November 6, 2017 Illinois Baptist

Help needed Chicago pastor joins hurricane aid

Arecibo, Puerto Rico | In October, Southern Baptist volunteers began relief efforts in Puerto Rico after the U.S. territory sustained devastating damage from the one-two punch of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The volunteers are working through Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) Send Relief initiative, but their work is unlike other Disaster Relief projects.

“The circumstance is so unusual that we have to take the full responsibility of this response on our own,” said David Melber, president of Send Relief. “That means buying and shipping the food, renting warehouse space, sending the kitchen equipment, and then providing the volunteers to do the cooking. We are forging our entire response by ourselves.”

Chicago church planter Dave Andreson spent a week in Puerto Rico as a trained Disaster Relief chaplain. Andreson, a U.S. Army veteran, couldn’t shake the growing burden he felt for the island. “I had to get there,”

JOURNAL: Illinois team shares the gospel in remote Brazilian villages. P. 7-10 P. 3

DISASTER RELIEF

CONVENTIONAL WISDOM

Snapshots from the world of Illinois Baptists

New data from Barna shows public sentiment toward immigrants and on immigration has softened over the course of a year—among Americans and evangelicals alike.

– Barna Research

Warmer welcome

“America should welcome refugees during a crisis.”

(% who strongly agree)

“We allow too many immigrants into the country.”

the cooperative program

Giving by IBSA churches as of 10/27/17

$4,762,228

Budget Goal: $5,209,616

Received to date in 2016: $4,778,388

2017 Goal: $6.3 Million

The Illinois Baptist staff

Editor - Eric Reed

Managing Editor - Meredith Flynn

Graphic Designer - Kris Kell

Contributing Editor - Lisa Misner Sergent

Multimedia Journalist - Andrew Woodrow

Administrative Assistant - Leah Honnen

The general telephone number for IBSA is (217) 786-2600. For questions about subscriptions, articles, or upcoming events, contact the Illinois Baptist at (217) 391-3119 or IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org

The Illinois Baptist is seeking news from IBSA churches. E-mail us at IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org to tell us about special events and new ministry staff.

POSTMASTER: The Illinois Baptist is owned and published every three weeks by the Illinois Baptist State Association, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703-4440. Subscriptions are free to Illinois Baptists. Subscribe online at IBSA.org

NATE ADAMS

Counting to 200

Illinois became a state on December 3, 1818. And so soon, those who pay attention to such things will begin the one-year countdown to our state’s bicentennial.

Because Illinois is our state mission field, the “Judea” in our churches’ Acts 1:8 missions responsibility, IBSA will be joining the bicentennial celebration with a countdown of our own. Launching at the 2017 IBSA Annual Meeting, and continuing through next year’s Annual Meeting, we are challenging IBSA churches to consider “counting to 200” in four very special ways.

First, we have identified 200 places or people groups in Illinois where a new church is desperately needed. We are inviting churches to adopt one or more of those 200 by praying, or partnering with resources or volunteers, or actually sponsoring the plant as the mother church.

Second, we are praying for at least 200 churches that will seek to become more frequently baptizing churches, by setting annual baptism goals and equipping their members to intentionally have gospel conversations and participate in evangelistic events and mission trips. We are praying for churches that will set their sights on baptizing at least once a month, or more than their previous three-year average.

Third, we are praying for at least 200 churches that will commit a percentage of their annual budgets to Cooperative Program missions, and then seek to increase that percentage annually toward 10% or more.

And finally, we are praying for at least 200 churches that will commit to intentional leadership development processes—not only for the pastor and current leaders, but also for future pastors, planters, and missionaries. Of course, some churches are fulfilling one or more of these challenges already. But for the overwhelming majority of IBSA churches, these challenges will be a major stretch. In fact, as our 2017 Annual Meeting theme suggests, moving beyond our status quo into these types of commitments will take a true “pioneering spirit.” It’s the kind of spirit that brought Baptist pioneers to Illinois more than 200 years ago.

That’s why we at IBSA are asking churches to register their “pioneering spirit” commitments, either now or in the coming months. Not only do we want to celebrate those commitments between the 2017 and 2018 IBSA Annual Meetings, but we also want to give those churches our focused, priority attention as an IBSA staff.

Certainly we will continue to be responsive to the requests and needs of all IBSA churches, and to provide services, resources, consultations, and events throughout the busy year. But we believe that the greatest potential for true mission advance in Illinois will be through churches that embrace these pioneering spirit commitments, and we want to come alongside them in special ways, and give them our priority assistance. We also want to network these churches together, so that they can benefit from one another’s experiences and ministry strategies.

The second verse of our Illinois state song begins, “Eighteen-eighteen saw your founding, Illinois, Illinois, and your progress is unbounding, Illinois, Illinois.” It goes on to remind us of the origin of that unbounding progress. “Pioneers once cleared the lands where great industries now stand. World renown you do command, Illinois, Illinois.”

When you see things like great industries and world renown, it’s usually because a few pioneers paved the way for them. And if we are to see great churches and world impact coming from Illinois Baptists, it will be because a few pioneers sacrificially pave the way. Will your church be one of those first 200 that brings a much-needed pioneering spirit to our state’s bicentennial, and to our mission of seeking and saving the lost here in Illinois?

Nate Adams is executive director of the Illinois Baptist State Association. Respond at IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org. Read more at IBSA.org/pioneering.

Potential for true mission advance is through churches that embrace pioneering spirit commitments.

From the front: PUERTO RICO HURRICANE RESPONSE

Continued from page 1

said the pastor of Resurrection City Church in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood.

While plans to send volunteers to Puerto Rico were on hold immediately after the storms, Andreson attended a two-day Disaster Relief training at Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp in southern Illinois. One week later, with Baptist volunteers able to get into Puerto Rico, Andreson boarded a flight from Chicago to San Juan.

He served with a Disaster Relief team from Virginia in Arecibo, a city 50 miles west of San Juan in northern Puerto Rico. The team stayed at First Baptist Church there and spent their days cleaning out homes and removing downed trees. Andreson said the teams are working under the leadership of local pastors who understand the people and needs in their communities.

Since the hurricanes, Andreson said, many people are leaving Puerto Rico. Their workplaces are still without power, most schools are still closed, and if you have running water, it’s not safe to drink. FBC Aricebo has already lost about 40 people. One church planter Andreson talked to is worried his young congregation won’t survive.

But the Chicago pastor said he believes Puerto Rico is primed for the gospel. “Physical suffering makes us aware of physical need, and those physical needs always open the door by which the word of God, the gospel proclaimed, makes us aware of our spiritual need,” Andreson said.

“This is a horrible thing that happened, but it’s a good gift from God by which the gospel will go forward. Now more than ever, the church in Puerto Rico, the church of Jesus Christ, has an opportunity to shine the light of Christ.”

The punishing hurricane season has left its mark in other parts of the U.S., including Florida and in Texas, where Illinois teams have served in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. For more information about Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief opportunities and training, go to IBSA.org/dr. To learn more about opportunities in Puerto Rico through Send Relief, go to sendrelief.net.

– Meredith Flynn, with reporting from NAMB

annie armstrong Record-high offering

The 2017 offering for Southern Baptist missions in North America totaled an all-time high: $59,648,377, North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell announced in October. The annual Annie Armstrong Easter Offering beat the previous 2007 high by $185,096.

