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by Dr. Tony L Lynn PLYMOUTH, MI – Church planting in Michigan looks and sounds different, and I am loving it! Synonyms for diverse, or diversity, are fun words like these: Assorted Different Dissimilar Distinctive Divergent Like night & day Medley Mixture Potpourri Mixed bag Unalike Varied I love variety! A vacation with mixed experiences fills my senses. I enjoy contrasting flavors, a morsel of chocolate pressed between a piece of sourdough bread. I listen to an assortment of music in one day’s time: Christian, classical, jazz, and the oldies. I am not monochrome when it comes to life and ministry. My days are filled with diverse skin colors, assorted sounds of languages that I can and cannot understand, and an explosion of experiences that are challenging to describe in words but let me try. Arabic Language I live with a new anticipation. I believe we will see many new church plants in Michigan among those whose heritage comes from North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Middle East. For the first time in years, I have two new valuable partners in the ministry who help me connect more effectively with Arabic-speaking church leaders and potential planters. I often refer to both men as Arabic Consultants for Send Network Michigan: Pastor Amgad Beshai of Evangel Baptist Church of Troy, Michigan and Pastor Amer Safadi of the Arabic Church of Cincinnati, Ohio. Both men exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, as they serve their churches, state conventions, and the Send Network. Recently, Beshai, Safadi, and I had an online morning that we concluded by taking turns voicing our personal prayers aloud. I introduced our time of prayer, reminding them that while an international missionary for thirteen years, I used three languages in my daily life: sharing Christ, writing sermons, speaking to audiences, and teaching students. I invited Beshai and Safadi to pray aloud from their “heart-language,” meaning the earliest language they used when they were raised by their mothers. I wanted them to feel a liberty to pray deeply from their hearts and souls. They did so, each one taking a turn, and the time was so sweet as I heard a melody of language as all three of us were before our Heavenly Father. I was swept by emotion as I was reminded that the Lord, we serve, understands every language of every single person in this world. We serve an amazing God. Spanish Speakers The images show only a portion of the eighty people who were registered attending the second bilingual Spanish/English conference in recent months. The audience keeps increasing, at each event, with this gathering focusing on Discipleship. We have seven potential, Spanish-speaking church planting candidates at different levels of intake who might plant a new church in Michigan. Send Network Consultant Jorge Altieri recently moved his family to Columbus, Ohio making his ease at serving those of us in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana more convenient. His hard work and networking in two languages are showing obvious results. We are so thankful for the first Latin American Baptist Church of Detroit and Pastor Kevin Casillas who generously share their newly dedicated community center with us. Korean and Japanese Languages Let me wrap things up by making an announcement; during August, a Korean couple was assessed as a church planting couple for a community here in Michigan, and they were approved! Now an entire new community here in Michigan will have the prayers and support of many churches as they reach out, in the Korean language, to their local community and the world. Our network of churches helps churches take their next step to accelerate Gospel movement – in every language possible! That is what the Lord desires. Finally, please mark October 16, 2022 on your calendars for Hikari City Church, which is a new church plant led by Planter/Pastor Maki Umakoshi. That date represents their official launch date in Plymouth, Michigan. The young church start whose name, Hikari, means “light,” will share space with an English-speaking church so the children can share discipleship-life with one another while the adults meet in separate worship spaces with each service in the heart-language of the audience. Isn’t the Lord amazing? I love variety, don’t you? ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Tony L. Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe. #SEPTEMBER22

by Mike Durbin Guidepost Solutions Report and our response All of us were heartbroken by the report from Guidepost Solutions about: "The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee’s Response to Sexual Abuse Allegations and an Audit of the Procedures and Actions of the Credentials Committee." Reading the report revealed how inadequate the response was by the Executive Committee and the need for preventive policies and practices in churches. It is our prayer that every survivor of abuse experience hope and healing. In light of the report’s finding, the BSCM is recommending multiple resources to our churches: 1. Background Checks The cost of 10 US OneVERIFY Background Checks through Lifeway will be reimbursed to cooperating churches. Our recommendation is that every person who works with children in church undergo a background check. 2. Ministry Safe training Effective abuse protection begins with training on how to create safe environments, church policies and procedures, and how to identify risk. The BSCM will pay for 10 Ministry Safe Sexual Abuse Awareness Trainings per church. 3. Survivor Care Copies of the Handbook: "Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused" are available in our office or by downloading at churchcares.com. 4. Training and Response Our Caring Together Michigan team is available to help churches develop principles and policies to proactively provide safe environments and help should a situation develop. 