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GOD’S GRACE FOR SINNERS
This summer, I had an opportunity to preach a weeklong youth camp. One blessing of this is that students feel familiar enough with me to ask questions and open up about their spiritual challenges. I had great conversations answering Bible questions and helping students with apologetics.
One conversation has really stuck with me. My heart hurts for this young student, and I pray for him regularly. He approached me after one sermon in which I made multiple references that anyone, regardless of their past or present life, can experience God’s love, forgiveness and salvation, if they reach out to Jesus in faith.
He told me he was desperately looking for something to fill the void in his life, and he wanted to follow Jesus in faith. However, he just didn’t think Jesus would love or save him because of his sins. He was locked in the belief that God would only give him what he deserved. And what he deserved wasn’t love and salvation.
One verse I shared with him was Rom. 5:8,“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The full force of what Paul is emphasizing in this passage can be easy to miss—that even right now as you commit terrible sins, Jesus loves you, has died for you and wants to save you.
Second, Paul begins this sequence with a very abrupt and unique grammatical construction. In v.6, he begins with a Greek adverb translated “for while” and then repeats the same adverb translated “at the right time” after the word “weak.” The repetition of the adverb in such proximity makes the sentence sound odd/repetitive.
See what Paul is doing here—the adverb essentially means “while,” “during” or “at the same time.” Now add to this that the word “weak” is a genitive absolute, which in grammar terms in Greek emphasizes the timing of something either past, present or future. So, in virtually one phrase at the beginning of this passage, he employs three grammatical devices emphasizing the death of Jesus in concurrent timing with the sins of people.
This means that even while people were in the active process—right now! In this moment!—of being weak, ungodly, sinful, enemies of God, Christ died for them. This means regardless of your past sins, regardless of whether you’re still sinning currently, regardless of the depth or severity of your sins—Christ died for you, loves you and forgives all who reach out to Him in faith.
“GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE FOR US IN THAT WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US.”
It’s important to note in Rom. 5:6-10 that Paul wants his readers to understand that even the most evil people currently in the midst of their sin, are not outside the scope of God’s love. See this in two ways in this passage:
ROMANS 5:8 (ESV)
First, Paul makes a downward progression of the state of humanity and those who are recipients of God’s grace. He begins with the “weak” (v.6a), then goes to the “ungodly” (v.6b), then to “sinners” (v.8) and lastly to “enemies” (v.10) of God.
God’s love and grace to us is always rooted in who He is and what Christ has done on our behalf, never on who we are or what we have done or are doing. God’s grace is truly amazing! I’m praying the young man I visited with comes to believe the truth of Rom. 5:6-10 and reaches out to Christ. I pray if you are reading this and feel the same as that young man, you will know that your sin does not go beyond the scope of God’s grace. Reach out to Jesus in faith.
We live in a world of bad news. You do not have to look far to find news of mishaps, scandal and misfortune. I heard someone say, “Isn’t there any good news anymore?”
One of the central purposes of the Baptist Messenger has been to highlight inspiring stories of life change— examples of lives that have been dramatically redeemed and transformed.
If you think about it, that is also a central theme of the Bible and our faith: Redemption.
Consider these recent stories, all from right here in Oklahoma, that have appeared in the Messenger magazine that demonstrate God’s work.
TARVORIS (TEE) UZOIGWE
Tee, who now serves as Oklahoma Baptists evangelism and apologetics ministry partner, grew up in a broken home, in poor circumstances and making poor choices. God used a godly couple to love him and share the Good News of Jesus. Tee’s life was turned around, and he now serves the Lord.
Emmitt became addicted to alcohol and drugs at an early age. A life of sin was outward evidence of the anger and lostness in his life. Someone was faithful to share the Gospel, and Emmitt went from gangs to God. He is now an evangelist and missionary.
Laura grew up in a Christian home, but she struggled with her identity as a woman. She rebelled and lived as a transgender male for nearly 10 years before the Lord reached her heart. Laura has embraced her Godgiven sexuality and now ministers to families affected by LGBT issues.
