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ONTARIO, CA (BP) – No matter who wins the presidential election, it appears the American people are about to get what they have asked for over the past 50 years -- institutionalization of their rejection of moral authority. Since the 1960s, there has been a concerted effort by multiple groups to cast off moral restraint in the name of personal freedom. Special interest groups demanding abortion on demand, sexual liberty, marriage redefinition and gender abolition -- all in the name of civil rights, personal rights, and individual entitlement -- have won the day. Persons who oppose them are marginalized as bigots and rights-denying obstructionists. We are said to be on the wrong side of history, meaning we will look back someday and see how supposedly misguided -- even ignorant -- we have been. That, however, is a truncated, revisionist view of history. When you consider the record, the historical pattern -- in both Old Testament and secular history -- is quite the opposite. When any society rejects moral authority, chaos and anarchy always lead to collapse. One of the ways this happens is when God allows leaders to arise who will institutionalize the amorality and immorality their followers demand. Those leaders are the culmination of a populace rebellion. Check the record -- every time this has happened in history the result has been cultural collapse. Many Americans arrogantly believe this cannot happen to us. How naïve! In this context, God-fearing people are being laughed at or ignored today. We are mocked for warning about God's judgement. That's considered an archaic concept, an out-of-touch superstition from a past era. A final, concrete step in rejecting God's standards is when people demand leaders who model and institutionalize their demands -- and God gives them what they have asked for. Regardless of who wins the White House on Nov. 8, he or she will represent and amplify the prevailing values of an electorate that, by and large, seems to have acquiesced to the inevitability of amoral and immoral behavior becoming our new normal. As our moral decline accelerates, it's important for Christian leaders to retain our prophetic voice. We must continue to advocate moral positions based on timeless truth, call people (including people in power) to repent, and help people learn to make better choices. While we may be in a marginalized minority, our prophetic responsibility -- even though we feel like voices in the wilderness -- has never been more important. God help us. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jeff Iorg is president of Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention. #NOVEMBER16

DETROIT, MI – We are extremely grateful for all of the mission partners that came to Detroit over the summer to work with our church planters. Here is a quick rundown of how several churches participated in Detroit this summer: Coastal Bend Fellowship (TX) helped Victory Fellowship, Detroit, with community clean up and building preparation for a job skills center. Cornerstone Baptist Church (AR) partnered with 4 church plants working to help with building renovation, neighborhood canvassing and kids’ camps. Springfield Baptist Church (TN), College Acres Baptist Church (NC), and First Baptist Church Mt. Juliet (TN) each came at different times to help The Gathering Windsor facilitate a week long sports camp. Stuart Heights Baptist Church (TN) and Liberty Heights Baptist Church (OH, pictured) brought a combined 84 people to run a block party at Victory Fellowship. First Baptist Church Bradenton (FL) and CrossPointe Baptist Church Owensboro (KY) locked arms with Storytellers Church (Chesterfield) during their annual “Love Week” of community service. Valley Baptist Church (AR) helped with community outreach in Hamtramck and supported Reaching Out Church by helping with construction needs. #NOVEMBER16

ALPHARETTA, GA – Why would a church want to be a Sending Church? Taking responsibility for a new church plant can be difficult and time consuming. Sending your best people, investing your time and sharing your resources to begin a new work in a difficult place requires a giant step of faith. So, what should move a church to take on this great task? Here are nine reasons we believe you should consider becoming a sending church: 1. New churches reach new people more effectively 269 million people in the United States and Canada do not have a personal relationship with Christ. One study revealed established Southern Baptist churches baptized 3.4 people per 100 resident members, while new churches baptized 11.7. 2. New churches are needed to reach a growing population The church-to-population ratio in the United States peaked at one church for every 430 individuals during World War I. Today, we are seeing a different narrative, where there is only one church for every 6,194 people. In Canada the ratio is even more extreme at 1:115,040. 3. New churches are needed to reach different kinds of people The diversity of North America necessitates new churches who are willing and able to reach different kinds of people. The gospel doesn't change, but our methods must be contextualized to the people we are reaching. 