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by Karen Blanchard SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI – I am a mom with two amazing kids! Nathan is 15 and Abigail is 9. Over the years, my role as their mom has looked different for whatever season of life they were in. With each new developmental stage, I am learning how to adjust to meet their needs. When they were babies, they literally depended on me for food and survival. As they began to grow, they have become more and more independent. My 15-year-old likes to think he doesn’t need me at all, but he does… he just might not realize it! No matter what stage of life our kids are in, our greatest responsibility is leading them to the heart of Jesus. Discipleship begins when our kids are young. The songs we sing and the books we read, all play a part in shaping our children’s hearts. Church plays an important role in the lives of our children, too. It teaches them from a very young age, what matters most in life. As culture changes and more and more compete for our attention, as parents, we have to make a choice of how we lead our kids. What is the message they are receiving from you? Do you make it a point to be in church every Sunday no matter what? Do you choose to only go to church when it is convenient with your schedule? Do you constantly put sports or other activities over church? The last few years my heart has been burdened in the area of discipleship. However, God has shown me that I need to disciple my kids first. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. – Deuteronomy 6:6-8 Life can be very busy, and this is something we have to fight for. Find a great devotional that is geared for the ages of your kids and begin to teach them what it looks like to have a quiet time with God. Take the time to pray with your kids on a regular basis. Encourage them to journal out their thoughts and feelings to God. It is also important for us as parents to model this for them. Let them see you sitting with God and reading the Bible. Share with your children what God is teaching you and let that become part of your regular conversation. About a month ago, my son was going through a tough time. I thought the toddler years were bad! I am learning that every stage has its challenges; the challenges are just bigger as they get older. As we walked through these hard days with him, God gave me insight with what he was going through, and it allowed us to have some really great conversations. I was able to share with him how God helps me through tough times and how he has taught me to shift my mindset when I feel down about something. My greatest desire for my kids is not to just know about God, but to truly know Him in their hearts. I want them to realize there isn’t anything they can ever do that will make God love them any less. When life seems overwhelming, I want my kids to know they can run to Jesus and not the things of this world. The only way we can help our children get to that point in their relationship with God, is by being intentional with the way we disciple them and by surrounding them with a community of believers that will pray for them and lift them up. Proverbs 22:6 says, Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. It is never too late to start! You can begin by reading a family devotional at night before bed and praying with your kids. This can be a great time to let your kids share what is on their hearts. If we don’t teach our kids how to do this, then who will? Our kids are always learning and growing. Would you rather them learn how to grow closer to Jesus or be influenced by the world? Our first and most important role as parents is to disciple our kids to know Jesus. 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! #MAY22

by Shane Pruitt ALPHARETTA, GA (BP) – Everyone has seen or heard the stats about the short tenures of pastors to children, youth and college students. The common narrative is that they spend two to three years on average at any given church. There also currently seems to be a shortage of these next gen leaders across the nation. I’m personally getting three to five calls a week from churches and ministries looking to hire someone to lead these ministries in their churches. Sadly, when this issue is brought up, many focus on the deficiencies of next gen leaders who are leaving, citing their lack of long-term commitment, seeing the ministry as a “stepping-stone,” an inability to work under a senior pastor’s authority or just being flat out restless. Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly times when these criticisms are warranted, but what if there’s more to it? Is it possible that the tenure of these younger leaders might be strengthened and extended if senior leaders, personnel teams and churches take some proactive steps that could help change this narrative? I believe there are some things that we can all do to help change the narrative surrounding next gen leaders. If a church has a great next gen pastor, then that congregation should do everything within their power to cultivate a favorable environment for the pastor to have a long, fruitful ministry in the church. Here are five practices that will help a church begin to cultivate that kind of environment. 1. Value their family. Whether married or single, there are also others in a next gen leader’s life who need time, attention and love. Value the people they value. Make important the things they make important. Honor their “family time.” Honor their “down time.” Honor their “vacation time.” It’s nearly impossible for leaders to lead a healthy ministry if they have an unhealthy home or lifestyle. 