Ib Spring 2018 by State Convention of Baptists in Indiana

MAGAZINE

1958 - 2018

Spring 2018 Volume 60 Number 1

> CONTENTS

Our hope is that, as you read this magazine, you will be drawn to see Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kingdom building from His perspective and that you will join with His heart in prayer for your church and others. May our prayers unite us for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Taking on OUR Challenges

60 YEARS OF SCBI

MISSIONS You Are Now in the Bush

MISSIONS Declaring His Glory in Santiago

LOTTIE MOON LMCO gifts 4.1% ahead of last year

HIGHLAND LAKES BAPTIST CAMP Cooperation

SEMINARY EXTENSION Educational Opportunity is Here

COMMITTED COOPERATION Who knows what God Might Do

DISASTER RELIEF

BAPTIST FOUNDATION OF INDIANA God is Working through SCBI Churches

FRESH IDEAS Be a Light in the NICU

AROUND THE STATE A 95th Anniversary Community Prayer Breakfast

Week of Prayer March 4-11, 2018

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INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE || SPRING 2018

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dr. Steve McNeil CONVENTION PRESIDENT Bruce Reynolds CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Greg Byman COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Scott McDowell COMMUNICATIONS TEAM LEADER Dr. Steve McNeil COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE Alison Blankenship GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST Greg Cooper

MINISTRY

OPENINGS

PASTOR POSITIONS

First Baptist Church, Greentown: bi-vocational Senior Pastor. Send resumes to jeff.tammy.bennett@gmail.com. New Hope Community Church, Fort Wayne: bi-vocational Senior Pastor. Send resume to kenthirschelman@icloud. com. New Point Baptist Church, New Point: bi-vocational Senior Pastor. Send resume to gmlanning1234@yahoo.com. Remington Family Church, Remington: part-time Revitalizing Senior Pastor. Send resume to gcmin@comcast.net or P.O. Box 183, Remington, IN 47977. Southside Baptist Church, Boonville: bi-vocational Senior Pastor. Send resume to Pastor Search, Southside Baptist Church, PO Box 511, Boonville, IN 47601 or vette5@ sbcglobal.net.

Calvary Baptist Church, Madison: full-time Worship Pastor. Please send resume to Mike Hamby at rmhamby1@gmail.com. East Tipp Baptist Church, Lafayette: part-time Worship Leader/Youth Leader. Send resume to East Tipp Baptist Church, 5300 E 300 N, Lafayette IN 47906. Fellowship Baptist Church, Richmond: part-time Worship Leader. Send resume to david.mcqueen@comcast.net or Fellowship Baptist Church, Attn: David McQueen, 655 Salisbury Rd. S., Richmond, IN 47374 First Baptist Church, Charlestown: part-time Worship Pastor. Send resume to JLWallsctown@yahoo.com or Pastor Jim Walls at First Baptist Church, PO Box 36, Charlestown, IN 47111.

Find more listings and updates at www.scbi.org/indianaministryopenings

MARCH

3 Disaster Relief Training New Albany 5-6 Executive Board Meeting 9-10 Transformed, First Southern Baptist Church, Clarksville, IN 4-11 Week of Prayer for North American Missions 11 Annie Armstrong Offering for North American Missions In-gathering 30 Good Friday (SCBI Office closed)

6-7 9-11 14

Transformed, Northside Baptist Church, Indianapolis, IN Pastors Essentials, Highland Lakes Baptist Camp VBS Training, Highland Lakes Baptist Camp

MAY

5 Bible Drill & Speakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tournament 6-13 Week of Prayer for Highland Lakes Baptist Camp 18-19 Man Camp, Highland Lakes Baptist Camp 28 Memorial Day (SCBI Office closed)

JUNE

8-9 9 12-13 12-16 18-22 25-29

Hispanic Family Camp Crossover, Dallas Southern Baptist Convention, Dallas TX JAM/ Super JAM Camp Student Fusion (Week 1) Mission Adventure Camp (MAC),

JULY

NEW CONGREGATIONS

Geist Community Church, McCordsville (Matt Walker) The Bridge Community Church, Clarksville (Greg Odle) The Cross Ministry, Anderson (Troy James) First Baptist Church, Linton (David Tyra)

2018

APRIL

OTHER POSITIONS

WELCOME

CALENDAR

4 Independence Day (SCBI Office closed) 9-13 Student Fusion (Week 2)

AUGUST

4 Building an Effective Group Ministry, Highland Lakes Baptist Camp 11 Missions Lifeline, 13-14 Executive Board Meeting

View the online calender at scbi.org/calendar

SPRING 2018 || INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE

From the Executive Director Dr. Steve McNeil, Executive Director

Taking on

OUR Challenges!