4. Church planting is a central biblical model for kingdom growth Ed Stetzer writes in a recent blog, “When we look throughout the New Testament, we see church planting as an established pattern. . . . It’s the first thing the disciples did when they responded to the commissions of Jesus. They planted churches.” 5. Church plants are healthier when a Sending Church is involved The survivability of church plants increases dramatically when a strong sending church is involved. 6. Churches that send, grow spiritually Sending churches are often stretched spiritually as they trust the Lord with their people and finances. J.D. Greear wrote in his book Gaining by Losing, “The closer you walk with Jesus and the more you understand what he did to save you, the more natural sending will become. Sending, like all spiritual fruits, grows out of a healthy gospel culture.” 7. Churches that send grow missionally Churches involved in planting new churches are constantly challenged with a greater kingdom-vision, ever-new missional strategies and an increased passion for reaching their own communities. 8. Churches that send grow leaders Sending people to plant churches inevitably create holes in the Sending Church’s leadership. These holes provide great developmental opportunities for new leaders. The best Sending Churches make the most of these challenges by creating leadership factories, with new leaders constantly ready to serve, grow and be sent. 9. Churches that send grow numerically The research of Dr. Jeffery Farmer indicates that churches involved in helping to start new churches experienced positive increases in worship attendance, baptism, and small group participation. Are you ready to take the next step and become a Sending Church? Learn more here and see how God can use your church through this step of faith or contact Mike Durbin at the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, 8420 Runyan Lake Road, Fenton, MI 48430 or phone us at 810-714-1907. #NOVEMBER16

CHESNEE, SC – Earlier this year, 16 churches from across the Chesnee community participated in creative service projects and outreach opportunities on the first "Love Your City" day. Several revivals occurred in the weeks that followed, and some projects have become ongoing ministries. Pastor Daniel Godfrey of Arrowwood Baptist Church imagined a ministry day like this over a decade ago after participating in smaller-scale servant evangelism activities. Then last year, while engaging with an evangelism team and other pastors in his association, the city-wide idea became more concrete. Brandon Lewis, pastor of Piedmont Baptist Church, shared an evangelist's idea to host revivals and community outreach simultaneously. "I believed a number of my Chesnee pastor friends would join forces on an idea like this," he says. They did, including a small group of them who prayed weekly for revival nine months leading up to the event. Basic data research revealed that there were roughly 15,000 people living in the Chesnee zip code and surrounding areas, and that 12,000 of them were unchurched. The planning team decided to focus efforts on a 10-mile radius of the community. A "Chesnee LYC" Facebook page was created, along with a billboard announcing the event. Postcards were mailed to area homes, provided through a grant from the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Participating churches planned the ministries they each would provide during Love Your City day. All lay leaders were invited to attend three joint worship and evangelism training services leading up to the project date. "The pastors were also unified working together on this. The desire to see God work in our community resonated with them," Godfrey says. On the morning of Love Your City day, 30 participants were positioned around Chesnee holding inspirational signs with messages like "We're praying for you" and "Jesus loves you." In 13 different ministry locations, there were free car washes, a prayer drive-through, a diaper and wipes distribution, free meals, and inflatable play areas for children. Church members talked about their faith as they interacted in the community. People began responding to the simple acts of service almost immediately. "Several folks allowed us to pray for them and were overwhelmingly grateful. People were shocked to realize the free food and car washes were given with absolutely no catch," Lewis says. One young mother heard that Arrowwood Baptist Church was giving out free diapers and wipes and walked from another part of town to get some. At the time, her daughter was wearing the last diaper the young mother had. After hearing about free diapers, another mother came to Arrowwood Baptist the next day to ask for some. Godfrey said this same woman's brothers had prayed to receive Christ at the church's free lunch on Love Your City day, and that Godfrey had prayed for this woman with the brothers. Nine of the church's planned revival services to coincide with the event. New Vision Baptist Church joined Arrowwood Baptist Church to host services led by a guest evangelist, where 29 people were reported to have made professions of faith. Other churches also reported salvations. Lewis says he is most excited to see that pastors from across the community are drawing closer together as a result of the event. "We still meet every Wednesday morning at First Baptist, Chesnee, to fellowship and pray for one another. This has helped each of us as pastors, but I think it also helps our respective churches; healthier pastors make for healthier churches," he says. According to Godfrey, next year's event planning is already underway, and he hopes the idea spreads. "Churches have been asking to be a part of this going forward, including other denominations," Godfrey says. ABOUT THE AUTHOR This article appeared in the Baptist Courier, newsmagazine of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Julia Bell writes for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. #NOVEMBER16

