November 4, 2013 Illinois Baptist

Sallateeska upgrades under way

Improvements include larger dining hall

By Meredith Flynn

P i n c k n e y v i l l e | Lake Sallateeska is under construction. In a few months, the dining hall expansion will be complete, as will a new camp store and game room And camp manager Philip Hall and his staff, assisted by volunteers, will start work on their next project: putting a new front on the chapel

But even during the renovations, it’s life as usual at the camp Lake Sallateeska is fully functioning as IBSA’s camp in southern Illinois, going “100 miles an hour,” Hall said “We’ve got to finish [the projects] and keep everything step-by-step and stage-by-stage, so our ongoing camp use can keep going and not be hindered ”

Lake Sallateeska hosted 5,256 people in 2012, an increase over the previous year But some of its facilities needed to be updated, repaired or expanded The camp staff and Hall, who owned a construction business before coming to Sallateeska, have partnered with Campers on Mission and Illinois Changers over the past several months to paint, frame buildings, and put on new roofs

Campers on Mission made their annual fall work trip to Sallateeska,

Continued on page 6

Debaters rally in Lincoln’s shadow

By Lisa Sergent

S p r i n g f i e l d | Voices for and against same-sex marriage in Illinois gathered for separate rallies at the Capitol in late October, as legislators returned for their veto session

The rallies shared some similarities.

At the “March on Springfield for Marriage Equality,” advocates for same-sex marriage gathered Oct 22 in the shadow of the Abraham Lincoln statue on the Capitol’s grounds The following day, advocates for traditional marriage stood in the same shadow to participate in the Illinois Family Institute’s “Defend Marriage Lobby Day ”

Speakers on both sides of the issue claimed the support of Lincoln for their present-day cause, and their rallies were similar in size with 3,000 to 4,000 participants each But the similarities ended there

The March on Springfield had the

support of many elected leaders U S Senator Dick Durbin, Gov Pat Quinn, Lt Gov Shelia Simon, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka and Sec of State Jessie White all spoke in support of SB10, the “Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act ”

Wednesday’s rally didn’t quite have the political clout of Tuesday’s, but it did feature State Sen Jim Oberweis

Continued on page 2

IBSA Annual Meeting

Messengers to vote on marriage resolution

Springfield | Cultural issues, including the much-debated same-sex marriage legislation pending in Illinois, will be before messengers to the IBSA Annual Meeting in Springfield The Resolutions and Christian Life Committee plans to present resolutions on marriage, human exploitation and gaming expansion, as well as a resolution recognizing the 125th anniversary of Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU)

Wes Hahn, chairman of the committee and pastor of Shiloh Baptist in Bridgeport, believes the resolutions presented and passed by messengers give a stronger voice to their beliefs as Baptists “In general, resolutions, even though they are non-binding, they give us as Southern Baptists and Illinois Baptists the important opportunity to honor Christ and speak to the good and ill in our culture

Continued on page 2

SIGN-ING UP – Traditional marriage advocates gather for an Oct 23 rally sponsored by the Illinois Family Institute

BAPTIST BUILDERS – A group of Illinois Changers lifts what will soon be a wall in Lake Sallateeska's larger dining hall The students and their leaders partnered Oct 18-20 with camp manager Philip Hall and his staff to make progress on the expansion Photo by Mark Emerson

BRIEFING the

News updates every Tuesday at www ib2news org

GuideStone sues over mandate

GuideStone Financial Resources has joine a long list of organizations suing the feder government over the abortion/contraceptiv mandate in President Obama’s healthcare form package The mandate requires e ployers to cover abortion-inducing drugs in their employee health care plans

“We reluctantly take this step because we are committed to protecting the unborn and preserving the religious freedom that is guaranteed under the laws of this nation,” said GuideStone President O

S Hawkins (above)

Task force addresses baptism decline

A group of leaders assembled by the North American Mission Board will meet over the next few months to discuss the decline in baptisms across the Southern Baptist Convention “Our baptismal trends are all headed in the wrong direction,” NAMB’s vice president for evangelism, Al Gilbert, told Baptist Press Southern Baptist churches baptized fewer than 315,000 people last year, the first time baptisms dropped below that number since 1948

The group of 15 pastors and leaders from Southern Baptist entities hopes to finish their work next May

Graham wants to leave them with truth

More than 25,000 churches have signed up to take part in Billy Graham’s My Hope America, believed to be the evangelist’s last public sermon My Hope asks Christians to invite nonbelievers into their homes and churches to watch Graham, 95, preach a message that will be broadcast Nov 7-10 on various outlets A billboard promoting Fox News’ broadcast of the event went up in Times Square in mid-October, featuring Graham’s face and a quote: “With all my heart, I want to leave you with truth ”

Mohler bridges divide at BYU

Christians and Mormons “inhabit separate and irreconcilable theological worlds,” Al Mohler told an audience at Brigham Young University But the Southern Seminary president added the two groups should work together to address threats to religious liberty, Baptist Press reports

We are living in the shadow of a moral revolution that we commonly believe will have grave and devastating human consequences,” Mohler said in his lecture, part of the Mormon university’s “Faith, Family and Society” series Christians and Mormons must together “push back against this age as hard as it is pressing against us,” Mohler said

Life is complicated, most say

Two-thirds of all adults say life is getting more complicated, and 71% of evangelicals agree

The findings by Barna may indicate evangelicals and Catholics – 71% of whom also agreed – are recognizing “a growing disparity between the rhythms and values of thei faith and the demands of a rapidly changing culture,” the researchers analyzed

– Baptist Press BillyGraham org Barna org

The BIG Pic ture

Rallies at the Capitol

Continued from page 1

(R-Sugar Grove) and two gubernatorial candidates - Mark Dillard and Bill Brady, both Republican State Senators. Pastors from several Christian denominations also were present

Two Illinois Southern Baptist pastors spoke during the morning’s prayer rally – Danny Holliday from Victory Baptist in Alton, and Mike Henderson from First Baptist, Springfield Holliday prayed for understanding. “Lord God, we are not here because we are against people You teach us in Your

Word we are to love everybody You teach us to love even our enemies if we have any We don’t hate folk.” He also asked God to bless and touch the hearts of the state representatives Henderson prayed for God’s Word to be upheld “ Help it, Lord, to be hidden deep within our hearts and within our souls Help us to stand for it no matter what resistance may try to come up against us, because we know, Lord, that You’ve already won the battle ”

Another Illinois Baptist, Larry Trotter, pastor of Sweet Holy Spirit Baptist in Chicago, spoke later when the rally moved inside the rotunda The fall veto session is just two weeks long While many supporters of SB10 are urging representatives to vote on the bill during the session, it is not expected to be called for a vote this year

Same-sex marriage is legal in 14 U.S. states and the District of Columbia

Meeting resolutions focus on culture issues

Continued from page 1

“We are trying to be the salt and light in a dying culture and if we don’t raise the light, who will?”