“We are grateful for every dime we get from Southern Baptists,” Ezell said. “We are thankful for churches, pastors, and denominational leaders who encourage their people to give to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.”

“We’re primarily concerned about doing the very best we can with every dime that we receive, but any time we hit a new high like this, we want to celebrate.”

Since it was established in 1895, Southern Baptists have raised more than $1 billion through the offering named in honor of Annie Armstrong, a missions advocate and Woman’s Missionary Union leader.

lottie moon

Student remembered with missions gift

The parents of a teenager whose life tragically was cut short are commemorating her life by supporting missionaries around the world.

Sarah Harmening, 17, died in a bus accident in June as she traveled with an International World Changers team from her home church, Mt. Zion Baptist, Huntsville, Ala., to her first international mission trip to Botswana. In October, her parents donated a gift of $91,120 in memory of Harmening to the International Mission Board for the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO).

“Sarah’s greatest passion in life was her relationship with Jesus Christ and making him known,” said her mother, Karen Harmening. “There was a fire in her bones for the spreading of the gospel.”

Nearly $30,000 of the funds given in honor of Harmening will be designated to three Lottie Moon projects in Botswana. The remaining funds, as well as any subsequent gifts, will go to the general LMCO fund for missionary support.

– From Baptist Press

STILL STANDING – Pastor George McKnight and his wife, Debbie, pause for a photo at Green Island Baptist Church in Puerto Rico, which lost its roof and was flooded during Hurricane Maria’s sweeping destruction. Below: Chicago pastor Dave Andreson (left) met Puerto Rican church planters while serving on the island in October, including Jose Ponce, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Resurrección in Isabela.

EZELL HARMENING

Wise investments

Kids’ future spiritual health linked to parents’ practices, survey says

Nashville, Tenn. | Most churchgoing Protestant parents of young adults say their kids grew up to be Christians. But half of them don’t actually practice the Christian faith, their parents say. And the biggest factor predicting their spiritual health as young adults is whether they read the Bible regularly as kids.

Those are among the findings of a new study among Protestant churchgoers about parenting and spirituality from LifeWay Research. For the study, researchers surveyed 2,000 Protestant and nondenominational churchgoers. All attend services at least once a month and have adult children ages 18 to 30.

Researchers wanted to know what parenting practices pay off over the long haul when it comes to spiritual health, said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research.

“Churchgoing parents want to pass on their faith to their kids—and to see their children make that faith their own,” said McConnell. “But they don’t always know how best to make that happen.”

Bible reading was the top indicator of future spiritual health, according to the survey. In addition, spiritual health levels are higher on average for young adults who regularly spent time praying while growing up, regularly served in church, listened to primarily Christian music, and participated in a church mission trip while growing up, than for comparable individuals who didn’t.

Doing all five of these practices in childhood could boost a young adult’s spiritual health, said McConnell. “Practicing your faith—in specific ways—really pays off later in life.”

Parents’ behavior is also related to their adult children’s spiritual health, LifeWay Research found. Young adults had higher spiritual health scores if they grew up with parents who spent time:

• Reading the Bible several times a week.

• Taking part in a service project or church mission trip as a family.

• Sharing their faith with unbelievers.

• Encouraging teenagers to serve in church.

• Asking forgiveness when they messed up as parents.

• Encouraging their children’s unique talents and interests.

• Taking annual family vacations.

• Attending churches with teaching that emphasized what the Bible says.

• Teaching their children to tithe.

All these little things can pay off, said McConnell, by showing kids what practicing your faith looks like.

“In the end, parents hope the light will go on and their children will want to follow God on their own,” he said. “At any age the Holy Spirit can flip the light switch, and these habits can help kids grow in their faith.”

– From LifeWay Research

Four join IBSA staff

Aim to enhance connection, leadership, communication

Springfield | Several new staff members joined IBSA in October, including new additions to the Church Communication and Church Resources Teams, and a full-time staff team member dedicated to developing strong relationships between churches and IBSA.

John Carruthers began serving parttime in that role in June and became IBSA’s full-time church relationships manager Oct. 16. The new role resulted from IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams’ study of how other professional associations develop stronger engagement from their members.

Carruthers’s work, Adams said, “could range from helping us reclaim noncooperating churches, to better utilizing our strongest, most engaged churches in multiplying our staff’s capacity and resources, to helping us know which churches would benefit most from a personal visit or call.”

Carruthers is an ordained Southern Baptist minister, and has served as a youth minister, worship pastor, church planter, and pastor in churches in Missouri, as well as a media and marketing manager. He and his wife, Alysia, met at Hannibal-LaGrange University and have four children. They will relocate to Springfield from O’Fallon, Mo.

Rich Cochran joined the staff Oct. 1 as director of leadership development on the Church Resources Team. “Rich is a leader developer with enthusiasm to help take leadership to the next level in Illinois,” said IBSA Associate Executive Director Mark Emerson.

Cochran, who will also oversee IBSA’s zone consultant strategy, previously served as minister of education and children at First Baptist Church, Maryville. He helped lead the church through the difficult period following the tragic death of Pastor Fred Winters in 2009.

Cochran and his wife, Angie, have three children.

Andrew Woodrow joined the Church Communication Team in October as a multimedia journalist. Woodrow, a recent graduate of Union University in Jackson, Tenn., grew up in Mozambique as the son of medical missionaries. He will write, report, and produce video content for use across all IBSA media platforms.

Also on the Church Communication Team, Meredith Flynn rejoined the IBSA staff as part-time managing editor of Illinois Baptist media. Flynn served five years in that capacity before the birth of the first of two girls, and for the ensuing two years has served as a contract editor and writer.

“We are blessed to have innovative and accomplished journalists joining our awardwinning team,” said Communications Team Associate Executive Director Eric Reed “We expect that expanding our capabilities in multimedia reporting and production will better serve the churches of IBSA, as together we advance the gospel.”

Mattingly accepts new role

Former IBSA director will help replant churches

Springfield | IBSA Church Planting Director John Mattingly transitioned in October to a new role with the North American Mission Board (NAMB). Mattingly will continue to live and serve in northwest Illinois as a consultant for NAMB’s Replant initiative.

“John and Jacki have been praying for some time about where the Lord wants them to invest this next season of ministry,” said Van Kicklighter, associate executive director for IBSA’s Church Planting Team. “John’s pastoral heart, passion for the rural context, and desire to see failing churches revitalized have all coalesced into this new opportunity.”

Mattingly joined the IBSA staff in 2012 as a long-time pastor and director of missions

in northwest Illinois, the region he has called home since childhood. He pastored First Baptist Church, Joy, and later served as director of missions for Sinnissippi Baptist Association, where he was instrumental in developing and leading a church planting strategy.

In his role with IBSA, Mattingly has continued to lead churches in the region, serving as interim pastor for several congregations and helping to plant new ones.

“I mourn the loss of John from the Church Planting Team,” Kicklighter said, “while also rejoicing with him in this new opportunity that meets a real need and is at the center of his passion and calling.”

MATTINGLY

CARRUTHERS COCHRAN WOODROW FLYNN

Holding out hope

Pastors say gospel doors are open after terror attack

Relief for the persecuted

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said in October that the federal government will shift funds away from United Nations programs and toward faithbased and private organizations to better aid persecuted Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East.

“We will no longer rely on the United Nations alone to assist persecuted Christians and minorities in the wake of genocide and the atrocities of terrorist groups,” Pence said at the annual summit for the group In Defense of Christians. Critics of the U.N. projects have said they have not been effective in helping Christians in the region who have been displaced due to war and the rise of ISIS.

