Mid-America Messenger-Summer 2024

TO ALL THE

WORLD FOR JESUS’ SAKE THE SUN NEVER SETS ON THE MINISTRY OF MID-AMERICA, AS OUR PASSION FOR MISSIONS DRIVES US TO TAKE THE GOSPEL AROUND THE GLOBE

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVES 2

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is

And he who wins souls is wise.

patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to

T

PROVERBS 11:30

he three key words of the mission of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary are Bible, missions, and

evangelism. Every Christian is called to share the Gospel.

Pastors do not share the Gospel because they are pastors but because they are Christians. But the Scriptures tell us to do even more than just share our faith. We are called to go to where the

come to repentance.” (NASB) As we concluded the last Chapel of the school year, our students, faculty, and staff shared testimonies of the missions trips ahead of us, and prayed for the blessing of the Lord as we prepare to go.

For me, personally, I plan to return to Cameroon in West Africa to preach another crusade. For over 50 years at Mid-America, when God calls, we go.

peoples of the world live and tell them the Good News of Jesus Christ in their own language, at their own homes, and within their own cultures.

SO, MISSIONS, OR CROSS-CULTURAL EVANGELISM, is at the core of who we are in Christ. As 2 Peter 3:9 says: “The Lord

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

MICHAEL R. SPRADLIN, PHD

PRESIDENT, MID-AMERICA SEMINARY AND COLLEGE

INSIDE SUMMER 2024 VOLUME 52, NUMBER 1 Published by Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and The College at Mid-America PRESIDENT Michael Spradlin, PhD EDITOR Randy Redd, PhD DESIGN Eternity Communications WEB mabts.edu collegeatmidamerica.com EMAIL info@mabts.edu SOCIAL  facebook.com/mabts.edu twitter.com/mabts  instagram.com/mabts_

P.O. Box 2350 Cordova, Tennessee 38088-2350 901-751-8453

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TO ALL THE WORLD FOR JESUS’ SAKE

THE WORLD COMES TO MID-AMERICA

MISSIONS AT HOME IN THE USA

A Mid-America student uses the lyrics of our Alma Mater to outline the story of her call to, experience with, and training for international missions.

Students from 20+ nations have or are currently receiving their theological education at Mid-America, extending our reach to all the world.

From reaching the unchurched right in our backyard to promoting global missions in churches all across our nation, our alumni are on mission in the USA.

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THE PRESIDENT IS CALLING

MISSIONS: THE DNA OF MID-AMERICA

TRAINING FUTURE MISSIONARIES

Dr. Paul Chitwood, President of the IMB, expresses a personal thank you and a call to MidAmerica alumni and students.

Father and son, both Mid-America alumni, testify to how missions is ingrained in the very DNA of the Mid-America family.

Hundreds of called missionaries need seminary training before they can be deployed. See how you can make a world of difference.

BY ANNIE ROSE*

RECENT MID-AMERICA GRADUATE

F

lags! Colors! Languages! My six-year-old eyes stared in wonder from the front row of the church balcony during the annual missions fair as missionaries marched down the aisle with flags and crossed the stage. One of my first memories in life is turning to my mom and saying, “When I grow

up, I want to be one of those people.” I did not know the title “missionary” but knew God had begun captivating my heart with His love for the world.

In March 2012, I stepped onto a plane with a one-way ticket to East Asia. Upon arrival, I was crushed between sticky bodies on buses, and I was immediately

*Due to security concerns in the region where this Mid-America alumna may be appointed, her name has been changed and other details have been concealed such as names of nations in which she has been or may be serving.

blind-sided with the reality of the density of the population. I gazed upon seas of skyscraper apartment buildings and mountains dotted with villages, and thought, “I wonder if the Gospel has gone there?” The urgency for Gospel laborers reverberated within me, and I remembered Jesus’ words, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” I knew He did not intend for the laborers to be few and began to implore the Father to send more workers to come to Asia and go to all the world.

I soon discovered that most of the people in my province had never heard the Gospel. When asked if they knew who Jesus is, most would respond that they had never heard of Him. Never. The thought of generations of families in hell weighed on me, but I recognized the enormous privilege of introducing Jesus for the first time and was overjoyed seeing peoples’ excitement, especially over the resurrection.

As I shared the Gospel, it came alive afresh within me as I saw the “power of God unto salvation” at work over and over again. Baptisms also became a thrill of fresh excitement and, due to persecution, my team moved my dining room table out of the way and blew up a kiddie pool to baptize new believers.

My team trained new Christians in the city from several tribal groups to take the Gospel to their own people as indigenous missionaries. Many became indigenous missionaries. They were repeatedly visited by police, beaten, burned by policemen’s cigarettes, and so on, but they never stopped sharing their faith. Once, one of my local brothers was asked, “Why do you keep baptizing people in that river (in his home village), when you know you could be killed for doing it?” He replied, “I’ve already died,” referring to Galatians 2:20. He was joyfully and fearlessly living the crucified life willing to go to all the world for Jesus’ sake.

