote prayer points, available on organization's website, include “wise involvement by all Americans; God's will be done; protection over the candidates, conventions, delegates and the nation; truth in media; and responsible citizenship.”

The Presidential Prayer Team is a bipartisan, nondenominational organization.

“We're not the George W. Bush prayer team. We support the office of the president,” Lind said.

While the organization does not ask its members to disclose party affiliation, Lind says that they hear their 3 million members represent a broad demographic of Democrats, Republicans and independents.

“The influence we want to project–before politics–is that we need to focus on prayer. …We're not policy makers. We don't promote issues. We promote prayer,” Lind said.

Along with prayer parties, the Pray the Vote program also includes virtual prayer rallies, which will be held Oct. 5 and on the eve of presidential elections, Nov. 1.

These rallies consist of people from all over the United States committing via Internet to pray a half-hour or more for the electoral process.

The Presidential Prayer Team has become a way for members to “make an impact (on politics) without becoming political,” Lind said.

“We come to God in crisis,” he said. “Why not come during normal times?”

For information on the Presidential Prayer Team, visit www.presidentialprayerteam.org or call (800) 295-1235.

Posted: 7/09/04

Churches find purpose beyond 40-day experience

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

Benefits from 40 Days of Purpose stretch beyond an initial 40-day shared congregational experience, say leaders of several Texas Baptist churches that have been through the program–including some who approached it with skepticism.

The 40 Days of Purpose study is a churchwide spiritual-growth campaign built around principles in “The Purpose Driven Life,” a best-selling book by Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.

Participants explore five purposes for living–worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism–through small-group Bible studies, worship services and personal devotional times.

The program's website says 12,000 churches nationally have completed the program, and it claims they have experienced 20 percent average growth in worship attendance.

First Baptist Church in Rio Grande City–which went through the 40 Days of Purpose last fall–is the kind of congregation that blows the curve.

“Our numbers are up 35 percent to 40 percent in worship, our giving is up, and we've sustained that growth since the first of the year,” said Pastor Bob Alderman, who noted new visitors are coming to the church almost every week.

He hastens to add the growth has not just been the kind that can be tracked numerically.

“There's more energy, more involvement in our church,” he said, noting several ministries to youth in the community that grew out of the spiritual growth campaign.

Even so, some churches tend to look with suspicion on what they see as the latest church-growth fad–particularly when it's promoted by a California preacher in a flowery shirt.

Pastor Phil Christopher acknowledged some members of First Baptist Church in Abilene initially questioned the value of the curriculum and Warren's use of what they considered “proof-texts.”

Christopher encouraged them to question and examine the curriculum. “I told our people: 'We're not saying this is all gospel. Read it with a critical eye. … Raise questions. Don't take everything (Warren) says at face value.'”

And as small groups in Sunday school classes began to study and discuss the material, they found its basic principles to be thoroughly biblical, he noted.

“It has made a lasting impact on our church,” Christopher said, pointing particularly to the value of all age groups in the church sharing the same 40-day experience. “There were valuable conversations that came up in families as they were going through it together.”

The 40-day emphasis last fall gave birth to small groups that continued during the spring. Now the church is considering devoting Sunday evenings to small-group studies.

The spiritual growth campaign also set the stage for a capital fund-raising campaign in the spring to renovate the church's sanctuary. Lessons learned about worship, church unity and decision-making in community proved invaluable, he noted. Tangibly, the church exceeded its goal by $700,000.

Barry Chinn, pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Austin, admitted he approached the 40 Days material with a degree of skepticism.

“I had always seen Rick Warren as a California flake whom God had raised up to minister to other California flakes,” he acknowledged. “But I came to realize he has made a significant contribution to evangelical faith in this country through the purpose-driven congregational model.”

Woodlawn Baptist had gone through difficult days–from a tragic bus accident more than 30 years ago to more recent divisions in the fellowship–and the 40 Days of Purpose was a “a time of healing, helping us move beyond painful experiences,” Chinn said.

A ministry and missions fair, held near the end of the campaign, proved particularly beneficial. He noted: “It helped move us down the road toward becoming a missional church.”