The State Convention of Baptists in Indiana was formed on October 3, 1958. SCBI became the 29th state convention to affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. The convention began with â&#x20AC;&#x153;an original budget of $122,000, of which 25% was to go to Cooperative Program missions of the Southern Baptist Convention. $85,000 was to come from Indiana churches with the balance from the SBC Home Mission and Sunday School Boards.â&#x20AC;? This year, the SCBI celebrates its 60th anniversary as a convention. Our current 2018 cooperative budget is $2,392,657 and we send 40% of our giving on to the Southern Baptist Convention. Southern Baptists are built on the principle that we can do more together than we can do by ourselves. It was because churches become weary of the fact that very good and noble ministries were constantly coming before the local congregations asking for an offering. The needs were noble but the churches became tired of not being able to preach the Gospel because they were constantly hearing about good ministries and how the church needed to give to them. 4

That is how the Cooperative Program began. The Southern Baptist Convention developed the Cooperative Program so each church could give through that means to fund efforts in missions, education, training and other ministries. The Cooperative Program assumed that its individual members would give a tithe of 10% to their local church, and that the local church would send 10% of its offerings on through the Cooperative Program so the SBC could work with international missions, North American Missions, educational ministries and training opportunities. Now, here we are, 60 years after our start as a convention. People with a Southern Baptist background saw the need to form a convention of churches in the state of Indiana so that they could work together for our mission, for the educating of people for ministry and to work together to train and equip people for the church and for ministry. That has not changed. We still have the same mission and we have the same opportunity to work together for the sake of Christ to take the Gospel of Jesus to a lost and hurting world here in Indiana.

INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE || SPRING 2018

At our 59th annual meeting of the SCBI, I had the honor of addressing those who attended as your Executive Director. This was the first time I have had that privilege. During that message, I laid out what I am calling “Mile Markers 2025.” These are goals that I believe will help us become a stronger, healthier convention for the future. Listed below is how you and your church can be engaged and how we can work together for the sake of the mission HE gave us.

1. Revitalization Marker – The goal is for us to see all

of our 14 associations prayerfully seek out at least two churches per year to help with revitalization efforts. This could be done through the associational church health team or a strong church helping a struggling church. That would be 28 churches each year helped with revitalization efforts. So by 2025 we can together help 224 of our churches.

2. Planting Marker - We currently plant between

15-20 churches per year. Our goal is to plant at least 20 churches each year, which would be 160 new church plants over the next eight years. John Horn and our church planting team will be working with your church to help us accomplish this goal.

3. Churches Helping Churches Marker – With our 14 associations, our goal is to enlist 1-2 of our healthiest congregations who will commit to being a mentor church for other churches in that association. When they have a church event or training event, just set up a daytime training with the person or group that is leading the training and make it available to area pastors and leaders. This will help us help each other. It is “Churches Helping Churches.” That is what an association and convention is supposed to be about. Helping each other.

b. Layer 2- Churches Helping Churches by offering training through what you are already doing, just invite others to join you in that equipping process. c. Layer 3 – Equip-U training events where we drill down into a specific area of training in a one-day equipping workshop. d. Layer 4 – HILL (High Impact Leader Lab) is a four day intensive training for pastors to help them learn, explore and develop their own Personal Leadership Development Plan. e. Through Wives in Ministry conference – our goal is to develop a network of wives who can support and encourage each other through the challenges of ministry. f. My goal is to bring back the Pastors and Wives retreat. We need to find a way to make this fundable so we can encourage our pastors and their wife in fulfilling their calling as a pastor. Pray with me for this need to be met.

5. Mission Partnership Marker – Our goal is to see

that “the sun never set on the work of SCBI mission work.” We are currently helping our churches engage in mission projects in Ecuador, Africa and the Philippines – Rick Hillard is our champion for this goal.

6. Highland Lakes Camp Marker – Our goal is to

see God bring salvation to students and leaders through our camps. Our goal is to continue to expand our facilities by adding beds, bunks, recreation features and staff. We need to get our camp to the place where we can house 400 campers at one time. Our goal is to see HLBC used more and more for equipping opportunities during the week and for weekend retreat, workshops and seminars. Jim Shields is our champion for this goal.

4. Leadership Development Marker – With this goal 7. Cooperative Program Marker – Our current we want to continue to follow our strategic plan to develop leaders in our convention. This plan has four layers. a. Layer 1 – Associational Leader Labs where area pastors meet monthly to talk about best practices and they help each other pastor and lead their churches.

budget is $4,005,174 per year. We need to have a budget of $4,600,000 so we can staff the ministries that will help our churches. One way we need to do that is to be able to add four regional strategists who deal with church health related opportunities. These would be fully funded SCBI staff members who can help your church with opportunities that can strengthen your ministries and reach new people

for Christ. Our goal is to continue to increase our giving to the SBC by steadily increasing our percentage that we give. Our goal is to see at least 40% of our churches take the 1% CP challenge where a church increases their CP giving by 1% in the new year. WE ALL NEED to be the champion for this goal.

