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TAIWAN – Ming Wei* is a firm believer in the power of prayer. Eight years ago, when she moved back to her husband’s hometown, she began to pray for the opportunity to make a difference in this dark part of Taiwan. This town of 50,000 has only two Christian churches but is home to countless temples. Two years later, the opportunity to work with children provided the perfect chance. Wei and others taught Bible stories and songs and held camps and other activities to share Jesus’ love with the children and their families. People slowly came to faith, and the need for a church became a reality. The believers began the process to receive government approval to start a church. To receive approval, they needed to have a minimum of 21 people attend a meeting. As the day drew near, only 17 people had committed to come to the meeting. Wei spent time praying over whether to cancel the meeting. She heard God ask, “If 17 people are gathered together to worship Me, is that not worthy of a meeting? Is it not enough to come together to pray and worship, even if you do not have 21 people?” Wei was convicted. The meeting went on as planned, and 23 people attended. The government gave approval for the believers to become an official church. Pray for this new church and for the right people to be raised up to shepherd the flock. Pray this town would transform from idol worshipers to Christ-followers. Your gifts through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® make it possible for Southern Baptists to live and work in Taiwan, where they share the gospel, disciple new believers, and work alongside national believers to start churches. Thank you for giving. Learn more about East Asia. *Name changed The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® is a registered trademark of Woman’s Missionary Union. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Julie McGowan is public relations manager for the IMB. #JULY19

BROOKLYN, NY – There are more than 3,200 people groups around the world. Most are illiterate and need access to the Gospel in their own language. God used the partnership of an IMB missionary and a Georgia man’s first international mission trip to launch a ministry which could impact many of those people groups in a way that would allow them to see and hear God’s Word in their heart language. It all began with a man named Juan. Juan was a witch doctor to his people group in South America. His group was made up of about 18,000 people, and at the time, there were fewer than 20 believers. An IMB missionary began his ministry to Juan’s people, and Juan was one of the first converts. The missionary continued his ministry to Juan’s family, reaching his wife, Maria, and some of the children. A few years later, Juan died. Maria was grieving his loss when she had a dream that Juan had come back and was leading her, their children, and their grandchildren up a road to heaven. A new video ministry was birthed out of a desire to reach Juan’s people group. The IMB missionary devised a plan to use video with a volunteer mission team. He recruited the children of the indigenous group to serve as actors for a series of Bible story videos. Over a few days, they shot the Good Samarian and Zacchaeus. The team edited the story in the indigenous language, and at the end of the week showed the videos and passed out DVD’s to the families. Paul Wynn was a member of that first mission trip. It was the first international mission trip that he had ever taken. And for him, it  began a series of trips every year. The mission teams have changed, the sending churches have changed, even the IMB missionaries have changed, but the people group has not. Now, there is a library of 15 video Bible stories all in their language. The current mission partners have spread out to numerous villages, and now are reaching far beyond Juan’s immediate family using the videos to tell God’s story of love. After experiencing the impact of these video stories, Paul began to wonder if this approach could be reproduced to reach other people groups in South America, Central America, Africa, and parts of Asia. Paul and his business partner, Doug Keesey, already owned a video production company that had worked with ministries all over the U.S. and on five continents. He approached Doug and asked what he thought about launching an actual ministry. The two men decided to pray about it, so they set aside an entire calendar year and just prayed whether this was a direction they should go. At the end of that year, they believed that God was leading them to take this step.  They spent the next year planning, building strategy, and seeking counsel on what would be the wisest ways to approach this vision. Wynn says, “Over that year, we talked to experts in storying, we spoke to other people who had launched ministries, and pursued missionaries who were already reaching people groups.” Finally, after God laid the groundwork for five years, and Wynn and Keesey had spent two years carefully planning their steps, 2019 was the year to launch oneMESSAGE.tv. Wynn says the most amazing part of this year is seeing the other areas God had been working totally unbeknownst to them. Paul adds, “Our missionary partners were taking a journey from trying to learn their people group’s language fluently, to believing that using technology in their people group’s language was the more effective approach for reaching them.” Keesey says,  “The mission of