Miguel is serving a life sentence in prison for crimes he committed. The Lord radically saved him, and he is now a student in Oklahoma Baptist University’s Prison Divinity Program, sharing the Gospel with joy amid inmates.
Julie and her husband were serving the Lord as missionaries. Due to some unresolved trauma in her life, Julie was depressed and no one knew it. She ultimately became suicidal. The light of Christ reached Julie at her lowest point, and she found joy in the Lord and now shares her story of redemption and hope with others.
These are just a few examples of the life change happening all across the state of Oklahoma and the world.
Now, we know that many life stories do not have a happy ending. Even in those difficulties, God can work in those situations, God can get glory.
At the same time, it is our hearts’ desire as His followers to see a godly turnaround happen in the lives of others and our own.
Corrie Ten Boom once said, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”
Look at what God has done right here in our midst. In a world of bad news, there’s some good news for you. Then again, there’s always Good News in Jesus.
Brian Hobbs Oklahoma Baptists Editor
EDITOR’S NOTE: The August print edition of the article ‘Before & After You Vote’ contained a misprint. The article should have listed Nov. 5 as Election Day. We apologize for any confusion, and we thank you for reading the Baptist Messenger!
Church can be a funny place. That doesn’t mean that really serious stuff doesn’t happen at church. It simply means church can be funny. Like hilarious.
The problem is sometimes we don’t know if it is OK to find the funny in church. Then, sometimes, the funny is so obvious you just can’t miss it. Let me give you an example.
It has been several years that this happened. It was back when we were all still doing Sunday night church. That tells you how long ago this happened.
We had planned for some baptisms to happen at the beginning of the service. I was upstairs where the baptistry and the dressing rooms were. There was a young boy, dressed in a baptism robe (to make it official), sitting on the floor very quietly. All of these were a bit out of character for him. I had never seen him in a baptism robe. I don’t remember seeing him sitting on the floor. And I surely don’t remember him being very quiet. But there he was.
His mom was standing next to him. She mouthed the words, “He is nervous” to me.
So, I asked this young man, “Can you swim?” He looked at me with great big eyes and nodded. Being a preacher, I asked a follow up question: “Can you dive?” Same great big eyes. Same almost imperceptible nod. I went on about my pre-baptism preacher routine.
When the time came, I waded off into the baptistry, which is an appropriate description because I was wearing waders. I also had on the official pastoral baptism robe. All I needed was a baptismal candidate.
As I spoke to the congregation, I reached out with my left arm and made the official “come here” motion with my left hand. Things were going along swimmingly (No pun intended).
I will never forget what I heard next. It was a noise like the word splat. It wasn’t loud but it kept getting louder. I turned to look at what was making this remarkable sound when I saw him. The young, nervous boy who had been so quiet before our baptism service started was running toward me, and went into a full tuck cannonball, flying through the air at me. The look on his face would lead you to believe he was going at least 100 mph. His eyes were wide open, and he had the biggest grin on his face, as he was flying straight at me.
Thankfully, my catlike reflexes took over and I turned my back as he flew into the water. Thankfully, he didn’t make much of a splash. I don’t know if that was because of how he completed the dive or because he probably wouldn’t have weighed 50 pounds soaking wet. He went completely under.
As I turned back around, he popped up out of the water like a red and white fishing bobber. Same wide eyes, same grin. He was looking out through that little strip of glass that used to ordain all baptistries at the congregation who was sitting in stunned silence.
So I put my hand on top of the young one’s head and shoved him back under the water not once, not twice but three times. By that time the congregation had started breathing again and busted out in the loudest, righteous laughter I think I have ever heard. And, yes, for those of who you are wondering I counted those extra dunks as additional baptisms on our Annual Church Profile.
There were probably some folks in church that night that did not find that funny. They were the same folks that didn’t find much of anything funny. But there were a bunch who did. And they should have. It was funny. Like real funny. Like hilarious. God gave us a funny bone. We ought to use it every once in a while.