8. Evangelism Marker – Our goal is see all of our

465 churches will take the ESP 2020 Challenge. That means each church will develop an evangelism strategy where your church has a plan to implement that strategy and see every church in Indiana baptize at least one person every year. Hopefully, one person every month and ultimately, my dream is to see a person come to know Jesus as their savior every week in all of our churches. Rick Hillard and our entire staff team champions this goal.

9. Cooperation Marker – Our goal is see our

churches “choose” to find ways to help each other. Find one thing that your church can to help another church this year; and, maybe there will be a church that can help you with a need your church has. “Churches Helping Churches.” AND – my ultimate goal and prayer is that we build a convention DNA that believes and lives out that, “The world will know we are Christians by our love.” May this be a common goal that all of our churches seek to achieve. “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 (HCSB) Be sure to put the 2018 SCBI Annual Meeting on your calendar now. It’s OUR 60th Anniversary! October 8-9, 2018, Highland Lakes Baptist Camp

Steve McNeil

INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE || SPRING 2018

Save the Date 1958 - 2018

60 Years

60 years of SCBI A Look at Indiana Baptists Volume 1, Number 1 July, 1959

The State Convention of Baptists in Indiana was organized October 3 and 4, 1958, meeting at the First Southern Baptist Church of Indianapolis. This convention was sponsored by the Illinois Baptist State Association and the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky, with encouragement from the Home Mission Board and the Sunday School Board. The present numerical strength is 119 churches with an estimated church membership of more than 23,000 with six associations in the state. Baptisms reported last year were 2,051 which gave a ratio of 1 baptism for every 10 church members. There are now 21 mission stations operated by churches For 1958Meeting these churches SBCin Indiana. ANNUAL reported giving $73,452 through the Cooperative Program. The property evaluation for the churches amounts to $4,270,356. Yet there are several of the churches which are meeting in temporary meeting places. The educational strength for Indiana Baptists shows 23,508 enrolled in Sunday School; 7,836 in Training Union; 2,974 in Women’s Ministry Union, with 1,543 in Brotherhood and Royal Ambassadors. Indiana Baptist opportunities may be observed by noting that 55 of the 92 counties are without a Southern Baptist church. Along with this there are 56.7% of Indiana’s population unaccounted for in any church. Indiana Baptists can arise to meet the challenge of the 30,000 Movement by doubling the number of churches by 1964. 113 Mission Stations in that year will put us on the way.

ON MISSION

HERE NOW 100% of your gifts support North American Missionaries Week of Prayer March 4-11, 2018

Please give through your local church or online at AnnieArmstrong.com/Give

SPRING 2018 || INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE Annie Armstrong Easter Offering ® is a registered trademark of WMU ®

“You Are Now

in the Bush”

Missions

By Jim Wells

“You are now in the bush,” said Pastor William Luromoy as we bounced along the mostly dirt road.

Pastor Luromoy was letting his traveling companions, Pastor Jimmy Walls and Richard Jones from FBCCharlestown, Issac, a Kenyan national, and IMB missionary and fellow Hoosier Jimmy Bledsoe, know that our two-day journey had led us into the interior of Africa. Camels became a common sight as we neared the village of Orolwo in the West Pokot region of Kenya. We were going to Orolwo to conduct a regional training event at Upendo Baptist Church. Our wives had remained in Tigoni with Diana Bledsoe, Jimmy’s wife. When we arrived in Orolwo, our first task was to set up our tent, our home for the week. As we did, we were intently watched by an audience of wide-eyed children. Yes, we were “in the bush.” Orolwo seemed like a pretty isolated place to conduct a regional training event for the West Pokot Baptist Convention. We wondered how many pastors and church leaders would make the difficult journey here. Our question was soon answered as we approached the church and discovered over 150 people had arrived (some even crossing the border from Uganda) for the conference. At the closing ceremony, we gave certificates and new Bibles to 157 participants. On our final day in Orolwo, we were asked to have lunch with associational leaders. Pastor Amos spoke softly but deliberatively as he said, “the Pokot people used to be 8

part of Uganda, but Uganda didn’t want us, so they gave us to Kenya. Kenya doesn’t want us either. That is why we are poor and uneducated.” At that time, they gave an invitation – more of a plea – that we return next year for another training event. While the men were in Orolwo, our wives, Catherine Walls and Linda Jones joined Diana in her ministry to the children of KK village. KK village is a housing settlement for workers of a tea plantation. These women, along with young Macaiah Bledsoe, helped the children with their English, taught them Bible lessons, engaged them in art activities, sang with them and provided them lunch. The women also led a Bible study for women from the Kenyan Baptist Theological College. Once the men returned from Orolwo, the team spent two days painting the “theatre” (surgery) waiting area of the Tigoni district hospital. Hospital workers would pass through in amazement that we were doing this task without pay. We were extremely blessed to be a part of what God is doing on the other side of the world. We consider the invitation to return not only a plea from West Pokot pastors, but a call from God. Another trip is planned for October 2018. If you are interested in participating in this trip or would like more information, please contact Jimmy Walls at jlwallsctown@yahoo.com or 812-2563421.

INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE || SPRING 2018

Declaring His Glory in

Santiago, Chile

Missions

By Dan Conrades

Crosspoint Church, a church replant in Richmond, opened its doors for worship on May 1, 2016 with a vision to touch every corner of the world with the gospel. We prayed for God to lead us to an international missions partnership. God blessed Crosspoint by opening the doors for a team to go to Santiago, Chile in November 2017 to investigate a possible partnership and work alongside IMB missionaries. During the mission trip, the team saw God move in amazing ways. Two stories come to mind. First is the story of Sebastian, a young Chilean we met on the subway. The morning before we met him, our team prayed specifically that Chileans would be drawn to us so that we

could share the gospel. As we got off the subway, Sebastian stopped one of our team members and asked him what we were doing in Santiago. When we asked Sebastian why he chose to speak to us,

to be a lone church in the community that had closed. Our team helped our IMB missionary think through ideas of how to help start a church in that community again. We

“Our team helped our IMB missionary think through ideas of how to help start a church in that community again. ” he said that he had been observing one of the team on the subway and saw peace on his face. We then had a chance to share Christ with Sebastian. What a direct answer to prayer! Another story of God working was at the home of a Chilean couple in a mountain community overlooking Santiago. We learned that there used

are now exploring the possibility of helping with some ministry in that area to see if a church could start back up there. Once the mission trip had come to a close, the team of four from Crosspoint knew God was moving in Chile and felt the Lord leading us to be involved there in a partnership. We are excited to report that on December 17,

Crosspoint voted to affirm a 3-year partnership with IMB missionaries in Santiago! We believe God has called us to partner with a church in a community of Santiago named Colina, who by God’s grace is trying to mend a split. We will also support a new church plant in a community of Santiago called La Reina led by IMB missionary Jason and his wife Kelli. Please pray for wisdom as we work on details for the two trips in 2018. If you would like to know how to get involved in Chile, or help Crosspoint with our upcoming trips, contact Pastor Dan at dan@ crosspointrichmond.com. To God be the glory.

SPRING 2018 || INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE

LMCO gifts 4.1% ahead of last year’s December receipts The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering campaign year historically ran from June 1 to May 31 each year

Southern Baptists’ contributions to support international missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® are 4.1 percent ahead of the same time frame as last year, according to a report by Rodney Freeman, IMB treasurer and vice president of Support Services. At the end of December 2017, IMB had received $15,221,629 so far for the 2017-18 campaign, which began Oct. 1. This total is $600,027 (4.1%) ahead of last year’s LMCO receipts. The total represents money received by the International Mission Board or postmarked by

the close of the last business day of December and includes receipts from SBC Executive Committee, state conventions, churches and individuals. Freeman also reported that at the end of December, IMB had received $23,304,153 in Cooperative Program (CP) funding for the 2017-18 fiscal year, which started Oct. 1. This total is $225,349 (1.0%) ahead of last year. “As we see the reports that giving to both the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering are trending upward from this time in previous years, I thank God for Southern Baptists’

10 INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE || SPRING 2018

faithfulness in giving,” said IMB President David Platt. “These gifts represent a recognition that the very best way Southern Baptists can help reach the billions who have yet to hear the gospel is to collaborate in cooperative efforts to pray, go and send — and all those efforts must be undergirded by the cooperative effort to give.

Support for the personnel comes through Southern Baptists’ gifts to the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, with 100 percent of LMCO gifts funding IMB missionaries who are making disciples and multiplying churches among unreached people and places. Missionaries such as John McPherson, who has served for 33 years in Africa, continually note their reliance on Southern Baptists’ LMCO gifts — as well as their appreciation for Southern

seminary. I’m a big fan of that offering.” The LMCO campaign year historically ran from June 1 to May 31 each year, but that campaign year did not align with IMB’s fiscal year, which runs January 1 to December 31. To help alleviate confusion, IMB finance leaders, in conjunction with the board of trustees, proposed to align the fiscal year and the LMCO campaign to October 1 through September 30. Messengers voted to approve the