The issue of same-sex marriage has been debated across the nation and in Illinois, where the Senate passed a bill legalizing such marriages earlier this year and the House is being urged to follow In response, the committee will present The Resolution on the Preservation of Biblical Marriage and Affirmation of Religious Liberty of Illinois Churches and Faithbased Organizations

The measure calls on ‘’all courts, legislators, and elected officials to affirm the religious liberty of local congregations and faith-based organizations to operate in accordance with their theological principles” which are guaranteed by the U S Constitution’s First Amendment

Another resolution, The Resolution Regarding Human Exploitation, addresses human

trafficking and pornography, which has been a major focus of WMU in recent years It touches on six areas: bullying, pornography, labor trafficking, sex trafficking, media exploitation of families and children, and the exploitation of natural resources for personal gain

The resolutions are available online at www IBSA org/ meeting2013 Messengers may submit proposed resolutions to Hahn at pastorwjh1961@ hotmail com or to IBSA at SandyBarnard@IBSA org

Meeting details

IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams and several guests will explore the “Mission Illinois” theme throughout the meeting, and especially during the Wednesday night session Gary Frost, the North American Mission Board’s Midwest VP, will issue the evening’s challenge, and IBSA’s Van

Kicklighter will interview Illinois church planters NAMB President Kevin Ezell was previously advertised to appear but had to cancel due to a scheduling conflict

The Hilton Springfield is located at 700 E Adams Street The meeting begins at 1:30 p m Wednesday and will conclude at 11:30 a m Thursday

Online pre-registration closes Nov. 4 at 4:30 p.m., but messengers may register in person with a signed messenger card Churches may e-mail Carole Doom@IBSA org or call (217) 391-3113 to request blank messenger cards or for registration assistance

Childcare will be provided by IBSA Disaster Relief childcare volunteers during Pastors’ Conference and Annual Meeting sessions To pre-register, call (217) 391-3111

For additional IBSA Annual Meeting information, visit www IBSA org/meeting2013

BACK IN SESSION – While Illinois legislators met inside for their fall veto session, proponents of a biblical definition of marriage prayed that lawmakers won't vote to legalize same-sex marriage Photo by Meredith Flynn

mission illinois

2013 IBSA Annual Meeting Schedule

Led by Mike Harland, director of LifeWay Worship

See Capital City

Downtown Springfield, Ill , will play host to this year’s IBSA Annual Meeting and Pastors’ Conference, marking the first time since 2007 that messengers and visitors have gathered in the heart of the city’s historic area Use this page as a guide to the Annual Meeting, and a tip sheet for what to do, see, and eat when you’re not in session

Leadership development will be one highlight of Adams’ report; for a preview, see page 4

“Families Worth

Fighting For” is the theme of BCHFS’ report, and their ministry in 2014

Jonathan Peters will preach on “God calls for the question” out of the book of Jonah “I’ll preach the whole book –backwards,” he says

IBSA will host a dessert reception following the Wednesday evening session Don’t miss this chance to meet Illinois church planters

Watch for three theme interpretations during the meeting: 1 Churches, 2 Together, and 3 Advancing the Gospel.

This annual offering assists pastors facing unexpected transitions

Featuring Les, Chris and Brent Snyder, also known as Sons of the Father The trio of musical evangelists from West Frankfort, Ill , has been ministering across the country since 1989

For a full list of churches that applied for affiliation this year, see page 9

Highlighting church planting, the evening session will feature interviews with Illinois planters and a charge from Gary Frost, the North American’s Mission Board’s Midwest vice president

The committee will present resolutions on same-sex marriage, human exploitation, gaming, and in appreciation of Woman’s Missionary Union For more, see page 1

Reports from NAMB, the SBC Executive Committee, LifeWay, GuideStone, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Illinois WMU, and the International Mission Board, co-presented by former IBSA church planting strategist James Herron

IBSA Pastors’ Conference | Nov. 12-13

Tuesday, November 12

12:50 General Session

Chuck Kelley Leading through Disaster

Bobby Boyles Leading toward Growth

Micah Fries Leading in the Current Cultural Context

Jay Strother Leading Your Family

3:30 Panel Discussions

Panel 1: How do I lead my church to engage the culture?

Panel 2: How do I lead my church through transition?

4:45 Adjourn for dinner break

6:50 General Session

Eric Mason Biblical Leadership

Jerry Cain Leaders Calling Out the Called

Bobby Boyles Leading Something New

*IBSA Reception to follow

Wednesday, November 13

8:50 General Session

Election of Officers

Bivocational Pastor of the Year Award

Eric Mason Leading Men to Lead

Jay Strother Leading through Uncertainty

10:15 Panel Discussions

Panel 1: How can I lead my church to help start churches?

Panel 2: What are the biggest challenges facing the church today?

11:15 Worship and Offering

11:25 Chuck Kelley Leading the Next Generation

12:00 Time of Commitment and Prayer

Music in each session will be led by JourneyWorship Attenders also will have opportunities to give to the annual Pastors’ Conference offering

Land of Lincoln ringfield is home to Abraham ncoln’s family home, law office d tomb, along with the highly mative Presidential Library useum Messengers to the nual Meeting receive admission for a discounted price of $7 when they show their name badge at the museum, located at 212 N 6th St

We recommend it: The museum tells the story of Lincoln’s presidency through innovative exhibits that are kid-friendly too, although the lurking wax figure of John Wilkes Booth is scary no matter how old you are

Under the (red) dome

Take a quick walk through or around Illinois’ Old State Capitol near 6th and Washington Streets

Architectural digest

He’s definitely our biggest local celebrity, but Springfield boasts non-Lincoln attractions too Check out the Dana-Thomas House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, at 301 E Lawrence Ave

Good eats

Horseshoe: A Springfield delicacy

It’s a piece of toast topped with French fries and the meat of your choice, then drowned in cheese sauce The secret’s in the cheese; every place has their own secret recipe Even the local Steak ‘n Shake has a version

Now that’s a pancake

In a Quonset hut at 700 North Street, Charlie Parker’s serves diner food – including platesized pancakes – from 6 a m to 2 p m

Puppy love

Get your kicks at the Cozy Dog Drive-In on historic Route 66 Believed by some to be where the modern-day hotdog on a stick got its start, the first Cozy Dogs were sold in Springfield in 1946

Also meeting in Springfield

Young leaders will gather at Gallina’s Pizza (432 East Monroe Street) following the IBSA reception Tuesday evening IBSA’s Tim Sadler will join Chad Williams, minister to youth at Tabernacle Baptist in Decatur, and Steven Helfrich, planter of The Bridge Church in Godfrey, to present short talks on leadership development, followed by a Q&A Pastor’s wife Lynda Locke will share her testimony at the Ministers’ Wives’ Conference and Luncheon at the IBSA Building

Begins at 9 a m Wednesday

Directors of Missions and other invited associational leaders will hold their annual breakfast Thursday at 7 a m at the Hilton Judson University President Gene Crume will share a brief devotion Church planters, their spouses, and sponsoring churches also will breakfast at the Hilton Thursday morning, beginning at 7 a m RSVP by November 6 to EstherEggley@IBSA org

ILLINOIS BAPTIST

Nate Adams

Doug Devore

Doug Morrow

Tim Lewis, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Troy, Ill

Boyles

Strother Kelley

Fries

Cain

Mason

The Pastor as Servant Leader • Acts 20:28

Listen for updates on BFI’s bond program, estate planning assistance, and the new Life Stewardship Navigator tool

Nate Adams

I want you to know

pportunities for our entire Illinois Baptist family of churches to be together at once are all too rare But the IBSA Annual Meeting each November is one of those precious opportunities. This year the meeting returns to the downtown Springfield Hilton for the first time since our 100th anniversary meeting in 2007 I hope to see you there November 13-14, or perhaps earlier at the Pastors’ Conference or one of the other related gatherings

But in case you can’t come, let me preview some highlights of the information that I plan to share during that meeting

I want you to know that Illinois Baptists are going into their Acts 1:8 mission fields in dramatically increased numbers After several years of our churches reporting around 20,000 missions volunteers, last year churches reported more than 27,000 volunteers, a 34% increase! And there is no indication of that rate slowing down this year

I want you to know that 28 new h h were planted across our state last through August of this year at leas have been planted During our W night worship session at the Ann ing we will be hearing from seven creative and hard-working plante you will be able to meet them others in person during a dessert re ception following the session

Dr Gary Frost of the North American Mission Board will bring a challenging message that

Pray through the news

Pray for the requests below and pass them along to your pastor or prayer leader to use as a guide for weekly prayer meeting, Sunday School classes or fellowship groups:

– Lake Sallateeska, page 6

– Remember the Week of Prayer for International Mission, pages 7-8

Prayer prompts are provided by Phil Miglioratti, IBSA’s prayer consultant Contact him at phil@missionamerica org

The ILLINOIS BAPTIST Staff

For questions about subscript ons, articles, or upcoming events, contact the Illinois Baptist at (217) 391-3110 or IllinoisBaptist@IBSA org

POSTMASTER: The Il inois Baptist is owned and published b weekly, Jan , March, May, July-Sept , Nov ; monthly in Feb , April, June, Oct and Dec , by the Illinois Baptist State Association, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Spr ngfield, Il inois 62703-4440 Subscript ons are free to I linois Bapt sts Subscribe online at IBSA org

evening, and you will also meet Dr Gene Crume, Judson University’s new president, and hear about an exciting new church planting partnership we are working on together in Chicagoland.