5. Counseling Dr. Michele White has been contracted to receive abuse reports and connect victims of abuse to the help they need. 6. Reporting A national hotline is available to report allegations of sexual abuse at: SBChotline@guidepostsolutions.com. Georgia Partnership Our partnership with Georgia Baptists kicked off with a vision tour of the Metro area in May. Over the course of four days, 24 Michigan Baptists shared vision with the seven member Georgia team. They heard from pastors, church planters and ministry leaders and walked away with helpful information to expand the partnership in the days to come. A second vision tour is already scheduled for this fall. Re:FOCUS Nine Michigan Baptist Pastors started a two year journey together called re:FOCUS - The Journey of a Lifetime. Through four retreats and monthly Zoom meetings, participants developed deep relationships with each other and the leadership team from Texas that led the retreats. Pastors who did not know each other, or barely knew one other, prayed, encouraged, and celebrated one another before the Father and experienced personal renewal together. The four phases of the re:FOCUS Journey are: Re:CONNECT focused on abiding with Christ and connecting more deeply with others. Re:DEFINE focused on discovering your purposeful design. Re:THINK focused on how you make disciples. Re:ENGAGE focused on how you engage your community. During the retreats and monthly Zoom meetings, we bonded as brothers and sought the Father together. Each participant discovered more about himself and developed strategies and engagement plans for the churches and communities where each of us minister. Without exception, those who finished re:FOCUS recommend you experience this "Journey of a Lifetime." Our thanks go out to Tarrant Baptist Association in Texas and the team that led us: Becky Biser, Wendell Campbell, Terry Cooley and Elliott Higgins. Pastor Wife Retreat Approximately 40 pastor wives gathered recently in Frankenmuth for a night of encouragement, instruction, and inspiration with Kathy Litton. Here is a quote from a letter I received about the evening: "The Pastor Wives retreat was perfect timing in my life. I was able to slip away and meet some new friends, hear from God, and buy some good coffee. Thank you so much! I have never been more exhausted ever in ministry. Timing was perfect." The Pastor’s Wife is more often than not the unsung hero of the church. Her faithfulness to Christ, her ministry in the church and community, and her encouragement to her husband pastor are greatly appreciated! Be The Church God is blessing the partnership Michigan Baptists have with Be The Church and Chapel Pointe in Hudsonville. There are currently 47 Michigan pastors meeting in cohorts. Special thanks go to the Cohort Leaders: Roy Henry, Billy Walker, Chip Faulkner, Ed Emmerling, Jason Loewen, Chris Tenneriello, and Jamison Bebiak. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mike Durbin is the State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before joining the state convention staff, Mike served as Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions in Metro Detroit since 2007. He also has served as a pastor and bi-vocational pastor in Michigan, as well as International Missionary to Brazil. #SEPTEMBER22

by Ken Nether SOUTHFIELD, MI – I am sure we all know the routine by now. The school bell rings for the end of the year and summer as a family officially begins. For us, summer is our favorite time of the year as we get a chance to reconnect as a family, check off some items on our bucket list while skipping church a time or two as our feet are kicked up somewhere on the beach down south. This goes without saying, but you know, vacation with the kids is actually not a vacation at all! Whether we are ready for the school year or not, in just a few days we all will be rushing our kids out the door as we force them to take their annual “back to school” photo for their first day of school. Consequently, once the photo is snapped, we are thrusted back into the fast pace of family life. But do we have a choice not to participate in the hustle and bustle of family life? Every year, Tolice and I start to look at our calendar for the fall. We have no idea how we can fit all the demands from school, kids' activities, and church responsibilities into a weekly calendar. Oh yeah, and by the way, if we want to continue having a healthy marriage, I guess we need to fit in a date night, right? This goes without saying, but parenting is not easy. Can we take it a step further? Parenting while pastoring can be problematic if you don’t run at a pace that your family can sustain. This summer we learned a valuable lesson. After our much needed “vacation” our family participated in our first annual “Nether Family” 1-mile race. As the runners approached the starting line, our family stood in the back as we knew our pace would be slower than all the other runners. We are competitive by nature, but the goal of this race was different. This particular race was not about competing against other runners but was intended for us to finish the race together as a family. In life, we have learned that looking at how other families are running their “race” is not a healthy way of determining how we should run ours. This is what we discovered; the goal of our family is to finish the race that God has placed before us. Our “race” may be faster in some seasons and slower in others. Through prayer and heartfelt conversations, we can discover the grace that God has placed on a family during each season of life. Hebrews 12:1-2, says “...Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” When we decided to embark on ministry, our goal was not to just start our ministry but to finish our ministry, and we knew that would take endurance. Tolice and I have learned that if you want to be successful in ministry as a family then you have to run the race at your own pace. So, friends, when your family is getting tired, and ministry is not looking inspiring; slow down, take a deep breath and remember what you signed up for is not a sprint but a marathon. Don’t worry, God will give you the resources and mental fortitude to run the race He has specifically designed for your family if you continue to seek Him and allow Him to set the pace for your family. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ken and Tolice have been married 11 years and have two beautiful children Kennedy (10) and Lincoln (8). In 2016, they planted Crossover Church in Southfield, MI where their mission is to grow people into passionate followers of Jesus. #SEPTEMBER22