2. Treat them like a pastor or minister, not like a babysitter. With 77 percent of Christians becoming followers of Jesus before the age of 18 and 95 percent before the age of 30, now is the time to reach the next generation with the Gospel. Next gen pastors are primarily evangelists and disciple makers – not entertainers, hirelings, or glorified babysitters who keep young people distracted so parents can attend “big church.” These servants are vital to the health of our churches and ministries, they should be treated and respected as such. 3. Pay them like adults, not teenagers. Inflation and the rising cost of living are affecting everyone, including next gen leaders. They are adults with adult responsibilities like mortgages, cars and doctor visits. Most churches are doing the best they can with what they have, squeezing the budget in order to have full-time or even part-time positions available for this all-important calling of reaching students. We must also recognize there is no such thing as part-time ministry – it’s a 24-hour-a-day calling. We should, however, also have realistic expectations on those leaders. If you tabulated the hours that many of them are putting in against their compensation, then you’d discover many of them are making significantly less than minimum wage. This would mean that fast-food restaurants are compensating our teenagers better than we are compensating our next gen ministers. This isn’t about money. It is about recognizing the value of these important roles. If our desire is to reach young people, then are our resources appropriately going toward that desire? 4. Protect them from the wolves. Satan targets all leaders. If he can destroy a leader, it impacts a lot of people. Don’t forget these next gen leaders are missionaries going after a harvest of young people. Based on the stats I mentioned earlier, if we don’t reach young people with the Gospel, then we’ll risk losing a whole generation. The enemy knows this, too. So he is going to try to disrupt, divide and distract. One of the most strategic ways he’ll do this is by sending wolves. Sometimes, these wolves may look like critical parents, deacons or other church members. Of course, there will be times when all next gen leaders need to be corrected or even rebuked. We may also wisely discern moments that they’re just being flat-out attacked in a way that’s harmful to them, the ministry and the Kingdom. One of the most loving and morale-boosting things a lead pastor, elder or deacon can do for their next gen pastor is to defend against unfair critiques. Protect them when it’s apparent that they’re being inappropriately targeted. Disciple and train them anytime they need correction. Next gen leaders are hungry for both. 5. Celebrate them leaving if God is leading them. Sometimes, God does call a leader to move from one role, local church or ministry into another. No matter how healthy the church culture is, or how hard you’ve worked to keep them – God still moves them. He is allowed to do that. So, here is an honest question about when that happens in your context: does your church or ministry honor and celebrate them, or are they portrayed as guilty traitors? Others take notice of how your church or ministry responds in those moments, and your response either boosts or kills morale. That reputation of how a pastor or church handles transitions spreads like wildfire. Next gen leaders from other churches will always take that into consideration when they pray about joining your team. Have they heard positive or negative reviews about how your church or ministry handles transitions? ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shane Pruitt is executive director of next gen evangelism at the North American Mission Board. #MAY22

by Dr. David L. Thompson NASHVILLE, TN – What do you really have? No really, I’m not talking about a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. I’m talking about what do you really, really have? Someone wisely said, “All you really have is what money can’t buy and death can’t take!" If that is true, and I believe that it is with all my heart, then it may benefit you to focus on the things that really matter in life. I can think of a few things that really matter in life. I have a new hero named Sydney. Sydney Michelle McClaughlin is the fastest woman hurdler in the world in the 400 meter. She ran for the University of Kentucky, and then a few years ago represented the United States of America in the Olympics… she is not my hero because she ran faster than anyone else, she is my hero because of what she said after she won the gold medal. She said, “What I have in Christ is far greater than this gold medal.” Sydney has something money can’t buy, and death can’t take away. Florida’s beloved Coach Bowden got it right—When asked about what he said to his players, he replied “Your dad gum right I preached to those boys. I cared about where they would spend eternity." (Bobby didn’t always just say “dad gum”.) Coach had something money can’t buy, and death can’t take away. No doubt he helped shape a generation of young men that would go on to become great leaders and godly husbands and fathers. Do you have a life? Business and Christian leader, Dennis Phillips says, “A job is what you are hired to do, a career is what you're paid to do, but a life vocation is what you are called to do”. You, my dear friend, are called to pursue your purpose in life with incredible passion. That is something that no one can take from you. I guess you could say Walt Disney had that. Disney believed if you could dream it, you could do it. He never saw the great Disney Park with his own physical eyes. Shortly before the grand opening he passed away. There, on inauguration day, a ticker tape parade ensued which lasted for days it seemed, all in Walt’s honor. There, his wife was told by the CEO, “I wish Walt was here to see all this." She replied, “Oh he saw it, that’s why it’s here”. If you have a dream, be passionate about it because no one can take that from you. I guess what I’m saying is, it is not your relationship to things, but to people that matter now and for all eternity. While I served as Secretary Treasurer for the Pastors Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, I had the great privilege to lay hands on my mentor, Adrian Rogers. He had been diagnosed with cancer. I will never forget what he said, “I am in a win-win situation: If I live, I win. If I die, I win!" That’s the way it is for every child of God, only our Heavenly Father’s heirs have something that money can’t buy, and death can’t take away. So, I ask you one more time, what do you really have in life? Don’t wait for “Michael” or “Fred” or “Sandy “or some other storm to hit to alter your life. With God’s help, you too can have something money can’t buy—and death can never ever take away—a beautiful and passionate life that belongs to Jesus Christ and a loving relationship with those around you—that will last forever! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. David L. Thompson holds an undergraduate degree from Belmont University in Psychology and Religion, a graduate degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Education, and a doctorate in Counseling and Pastoral Psychology. He has served as a chairman of the Church Planting Group and Executive Committee Chair at the North American Mission Board for 10 years. He has been a Police Chaplain since 1991 and served as a Corporate Chaplain to the Coca Cola Bottling Company in Nashville, Tennessee where he resides with his wife. He has six children and five grandsons. #MAY22