Later this year, a team from the church will serve in Uganda. The church has given its blessings to other members serving in Ghana, Taiwan and Gambia.

First Baptist Church in Plains skipped the recommended ministry and missions fair when it went through 40 Days of Purpose. Pastor Bill Wright knew his church already understood the concept of every member having a ministry and a mission.

Per-capita, the church–which averages about 200 in weekly Bible study attendance in a town of 1,400–could be one of the most “missional” churches in the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Members have worked on at least one missions construction project a year for more than a decade, as well as staffing a regional disaster relief unit for Texas Baptist Men and working in local ministries.

The key teaching that made an impact on First Baptist in Plains, Wright said, was one of the first lessons in the 40-day study–“It's not about me. It's about God.”

“It caused us to focus on kingdom work and eliminated a lot of me-isms,” he remarked.

In particular, going through 40 Days of Purpose gave members of First Baptist in Plains a renewed passion for personal evangelism and deeper commitment to Bible study and discipleship, he noted.

When First Baptist Church of Kaufman went through the 40 Days of Purpose in fall 2002, church leaders presented it in terms old-time members could understand. They promoted it as a 40-day revival.

“I think that's what it is–a new model of revival,” said Associate Pastor Steve Bezner. First Baptist in Kaufman particularly found value in “lining up all the ministries in the same direction at the same time. It gave us something to rally around.”

The 40-day experience also gave the church a shared understanding for moving ahead in planning.

“It created a culture of purpose in our church that has stuck with us,” Bezner said.

“Whenever we start new (Bible study) classes, we ask them to walk through the 40 Days curriculum together and read the book together. It gives us a common reference point.”

Stephen Lowrie had the same experience as pastor of First Baptist Church in Dalhart.

He found it so valuable, one of his first priorities when he moved to North Fort Worth Baptist Church was persuading his new congregation to commit to the 40 Days beginning this coming October.

“It gave us a common vocabulary to use. … We all began working from a common point of reference,” he said, recalling his experience in Dalhart.

Many Texas Baptist churches will participate in the 40 Days of Purpose in the fall–so many that the Baptist General Convention of Texas was able to receive a discounted rate for affiliated churches.

Additional discounts are available for Spanish-speaking churches and for small-membership congregations.

For details, contact Ted Elmore at (214) 828-5114 or e-mailelmore@bgct.org.

Posted: 7/09/04

Texas Baptist Men build worship
center for African Texas church

By Mary Crouch

BGCT Summer Intern

GRAND PRAIRIE–Texas Baptist Men formed a new bond this spring with African Evangelical Baptist Church of Grand Prairie as volunteers built a sanctuary for the congregation.

About 20 TBM Retiree Church Builders and their spouses started work on the 3,000-square-foot building in April.

Texas Baptist Men bonded with church members after working and having an African food picnic together, learning about their different cultures, said team leader Wayne Simpkins of Bryan.

Pastor Johnson Omoni, who has worked closely with both the African American ministries and the intercultural initiatives offices of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, said the connections made through TBM have enriched the church's ties to the volunteer group.

“We feel blessed by their ministry,” Omoni said, noting TBM's spirit and willingness to help further African Evangelical Church's growing ministry.

The Retiree Builders' work with the church is part of a plan to provide more ministry to non-Anglo cultures.

TBM Executive Director Leo Smith noted his group already has connections with Habitat for Humanity, Hispanic ministries, African American ministries and Korean churches, but the group is continuing to expand its ministry through connections with African Evangelical Church.

Posted: 7/09/04

Texas WMU board approves staff
reoganization, change in its focus

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–The Woman's Missionary Union of Texas board of directors has approved a reorganization of the state WMU staff.

The reorganization moves the missions organization from a “program-based” to a “solution-based” focus, said Texas WMU President Kathy Hillman of Waco, adding, “This is a huge change.”

The new plan reduces the Texas WMU program staff from six to five. But since two positions are vacant, one new role will need to be filled, said Executive Director-Treasurer Carolyn Porterfield.