by April Martin PLYMOUTH, MI – September in Michigan is one of my favorite times of the year. The remnants of summer still linger, but the glow of fall begins to surround us. Storefronts filled with golds, browns, and oranges that entice us to begin decorating our homes for fall. Coffee shops begin promoting spiced lattes and all things pumpkin line the store shelves. Yet, as much as I love this transition of seasons, it is also paired with one of the most potentially stressful times of the year for both kids and parents - the return to school! As parents, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the “to-do” list that back to school brings. Gone are the days of a new Scooby Doo lunch box and a pack of sharpened #2 pencils. Now it is Clorox wipes, classroom supplies, new clothes, expo markers, Kleenex and so many other specific items we spend time searching for. We run from store to store trying to secure the best deals as we slowly check off each box to have our kids 'prepared’ for a great school year. What if getting our children prepared for the school year was less about the school issued supply list? What if it has little to do with the most popular brand of shoes or cutest pencil pouch? What if it isn’t about a checklist at all, but an intentional time investment we make as parents to prepare them spiritually and emotionally for transitioning back into the school year. This year, let’s do it differently. Instead of falling prey to the checklist, let’s purposely PRAY with our kids! Involving them in the process as we ask God to guide the school year. Start a family school-year prayer journal. Use a prayer jar where they can add requests that as a family you’ll pray for each week. There are even family prayer apps now that can help guide you in the process of praying as a family! There are so many tools but let’s start with a simple way to make this a great school year: PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR THE NEEDS THEY VOICE: So, let’s walk this out. What is the best way to know how to pray specifically for your children? By asking them! Even my teenage children want to share what they are feeling about the upcoming school year. We just need to know how to ask the right questions and LISTEN when they share! What are they most excited about? What do they think will be their favorite subject/activity of this year? What do they think will be their biggest challenge? What do they think will help them be the most successful in the classroom? Is there anything that they are worried about? PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR THE NEEDS THEY DON’T VOICE: There are challenges our kids will face regardless if they know it or not. As parents, let’s be faithful to pray for these things as well. Pray for their Hearts: That they will come to know Christ and grow in relationship with Him. (3 John 1:4) Pray for their Character: That they will make good choices and show integrity. (Luke 2:52) Pray for their Friendships: Good solid friendships can play a major role in your child's school experience. Pray that God will bring the right friends into your child’s life. (Proverbs 12:26) Our kids need us more than they need the “stuff” that comes with a new school year. They need our attention, our focus and our time. Before we allow ourselves to drown in the details - let's decide to draw close to our Savior and make prayer our priority to be prepared for this school year. ABOUT THE AUTHOR April Martin is the Director of Children’s Ministries at Mile City Church. She is a mom of three super cool teenagers, history nerd, podcast junkie and adores local coffee shops. Her heart and passion is helping parents authentically lead their families towards Christ. #SEPTEMBER22

by BSCM Staff PLYMOUTH, MI – “Forging Kingdom bridges because unifying God’s diverse people is worth the work” is one of the four values of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM). With the partnership of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) who provides the wisdom and input of Jorge Altieri in Michigan, we are poised to better achieve our mission which is to “help churches take their next step to accelerate Gospel movement.” That Gospel movement has intensified among the Spanish-speaking audiences of 50-80 church leaders, during these recent nine-months with large cohorts focused on evangelism, and discipleship. During the spring of 2023, another cohort will focus on leadership. Altieri is the SEND Network Español (Spanish) Regional Champion Catalyst for the Ohio Valley Region which includes the states of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Tony Lynn, Church Planting Leader for Send Network Michigan says, “Altieri has made big impressions on all of us with his organizational skills, his profound theology, his intense missional focus, and his ability to work in Spanish and English in such a rapid, fluid way. He is the catalyst we have needed for decades. His tireless work is helping us pursue focus which clarifies our actions, making the most of our resources and time.” Altieri describes his personal aspirations like this, “My desire and prayer for this new season in our ministry life is to see a biblical movement of new Hispanic church plants all throughout our Ohio Valley Region. We are committed to help and serve our existing Hispanic churches in areas of development and revitalization, so we can see the birth of new Hispanic churches in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.” Altieri was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He came to saving faith at the age of 16 in 1994. Since his salvation, he has served in many ministry opportunities through local churches in the areas of Bible education, evangelism/outreach, and church planting in Puerto Rico. In 2003, Altieri and his family moved to the state of Delaware to assist a church planting team in the process of planting a Hispanic church in the southern part of the state. In Delaware, Altieri served in various ministry opportunities with local churches as a Bible teacher, musician, and in other church leadership roles. After many years serving God in various aspects of ministry in Delaware, the Lord guided the Altieri Family to begin the process of planting Iglesia Bautista Faro de Gracia, a new Hispanic church in the town of Milford, Delaware in 2015. Over the past 7 years since planting Iglesia Bautista Faro de Gracia, Altieri had the opportunity of serving the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and the North American Mission Board by providing support and assistance to the Hispanic churches in those two states as a volunteer in assessments and training modules for pastors and planters. Now Altieri and his family have transitioned from Delaware to Ohio and where he will continue to serve the North American Mission Board through SEND Network Español (Spanish) as a Regional Champion Catalyst for the Ohio Valley Region. Jorge has been married to his wife Jerica for 22 years. They have two sons: Jorge, and Jonathan. Altieri loves guiding others in learning while simultaneously learning all he can to increase his knowledge and sharpen his skills in ministry. Altieri received his bachelor’s degree in Christian studies from Global University. He was