House of prayer

New York, N.Y. | Hours after an alleged Islamic terrorist killed eight and injured 12 by driving onto a busy pedestrian and biking path in Lower Manhattan Oct. 31, two strangers approached Pastor Sterling Edwards as he roasted hotdogs for a Halloween outreach to his Brooklyn church community.

“On a Tuesday night in the middle of the street, I had a chance to pray with some people, and that’s significant,” Edwards, a Southern Baptist who pastors Park Slope Community Church, told Baptist Press. “It wasn’t like I had to go and ask.”

The women had been in the vicinity of the site just blocks from the World Trade Center when Sayfullo H. Saipov, an admitted supporter of Islamic State terrorists (or ISIS), allegedly drove a rented truck along several blocks of the path, stopping only when he collided with a school bus.

“As horrific a situation as it is,” Edwards said, “anytime that we get a chance to point back to our hope being in Jesus, it can actually open a door for us. And I know that that’s not the avenue that we would necessarily like to go down, but at the same time...I got to pray with some people.”

The impromptu prayer encounter is said to be indicative of what happens when New Yorkers, accustomed to diversity and tolerance, are met with such tragedies, according to Manhattan church planter Rob Russell. Seven weeks ago, he planted Restoration Church in the same neighborhood where the attack occurred, the same neighborhood where he has lived the past three years.

“We unite during these times, rather than display any kind of fear,” said Russell, a North American Mission Board (NAMB) church planter. “And that’s something that we hope can be an inspiration or a beacon for the rest of the country. The people that have different backgrounds, living with different

belief systems, our conversations are actually more collaborative in these times, [rather] than being less so.”

Members of his new congregation of about 40 people held small prayer gatherings on their own after the event, Russell said, and lifted up several prayer concerns for the city and those affected by the tragedy.

“It’s definitely sobering and people are dealing with it in different ways, but I don’t think anyone feels like they’re dealing with it alone, or that they need to,” Russell said. “And even for our church, to me, in just the last 24 hours, it’s only been more of a reminder of the image of God that’s in every single person. That’s why every person has dignity and worth.”

A federal judge reaffirmed the constitutionality of legislative prayer with her Oct. 11 ruling against an atheist who filed suit when he wasn’t allowed to deliver a secular invocation.

Federal Judge Rosemary Collyer cited Supreme Court precedent while ruling in favor of the House’s tradition of opening congressional sessions in prayer. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said he is grateful the House “can continue to begin its work each day as we have for centuries: taking a moment to pray to God.”

Standing against racism

Police identified Saipov as a 29-year-old native of Uzbekistan who had lived in the U.S. since 2010 and said he cried “Allahu Akbar,” Arabic for God is great, as he was shot and arrested.

Steve Canter, a NAMB Send City missionary, works with several Southern Baptist church planters in New York, many who seek to share the gospel with Muslims and Arabic language communities.

“This is a reminder of the need for praying for them, for seeing them thrive in those neighborhoods that are very tough and very difficult and very dangerous, for some of them,” Canter said. “I think for Southern Baptists, I would love [for this to be] a reminder that they just need our love, and our support and encouragement.”

– From Baptist Press

Southern Baptists in Tennessee joined other faith groups to publicly denounce white supremacy leading up to “White Lives Matter” protests planned in their state on Oct. 28. “This bigotry has no place in our American society and certainly has no place in the life of anyone who is a follower of Christ,” said Randy Davis, executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, in a press conference prior to the anti-immigration protests. “This movement is evil. It is contrary to everything we are called to be as followers of Christ.”

In June, messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix approved a resolution opposing “alt right white supremacy.” Baptist leaders, including SBC President Steve Gaines, subsequently were among the signers of a letter asking President Donald Trump to denounce the racism of the alt right movement. – Christianity Today, Baptist Press, USA Today

reporter’s notebook sound off

Hope in tumultuous times

“…When disasters come, the church rushes into the mess of the world to put things back together. We can show a sin-soaked, fallen world that God has promised to make ‘all things new.’ We want to give people a glimpse of God fulfilling that future promise, through our present work.”

“The days are tumultuous. And as much as we want to feel perfectly settled here, our souls will never be truly home until we awaken in that country we’re all longing for. The heavenly country where Jesus lives and reigns.”

“Don’t grow weary in doing good, if indeed you are doing good. Don’t grow faint because of fear. Don’t lose heart. The world today does indeed look grim. But there is reason for great hope. It isn’t hope in you or me and our strength; no, it’s hope in the faithfulness and power of Christ.”

Bright spots in the headline haze

With less than one-sixth left of 2017, unless there’s a drastic turnaround, the year likely won’t be remembered as one of the country’s best. Devastating hurricanes. Political gridlock. The worst mass shooting in U.S. history. The headlines have only gotten bleaker as the year has worn on. And the year’s not over yet.

A new survey on what Americans fear the most paints a picture of how the year has taken a toll on lots of people. Almost 75% of Americans are afraid or very afraid of corrupt government officials, according to Chapman University’s annual survey. That topped the list last year too, but was the only fear expressed by more than half of respondents. This year, five fears were held by a majority, including the new healthcare plan, pollution, and not having enough money for the future.

Things are difficult, and people are scared. Scanning the headlines or, more likely, scrolling through a news feed, doesn’t help either. The current climate is such that as our team brainstormed how to write about Thanksgiving this year, we couldn’t come up with much of a fresh angle. Certainly, we have a lot to be thankful for; as Americans, we know that’s true. But with the din of the constant news cycle perpetually in our ears, it can be difficult to pinpoint the bright spots in an otherwise dreary year.

Perhaps that’s why a Friday conversation with an Illinois pastor’s wife was so refreshing. Jane Miller and her husband, Larry, have been part of Shiloh Baptist Church in Villa Ridge for nearly 33 years. Jane answered our call that Friday afternoon for information about the church’s recent 200th anniversary, but ended up sharing some unexpected hope too.

She talked about how she and Larry have developed deep friendships with the people in their church over the years. How he has mowed yards when some of their church members haven’t been able to do it themselves. That he keeps the church refrigerator stocked with eggs from the chickens he keeps. Every off-hand reference she made to their church and their ministry told the story of people who have put down roots in a community and are committed to each other. That’s hopeful.

So, too, is a group of kids waiting—beach towels over their arms—to be baptized at Stonefort Missionary Baptist Church.

Perhaps it’s because the year has been so murky that these bright spots, which might have been overlooked in the past, shine even brighter. As we approach a season focused on giving thanks, may we be grateful for the little things that remind us of God’s goodness and provision, in this year and every other.

Illinois Family Spotlight is a weekly podcast that provides analysis of and commentary on political and cultural events and issues.

The Illinois Family Spotlight podcast will highlight a specific cultural or political issue of which our listeners should be aware. Our discussions will be informed by a biblical worldview that will help expose the lies and distortions promulgated within secular culture. We will be interviewing policy experts and scholars whose knowledge and insights will help listeners form a wiser worldview.

Support for this program comes from your generous donations. You can learn more about our work at our website: ifiaction.org.

– Trevin Wax, LifeWay Christian Resources

– Kelly Minter, author, speaker, musician

– Trillia Newbell, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

MISSION

Going home again

An unexpected reunion with their former pastor sent retired missionaries to a beloved place, and a new calling.