I want you to know that our dedicated staff continues to crisscross the state helping churches, and that through September they have already delivered 17,000 trainings in strategic ministry and mission skills to IBSA church leaders and workers Baptisms in IBSA churches were up over 2% last year, and the continued momentum of evangelism strategies like “Choose2” give us hope of another increase when all the 2013 Annual Church Profiles are tabulated

Finally, in case you can’t come to the Annual Meeting, I want you to know that the IBSA Board is exploring the option of acquiring a new property in Springfield, a retreat-like facility devoted to leadership development and pastoral renewal You can read more about that possibility in this issue of the Illii Baptist, and there will be additional informan on www IBSA org

Last year when the IBSA Board was exploring is possibility, I invited feedback, both positive nd cautionary, from IBSA churches The re-

sponses were relatively few, but were favorable toward the idea by about a two-to-one margin

The cautionary and even negative responses were just as helpful as the supportive and enthusiastic ones, however They helped lead me to recommend to the IBSA Board that we not make an offer on the property unless or until we had the cash in hand to acquire it, even though that probably meant missing the opportunity And they helped me discover some concerns about developing our camp properties that I felt could be addressed in time

To my surprise, the potential leadership center property we looked at last year is still available, now at a further reduced price That doesn’t necessarily mean we should acquire it In fact, I’ve been praying that someone else would, if it’s not God’s best for IBSA churches. But the IBSA Board and I believe it’s in our best interest to at least explore the option again, because leadership development and renewal among pastors and church leaders is such a strategic need, and we think this property might play a role in meeting that need

So please let me hear from you again, certainly if you support the idea, because often we leave positive feedback unexpressed But if you have cautions about the idea, please patiently express them as well Either way, I want you to know I’m listening. And I hope to see you soon

Nate Adams is executive director of the Illinois Baptist State Association Respond to his column at IllinoisBaptist@IBSA org

What message are we sending?

More than a decade ago, in a University of Illinois graduate school class, I was asked by classmates why “Southern Baptists hate gay people ”

The semester had just begun and our professor had asked each of us to introduce ourselves and tell the class where we worked When I said I worked for the Illinois Baptist State Association, the questions came quickly. I explained we didn’t hate gay people, just as we didn’t hate people for overeating or committing other sins It’s their behavior we can’t condone, not them

I remembered that conversation while covering the “Defend Marriage Rally” organized by the Illinois Family Institute last month One of the first things I noticed when I arrived at the rally was a man carrying a large cross with the words, “God Abhors Civil Unions,” written across it I immediately knew what image would appear in all the media coverage of the event It definitely made for an attention-grabbing photo

I watched the man, who I later learned is a pastor in another denomination, waiting for him to turn the cross around so I could read what was written on the other side I soon saw the words, “He Loves Repentance,” a less jarring message for the secular culture that is most media’s audience

It reminded me of blog post I had recently read by LifeWay Research’s Ed Stetzer (see column at right) In the post, titled “Politics, Social

Media, and More Important Things,” Stetzer writes, “You can’t blurt at a people and reach a people at the same time This is true no matter how satisfying it feels to add your voice to the political rants on social media ”

His post, and the scene at the rally, made me think about how we as Christians who are Southern Baptists are perceived by the world We have given the world the impression that we hate homosexuals, and the way we present our message is often the reason we’re misunderstood

There is wisdom in the old saying, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar,” but the Bible gives even better advice: “But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head –

Christ ” (Ephesians 4:15, HCSB)

Paul is talking to the church at Ephesus about how to treat one another, but we’d be wise to apply his counsel to how we speak to people who come down on the opposite side of certain issues, like same-sex marriage We’re called to stand firm in God’s Word, while showing people Christ’s love and redemption as well As Christians, we can speak the truth in love because we are loved by God

I did watch the coverage of the rally on several different television channels and read the online news coverage The cross did make an appearance in most, but the words “He Loves Repentance” were nowhere to be seen

On political posts

“Constantly posting your opinions on political issues to a variety of social media outlets creates a barrier you may have not considered, particularly when your friends and family read them,” blogs Ed Stetzer. “When you don’t have to look at someone’s face while sharing your thoughts, you won’t notice the wall that is being built between them and you.

“Yes, I am fully aware you have a right to your opinion, and the First Amendment to the U S Constitution ensures your freedom to state that opinion However, I am saying that it may be an appropriate missional decision to voluntarily restrict your own freedom to constantly blurt about politics in order to reach your neighbor who holds a different view

“Now, there are times to speak up, particularly when issues of justice are involved, but an endless stream of calling people fools or liars – people whom your neighbor voted for – just does not make sense for the Christian Unless, of course, you just want to preach to the choir and not reach the unchurched The end result is another stumbling block for those we are trying to reach ”

Ed Stetzer is president of LifeWay Research

Here are some previews of my report to the IBSA Annual Meeting

Voices

Does your church need a diet?

By Thom Rainer

Most churches – more than eight out of ten – are busy Too busy These churches need to slim down their plethora of programs, activities, and ministries They need to go a busyness diet

Unfortunately, many church leaders equate activities with godliness or ministry fruitfulness For certain, churches must have some clear plan of discipleship for their members Sadly, some of the busiest churches actually diminish discipleship fruitfulness And ceasing certain activities in the church can be extremely hard You can run into sacred cows and favored ministries Still, most churches should pursue a busyness diet for at least seven reasons

1 Excessive activities can actually preclude members from growing spiritually. I actually interviewed one church member who said he didn’t have time to read his Bible He was worn out almost every day from church activities

2 A church that is too busy rarely evaluates the effectiveness of its activities. Leaders often erroneously presume that the busyness is a sign of fruitfulness.

3. Activity-focused churches are often inwardly focused Those ministries are typically for the members and are rarely evangelistic or community focused

4 A busy church can hurt families

Many churches have different activities for children, students, and adults on

multiple days of the week Family members rarely have time together

5 Activity-focused churches can cause member burnout. When a member burns out, he or she then drops out

6 It is difficult for a church to do a few things well when it does too many things Quantity thus replaces quality, and the most vital ministries suffer

7. Busy churches often lack vision clarity Because these churches are going in so many directions, members are confused about the priorities and vision of the church

Try this exercise. List every ministry, program, or class that your church offers in a year If the list is exceedingly long, see if just a few can be eliminated without much pain Then, before you add anything else to the activities of your church, make a commitment to eliminate two existing activities

Admittedly, busyness diets are not always easy or pleasant But they can make the difference between a busy church and a fruitful church

This article was originally published at www ThomRainer com on Oct 14, 2013 Thom S Rainer serves as president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources

Table Talk: Theology, ministry, and things that matter

“Every worship service has a different personality... Sadly this Sunday it’s Eddie ”

Just after President Obama signed a bill to end the government shutdown, The Washington Post and ABC News asked Americans: How satisfied are you with the way this country’s political system is working?