WHERE BODIES HURT AND SAD HEARTS ACHE After leaving that persecuted nation, I moved to another country as my base, and went to many other surrounding Asian nations leading women’s evangelism and discipleship conferences. I met women who had suffered unspeakable abuse and

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heartache; some did not even have easy access to the

my desire to minister God’s Word effectively to them.

basic necessities of living such as water and shelter.

Therefore, instead of getting my degree in missions,

Many suffered from painful diseases and multiple

I chose to get my MA degree in Biblical Counseling.

losses of children. I asked the Lord to give me His love

The program has given me invaluable information

for the broken, so I could better minister to the women.

and practice in ministering Scripture and the Gospel

I remember standing before a crowd of sari-draped women looking at me with curious brown eyes, and suddenly it was like God had me imagine each of

in all kinds of situations people find themselves in this broken world.

One of the first things I noticed about Mid-America

them wearing princess crowns feasting at His table in

is the focus on evangelism and missions. I saw in other

Heaven. Even though according to their culture they

students the answer to the prayers I had prayed on

had little value, according to God, He created each one

the mission field for “harvesters.” I have talked to many

on purpose and with immeasurable value and worth

fellow students with a passion to go to the mission

to Him. He is El Roi, the God Who sees them. In Jesus,

field and reach unreached people groups. We have

they could have stories of hope! He wanted to give

prayed passionate prayers together for the lost in the

hope to the hopeless, rest to the restless, and healing

world with an urgency to go and share Christ’s love.

for the broken.

My favorite part of the week is Report Hour, where

I also had the joy of working alongside several

students give testimonies about how we have shared

indigenous pastors in Asian countries, helping them

the Gospel during the week. It encourages my heart

form women’s ministries and disciple their women

to see my fellow students on fire for God, lifting high

to maturity in Christ. As opportunities expanded for

the Cross and proclaiming His love at their churches,

discipleship and teaching, however, I recognized the

gas stations, neighborhoods, short-term mission

Lord calling me to receive more Bible training before

trips, and wherever the Spirit leads. The school’s

continuing service on the mission field. I also wanted

focus on evangelism also challenges me here in the

to learn more about counseling in crisis situations and

States to keep sharing the Gospel everywhere I go. If

marriage and family issues.

I can’t share the Good News here, then why go back

LIFT HIGH THE CROSS, HIS LOVE PROCLAIM, MID-AMERICA, BEAR HIS NAME!

overseas?

Before moving abroad, I had considered going to

HIS KINGDOM IS COMING, O LOUD LET IT RING; HIS KINGDOM IS COMING, BE JOYFUL AND SING!

seminary at Mid-America, but God spoke to my heart

What is the motivation behind missions? Why did I

to go ahead to the field.

go to the ends of the earth and am preparing to go

In 2020, when COVID was

back? Why do my persecuted brothers in Christ keep

spreading and travel was

sharing the Gospel? Why does Mid-America train and

halting, it seemed the

send out biblical leaders? The answer involves more

perfect time to come

than just obeying the Great Commission. It is because

home and get my MA

the Kingdom of God has come in the Person of Christ,

degree at the Seminary.

and He is coming back to rule and reign forever. We

In God’s perfect timing,

want to lead as many people as possible into Christ’s

Mid-America had

glorious Kingdom to glorify His Holy Name for all

developed the Biblical

eternity. Revelation 7:9–10 tells of a great multitude of

Counseling program.

every nation, tribe, people, and tongue who will stand

I prayed and thought

before the throne; today’s reality is that some people

of all the “sad hearts

groups are still missing. So, we go to all the world for

aching” I saw on the

Jesus’ sake!

mission field and

WITNESS ONE:SEVEN & GO! PROGRAM REPORT

168, 681 PROFESSIONS OF FAITH WITNESSED BY OUR STUDENTS SINCE 1972

7, 605 2,572 NUMBER OF HOURS OUR STUDENTS SPENT DOING PRACTICAL MISSIONS

347

NUMBER OF PROFESSIONS OF FAITH THROUGH THE WITNESSING OF OUR STUDENTS THIS YEAR

NUMBER OF PEOPLE OUR STUDENTS WITNESSED TO

1,255 NUMBER OF SERMONS PREACHED BY OUR STUDENTS

Witness One:Seven and GO! Program results reported for Fall 2023 semester.

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FR M ALL THE

WORLD FOR JESUS’ SAKE

BY TIMOTHY KAFANG

MID-AMERICA PHD STUDENT FROM NIGERIA

I

am an international student from Nigeria, working on my final phase of completing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Old Testament/Hebrew at Mid-America Baptist

Theological Seminary. Before coming to MidAmerica, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies, a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies in the Old Testament in Nigeria, and a Master of Theology in the Old Testament in California. I have taught for over a decade at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Theological Seminary in Kagoro, Nigeria.

As a theological student, my passion for ministry is to train and develop future pastors, church leaders, and religious school teachers through teaching, preaching, and discipleship.

The church in Africa needs trained and devoted disciples of the Master who are faithful to biblical truths and their applications within the cultural and changing global contexts,transforming the church into a Christ-like body (Acts 4:13).