BY KATHY DEASY

In October, Jeff and Kathy Deasy (above) led a mission team to minister to unreached people groups along the Amazon River in Brazil. The Deasys retired from the International Mission Board (IMB) in 2015 after serving in Brazil and Kenya. Jeff serves as IBSA’s associate executive director for the Church Cooperation Team. Kathy shared her journal from the trip, and mission team member Elizabeth Gettys captured the group’s experiences in photos.

When we left Brazil and moved straight to Africa in Oct. 2006, the goodbyes at the airport were about as difficult as telling our family goodbye and moving to Brazil from the U.S.! Our hearts were torn between the country and the people we loved, and following God’s call to move to Africa. We wondered if we would ever see these people again this side of heaven.

Now, 11 years later, our hopes have come true as we are blessed to be leading a volunteer team of Illinois Baptists back to Brazil— our first return since leaving in 2006.

We’ve hosted so many volunteer teams as missionaries overseas that we’ve lost count—but this will be the first time we are American volunteers heading overseas for a volunteer team trip. Quite a new perspective!

The team traveled by boat down the Amazon, stopping in several villages to set up clinics where they provided medical, dental, and eye care.

ON THE COVER:

The team’s nautical home for the week was used by Southern Baptist missionaries for ministry on the Amazon, and is now owned and operated by the Brazilian National Mission Board.

PHOTO: SHIP TO SHORE

When we were approached by Dwayne Doyle at IBSA about leading a team back to one of the countries where we served, our first thought was to return to Kenya, where we had just started working with an unreached people group.

But God had other plans. When the door obviously closed to us returning to Kenya, we thought a trip was out of the question. Over the years, we had some contact with our Brazil friends, but not enough to feel like we could pull off a team there.

Then, in December of 2016, we get this text message from our former pastor, Fernando Brandão, wishing us a Merry Christmas. Knowing that he comes to the U.S. for Christmas often, we responded and found out he and his family were in Tennessee, and we were planning to visit our daughter there. So, we met at Fernando’s favorite restaurant—Cracker Barrel.

Thank you, God,

for getting us to the boat successfully! All flights were on time, our luggage (every last piece) made it to the airport with us, everyone was waved though customs without one issue, and we found our ride and were off by midnight. Made it to the boat by 2 a.m.

Pastor Fernando was our pastor for our last six years in Brazil. The Second Baptist Church of Brasilia had about 200-250 attending and together we planted over 30 churches. Our partnership with Fernando and American volunteers was full and rich and fun. Fernando is a great visionary and a wonderful motivator. A unique Brazilian and a unique person. And he and his family became family to us.

A few months after we transferred to Kenya, he called and said he had been offered the executive

FOR CARE

director position of the Brazilian National Mission Board, and he was seeking Jeff’s counsel on taking that. Jeff knew that if Fernando took that position, he could motivate Brazilian Baptists to reach their own, and IMB wouldn’t need missionaries there anymore.

Long story short, Fernando took the job—and sure enough, he is doing a wonderful job. The National Mission Board now has more than a thousand missionaries, and there are very few IMB personnel reaching Portuguese-speaking Brazilians.

Inspired by IMB’s Journeyman program, Fernando started a “Radical Missionary” program for young adults. They commit to two years and are trained to live and minister in extreme locations, like off-the-grid Amazon villages. They are placed in those locations two-bytwo to share the gospel and plant churches.

In the course of our lunch conversation, Fernando invited us to bring a team to take the mission boat down the Amazon and do medical clinics in villages where they have Radical Missionaries. Attending to physical needs draws a crowd; sharing the gospel with each person coming through the clinic and

in an evening worship service will hopefully draw people who are open and interested in the gospel, and help these missionaries start churches. This was clearly what God intended for us to do with a volunteer team.

The river wild

Oct. 20: Today was a great day for organizing and getting ourselves ready. We packaged pills, worked on our suitcases, worshiped, and enjoyed the Amazon boat ride. Tonight, we got word that our timing was slowed due to the low river and avoiding sandbars. We won’t get to the first village until after lunch tomorrow. Half a day. Your timing, Lord. For some reason, this is what you’ve worked out. Thank you for your plan.

The first village has around 200 people, about 75% children—and the Radical Missionaries have only been here about four months. We are the first boat ministry they’ve had. There is one church, built long ago, so there are a few believers. Our prayer is that we represent God’s love to these people.

VOYAGERS – The team poses aboard their home for the week, a mission boat owned and operated by the National Mission Board of Brazil.

BRANDAO

WAITING

– Below: People in villages line up to be seen at medical clinics put on by the visiting mission team. They offered medical, dental, and eye care, as well as activities for children.

Far right, page 9: Nelda Smothers, a member of First Baptist Church, Metropolis, leads the team in a devotional time.

Oct. 21: We started work today around 3 p.m. We passed by the village around 11 a.m., but with the river 15 yards low, the Brazilians did not recognize the village. We went two hours upstream, then turned around and went back. For some reason we won’t know until we get to heaven, we weren’t supposed to get there earlier.

We set up the clinic and saw patients for two-anda-half hours. Sixty-eight patients came through: 60 medical, 30 to the eye doctor, 21 to dentists. Five people accepted Christ during worship and evangelism.

Uphill climb

Oct. 22: Today was a full day. It took awhile to get the clinic set up and rolling smoothly. Physically, it was tough. We had a steep climb up a dirt bank, across yards, and down and over a creek. Since the eye doctor was on the boat, several trips were made getting people there and back. When the temperature got over 100, three of us took turns walking people to and from the boat, just so we wouldn’t overheat and pass out.

But we saw 182 patients, and had around 60 kids for the children’s activities. Over 25 people

Around 2 p.m.,

accepted Christ, including the village leader and his wife! The leader of the village across the river is a strong believer. When he heard the Evangecube presentation, he asked one of the young Radical Missionaries to come and train them in how to share.

Brent (Cloyd, director of missions for Greater Wabash Baptist Association) preached; 80-90 people came and five adults made a decision. Thank you, Lord, for getting us through!

Oct. 23: Today was a “not going as planned” day, but ended up being the best day so far. The village was smaller and we saw everyone who came to the clinic by 10 a.m. So, we formed visitation teams and sent them out into the village to do house-to-house visits until lunch. It went well—some people accepted Christ!

Lunch came and then we went back to work. By 2:30, we saw everyone waiting and were just sitting around when a boat pulled up with teachers and students from a nearby public school. We attended all who wanted to be seen, then pulled them all together and had a question/answer/chat time. Pastor Mike (Killian, of Rockford) then did the plan of salvation and several of them accepted Christ. But all of them listened intently. Best afternoon yet!

Oct. 24: We arrived and saw the worst bank climb yet—mud, straight up. The boat crew

I had forgotten

worked an hour to get us a path to the top. I was so worried about our 82-year-old, but she did it!

We set up in a building right on the bank overlooking the Amazon River. Clouds! Wind! Dolphins jumping in the water! Lots of shade and a nice veranda to use. We were up and running before 8:00. By now, everyone knows their place and things get rolling quickly.

Three of the Radical Missionaries came to do evangelism and it worked well. Lots of children showed up to play.

how quickly and how deeply Brazilians form relationships, and how difficult goodbyes are. But when you see how joyfully these folks do their ministry for the Lord, despite the difficulties, you can’t help but connect to them. How much more will we pray for them now that we’ve experienced their situation personally!