SOUTHGATE, MI – Calvary Baptist Church of Southgate recently went on mission to Peru. Here is their story. It took a year in the planning, but the Lord opened the door for me to lead a team from Calvary Baptist Church in Southgate to Peru on a mission trip. I was joined by my wife, JoLinda, and two other ladies from the church as we made our way to South America in the second week of August this year. We went under the auspices of Tom Cox World Ministries, which has a long-standing relationship with many Peruvian churches. Our team from Michigan was joined by a man from Texas, Ken Bowie, who had been a missionary in Peru for many years, and was the TCWM liaison while the team was in the country. We traveled for more than 20 hours from Detroit to Miami to Lima and then on to the destination city of Piura in northern Peru. Piura is a city of 377,000 in the northern desert area of Peru, just south of the Ecuador border. It is flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes mountains to the east. The city is one of the oldest in South America, being the third Spanish city founded in South America and the first city established in Peru in 1532. The language is Peruvian Spanish, which is very similar to Spanish spoken in Mexico. The city is located in the southern hemisphere near the equator, so when the team was there in August, it was the dry season with temperatures in the 80's during the day and the 60's at night. Being in the southern hemisphere, our team had the awesome experience of seeing The Southern Cross constellation in the night sky as the stars form a large cross. We were welcomed by the First Baptist Church of Piura, a well-known and historic SBC church in the area. Pastor Raul Lopez and his church family extended the team excellent hospitality and provided many ministry opportunities in his church, as well as a church plant in the neighboring village of Sechura. Ministry opportunities included me preaching in the two churches, conducting a half-day training conference to 40 pastors and their wives on church revitalization, a WMU meeting where each of the ladies on the team spoke to over 50 ladies, four one-day Vacation Bible Schools in the two churches for over 100 children, a four-day Medical Clinic to 80 patients, featuring the expertise of one of the ladies on our team who is a Registered Nurse, an evangelistic service for 90+ teenagers, and daily evangelism using a pantomime drama called “The Sin Box”, which dramatizes a person trapped in sin by the devil, but rescued by Jesus. Glory to God, the results of the mission trip included 53 Peruvians making first-time professions of faith in Jesus as Savior, with many more re-dedications of faith in Jesus as Lord! Pastors and their wives were very thankful for the revitalization conference and planned on implementing the truths in their churches all across northern Peru. The women of the WMU in that area were very responsive to the testimonies of the ladies on the team and really appreciated the “mission dolls” they were given. Each woman promised to give their doll to a needy child and share the Gospel of Jesus with that child. Mission Dolls were also given to the children in some of the Vacation Bible Schools. This mission trip was very rewarding for everyone on the team. Personally, I feel Jesus was glorified and His kingdom work was accomplished. We had the joy of leaving new believers in Peru and helping Peruvian churches be revitalized, as well as help some hurting people with their medical needs. Mission trips are life-changing for me, as well as each and every person who goes on them. I encourage every believer to go on “mission” somewhere in their Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and uttermost parts of the world! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Dan Russell is the Executive Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Southgate, Michigan, a Church Strengthener for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, and an adjunct professor in the Christian Ministry Department of Spring Arbor University at two campuses in southeastern Michigan. He has 36 years of pastoral experience, including lead pastorates in Missouri, Kansas, and Michigan. He and his wife, JoLinda, live in Brownstown, Michigan, and have three adult children, along with seven grandchildren. #NOVEMBER16