Mid-America has prepared and given me the critical tools and skills to pursue God’s calling for my future ministry. The tools and skills will enable me to access theological education consistent with biblical teachings (Ephesians 4:14).

Unlike some academic institutions, Mid-America has a balanced equilibrium between academic emphasis and spiritual formation. Therefore, I

The Lord of the Harvest is not only sending Mid-America students “to all the world for Jesus’ sake,” as our Alma Mater proclaims, He is also sending us students from all the world for Jesus’ sake, such as Timothy Kafang (above) from Nigeria. God then often sends them back to their home countries, fully and readily trained to advance the Gospel in their own language and culture.

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MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

learned to engage in biblical scholarship that produces spiritual transformation. Finally, the Seminary has equipped me for disciple-making (2 Timothy 1:13; 4:2–3).

IKSAN LASMANTO

ISAIAS AND QUÉZIA UAENE

Mid-America alumnus, MDIV, 2015

Isaias Uaene, Mid-America alumnus, PhD, 2021;

“Although my scholarship is more

Quézia Uaene, Mid-America alumna, MDIV,

personal in nature, but I would say

2019, PhD, 2023

that I’m representing Jakarta Baptist

“As theological educators, we had our

Theological Seminary and the Union of

skills enhanced by the diligent training that

Indonesian Baptist Churches. Further, while I’m

Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

working on my doctoral study, I’m a part-time staff of Faith Baptist Church,

provides to its developing leaders (the

Bartlett. My roles are both the Ministry Assistant to the Senior Pastor and a

students). The theological education and

Mission Assistant. I have been working on assimilating our visitors and new

spiritual formation we received at Mid-America

members. I also lead an outreach ministry called Saturate Bartlett to visit,

equipped us to face with assurance the ministry

give away packets, and share the Gospel to every home in ZIP code 38133.

challenges in the cultural landscape of our mission field that

ADDIEL R. GUTIERREZ Mid-America alumnus, BA, 2021, MDIV, 2024 “I currently work and serve in the Children’s Ministry at Bellevue Baptist Church. I am also currently serving children with special needs. I believe by God’s grace that my calling is to serve

is so diverse and experiencing many difficulties and spiritual warfare.

“Our theological education paved the way for us to join God where He is already at work among churches here in Mozambique. To encounter the power of darkness and its influence in the culture and community God placed, and to help the church to advance the kingdom of God here in Africa, we were privileged to be equipped at Mid-America for which we are ever grateful. Mid-America invested in our lives to make a difference and impact leaders in our context of ministry here in Mozambique.”

and love these special needs children by

Read the entire report from

ministering and sharing the love of Jesus.

Drs. Uaene and Uaene about how

Mid-America has helped me by knowing the

Mid-America is impacting their ministry in

principles of teaching Gods Word clearly and precise and also sharing the

Mozambique. Visit the Mid-America Blog

Gospel clearly word for word according to the Bible. The seminary has

at mabts.edu/blog or scan this code.

encouraged me and trained me to do what God has called me to do.”

THE WORLD COMES TO MID-AMERICA

OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS REPRESENT 20+ NATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE

RUSSIA UKRAINE UNITED STATES

KOREA

ROMANIA BAHAMAS

HONDURAS COLUMBIA ECUADOR

CHINA

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

PHILIPPINES INDIA

GHANA PERU

KENYA

NIGERIA

MYANMAR MOZAMBIQUE BRAZIL

UGANDA

INDONESIA

MID-AMERICA ALUMNUS SCOTT MORIE IS PROVING THAT DOING MISSIONS WORK RIGHT HERE IN THE U.S.A. TRULY IS “WORTH IT ALL!”

BY DR. SCOTT MORIE

Chinese Baptist churches.

I

My eyes tear up every

We left four years later with five children (including

opportunity for me to

one set of twins) to serve with the North American

partner with a ministry that

Mission Board (NAMB) as a church planter.

impacted my life 45 years

MID-AMERICA ALUMNUS, MDIV, 1987 t was the hardest four years of my life. It was also,

time we meet, whether

however, the most rewarding years of my life. My

a planning session or a

pregnant wife, 1-year-old son, and I moved to

worship service.

Memphis in 1984 to begin my seminary education.

It is also a very special

While a student at Mid-America, a convenience

ago as a college student.

store attendant where I purchased gas once asked

Our Association includes

me, “Preacher, do you ever think it will be worth it all?”

the Baptist Collegiate

The Holy Spirit gave me a response to that question

Ministry at Oklahoma State

not just for her, but even more so for me. I answered,

University, my alma mater.

“Mrs. Edna Mae, it’s worth it all right now!”

OSU is a choice mission

FORTY YEARS LATER, I AM JUST AS EXCITED AND

field with an enrollment

GRATEFUL TO BE SERVING THE LORD. Furthermore, I

of 25,000, including 2,000 international students, the

will always be indebted to Mid-America for the spiritual

driving force of our Chinese and Korean churches.

and biblical training that was provided to me. It was at

OUR ASSOCIATION IS ALSO INVOLVED WITH AN

Mid-America that God put a burden on my heart and a

UNUSUAL MINISTRY THAT WE CALL “LOVE WORTH

passion in my soul for evangelism and missions.