awarded a church planting diploma from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a master’s in theology at Southeastern. Pastor Tim Patterson, Executive Director-Treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, unreservedly endorses the partnership of NAMB and Altieri when Patterson said, “Jorge Altieri has been and continues to be a great Hispanic leader among many of our churches here in the Midwest. We are so blessed to have him help coordinate, motivate, and encourage pastors and leaders among our Hispanic congregations. I wholeheartedly endorse and encourage Jorge and his work here among Michigan Baptists and pray that you will also. He is a man of integrity and a man of great passion and vision.” Altieri takes part in one of the state’s highest values which says that we “strengthen leaders because they shape the culture and set the pace.” Altieri’s influence is shaping a bolder and brighter future. Jorge Altieri can be reached through the BSCM website, or at (302) 393-6400 or at jaltieri@namb.net. We are grateful for our partnership with the North American Mission Board and the generosity of the members of multitude of churches who faithfully give through the Cooperative Program and the North American Missions Offering which makes this type of productive collaboration possible. Finally, because of your prayers we are in the early stages of interviewing five new men who think that planting new Hispanic churches in Michigan may be in their future. We are living in the excitement of anticipation as we see the Lord moving and people responding to God’s call. Would you join us in a fresh season of prayer for the ongoing development of Hispanic churches throughout Michigan where we can easily find one-half million people or more, who use Spanish every day in their lives while living among us? #SEPTEMBER22

by BP Staff Georgia Baptist volunteers lead 5 to Christ at drive-in restaurant by Roger Alford/The Christian Index POUND, VA – Eddie Johnson had stopped at Robo’s Drive-In restaurant in rural southwest Virginia for a burger and fries, but he got far more than that. An unexpected encounter with a team of Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief workers at the roadside restaurant would lead to Johnson rededicating his life to Christ and four others accepting Jesus as their Savior. “Our meeting was no accident,” said Johnson, a disabled coal miner who had grown up in church but had strayed away later in life. “It was meant to be. God put them and us here in the same place at the same time for that to happen.” Nearly 40 Georgia Baptists had been deployed to central Appalachia to help in the aftermath of flashing flooding that killed 38 people and damaged or destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. Members of one of the Georgia Baptist crews decided to stop for a quick meal on their way into the flood zone. They found Robo’s, a throwback to earlier generations when the custom was to drive in, walk to a small window to place an order, and wait for it to be cooked up. The restaurant’s popularity is reflected in the crowded parking lot where people lean against pickup trucks as they talk and eat. Robo’s has no dining room, but there are two wooden picnic tables off to one side. Longtime Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer Chris Fuller took a seat at one of the tables and struck up a conversation with Johnson and his 22-year-old son, Hunter. Fuller’s teammates, Ronnie Register and his wife Linda, joined the conversation, which quickly turned to the Gospel. While Johnson recommitted his life to Christ, Hunter said he wasn’t ready to make a decision. After finishing their meals, they went their separate ways. But that wasn’t the end of the story. Back at home that evening, Johnson explained, the conversation with the Georgia Baptists was bearing on Hunter. He couldn’t get it off his mind. For a diversion, he looked at Facebook. His feed seemed to be filled with church posts. He looked at TikTok. More of the same. Each one of them seemed to be speaking directly to him. “He looked at me and, with tears in his eyes, said ‘I need to be saved,’” Johnson said. It was nearly 10 p.m. The Johnsons, along with one of Hunter’s friends, jumped into a vehicle and drove to Calvary Baptist Church in Pound, where the Georgia Baptists had set up a basecamp. Both Hunter and his friend prayed to receive Christ that night. Johnson said the Georgia Baptists triggered a domino effect that also led to Hunter’s grandmother and his girlfriend making salvation decisions. Fuller said the Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are always vigilant for people with spiritual needs when they’ve been deployed to disaster areas. “When people experience the raw power of nature, they can’t help but look to God,” Fuller said. “In times like that when people are feeling helpless, they realize their need for God.” While in central Appalachia to help with the flood cleanup, Georgia Baptist teams led 17 people to faith in Christ. That makes more than 50 people introduced to Christ by Georgia crews responding to disaster areas since last year. “We pray for opportunities to share the gospel, not only with actions but with words,” Fuller said. “If you pray for those opportunities, then God will give you those opportunities.” Kentucky DR reports 78 salvations during flood recovery by Mark Maynard/Kentucky Today Astounding stories continue coming from the eastern Kentucky mountains as residents enter the fourth week since the historic flooding devastated the area. Volunteers from Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief and many others from numerous churches continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus, helping in recovery, providing food for thousands and sharing the Gospel whenever they can. KYDR Director Ron Crow said 18 state conventions are assisting in Kentucky, including Alaska. “We are grateful to all who have come to assist,” Crow said in a social media message. “We are grateful to all who have come to assist. Much has been accomplished but there is so more to be done.” Imagine doing 3,308 loads of laundry or preparing 25,419 meals. That’s what has happened since KYDR volunteers arrived with hope and healing for the mountains on Aug. 1. The days can be long but the reward great as some of the hardest-working Kentucky Baptists clean out mud or provide meals and then begin a gospel conversation. Crow said there have been many “wow” moments “that only God could orchestrate” through KYDR volunteers and church volunteers. Seventy-eight professions of faith have been recorded, 417 