by Marissa Postell NASHVILLE, TN (BP) – In the current fast-paced, high-pressure American culture, pastors are stressed, and they know that needs to change. According to the latest release in Lifeway Research’s 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study, of all the mental challenges U.S. Protestant pastors face, stress stands out above the rest. Distractions and discouragement are also significant factors for pastors when it comes to mental challenges in ministry. Top mental challenges In this study, Lifeway Research interviewed 200 U.S. Protestant pastors who identified 44 issues they face in their roles and then surveyed 1,000 additional pastors to determine the greatest needs U.S. Protestant pastors face today. The nearly four dozen needs were divided into seven categories: ministry difficulties, spiritual needs, mental challenges, personal life, self-care, people dynamics and areas of skill development. Of these seven categories, 6 percent of pastors say mental challenges are currently the most challenging area for them or the area that requires the most attention. This study identified six specific mental challenges in ministry: depression, discouragement, distraction, loneliness or lack of friendship, lack of contentment and stress. Most pastors point to stress as a mental challenge they are facing in ministry (63 percent). Nearly half of pastors say discouragement (48 percent) and distraction (48 percent) are ministry mental challenges, while less than one-third of pastors point to loneliness or lack of friendship (28 percent), depression (18 percent) or lack of contentment (17 percent). Another 14 percent aren’t sure or say none of these are mental challenges for them. The youngest pastors (ages 18-44) are most likely to say they deal with stress in ministry (78 percent), while the oldest pastors (ages 65 and older) are the least likely (47 percent). Furthermore, pastors of the smallest churches (with worship service attendance of fewer than 50), are less likely than pastors of churches of any other size to say they face stress in their pastoral ministry (52 percent). Age similarly affects a pastor’s likelihood of saying they face discouragement in ministry, with pastors over the age of 65 being least likely to say they struggle with this issue (35 percent). Pastors with doctoral degrees (30 percent) are also less likely than pastors with any other educational background to say they face discouragement. Younger pastors are also more likely to say they face distractions and loneliness in ministry. Pastors ages 18 to 44 (54 percent) and 45 to 54 (51 percent) are more likely to say distractions are challenging for them compared to pastors over 65 (39 percent). Furthermore, pastors ages 18 to 44 (37 percent) and 45 to 54 (30 percent) are more likely than pastors over 65 (20 percent) to say loneliness and lack of friendships are a challenge for them. “Americans have become much more aware of mental wellbeing, and young pastors have grown up in a culture with much greater transparency around these challenges than previous generations,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “The high number of young pastors wanting to address these mental challenges means although awareness is higher among them, many have not yet successfully embraced the boundaries, habits and preventative measures they need.” In half of the categories of mental challenges explored in this study, white pastors were more likely than African American pastors to say they face that challenge in ministry. Whereas half of white pastors (50 percent) say they face discouragement in ministry, 35 percent of African American pastors say the same. Similarly, nearly half of white pastors (49 percent) say distractions are a challenge for them, while 37 percent of African American pastors agree. When it comes to stress, the most cited mental challenge in this study, white pastors (64 percent) are once again more likely than African American pastors (52 percent) to say this is a ministry challenge they face. Greatest mental challenge When asked to narrow it down to the area of mental challenges they most need to address today, stress, distractions and discouragement top pastors’ list. More pastors identify stress (31 percent) as their greatest mental challenge in ministry than any other challenge. Nearly 1 in 4 pastors (23 percent) say distraction is their greatest mental challenge in ministry, and 18 percent say discouragement. Fewer identify loneliness or lack of friendship (9 percent), depression (2 percent) or lack of contentment (2 percent) as the mental challenge they most need to address today. And 15 percent of pastors say they’re not sure or none of these are their primary mental challenge in ministry. “Being a pastor is stressful,” McConnell said. “It’s important for pastors to learn healthy ways of maintaining their mental health amidst the variety of pressures that continue to come their way. Ignoring stress is not the answer. Resilience requires investment.” Once again, younger pastors are more likely than the oldest pastors to say stress is the primary mental challenge they face in ministry. Whereas 37 percent of pastors ages 18 to 44 and 33 percent of pastors ages 45 to 54 say stress is their greatest mental challenge, 23 percent of pastors over the age of 65 say the same. Pastors of large churches are also more likely to identify stress as their greatest mental challenge than pastors of smaller churches. While 41 percent of pastors of churches with attendance greater than 250 say stress is their primary challenge, pastors of churches with attendance of 0-49 (22 percent) and 100-249 (31 percent) are less likely to agree. “While the Word certainly calls us to lean on the Lord in times of trouble, Scripture also reminds us we are not an island,” said Ben Mandrell, president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources. “When the weight of feeling overwhelmed seems too much to bear, I encourage pastors to seek the help of trained professionals to help navigate mental challenges.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Marissa Postell is a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources. #MAY22