oneMESSAGE.tv is to reach many more people groups like Juan’s, but instead of taking years to build a Bible video library, we want to do it in months, and repeat it over and over again in South America, Africa, and Asia.” Wynn adds, “By using the technology that’s available in the modern world, oneMESSAGE.tv is producing a library of video Bible stories that carry the story of redemption beginning with creation all the way to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That library can then be duplicated on small SD cards and viewed on cell phones. The amazing thing is nearly everyone in these people groups have access to cell phones, and can then play these videos on their phones.” The oneMESSAGE.tv founders believe this could be revolutionary in helping not only missionaries, but also to help every day Christians play a part in their call to change the world for Christ. Wynn says, “This tool overcomes the challenge of illiteracy in an amazing way. To translate just a portion of written scripture in just one language could take years, and then because many of them are oral learners, most still wouldn’t be able to read it. These videos can be produced in just a few months, but their impact can be eternal. It will show them the entire salvation story with their own faces and in their heart language.” Keesey says, “Our pilot project is with the missionary partners who Paul has been working with. So our goal is to complete an entire 21 episode video library from the Creation to Christ with them by the end of this year. Once that project is completed oneMESSAGE.tv is already talking to potential partners in Kenya about doing a video library for people groups there.“ If you would like more information about oneMESSAGE.tv, visit their website at www.onemessage.tv or follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/onemessagetv. oneMESSAGE.tv is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity supported by the gifts of individuals. #JULY19

2 More Churches Launched! So far for 2019, four (4) total churches have launched!  Hear the highlights of what God is doing in the two newest churches of Send Detroit! Palm Sunday April 14, was the big Sunday for a new church in Waterford.  Pastor Seth Springs led the Transformation Church team to plant a much-needed church in Oakland County that hasn't seen a new Southern Baptist Church in years! They have a heart to see other new gospel preaching churches started throughout the county. Mile City Lyon – South Lyon, MI On March 17, Mile City Church launched a second campus, in addition to its Plymouth location. They sent a team out of their church to meet in an old recycling center that has become a community sports and rec complex. Watch a highlight video here. Send Network Gathering in Chicago April 29 through May 1 church planters, spouses and team members from the Midwest region gathered in Chicago for equipping, encouragement and refreshing. The theme of the gathering was "Take care of yourselves, take care of your flock, take care of your wolves," based on Acts 20:28-29. A total of 37 came from Detroit! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pastor Wayne Parker is the SEND Detroit Missionary. He is the Lead Pastor of Merriman Road Baptist Church in Garden City, Michigan. #JULY19

BROWNSVILLE,TX (BP) – While state and national officials craft responses to the humanitarian crisis along the Mexico border, Southern Baptist entities -- including the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and the North American Mission Board -- are actively engaged in addressing the migrant influx. "The crisis at our southern border is unlike anything we've witnessed before and has put an enormous strain on the existing resources we have in place," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said. Abbott announced June 21 the deployment of 1,000 Texas National Guard troops to assist the Department of Homeland Security and the Customs and Border Patrol. The U.S. Congress passed a $4.5 billion border relief package June 25, while the U.S. Senate's bipartisan bill to allocate $4.59 billion for the crisis advanced out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on a 30-1 vote the preceding week. Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, emphasized Thursday (June 27) the border crisis "has the attention of Southern Baptists." "I am grateful for churches and ministry groups in New Mexico, Texas and California helping in a variety of ways, such as serving hot meals and non-perishable lunches and providing other ministries of compassion as they are able," he said in written comments to Baptist Press. "The hands-on ministry being done through local churches working in partnership with one another and in their associational and state networks is what Southern Baptists are all about." Floyd noted that at last year's SBC annual meeting in Dallas, Southern Baptists "formally called on elected officials, especially those who are members of Southern Baptist churches, to do everything in their power to advocate for a just and equitable immigration system." "In the meantime," Floyd said, "we urge Southern Baptists and other Christ-followers to be the hands and feet of Christ to those in need." The border crisis is nothing new to Southern Baptist churches in the Rio Grande Valley, as West Brownsville Baptist Church senior pastor Carlos Navarro explained. See related report. Navarro has been involved in ministry to migrants since his arrival in the Valley a quarter-century