gospel conversations presented, and 741 Bibles distributed throughout the southeastern and eastern parts of the state over the past three weeks. The work has not slowed down since flooding practically swept away towns. Much like when tornadoes swept through west Kentucky in December, the flood recovery in eastern Kentucky will be a long-term project. Here are some KYDR numbers about the work being done: 6,406 Volunteer Days 52,800 Volunteer work hours 25,149 Meals 3,323 Showers 3,308 Laundry loads 250 Flood Recovery jobs completed 481 Flood buckets distributed 741 Bibles distributed 417 Gospel presentations 78 Professions of Faith To support the work and ministry of Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief, visit www.kybaptist.org/flood. One-hundred percent of your contribution will support the work in eastern Kentucky. All administrative costs are covered by the Cooperative Program, which allows 100% of your gift to support the relief, recovery, and rebuild effort. Arizona DR workers’ unexpected visit leads to salvation by Irene A. Harkleroad/Arizona SBC FLAGSTAFF, AZ (BP) – Recovery teams were busy reclaiming the foundations of homes that burned to the ground during the Tunnel Fire in Flagstaff, hauling twisted metal, rebar and melted box springs and appliances and transforming them into massive heaps inside industrial-size walk-in dumpsters. Arizona Southern Baptist Disaster Relief incident command coordinated efforts with Coconino County and managed work orders and teams. A two-person assessment team met with property owners to evaluate the scope of the jobs and get them on the schedule. A chaplain lent an empathetic ear, ready to listen and pray at any moment. An Arizona Baptist DR set up a feeding team and a shower/laundry unit at First Southern Baptist Church of Flagstaff. Of course, workers prayed for a chance to share Christ with homeowners, as well as the workers who brought the dumpsters, the heavy equipment operators and anyone else they came in contact with. Before long, the opportunity came. At the end of a long day, while teams were waiting for dinner, a woman stopped by the church. One of the volunteers met her on the sidewalk. Although the woman seemed hesitant, she was looking for someone to talk to. She explained her situation as “temporarily homeless” and asked if she could park in the parking lot overnight. First Southern Baptist’s pastor, Jim Maynard, spoke with her. As a rule, the church does not allow anyone to park overnight for safety reasons. Since the Disaster Relief teams were housing there, he made an exception. “Our volunteers invited Sandy* to stay for dinner,” said Patty Kirchner, director of Arizona Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. “Over the next few days, several of our chaplains and other volunteers began to learn her story. We invited her to join us in the morning and evening devotions. “As we shared our lives and Christ’s love with her, she began to ask questions. Later, she told us that she saw and experienced something she hadn’t in the church she had been part of since she was a child. “On the morning the teams were packing to leave Flagstaff, one of our chaplains had another conversation with Sandy*. That’s when she asked if she could receive Christ. Chaplain Sue led her to the Lord.” Some team members stayed in touch with her and report that since their last meeting with Sandy, God has blessed her with a new job, an apartment and a church family. #SEPTEMBER22

by Coye Bouyer PLYMOUTH, MI – We pulled away slowly, siblings with tears in their eyes, a mother waving expressively shouting the words “I love you,” and a father trying desperately not to make eye contact looking forward out of the windshield of the van. As the van rounded the curb and Sierra was no longer in sight, our family began to realize that our once household of six had suddenly become a household of five. In Psalms 127:3 we read, “Children are a gift of the LORD…” and understood appropriately a parent knows that their children are not only a gift from God, but also on loan to us while here on earth, for our children, just like us ultimately belong to the LORD. However, as loving and committed parents we can’t help but feel at times as if these precious, yet dependent sometimes perplexing and imperfect little people grow up to become independent young adults who will go off to college, pursue professions and fulfill the purpose(s) in which their Heavenly Father created them for in the first place, actually belong to us. In certain moments of their lives, such as their first day of school, first athletic, academic or public accolade, a driver’s license or high school graduation, we as their earthly parents are overwhelmed with emotions as proud parents who not only experience the excitement of their growth but also reflect on where the time has gone. In each of their first steps (walking, graduation, getting married, buying their first home, or having their first child), our roles evolve over time from that of parent and guardian with complete control over where they go, what they do and when they will be home; to parent and friend no longer in complete control but like cheerleaders watching them grow and mature into adulthood. It is at moments like these that we as parents must be willing to embrace the new relationship we will have with our children; as well as remember that this was the intent from the day in which they were first given to us by God. This reality really begins to hit as we move them into their new dorm room where we spend an afternoon getting them organized, buying sheets, towels, bedding, dishes, soap, hangers, shoe racks, portable refrigerators, microwaves and anything else we think they will need before we kiss, hug, cry, wave and drive off leaving our babies behind (who are no longer babies by the way) to begin their journey of taking on the world without our daily provision and protection. Now they have to depend on the daily provision and protection of their heavenly Father, who has been there the entire time working through us but will reveal Himself to them in a more personal way. As the we drove off, rounding the curb where we could no longer see the firstborn of the children God had put on loan to us, I remembered the words of Proverbs “train up a child in the way that they should go, and when they are older they will not depart,” (v. 6). I was encouraged by the voice of the Holy Spirit and I said to myself, I/we have done our part LORD, and I know that your daughter is in Your hands, for as one journey with Sierra ends, a new journey for Sierra begins! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Coye L. Bouyer is the founding pastor of Kingdom Life Church in Lansing, MI where he has served since March of 2010. Pastor Bouyer recently stepped into the Diversity Ambassador role for the BSCM and firmly believes that he was not only called to Preach the Gospel as part of the process of reconciliation of man to God, but also using any platform as a bridge of reconciliation of man to man, and even more so amongst the brethren. Pastor Bouyer and his lovely wife Keturah (Gen. 25:1) have been married four over 20 years and have four children; Sierra, Seth, Cayla and Coye II. #SEPTEMBER22