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” – Luke 4:18 DETROIT, MI – “I wish you would have been here the other day!” JJ said, with sadness and guilt flooding her face. JJ (not her real name) is a front desk associate at a hotel in Metro Detroit. Volunteers went there for the first time a few days after a young woman, trapped in the commercial sex industry, visited the establishment. Because of the information they shared about the lifeline that is the National Human Trafficking Hotline, JJ now has the ability to help young women, men, and children who may fall victim to sex trafficking. FRē Outreach is a sex trafficking ministry of Legacy Church in Novi with the goal to bridge the gap between Church and community, and between victims and allies. They educate hotels in Metro Detroit on how to identify victims of sex trafficking and how to safely intervene. Like JJ, many hotel staff are at a loss of how to deal with this crisis. More than 100,000 children in the United States are sexually exploited every year, and only 0.4% of sex trafficking victims in the Metro Detroit area are ever found or identified. FRē Outreach is currently working with 24 hotels in Novi, Farmington Hills, Commerce, and Wixom to address this crisis within the local community. Amy Lipovsky is a ministry leader of FRē Outreach at Legacy Church in Novi. She says, “We have gone from hotel staff looking at us like we are crazy, or reacting to us aggressively, to them opening up to us about sex trafficking happening in their establishments and having FRē Outreach resources available at the front desk.” FRē Outreach provides resources like: 1) A victim indicator card with the National Human Trafficking Hotline Number and explanation to hotel staff what to look for. 2) A discreet wallet-sized card to give potential victims the hotline number and texting hotline number. 3) Pictures of high-risk missing teens in Southeast Michigan with instructions of when to call the police or when to call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. FRē Outreach allows volunteers to build relationships with people in the community, and discover that they are not alone. They meet others who care deeply for one another, for victims and their children even if they have never met. The Gospel compels Christians to care, to love, and to meet others’ needs in Jesus’ Name. Liposvsky says, “We are so grateful that we get the opportunity to share God’s mission for everyone to know what it is to be loved and cared for by Him. I sometimes look at this crisis of slavery as if it is impossible to make a difference, and I get discouraged. Then I am reminded that the power and blood of Jesus Christ is greater than slavery and greater than my doubt. God only asks for a willing heart and for His children to put the Gospel of Jesus Christ into action.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Amy Lipovsky is the Ministry Leader of FRē Outreach at Legacy Church in Novi, Michigan. She is a massage therapist and criminal justice student who relies on God’s grace and the support of her family to be successful. You can find out more about FRē Outreach at amy.freoutreach@gmail.com. #NOVEMBER16

LANSING, MI – Faith Fellowship Baptist Church and the Eastside Community Action Center came together in support of the Potter Walsh Neighborhood by hosting their Annual community-wide Back to School Bash & Meet ‘n Greet event in September. In the past, the two events were held separately. Despite rainy weather, combining the events this year created a phenomenal turnout. The place was filled with neighbors, parents, and school-aged children. It was surprising for many to see people who live on the same street come together and fellowship for the very first time. One woman shared that she has been living in the neighborhood for almost two years and never met her neighbors, and that she felt a little intimidated because she is a single parent. The gathering provided a safe environment for neighbors to meet each other, and to get acquainted with Faith Fellowship Baptist Church. Members of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and fellowshipped with the community. The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, a community organization, also donated and assisted in distributing backpacks to the children. Lori, a mother of three, came to Faith Fellowship pastor, Stan Parker, with tears in her eyes saying this event was an answer to prayer. She said that she had been pondering what she was going to do with the few dollars she had left in her budget. She was faced with the dilemma of paying her light bill or getting school supplies for her children. Because of this event, she was able to pay the bill, and her children have the school supplies they need. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Djuana Dismuke serves Pastor Stan Parker and the Faith Fellowship Baptist Church as office manager. #NOVEMBER16