SHARING.” This is our second year to conduct this

Presently, I have the honor of serving as the Director

missions emphasis, and we look forward to many

of Missions (DOM) for Cimarron Baptist Association in

more. “Love Worth Sharing” is a two-month focus on

North Central Oklahoma, which consists of 53 churches

one community in our Association. We invite Cimarron

in three counties. Working with pastors, staff members,

churches to send a team for a half or full day to help

and church leaders is a serious responsibility. They

with service projects. These projects include roof

are facing a spiritual battle daily and need as much

repairs, minor home renovations, brush removal, or

encouragement and support as we can give them.

handing out smoke detectors. Our Disaster Relief chain

There are struggles and challenges in many churches

saw team removes downed trees or hanging limbs.

where a DOM might provide guidance and counsel. It is

Others go door-to-door delivering food packets or

also a joy to welcome new pastors to our Association,

Bibles and praying with families. Everyone serves with

to mentor and coach first-time pastors, and to

the purpose of sharing the love of Jesus Christ in word

celebrate the longtime ministries of those retiring.

and deed.

PART OF MY EXPERIENCE AT MID-AMERICA WAS

Forty years ago, as a young seminarian at Mid-

ACQUIRING A VISION FOR THE WORLD. It was a

America, I had no idea where God would send me or

highlight in every Chapel service to sing our Alma

how He would use me. Following my education at

Mater, “To All the World for Jesus’ Sake.” Following

Mid-America, I knew I would work in missions, and

my Mid-America graduation, my wife and I explored

without a doubt, I would be involved in evangelism.

foreign missions, but that did not seem to be God’s

No, it has not always been easy, and at times it has

will, though I continue to have that passion. Not only

been extremely challenging. Nevertheless, it has

have I been blessed to go overseas on missions

also been a most fulfilling and inspiring life. God

trips, but each of our six children has also served

has certainly blessed me, and one of His greatest

internationally.

blessings was placing me at Mid-America Baptist

One huge blessing as Director of Missions in rural Oklahoma is to work with our Hispanic, Korean, and

Though Scott ministers right in the heartland of the United States— North Central Oklahoma—he’s discovered that the nations are coming to us. With a heart on fire for missions which Mid-America helped ignite, he works with Hispanic, Korean, and Chinese churches and ministers to more than 2,000 international students attending Oklahoma State University.

Theological Seminary. I can say it now, as I said it then, “It is worth it all!”

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A G R E AT P U R S U I T T O F U L F I L L

A T H A N K YO U AND A CALL TO MISSIONS FOR THE MID-AMERICA F A M I LY F R O M D R . PAU L C H I T WO O D, P R E S I D E N T, S B C I N T E R N AT I O N A L MISSION BOARD

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MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

BY DR. PAUL CHITWOOD

PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD, SBC

G

o therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

—Matthew 28:19–20 “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”

—Revelation 7:9–10 From the Great Commission to the Great Multitude, we as Southern Baptists have united for nearly 180

T H E G R E AT C O M M I S S I O N

years in a Great Pursuit of those who have yet to hear the Good News of the Gospel. We work to make disciples in every nation—all tribes and peoples and languages.

God is so very gracious to allow us to join Him in taking the Gospel to those who have never heard it.

Mid-America alumni have long walked the paths to global mission fields in obedience to our Lord and in partnership with IMB. You’ve gone to the nations in full-time missions service, focusing on the core missionary task of entry, evangelism, disciple making, healthy church formation, leadership development, and strategically planned exit and partnership—all while abiding in Christ. Others of you have led your local churches to take responsibility in international Gospel ministry by undergirding missionaries in prayer, supporting missions financially, or pursuing short-term service.

AT IMB, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR MID-AMERICA ALUMNI who have a heart for the nations. We’re thankful you gain a seminary education which includes the biblical basis for missions, a value and practice of personal evangelism, and regular participation in local church mission initiatives.

Your commitment to preparing for missions service directly impacts your role on an IMB team. And your contributions strengthen our cooperative efforts.

TOGETHER, WE REJOICE THAT WE’VE SEEN THE

on religion and even on relationships. We’re looking for

FRUIT OF GOD’S HAND: We’ve seen new people groups

ways to impact real people still shouldering the world’s

and places engaged with the Gospel, with hundreds

greatest problem—lostness—by sharing with them

of thousands of people hearing a clear and complete

God’s solution to their problem, which is the Gospel.

Gospel presentation, many for the first time ever. We’ve

In the Great Pursuit, we remain steadfast at the IMB

witnessed nearly 150,000 new believers accept Christ

in our mission to serve Southern Baptists in carrying

as Savior last year, with more than 100,000 people

out the Great Commission to make disciples of all

following in believer’s baptism. Tens of thousands of

nations. Our work is focused every day on doing our

people last year received sound training in preaching

part to see the fulfillment of the Revelation 7:9–10

or teaching, or in evangelism, or in biblical counseling,

vision and the gathering of the Great Multitude before

or in cross-cultural sending, and so much more.

the throne and before the Lamb.