2% 1%

Mostly dissatisfied

Mostly satisfied

Very satisfied

No opinion

How God used fasting in my life and my church

By Michael Allen

Editor ’ s note: Check with your doctor before beginning any kind of fast

Forty days without food sounds extraordinary to most of us Who can live without food for that long? You might hurt yourself; you might even die

But after 40 days without food, I’m sure the discipline of fasting is part of God’s design for those who know Him And it’s necessary if we’re going to see revival in our churches, our state, our country, and our world

Last fall, I sensed God moving me toward fasting Our church was in the middle of a capital campaign – Project Elevate – to make the building accessible for the 3,000 wheelchairbound people in our immediate vicinity We had a clear vision: Enabling the disabled to see and hear Jesus at Uptown Baptist Church But we only had about 20% of what we needed to add an elevator to the building, and I was very discouraged

But I began to sense God saying, “Michael, if you want something you’ve never had before, you’ve got to do something you’ve never done

before ” I felt like God wanted me to do a 40-day fast and trust Him with the results I told my congregation so they could fast and pray along with me

Around that same time, the nationwide crime statistics were released, and Chicago was named the “murder capital of the U S ” after a particularly violent year Our city became another focus of the fast, and some sister churches in our neighborhood joined in

On January 2, 2013, I stepped out to do something I’d never done

I engaged in a complete food fast, drinking only liquids – water, juices, coffee and tea In the evening, I heated up a bowl of V8 and drank it like soup. After day four or five, the light-headedness went away, I stopped feeling the hunger pangs, and I was really able to focus

What I found is that your body actually feels better when you’re fasting, at least after those initial few days Your mind is clearer and alert, and you’re calmer My prayer habits changed too My normal mode of prayer is to pray silently, but during the fast, I felt the Lord prompting me to pray out loud Throughout the fast,

I had a greater expectation of God answering my prayers, and a greater closeness and communion with Him

I saw Him work in our church too A few days after I started the fast, Uptown received an anonymous donation that put us over the halfway mark in our capital campaign

When new crime statistics were released early in the year, we rejoiced that gun crime was down 90% in our community, and had decreased all over the city The numbers rose in the summer, as they often do, and you may have read recently about a driveby shooting near our church steps A few weeks after the Aug 19 shooting, there was another incidence of violence a block away Both were too close to home.

But our church has responded

So far in 2013, we have received more people in membership and baptized more than we have in any of the eight years I’ve been pastor at Uptown We’re seeing God add to the church in greater numbers than we’ve ever seen before

Throughout the fast, I found myself personally renewed as well I noticed I had a hyper-sensitivity to the Word of God and the work of God

around me I tended to listen more carefully to situations that came to my attention, whether it was dealing with my children, my wife, our extended family, or issues that came up in the church

There was a sense of incredible peace and objectivity to listen, to analyze, to empathize, and to respond with wise counsel or with whatever was appropriate for the moment

There wasn’t the usual anxiety or exhaustion that sometimes comes from dealing with those things I felt like I was responding in the Spirit and not in the flesh

Fasting isn’t a magic formula to fix whatever ’s ailing you, your church or your city It doesn’t ensure financial favor or less violence or personal happiness But it does create more time margin for you to pray and seek God, for who He is and what He would have you do And He’s faithful to provide

Michael

Allen is pastor of Uptown Baptist Church in Chicago

Camp improvement projects all done by staff, volunteers

Continued from page 1

helping Hall frame the new camp store and game room Illinois Changers brought 50 students and leaders to the camp in October, raising walls that will enlarge the dining hall and almost double its capacity Hall said the camp currently can seat 120 for meals; the expansion will allow them to seat 220

“By increasing the size of the dining hall, we can actually feed as many people as we can sleep,” said IBSA’s Melissa Phillips, who, as leader of the business team, supervises camp operations from Springfield The larger dining space will alleviate the need to feed groups in shifts

“Making this kind of investment at Lake Sallateeska is a strategic improvement that is necessary,” Phillips said about the expansion

The IBSA Board in September approved the formation of an ad hoc committee to study the role of IBSA’s properties in the organization’s leadership development goal The committee is exploring the possibility of a leadership center near the IBSA Building in Springfield (see Q&A below), as well as how Lake Sallateeska and Streator Baptist Camps can be used to provide training for leaders

Scott Slone, associate pastor of First Baptist in Elkville, is working with IBSA’s missions team to develop focused training opportunities to be offered at Lake Sallateeska

The camp also continues to offer missions training and education, said Mark Emerson. “It is a missions training center,” said the leader of IBSA’s missions team “Children, students and adults can come and not only learn about missions, but also experience hands-on missions ” And for those who grew up going to camp at Lake Sallateeska, time at the camp now lets them reflect on how they’ve seen God work there

Emerson recalled a moment at last year ’s Father/Son Camp at Sallateeska, when a dad walked over to a

place in the middle of the auditorium

He told Emerson at that spot, he had given his heart to Jesus years ago

He represents thousands who have

been moved to greater faithfulness at the camp The walls going up now ensure many more will be so moved in the future

IBSA Board considers Springfield property for leadership center

Editor ’ s note: During its September 10 meeting, the IBSA Board authorized Executive Director Nate Adams to work with a Board ad hoc committee to explore the potential acquisition of property in or near Springfield that could be used as a leadership development facility Adams provided these “frequently asked questions” and answers about a possible leadership center in Springfield:

Q: What is especially unique or attractive about this property?

A: I think it’s a combination of the retreat-like setting, the quality meeting and sleeping accommodations, the recently reduced price that wouldn’t require borrowing, and especially the nearby location that would enable our IBSA staff to serve pastors and churches there regularly It’s a large, 9,000 square foot home on 30 acres that include a threeacre stocked pond, beautiful gardens and landscaping, and wooded areas With modest renovation, it could offer six or seven private bedrooms, and of course sleep two to four times that number when accommodating couples, or men’s or women’s groups

A beautiful large meeting room overlooks the pond, and there are multiple sitting areas for small groups In fact, groups as large as 40 or 50 could meet indoors there during the day, with additional overnight accommodations at nearby hotels.

Q: What would acquiring this property mean for further development of IBSA’s camps?

Q: Are there reasons to consider not acquiring a new facility?

A: While we anticipate having the funds on hand by the end of the year to consider the acquisition without borrowing, the Board needs to carefully evaluate whether a leadership development center is the highest priority for those funds They also need to evaluate whether we have the plans and capacity to operate a center like this effectively, and how much IBSA churches would value it

Q: How will you and the IBSA Board go about seeking guidance for this decision?

Q: The Board discussed the subject last year What led them to further explore this potential acquisition?

A: For some time now, the Strategic Planning Committee of the IBSA Board has been discussing the need for a more intentional leadership development strategy for pastors and church leaders, one that is spiritual and relational, and designed to go beyond traditional church program training Pastor stress and burnout were also concerns.

During those ongoing strategy discussions, a unique property (photo above) became available that is only a mile and a half from the IBSA Building, close enough for our staff to be regularly available to it We began discussing whether that retreat-like setting could fit the needed leadership development strategy, and also provide a much-needed solace for dozens if not hundreds of pastors each year The timing and financing didn’t seem right last year, but the property is now available at a further reduced price, and the Board decided it would be in the strategic interest of IBSA churches to look at it again

A: The IBSA Board asked the ad hoc committee and me to explore this new property as part of a complementary strategy that includes the current IBSA Building and the Lake Sallateeska and Streator Baptist Camp properties IBSA’s recent investment of more than $120,000 in Lake Sallateeska’s dining hall expansion, and in other core building improvements, demonstrates the commitment to that camp ministry

The challenge with considering capital improvements at Streator is that only 30 to 40 of our IBSA churches are currently using it each year Physical improvements to the camps have to be considered in light of their usage by churches, and weighed against other needs that might increase that usage, such as promotion or program development

That being said, a potential leadership center in Springfield would not diminish IBSA’s commitment to its camps Each of these properties would be used in different ways for different purposes, and usually by different groups Yet all would be beneficial to IBSA churches

A: Of course we are praying In fact, I have been asking God about this property regularly for almost two years, as I drive by it on my way to the office In addition, the Board ad hoc committee has created a 2page outline of due diligence factors to be included in our report to the full Board These include an appraisal, inspections, an operating plan, a ministry plan, potential donor interest, relationship to other IBSA properties, etc At the upcoming IBSA Annual Meeting, we will have a table in the exhibit area with information about the opportunity, and where people can ask questions and give input Of course the Board and I welcome input by e-mail, letter, or phone at any time

Q: What are the next steps?