by Scott Barkley MONTICELLO, MS (BP) – Pastor Sam Taylor of Monticello Baptist Church heard about the challenges of being a teacher. It came from several in the profession – active and retired – in his congregation. He heard it from his wife, Alyssa, who works as a teacher’s aide at Monticello Elementary. As tends to be the case across the nation, particularly in rural areas, the Monticello calendar revolves around the local school system. It’s the largest employer, Taylor said, and directly impacts the type of citizen you’ll end up having in Lawrence County. When it came to deciding how the church could be a part of strengthening area schools, Taylor took a bold step. He asked. That has led to efforts such as providing lunches for teachers and “snack buckets,” where students can receive a reward in class. But partnering with Monticello Elementary’s positive behavior program has left the biggest imprint. Through it, MBC has hosted game days and movies for students who have met positive behavior criteria. Yes, the partnership has brought several students and their families to visit the church. But teachers benefit just as much. “I’ve had multiple conversations with teachers about what the program means for the students,” he said. “COVID took a lot of the fun things out of school, the times when people were together. For students and teachers to have something to look forward to is significant.” On movie days, buses carry students to the church for two separate viewings of the same school-approved film – one in the morning and another in the afternoon. It’s treated as a field trip and reward for students meeting their behavior goals. Monticello Baptist provides the popcorn. “It’s great to have some fun, get out and celebrate what you’ve done to justify that reward,” Taylor said. One state over, David Hobson is in his seventh year of teaching. That practically makes him a veteran, though, as half of Alabama’s new teachers leave the classroom within three years. Hobson wears multiple hats. At Dallas County High School in Plantersville, he teaches government and economics while serving as co-athletic director and coaching football and track. He’s also the director of missions at Mud Creek Baptist Association in Bessemer. “Absolutely, there are times I find myself as the veteran teacher,” he said. Sometimes, encouraging a new teacher who’s had a rough day is very much like the encouragement he’ll give a pastor. “Ultimately, both [teacher and DOM] are a call to service. The big thing in either one is finding joy in that service,” he said. Hobson spent 15 years in student ministry before going to Mud Creek Association. Students are a priority, he said, but the ones leading them daily can’t be far behind. “I feel like the church is called to that school campus to minister just as much to the administration and faculty,” he said. “It may be that a new teacher is wondering if he or she made a mistake and needs someone from the outside to say they are loved and appreciated, to get them through the week or even the rest of the school year.” Both are aware of the stories that lead to the high teacher turnover being felt across the nation. As the school year begins to wind down, those teachers will get a much-deserved break. It can also be a time for churches to reassess how involved they can be before August arrives and classes are back in session. When that time comes, Taylor said, don’t underestimate the impact of a Christlike witness. “If churches don’t help, schools will become increasingly harsh environments,” he said. “The learning environment and students’ proficiency will only decrease. Our public education system can benefit tremendously from churches willing to engage, to mobilize members to reach out.” Hobson can relate with the temptation for a teacher to go in another direction. “There was a time where I myself thought about [leaving] and giving it up because I felt talked down to, condescension and even unsafe at times when dealing with certain superiors and parents,” he said. Both school systems lie in rural areas, where a lack of resources are a constant problem. If for any reason they have to switch to virtual learning, internet connectivity becomes an issue. Some churches have helped to fill such gaps by offering wi-fi and learning space for students. Having a foot in both worlds, Hobson has ideas on how churches and schools can partner effectively. “As far as churches go, be involved. It really means a lot to a teacher because it shows them that they are not alone,” he said. “Teaching and ministry are two of the loneliest professions there are. We have to lean on and support each other in what we do.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scott Barkley is national correspondent for Baptist Press. #MAY22

by Mike Ebert RUIDOSO, NM (BP) – As Southern Baptist volunteers sift through the remains of home sites in the aftermath of recent wildfires that claimed two lives and destroyed more than 200 homes, they can’t tell much about what the house looked like or who lived there, but the complete and thorough destruction tells a story of its own. “The wind that was pushing this fire was gusting up to 80-90 miles an hour,” said Ed Greene, who is leading efforts in the area for the Baptist Convention of New Mexico. “Sometimes people only had minutes to get out. One of our volunteers lives here. He and his wife came home and their house was on fire. They had to evacuate with only the clothes on their backs.” Now Greene and his volunteers use heavy machinery, shovels, wheelbarrows and buckets to haul away what’s left. At the request of a homeowner, they carefully sift through specific parts of the homesite, trying to find a family heirloom or a significant piece of jewelry that might have survived. “Mainly it’s just a pile of debris – concrete block, wood, metal, ash,” Greene