Joe Ligon
Oklahoma Baptists Sr. Associate Executive Director
FAITH AND BLUE IN ACTION
What began as a ministry to help support a single police officer amid a difficult time in 2020, has blossomed into a growing relationship between Oklahoma City, Quail Springs (QSBC) and the 114 officers assigned to the Hefner Division of the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD).
Looking for ways to serve the community with an eye toward supporting law enforcement officers, a member of the Quail Springs Together in Christ (TIC) Connect Group (Sunday School) suggested that the group minister to a police officer and his or her family. That comment ignited into a ministry that involves not just one officer, but also the entire Hefner Division.
Wade Crews, QSBC senior adult minister, his assistant Jessica Newsom, and four members of the TIC class met with OCPD Community Relations Officer Sgt. Bob Skalla, a member of Del City, First Southern, and Police Chaplain Clyde Caldwell at a local restaurant to discuss what church members could do to encourage and show appreciation to the officers.
“That gathering resulted in a barrage of ideas on how to minister to an officer in our area,” said Sharon Willis, TIC director. “Sergeant Skalla mentioned an officer who needed help, and after we heard that story, we knew that was where we wanted to begin. One action led to another, and it has been such a great blessing to us.”
“When we first met and they approached us about wanting to help, I was hesitant, because, traditionally, officers don’t share that we need help,” Skalla said. “But the Lord told me, ‘Bob, you have officers who need Me.
They’re going through tough times.’ At the time, one of our officers was charged with manslaughter—and the Quail Springs senior adults took him under their wing. They loved on him so much it sustained him through his darkest times. And not just him. They loved on our entire division like we’ve never been loved on before, when some people were saying, ‘we don’t need the police, the police are bad.’
“But this church said, ‘We love you. You are the peacekeepers. We need you to help protect us.’ So, they basically helped us put on the full armor of God, and reminded us why we do what we do, and it just kind of snowballed from there. They started helping other officers in need. We recently had an officer who was shot in the stomach, and they just poured their hearts out to him. And then they partnered with us to serve a family we sponsored for Christmas. The Spirit of God is so evident and moving through Quail Springs and it’s been a true blessing to see the hand of God move.”
“THIS CHURCH SAID, ‘WE LOVE YOU. YOU ARE THE PEACEKEEPERS. WE NEED YOU TO HELP PROTECT US.’ SO, THEY BASICALLY HELPED US PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD, AND REMINDED US WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.”
Since that time, the senior adults at Quail Springs have ministered to the officers in a multitude of ways, including converting a report taker’s office at the station into a wellness room where officers can unwind, rest, read, grab a cold drink and snack, or complete paperwork; painting blue stripes on the church parking lot, giving the officers a secure place to park their cars while filling out reports or stopping for a quick lunch or snack without being interrupted; conducting a first-responders appreciation service at the church, which included lunch for the officers and dedication of the blue stripes area, and bringing snacks and bottled water to the officers on a regular basis.
“The wellness room is the talk of the division,” said Skalla. “Other divisions don’t have anything like this. We’ve never had a church do what Quail Springs has done in the history of the police department.”
“What you’ve done with the wellness room is beautiful,” Major Ryan Boxwell told Quail Springs members during dedication of the room. “It’s exactly what these officers need. And just to know the church is praying for them gets them through the day.”
Now, the flooring in the wellness room needs to be replaced—at a projected cost of $5,000—and the TIC Class is exploring ways to help raise some of the funds to pay for the work. Although it’s a small room—about 225 square feet—Quail Springs member Stephanie Lewis, an interior designer, fitted the room with two leather recliners, an étagère with a Bible and devotional books, a table with snacks, a small refrigerator, artificial plants, several soothing pictures and a cross over the door.
Skalla emphasized that police officers sacrifice so residents can live in a safe community.
“It is critical that we have the public’s support,” he acknowledged. “We enjoy working with churches. They are our biggest supporters. Quail Springs senior adults have provided comfort, support and love which has helped our officers to be well-rounded and feel loved. These acts of love serve as therapy for the officers.”