ago, when he took over weekly teaching at a Brownsville detention center. After the closure of that facility in 2006, he began ministering at Southwest Key's Casa Padre center. More than 1,500 young men and boys voluntarily attend Navarro's weekly Bible teaching at Casa Padre, and recent weeks have seen the numbers of decisions for Christ soar from 150-200 to 200-250. The church formed Golan Ministries -- its name a reminder of the pastor's support of Israel -- "where my Lord and Savior will one day return," in April 2018 after the Mexican Consulate in Brownsville contacted Navarro for help with that summer's migrant crisis. Since then, Golan has provided water, clothing, food and Spanish Bibles to migrants on both sides of the border. The SBTC donated 1,500 Bibles to that effort. In late April this year, West Brownsville Baptist began serving as an overflow respite center when the city's two other emergency shelters, operated by the Catholic Church, reached capacity, and the mayor and city commissioners approached Navarro for help. Navarro said yes and West Brownsville members converted Sunday school rooms and other spaces to shelter migrants. "Today is the 59th day," Navarro said on Wednesday (June 26). "We have served over 1,600 migrants in two months." Numbers have ranged from 75-100 per day initially to 35-50 daily now. "They are sending us the most vulnerable, moms and dads with children, and single moms with children," Navarro said, noting that migrants from South and Central America, India, Pakistan and Africa have sheltered at the church after clearing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While the city of Brownsville has financed efforts at the other respite centers, West Brownsville Baptist has received no city funding and has relied upon donations, including significant grants from the SBTC and NAMB. The Red Cross donated 1,000 toiletry kits, some blankets and 20 cots. Navarro says that, besides funds for supplies, West Brownsville Baptist needs adult, infant and children's t-shirts and underwear from sizes small to large, disposable diapers, flip flops or Crocs in all sizes, personal hygiene wipes and disinfecting wipes. "We go through a bottle and a half of Lysol a day to keep things sanitary," Navarro said. He also needs Bibles -- preferably the revised Reina-Valera 1960 Bible with black covers -- because West Brownsville is addressing both the spiritual and physical needs of the migrants. Navarro shares the Gospel. Some 900 of the shelter's 1,600 guests have reportedly professed to trusting Christ as their Savior to date. Scottie Stice, SBTC disaster relief director, confirmed that a DR shower and laundry unit would soon be deployed to West Brownsville Baptist to assist the church's efforts. In addition to the work of churches like West Brownsville along the border, SBTC DR volunteers have teamed with the Salvation Army in El Paso and Del Rio this spring and summer to serve migrants who have passed through security, been vetted by the border patrol and undergone medical screening before arriving at temporary shelters. In Del Rio, small SBTC crews have rotated in and out to man a shower/laundry unit. The SBTC's DR bunkhouse has also been on site, housing Salvation Army and SBTC volunteers. SBTC shower and laundry operations were suspended in late June and will resume after July 4. Since May 5, disaster relief volunteers have helped prepare and serve from 600 to 1,400 meals per day in El Paso. The Del Rio and El Paso relief efforts mark a "renewed partnership with the Salvation Army," Stice said. Also see other related reports on how Southern Baptists have responded to the crisis here and the Biblical Recorder's report at https://brnow.org/News/January-2019/Former-N-C-pastor-answers-plea-for-help-at-Tijuan. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jane Rodgers writes for the Southern Baptist TEXAN (www.texanonline.net), newsjournal of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Baptist Press contributed to this story. #JULY19

WASHINGTON. D.C. (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court's 7-2 decision June 20 in favor of a nearly century-old memorial cross in Bladensburg, Md., appeared to some as a signal that the justices want to leave more room for religion in the public square. The American Humanist Association sued the American Legion and local parks department to take down the 40-foot cross monument, which an American Legion post erected in 1925 to honor local men who died in World War I. A U.S. District Court judge in Maryland ruled the memorial could stay in 2015, but a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared the cross a violation of the Establishment Clause found in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The case gave the justices an opportunity to clarify the court's interpretation of the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the U.S. government from establishing an official religion. A case from the 1970s set a precedent known as the Lemon test, a multipart question used to determine whether government actions are in violation of the clause. The test, which grew out of the 1971 case Lemon v. Kurtzman, asked whether a reasonable observer would interpret a state action as an establishment of religion. The standard proved difficult to apply and led to contradictory rulings. In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that two framed copies of the Ten Commandments on display in a couple of Kentucky courthouses