said. Ruidoso is located 180 miles southeast of Albuquerque in the Sierra Blanca mountains. Some of the homes impacted serve as mountain getaway vacation homes and are only inhabited for part of the year. But most are the only residences owners had. “Most lost everything they had,” Greene said. “There was no time to salvage anything. There are some distraught people.” The McBride fire that ravaged much of Ruidoso is now 95 percent contained. It is one of at least five blazes that have already been burning in the state this spring torching thousands of acres. High winds and abnormally high temperatures have created dangerous conditions and made the work of firefighters all the more difficult. Simultaneous fires in Colorado and Arizona have caused similar destruction. New Mexico’s volunteers serving with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) began service to residents of the area by removing downed trees that had been toppled by the high winds that are driving these fires. Teams completed 43 chainsaw jobs, praying with homeowners and distributing Bibles along the way. So far, they have seen 11 people make professions of faith as a result of their ministry. More than 2,300 volunteer work hours have already been served. SBDR volunteers from Texas and Arizona are serving alongside New Mexico Baptists and teams from Oklahoma and Missouri will be arriving soon. First Baptist Church Ruidoso is hosting the teams and serving as a base of operations. Send Relief, the Southern Baptist compassion ministry arm, sent a shipment of fire relief materials including N-95 facemasks and Tyvek suits. “These are devastating fires, but our Southern Baptist partners specialize in bringing hope to situations like this,” said Coy Webb, Send Relief’s crisis response director. “It’s looking like another long fire season, so these volunteers in the West will need all the prayers and support we can give.” Greene said, like with most SBDR responses, the Ruidoso project has been filled with examples of God’s provision and Southern Baptist partnership. The day before the project started, Greene’s team had no skid steers to aid in the effort. The small construction vehicles are essential for a variety of tasks. The team asked members of First Baptist Ruidoso to pray at their Wednesday night prayer service. Within 36, hours five skid steers were on site and ready to go. Greene has also been encouraged to see Southern Baptist cooperation in action. “One of the hallmarks of Southern Baptists is that we are a cooperative bunch,” Greene said. “This is a classic example.” Donations can be made by visiting Send Relief’s crisis response site. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mike Ebert writes for the North American Mission Board. #MAY22

by Scott Barkley and Brandon Porter NASHVILLE, TN (BP) – The SBC Executive Committee met in a special-called meeting Thursday to vote on moving the 2023 annual meeting from Charlotte to New Orleans and receive an update on the cost of the investigation into allegations of mishandling sexual abuse claims. Erik Cummings, chair of the EC’s Events and Strategic Planning Committee, introduced EC vice president for communications Jonathan Howe and Bill Townes, former EC chief financial officer now assisting on a contract basis, to explain how recent growth in annual meeting attendance necessitated the switch from Charlotte to New Orleans. Howe explained that it was “simply a matter of math” leading to the decision and that when Charlotte was originally selected, it reflected the annual meeting attendance at that time. Annual meeting locations scheduled through 2028 are in line with current attendance projections, he noted. Charlotte was confirmed as the 2023 host city by messengers to the 2016 SBC Annual Meeting in St. Louis. Since that meeting, attendance at the annual event has grown, which means the 280,000-square-foot Charlotte Convention Center is not large enough to host the event, which is expected to draw more than 15,000 attendees. Space requirements for hosting an SBC annual meeting now exceed 400,000 square feet. Making the decision more than a year out saved costs that could have occurred had the decision come closer to the annual meeting, said Townes. As it stands, costs to fulfill contracts and obligations to Charlotte as well as secure new contracts in New Orleans “may range from $150,000-$230,000”, according to Townes. Howe noted that remaining in Charlotte could have cost the Convention more than $900,000 in lost revenues and sponsorships due to space constraints. After a brief discussion, EC members voted unanimously to approve the move. In a response to the decision of the EC, Todd Unzicker told Baptist Press in a written statement, “We have been in frequent conversations with our national leaders over the past several weeks to try to find a workable solution that would enable our state to host next year’s meeting. I can assure N.C. Baptists that we left no stone unturned in these efforts. However, our national convention has specific criteria in its constitution regarding the selection of host cities and changes to times and locations.” The SBC Constitution says, “The Executive Committee may change the time and place of meeting if the entertaining city withdraws its invitation or is unable to fulfill its commitments. Unzicker said North Carolina Baptists have been excited to host the 2023 Annual Meeting, “However, we understand the challenges presented by the ever-growing number of attendees that led to today’s vote by the SBC Executive Committee to change the location of the 2023 meeting.” Financial update The majority of the nearly two-hour meeting concerned the cost of the Guidepost investigation. Townes, in particular, wanted to offer clarification on the financial resources available in the EC’s reserve funds. The most recent financial report available for the February 2022 EC meeting, he pointed out, came from September 2021. Townes said it is true there was $12.2 million in unrestricted reserves, but just under $5 million is connected to EC property, equipment and board-designated funds. The actual figure of resources available, including contingency and operation reserves, for the costs of the investigation was closer to $7.3 million, according to Townes. EC members were informed that since