“We believe this is a valuable ministry,” said Crews. “Who comes in contact with more hurting people than police officers?”
Crews added that the ministry “is funded solely by the generosity of our members.”
For more information about this ministry to first responders and to learn how it may be possible in your community, go to baptistmessenger.com/podcast
This article was written by Dana Williamson and Bob Nigh
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1 What multitudes sat on in Mark 6
6 Pre-K lessons
10 Relaxation site
13 IRS cases
15 “Peace of God __ in your hearts” (Col. 3:15)
16 Shade tree
17 Ridges
18 “Learn a parable of the fig __” (Mark 13:28)
19 Music genre
20 Preach the Good __
22 What John did to Jesus
24 They “rolled a stone unto the __ of the sepulchre” (Mark 15:46)
WORDSEARCH
26 Potter’s oven
28 “This is my beloved Son: __ him” (Mark 9:7)
29 “First the blade, then...the full __ in the ear” (Mark 4:28)
30 Adorable 31 Trench
32 Angelus word
33 What Jesus forgave
34 Jesus “put forth __ hand” (Mark 1:41)
35 Request a favor, maybe 37 Tangled 41 Lion name
42 One might be drawn in the sand
43 Noah’s craft
44 Tapestry
47 Wide road (Abbr.)
48 Former Russian ruler
49 It will not give light at End Times (Mark 13:24)
50 Game cubes
51 Rents to 52 “No man putteth new wine into old __” (Mark 2:22)
54 Paper package
56 Behind
DOWN
1 Mary or Martha (sl.)
2 Regret
3 Who “can __ one cubit unto his stature?” (Matt. 6:27)
4 Join (2 words)
5 Drive
6 KJV verb
7 Brook sound
8 “Thou canst make me __” (Mark 1:40) 9 Leak slowly 10 The World __ 11 Fountain sites, often 12 Current unit 14 Opposite of NNE 21 Smelly mammal
23 “It came to pass in __ days” (Mark 1:9)
24 It descended from heaven when 22 Across took place 25 Mined metals
25 Mined metals
27 If salt “loses __ saltiness” (Mark 9:50 niv)
29 Semi feature
30 “See ya later!”
31 Number loaves when 1 Across took place
33 Blind man does this after Jesus heals him
34 “Kingdom of God is at __” (Mark 1:15)
36 “Sow the fields, and __ vineyards” (Ps. 107:37)
37 The Jordan __
38 __ Days, subject of Mark 13
39 Time periods
40 Danish currency (Abbr.)
42 Business ending (Abbr.)
44 Winding path
Note: The word clues are chosen by Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding the clues are computer-generated at random.
57 “Take thine ____, eat, drink...” (Luke 12:19)
59 Attach
63 Exclamation of wonderment
64 “My beloved is like...a young __” (Songs 2:9 niv)
65 Secret revealer
66 Gray sea eagle
67 One who accosted the traveler in Luke 10
68 Southpaw
45 Shingler
46 “The seed is __ under their clods” (Joel 1:17)
47 Guinea-__, West African nation
48 Where Jesus cast out moneychangers
50 “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto __” (Mark 14:34)
51 Place for a boutonniere
53 “Take heed __ any man deceive you” (Mark 13:5)
55 John “did __ locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6)
58 Omelette ingredient
60 Santa’s helper
61 Need for Peter and Andrew in Mark 1
62 “They passed through the Red sea as by __ land” (Heb. 11:29)
WORDS
SERVE COMMUNITY MINISTRY HEFNER FIRST-RESPONDER BLUE WELLNESS
PATROL
OFFICERS
CHURCH
PRAYING
SACRIFICE
FAMILIES
ROOM
PATROL NEED
DIVISION
DEDICATION
FLOORING
ROSTER
BARRAGE ENFORCEMENT
SNACKS LAW POLICE
Church NEWS
BACKPACKS DISTRIBUTED IN COMANCHE
On Sat. Aug., 10, Comanche, First and Comanche, Patterson Ave. partnered with the local chamber of commerce to provide school supplies and backpacks to the students of Comanche Schools. Some of the backpacks were provided by the SEND Network. More than 100 backpacks filled with various school supplies were distributed.