violated the Establishment Clause but a 6-foot-tall granite Ten Commandments monument on the Texas Capitol grounds in Austin did not. "The Lemon test is what has caused all this hostility to religion by the government and all these lawsuits against nativity scenes and menorahs and crosses and Ten Commandments," said Kelly Shackelford, president of First Liberty, a law firm specializing in religious liberty cases that helped defend the American Legion and its cross in Bladensburg. In the ruling, six justices indicated the Lemon test didn't apply to a broad swath of cases, solidifying the place of religious symbolism and practice in the public square. See related story. But their decision still leaves some issues to be worked out in future cases. While the justices agreed Lemon doesn't work, Justice Samuel Alito's main plurality opinion was only signed by three others -- Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Stephen Breyer and Brett Kavanaugh -- and the justices filed seven more opinions, signaling uncertainty about the new path forward. Justices Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, and Clarence Thomas voted with the majority but filed separate opinions. "They all had their own perspective they wanted to bring, so as a result you don't have one clean sort of guidepost for the future as to exactly how they're going to deal with the future cases," Shackelford said. Those cases will decide what principles will govern the application of the Establishment Clause, particularly regarding new monuments and practices that incorporate religious symbolism. Shackelford said that Gorsuch and Thomas' concurring opinion indicated that courts should consider how long the symbols or practices have been in use in the country. But those standards still need to be worked out. "The big thing is that the days of weaponizing the Establishment Clause to attack religion are over," Shackelford said. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rachel Lynn Aldrich writes for WORLD Digital, a division of WORLD Magazine (www.wng.org) based in Asheville, NC. Used by permission. #JULY19

DETROIT, MI – The prevailing model of church and church planting in America seems to have a lot in common with Kevin Costner’s 1989 film “Field of Dreams,” where a voice tells him “if you build it, they will come,” Is it true though? Perhaps the answer is yes and no. I want to use that “yes and no” to share a little with you about our church plant in Southwest Detroit. Let’s start with “no.” If you build it, will they come? Much of church and church planting culture in America assumes the answer is “yes.“ What is “it?” IT depends. Perhaps it’s a literal church building, the best guest experience, the best assimilation process, the best worship band, the best preaching staff, or the best set of programs. Does God use all these things? Surely. He also uses Pagan kings. By His grace He can build His church through whatever means He wants. The problem arises whenever we lean on our wisdom over God’s Word, whether that be by what we do or what we refuse to do. We cannot expect what we build or don’t build to rescue people from death. Location. Location. Location. By God’s Sovereign Grace, there are places that build “it,” but emphasize the gospel and some DO come. On the other hand, there are places you won’t likely fill a building just because you build “it.” We live in one of those places, and the places that it DOES work, only some come. Our location and our conviction demand that we GO where people will never come if we “build it.” Our neighborhood will not just show up because we have a good Sunday service and somebody invites them. Our neighbors are too diverse and in need of the gospel to be satisfied with only reaching those who would. What’s the “yes?” If you build the church - the people of God, they will come. This is our only confidence. Ephesians 4:1-16 tells us how the body, the church grows: Jesus gave gifts to pastors, to build up EVERY member to maturity for ministry in Christ. The result? The body grows! That’s not a very attractive schtick, and it makes church growth a crockpot, not a microwave, but it’s God’s design. After four years of digging roots, sharing our home, having people live in our home, sharing the gospel, discipling and developing people, being misunderstood by some outsiders who told other people we were planting a house church, celebrated as gritty by a few and ignored by others, we began Sunday gatherings in February with a very solid and growing core team of just 12 people. We average 20-30 people in attendance a few months in. It’s not “normal” and it’s a challenge. Support typically goes to places that have the three Bs - buildings, budgets, and butts in seats, and more importantly, it challenges my own heart. Church planting is perhaps most influential on the heart of the planter/pastor. It is sanctifying and revealing of the idols of the heart. Even with deep convictions about this process, I still struggle with fear of man - the assumed expectations that others will look at us as a failure because they see how few we are, or how slow we grow, or they show up on the Sunday. Where our whole team doesn’t even make it and there’s an “awkward” crowd of 10-15, and the pastor plays guitar and preaches because there aren’t any other musicians. But if you build it - the church - God’s people, they WILL come - the church WILL grow. This is a promise in Scripture to hang on to. Build mature disciples and mobilize them, and they will go to the people who would never come. That’s exactly where we find ourselves. God is raising a few Marines, ready for the trenches, who are going behind enemy lines and making disciples. We have individuals reaching people in the community and on two college campuses. Perhaps we should re-write it: “If you build them, it will come.” It’s simple multiplication, and the roots of something truly exponential. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Drew Ansley is a church planter in Southwest Detroit. He lives there and ministers with his wife, Alisha and daughter Makaela. They have been in the neighborhood since 2015 making disciples and building a team which will help train more disciple-makers and leaders for the city. They hope to launch the public face of Refuge Detroit church in 2018. Find out more at refugedetroit.org or email Drew directly at drew@refugedetroit.org. #JULY19

WESTLAND, MI – The  Michigan African American Fellowship youth group – BLAZE experience Mission Evangelism as they participated in prayer walking and the distribution of flyers in the Lemone Garden Housing Complex in Westland. It was a mission project serving One Mission Church where church planter and pastor, Antonio Wimberly, leads. For most of the youth this was their first encounter with prayer walking, however the youth really enjoyed the mission. After the event, a number of the youth participants said, “Our personal prayer life will be enhanced because of us praying for this community.” The Prayer Walking was a spiritual and service activity leading up to the Urban Youth conference that was held in May at One Mission Church. Today’s youth are confronted with many distractions from the world, and are often faced with detours. They can end up feeling despair. As a result, the youth selected the theme “FINDING MY PEACE” for the central discussion for the Urban Conference. Several workshops were presented to support the theme. The conference also provided other the youth from a variety of churches within the state to come together and have a time of faith, fun, and fellowship. When asked if the African American Fellowship should sponsor this event again next year, the response was a resounding “yes”. When asked why, the response was “it allows us to learn and increase our spiritual growth in a way that meets us where we are.” As a result of the feedback, the African American Fellowship plans to repeat the Urban Conference next year. President, Dr, Stan Parker said, “He is so grateful to all of the pastors who supported this event.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bernice Mitchell has worked with youth for about 22 years and God has given her the strength, patience, and joy to persevere. Being a member of Temple of Faith Baptist Church in Detroit Michigan for 25 years has taught her to love God, and to be involved in several ministries, including evangelism. #JULY19

EASTPOINTE, MI – I met Mike going door to door after he visited our church. It just happened that he did online marketing for many companies. As we were visiting, he asked me if our church showed up on google searches. I proclaimed, “Of course we do.” Mike decided to test my assertion by googling our church. To my surprise, our church did not show up on a google search. Needless to say, as the pastor I felt quite embarrassed and frustrated by the lack of results. Thankfully, Mike was kind enough to provide advice on how to be found on Google. As soon as I left his house that day, I made a commitment to make our church in the top three on a google search in our area. Today, I am happy to report that generally our church shows up in the top three on a Google search for our area. Here are steps that will increase your traction on a google search: Do a general search of churches in your area. You will notice that three churches will be displayed in your area. The goal is to get your church listed in the top three. If your church is already there, don’t do anything. If you do not see your church, click on the words “More places” and see where your church comes up. When you see your church, click on the church’s name. Under the church’s address and other information look for the word: “Own this business?” It will appear if you have not claimed your business. Click on this and claim your business by providing the different information google requests. You will receive a confirmation code from Google that will allow you to finish claiming the business. This will give you the ability to edit the business account and add details to the search information. WARNING: If you have not claimed your business anyone can! After you are able to claim the business, you are able to edit to the account. First, make sure all of the information is accurate. For example, when I checked our account, we had our old address. Having accurate information is absolutely critical. Make sure that your church is listed as a church. Mike also informed me that people google what kind of church it is so list the church’s type (Baptist, non-denominational etc.) Every church should have a basic website!!!! It is the number one area checked before a church is visited. Be sure and budget for a basic website. If your budget does not allow for one, then use a free one or a Facebook group. The bottom line is a church must have an online presence. Google obtains information about the business by what is in the text on the website. Start with the homepage and write the details about your church. Also, save the pictures that are used on the webpage by name and not a .jpg number. Google will also use that in your search data. For example, save them as names like “children ministry” or “Bible preaching”. Make sure that there is no outdated information. If someone says they like the church, email them a link to the church’s google reviews. Soon after I went through the process of getting our church coming up on Google, a woman named Brook called me. She came to our church on Friday, trusted Jesus Christ, and was baptized soon after that. She found us through Google. Souls are worth learning how to do social media! Our website is eastsidecommunitychurch.com. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pastor Mathew Vroman is the Pastor of Eastside Community Church. He is married to Diane and they are the proud parents of Mattie (19), Betty (17), Arzu (13), and Marie (9). Additionally he serves in inter-faith dialogue and racial-reconciliation. He is presently pursuing a Doctor of Religious Studies in Bible and Theology (finished in 2020). #JULY19

FLINT, MI – “On April 25, 2014, a group of smiling officials in Flint, Mich., stood in front of television cameras, held their glasses aloft and toasted the switch to the city’s new water source, the Flint River. “Here’s to Flint!” Dayne Walling, the then mayor, said, taking a gulp of river water. The Flint water crisis was born that day. Almost immediately, Flint residents began telling their elected officials that there was something wrong with the water, which smelled terrible, tasted like metal and seemed to give them skin rashes. They confronted elected officials outside City Hall, hoisting bottles full of rust-colored water from their taps, only to be told, again and again, that the water was fine. The water was not fine. In Flint, the water crisis is by no means in the past. “It’s a community that’s still dealing with the trauma and the aftermath of having been poisoned at the hands of the government,” said Karen Weaver, mayor of Flint. Ms. Weaver continues to tell residents to drink only bottled or filtered water.” (Mitch Smith, 2019) The Michigan African American Fellowship joined forces with the National Women’s Mission Union of the Southern Baptist Convention to serve our brothers and sisters in need in Flint, Michigan. During the last month over four tons of water has been distributed to the residents of Flint. Sally Thomas stated, “The water was just in time.” She had been looking to buy water, but did not have the funds due to her limited income. Stan Parker adds, “She also asked why we were doing this since we are not from Flint. We were able to let her know, first, God loves everyone, and we are an extension of his love. Second, as Christians we are to be His witnesses not just in our community, but where ever we can be.” She responded by saying she was so glad we love God and people. Parker says, “This water drive is another way in which we as Christians can “Love Out Loud”.” Plans are underway for another water drive and distribution for our brothers and sisters in Flint. We are very thankful to the church family of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church for agreeing to be a host site for the distribution of water. If anyone is interested in joining future water drives or desires to donate to this cause, you can contact Dr. Stan Parker, President of the Michigan African American Fellowship at 517-853-9897 or email: faithfellowshiplansing@hotmail.com ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stan Parker is senior pastor of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church in Lansing, MI and a regular contributor to the Baptist Beacon. #JULY19 Work Cited Mitch Smith, J. B. (2019, April 26). Flint’s Water Crisis Started 5 Years Ago. It’s Not Over. The New York Times, p. A13.

RICHMOND, VA (BP) – My years on the mission field were truly some the most fulfilling years of my life. They were joyful and life-giving. They were also tear-filled, stressful, and often just plain difficult. There were days I wanted to give up and move back to America. And yet, I'll never regret a single day that I and my family lived on mission overseas. I have learned a few things along the way. If I could go back 20 years and write a letter to my brand new missionary self, I'd highlight the truths that I needed to be reminded of every day. Here are words of counsel I'd offer to new missionaries. Learn to be content and choose gratitude Before you even get on that airplane, make an intentional, hard and fast covenant with God that from day one you will choose to have a heart of gratitude. In her book, "Calm My Anxious Heart," Linda Dillow wrote of a missionary woman living in a mud hut in Africa who was one of the most content people she had ever known. When Dillow asked for her secret to contentment, the woman replied, "Never allow yourself to complain about anything -- not even the weather." I have seen a critical spirit do more damage to missionary teams and families than just about anything else. Remember that the apostle Paul learned to be content in all situations. It's up to you to choose gratitude and contentment. It can be learned! Your state of contentment is not dependent on functioning technology. It's not dependent on the ease or difficulty of expat relationships. It's not dependent on your level of exhaustion as a young parent. Memorize Scripture both in English and in the national language, and hide God's Word in your heart so you can