Texas WMU will retain six support staff roles. No current staff member is losing her job.

The board approved the plan unanimously after discussing the changes in closed session. The changes, proposed by the organization's personnel committee, go into effect immediately, Hillman said.

Staff had been organized around age-level designations. Age-level ministries such as Mission Friends, Girls in Action, Acteens and Women on Missions will not be abandoned, Porterfield said. They will be supported through the new organizational structure.

The five new positions will include the unchanged role of executive director-treasurer, plus four others–missions growth, missions involvement, missions leadership and missions resources.

Each person in the four new roles will be referred to simply as program staff, not directors, consultants or any other title–at least for now, Hillman said.

Porterfield continues as executive director. Christine Hockin-Boyd will be responsible for missions involvement, Debra McCammon will lead missions growth and Shelda Reeves will work in missions leadership. The missions resources role is vacant.

Texas WMU wants to “assist and partner and network with churches to help them with their needs and help them accomplish the Great Commission in their setting,” Hillman said.

The new organization reflects a team approach, she said. The staff will form a team, and each staff member will lead a team that may include contract workers and volunteers.

It also will enable WMU leaders to work more collaboratively with other women's ministries in churches, Hillman said.

This provides a way of “building bridges,” Porterfield added.

Responsibilities of the various positions include:

Missions involvement. Develop missions involvement strategies, Christian Women's Job Corps, Baptist Nursing Fellowship, Project HELP, women's ministries and other missions opportunities.

Missions growth. Develop missions growth strategies for use in churches and associations.

Missions leadership. Develop strategies for identifying, mentoring, training and equipping missions leaders, Mission Friends, Girls in Action, Children in Action, Acteens, Youth on Mission, collegiate audience, Women on Missions, Adults on Mission and missions camping.

Missions resource. Develop strategies for marketing WMU and its publications, including resource development and production.

Hillman, in her president's address, said Texas WMU had “taken a leap toward the concept of shared leadership” with the new organization.

“Through shared leadership, sometimes called a team approach, no longer will only one person in the state office be designated to assist a congregation in missions education” for a particular age group, she said.

Depending on a church or mission's need, “a team of program staff, their ministry assistants and volunteers stand ready to offer growth assistance, leadership development, involvement opportunities and appropriate missions resources,” Hillman said. All will collaborate to “design the best plan to meet the need, … not merely to push a program.”

Speaking from the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians, Hillman said the Corinthian conflict sounded like Christians and Baptists today.

“We attach to a particular person or an idea, sometimes for personal benefit without remembering that we must all work together,” she noted.

“How sad that Southern Baptists have chosen not to work with the Baptist World Alliance. How sad that our missionaries have been told which groups they can partner with and which ones they cannot. How sad that some of our states have formed two conventions.

“How sad that many years ago, national WMU leaders chose not to embrace women's ministries as an avenue … to develop women toward a missions lifestyle.

“How sad that in some churches, preschool, children and youth missions leaders see themselves in competition with Sunday school teachers or choir directors.

“Who wins? No one. Who loses? Everyone, especially the lost. We must work through our conflicts and work together.

“I pray that as leaders of Texas Woman's Missionary Union, we will overcome conflict, embrace the concept of shared leadership and connect with each other any way we can to win the lost of our state. May it be said of us, 'Truly Texas WMU labored together with God.'”

Posted: 7/09/04

Texas Tidbits

DBU hosts Japanese group. Dallas Baptist University recently celebrated the opening of its International Center by playing host to the National Collegiate Network, a recruiting company that helps Japanese students select universities in the United States. The network donated 10 cherry blossom trees to DBU in gratitude, and the recruiting company and DBU jointly sponsored a cultural festival for Japanese students at DBU. The International Center is a 11,000-square-foot building that houses four classrooms, two large multipurpose meeting rooms, a computer lab, a student lounge and a full-service kitchen. DBU's student body includes more than 300 internationals from at least 50 countries.