On August 19, Tulsa, Parkview’s Weekday Preschool celebrated its 50th anniversary event. The ministry began in 1974 with just 4 classes, open two days a week. There was such great demand for quality preschool programming, that it soon increased to three days a week where it has remained. Today, the preschool serves around 100 preschoolers and their families each year throughout the Tulsa metro.
TRIBUTES
Carol Cox, 89, died June 29. She was a former executive secretary for the women’s ministry of the state convention, and the wife of Perry Cox, pastor of Tulsa, Skelly Drive.
Vickie Pittman, 67, died Aug. 5. She was the wife of Terry Pittman, pastor at Paden, First.
Vera Faye Cox, died May 14. She was the wife of Tom Cox (74 years), pastor at Lawton, Letitia; Shawnee, Fairview; Ramona, First; Valliant, First; Ninnekah, First and who also pastored in Ponca City, in addition to serving as Director of Missions in Washington-Osage Association. She served as receptionist at Bartlesville, First for nine years.
ADAM MASK
PASTOR In Focus
Senior Pastor, Coweta, Community, OK
Adam Mask grew up in a loving home, but it was not a Christian home. His mother was a believer and demonstrated a degree of the fruits of the Spirit, but his father was not. Early in life, Mask had heard about Jesus and stories in the Bible but didn’t believe them to be true.
“I had heard about Jesus and was familiar with some of the stories in the Bible, but they were no more real to me than Aesop’s fables were,” Mask said.
After dropping out of high school and serving two years in the 25th Infantry Division, he was discharged from the Army with a general discharge for failing multiple drug tests. Later, Mask was arrested and served two years in prison for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. Mask said that once he left prison he was depressed and suicidal.
“I remember my life before Christ and the angst, depression and emptiness and I thank God I have not forgotten the moment Christ saved me,” Mask said.
On May 2, 2010, Mask visited Broken Arrow, First, where his life had a drastic and incredible change.
“God used that message preached by Pastor Nick Garland and the message the following week to bring conviction through the Holy Spirit upon my heart and confront me with the reality of my sin,” Mask said. “On May 16, through repentance of my sin and placement of my faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ, I was born again. I was baptized the following Sunday.”
Soon after, Mask joined a men’s Bible study and a Sunday School class which both discipled him. During this time, he also began giving his testimony at the state prison in McAlester which became a monthly trip to preach God’s Word to the men incarcerated there. In 2013, Mask was brought on staff at Broken Arrow and in 2015, he became the campus pastor of the church’s Coweta campus – Community Church. In 2020, Community Church launched out on its own as an autonomous church and in 2021 partnered with North American Mission Board (NAMB) church plant Morgan Grace Church in Morgan, Utah.
“Morgan Grace is the only evangelical church in their entire county,” Mask said. “They have outgrown their original building and are now in a new building downtown and are doing an amazing job.”
Mask’s mission with Coweta, Community is to reach out to those hurting and broken, individuals who have no saving relationship with Christ. These include those
who may have never been to church before in their lives or those who have attended church in a cultural sense but never truly placed their faith in Christ. Essentially, Mask is wanting to reach out to those who are in the same position he once was and to show them the incredible love of Christ.
“My heart is for those who feel hopeless and forgotten,” he said. “I want as many people as possible to receive that same freedom only found in a saving relationship with Christ.”
In lieu of large community events to draw people to the church, Coweta goes out into their community to advance the Gospel. Every Wednesday evening, Mask and a team of church members go door to door introducing themselves, praying over the residents and sharing the Gospel. Additionally, they are heavily involved with the public schools in Coweta by introducing themselves to the teachers and students. There are large events held throughout the year such as an Easter Egg Hunt, VBS and summer camps, but Coweta’s main mission field is the neighborhoods, workplaces, schools and recreation fields. Locations where community can be built.