I just didn’t know if we could take the heat, and God sent us CLOUDS and a BREEZE and a storm passing to the side!

Around 10:30, heavy rain came. We finished in the upper clinic, but the eye doctor and dentist continued on the boat, so we stayed up on top. By the time we headed down the hill, it was slick as ice. One fall on the hill, one fall on the wet boat deck, but no one hurt. We were ALL praying through that one.

Saying goodbye—for now

Oct. 25: We arrived at the Manaus port at 9:30 a.m. and walked through downtown to the tourist market. Everyone shopped a while—it was HOT. We had lunch at noon and then our closing devotion, a great time of sharing and closure together. It seems everyone is pleased with all God has allowed us to do. Many praises and thanksgivings to God and to each other—as well as gifts to our Brazilian partners.

Thirteen American churches were represented and nine Brazilian churches as well. We all came together despite the language and cultural differences.

These river people are unreached for a reason—they are difficult to get to. But with God’s help and protection, we saw:

• 500 people in the clinic

• More than 200 children

• 100 decisions to accept Jesus

Oct. 29: After extending our trip to visit with Pastor Fernando and his family in Rio de Janeiro, our time in Brazil is over! It was so very good to come back, to reconnect with the culture, to renew our Portuguese language skills, to visit with friends—both old and new—to eat the good food. We didn’t know if we would

Learned that our original return plan was wrong,

not 17 hours, but 30-plus hours! Today we only work until noon and then make our way back to Manaus. Five more hours to reach people in this last village. Help us serve You well!

ever get the opportunity to do this again or not. What a blessing!

But at the same time, we leave knowing that our call is to the U.S. now— and not back to Brazil full-time.

While we would definitely be open to taking teams back and doing short-term work here ourselves, we know our work is in Illinois at this time in our lives.

Lord, how can we use what we’ve experienced these two weeks in Brazil when we return to Illinois? Help us to process all we’ve been through, and use it to inspire others to serve you better. To you be the glory! Amen!

MEETING NEEDS – Translators and Brazilian missionaries worked alongside the Illinois team to serve patients and share the gospel.

GOOD NEWS – Illinois Director of Missions Brent Cloyd (far right) shares the gospel with clinic patients waiting to receive their medications.

PHOTOGRAPHER ELIZABETH GETTYS

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Global missions focus is Dec. 3-10

Week of Prayer highlights work among unreached people groups, refugees

Every December since 1888, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has empowered Southern Baptists’ international missions work. This year’s Lottie Moon Offering and Week of Prayer feature people doing difficult work around the world—whether they’re reaching out to Muslims in Russia, starting a new church in Japan, or giving hope to refugees.

Reaching the unreached

When most people think of Russia, they may conjure up images of Romanov royalty, a parade of dictators like Stalin and Lenin or Brezhnev, or maybe cultural icons such as Mikhail Baryshnikov or Dostoyevsky. They don’t think of Muslims.

But Islam is part of the fabric of old Russia—it made it there 66 years before Christianity did. As a result, Muslim groups are indigenous to the North Caucasus region, an area between the Black and Caspian Seas situated on northern slopes of the mountain range that generally separates Europe from Asia. These people groups include 45 to 50 subsets of people and even more languages, making them very difficult to reach.

However many of them are moving into Moscow, Russia’s capital, which now has more Muslims than any other European city. Its newly reopened Grand Mosque can hold 10,000 worshippers.

“God says, ‘If you can’t go to them, I’ll bring them to you,’” said Elizabeth*, a Christian worker among Muslims in Moscow. “There’s no better time to be in the former Soviet Union. God is moving Muslims right under our noses.”

Seeing the impossible International Mission Board missionaries Jared and Tara Jones (below) knew that God could do a lot with something little. But they never imagined just how many doors he would open through their adopted infant son, Ezra.

In the East Asian country, 40,000 children live in orphanages, but parents rarely give up their rights so that a child can be adopted. But the Joneses knew God had placed a baby on their hearts, and they prayed.

“We serve a God who makes doors where doors don’t exist,” Jared said.

“And this little guy gives us multiple opportunities to talk about the Lord.”

Their son’s pediatrician was the key to another door—a church plant they had been praying about for years. One day, the doctor told Tara out of the blue that she wanted to start a church at her office and asked if Jared could lead it. Tara described it as a divine appointment. The first Sunday 70 people came. They’ve seen hearts changed and people keep coming.

Remembering the forgotten Don Alan* says he remembers a refugee telling him once that he didn’t feel alive, but he wasn’t dead either—he was somewhere in between.

“Hopelessness is a universal feeling among refugees,” Don said. “They feel forgotten.” That’s why International Mission Board missionaries like Don, who serves in North Africa and the Middle East, and Seth Payton*, who works with refugees in Europe, spend their lives taking hope into those hopeless places.

“Refugees come to Europe looking for a better life, and many times they find nothing,” Seth said. Often, they’ve paid traffickers a high price for a long, miserable trip across the desert and then a dangerous boat ride across the Mediterranean Sea. If they make it alive, then they often can’t get jobs. They spend their days scrounging for food and their nights packed into an apartment with 15

2017 Week of Prayer for International Missions

Go to IMB.org/lottie-moonchristmas-offering for videos, stories, photos, and prayer requests for each day of the Week of Prayer for International Missions:

Day 1: The Bagby family in Nepal hikes rough terrain to bring the gospel to unreached people and villages.

Day 2: God is moving Muslims of Russia toward faith in Christ.

Day 3: For the Jones family in Japan, God is using the adoption of their son to open doors and hearts.

Day 4: The diverse backgrounds and skills of the Mexico City team help them serve unreached people in this global megacity.

Day 5: Often alone, the forgotten refugee needs to know he is loved by God. IMB missionaries have the opportunity to share the hope of the gospel.

other people.

“We pray that through this time God will open their hearts and draw them into his kingdom through the hope that he offers,” Seth said. “Hundreds of refugees from closed countries are becoming believers in Europe. So there are great things happening in the midst of a heartbreaking situation.”

*Names changed. – From IMB.org

Day 6: The world converges in the kitchen of the Mikeska family in London. There they encourage new believers and develop strategic friendships.

Day 7: Celebrate what God has done to draw people to himself and continue praying for hearts open to him.

Day 8: Boldness, clarity, joy, effectiveness, and more. This is what IMB missionaries need and why prayer matters.

GROWING NEED – Moscow now has more Muslims than any other European city. Here, thousands gather for Friday prayers at the city’s Grand Mosque.

ROAD WEARY – Most North African refugees who escape to cities in Europe and elsewhere are penniless and hopeless when they arrive.

The real ‘First Thanksgiving’

Images from the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving Day feast are easy to call to mind—black hats, wide white collars, Native American guests, and an idyllic feast bringing together two very different cultures. But historian Robert Tracy McKenzie—along with others in his field—say that many of those images are, to put it simply, not true.

The Pilgrims often wore bright colors, for example. And while the 1621 feast did include Native Americans, the dynamic between the two groups was likely tense.

McKenzie, chair of the history department at Wheaton College, explores the Pilgrims’ journey from England to Holland to America in his 2013 book “The First Thanksgiving: What the Real Story Tells Us About Loving God and Learning from History.”