Oct. 1, a total of $1,661,530 has been paid toward Guidepost Solutions and $17,478 toward Task Force travel and meetings. In September, the EC voted to allocate up to $1.6 million toward the work by Guidepost Solutions. In February, they voted to increase the funds allocated to $2 million for the investigation or the “coverage of any other direct expenses without further approval.” Legal fees directly related to supporting the work of the Sex Abuse Task Force since then have totaled less than one-third of the $2 million originally approved by the EC in February. The legal firms of Bradley; Arant, Boult and Cumming; Guenther, Jordan and Price; Blank Rome; and Locke Lord have provided services to the EC as it has supported the investigation. The most recent EC financial report, dated March 31, showed total contingency and operating reserves of nearly $5.2 million. Other business The committee also received a legal update from Gene Besen of the Bradley Law Firm, a personnel update from interim President/CEO Willie McLaurin and Slade discussed items that will be addressed at the next regularly scheduled meeting on June 13 in Anaheim prior to the SBC Annual Meeting. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Scott Barkley is national correspondent for Baptist Press. Brandon Porter is associate vice president for convention news for the SBC Executive Committee. #MAY22

by Tim Steele ROSEVILLE, MI – Has your pastor ever gone to Israel? Unfortunately, since only 7% of Evangelical Christians have been to Israel, most pastors haven’t. Some have called the Holy Land the fifth Gospel because you can understand so much more about the stories of the Bible when you visit the places where they occurred. When pastors speak about Jerusalem, Capernaum, or the Sea of Galilee, they share what they have learned from the pages of the Bible, atlases, and commentaries. It wasn’t until I traveled to Israel did I realize how much more I could understand by visiting the Holy Land and seeing the places where Jesus walked and taught. I knew about the Holy Land from a shallow, superficial perspective. When I went to Israel, the experience transformed me. My faith was made more tangible by walking the same steps Jesus walked on and standing in the places where the Bible and history occurred. I now see the Holy Land with a much deeper and extensive view. When I read and reflect on Scripture and think about the places I visited in the Holy Land, my mind generates vivid details of the smells, sounds, and geography. Now I can attach actual places, scenery, and archaeological discoveries to passages to make the scriptures easier to remember. Here are three reasons to send your pastor to the Holy Land: 1. Your pastor’s Israel trip will teach him what his biblical seminary didn’t. Eighty-four percent agree with the statement: “If I bought fifty books on Bible lands, they couldn’t contribute what my trip to Israel has given me.” Seventy-five percent agree: “Geography has increased my ability to remember biblical events and the life lessons they teach.” 2. It will make him a better preacher. Eighty-six percent agree: “When I include Bible lands in my communication of the Bible, my listeners tell me they understand much better what I am teaching.” Ninety-three percent of Bible teachers who have journeyed to Israel say they now use biblical geography to help illustrate their teaching. 3. Your pastor’s Israel’s trip will deepen in his walk with God as a spiritual leader. Ninety-nine percent agree: “Experiencing the land of the Bible firsthand has strengthened my spiritual life.” In short, pastors who travel to Israel enjoy: A better memory of biblical events A more precise understanding of the text A more accurate direction to its application A more effective level of communication How you can send your pastor to Israel? A trip to Israel will enhance your pastor’s ministry, and you have the privilege of making it happen. How? 1. Approach your church leadership. Tell your church leaders that you would like to lead a movement to raise your pastor’s Israel trip funds. Explain how you would like to raise the money, either a fundraiser or a love offering. If necessary, perhaps the church budget can make up the difference. 2. Invite the congregation to participate (but keep it a secret). Here’s how: Send a letter or an email to the church, and invite them to participate in your pastor’s trip of a lifetime. Explain that they have the chance to show appreciation to your pastor and help enhance his ministry. Describe how you’d like to collect contributions. For example, you could note that only 74 adults can cover the cost of sending your pastor and his wife to Israel if each member gives $100. Remind everyone: “It’s a surprise!” and tell them to mark the surprise presentation date on their calendars. 3. Present your pastor’s Israel trip as a gift one Sunday morning. Plan to announce the surprise as a gift for “Pastor Appreciation Sunday” or another occasion. Discover a reason to celebrate your pastor and his wife! This gesture will draw you closer to your shepherd. He will be as thankful for this act of kindness as the pilgrimage itself. And here is another idea; if you can afford it, why don’t you go with your pastor. Nothing your pastor would enjoy more than going to Israel and sharing this wonderful experience with a church member. Is it safe to go to Israel? Yes. Tourism is a big deal in Israel, and the country goes to great lengths to make tourists safe. As a result, we feel safer in Israel than any other country we’ve visited. And no. International travel is never perfectly safe. The State Department has travel restrictions on the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank. The Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights are easy to avoid, but you need to go into the West Bank to see Bethlehem. However, when you go to the Church of the Nativity, you will be going with hundreds of other visitors that day. Exercise the same safety precautions we use in the U.S.A. And, of course, ask God for a safe trip. To hear more about this opportunity, listen to the most recent episode of “Punching Holes in the Darkness” where Tim Patterson and Tim Steele unpack the many advantages of sending your pastor on this once in a lifetime trip. For more details, call Tim Steele at (586)337-4653 or email at timothysteele@mac.com. Here is a brochure of this amazing trip: bit.ly/Israeltrip2022 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tim is the founding and Discipleship Pastor of Cross Waves Church. Tim received a BA in Biblical Studies from Welch College. He has also received a Masters of Theology and a Masters of Divinity from Liberty University. He and his wife Terri have two adult children and one granddaughter. #APRIL22