O'Brien to describe world. "Global Reality Check: A Status of the World," will be the theme of a presentation by Baptist missions strategist Bill O'Brien July 13 at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by Greater Good Global Support Services and will be held at the WorldconneX offices, located at Southside at Lamar streets, near downtown Dallas. O'Brien will discuss health pandemics like HIV/AIDS; world population growth and migrations; political, religious and cultural shifts; and life-changing technologies. For more information go to the website, www.g3s2.org/training.

Lubbock CWJC graduate receives WMU award. Amanda Perez of Lubbock received the national Woman's Missionary Union's 2004 Sybil Bentley Dove Award. Perez, a single mother rearing three children, graduated in May 2003 from Christian Women's Job Corps in Lubbock. She accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized less than a month after entering the program. After graduating from Christian Women's Job Corps, Perez attended summer school to complete requirements for her high school diploma. She attends South Plains College and hopes to become a social worker. The Sybil Bentley Dove Endowment was established in 1998. The WMU Foundation presents the award annually to a current or former CWJC participant whom the foundation recognizes as wanting to improve her life through skills training, academic development and faith in Christ.

TBM offers relief following train collision. Texas Baptist Men volunteers rushed to the scene of a train wreck near San Antonio to cook meals for workers who were cleaning up chlorine that leaked from the train and for families who were confined to their homes. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army distributed 900 meals Texas Baptist Men prepared. The accident occurred when one train traveling east on a sidetrack was struck by another train traveling west, which failed to stop, a Union Pacific spokesman said. Four cars were punctured. Traces of chlorine gas were detected up to 10 miles away. Three people died, and nearly 50 people were taken to a local hospital with breathing problems, headaches and other symptoms.

Riley retires at TBCH. Jay Riley has retired as development director at Texas Baptist Children's Home. He served on the TBCH board of trustees from 1989 to 1997, including terms as chairman from 1993 to 1995. He joined the children's home staff in 1998. He led 11 Children at Heart Golf Marathons, an annual fund-raising event in which participants play 100 holes in a day.

Church music conference slated at Wayland. MusiConference West will be held July 23-24 at Wayland Baptist University. The training event will feature sessions targeting age-group choirs, instrumentalists, worship leaders and multimedia specialists in churches. Paul Magyar of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston will lead sessions for ministers of music, and Larry Pierce, president of G3, will present sessions on contemporary worship and praise bands. Saturday-only sessions are scheduled for bivocational ministers of music. Cost for the conference is $75 per person, or $30 for bivocational ministers. Music packets for reading sessions are $10 each. For more information, contact Robert Black at (806) 291-1067 or Karen Witcher at (888) 447-5163.

Posted: 7/09/04

TOGETHER:
Life verse exerts powerful influence

Do you have a life verse? Many Christians look for a single verse in Scripture that seems to “wrap up” the truth for their life. Sometimes that verse is called a life purpose statement. Here are some I have heard people use.

From Paul's Philippian epistle: “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (1:21). “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (4:13). “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead” (3:10-11). “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (3:13-14).

Or from Paul's letter to the Romans: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (8:28).

From Matthew's Gospel: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (6:33). “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (28:19-20).

From the Old Testament: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:4-5). “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (Jeremiah 29:11).

There are many others, but these have helped shape the lives and devotion of millions of Christians.

What might be Jesus' life purpose statement? I believe you find it in John's Gospel: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (10:10).

Jesus painfully notes how thieves and robbers try to steal the sheep from the Good Shepherd, but he lays down his life for his sheep. Make no mistake. There are false religious leaders who will lead God's people away from the joy of abundant life in Christ. How do you recognize false leaders? They lead you away from Jesus' way of following God. How do you know Jesus' way? How do you know what Jesus would do? You study the Scripture to know what he did!

In the Bible, you find what mattered to Jesus and what should matter to us. There you find the heart of the one who knows the mind of God as no other teacher has ever known it. And there, in him, you find the life of the one who lived perfectly and fully the truth of God and invites us to follow him. Make sure you follow no substitute.

My verse? I have had several across the years, but in the last decade, the passage for my life has been Matthew 22:37-39: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

We are loved.