by Phyllis Harbaugh ROSCOMMON, MI – It was the 1960’s when I went to Bambi Lake for the first time. It was a long drive and I remember the excitement and anticipation I felt as we arrived at the registration building. For the first time I was in a place where I felt safe and wanted to stay. The music, lessons, and sermons inspired me to trust God more and challenged me to trust God for everything. I carried deep family secrets that often left me feeling helpless and a victim to things I could not change. Year after year I would return for camp. It was at Bambi that I met people who would greet me with a smile or kind word, encourage me, pray with me and help me refocus. I knew I was loved and accepted and somehow, I knew God was there. I always left my burdens and came home closer to God. I have returned yearly, whether going to retreats, camping in the campground, or just visiting for a short time. My childhood excitement and anticipation returns every time I arrive at the entrance. I have returned yearly, whether going to retreats, camping in the campground, or just visiting for a short time. My childhood excitement and anticipation returns every time I arrive at the entrance. This year (60 years later) I was able to serve at Bambi for 3 weeks. Just as many people blessed me through the years, I wanted to give back. My prayer and mission were to be the one who might make a difference in the lives of those who came for retreats and camps those 3 weeks. Bambi Lake belongs to the Southern Baptist Churches in Michigan. Our churches support the camp through financial giving, and by going there for events, retreats, and camps. It is not just a great place to visit, it is a spiritual destination…a place to “get away” from the stresses of life and meet God. Don’t miss out on the things God can do in your life through Bambi Lake! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Phyllis Harbaugh is a missionary to the Deaf in Michigan. Her husband, Herb, has been the Lead Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sterling Heights, MI since 1983. She is a mother of 3 daughters, 3 son-in laws, and 6 grandchildren. #SEPTEMBER22

by Scott Barkley GRAND BLANC, MI (BP) – Rick and Cindy Truesdail’s retirements a few years ago came with plans. They took their camper and drove to Florida, setting up close to the beach. The couple prepared to take life easy. “We loved it,” said Cindy, “but we also loved working for our church. We figured that God doesn’t want us just sitting on a couch.” In 2019 a friend introduced them to Campers on Mission, a national ministry that includes many Southern Baptists. Chapters exist in 30 states and look for ways to connect missions opportunities to those who have made life on the open road anything but temporary. The Truesdails, members of Heritage Baptist Church in Grand Blanc, had always camped with their kids. They built family memories courtesy of a 37-foot pull-behind camper before moving up to a 40-foot motorhome. But soon after Cindy retired as a paralegal in Flint’s 68th District Court and Rick after 32 years with General Motors, the couple joined others for a different kind of building. Campers on Mission (CoM) was formerly funded by the North American Mission Board, but now chapters generally fund themselves. The Michigan Baptist State Convention has pledged to help fund its chapter’s annual meeting next month as well as the national gathering in 2023. Speaking from Moorcroft, Wyo., CoM national directors Jerry and Renee McGovern noted that much of CoM’s work is with helping Christian camp facilities. But they also work in nursing homes, pregnancy centers, Christian schools and other locations. “We also communicate with pastors,” Renee said. “You name it, they’re dealing with it and need to talk to somebody about it. That takes a lot of our time.” The Truesdails lead the Michigan chapter of Campers on Mission, which will have its annual meeting Sept. 8-10 at Bambi Lake Baptist Camp in Roscommon. The chapter will also host the annual CoM meeting next year, June 7-9. Like the Truesdails, the McGoverns did not feel God wanted them to slow down in retirement. “I started working as a plumber when I was 19 and worked my whole life at it,” Jerry said. “I owned my own business and retired as a master plumber at 55 but then realized, ‘You’re still young. Get up and go.’” More are doing just that. At CoM’s most recent annual meeting, the McGoverns shared that membership had grown from 2,460 in 2020 to 3,256 in 2021 to partner with 146 churches and associations. Work hours increased as did the professions of faith, with 71 recorded in 2020 before jumping to 228 last year. Like other ministries, the COVID-19 pandemic left its mark on CoM in several ways. A significant increase was noted in food ministry work, for instance. But COVID also made people want to get outdoors and go exploring. According to Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), the number of people camping at least once during the year increased by 36 percent from 2019-2021. In 2021, 57 million households reported camping during the year. Initiated in 2015, the KOA annual report revealed another significant finding. Most respondents said in the past that they rented or borrowed a recreational vehicle (RV). Now, 77 percent are owners. In addition, 32 percent said they want to purchase an RV in 2022. CoM doesn’t require you to have an RV. You can go glamping or stay at facilities nearby. But having your own space brings advantages. RVs today like the ones used by the McGoverns and Truesdails are also mobile offices and need the space and amenities for one. This fits with the KOA report, which said 46 percent of campers work remotely. And, of course, there’s the mobility. Cindy Truesdail can continue her sewing ministry from their RV. Jerry McGovern had a wish list that he and Renee found in their 40-foot American Tradition – a Spartan chassis for a small turning radius, a Cummins diesel engine for more durability, service