The Pilgrims, he writes, wouldn’t have been given to celebrating very many holy days. This set them apart from the Catholic and Anglican Churches. Aside from a weekly Sabbath, the Pilgrims had two distinct reasons to call for a holy day: a day of humiliation and fasting, and a day of thanksgiving.

Both happened in 1623, as new settlers arrived while the existing colonists were already struggling to survive. Food was scarce, and now there were more mouths to feed. And on top of all that, McKenzie writes, they faced a two-month drought that summer.

The Pilgrims called a day of humiliation “to seek the Lord by humble and fervent prayer.” They prayed for eight or nine hours, McKenzie writes, during which the sky became overcast. Then, it rained for the next 14 days.

And then the Pilgrims saw reason for another holy day—a day of thanksgiving. McKenzie writes this particular day was very different from what we traditionally think of as the first Thanksgiving, which historians generally consider to have been a kind of harvest festival. The real first Thanksgiving, he says, was “called to acknowledge a very specific, extraordinary blessing from the Lord.”

The current vestiges of Thanksgiving Day celebrations are very different than what the Pilgrims embraced, McKenzie says. “In their view, an annual Thanksgiving taught human conceit and divine predictability and could easily degenerate into a meaningless ritual that reduced God’s provision for human news to his creation of the crop cycle.

“By observing Thanksgiving irregularly, on the other hand…the Pilgrims reminded one another to look with expectancy for God’s ongoing, direct intervention in every aspect of their lives.”

– The First Thanksgiving (IVP Academic, 2013)

Giving thanks

There are a few verses that most Christ followers at least sort of know by heart. Verses like John 3:16. Or Hebrews 11:1. Or this one:

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

It’s a strange passage coming from someone like the apostle Paul. He’s been bitten by snakes, shipwrecked, beaten within an inch of his life on numerous occasions, abandoned by his friends on some occasions, maligned by people he cared about on others. And yet, Paul stresses the obedience of joy and thankfulness almost as much as he stresses grace and faith.

And make no mistake—it is an issue of obedience. Often we think of joy and gratitude in the realm of feelings. Either we feel joyful or thankful, or we don’t. When we feel it, we do it. But obedience doesn’t work that way.

But there is another issue here to examine during this season set aside for giving thanks—whether there is a difference between giving thanks IN all circumstances and giving thanks FOR all circumstances.

If there is, it means that no matter what situation you find yourself in, there is always something to be thankful for. You may not be thankful for the suffering, the pain, the hardship or the persecution, but there are other things to lift your heart. When you consider everything that the Lord is, all that he continues to do in the world, and the next world waiting for the believer, there are plenty of reasons to say “thanks,” no matter what happens to be going on.

doing so in faith. You are thankful because you believe that ultimately good will come of it.

I think people love Jesus and believe both of these things. And at the end of the day, both sets of believers are thankful.

In my own life, I have seen how, over time, you become more thankful “for.” Over time, and with perspective, you begin to see the invisible hand of God moving in times that, in the moment, you could not see. You begin to reflect on God’s providential care and love and wisdom even when he may have seemed so significantly absent. You see how he has shaped you and guided you into a deeper experience of Jesus. And so, over time, you become thankful “for.”

To bring it full circle, notice that the command here is to give thanks in all circumstances. That’s what you can do right now, even if you don’t feel like it. You can practice the discipline of gratitude, finding the grace of God, in general and in particular, at work in your life.

But as you do that, think back a bit. Think back to those moments when you thought you would never have another reason to feel thankful again. Think back, and then look and see the redemptive hand of God at work because of those times. And maybe this is the year that you are not only obediently thankful in, but also being thankful for.

Obedience is doing regardless of whether you’re feeling. Thankfully, as we grow in Christ, we find the Lord not only bringing about in us the correct actions but also the correct feelings that come alongside those actions. But until we are made right and whole again, it is left to us to give ourselves to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit by continuing to do, even (and perhaps most especially) when we do not feel.

So, your gratitude—just like mine—is not a question of whether you feel thankful, but whether you are willing to obey this command from the Lord.

If there’s not a difference, it means you believe that every circumstance, regardless of how devastating or marvelous, has come from God. And since you know that God is for you, not against you, then you can be thankful for the circumstance, even if you are

Michael Kelley is director of groups ministry for LifeWay Christian Resources. He is on Twitter at @_michaelkelley and online at michaelkelley.com, where this article first appeared.

– From Baptist Press

‘in’ and ‘for’

table talk

The three most challenging sermons... Christmas...Easter...and Thanksgiving Luncheon Sunday.

Reliving the past, looking to the future

Churches, associations celebrate milestone anniversaries

As Illinois prepares to mark its bicentennial next year, several IBSA churches and associations celebrated big birthdays in October.

First Baptist Church, Raleigh

Pastor Roy Dale Orr’s church marked its 180th birthday Oct. 15 with a special worship service, meal, and time of singing together. IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams also was on hand to present Orr with a plaque of appreciation for his church.

The congregation, which Orr (below, left) has pastored since December, celebrated their past by creating a commemorative history book, and through photo displays set up on the anniversary Sunday.

Union Baptist Association

For their 150th anniversary celebration, leaders in Union Baptist Association divided their history into three 50-year segments, each with its own focus: churches, missions, and the association’s evangelistic outreach through its children’s camp.

Since its founding, the church relocated from its original location, Orr said, and their current building has been updated several times, including the recent addition of a family activity center.

New Douglas Baptist Church

On the site where their church was established 150 years ago, New Douglas Baptist Church marked its anniversary with visits from former pastors and old friends, a look back at the church’s history, and a celebration of its influence on the people who grew up there.

The founders of New Douglas purchased the land where the church still meets for $50. The original meeting house has been updated and added to over the years, but the congregation still meets there.

The church, which is currently without a pastor, held a special celebration service Oct. 29 featuring three former pastors—Jim Smitherman, Art Gormley, and Matt McNeally—and letters from two others, Delbert Halleman and Carl Watkins. The Williams Sisters, five sisters who grew up singing together at the church, also reunited for the celebration service.

Brenda Crockett, a member of First Baptist Church, Karnak, helped bring each era to life with dramatic interpretations of the southern Illinois association’s ministry through the years. Many of the association’s 21 churches also set up displays, said Director of Missions Terry Mathis. Mathis, who has led Union Association for 20 years, accepted a plaque on his association’s behalf from IBSA’s Nate Adams.

Metro East Baptist Association

On Oct. 8, Metro East Baptist Association (MEBA) celebrated their centennial anniversary with the theme “Celebrating the Mission, 100 Years of Serving the Lord.”

The celebration was divided into four parts: Doug Munton, pastor of First Baptist Church, O’Fallon, shared about Baptist beginnings in Illinois, highlighting the work of early pioneers.

Rick Shepard, a member of Winstanley Baptist Church, shared the beginnings of the association— then called the East St. Louis Baptist Association. Roger Reid, pastor of First Baptist Church, Dupo, focused on the association’s work

in church planting. And Ronny Carroll, MEBA’s executive director, challenged the association’s churches to be fervent in evangelism, church strengthening, and church planting. IBSA’s Nate Adams also preached during the celebration, and the choir from First Baptist Church, Columbia (above), led in worship.

RECREATING HISTORY – Brenda Crockett (above left) delivers a historical interpretation at the 150th anniversary celebration of Union Baptist Association, where Director of Missions Terry Mathis (left) received a plaque from IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams

IN APPRECIATION – IBSA’s Larry Rhodes (center) presents a plaque to New Douglas deacons Charles Riddings (left) and Stan Camp

LOOKING BACK – Doug Munton, pastor of First Baptist Church, O’Fallon, shares about “Baptist Beginnings” at the 100th anniversary celebration of Metro East Baptist Association.