While we celebrate these wins for His Kingdom, the

We’re looking for hundreds of missionary explorers

most sobering and heartbreaking statistic we report

to go find these unreached people groups, to journey

on each year continues to grow. Tragically, today,

into the unknown to find out where these people live,

174,202 people will die and enter an eternity separated

to learn about their culture, to discern their literacy

from God.

and to develop ministry strategies. We’re looking for

Statistics show us that among 8 billion people in

unlimited virtual explorers who are willing to urgently

the world, living in 195 countries and speaking more

pray as we go to the deepest parts of lostness, to

than 7,000 languages, there are about 3,000 people

consider opportunities to support and join the work.

groups who have no missionary presence and likely no Gospel access. No one is engaging them.

Mid-America alumni, if you are interested, we have a role for you. Connect with us at

That’s why we are pursuing them. We’re going to the largest megacities and to the middle of nowhere.

We go to the places where people have given up

IMB.org/great-pursuit.

The nations are waiting. We still have much to do, together.

“AT I M B , W E A R E G R AT E F U L F O R M I D - A M E R I C A A LU M N I W H O H AV E A H E A R T F O R T H E N AT I O N S .

W E ’ R E T H A N K F U L YO U G A I N A S E M I N A RY E D U C AT I O N W H I C H I N C LU D E S T H E B I B L I C A L B A S I S F O R M I S S I O N S , A VA LU E A N D P R AC T I C E O F P E R S O N A L E VA N G E L I S M , A N D R E G U L A R PA R T I C I PAT I O N I N LO C A L C H U R C H M I S S I O N I N I T I AT I V E S . YO U R C O M M I T M E N T T O P R E PA R I N G F O R M I S S I O N S S E R V I C E D I R E C T LY I M P A C T S Y O U R R O L E O N A N I M B T E A M .”

— D R . PAU L C H I T WO O D

I N T E R C E D I N G F O R T H E N AT I O N S Read “A Call to Restore the Doctrine and Practice of Prayer” by prayer advocate Dr. Gordon Fort, Senior Ambassador to the President, International Mission Board, SBC. Included are special prayer requests from Mid-America students on mission this summer. Read this exclusive content on the Mid-America Blog at mabts.edu/blog or scan the code at right: 14

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

“I ALWAYS TAKE A PIECE OF MID-AMERICA WITH ME WHEREVER I AM IN MINISTRY.”

BY BO PARKER*

MISSIONARY FIELD WORKER, SOUTHEAST ASIA MID-AMERICA ALUMNUS, MDIV IN MISSIOLOGY, 2008 Evangelism and practical missions—those two foci are what particularly drew me to further my ministry training at MidAmerica Baptist Theological Seminary. Those requirements have always distinguished Mid-America from other theological training institutions.

At the time of my enrollment, I did not know any students or any professors personally. It did not take long to develop lifelong friendships and to experience the blessing of being mentored by some of the finest men I have known. After serving two years on staff at a church in Memphis, I have spent the last 12 years fulfilling a ministry call overseas in Southeast Asia. Regularly, I reflect with appreciation on my time in the classroom, visits with my professors and mentors in their offices, the iron sharpening iron of my classmates, and the lessons I learned through practical missions in several different contexts.

UPON COMPLETING MY DEGREE, I WAS EQUIPPED to understand how to develop a strategy for reaching unreached people or places and evaluate the most critical activities for accomplishing entry, evangelism, discipleship, church formation, leadership development, and exit to partnership.

Day in and day out, I apply what I learned while at Mid-America in my service field. Though I continue to grow in my capacity

as a cross-cultural worker, there was not any significant void in my equipping and training that I felt ill-prepared to face.

I HAVE BUILT UPON THAT PRACTICAL TRAINING FOUNDATION and continued to develop as a field worker.

I have added tools along the way that have aided me, but I developed skills to evaluate tools from those who taught me at Mid-America. From the constant reminder by Dr. Gray Allison of a lost and dying world, to the countless stories of Dr. Bud Bickers in the bush of Malawi to Dr. Stan May’s emphasis on always taking a national person with you in ministry, to the times of prayer on my knees with Dr. John Floyd in his office, to peeling back the sin and issues of the heart with Dr. Steve Wilkes, to the simple reproducible nature of discipleship taught by Dr. Wade Akins—I always take a piece of MidAmerica with me wherever I am in ministry. My experiences and training at Mid-America prepared me to serve where I am today and lead a cross-cultural team of 18 adults in a megacity.

To this day, I have a strong affinity with those who have graduated from Mid-America. When I come across fellow alumni, we join in unison, saying, “To all the world for Jesus’ sake!” I pray that Mid-America never loses its priority of evangelism and missions in every aspect of training. May Mid-America continue to equip men and women for ministry in a way that instills in them the heart of why we are Southern Baptists: to fulfill the Great Commission together! *Due to security concerns in the region where this MidAmerica alumnus serves, his name has been changed.