trays that slide out. Many CoM members are retired, but not all. Kids can be involved. It’s not unusual for members to take their pets on the road, though not to the work site. And again, you don’t need a camper to be a member of Campers on Mission. Some members stay in a van or a camper on their truck bed. Some even stay in tents. While the organization’s strength is in the South and Midwest, it’s expanding. “We have strong chapters in California and Arizona,” Renee said. The strength is in the people, and the work they bring. Jim Shields is quick to correct his initial perspective on this. “I’ve been here nine years, and when I heard there were some retirees going to be here for a week, I thought they might just piddle around,” said Shields, Camp Team leader for Highland Lake Camp & Conference Center in Martinsville, Ind., which is part of the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana. He proudly admits he was wrong. “Honestly, our camps would not be able to function without them because of their dedication and tireless efforts. There’s never a complaint. They park in the designated camping area and we provide their meals while they work for a week or two. “They do a tremendous job, whether that’s painting the interior of a building, hanging drywall or constructing a small building. They’re skilled craftsmen and when we give them a project and materials, we just get out of the way. “Every time they’re here I’m amazed at what they accomplish.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scott Barkley is national correspondent for Baptist Press. #SEPTEMBER22

By Erin Roach/Southern Baptist TEXAN GLADEWATER, TX (BP) – When God called Teddy Sorrells to plant a church in 2020, he expected to be sent to San Francisco or Denver, one of the popular church planting cities. Instead, a quick demographics study led him to plant in the small East Texas town he’d been trying all his life to leave. “I was born in Gladewater. I joined the Army to leave Gladewater. I came back to Gladewater and raised my sons here. I pastored a little country church just south of Gladewater. I thought, ‘Now is the time for me to leave Gladewater,’” Sorrells said. At his wife Marilyn’s prompting, Sorrells requested demographics data on Gladewater from the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. “I didn’t think I was going to read through it and find anything surprising because I’d been in Gladewater my whole life,” he said. God used two statistics in particular about the town of 8,000 to grab Sorrells’ attention: half of the town’s residents are millennials or Gen Z, and a quarter of the homes are led by single mothers. “Marilyn was raised by a single mom. I was raised by a single mom. These families are next-generation families that need a church that will love them and care for them and minister to them,” said Sorrells, who was saved and called to the ministry 20 years ago at age 29. He was surprised to learn of so many younger residents because he doesn’t necessarily see them around town, he said. Maybe that’s because 83 percent of homes in Gladewater are rentals housing laborers who commute to nearby Longview or Tyler. With a strong motivation to plant in Gladewater, Sorrells began building a core group and casting a vision. “I put the word out, and real fast God started bringing folks that were either in my past or folks that I had known just by acquaintance that wanted to be a part of what we were going to do.” Living Water Church launched in September 2021 with 122 people attending the first day. Something unique is that they started with a building and with two services. Sorrells had driven by a Family Video store in Gladewater and mentioned to Marilyn that he didn’t see how they could stay in business with so few people renting videos anymore. Days later, a “going out of business” sign appeared, and Sorrells was able to lease the building for his church plant. Now the church has a prime location on the main road in Gladewater. “God has met and exceeded every expectation we’ve set in planting Living Water Church.” Also, the worship space accommodates 70 chairs, so two services allow room for growth. Living Water is averaging 70 people between the two services now, and they’ve baptized eight people. “One of the things I wanted to do was partner with our city,” Sorrells said. “I wanted people to come to our church on Sundays, but I wanted people to know us by what we’re doing in our city.” They’ve had multiple block parties, and for teacher appreciation week they provided food for teachers at the local middle school and gave them gift baskets. Sorrells was invited to be the chaplain for the high school football team. “It just blows me away how many students we have in Gladewater that have no idea who Jesus is,” he said. At the end of football season, the church hosted the players and coaches and offered games, food, a worship time and a Gospel presentation. Four students were saved and six rededicated their lives to Christ. Sorrells contacted the local code enforcement office to ask if any residents were having trouble getting their homes in compliance. A missions team from a partner church helped an elderly couple clean up their home and yard as “the hands and feet of Jesus.” “Our city is impoverished, so there are like five housing projects in our city, and low-income earners live in our city,” Sorrells said. “There are not a lot of churches that are excited about reaching that demographic, but I am.” Church planting is important even in a church-saturated small town like Gladewater, Sorrells has come to realize, because it’s biblical. God has called the church to advance the Gospel, he said, and that means churches need to multiply exponentially. The apostle Paul traveled to communities planting churches, Sorrells said, and that’s the model. “That’s why it’s important to plant churches in places like Gladewater, Texas, where in the middle of the Bible Belt you have 100 churches in our area that are either plateaued or dying because there hasn’t been a new work of God come through here in forever because we’ve quit multiplying,” Sorrells said. “That’s small town and big town, rural and urban. All of those have the same problem: Lost people need Jesus, and God has called the church to go tell lost people about Jesus.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Erin Roach is a writer in Mobile, Alabama. #SEPTEMBER22

