Churches in the Pacific impacting the world
March 2015
Vol. 45, No. 2
BAPTIST A primer on the SBC’s Cooperative Program
in this issue WMU Annual Meeting See a reacp of the meeting in Honolulu. Page 5
By Chris Martin
Hawaii. Waipio Community Church provided an apartment and a van for their use. The Hawaii Woman’s Missionary Union asked churches to sew toiletry bags and collect items for the bags. The Oahu Baptist Network provided TagalogEnglish Bibles. The Hawaii Chinese Baptist Church provided a room to have Bible studies and a place for fellowship. After the Evans’ arrived, the boats were contacted and one of the first needs was a home-cooked meal. Many of the fishermen are Filipino so it was natural to provide Filipino dishes. Stella Saludez, wife of Pastor Jerry Saludez, is well known for her Filipino cooking and the meals they served were
As Southern Baptists, we are often asked by those outside the denomination, “What is the Southern Baptist Convention?” That question brings many differing answers, usually depending upon the experience of the responder. Some may say that we are Biblically-based, while some may say that we are missional. Other responses may center around a common confession of faith. All of these are true, but probably the strongest factor remains the Cooperative Program. If you are not aware of what the CP is, you are not alone. The fact remains that many of our churches and pastors have little or no understanding of what the CP is or how is works for us all. With that in mind, join me in a quick CP lesson. According to sbc.net, “The Cooperative Program is Southern Baptists’ unified plan of giving through which cooperating Southern Baptist churches give a percentage of their undesignated receipts in support of their respective state convention and the Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministries.” That means that without requiring any church to give, Southern Baptist churches voluntarily give a portion of their weekly offerings to cooperatively support work throughout the convention and the world. In 2013 giving amounted to an amazing total of over $482 million dollars. Through a very unique birth, the CP was designed against the odds. From www.sbc.net: “In 1919, the leaders of the SBC proposed the 75 Million Campaign, a five-year pledge campaign that, for the first time, included everything - the missions and ministries of all the state conventions as well as that of the Southern Baptist Convention. Though falling short of its goals, a Godgiven partnership of missions support was conceived: The Cooperative Program. Since its launch in 1925, the effectiveness of the Cooperative Program has been dependent upon individuals, churches, state conventions, and SBC entities cooperating, working toward a common goal of sharing the gospel with every person on the planet.” In an unbelievable way, cooperative work is
See SEAFARER..Page 3
See COOPERATIVE PROGRAM..Page 3
New IMB strategy, structure IMB President David Platt lays out the new plan. Page 9 SBC Presidents send letter to Obama Ronnie Floyd and other former presidents encourage taking action against ISIS. Page 11
Seafarer’s Ministry begins in Honolulu By Faith McFatridge
Chris Evans and his wife, Judy, arrived in January to begin a new ministry to the ports in Honolulu. They immediately set out to introduce themselves to the workers on the boats at Pier 38. Pastor Jerry Saludez of Waipio Community Church accompanied them since they found many of the fishermen were Filipino. Pastor Saludez and his wife, Stella, had an instant connection with the fishermen. They have provided meals, clothes, and other necessities for the workers. Chris Evans is no stranger to the seafarer’s ministry. He and Judy served at the Seafarer’s Center in American Samoa for more than two years and his reports were filled with
connecting with the fishermen from different countries and leading them to a faith in Jesus. His vision was to evangelize the men and help them to reach the other workers as they were on the boat. As they visited Honolulu, Chris became burdened for the hundreds of ships and boats in Honolulu Harbor. After two years of wading through the visa process and North American Mission Board applications, the Evans’ arrived ready to begin this new ministry. Preparation for this ministry began months before with Waikiki Baptist Church sponsoring the Seafarer’s Ministry. Pastor Andrew Large and his staff also took on the responsibility of securing the visas for the Evans’ to work in
A Gathering to remember By Amber Nunn Kahn
Moving? See page 2 (0401)
Over one hundred college students living on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii, The Big Island,’ came together Feb. 20-22, to attend the Hawaii Baptist Collegiate Ministries’ annual event known as The Gathering. This year’s event theme was “Live Big” and was hosted by BCM Hilo at Kilauea Military Camp located in the world famous Volcanoes National Park. Guest speakers included
Gus Hernandez, Jr., with Darrell and Teresa McCain. Hernandez, who currently serves as the college Pastor at Christ Fellowship Miami and Florida International University BCM, encouraged students to go out and make disciples through a three day course. He provided students with the tools to successfully evangelize to any one by focusing on God’s plan, living beyond earthly standards, See GATHERING..Page 4
The Gathering was held on the Big Island of Hawaii at Kilauea Military Camp in February with about a 100 students and leaders attending the three-day camp.