A: The ad hoc committee will continue its work under 2013 chairman Duncan Locke (Lincoln Ave , Jacksonville) and 2014 chairman Chip Faulkner (FBC, Bethalto), probably into early next year The property has other interested buyers, and it’s been my prayer that if this is not God’s best for IBSA churches that it will sell to someone else, and that if it is in His plans for us that He will preserve it and provide it in His timing The ad hoc committee plans to bring a recommendation to the full Board no later than its March 4 meeting, but it could be earlier

Nate Adams may be reached at (217) 391-3108 or NateAdams@IBSA org

WORK ZONE – From the ground up, Philip Hall and his staff have worked with volunteer groups to expand Lake Sallateeska’s dining hall Hall expects the project to be completed by next spring

– Pray for the those who have been discipled at Lake Sallateeska over the years, that their faith would be renewed into ministry for the Lord

LOTTIE MOON ChRISTMAS OffERING AND WEEk Of PRAyER fOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

All in.

Gena Wilson could have chosen an easier place to live But the Southern Baptist missionary to Scotland moved into one of Glasgow’s roughest buildings, even though it was reserved for people living on the welfare system

“It’s an area that’s known for lower average life expectancy compared to the rest of Britain and Western Europe,” Wilson says “High teenage pregnancy, a lot of addiction It would be a common thing out of a hundred people we bump into, probably less than two would have a personal relationship with Jesus ”

There are easier places to live, but Wilson wanted to steer clear of what she calls “drive-through ministry ”

“Jesus never did that,” she says Rather, He engaged the misfits, the people in society nobody liked His grace and love in their lives transformed not just their circumstances, but the affections of their hearts, Wilson says She’s on a mission to see the same happen in Glasgow, to give all of herself so that her neighbors might come to know Christ

Wilson is one of the missionaries profiled in this year ’s Week of Prayer for International Missions, which coincides with the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering One hundred percent of the offering supports missionaries serving around the world through the Southern Baptist International Mission Board

The theme of the 2013 offering is “Totally His ” The Week of Prayer highlights eight missionaries or partnering churches who have given sacrificially of themselves and their resources to see the truth of Jesus Christ spread across the globe

“The significance of the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions, promoted each year in partnership with Woman’s Missionary Union, can only be understood in light of eternity,” said IMB President Tom Elliff, after last year ’s thirdhighest ever offering Southern Baptists gave $149.3 million to the 2012 Lottie Moon Offering But the goal was $175 million, the same total IMB is praying for this year

but now is not the time to retrench There has never been a greater time for missions than this ”

Southern Baptist missionaries are engaging 874 people groups with the Gospel, but 3,030 remain unreached and unengaged Those groups need someone willing to do whatever it takes to reach them.

Someone like Gena Wilson, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2011 After aggressive chemotherapy in the U S , she returned to Scotland, where she had many opportunities to share her hope in Christ “with believers and not-yet-believers ”

Hey, we know them!

Your gifts through the Lottie Moon Offering help support international missionaries who once called Illinois home

Before James Herron and his wife , Sonya, left Illinois to ser ve in Uganda, he was an IBSA church planting strategist James will share briefly about their work and the International Mission Board during the IBSA Annual Meeting this month (see page 3)

“People ask, ‘Why not lower the goal?’” Elliff told IMB trustees this year “The problem is not the goal; it’s not high enough

“We need to reach that goal just as a testimony of our awareness of the lostness of the world,” he said “I am grateful for every coin that has come, for every person that has sacrificed,

Meet Lottie Moon

Name: Charlotte Digges Moon, born in 1840 in Virginia

Early years: Lottie rebelled early but dedicated her life to Christ at 18 In 1861, she became one of the first women in the South to receive a master’s degree, and taught school in Kentucky, Georgia and Virginia

Calling: After her sister, Edmonia, was appointed as a missionary to China, Lottie followed her there She served 39 years, teaching in a girls’ school and sharing the Gospel with women and young ladies

Lottie’s letters: Moon used the written word to challenge Southern Baptists to go to China or give so that others could go One of her letters

“God’s goodness is not defined by my health,” she said “And my hope is not in the restoration of my body. But now I see that my hope is only in Him, it’s in Christ, it’s in God ”

Gina Wilson is facing a return of cancer Read more about how to pray for her on page 8 And go to www IMB org for videos about the missionaries featured during the Week of Prayer

spurred Southern Baptists’ first Christmas offering for international missions; the annual offering was officially named for her in 1918 Death: At age 72, Lottie died on a ship in Kobe, Japan, on Christmas Eve 1912 Her health failing, she was traveling to America for medical treatment

Quotable: “How many there are who imagine that because Jesus paid i all, the need pay nothing, forgetting th the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God

Michael and Wendi Young are also stateside right now, speaking and ministering all over Illinois before they travel back to Czech Republic next month In a recent prayer update , the Youngs celebrated the first baptisms at a new church in Brno, their countr y ’ s second largest city

In Central and Eastern Europe , Russell and Ingrid Woodbridge reach out to young people and college students with the message of Christ, and encourage them to share the Gospel too

Originally from Mar tinsville , Ill , D’Anna Shotts ser ves as librarian at the Baptist Theological Seminar y in Kaduna, Nigeria In a prayer newsletter over the summer, she praised God for her church, which star ted 14 years ago with 10 people and now includes thousands meeting in 1,200 groups across Nigeria

Jeff and Barbara Singerman ser ve in an area of western Africa where 77 people groups are unengaged with the Gospel.

The Week of Prayer is December 1-8.

TIME WELL SPENT – Gena Wilson, a missionary to Scotland serving through the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, ministers to school kids through school assemblies and relationship building

– From Baptist Press and IMB org

Day 1 Spain

Abraham Rios, (above) of Seville, Spain, is grateful for the work of Southern Baptists Believers who were willing to be totally obedient pointed him to the Savior

First, an International World Changers team asked him to participate in a spiritual survey on his college campus Then, shortterm worker Yasmin Vila Limo followed up and found that Abraham was seeking the truth Next, missionary Martha Moore stepped in to disciple him and get him involved in Connexxion, a student evangelism ministry

Abraham became close friends with Christians and began attending a church plant Friends celebrated his profession of faith and baptism in 2011 Today, he leads the Seville Connexxion team and is partnering with missionaries to reach Seville with the Gospel

Pray for Abraham to be bold and wise in a culture that does not recognize a need for God

Pray for Mar tha, who now ser ves in Germany, and the growth of Connexxion in Western Europe

Day 2 Japan & Paraguay

Tim and Iracema Kunkel were new missionaries to Uruguay when doctors diagnosed their son, Steven, (above) with autism nearly 20 years ago

“Let’s just pack up and go home,” Tim recalls thinking

But the Kunkels stayed, serving God with their three children And Steven made amazing progress He accepted Christ and, at age 15, felt called to Japan Later, the Kunkels transferred to Paraguay, where many Japanese immigrants live

“A lot of what God’s had us doing on the missions field [wasn’t] so much about us as missionaries,” says Iracema, a native Brazilian “It was about Steven God was [putting the] puzzle pieces in place so this autistic child could grow up to be a missionary ”

Pray many lost people in Japan will accept Christ through Steven’s testimony Ask God to lead Tim and Iracema to key Paraguayan believers to train and mobilize for missions

Day 3 Madagascar

Located off Africa’s east coast, Madagascar is home to 110,000 Deaf, less than 1% Christian There may be a “veneer of Christianity,” says Matt Spann, who leads IMB’s Madagascar team, “but, in fact, they fear their ancestors more than they fear God ”

Warren Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia, hopes to change that The church has embraced the Deaf Malagasy of Madagascar and anticipates sending multiple teams to the island nation every year Spann is helping them navigate cultural nuances and church-planting pitfalls, plus providing logistical support for incoming teams

“There was no doubt that this is where God was leading us,” says Roger Henderson, the church’s missions pastor “This is a testimony that God can use anybody when you are willing to follow His leading ”

Pray that Warren Baptist Church members will quickly learn Malagasy sign and be effective as His hear t, hands and voice in reaching the Deaf of Madagascar

Day 4 South Asia

There was little in life to predict that Cebrián Bolívar* would one day become a missionary in one of South Asia’s most populated cities He grew up on a farm high in South America’s Andes Mountains where his parents and siblings still scratch a living from the soil