“I want to say thank you to each person who has given to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering during this concerted season of giving and to each person who has prayed for our international missionaries “Lottie Moon was crucial for us,” he said. during this concerted season of “I worked with bush churches on the praying,” he said. “I also want to thank each church leader weekends, and I had a four-wheel who has partnered with IMB drive truck that allowed me to get to facilitate these avenues for your members to pray, give, go to those places.” and send. May we continue to be faithful with the blessings God Baptists’ faithfulness in giving. fiscal year change during has given us that we might, in the 2017 SBC annual meeting Much of McPherson’s ministry turn, be a blessing to others.” in Phoenix. Therefore, gifts is an example of Lottie Moon contributed from Oct. 1, 2017, to dollars at work, he recently told Working together Sept. 30, 2018, will apply to the Tennessee’s Baptist and Reflector. The IMB partners with more 2017-18 Lottie Moon Christmas than 40,000 churches which Offering. “Lottie Moon was crucial for work together to spread the us,” he said. “I worked with bush gospel around the world to To read additional specific churches on the weekends, and I billions of people who have never had a four-wheel drive truck that ministry examples about how heard it. The primary way this your gifts are used, visit IMB.org/ allowed me to get to those places. is accomplished is through the LMCO. Or click here to give now. And that’s the sort of thing that coalition of Southern Baptist Lottie Moon does. It provides churches sending and supporting those materials and provided thousands of missionaries. the materials that we used at the This article appeared on the International Mission Board website (www.imb.org). Julie McGowan is the public relations manager for IMB. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® is a registered trademark of Woman’s Missionary Union.

SPRING 2018 || INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE

Highland Lakes Baptist Camp

By Jim Shields

to help relieve those who have suffered disasters; we keep chaplains trained; we plant churches; we support seminaries; we staff dedicated state and national leaders who help direct and coordinate our efforts to make Jesus Christ known; and of particular interest to me, we maintain and grow our camp facilities.

Cooperation. That is the overall “theme” for this issue of the Indiana Baptist. Can I tell you that is the overall “theme” for Indiana Baptists? One of the major reasons I have remained a Southern Baptist is precisely because of the concept of cooperation. Autonomous churches who have agreed to unite in a cause of Kingdom growth, based upon a Biblical foundation of unifying precepts that we call the “Baptist Faith and Message.” We cooperate; we collaborate; we do not adhere to a strict orthodoxy that comes from an institutional hierarchy.

But can I tell you something of which you may not be aware? Cooperation works at SCBI. As Team Leader for Highland Lakes, I have the opportunity and privilege to work alongside the other team members of your State convention, and I see the model of cooperation on a daily basis. Each component and member of your SCBI team work together to find ways to more effectively and cohesively exalt Jesus, encourage pastors and equip churches. Over the course of my life in the secular workforce, and even in ministry, I have been a participant in various “teams” and “team management”; and most often have found the level of cooperation to be negligible at best. Rather, departments or teams became competitive and siloes.

Not so with SCBI. The teams of your State Convention of Baptist in Indiana work extensively and consistently in a manner that exudes cooperation and collaboration. Because of that fact, each team is encouraged and focused on the task that is given. The team at Highland Lakes is able to focus on what we need to do because we know that the other SCBI teams Indiana Baptists are all aware of (or should be aware of) the work in such a way as to help us do our job. There is open Cooperative Program - a venue through which we are able to communication in an effort to better acknowledge each team in financially do more together than we can alone for a greater good their needs and in relation to the other teams. It works. and a greater number of opportunities. Through the Cooperative Can we do better? Yes, and as long as we continue in this Program, we are able to keep missionaries on the field; we are able cooperative spirit, we will.

PATHWAY OF PROMISE TRIBUTE BRICKS

A Highland Lakes pathway of Promise Tribute Brick is a lasting way to acknowledge and honor those who have been instrumental in making Highland Lakes all that it is. Please consider commemorating that person (parent, grandparent, sibling, pastor, coach, etc) or church or organization that has helped support you and this camp.

ORDER NOW at www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/highlandlakes 12 INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE || SPRING 2018