cling to truth when temptation for cynicism or criticism arises. Learn to be content and choose gratitude. Prioritize learning spiritual language If you desire to share the Gospel clearly and accurately, expect language learning to require serious work. Commit to the work, sweat and tears required to learn spiritual language and vocabulary as early as possible. By the end of my first year on the field, I could hold long conversations about children, cooking, or the weather, but because I hadn't learned very much spiritual vocabulary, I wasn't well-prepared to transition everyday conversations to the Gospel. I will never forget a conversation my husband and I had with a national friend. Our friend was sharing something very important, yet I missed the context of the entire conversation because I didn't know the local translation of the biblical language. If I could re-prioritize the time I spent learning language, I'd study basic Gospel vocabulary as early as I studied vocabulary for the days of the week and months of the year. Everyday words can be learned just through saturation in the local community. Spiritual language learning takes time and intentionality. Prioritize it early. Don't associate all difficulties with living overseas Evangelism isn't necessarily easier in America. Yes, evangelism in your second language is hard. It's humbling and often embarrassing, and did I mention hard? I remember sitting with a missionary girlfriend our first term on the field, and the conversation went something like this: "I'm just dying to use my gift of teaching. That's how God made me. If I lived in America, I'd have so many opportunities. Maybe this just isn't where God wants me." After some prayer and confession, I moved out of the "woe is me" mindset, but my girlfriend didn't. In fact, she moved back to the States. It wasn't long after that when she humbly acknowledged that sharing the Gospel with those who have hardened hearts is truly difficult wherever you live. If you are sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in your second language, it will be hard. Yet, if you are sharing in your heart language in your hometown, it will still be hard. Don't fall into the trap of associating all difficulties with living overseas. Focus your relational energy on those who need the Gospel Yes, cherish and prioritize deep connection with other expats, but set limits. I'm convinced that expat relationships can be a precious, just-when-needed-most gift that God gives those who leave family and friends for the sake of advancing the Gospel cross-culturally. In fact, you may experience a level of intimacy with the international body of Christ you will never experience in quite the same way again. Yet, realize that there really can be too much of a good thing. Hold each other accountable to save prime relational energy for those who desperately need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Stay focused on the mission. Don't give up Lastly, persevere. Just don't give up. Some of my most fruitful discipleship relationships finally came after spending a decade on the field. Don't give up when other expats come and go. Don't stop learning language when you find you have enough to function in society. You may not have tomorrow in this country. So, take advantage of today. Learn deeper spiritual vocabulary today. Choose gratitude and contentment today. Boldly do the work of an evangelist. There is much freedom that comes from faithfulness. Choose today to be faithful in all things. Expect God to keep his promises. Know that he really will be faithful to complete the good work he began in you. And confidently know that all things really do work together for good for those who love God and who are called according to his purpose. EDITOR'S NOTE: This article first appeared at imb.org. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cyndi Logsdon spent 12 years living overseas where she shared the Gospel while raising two daughters with her husband. #JULY19

Hundreds gathered at the headquarters of Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) June 10 for a journey through missions past and present. Displays throughout the building told the story of Baptist mission pioneers Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon, and more recent WMU legends like Alma Hunt, whose admonition to Billy Graham about a much-needed haircut was the first of several artifacts revealed during the day. Next to the historical displays, modern missionaries shared their stories of working among people persecuted for their faith, families battling poverty, and refugees trying to find a home. The day offered 131 missions projects and activities—a celebration of WMU’s 131 years of calling Baptists to get the gospel to people all over the world. It’s been a couple of years since Becky Arnett (above) attended the annual WMU missions celebration prior to the Southern Baptist Convention. The missions leader from First Baptist Church, McLeansboro, has missed hearing from missionaries, calling it a “missions drought.” “I can’t even eat lunch,” Arnett said, referring to her program where she had circled the names of missionaries she wanted to hear. She ate lunch with fellow Illinoisans while Nik and Ruth Ripken (right) shared about their years of mission service with the International Mission Board. The Ripkens were also keynote speakers during the first day of WMU’s annual meeting. The people they’ve worked with over the years, Nik Ripken said, are persecuted for two reasons: coming to faith in Christ, and giving Jesus away. Persecuted people, Ruth said, see persecution as part of their role in God’s mission. “The thing that they say to us is ‘We are holding Satan hostage in our part of the world so that those in America can be free to share their faith with others.’ “They’re seeing us totally as a partnership,” she said, “and I hope we can say to them, ‘We’re sharing our faith boldly.’” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Meredith Flynn is the managing editor for the Illinois Baptist, the newsjournal of the Illinois Baptist State Association. #JULY19