But that was before he met Sam Cordell,* a Southern Baptist missionary with a plan In less than a decade, he trained a cadre of Quichua Indian believers to range the scattered mountain villages of their people, planting churches And Cebrián was one of the best; he planted 26

When Sam announced he was leaving South America for Asia, Cebrián asked if he could go with him

You have always told us to reach out beyond ourselves, he said Sam agreed

Pray that through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, more workers like Sam can be sent to train cross-cultural leaders like Cebrián Pray for churches to be planted in South Asia

Day 5 Scotland

The Scotland tour bus doesn’t stop in Gena’s neighborhood The concrete buildings and dirty streets stand in stark contrast to the country’s rolling green hills and tall stone castles

The beauty isn’t too far from her flat, but missionary Gena Wilson, (above) chooses to live in an area of Glasgow she describes as “urban-deprived ” She also calls it home This is the place where God has asked her to live for 17 years

For Gena, being totally His is about a life yielded to God’s plans, not her own “God calls us as believers to get alongside folks who don’t know Him so that we show them Jesus, so that we can show them the cross is enough ”

Pray for Gena, who is facing a return of lymphoma and is currently in the United States for treatment Pray for her teammates, TJ and Dena Odom, as they continue the work Gena began in Glasgow

Day 6 Mexico

Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, Ca , had prayed about taking the Gospel to an unreached people group What they didn’t realize was that one was just 20 miles away Pastor Phil Neighbors contacted missionary Chris Ammons about opportunities in Mexico, and soon after, Ammons visited a rural area near Oaxaca There he made a stunning discovery – the local Tijaltepec Mixteco people had a large migrant population living just 20 miles from Bakersfield

After much prayer, Valley Baptist committed to take responsibility for this people group, regularly sending volunteers to southern Mexico and to the 700 Mixteco immigrants in central California

“When we ‘embraced’ this people group, that means they’re ours,” says Phil “If they’re going to be reached, it’s going to be through us And that’s a heavy burden, but a good burden We’ve got to do this ”

Pray for missionaries who train and guide Southern Baptist churches in reaching unengaged, unreached people groups. Pray other churches will follow Valley Baptist’s example

Day 7 Thailand

Imagine being one of the few Southern Baptist missionary couples working among 2 5 million Burmese living in the southern part of Thailand who do not know Jesus

Scott and Alyssa Branding* know God is working and those who came for a better life can receive it They know because local leaders like Aung Kyaw* are on fire with the Gospel, ready to absorb the training the Brandings provide, ready to be totally His

“I love the opportunity to train the nationals, so they can train nationals, so they can impact people – because that 2 5 million people is such a big number!” Scott says “The Gospel is going out, and when the Gospel goes out, it will not return void ”

Pray God will continue to raise up national leaders among the Burmese living in Thailand

Day 8 South Asia

Several years ago, 250 members of First Baptist Church Centerton, Arkansas, committed to pray for the Bedia, an unengaged, unreached people group in South Asia But after two visits, heavy persecution by Hindu village leaders halted missions work and communication with the Bedia

The church continued to pray It was all they could do

When Southern Baptist personnel were placed near Bedia villages, a team from Centerton returned They learned God worked despite the silence across the ocean

Tears fell as the missions team met the first baptized Bedia believer, Sahaji Bedia, * and attended worship at the very first Bedia church plant exactly five years after starting their journey

Pray Pray for Southern Baptist workers, Center ton’s members, and Bedia believers as they par tner to take the gospel to all Bedia

AR OUND OUR STATE

IBSA Staff Notes

Chris Wright has resigned from his role as IBSA’s church planting catalyst and zone consultant in northeastern Illinois, and will start a new season of ministry Nov 16 as church planter/pastor of The Church at DuPage Wright’s church is a campus of The Church at Battlecreek in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who committed last year to partner with the Send Chicago initiative

“Our vision and prayer is for The Church at DuPage to become a catalyst for multiplication throughout Chicagoland,” Wright told staff

Van Kicklighter, who leads IBSA’s church planting team, said Wright’s resignation will leave a void on the team and in the IBSA family “Having not been long removed from being a church planter himself, Chris was a great encourager and help to church planters in Chicagoland,” Kicklighter said

“We will miss Chris’ day-to-day work with IBSA but will continue to benefit from his ongoing involvement with church planting in Chicagoland.”

Wright and his wife, Lori, have three children: Noah, Jonah and Hannah

In Memory

Marjorie “Marge”

Borum, who retired from IBSA in 1988 after more than 17 years of service, died Oct 17 She was 87 Borum worked in IBSA’s mailroom and print shop, and was a long-time member of Springfield Southern Baptist Church She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Henry, and a son, Jeffrey She is survived by two daughters, one son, and several grandchildren, greatand great-great grandchildren

Ministry Positions

Swansea Baptist Church is seeking a part-time music director to lead congregational singing and direct the choir For more information contact the church office at (618) 235-4000, e-mail nhodge@wisper home.com, or e-mail the pastor at wwickiser@swanseachurch com

Resources

For Sale: Forsyth Baptist is selling 31 pews, each padded and 12 feet long (217) 877-0302

For Sale: FBC Muddy is selling a 2004 Ford E-150 XL 12-passenger van 74,000+ miles, $7,500 or best offer Contact Don Trail at (618) 841-2226

Walter retires after 18 years at Streator

Streator | Larry Walter has seen a lot of changes at Streator Baptist Camp since he started as camp manager more than 18 years ago A man-made lake and beach pavilion, a new dormitory and conference center, an expanded recreation program and facilities – all that and more has been added to IBSA’s camp in northern Illinois during his tenure

Walter has announced his retirement Nov 15, though he has mixed feelings about leaving the job he loves But he says he’s learned from visitors to Streator that “it’s great to retire and still have your health ” As a retiree, Walter plans to spend time with his children and grandchildren, who live in Illinois and Missouri.

When he started at Streator 18 years ago, it was in a part-time role that could become full-time, contingent on growing camp enrollment Streator did grow, and Walter built relationships with the visitors who came for camps and retreats He says the people have been his favorite part of the job

“Meeting so many tremendous people, making friends with people who come back here year after year, people that appreciate having a place to

in the Zone

•

Zone 1: Dale Davenport, zone consultant in Chicagoland, reports 115 people representing 15 churches attended a recent Churches of Strength Super Saturday Seminar at Uptown Baptist Church in Chicago

Zone 7: The members of Mt Olive Baptist Church in West York celebrated their church’s 130th anniversary in September Pastor Will Bynum accepted a plaque of appreciation from IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams (photo below)

come where they have their needs met ”

Besides the people, Walter says he’ll miss the great outdoors of the camp setting at Streator “I love the rolling ground, I love the timber, I love the outdoors I love the independence that IBSA has given me to develop new things and projects ”

One thing he probably won’t miss: the long hours As the on-site manager, it’s hard for Walter to ever get away from his camp responsibilities But even in retirement, he’s not done with Streator He’ll stay on in an interim capacity until a new manager is

hired, and he hopes to volunteer at the camp in the future He also wants to work more with Disaster Relief, Campers on Mission, and other missions projects Walter is a member of Erven Avenue Baptist Church in Streator

He will be missed, says Melissa Phillips, IBSA’s associate executive director, business team “I’ve had the privilege to work with Larry during all his years with IBSA,” Phillips says “He has a heart for northern Illinois and all the churches and associations there I know they will miss him as well ”

Churches surpass Mission Illinois Offering goals

Zone 8: Pastor James Amos of The Resurrection in Granite City reports three teenagers recently made professions of faith after attending the church’s new youth-only Sunday School class Amos emailed zone consultant Eddie Pullen: “We pray The Lord enables us to get to know these teens better, and baptize them in the weeks ahead ”

IBSA staff members serve as zone consultants working with associational leaders and churches across Illinois

Send Mission Illinois Offering goals and totals to MeredithFlynn@IBSA.org.

Relevant, useful resources for you and your church, delivered weekly to your inbox To view archived e-newsletters and to subscribe, scan this QR code, or e-mail LisaSergent@IBSA.org.