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LIKE FATHER

BY MICHAEL*

New York with two other Mid-America alumni couples

I

to plant churches with the Home Mission Board. In

JACOB’S FATHER, MID-AMERICA ALUMNUS, MDIV, 1978 ndia, 623 million—LOST. Japan, 110 million—

New York, God began to show me how a local church

LOST.…” Dr. B. Gray Allison, founding President of

could be involved in global missions. At that time, the

Mid-America, must have mentioned every nation

northeast part of the United States was known as a

on earth in our Personal Evangelism class. He

pioneer mission field. My oldest son was born during

said the nation’s name followed by the word “LOST.”

the time we served there.

That first semester at Mid-America set the tone for my seminary experience as it prepared me to address earth’s greatest problem, lostness.

The Great Commission is in the DNA of MidAmerica. I was blessed to have professors who were *Due to security concerns, last names are withheld.

missionaries such as Dr. T.V. “Corky” Farris, Dr. Charlie Culpepper, Dr. John Floyd, and Dr. Howard Bickers.

Every day in classes and in Chapel, the faculty prayed that our Lord would send out laborers to the nations.

In my final semester, my wife and I surrendered to go anywhere. That summer, God sent us to upstate

MISSIONS: THE DNA OF

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MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

LIKE SON

BY JACOB*

baby, made the move to Memphis from the East

I

Coast, and I began working on my MDIV.

MICHAEL’S SON, MID-AMERICA ALUMNUS, MDIV, 2010 was raised in a Christian home by two godly

While at Mid America, the Lord used several

parents. I have many memories from my

professors to speak to my heart about the Lord’s

childhood of my dad going on missions trips

plans for me. Dr. Stan May’s passion about missions

every year to many different places. He led

made me want to pack up and head overseas after

construction trips to Panama to build church

each class. Dr. Steve Wilkes took me with him on a

buildings, traveled to Romania to preach the Gospel to new believers, and trained pastors in countries all over the world. As I was growing up, I thought that these trips were what every pastor did.

The Lord called me to the ministry while I was in college. After I graduated with my undergraduate degree, I knew I needed to attend seminary. My dad had gone to Mid-America a few decades before me, and after praying through all the different options, I believed that Mid-America was where the Lord was leading me. My wife and I, along with our newborn

A FAMILY AND A SCHOOL

trip to South Africa to work with IMB missionaries who

We were serving at a great church, and I was living

were Mid-America alumni. It was Dr. Gray Allison who

my dream of serving in ministry with my dad. How

looked me in the eye and challenged me to take the

could I leave all of this? I would usually respond with

Gospel to all the world for Jesus’ sake.

something along the lines of me serving more in

AFTER GRADUATING FROM MID-AMERICA, I

mobilization: “I just want to help more people be able

served as a youth pastor for a few years, but the call

to go.” Then I would remember Dr. May’s words to me

to the mission field was still echoing in my spirit. One

years before when I had said something similar to him:

day, as I boarded a flight headed to do mission work

“Why would anyone listen to you if you aren’t willing

in East Asia, my dad called me and asked me to pray

to lay your life down and go?”

about joining his church’s staff to lead discipleship

WE STARTED HIGHLIGHTING A DIFFERENT

ministry among adults. It had always been a dream of

UNENGAGED UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP (UUPG)

mine to serve alongside him in ministry.

in each of our worship services. We would highlight a

During those years between attending college

different one in each service. I was presenting those

and joining my dad’s ministry, dad had changed. His

UUPGs each week, and the numbers kept increasing.

love for the nations had deepened and intensified.

We were asking the Lord of the harvest to send out

His belief of the role the local church played in the

laborers to hundreds of millions of people who had

work of taking the Gospel of Jesus to the world had

never even heard His name before.

become focused and personal. He felt it was the

Then one Sunday morning, my dad, my pastor,

responsibility of those with the Gospel to do whatever

preached a message entitled, “A Task Left Unfinished.”

it takes to provide access to those without the Gospel.

He read from the last chapter of Joshua and

That responsibility was highlighted in every aspect of

demonstrated how the task that the Lord had given

the church’s life.

His people had not been completed. In the last point

IT WAS NOT LONG BEFORE I PARTICIPATED

of his message, my dad connected that passage from

AND LED MISSIONS TRIPS to places that I didn’t

Joshua to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20.

think I would ever go. I loved it. The cultures were

He said, “We are the same as the people in Joshua’s

so different, the lostness was so palpable, and the

day. The Lord has commissioned us with this task, and

needs were immense. After each trip, my wife and I

while we have made disciples of Jesus in many places

would debrief, and she would ask, “Do you think that

in the world, we are disobeying Him by not going into

maybe the Lord might be calling us to go?” I kept thinking about my still growing family. My wife and I had several small children by this point.

We were living close to family. Our kids were in good schools.

all the world to make disciples.”

WHEN THE INVITATION BEGAN, I looked at my wife and said, that I was convinced Jesus was calling us to the mission field, and she agreed. After the service, I found my dad in his office and told him that my wife and I were submitting our application to the IMB the next day. He was stunned for a moment, then he wrapped his arms around me and began to weep. “Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord,” he said over and over again through tears. He knew what this was going to cost.