by Sharon Hessling BOLD retreat is a multigenerational retreat based on Titus 2 which tells us to teach one another and encourage one another. The first BOLD retreat was held in 2018. Mothers, daughters, granddaughters, friends, fellow church members from ages 6 to 90 gather to grow together and learn from one another. The breakout sessions allow participants to learn or share a skill. The worship is a time of inspiration, testimony, and praise. The fellowship is always a time of refreshing at beautiful Bambi Lake. The theme for this year’s BOLD retreat is “Stand Firm”. With all the craziness going on in our world, we certainly need to be encouraged to stand firm in our faith! I have known our featured speaker, Dottie Babcock, for years and had the privilege of serving with her in Sierra Leone. Dottie is a Michigan native although you may not know it by her current Tennessee accent. She will be a lot of fun and has been working prayerfully on what Biblical insights the Lord will bring us on standing up strong. Breakout sessions for this year are shaping up and, at this point, include: “A Minute to Win It”, Card making, Cookie Decorating, Creative Movement, Getting More Out of Your Android Phone, Making and Using a Prayer Journal, Making Your Home Welcoming (Wreath making), Self-Care, Tea and Hospitality. The dates for BOLD retreat are April 22 and 23. The cost is $99. There is an early bird discount if you register by April 1, it will be $89. CLICK HERE to register, or call Bambi Lake at 989-275-5844. I hope to see you there to be encouraged and grow together! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sharon served as an IMB missionary on the continent of Africa for 25 years. In retirement she is known as "the pie lady" and enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 grown children, and her 10 grandchildren. #APRIL22

by Kevin Finkenbinder DEWITT, MI – Each area of my life is impacted by the reality of Easter. Obviously, without Jesus living, dying, and rising from the dead, we would not know that God gave us the gift of salvation, and would not be able to effectively follow Him. As I look at my life, my identity is multifaceted. First and foremost, I am a follower of Christ, then, in decreasing order of importance I am the husband of Amy, the father of 3 kids (Isaiah – 12, Asa – 10, Hannah – 6), the pastor of First Baptist Church of DeWitt, MI, and a computer programmer for Michigan State University Libraries. My marriage and family are centered around Easter, as we inevitably fail to love each other, it is God’s grace that restores us and our relationship. And working at MSU is not because of a love for the Spartans (Go Green), nor because of the paycheck (although it allows me to feed my family), God has placed me at MSU to be a light in the darkness, allowing students, staff, faculty and others to see that God has given new life through Jesus Christ. Right now, the most beautiful example of the resurrection is watching God work in our church. When I came a couple years ago, the church was struggling to survive financially and otherwise. Our church is now much healthier, not because of a stewardship campaign or an outreach emphasis. It is because as a church we have been seeking to apply God’s grace and the reality of the resurrection to all that we do. As we learn of God’s word and love for us, we naturally grow closer to Him and imitate His will in reaching the world. Seeking to love God who died and rose for us has changed (and is continuing to change) our church. My favorite Easter memory is from childhood. Being that it was 45 years ago, my mind has probably conflated events, but I remember the children’s ministers at Christian Center in Colorado Springs leading us to sing, “I’m in the Lord’s Army” and then asking us if we wanted to fight with or against God. It was at that time I prayed to ask Jesus to save me. As I remember it, later that same day I went into the adjacent park for an Easter egg hunt. I don’t remember actually getting any eggs, but I do remember asking Jesus into my life. Even if that didn’t actually take place on Easter, it was still Easter for my life. Over the years, the Easter verse that has moved me most has shifted and changed as God works in different areas of my life. Right now, I am overwhelmed by Romans 5:7-11. Even as a young child, I had been an enemy of God, and I will never be a righteous man. Yet, Christ died for me, not only to save me from His wrath, but to give me life and reconciliation. Life in a neutral stance to God would have been infinite grace, but far beyond that He gave me reconciliation, joining me into His family and calling me His friend. At this, I am overwhelmed and speechless. “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Romans 5:7-11 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kevin Finkenbinder is pastor at First Baptist Church of DeWitt, MI. He has been married to Amy since 2008 and together they celebrate their 2 handsome boys (Isaiah and Asa) and their beautiful girl (Hannah). As a bi-vocational pastor, Kevin has also worked at MSU in website programming and digital development since 2013. #APRIL22