Fourteen churches applied through the IBSA Credentials Committee for affiliation with the Illinois Baptist State Association in 2013

• Charis Community, Normal

• Church of the Open Door, Springfield

• Christ Church, LaPorte/ Michigan City, IN

• CrossHaven Church, Belleville

• Diaspora Church, Palatine

• Emmanuel Baptist, Lemont

• Grace Fellowship, Amboy

• Lighthouse of Truth, Itasca

• Mosaic, Highland

• Mt Vernon Baptist, Chicago

• Pilsen Community, Chicago

• The Resurrection, Granite City

• Redeemer Church, Urbana

• Soul Saving Missionary, Chicago

GROWING GROUP – IBSA’s Streator missions camp for kids had its largest-ever turnout in 2013

FOR LEADERS

Putting the “Thanks” in Thanksgiving

No way! We’d never accidentally forget the Thanksgiving turkey We painstakingly prepare and beautifully serve it But, caught up with food, family and Black Friday sales, do we forget to offer sincere thanks to God?

Here are seven ideas to add “thanks” to your Thanksgiving Try one Before you carve the turkey

1. Tweet thanks. During November, use Facebook or Twitter to post daily thanks to God Example: “Thanksgiving to God #4 Thanking God today for His peace in difficult days!” Add a photo for extra oomph 1 Chronicles 16:8

2 Write ITFY notes Use e-mail or stationery to write one short note every day from now until Thanksgiving to tell someone “I’m Thankful For You” (ITFY) Be specific about why you thank God for that person 1 Corinthians 1:4-5

3 Visual reminders Write or print Scriptures from this article on note cards Put them in hard-to-ignore places – on your mirror, computer screen, refrigerator, phone, steering wheel. As you notice them, offer a silent thanksgiving prayer

Psalm 34:1

4. Personal delivery. Near Thanksgiving, give a mentor or respected Christian friend a small gift – homemade pie, potted plant, etc Say, “I’ve been thanking God for all His blessings in my life You’re one of those blessings!” Philippians 1:3

5. Post-it thanks. As holiday guests arrive Thanksgiving Day, give each person a pad of sticky notes and a marker Challenge them to write specific things for which they are thankful to God One-word descriptions are fine The dining room walls will be plastered with thanks to God. Psalm 50:14

6. Surprisingly thankful. If a family member has an unusual need, plan ahead for a surprise monetary gift at Thanksgiving dinner The whole extended family contributes any amount of cash they choose Present it with a verbal prayer of thanks to God for that family member 1 John 3:17

7. Table thanks. At our Thanksgiving table, each person tells one specific reason they’re thankful to God this year The Thanksgiving meal conversation is lively, joyful and God-honoring 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Enjoy your turkey, as you give thanks to our holy God That’s what Thanksgiving’s all about

©2013 Diana Davis is an author, columnist and minister ’ s wife Contact her at floridianadavis@ gmail com

2013 Dove Award winners

Song of the Year

“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” by Matt Redman; written by Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin Artist of the Year TobyMac

New Artist of the Year for KING & COUNTRY

Rock/Contemporary Album

A Messenger (Colton Dixon)

Rap/Hip-Hop Album Gravity (Lecrae)

Southern Gospel Album

Canton Junction (Canton Junction)

Pure and Simple (Gaither Vocal Band)

Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album

Grace (Tasha Cobbs)

Instrumental Album

Glory (Michael W Smith)

Spanish Album

Global Project Espanol (Hillsong)

Special Event Album

Passion: Let the Future Begin (Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Redman, Brett Younker, Kari Jobe, Crowder, Christy Nockels)

Christmas Album

JOY (Steven Curtis Chapman)

Praise/Worship Album

Burning Lights (Chris Tomlin)

Nov. 12-13: IBSA Pastors’ Conference, Hilton Springfield, 700 E Adams Street Featuring Bobby Boyles, Jerry Cain, Micah Fries, Chuck Kelley, Eric Mason and Jay Strother Begins 1 p m Tuesday, Nov 12 Free childcare will be provided for each Pastors’ Conference and Annual Meeting session To pre-register, contact Kendra Jackson at (217) 391-3111.

Nov. 13: Ministers’ Wives’ Conference and Luncheon, IBSA Building, beginning at 9 a m Pastor ’s wife Lynda Locke will share her testimony, and representatives from BCHFS will share about their ministry For more information call Abby Huff at (217) 303-1452 or e-mail

Abby@ChrisAndAbby com

Nov 13-14: IBSA Annual Meeting, Hilton Springfield, 700 E Adams Street Begins 1:30 p m Wednesday, concludes 11:30 a m Thursday The theme of the 2013 Annual Meeting is Mission Illinois: Churches Together

Advancing the Gospel Online preregistration closes Nov 4 at 4:30 p m , but messengers may register in person at the annual meeting with a signed messenger card Churches may e-mail CaroleDoom@IBSA org or call (217) 391-3113 to request blank messenger cards or for registration assistance

Nov. 15-16: Hispanic WMU Celebration, Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort Cost is $110 per person, includes conference fees, two meals, and lodging for one night at the Marriott Resort AnaDeMelendez@ gmail com, (630) 712-3106

Nov 22-24: International Student Conference, Springfield Southern Baptist For more information or to sign up as a host home, contact Cathy Waters at (217) 3913124 or CathyWaters@IBSA.org.

Dec. 27-28: Youth Encounter, Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield Featuring Brian Burgess, 33Miles, Citizen Way, Loudmouth, 321 Improv and Bryan Drake Cost is $40 if you register by Dec 1, $45 from Dec 2 through to midnight Dec 26, and $50 at the door All ticket prices include a Youth Encounter T-shirt Go to www IBSA org/ilstudentz to register or call (217) 391-3127

In the hustle of the holiday, don’t lose the main point.

‘All things work together...’

How a broken vacuum cleaner changed a young preacher’s life

By Julianne Kuykendall

God often works during and through our pain Terry Mathis, director of missions for the Union Baptist Association in extreme southern Illinois, recently shared his story of how God brought great joy out of great hurt

Mathis grew up in Benton, Kentucky, not far from where he serves now as a director of missions His father, Paul, worked as a concrete truck driver and cared for Mathis’ bedridden mother, Kittie

“He was a good man but didn’t know the Lord,” the younger Mathis said of his dad

As a teenager, Terry went to church on a hit-or-miss basis. But when he married his wife, Linda, they attended church faithfully at Mount Haven Baptist Church After a few months teaching Sunday school, he felt God calling him to preach, and soon, he was pastoring Corinth Baptist Church in Grand Rivers, Kentucky

After a positive year at the church, he accepted a call to pastor nearby Liberty Baptist Church in Lyon County, Kentucky – a rural congregation with 35-40 members.

“They had an ‘Annual Call’ where the church members voted every year if they wanted to keep you,” Mathis explained On the first anniversary, the annual call went smoothly On the second anniversary, however, there was tension in the church, to say the least

DAVE Says

Brother ’ s bad deal

Q: My husband and I hired my brother as our real estate agent He’s just starting out in the business and working two jobs, but i t’ s been fi v e or s i x m onths and he has n’ t helped us find a house On top of this, we signed an exclusive buyer’s agreement with h i m W e ’ r e w o r r i e d a b o u t t h e a g r e e m e n t , how he’ll react and our family’s reaction if we fire him Do you have any advice?

A: I think you’ve given him a fair chance Under the circumstances, he should be willing to release you from the exclusive buyer ’s contract I know he’s your brother, and that makes things kind of emotional You might get some flak from the rest of your family, too But guess what? It’s none of their business What are you supposed to do, stay in a bad deal just because you’re related? I don’t think so!