Educational

Opportunity is Here! Have you ever wished that you could work on a college degree, but it’s too expensive or you have to go away someplace to be able to attend the school that will equip you for ministry and a better understanding of God’s word and His work? • You can get college credit and improve your pastor, preaching and ministry skills by starting a training center in your association or region through The Indiana Center for Biblical Studies. • The Seminary Extension ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention is providing the opportunity for Seminary trained Pastors to teach Bible and Ministry courses for College credit in Bible Colleges, Christian Universities and even some Master programs right in their own churches. • Look at www.seminaryextension.org website and see the potential for the equipping of the saints in your local church. • Each pastor/instructor must be certified through the Indiana Center for Biblical Studies as a part of Seminary Extension. • Crossroads Bible College of Indianapolis will accept credits one for one for full credit. •Applications are available upon request at the address at the bottom of this letter. • Contact Rev. Gene Crouch at 317-685-0214 if you have questions. • There are two certificates and a diploma which can be earned. Southern Baptist missions are accepting the Diploma for Church Planting. • The cost of the classes is very minimal as you will see from the website. Ephesians 4:11-12 leaves the responsibility for the equipping of the Saints for the work of ministry to the Pastor or Pastors of the local church. Through this ministry we can assist our fellow pastors, planters, leaders and those sensing the Lord’s call into regular church work through accredited courses. Pastors and missionaries can even join together to offer courses based on need and expertise in their region. Get more information about how to start a center in your area by contacting Rev. Crouch at 317-685-0214 or Dr. Steve McNeil at smcneil@scbi.org.

Prayer Points Heavenly Father, thank You for all the blessings, none of which we deserve. Lord, please help us to be in harmony with each other, to show kind heartedness, and to be humble in spirit. Help us to remember that You bless us so that we may bless others in Your name. We ask these things of You through Jesus, our Savior, amen. 1 Peter 3:8-9 SPRING 2018 || INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE

Jam June 12-16, 2018

Super Jam June 12-16, 2018

MAC June 25-29, 2018

Children who have completed grades 3-6 will discover and develop the creative gifts that God has given them. They will be challenged to make Him King of their heart and serve Him with the talents He has given them.

Super JAM is for students who have completed grades 6-12. Super JAM is a camp designed for those who love music and the creative arts. It is also for those who want to learn the technical aspects of worship.

For more information or to register go to www.scbi.org/jam

For more information or to register go to www.scbi.org/superjam

For more information or to register go to www.scbi.org/mac

Highland Lakes Baptist Camp $215 if paid in full by May 12 $250 if paid in full by May 30

14 INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE || SPRING 2018

Highland Lakes Baptist Camp $215 if paid in full by May 25 $250 if paid in full by June 11

2018

Student Fusion Week One June 18-22, 2018

Highland Lakes Baptist Camp $215 if paid in full by May 18 $250 if paid in full by June 4 Student Fusion will equip and challenge students (grades 7-12) to be on mission for Christ. Jesus’ followers have been carrying on the mission for almost 2,000 years, but it is not yet accomplished since nearly two billion people still have not heard the story of Jesus.

Student Fusion Week Two July 9-13, 2018

Highland Lakes Baptist Camp $215 if paid in full by June 9 $250 if paid in full by June 25 Student Fusion will equip and challenge students (grades 7-12) to be on mission for Christ. Jesus’ followers have been carrying on the mission for almost 2,000 years, but it is not yet accomplished since nearly two billion people still have not heard the story of Jesus.

Things to Bring to Camp • • •

• • • •

For more information or to register go to www.scbi.org/studentfusion

Bed Linens (pillow, sheets, light blanket, or a sleeping bag) Towels (showers and pool) and wash cloths/ loofahs. Personal Care Items (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, soap, etc.) Your BIBLE, Sunscreen & Bug repellant Flashlight Any medication that you are currently taking. The Nurse needs it and that means not to pack in your bag. Have medication out and available to hand to nurse.

For a complete list go to www.scbi.org

SPRING 2018 || INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE

Committed Cooperation BY DR. RICK HILLARD

Who knows what God might do? During the 2016 annual meeting, Southern Baptists launched an evangelism task force. Their charge was to take up the cause of Southern Baptists sharp decline in the number of baptisms. Many of us recognize that this is the most important issue of our day and have been looking for solutions.

“Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for people”

Depending on the person asked, the solution will vary greatly. Some imply that it is a spiritual issue, and I certainly agree. Join me as we pray for God to renew each of us, including me, with a greater passion for the lost.

are led by spiritually healthy pastors who have worked to develop a simple evangelism strategy and have communicated that strategy through each ministry of the church. This strategy will bring clarity, focus and direction to the work of the church.

However, many think the solution already exists. You see the problem lies not with God’s inaction, but in our inaction. The Scripture is clear – Christians have a responsibility to share the gospel (Matthew 4:19). Nevertheless, for the most part, we remain inactive. The solution is not passively waiting on God, it is actively moving for God. To that end we introduced ESP 2020. The idea behind ESP 2020 is for every church within the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana to see a clearly defined Evangelism Strategy Plan.

Let me ask you a question. What is your church’s evangelism strategy plan? If you have one, chances are that you are one of our highly evangelistic churches. If you cannot answer that question, could it be that God is encouraging your church to work on developing one? I would love to spend some time sharing with your leadership some evergreen principles and working with you in developing a contextual evangelism strategy plan. We are not talking about a program for you to adopt but a plan unique to your situation.