Since then, we have been serving with the IMB. I know that it was the influence of my dad and Mid-America that gave me a heart for seeing the nations come to Christ. I will be eternally grateful for that gift.

18

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

MID-AMERICA ALUM ELECTED VP OF MOBILIZATION, IMB Dr. Jeff Ginn, double Mid-America alumnus (MDIV, 1986; PhD, 1990), was elected in February 2024 to serve as the Vice President of Mobilization for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board

MID-AMERICA PASSION PLAY

(IMB). Dr. Ginn served previously as affinity group leader for the Americas. For more than 20 years prior to that, Dr. Ginn served

FORTY-ONE SOULS SAVED THROUGH OUR ANNUAL EASTER PRODUCTION

as pastor of local churches in Mississippi, Virginia, and Louisiana.

He also served for three years as

In all six performances combined, plus a new Hispanic

executive director of the SBC of Virginia and as a trustee of the IMB. A native of Arkansas,

the dress rehearsal of the Mid-America Passion Play before

Blue Mountain Christian

it began in earnest, 18 people made professions of faith, 49

University as well as

rededicated their lives to Christ, and 75 requested prayer. A

Mid-America Baptist

new idea for 2024, this special evening brought about 400

Theological Seminary.

He and his wife, Nell, have grandchildren.

Play organizers recorded 41 professions of faith, 127 rededications, and hundreds of requests for prayer. During

Dr. Ginn is a graduate of

three children and five

emphasis before opening night, Mid-America Passion

members of the Hispanic community to gather for a unique viewing of the Mid-America Passion Play, and it drew an “ecstatic” response, according to Passion Play director and Mid-America faculty member, Dr. James D. Whitmire.

LET PREVIEW DAY LIGHT THE WAY. TUESDAY OCTOBER 29, 2024

THE

EXPLORE PREVIEW DAY ONLINE! MABTS.EDU/PREVIEWDAY | COLLEGEATMIDAMERICA.COM/PREVIEWDAY MABTS.EDU 19

YOUR SUPPORT MEANS THE WORLD TO THEM HUNDREDS OF CALLED MISSIONARIES NEED SEMINARY TRAINING BEFORE THEY CAN BE APPOINTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD. DISCOVER HOW YOU CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.

20

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

BY DR. RANDY REDD

VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE AND OPERATIONS/ INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

O

ur Alma Mater opens with “To all the world for Jesus’ sake” and centers MidAmerica’s purpose on sharing the Gospel with the world. This passion for the

Gospel drives our students to go next door, across the street, to the city, and to all the world. Mid-America equips students to handle God’s Word appropriately to all the world, and we carry out our mission with as little financial burden on our students as possible. MidAmerica Baptist Theological Seminary is a missiondriven school, so we train men and women to fulfill the call of God on their lives—to all the world.

WHY DO MISSIONARY-SENDING ORGANIZATIONS, like the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, require missionaries to receive seminary training before being sent to the mission field? Think about this: Without training, soldiers would not be equipped to accomplish their goals. Without training, the fire department would never send firefighters to save people from a burning building.

Without training, doctors would not be allowed to perform heart surgery. The same holds true in

Should you feel led to help provide this scholarship to these deserving missionaries, you can contribute now by scanning the QR code below and selecting “General Support” or “Missions Scholarship” from the “FUND” drop-down box. Or learn more about ways to support Mid-America at mabts.edu/give.

Either way, you will help the school continue its mission to train and equip the next generation for Gospel ministry. To all the world for Jesus’ sake!

LACK OF FUNDS OR STUDENT DEBT SHOULD NEVER PREVENT MISSIONARIES FROM REACHING THE FIELD. SO WE DESIRE TO OFFER FULL SCHOLARSHIPS TO MISSIONARIES NEEDING SEMINARY TRAINING.

missions work—missionaries must train to be effective as they go to the world.

THEREFORE, WE DESIRE TO OFFER FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS to missionaries and missionary students. “To all the world” is our goal, and this goal will only be possible by God’s call on our students and His provision through our prayer partners and donors.

After some preliminary inquiries, we have found that

HELP US LIGHT THE WAY! GIVE YOUR GIFT TO OUR MISSIONS SCHOLARSHIPS TODAY AT MABTS.EDU/GIVE Scan the code with your phone, or contact Dr. Randy Redd at rredd@mabts.edu or 901-751-3041.

more than 200 IMB missionaries will need some seminary training before they can be appointed, and we hope you will help us train them to go to all the world for Jesus’ sake.

You can help us by praying. Please pray for our instructors as they train our students to go all over the world for Jesus’ sake. Pray that we can offer full-tuition scholarships to our future missionaries. Please pray about how the Lord will use you in His plan to take the Gospel to all the world for His sake.

If you are called to missions and want more information on this program, please email financialaid@mabts.edu.