FENTON, MI – It has long been said a nation cannot stand that does not kneel before God Almighty. America is living proof of that statement. This great country had its very founding in prayer at Jamestown, VA, Plymouth, MA and later in Philadelphia, PA when the continental congress sought God’s blessing on their decision to declare independence. George Washington, our nation’s first president, established a firm foundation for prayer and governing a nation. Included below is one of George Washington’s many recorded prayers, a prayer by Thomas Jefferson for this nation and Ronald Reagan’s prayer for healing of our land. George Washington Prayer for Our Country Almighty GOD; we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection, that thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States of America at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of The Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech thee, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen --New York, 1781 Thomas Jefferson A Prayer for the Nation Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. --Washington D.C., March 4, 1801 Ronald Reagan A Prayer for Healing To preserve our blessed land we must look to God... It is time to realize that we need God more than He needs us... We also have His promise that we could take to heart with regard to our country, that "If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Let us, young and old, join together, as did the First Continental Congress, in the first step, in humble heartfelt prayer. Let us do so for the love of God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings, His peace, and the resting of His kind and holy hands on ourselves, our nation, our friends in the defense of freedom, and all mankind, now and always. The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America... Our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal. Today, we utter no prayer more fervently than the ancient prayer for peace on Earth. If I had a prayer for you today, among those that have all been uttered, it is that one we're so familiar with: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace...." And God bless you all. --From a speech to the American people, February 6, 1986 #NOVEMBER16

NASHVILLE, TN (BP) – Americans with evangelical beliefs share a great deal in common. They trust in Jesus alone, evangelize their neighbors and believe the Bible is the final authority in their lives. But when it comes to voting, race and political affiliation still divide evangelicals, according to a survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research taken from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, before the second presidential debate. Overall, fewer than half (45 percent) of those with evangelical beliefs planned to vote for Donald Trump, according to the survey. A third (31 percent) said they would vote for Hillary Clinton. Fifteen percent were undecided. One in 10 (9 percent) supported a third-party candidate. White Americans with evangelical beliefs favored Trump (65 percent) over Clinton (10 percent). Sixteen percent were undecided. Eight percent planned to vote for Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party candidate. African-Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian-Americans with evangelical beliefs supported Clinton (62 percent) over Trump (15 percent). Thirteen percent were undecided. Seven percent supported Gary Johnson. LifeWay Research also found that party affiliation is a much stronger predictor of voting preferences than faith. Three-quarters of Republicans with evangelical beliefs planned to vote for Trump. Though a smaller sample, 75 percent of Democrats with evangelical beliefs planned to vote for Clinton. Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, said the divides among evangelicals will remain regardless of twists and turns in the election season. "This group of Christians shares the same core beliefs -- but they don't vote the same way," McConnell said. "There are significant cultural and political divides among evangelicals that will remain long after the election is over." Politics more unifying than faith The online survey asked 1,000 representative Americans four questions about core evangelical beliefs -- the Bible, the crucifixion of Jesus, salvation and evangelism. Those who strongly agreed with all four (17 percent) qualified as having evangelical beliefs. The idea is to define evangelicals by belief rather than self-identified religious affiliation, McConnell said. "The evangelical label has picked up political and social overtones that mask any patterns that are actually tied to evangelical religious beliefs," he said. For example, many political surveys look only at self-identified white evangelicals who have tended to support Republican presidential candidates, including Trump. The pool of Americans with evangelical beliefs, however, is more diverse. Four in 10 Americans with evangelical beliefs are African-American, Hispanic American, Asian-American or other ethnic minority. Six in 10 are white. Those with evangelical beliefs also have more diverse political views, according to LifeWay Research. As part of the survey, researchers looked at how people with evangelical beliefs and churchgoers see the issues at play in the 2016 election. Topics like personal character, abortion and religious liberty -- often identified as key evangelical issues -- matter less in this election. Other pragmatic concerns like the economy and national security are more influential. For Americans with evangelical beliefs, a candidate's ability to improve the economy mattered most (26 percent), followed by national security (22 percent) and personal character (15 percent). Few emphasized Supreme Court nominees (10 percent), religious freedom (7 percent), immigration (5 percent) or abortion (4 percent). For self-identified Christians who go to church at least once a month, the economy (30 percent), national security (23 percent) and personal character (15 percent) topped