During the next few months, we will take some time to articulate some evergreen principles that can be found in highly evangelistic churches. While each of these principles is important, there will be none more critical than the role of the Pastor. Top evangelistic churches

The State Convention of Baptists in Indiana exists to Exalt Jesus, Encourage Pastors and Equip Churches. That is truly our heartbeat here; we would love to find ways to partner with your church. Let’s get together and talk. Who knows what God might do?

Prayer Point Father God, thank You for giving each of us a personal and specific purpose according to Your plan. Help us to acknowledge our purpose, execute our purpose, and maintain a passion for that purpose to bring You glory.We ask this help on a daily basis in Jesus’s name, amen. 1 Cor. 12:14-20

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Disaster Relief Mock Disaster Drill By Denny Smith

In August 2017, Indiana Disaster Relief held its first Mock Disaster Drill, focusing on the Incident Command Center (ICC) operations and assessing techniques and protocols. The drill gave assessors a chance to practice their examination and intake processes, prioritize jobs and organize volunteers. This kind of hands on training is essential to being prepared at all times for disaster. This year it is our goal as a team to be able to have a rapid response team trained and ready to respond within 1-4 hours of a disaster. To accomplish this, a special team starting with assessors would respond as soon as a call came. Sometimes this could mean leaving in the middle of the night, or on a holiday, or in the middle of a storm. But who are we to pick the time or date of a disaster. People need our help at all different times and I am proud to say that we have volunteers that put others needs ahead of their own and do just that. As White Hat for Indiana I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of volunteers and leaders. These volunteers come from all walks of life. Some with the gift of compassion who are able to talk to the victims in times of crisis. Some with a gift of organizing all aspects of a callout, and some with a humorous side that brings a balance to our days on callout. We have ladies that cook our meals and volunteers that do laundry, and of course the volunteers that do the hard work of chainsaw or muck outs. As you can see there is an opportunity for anyone to volunteer, young or older. This year we will be hosting more trainings including chainsaw, muck out, assessor, and ICC. I would like to invite any church interested in Disaster Relief and/or trainings to contact Dr. Rick Hillard Director of Missional Coordinator at rhillard@scbi.org or 219-309-8750. Please do not let another day go by without receiving the blessings that come from helping someone in need.

SBC 2018 Dallas registration open Registration open for the Southern Baptist Convention’s 2018 annual meeting June 12-13 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. “Go and stand in the * temple complex, and tell the people all about this life.” Acts 5:20

www.sbcannualmeeting.net SPRING 2018 || INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE

God is Working through SCBI Churches

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing how God is working through our SCBI churches. Building and expansion loans through the Foundation would not be possible without our many investors and partners. I hope you will be as blessed as I was after reading the following letter from Pastor Ernie Canell. Blessings,

Jennifer Hall, President For years we have prayed for God to provide us a different building for our church. We were in an old rented building that had a roof that leaked every time it rained. The heating and air conditioning were old and not adequate. We were growing and had no teachable space for children. We always knew that if we were to get a different building it would have to be a great work of God. One Sunday it rained so hard that water came into the church leaving 2 to 3 inches of water in parts of the sanctuary. We could not have service that Sunday, so we prayed that the Lord would do something about the building quickly. That Wednesday, we heard about a building that would fit our needs and was available for purchase. We applied to the Baptist Foundation of Indiana for a loan. They worked with us to see if we could afford such a building. The building needed some work, but it was a very sound building. We felt going through the Baptist Foundation would be the best resource especially since the interest on the loan goes back into ministry. We needed to raise $10,000 quickly for a down payment. That was when we really saw the power of God work. The whole community was behind what we were doing. Many from the community and other churches donated to the raising of the down payment. The Baptist Foundation of Indiana and Jennifer Hall were very helpful in meeting with us and asking the right questions. We were able to purchase the building and had a community Christmas dinner on December 23rd. We hope to have our first service there on February 4th after we complete some of the remodeling. We will still be under construction, but we praise God for this miracle. Thank you Indiana Baptist Foundation and Oklahoma Baptist Foundation! We could not have done it without you. Pastor Ernie Canell New Beginnings Community Church Loogootee, Indiana 18 INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE || SPRING 2018

3021 E. 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220 317.481.2400 ext.300 www.inbaptisitfoundation.org

THE BAPTIST INVESTMENT FUND Term and Corresponding Interest Rate Demand Account 1.00-1.50% One Year CD 1.75% Two Year CD 2.00% Three Year CD 2.50% Five Year CD 3.00% Minimum Investment $1,000 for Demand and $5000 for Time Deposits

Deadline for the 2018

Baptist Foundation of Indiana Scholarships is April 1. Scholarship funds are available to assist members of SCBI churches pursuing ministry and other vocations at colleges and seminaries. Applications and supportive documentation must be received by April 1, 2018 to be eligible. Please visit www.inbaptistfoundation.org to apply.