MABTS.EDU

21

Mid-America Prison Initiative at the Limon Correctional Facility in Limon, Colorado

M I D - A M E R I C A P R I S O N I N I T I AT I V E N E W S

BY DR. MARK THOMPSON

DIRECTOR OF THE ARKANSAS PRISON INITIATIVE

 AR

Since the inception of the Arkansas Prison Initiative in 2019, God has impacted and changed many lives. Last May, 18 long-term inmates graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies from The College at MidAmerica to become Field Ministers across the

Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC).

God is using these graduates to change the culture in the Varner Supermax prison. These men currently lead Bible Study

BY DR. DANIEL JONES

DIRECTOR OF THE COLORADO PRISON INITIATIVE

 CO

Mid-America’s Prison Initiative provides inmates with the education and training to be missional inside prison walls. Here’s what our inmate students have to say about the program:

“Being enrolled at Mid-America has opened my eyes to the importance of missions. What I am learning is helping me be more confident in sharing my faith and gaining a deeper understanding of what we truly believe. We are being prepared to share the Gospel in any situation effectively.” —John The primary challenge for these students is living in an

groups teaching the Scriptures to men who want to know more

environment hostile towards Christians.

about Christ. Inmates, including gang leaders, come seeking

“Prison is hard. No matter how minute, one mistake can ruin your testimony and witness. Being a Christian in prison is by far the hardest thing I’ve had to do in life.” —Brandon

prayer and counsel for themselves or family members. Our graduates are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with men who desperately need to be changed by the Gospel. Some of

Mid-America’s inmate student body, however, is advancing

these men are being restored to their families after years of

the Gospel among the inmate population and staff.

not communicating with their children, parents, or other family

“Since being in this program, I have seen many men receive Christ as their Savior. I have also seen the lives of many inmates and staff impacted positively by my fellow students.” —Matthew

members. Just recently, one of our students reconciled with his son after 11 years of no contact. The stories of what God is doing at Varner are truly amazing. These men will finish their pilot project assignments this summer and will begin to be deployed across the ADC this fall.

When the Fall 2024 semester begins, 18 students in Cohort 2 will begin their senior year and look forward to their graduation in May 2025. Cohort 3, which has 15 students, will begin their sophomore year with an anticipated graduation date of 2027.

They will begin the year in our brand new 50-foot x 100-foot building, which was completed in May and has a library, four classrooms, a study area, and office space. Pray that God will continue to do great things in the lives of these men and use them to do great things for the Kingdom of God.

These students are sharing the Gospel with prisoners who will reenter society. Inmates who come to faith in Jesus have a better chance to reintegrate and impact their communities.

As a result of your donations, you make it possible for MidAmerica students to advance the Kingdom of God in some of the darkest places in our world. MORE: MABTS.EDU/PRISON “This is an eternal investment, not only in the men who attend this program but in the countless souls who will be saved as the Gospel spreads. In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus gives the Great Commission, and this program is a work in fulfilling that command of the Lord. We are all working together to obey Christ in this, and your investments are just as relevant and necessary as our work in the mission field. Your provision enables the Gospel to spread and disciples for Jesus Christ to be made and strengthened. Without you, there’s no us.” —Paul

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AUGUST 19–22, 2024

FOUNDERS’ DAYS will again this year be combined with the

Monday, August 19, 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 20, 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 21, 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, August 22, 11:00 a.m.

Adrian Rogers Preaching Conference (see below), so expect

Also, attend the Alumni & Friends Reception, Monday, August 19, 5:30 p.m.

MABTS.EDU/FOUNDERSDAYS

some inspired preachers—both faculty and special guests.

Also, enjoy worship led by Jim Whitmire and Joshua McClain.

Join us live or watch online, but don’t miss it!

ADRIAN ROGERS PREACHING CONFERENCE Three inspiring days of training and celebration Begins Monday, August 19, 12:00 noon, and runs through Wednesday, August 21, after lunch Includes Founders’ Days sessions on Monday– Wednesday with special speakers (see above) Breakout sessions and workshops Major giveaways Register online now! ($50 cost includes meals)

MABTS.EDU/ADRIANROGERS

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MEMPHIS, TN PERMIT NO. 831

P.O. Box 2350 • Cordova, Tennessee 38088-2350 901-751-8453 • info@mabts.edu • mabts.edu

LET YOUR LEGACY KEEP LIGHTING THE WAY.

At The College at Mid-America and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, students find an energetic Christian community where ideas are exchanged, relationships are developed, and convictions are solidified. Our world desperately needs this kind of education today!

You can “Leave a Legacy” through planned giving. You control where you want your money to be distributed and limit the amount of your estate that must go to taxes. This is one of the main benefits of planning ahead!

To learn more about how you can help light the way, simply email development@mabts.edu and ask for a time to meet and discuss your options. You can also discover more about ways to support Mid-America by visiting mabts.edu/give or scanning the “Learn more!” code below. Or contribute now by scanning the “Give now!” code below and selecting “General Support” from the “Fund” drop-down box.

Your support will help the school continue its mission to train and equip the next generation for Gospel ministry. To all the world for Jesus’ sake!

LEARN MORE!

GIVE NOW!