their concerns. Likewise, few prioritized Supreme Court nominees (10 percent), religious freedom (6 percent), immigration (4 percent) or abortion (3 percent). Overall, the economy (30 percent) was the top concern for Americans regardless of religious affiliation in the LifeWay Research survey. National security (17 percent) and personal character (17 percent) also were significant. Supreme Court nominees (10 percent), immigration (5 percent), religious freedom (2 percent) and abortion (1 percent) were less important. "For churchgoers and those with evangelical beliefs, their pocketbook and personal safety are paramount," McConnell said. "Moral issues aren't a priority for many of them." Religion plays a role Still, religion does seem to affect voting patterns. Self-identified Christians who go to church at least once a month favored Trump (41 percent). A third (34 percent) planned to vote for Clinton. Eighteen percent were undecided. Six percent supported a third-party candidate. Americans who skip church were more likely to support Clinton (46 percent). A third (31 percent) planned to vote for Trump. Fifteen percent were undecided. Eight percent favored a third-party candidate. Those without evangelical beliefs also favored Clinton (45 percent). Thirty-two percent planned to vote for Trump. Sixteen percent were undecided. Eight percent planned to vote for a third-party candidate. A previous LifeWay Research poll of Protestant pastors found that most clergy don't expect Christians to vote the same way. Two-thirds (65 percent) disagreed with the statement, "Christians who truly vote their conscience will vote for the same candidate." Less than a third (29 percent) agreed. Six percent were not sure. McConnell said neither major party in the United States has a monopoly on biblical values. So it's no surprise, he said, that evangelicals who value the Bible will vote differently. "Until one party or one candidate embodies everything that evangelicals believe, there is no reason to expect them to vote the same way," he said. Still, McConnell worries that the polarizing rhetoric of the 2016 election will spill over into churches. The Christian faith is supposed to unite people "from every nation, tribe, people, and language around Jesus Christ, not a politician," said McConnell, citing the New Testament book of Revelation. "Christianity includes peoples from different political parties as well," he said. "Sometimes I think evangelicals forget that." Methodology: LifeWay Research conducted the study Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, 2016. The survey was conducted using the web-enabled KnowledgePanel, a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. population. Initially, participants are chosen scientifically by a random selection of telephone numbers and residential addresses. Persons in selected households are then invited by telephone or by mail to participate in the web-enabled KnowledgePanel. For those who agree to participate, but do not already have Internet access, GfK provides at no cost a laptop and ISP connection. Sample stratification and weights were used for gender by age, race/ethnicity, region, metro/non-metro, education and income to reflect the most recent U.S. Census data. The completed sample is 1,000 surveys. The sample provides 95 percent confidence that the sampling error does not exceed plus or minus 3.1 percent. Margins of error are higher in subgroups. Evangelical beliefs are defined using the NAE LifeWay Research Evangelical Beliefs Research Definition based on respondent beliefs. Respondents are asked their level of agreement with four separate statements using a four-point, forced-choice scale (strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree). Respondents are categorized as having evangelical beliefs if they strongly agree with all four statements: -- The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe. -- It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. -- Jesus Christ's death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin. -- Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God's free gift of eternal salvation. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bob Smietana is senior writer for Facts & Trends magazine. #NOVEMBER16

SCHROON LAKE, NY (BP) – Messengers to the Baptist Convention of New York discussed proposals to affirm the biblical definitions of marriage and gender in the convention's constitution. Messengers also heard addresses from SBC Executive Committee President Frank S. Page and Todd Starnes of Fox News during their Sept. 25-27 sessions at Word of Life Conference Center in Schroon Lake, N.Y. In addition to 90 registered messengers, 21 guests were present for a total of 35 churches represented. Two amendments to the BCNY constitution proposed by the convention's Executive Board dealt with the topics of gender and marriage. Both amendments will be voted on at the 2017 annual meeting. The first, which was amended by a messenger, would deem churches "not in cooperation with the Convention" if they "act to affirm, approve, endorse ... same-sex marriage, or any expression of marriage, including but not limited to civil unions, other than the uniting of one biological man and one biological woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime." The constitution already states churches are not in cooperation if they affirm, approve or endorse "homosexual behavior." The second proposed amendment would add to the convention's affirmation of the Baptist Faith and Message the statement, "We also believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Reported by the staff of the Baptist Convention of New York. #NOVEMBER16