ATLANTA, GA (BP) – LifeWay Christian Resources trustees unanimously elected Ben Mandrell as the organization's 10th president during a special-called meeting June 28 in Atlanta. "I am grateful for the opportunity to lead in such an important season for LifeWay," Mandrell told trustees during the plenary session. "My first priority is to get our family to Nashville and begin loving the people at LifeWay. There is already an amazing team in place, and I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and work alongside them." Mandrell, 42, comes to LifeWay from his role as lead pastor at Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, Colo. Two days after the June 21 announcement of his nomination to lead LifeWay, Mandrell delivered a heartfelt sermon to his congregation explaining his decision to relocate his family to Nashville. "All through Scripture, we learn that God is a calling God," Mandrell said in his sermon. "He dials our number and we have to answer. We have to take His calls." When considering the decision to accept the search committee's nomination, Mandrell said he had "a wrestling match with God like I have never experienced before." Mandrell has served as lead pastor of Storyline Fellowship since its founding in 2014. A 'man of character' "This is a significant and momentous day in the history of LifeWay," said trustee chairman Jimmy Scroggins as he thanked the search committee for their hard work and commitment to the task. "Ben is a man of character, integrity, godly strength and humility," said Scroggins, lead pastor of Family Church in West Palm Beach, Fla. "I appreciate his relentless commitment to seeing people come to know Christ and to see churches that preach the Gospel have the resources they need to advance the Kingdom." Kent Dacus, who led the presidential search committee, said the process of finding the next CEO of LifeWay was extensive, methodical and deliberate with the team examining a diverse field of candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds. "All throughout the process, we were focused solely on the best person for the position and for the person God was already preparing to lead LifeWay in this new season," Dacus said. "We found a man who is deeply committed to God's Word and has an incredible passion for the local church." Dacus praised the search committee for their prayerful and steadfast effort the past 10 months. "These men and women have worked in one accord and sought the Lord's guidance every step of the way," he said. LifeWay's presidential search committee was appointed in August 2018. The committee included chairman Kent Dacus (Calif.), Bill Langley (Ky.), Millie Burkett (Ore.), Brad McLean (Texas), Madeline Harris (Penn.), Todd Fannin (Okla.), and Luther McDaniel (Tenn.). Southern Baptist leaders respond When Mandrell's nomination was announced last week, Southern Baptist leaders began to share their excitement. "Ben Mandrell is the kind of visionary, disruptive leader that LifeWay needs just at this moment," said SBC President J.D. Greear. "I am thrilled with this choice." Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, echoed Greear's enthusiasm. "Ben Mandrell has proven himself as an incredible church planter, pastor and innovative leader. He has a passion to connect and communicate Jesus to a lost world," Ezell said. "Ben has invested his life in equipping new believers to grow and walk faithfully in the Lord. He has a unique ability to connect with people of all ages and will be an outstanding steward of LifeWay's future." David Uth, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Orlando, which served as the sending church for Storyline Fellowship, described Mandrell as a strong leader with insight and discernment. "[Ben] has a deep passion for following Jesus and an incredible resolve to do exactly as the Lord leads him." Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, said Mandrell is a leader with a "compelling vision to reach all people in our generation. How exciting it is to have a pastor like Ben Mandrell called straight from the church to lead LifeWay to assist and resource churches all around the world for gospel advancement." A native of Tampico, Ill., Mandrell is a 1998 graduate of Anderson (Ind.) University. He also holds a master of divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry degree from Union University. Mandrell and his wife Lynley have been married 18 years. The couple has four children: Ava (15), Max (13), Miles (12) and Jack (11). "I can see the hand of God preparing me for this significant moment at LifeWay," Mandrell said. Read more about Mandrell's nomination at LifeWay.com/CEOSearch. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Carol Pipes is director of corporate communications for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Baptist Press contributed to this report. #JULY19