CARROLL

Bible study training in 6 locations

IBSA churches are invited to training in November designed to help them reach non-Christians through small-group Bible study. Discovery Bible Study is a tool that started with International Mission Board missionaries and is now being used to introduce people in the U.S. to Christ.

The strategy gathers small groups of people who study and explore the Bible together. Over the course of a Discovery Bible Study, participants will survey the grand message of the Bible and God’s offer of salvation in Jesus. The study leader facilitates the group, engaging the content or teaching of that week’s Bible passages, discussing what they learned, and talking about how to apply it.

This month, IBSA is sponsoring six Discovery Bible Study training sessions across the state. Gary Jennings, former IBSA director of evangelism, will lead the sessions. Dates and locations are:

Monday, Nov. 13: Third Baptist Church, Marion

Tuesday, Nov. 14: Towerview Baptist Church, Belleville

Wednesday, Nov. 15: Argenta Baptist Church

Thursday, Nov. 16: New Hope Baptist Church of Como, Sterling

Friday, Nov. 17: Brainard Avenue Baptist Church, Countryside

Saturday, Nov. 18: Chicago Metro Baptist Association

Those attending the training will be encouraged to return home and launch a Discovery Bible Study among (or with) a group of non-Christians interested in the Bible.

Weekday trainings are 5:30-9 p.m. with dinner included; the Saturday training session is 8:30 a.m. to noon, including breakfast. Cost is $5 per person. For more information, call (217) 391-3101 or e-mail RachelCarter@IBSA.org.

NeTworkiNg

Oh happy day

Welcome

people

Andy Price has been called as the new lead pastor of Third Baptist Church in Marion. He and his family will relocate to southern Illinois from Mississippi, where Price served as Groups Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Horn Lake. Price is a graduate of Liberty Baptist University and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Tracy, and they have a daughter, Madison.

Stonefort | Five children made the Oct. 5 homecoming celebration at Stonefort Missionary Baptist Church an extra-special occasion. The church, located about 20 miles southeast of Marion, marks the homecoming every year, but it’s not every year that five young people are baptized.

Pastor Keith Bunfill

baptized (from left) Breezy Betz, Kyleigh Ryan, Gracie Milburn, Caleb Gore, and Haiden Taylor at a baptism service following the church’s homecoming worship service and meal.

The children came to know Christ at different times, Bunfill said, including Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.

Tweens donate to DR

The hurricane relief effort in Texas recently got a helping hand from fifth graders in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

Ella Gould and her classmates raised $200 through an entrepreneur fair they sponsored, and decided to donate the proceeds to help victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Ella is the granddaughter of Don and Ruth Ile, Disaster Relief leaders in Greater Wabash Baptist Association. The Iles recently spent 10 days in Texas with a group of Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers, helping home-

owners recover after massive flooding. Their team worked on 13 homes as part of the ongoing relief effort.

Back in Kentucky, Ella’s class could have decided to spend the money they raised on a party or something else they wanted, Ruth Ile said. But they chose a more charitable option. “They wanted to donate this money to a cause that helped people in need,” said Greater Wabash Director of Missions Brent Cloyd. “We are grateful for the entrepreneurial spirit displayed by Ella’s class and for their generosity.”

Find more information on ministry positions at IBSA.org/connect Send NetworkiNg items to IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org

Third Baptist Church, West Frankfort seeks a full-time or bivocational pastor. We desire candidates whose ministry contains evidence of diligent work, a heart for the community, seeking God’s will, friendliness, and doctrinal integrity consistent with historic Baptist beliefs. Formal education is welcomed, but will not be considered of more import than the qualities listed above. Send resumes to Third Baptist Church, 1100 West 6th St., West Frankfort, IL 62896, or 3rdBaptistSearch@gmail.com.

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Buncombe seeks a bivocational pastor. This small, rural church with a big heart wants to continue efforts to fulfill the Great Commission with a Spirit-filled leader. Please send resumes to praterbob6@gmail.com.

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church seeks a part-time director of youth ministries. The principle function of this position is to build young disciples for Christ by developing and implementing a comprehensive

With the Lord Tom Hoffmann, who pastored First Baptist Church, Pocahontas, for 20 years, died October 8 at the age of 63. Along with pastoring his church, Hoffmann worked as a farmer, paramedic, firefighter, and fire chief with the Keyesport Fire Protection District. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Diana; daughters, Jamie (David) Baum and Kristen (Mark) Schmitt; and six grandchildren.

James Kerley, a long-time IBSA pastor and director of missions, died October 30 at the age of 81. Kerley pastored and planted numerous churches and was director of missions for Franklin Baptist Association for over 20 years. He also served as president of the IBSA Pastors’ Conference and on the IBSA Board of Directors. He is survived by his wife, Pattie; sons, James (Starletta) Kerley and John (Deborah) Kerley; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Mike Lee, IBSA’s director of evangelism from 1991 to 1994, died October 10 at the age of 61. During his 40-year ministry, he pastored several churches and served with the North American Mission Board, LifeWay, and the Michigan Baptist State Convention. Most recently, Lee was headmaster of a Christian school in Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

approach to youth ministry, while serving as a spiritual leader and role model. Please send resume and cover letter to phbcsearch@yahoo.com

Baptist Children’s Home in Carmi seeks a full-time (4 days per week) husband and wife relief houseparent couple to fill in for two days at each of two boys’ cottages while the regular houseparent couple is off duty. Send resumes to Melinda Bratcher at 949 County Rd. 1300 North, Carmi, IL 62821, or call (618) 382-4164, ext. 111.

EVENTS

November 7-8

IBSA Pastors’ Conference

What: Spiritual rejuvenation for Illinois pastors, their spouses, and other church leaders under the banner of this year’s theme, “Time for a Check-Up.” SBC President Steve Gaines leads the list of this year’s speakers.

Where: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Decatur Information: IBSAannualmeeting.org

November 8

Ministers’ Wives’ Luncheon

What: This year’s theme is “The Gift of Togetherness” based on Hebrews 10:24; event is from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m and includes a program and lunch.

Where: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Decatur

Cost: $20 per person

Information: sisterrykenney@gmail.com or (217) 491-3880

November 13-18

Discovery Bible Study Training

What: Former IBSA staffer Gary Jennings teaches church leaders how to reach out to non-Christians through new Bible study groups.

When: See page 14 for dates, times, and locations.

Cost: $5 per person

November 8-9

IBSA Annual Meeting

What: “Pioneering Spirit” is the theme of the 111th IBSA Annual Meeting, featuring SBC President Steve Gaines and the annual sermon by Sammy Simons, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton. ‘This Hope’ will lead in worship.

Where: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Decatur Information: IBSAannualmeeting.org

Information: RachelCarter@IBSA.org

November 15

Lunch and Learn Webinar Series - “Lean Forward”

What: Gain an overview of how to live with intention and glean ways to recapture your life; 11:30 a.m. – noon.

Vacation home to rent?

dave says

QWhat is your opinion of buying a vacation home, then renting it out when you’re not there?