by Karen Blanchard SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI – The words “called” and “purpose” are buzzwords in our culture today. People are constantly searching to find their calling and purpose in life. I hear women say all the time, “What is my calling?” and “Do I have a purpose on this earth, and what is it?” Unfortunately, we tend to look in the wrong places to find the answers to these questions. From childhood, we are conditioned that our self-worth is found in what we do, and from a young age we are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As we get older and meet people for the first time, one of the first things we are asked is, “What do you do?” We are taught that what we do is who we are; consequently, our identity can be easily mistaken for what we achieve, produce, or offer. This is a very dangerous view of our self-worth. Many people experienced this when the pandemic hit. We were all sent home from our workplace during the lockdown. Even though we had technology to help, for some, everything changed. People really struggled not being able to do their jobs in the way they always had done them. There was a lot of anxiety and depression tied to this because people didn’t know how to cope without being able to do the thing that always defined them. What we “do” shouldn’t be our identity. That is our vocation. Our vocation is the way we make a living for ourselves. Sometimes our vocation is also our calling. However, before we can ever step into the calling God has on our lives, we first must know who God has called us to be. In other words, it’s “who” before “do.” The way we view ourselves and our calling matters so that when we look to our calling and purpose to define us, we take on a very self-centered view. We often ask God, “What is my calling?” “What is the purpose of my life?” Our calling and purpose aren’t things we must find. When we know who we are in Christ, we won’t have to look to our vocation or what we “do” to fulfill that need. However, on the other side of that, once we know who we are in Christ, we can step into our calling with confidence knowing if God has called us to it, he will equip us for it. I love this quote on calling by Rebekah Lyons: “Our calling is where our burdens and our passions collide.” You step into your calling when you try to make a difference where your burdens and passions collide. This could be your vocation, but most of the time it won’t be. What burdens your heart? What do you wish you could change? What passions and desires has God planted in your life? What gifts has he given you? If you struggle with knowing your calling and purpose in life, you aren’t alone. I have struggled in the past with these same questions. I want you to know that you can live a life of significance and walk in the calling God has for you. On May 21st at 6pm, BSCM Women’s Ministry will be hosting an event titled Called: Living the Life God Created You to Live. This event will be at Lakepointe Church in Shelby Township. I was asked to share about what God has taught me in this area. Two verses we are going to look at are… I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. – Ephesians 4:1 He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. – 2 Timothy 1:9 I hope you will make plans to join us as we talk about our calling and how we can have confidence knowing we are right where God has called us to be. We will also hear from a few women who are confidently walking in the calling they feel God has revealed to them. You don’t want to miss this time of worship, inspiration, and fellowship! Date: Saturday, May 21, 2022 Time: Evening / 6PM Start Location: Lakepointe Church, 53245 Van Dyke, Shelby Twp., MI FREE EVENT / Registration: https://form.jotform.com/212824586212151 Event Speaker: Karen Blanchard Worship: Lakepointe Worship Team Details: Ladies Evening of Worship & Inspiration Event Director: Tricia Werry 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! #APRIL22

by Rachel LaBelle ROSCOMMON, MI – Kids have a lot going on in their world these days. School, extracurricular activities, family and friend concerns, screens, and a thousand other things that have their attention. At camp, we get a short window to replace the busyness of their daily lives and invite them to a safe place where they can focus on Christ. Some would argue that camp creates a mountaintop high and nothing more, but the long-term impact of camp cannot be denied. Through camp, countless children have accepted Christ as their Savior. Whether they hear the Gospel for the first time—or in a new way that finally makes it all click—there is no denying that Christ-centered camps have a giant impact on our youth. Kids walk away with a deeper knowledge of Christ, form lifelong Christian friendships, and gain new experiences that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. For a few days in the summer, we get to be the loudest voice pouring into them and preparing them to be a light in their world. Fusion is a new camp for kids who have completed 2nd-6th grade. The camp is designed to take kids out of their normal routine and place them in a safe and exciting environment where Christ is central, and every moment is intentional. Whether campers are in worship, Bible study, swimming, or playing games, everything is designed with the intention to draw kids closer to others and Christ. At Fusion, we play hard, we worship hard, we pursue God with everything we have, and we open our hearts to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This year’s camp theme is, “Only a Holy God.” During daily worship and small group discussions, campers will learn about God’s character. Campers will see that God created all things, sovereignly rules over His creation, and ultimately wins over Satan, sin, and death. Throughout their time at camp, kids will participate in worship, recreation, and Bible study— all at an age-appropriate level. Fusion Camp will provide the staff necessary to run camp; however, churches are expected to provide one sponsor per gender. Sponsors should expect to: Take responsibility for their kids’ general well-being and monitor their kids outside of scheduled programming Lead nightly church debrief time (questions to spark discussion will be provided, but you are not required to use them) Be present and encourage their kids as they participate in activities Fusion will be at Bambi Lake, June 26-28, 2022. The cost is $150/camper and $120/sponsor, early bird pricing ends May 1st. You can register using the QR code or website below. Space is limited-sign up early! https://bambilake.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1146411 Have more questions? We’d be happy to talk! Contact us at: Fusioncamp@theresurrection.church Rachel LaBelle: 616-283-1661 Kristina Borza: 586-438-4383 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rachel LaBelle has a heart for camp ministry and has served at different camps in a variety of capacities over the years. Resurrection Church; Lincoln Park, MI. #APRIL22