Posted: 7/09/04

True Love Waits on display at Olympics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–True Love Waits will carry its message of sexual purity to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens this August.

True Love Waits, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is an international campaign that challenges teenagers and college students to remain sexually abstinent until marriage.

An estimated 2.5 million to 3 million young people worldwide have signed the True Love Waits sexual purity pledge, according to LifeWay Christian Resources, the Southern Baptist publishing house that created the True Love Waits initiative.

Hundreds of thousands of those signed pledges will be displayed Aug. 22 as part of a moral purity celebration at the XXVIII Olympiad.

The pledge reads: “Believing that true love waits, I make a commitment to God, myself, my family, my friends, my future mate and my future children to a lifetime of purity including sexual abstinence from this day until the day I enter a biblical marriage relationship.”

In addition to the display of True Love Waits' commitment cards from around the world, the celebration will feature music, Olympic athletes challenging students to take a stand for moral purity and youth from AIDS-ravaged nations giving testimonies of courage and moral resolve.

A same-day video of the day's event will be available for download on www.truelovewaits.com Aug. 22.

Posted: 7/09/04

True Love Waits helps slow
spread of AIDS/HIV in Uganda

By Shawn Hendricks

LifeWay Christian Resources

WASHINGTON (BP)–Ten years ago, three out of 10 people in Uganda were infected with HIV or AIDS. Today, that number has dropped to six out of 100. And Uganda's First Lady Janet Museveni credits faith-based abstinence programs with slowing the spread of the fatal disease in her country.

Museveni spoke recently to the Medical Institute for Sexual Health's annual meeting in Washington, D.C., where she received the institute's Hero Award for efforts she and her husband put forth to create awareness and promote sexual abstinence.

One of the most effective strategies used in communicating that message was True Love Waits, she said. True Love Waits is a sexual purity pledge campaign promoted by LifeWay Christian Resources, the Southern Baptist publishing house.

“Religious organizations played a major role in prevention (of HIV/AIDS) and had a strong influence,” Museveni said. “When we adopted the True Love Waits slogan, we found that the most important thing was focusing on our spiritual foundation and values.”

Uganda's willingness to embrace the abstinence-until-marriage program helped turn the AIDS crisis around. Museveni cited a 2000 report in which 95 of 100 Ugandans were either abstinent or only had one sexual partner.

In the late 1980s, Uganda was one of the countries hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic.

“The situation looked bleak. … Uganda was at its most vulnerable,” Museveni said. “This was more than a disease, it was a national disaster. … Our only hope was to sound a loud alarm.”

For the past 10 years, Museveni and her husband, President Yoweri Museveni, have promoted True Love Waits in speeches and ad campaigns and have worked closely with faith-based organizations such as the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board.

One of those relationships was with Southern Baptist missionaries Larry and Sharon Pumpelly, who helped implement True Love Waits throughout the 1990s.

Pumpelly, now working at the International Mission Board's main office in Richmond, Va., said the Musevenis' influence added tremendous credibility to the program. Janet Museveni, whom he described as a “committed Christian” and a prayer partner with his wife, was a key element in the program's success, he added.

Museveni especially was helpful in persuading Uganda's minister of education to allow True Love Waits material into the schools, Pumpelly said.

“She became extremely instrumental in opening doors. Schools would close down for four hours at a time to allow us to bring True Love Waits in to teach the students.”

Pumpelly hopes other countries such as Kenya, where True Love Waits programs are beginning to prosper, will show similar improvements. The success of the program, he said, depends on young people's willingness to embrace the program.

“The youth are dying to know what the truth is,” Pumpelly said. “But it's about more than that. True Love Waits is about God's plan for sex in your life, and when you get that right, AIDS goes away.”

Museveni referred to safe-sex initiatives, such as distributing condoms to the public, as both irresponsible and ineffective. “The truth is, there is no safe sex outside of faithfulness in marriage. … One thing my husband used to say is that 'a thin piece of rubber is all that stands between us and the death of our country if condoms are allowed to become the main means of stemming the tide of AIDS.'”