“Our outreach strategy is more grassroots than big events,” Mask said. “We try to leverage our regular Sunday morning services to minister to the lost while at the same time quipping the saints to go and tell the good news of the Gospel.”
Since launching as an autonomous church in 2020, Coweta, Community has seen 212 professions of faith and 200 baptisms. This is only the beginning as Mask plans to start up various other ministries including a recovery ministry for those trapped in various addictions. He wants to see Coweta grow and plant more churches that can advance the Gospel like Coweta, Community has. Through NAMB, individuals are trained and assessed so they can be sent out to multiply churches throughout Oklahoma and North America.
“Our heart is to plant churches that plant churches, so we are excited about the implementation of our residency program to help individuals who are called to plant churches,” Mask said.
For more information about Community Baptist Coweta, visit communitybaptist.org
CHURCH DEDICATES NEW BUILDING AFTER TORNADO
by Messenger Staff
KINGSTON—On Sun., July 21, an Oklahoma Baptist church in the Lake Texoma area met for the first time in their new building. What made this worship service especially unique is the fact that the congregation’s prior church building had been leveled more than two years earlier by a devastating EF-2 tornado.
On the evening of March 21, 2022, Kingston, Texoma Southern and the adjacent parsonage took a direct and devastating hit from a tornado. While the property was a total loss, the church continued to meet and has persevered.
As of August, the church has a brand-new property in which to worship, meet and serve. Texoma Southern Pastor Jeff Renard, who followed retired pastor Keith Rogers who was serving at the time of the tornado, has led the congregation.
He said, “Our first worship service in the new building was special. This was the 43rd anniversary with my wife and myself. It was exactly two years and four months from the date of the tornado. During that first service we had three baptisms, the Handbells played a special piece of music, and we celebrated the Lord’s Supper as the Body of Christ. There were 90 members and visitors joining us that Sunday.”
Renard said, “From my arrival on the first Sunday of March ’23, the attitude has been that a tornado cannot keep the church from gathering. Texoma Southern has not missed a single worship service since the tornado, and the Buncombe Creek/Enis communities have continued to reach out by providing places for Sunday School, Youth Group and worship services.”
Johnston-Marshall Association Director of Missions Gary Dempsey, helped encourage the congregation at the time of the tornado, and he is thankful for how the church has endured.
“Texoma Southern’s first Sunday in their new building was a tremendous blessing,” Dempsey said. “They had to bring in extra chairs for the service. They started with three baptisms. And their handbell choir played for worship for the first time since the tornado.”
By God’s grace, Dempsey believes great days are ahead for the church. “This first Sunday in the new building was a great day, full of joy and gratitude to the Lord. The future looks bright,” he said.
At the time of the tornado, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief provided assistance and offered help to others impacted in the Kingston/Madill area.
Renard said the church will hold a “Dedication Celebration” on Sept. 21, with special activities for the children, personal tours of the new building and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.
Although the prior building was a total loss at the time of the tornado, a lone wall had been left standing after the tornado that had a sign on it that read, “Jesus is Lord.” The people gathered in the new worship service on Aug. 4 can also attest to that statement. When tragedy strikes, Jesus is still Lord.
Join us throughout the year in praying for our missionaries, serving locally and around the world!
MISSIONARYPrayer Guide
Who & Where Why
Shane Kammerer is the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) director at the University of Oklahoma (OU). He leads a staff team and student leaders to evangelize, make disciples and to mobilize missions. His hope is that through the BCM, leaders can be effectively developed in knowledge, skills, character and vision so they can see lives changed and students investing in their peers because of it.
Pray for Oklahoma Baptists who are serving in Central Asia through the International Mission Board. Central Asia is comprised of Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Central Asians are experiencing deep grief and suffering because of war, repressive laws and natural disasters. Islam is the predominant religion in Central Asia and many who choose to follow Jesus are persecuted for “betraying” their former faith, traditions and family.