Be a Light in the NICU Unexpected tragedy strikes—that is just life sometimes. As I write these words, I find myself writing with one hand while holding my one-week-old baby girl in the NICU with the other arm; and, I must say, this is a pretty odd place to be sitting. The emotional roller coaster of thankfulness for a new baby, but also fear and uncertainty as she is hooked up to multiple wires and tubes has a way of making even the most confident adult feel rattled. In your community right now, there are multiple families sitting in a similar room. The smallest things can make the biggest difference to a family in this position. Here are a few fresh ideas of things you can do to support families with babies in the NICU. • Crochet baby hats, tiny blankets, socks, etc. and deliver one to each room. • Collect a stack of puzzle books (Crosswords, Sudoku, Word Finder) for the waiting room. • Gather small toys and coloring books with crayons to leave in the waiting room for older kids who are waiting on their parents. • Do a book drive and deliver children’s books to each room with a note written inside the front cover of the book saying, “We’re praying for you.” • Buy a small teddy bear or soft toy for each baby and deliver to their rooms. • Create prayer request cards that you can leave at the nurses desk. Work it out with the hospital for a church staff member to come back by and pick up cards that have been filled out so your church’s prayer team can continue to pray. • Leave a stack of church pens and/or notepads to be placed in each room for families to use. • Is it near a holiday? Make (or take) a holiday themed gift! Mini Christmas stockings, valentine’s teddy bears, etc. • Write encouragement notes with Scripture verses for the parents and siblings of the babies in the NICU. Get creative with simple things you can take or do to be an encouragement to families who are spending their days and nights with their newborn in the NICU. You most likely will not be able to be in contact with the families themselves there in the NICU, but instead will leave the items with the nurses. No matter what you do or take, be sure to include a hand-written note with a promise of your prayers and an invitation to worship at your church on Sunday and something that shares the good news of Jesus.

Prayer Point God, most High and perfect Father, thank You for Your power, justice and truth. Help us to remain lowly in our service to You and Your will. Remind us that our work here on earth is for Your glory and only because of You can we even accomplish it. Free us from ourselves to do Your will with the same mind and heart. In Jesus’s precious name, amen. Romans 12:16

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VBS Training April 14, 2018

Highland Lakes Baptist Camp VBS directors, teachers, and leaders will have the opportunity to learn about the Lifeway VBS material. There will be training for directors, children teachers, preschool teachers, youth teachers, pastors, crafts, decorating, and Spanish VBS.

For more information or to register go to www.scbi.org/vbs

April 6-7, 2018 Northside Baptist Church Indianapolis, IN $55 if paid in full by March 6 $65 if paid in full by March 23 For more information or to register go to www.scbi.org/transformed

SPRING 2018 || INDIANA BAPTIST MAGAZINE

Around The State... Grace, Evansville

95th Anniversary

During 2017, Grace Baptist Church of Evansville held a year-long celebration of the church’s 95th Anniversary. Many special events were held including twelve ‘Super Spectacular Sizzlin Summer Sunday Night Celebrations’ along with special outreach events. As a result, Kenneth began attending regularly in June. In October, Kenneth walked forward to receive Christ as his personal Savior. At that time he expressed a desire to be baptized on Christmas Eve when his family could be in town. On December 24th Pastor Ray Deeter baptized Kenneth and two other precious souls. Market Road Fellowship, Tipton

COMMUNITY PRAYER BREAKFAST

Market Road Fellowship hosted a community prayer breakfast on Friday, January 26. Several pastors and organizations in the community attended along with the mayor, County commissioner, Fire chief and county sheriff. Chris Ellis – pastor of Market Road Fellowship in Tipton – led the group in a devotional. Those in attendance shared prayer needs in the community and took turns praying to God for help. Attendees expressed a concern for unity and for a spiritual awakening. It was encouraging to see the community leaders praying passionately for the community, families, children, schools, churches and emergency and law enforcement. It was also encouraging to hear them praying and seeking God’s face. This gives hope for the future to know that Godly people represent the community. There was a desire expressed to continue with events like this one. Market Road Fellowship encourages the community to watch for the next event and hopes to get even more residents to attend. By David Howell

SEND YOUR NEWS! Has God been at work in or through your church? Give Him the glory - share His story! Let others be encouraged to hear how God works through His people. Email stories and high resolution pictures to ib@scbi.org. See other submission options at the bottom of the inside cover.

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7805 State Rd 39 Martinsville, IN 46151

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Seymour, IN Permit No. 198