LOUISVILLE, KY (BP) – Jesus is the "ultimate" refugee and immigrant, and as a result the church has a responsibility to love and care for strangers in their land, said Georgia pastor and former Southern Baptist Convention president Bryant Wright during an Oct. 11 chapel message during Heritage Week at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. "The role of government is different. The role of government includes a protection of the citizens, but our role in the church is to love our neighbor," said Wright, who received his M.Div. from Southern Seminary in 1979. "And we are called to do that in any situation in life as Jesus teaches us to do so." Wright's sermon, "Refugees and Immigrants," focused on the biblical role of the church to serve and love those considered foreigners to America. Wright's main text, Matthew 2:13-15, explains that Jesus, led by his parents, were refugees who fled to Egypt. Addressing the topic of refugees and immigrants specifically, Wright encouraged Christian citizens to "be engaged in the political process" in order to draft reforms to solve the immigration issue "in the most humane manner that is good for citizens in our land and is good for all." Wright, who pastors Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., reminded students of the privilege to "be part of a convention that is really in the forefront of leading the way and making a statement and testimony to the world" in regard to the treatment of immigrants. He urged students to review the SBC immigration resolution passed at the annual meeting in 2011. According to the SBC website, sbc.net, the resolution recognized the government's responsibility of border security, requested public officials to offer a "a just and compassionate path to legal status … for those undocumented immigrants already living in our country," and a call to Southern Baptist churches to "proclaim Christ and minister in his spirit to everyone, regardless of their 'immigration status.'" Wright has served the convention in the roles of SBC president (2010-12), president of the SBC Pastors' Conference (2006), chairman of the Committee on Committees of the SBC (2003), and on several boards including the board of trustees for GuideStone Financial Resources (2009-2017). Because of the refugee crisis and immigration, Christians are able to share the Gospel with people who do not usually have access to hearing it. "One thing for sure, we have an opportunity in sharing the good news of the Gospel of Christ with refugees and immigrants" Wright said. "It is news that helps them to identify with this Jesus, who knows what it's like to be a refugee." "But that's not all," Wright noted. "… You see, Jesus is the ultimate example of an immigrant. But what is so unique about Jesus? He didn't leave His throne in heaven for a better life on earth, He left His throne in heaven because He loves you and me, sinners unworthy of his love, and gave His life for us. If the ultimate immigrant, Jesus Christ, has done that for you and me, can't we reach out to the strangers and aliens of our land and show them the love of Christ? And share with them the Gospel, the good news, when they've experienced so much bad news." At a special Heritage Week service Oct. 12 in Broadus Chapel on the seminary's Louisville, Ky., campus, R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Seminary, preached about the resolute faith Christians should have for God's promises in a fallen world. Despite a clash of worldviews that characterizes the church's interaction with secular culture, believers can have confidence that God's sovereign purposes will be fulfilled in the end, Mohler said. "Scripture pervasively and consistently tells us that God is in control and nothing is outside His control," Mohler said. "If there is anything -- a single atom or molecule in the universe -- that appears to be out of His control, we're not just in trouble, we're doomed. But He is in absolute sovereign control, and He is exercising His power -- He is King and Lord over all, and He will bring all things to pass according to his will." Preaching on Ecclesiastes 9:11-18, Mohler said believers' experience in a fallen world makes it seem like God will not triumph. The wicked prosper, the wise are forgotten, and everybody dies, Mohler said, indicating that sin and its consequences will have the final say. God's absolute sovereignty speaks a truer word, He said, and death will not have victory. "If God is God, and if He has acted in Christ to save sinners, and if He is the sovereign ruler of the entire universe, and if He is going to bring all history to a climactic conclusion according to His perfect judgment, then 'if God be for us, who can be against us?'" Mohler said, referencing Paul's famous testimony of God's sovereignty despite suffering in Romans 8. "If God is God, then we can go to the cemetery and understand that the grave does not have the last