Joshua and Audrey Parsons live near a major city that borders a region that is very restrictive of Christianity. Joshua’s background is in petroleum engineering, which gives him access to offices, fields, and refineries in the area. He meets with highly-educated people in high-rise offices and with the very poor in slums that have no utilities. He shares the good news with everyone he encounters. The need for Jesus is the same for all.
Pray for Oklahoma Baptists who are serving with the International Mission Board in European countries. Europe has more than 800 million people, and fewer than 1% are evangelical Christians. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees have sought asylum throughout Europe. The need for prayer and bold proclamation of the Gospel is evident in this area of the world.
How to Pray
Please pray God will provide for the BCM’s budget and ministry needs.
Please pray student leaders would be faithful to declare the Gospel and that true repentance would sweep across OU.
Pray BCM leaders develop habits of connecting daily with God, obeying His Word completely, and equipping God’s people for the rest of their lives.
Pray that followers of Jesus in Central Asia will love one another well, reflecting Jesus’ sacrificial love.
Pray God would make new believers in Central Asia bold as they try to live out their faith in adverse or dangerous circumstances.
Pray God would protect and provide for missionaries serving there.
Pray for the Parsons as they adjust to being a family of five as they recently had their third child.
Pray they would truly love all people and that their hearts would be burdened for them.
Pray the Holy Spirit would move among the people they serve.
Please pray the new leaders God is raising up will remain faithful in carrying out the missionary task.
Pray God will raise up thousands of new missionaries who will bring Gospel transformation across Europe.
Pray God will guide missionaries as they develop creative strategies for sharing the Gospel.
Shane Kammerer
Joshua & Audrey Parsons
Central Asian People European People
7 TIME MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
1. Train myself to get up earlier. I’m usually up by 5 a.m., and that additional time gives me time to do my devotion, work out and simply pray through the day. That does mean, though, that I go to bed earlier—but the uninterrupted time in the morning is invaluable to me.
2. Pray through each day the night before and the morning of. Each night, I review my next day’s calendar and pray through the scheduled things. Then I pray about the unscheduled things that are likely to happen. This time of prayer helps me to see what’s on my plate the next day, and it helps me “give” the day to the Lord so I steward it wisely. Then, I quickly pray through the day the next morning, too.
3. Prayerfully use a “to do” list. Here’s my point here: I try to prioritize what I must do during the day, but (and, here’s my primary point), I pray before I begin a task and when I complete it. Starting everything with “God, help me,” and ending everything with, “God, thank You for helping me” has kept me focused on the task while also strengthening my prayer life.
4. Do the things I don’t want to do first. I usually have some tasks I don’t look forward to, and it’s easy for me to put them off—which means they’re always hanging over my head. If I do them first, though, (a) I can do them when I have the most energy, and (b) I always have more exciting things to look forward to during the day.
5. In most cases, limit meetings to 30 minutes. You can accomplish a lot in that time if you’re focused and intentional. I simply tell folks, “I’m glad you’re here. We have only 30 minutes, though, so let’s use our time wisely.” If I need to make exceptions for ministry purposes, I can always do that.
6. Wisely use email, texting and social media. For example, I quickly delete and unsubscribe to emails I don’t need. I respond to every email I receive, but the response will likely be concise. As much as possible, I use my phone to call somebody rather than go back and forth with emails and texts. Except for tweets about my blog posts, I simply avoid social media as much as I can—and as far as I can tell, I’m not missing much.
7. Do quickly anything I can do quickly. If I can resolve an issue with a quick phone call, I do it. If I need to sign a paper, I do it then. If I need to have a conversation/meeting with a staff member, I do it as soon as possible. Anything I delay doing when I could do it now only increases the stack of things I need to do—and that’s not good time management.
I’m blessed to serve in various roles, and I love each of them. But, that fact also means I’m busy. If I don’t manage my time well, I quickly find myself in trouble. Here are some things I do, though, that help me: This article was originally published on