AI see nothing wrong with it, as long as you’re buying with cash and you’re also debt-free. A vacation home is a wonderful “extra” as you start building wealth. Remember though, it’s still basically a very large, very expensive toy. In most cases it will go up in value, and if you rent it, it might become something of a money maker for you.

But here’s another side to vacation home rentals. You’ll probably make some money, but in most cases there will be several weeks during a year when it sits empty. You’re not going to get rich renting it out. So, they’re not really great investment properties. What you’re talking about is more of a plan to offset the annual costs of your toy. If you look at it that way, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Letting go

QMy son is about to go off to college, and I’m concerned about how he’ll handle his money when he gets there. We’ve taught all our children how to use your envelope system, and to save and give, but I’d like some advice on how he can safeguard his finances a little better.

AIf you haven’t already covered it, he needs to learn to utilize a debit card and reconcile a checking account. Set the account up in your name and his, so you can follow what’s going on in the account. If there’s an issue, this gives you easy access so that a minor incident doesn’t become a huge problem.

“In ministry, whether academic or pastoral, we need to dig the well deep to serve the people of God over the long haul. Our programs have been designed to help our students not only dig deeply into the Bible, theology, and practice, but also to leave with a deeply dug well from which they can draw water for a lifetime of ministry.”

Graham A. Cole, Dean of TEDS At

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, our programs challenge you to a greater depth of understanding and scholarship. We provide the opportunity for you to go deeper in your study of God’s word, as you get equipped to meet the demands of ministry today.

Our gospel calling shapes our identity as an institution, and it will shape your experience as a student at TEDS.

Full-tuition scholarships available. Learn more at teds.edu

If you’re determined to go this route, be ready to deal with spills on the carpet and damage from your guests, along with general maintenance and repairs. There’s always something that needs attention when you own a property. But if you can handle all that emotionally and financially—and you’re not looking for it to be a big-time investment that will make you rich— you’ll be fine.

Financial advisor Dave Ramsey is a prolific author and radio host.

Right now, the best way for him to learn is to make educated, informed decisions on his own and to stand on his own two feet. You’re there for guidance at this point—not control. I’d let him use a debit card, cash, and have a few simple envelopes for expenses. Also, he needs to report back to you monthly what’s going on with the budget. What I’m talking about here isn’t control; it’s a simple, regular review and coaching session on finances.

This is an exciting time in your lives. You’ve laid a foundation, and it’s time for this little one to spread his wings a bit. Together, you can make sure he’s learning and living the way a young man should!

Jan. 23-25, 2018

Springfield, Illinois Crowne Plaza Hotel

3 days of focused equipping for church leaders. Come ready to learn. Return ready to change your church and community.

DAVE RAMSEY

Church needed here...

Location: Belleville

Focus: Unchurched people

Characteristics: Belleville is a city of 45,000 in the Metro East St. Louis region, and the most populous Illinois city south of Springfield. Catholicism is the predominant religion in the region; around 15,000 people in the city attend church on a regular basis.

Prayer needs: Parts of Belleville are in need of a gospel-centered church. The city would be a great place to plant a new church close to the big city of St. Louis.

Repairing the breach

Read: Acts 9, 13-15; Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11

inspirations

pinterest.com/illinoisBaptist

Pat’s Playbook

Touchy subject

QI talked with a GuideStone representative recently, and I realized just how far behind we are in planning for retirement. I may live to 100, but I’ll be dead broke. As a pastor, is it right to ask the church to put more toward my annuity, and not dock my salary? (They give a little now, but nowhere near the max.)

AI Timothy 5:17 speaks of elders being worthy of “double honor.” When a church extends a call to a pastor, it also has an obligation to meet his needs, and that includes providing a livable salary, health and life insurance, and retirement. The majority of church members expect that from their employer and should provide that for their pastor and his family.

PAT PAJAK

Prepare now for the Christmas rush

91% of Americans celebrate Christmas. 63% think Christmas should include attending church, according to a LifeWay study.

47% of Americans attend during Christmas week, compared to 18% most every other week. That’s 2.6 times higher than usual. 16% more say they are open to attending a service for Christmas Eve, although they don’t follow through.

Here are some ideas for improving Christmas attendance:

Pastors often have a difficult time negotiating any change in their salary or benefits. However, there is nothing wrong with a pastor asking the church to make adjustments and provide for him now and in years to come. GuideStone has a salary guide that can help churches know what should be provided.

Give them Jesus

KEVIN CARROTHERS

Differences of opinions occur among godly leaders and can lead to broken relationships. Paul and Barnabas had become close friends and colleagues. Barnabas was one of the first people to embrace Paul as a new believer. Then Barnabas called Paul to serve with him at Antioch. That followed with the Holy Spirit calling them to travel throughout Asia Minor sharing the gospel among the Jews and Gentiles. For three years they faithfully proclaimed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but endured great hostility and opposition to their message of hope and life. Together they confronted the circumcision conflict, defending salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.

When the time came for the second missionary journey, both men wanted to revisit the churches that had been established on the first journey, to strengthen their faith and resolve in Christ. However, Paul and Barnabas had a heated argument about taking John Mark on this journey. Paul had lost confidence in Mark because he had quit during the first trip. Barnabas was willing to extend grace to Mark just as he had extended grace to Paul as a new believer. Nonetheless, the conflict resulted in Paul and Barnabas separating.

The good news is the love of Christ ultimately prevailed in this situation as Paul and Mark were reconciled with Mark becoming a loyal and valuable partner in Paul’s ministry.

PRAYER PROMPT: Oh gracious Lord, when we have conflict and division, may the love of Christ rule our hearts and mouths. May we be quick to forgive and extend grace as Christ has done for us. Amen.

Kevin Carrothers serves as director of missions for Salem South Baptist Association and is concluding his second one-year term as IBSA President.

• Give regular attenders special cards to hand to friends. Personal invitations are still the most effective.

• Focus on the two weeks before and after Christmas; make the services special.

• Consider an Early Christmas Eve Service for travelers. Christmas Eve is on Sunday this year. How about a Friday night “Early Eve” before families leave for Grandma’s?

• Make it all Christmas all month. Everyone expects Christmas carols, even at the contemporary service. Leave the decorations up for December 31 and sing a few more carols.

• Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up. Take the guests a gift after Christmas.

• Start a new sermon series the Sunday after Christmas. Advertise it in the Christmas bulletins.

• Regular faces in their places. Make sure guests who come back right after Christmas see the same leaders in place.

• Advertise a Valentine’s event to the Christmas crowd. Repeat for Easter and Mother’s Day.

– Statistics from e-Church.com and LifeWay.com.

QThe preschool area is covered in Noah’s Ark with animals on every wall. The Sunday School director wants to replace aardvarks with scenes from the Gospels. I’d like to see more of Jesus too. Is there a way around the hurt feelings if we cover these old murals painted by a beloved church member?

A: I don’t know the layout of your building, but you might suggest that you use a theme approach to the various preschool rooms. While children aren’t interested in room numbers, they can remember the Noah’s Ark room, the Coat of Many Colors room, the Sermon on the Mount room, the Jesus and Apostles Room—you get the idea. Don’t make it a “change” as much as an “improvement” for the children’s sake. And everyone will get a little of what they like without anyone having to get offended.

As an added bonus, young parents and first-time guests will be impressed with the creativity and extra effort.

Pat Pajak is IBSA’s associate executive director for evangelism. Send questions for Pat to IllinoisBaptist@ IBSA.org.

– IBSA Church Planting Team