word." In the Oct. 13 service in Alumni Memorial Chapel, SBTS trustee Clint Pressley said believers can hold onto the strength of Jesus Christ in times of trouble. The Lord Jesus knows and sympathizes with everything Christians experience in their lives, said Pressley, who is senior pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C. "Isn't that what the Psalm promises? That He knows our frame and that He remembers that we are dust," he said. Using as his text Acts 23, when Paul is held before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem and rejected, Pressley said believers often share Paul's darkest moments in ministry. Within those difficult circumstances, Christians can experience the "staying power" and strength of Christ in their lives. "In Christ, there is strength," he said. "You find your identity, you find your ministry, you find your affections, and you find your ambition bound up in Christ." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Story submitted by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Communications Office. #NOVEMBER16

NASHVILLE, TN – In November, Colorado voters will consider whether to legalize “assisted death” for people with a terminal illness who receive a prognosis of death within six months. Additionally, 9 other states are considering legalizing physician assisted suicide. What is physician-assisted suicide? Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) (also known as physician-assisted death, or PAD) occurs when a physician facilitates a patient’s death by providing the necessary means and/or information to enable the patient to perform the life-ending act (e.g,. the physician provides sleeping pills and information about the lethal dose, while aware that the patient may commit suicide). The distinction between PAS and euthanasia is that in the latter, the lethal dose is administered by someone other than the patient. So if a physician directly administered a lethal drug it would be euthanasia, either voluntary or nonvoluntary (i.e., against the will of the patient). In which states is physician-assisted suicide currently legal? Five states—California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Vermont—have legalized physician-assisted suicide in some form. PAS remains illegal by statute in Montana, but a 2009 Montana Supreme Court decision shields doctors from prosecution so long as they have the patient's request in writing. New Mexico's statutes continue to list assisted suicide as a fourth-degree felony, but the courts briefly made the practice legal in 2014 before the New Mexico Court of Appeals ruled against it. Currently, one in six Americans lives in a state where a doctor can prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to a patient. What states are considering legalizing physician-assisted suicide? There are ten states in which the legalization of physician-assisted suicide is being considered: Alaska — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. Arizona — A bill is pending, though currently stalled, in the state legislature. Colorado — A physician-assisted dying measure, Proposition 106, is on the ballot this election. Michigan — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. Nebraska — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. New Jersey — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. New York — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. Rhode Island — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. Tennessee — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. Utah — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. What is the federal government’s position on physician-assisted suicide? In the case of Washington v. Glucksberg (1997), the Supreme Court ruled that the Due Process clause of the 14th Amendment does not guarantee an individual the right to PAS. The Court ruled that since the individual states can have a legitimate interest in prohibiting PAS. The ruling made it clear that legalizing or criminalizing PAS is a matter of states' rights. Is there a demand for physician-assisted suicide? Many Americans think it should be a option: According to a Gallup survey taken in 2015, nearly seven in ten Americans (68 percent) say doctors should be legally allowed to assist terminally ill patients in committing suicide. Support for PAS has risen nearly 20 points since 2013 and stands at the highest level in more than a decade. But even in states where it is legal, there is not much demand for PAS. In 2015, 132 people died by PAS. Similarly, in Washington in 2015 there were 166 deaths due to PAS. Only 24 PAS-related deaths were recorded by Vermont from 2013 to 2016. (If PAS was legal in all 50 states and accounted for 0.25 percent of deaths in 2014 (2,596,993), there would have been 6,492 physician assisted suicides.) Why do people seek physician-assisted suicide? A report by the National Institute of Health notes that in published studies, pain is not a dominant motivating factor in patients seeking PAS. The reasons for seeking to die are usually depression, hopelessness, issues of dependency, and loss of control or autonomy. ABOUT THE AUTHOR The Weekly is presented by: The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 901 Commerce Street, Suite 550, Nashville, TN 37203 #NOVEMBER16