No, you and your husband need to sit down with your brother and let him know in a gentle way that things aren’t working Ask to be released from the exclusive buyer ’s agreement, and wish him the best with his new career Make sure to let him know you love and respect him, but that the situation with his multiple jobs, and the fact that you’ve made no progress in all this time, means you need to go in another direction

Faith in Real Life

Terry Mathis

Road Test

Two weeks before the annual call Mathis’ wife was cleaning the p age when her vacuum broke, borrowed the church’s vacuum

“When the phone rang, the dian asked me, ‘Where is my v cleaner?’” Mathis recalled, addi that her snappy comment caugh him off guard. As a very young inexperienced pastor, he quickl retorted, “Well, first of all, it’s not your vacuum cleaner, it’s the church’s vacuum cleaner and second of all, my wife is using i right now so you are going to have to wait ”

“I admit, I was young and stu pid,” Mathis said with a laugh

Although he knew he made mistake, he wasn’t prepared for what came next when the influ-

Financial advice from Dave Ramsey

Better car, better mileage?

Q: Is it a good idea to sell your car in order to get one that gets better gas mileage?

A: Only if the other car is really cheap, or cheaper than the one you’re selling I think it’s funny when people run out and upgrade on their $7,000 car to buy a $30,000 Prius to save gas Think about it That’s an extra expenditure of $23,000 to save gas Where are you planning on driving, to the moon?

Actually saving money is a much better plan than some of the ideas people dream up in the name of saving money

When it comes to things like this, you need to sit down and do the math Crunch some hard, cold figures and see what happens But if you spend $5,000 more to save $50 it will take forever to get back the money you’ve spent

Getting better gas mileage is a good thing, but I wouldn’t recommend spending any more than the value of the car you’re currently driving to make it happen Moving down in car but up in mileage is a great plan If you do that, you’ll really start making headway with your money

For more advice from Dave Ramsey, go to www IBSA org

ential custodian rallied up several “No” votes When 12 church members showed up for the annual call business meeting, seven members voted “No.” Mathis was gone

“That was the most hurtful point of my life,” he recalled He had baptized six out of the seven people who voted “No,” plus he was grieving over his mother ’s death

“I was ready to quit,” he admitted Suddenly without a job, he called his father, who said, “Why don’t you move here?” Though they were discouraged, he and his wife held family devotions in his father ’s living while his father sat nearby ecliner When they ate, his grew accustomed to Mathis ng God for the food ring those six months, churches called Mathis to ir pastor One was a large h – quite appealing for a gling preacher “Every time ayed, we felt God’s leadstay, so we obeyed even h it made no sense,” said s.

n, Vanzora Baptist Church

d Mathis to preach a re-

On Wednesday night, s was shocked when his faer walked in the church “I had only seen my Daddy in church one time – on my

wedding day,” he said

The next night, Mathis’ father walked down the aisle “I got to lead my Daddy to the Lord that night when he was 62,” remembered Mathis Apparently, while his father was reclining in his La-Z-Boy chair, God was mightily working in his heart

After that revival, Vanzora Baptist Church invited Mathis to be their pastor, which he then felt led to do He proudly watched his father walk into church for every service and even serve church breakfasts and help out during work days for four years

Then, at age 66, only four years after his salvation, his father died from a massive heart attack

“I was at peace though, because I knew Daddy was in heaven,” said Mathis

As he reflects on his years of ministry in Kentucky and now Illinois, he says God had an equally purposeful ministry for him in his father ’s home

“Looking back on it, we realized God moved us to a mission field in Daddy’s living room and we learned a great lesson that when things don’t make sense to us, they make perfect sense to God,” Mathis said

“Suddenly, that broken vacuum cleaner wasn’t looking so bad ”

Julianne Kuykendall is a freelance writer in Canton, North Carolina

Potluck Blogger

Mrs. White’s Cabbage Au Gratin

IBSA staffer Debbie Muller immediately thought of this recipe when we asked about her favorites from her church’s cookbook Evelyn White, wife of the late Rev Kenneth White, is a member of Eastview Baptist Church in Springfield, where her husband pastored in the 1970s Try this new spin on cabbage for family gatherings or holiday potlucks

Ingredients

Head of cabbage (2 lbs )

1 tsp salt

3 T butter

3 T flour

¾ c evaporated milk

¾ c water drained from cabbage

1½ c grated cheddar cheese

½ c dry bread crumbs

2 T. butter, melted

To prepare: Cut cabbage and gently boil in salted water for 7 minutes Drain, saving ¾ cup of the liquid Make a white sauce with the three tablespoons of butter, flour, evaporated milk, and liquid from the cabbage Put the cabbage in a casserole dish, and pour the sauce over the cabbage Layer with grated cheese Then, mix bread crumbs with melted butter and sprinkle them on top Bake at 350° for 20 minutes

@ the Crossroads

@ the Crossroads

Where ministry meets real life

The Middle

Americans are not easily divided into red and blue , as on the political map. It turns out there’s a whole lot of purple out there , according to a new sur vey by NBC News and Esquire magazine

In fact, 51% of adults are in the center, bordered by 21% on the far left and 28% on the far right

“Just because Washington is polarized doesn’t mean America is,” says Rober t Blizzard, lead pollster for Mitt Romney in 2012 He was one of the creators of the sur vey

There are four distinct subsets in the newly identified center, but

overall pollsters were surprised by how many common beliefs they share . The new middle is proudly patriotic (66%), believes America is still the best nation (54%), but says we should end foreign aid when needs are so great at home (81%)

While fiscally conser vative, they lean liberal on social issues, including gay marriage (64% favor) and abortion (63% approve first trimester terminations for any reason)

Par ticularly strong in the Midwest are “Mini-van Moderates,” mostly white , suburbanite women

who are pro-choice and anti-gun (Modern Family’s Clare Dunphy is the example .)

And there are “Pick-up Populists,” white low-income voters who say the economy is unfair and Washington is wasteful. (Think Duck Dynasty, analysts say )

The pollsters set up an online sur vey (available at www NBC News.com) so you can see how your opinions measure up Just know that if you check “Baptist,” “ pray daily,” and “I went to church last Sunday,” the sur vey is not likely to say you ’ re in “the middle ”

BOLO

Be on the lookout

compiled by Eric Reed

Mobile Redesign

BALANCED? - As the country teeters back from economic woes and political stalemates, more Americans find themselves in the middle of competing ideologies

Who knew?

29.8 Million people are modern-day slaves, meaning they are controlled by another person, enforced by violence and intimidation

This form of slavery exists in 162 countries, including the U S , ranked 134th India leads with nearly 14-million slaves, followed by China and Pakistan

“You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know ”

Missionaries: Brad and Jennifer Pittman (with Austin, Ashley and Brandon)

Planting In: Davis Junction, just south of Rockford

Focusing On: Families moving into the fastest growing area in the region

Pray: God will continue to open doors and hearts to the planting team, and for the start of new Bible study groups

Hal f

of all web searches in 2014 will be done on mobile devices, experts predict So, how does your ministry website look on Smartphones and iPads?

Now is the time to budget for a mobilefriendly redesign, if you haven’t already done so It means streamlining your message and trimmin the options Less is more, on your cellphone.

Also, consider placing your street address and service times up top, if you want guests to find them easily

Get chick-inspired

The church can learn some valuable, cal lessons from Chick-Fil-A, says bl David Mathis Like joyfully going the mile, cultivating trust among leadershi sticking close to a central purpose And k ing the bathrooms clean, of course

“Sadly, some local churches drift into the mindset that the cleanliness of the facilities and the care of the grounds aren’t important – after all, the church’ real business is spiritual,” Mathis wri

“But such is a failure to demonstrate Christian love and kindness. It’s a missed opportunity to consider others more significant than ourselves and look to their interests (Philippians 2:3-4) and serve ”

– Des ringGod org

mission illinois

Pray for a new church

Location: Des Plaines, and vicinity

Target: Multi-generation recent Muslim immigrants and their U S -born children

Characteristics: Very diverse peoples, nationalities and cultures from South Asia and the Middle East

Prayer Needs: For first- and second-generation leaders and churches to partner with each other to meet the needs of recent immigrants

– From the IBSA Church Planting Team

Budget Goal: $5,250,000

Received to date 10/25/13: $5,072,079

Received to date in 2012: $5,042,221

Eric Reed, with info from NBC News