by Kristie Anderson It is once again that time of the year when a collective groan is echoing in the early morning hours as children rise for school. For some, the new school year arrives with the excitement of new subjects and experiences. For others, the new school year brings new stress and worry. Whether your kids are attending public school, private school, virtual school, or homeschool; let us consider how to encourage and prepare them for the days ahead. As the mother of four children from elementary to high school, here is some counsel I have received that has been particularly helpful for my children. 1. Pray Help your child learn to pray about their day and their worries. Model prayer in your family. We often remind our children of Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Encourage your children to take their fears and worries to the One who can help them. 2. Rehearse their day beforehand My girls especially like to know exactly what is going to happen. Walk through what the day will look like. Will they switch classes? Will they already know some kids in their class? Are there assignments due or tests to take? We usually go over the schedule to address areas of worry. We also highlight things that are a blessing in the day ahead. 3. Start or continue back to school traditions This can be as simple as getting new school supplies together. We start our first day of school with donuts! We will periodically surprise our kids with a special outing or treat on Friday to celebrate the end of the school week. 4. Memorize scripture Tuck verses on fear or anxiety in the backpack or lunchbox of your child. Work on memorizing the verses together as a family. 5. Make time for communication After school, set aside time to talk about their day. What was the best part? What was the hardest part? Come alongside your child and encourage them with time together. Certainly, as parents, we may also struggle with worry. Am I making the right schooling decision? Will my child turn out okay? Apply some of the same disciplines to your own life that you are seeking to instill in your child. Memorize scripture. Remind yourself of the truth of God’s word through memorization and meditation. The Lord is in control and He loves us and our children more than we can imagine. My favorite memory verses this time of year as a mother… Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” 1 Peter 5:6-7 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” The following resources may help encourage and equip you and your children: 5 Things to Pray for Your Kids by Melissa Kruger Risen Motherhood by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler The New City Catechism by Crossway (available as a free app as well) ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kristie Anderson is a wife, mom and homeschooler. She is a native of Kentucky which is still really clear in her accent, but has called East Asia and Michigan home. She loves Jesus, hanging out with her husband, reading aloud to her kids, and drinking good coffee. #SEPTEMBER22

by Karen Blanchard SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI – Have you ever been through a season of life where you just felt weak? Maybe unsure how you even got to that place? I found myself there not too long ago. I kept asking the Lord, “How did I get here?” When we find ourselves in a tough season of life, the circumstances we find ourselves in can quickly begin to consume us. One thing I have learned about myself is I get overwhelmed as I begin to look ahead at all the things I have to do, especially when I am in a busy season, and I have little margin. I can easily begin to feel the weight of it all. As a result, I pick up and carry the burden or I begin the process in my mind of how to “figure everything out.” As you can imagine, this can be very draining and exhausting. This is not what God wants us to do! During this season, I didn’t see an end to the overwhelming situation I was in. My family rallied around me during this time, in which I am so thankful. I remember one evening I was talking to my dad on the phone and he said, “Karen, God is strengthening you during this time.” I remember thinking, “How is God strengthening me, when I feel so weak?” However, over the next few days and weeks the Holy Spirit kept bringing that phrase back to my mind, and He started illuminating verses on God’s strength. The Lord is so good in how he speaks to us! One of the verses God gave me that I clung to was in 2 Timothy 4:17a where Paul writes, “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength…” I knew God was with me, but he reminded me that he was right by my side ready to give me what I needed. God spoke to my heart that I needed to rely on Him to give me strength for the day I was facing - strength for just that day. Not strength for the week ahead. Not strength six months down the road. Only strength for what I would need for that day for what I would face and need to accomplish. He began to change my perspective and reminded me that I don’t need to worry about how to “figure everything out” but that I just need to trust Him for the strength I need to face each day and trust that he will carry me through the days to come. In Matthew 6, I was reminded that if God feeds the birds and clothes the lilies, then He cares even more for me and what I am going through. I can trust that he is working it all out. My One Word for this year is focus. I have had to constantly remind myself to get my eyes off my current circumstance and fix them on Jesus. Sometimes I needed to remind myself to do this multiple times a day. I am also learning not to focus too much on the future, which is when my anxiety tends to rush in. God doesn’t expect or want us to plan our lives out way in advance. I am learning this. He wants us to rely on Him and Him alone for the strength we need for today. When we feel overwhelmed and defeated, he wants us to run to him. This is a great passage of scripture to memorize, journal, and speak over your life when you are feeling weak. Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:28-31 I am so thankful that when we are weak, God is strong! Keep running to Him! It is in Christ we find the strength we need for each day! Don’t worry about tomorrow; trust God for today! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Karen is married to Scott Blanchard, pastor of Lakepointe Church, and moved from Florida to Michigan in the summer of 2009 to plant Lakepointe Church in Shelby Township. She enjoys mentoring and discipling women and also leads women’s life groups through her church. She is passionate about helping women find their purpose in who God created them to be. She is on staff at Lakepointe Church and loves being part of what God is doing in the Metro Detroit area! #SEPTEMBER22