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by Staff SPRINGFIELD, IL – Leaders attending the Midwest Leadership Summit in Springfield came with questions about ministry in the region, and many found answers. Some 850 leaders from 12 states in the region attended the three-day event in Springfield January 18-20. In three worship settings and 70 breakouts, they considered their calling again and took home fresh training for ministry. Pastors and church leaders from 9 Baptist state conventions filled the halls and ballrooms at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield IL. The main purpose of the event, as it has been since the 1950s, was equipping leaders for ministry that matches our north central territory. Hear from some of the attendees and what they took away from the three day meeting. #FEBRUARY22

by Garth Leno WINDSOR, ONTARIO – John Stott once admitted to being “an impenitent believer in the indispensable necessity of preaching both for evangelism and for the healthy growth of the church.” At our church we open the Bible, take the main point of a biblical text, make it the main point of a sermon, and apply it to life today with as much enthusiasm and energy that God’s Spirit provides. According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “preaching is theology coming through a man who is on fire.” We are committed to sound, biblical doctrine; we are determined to preach the whole Bible without apology or compromise; and we do it with joy. D. A. Carson has said, “Our aim is to take the sacred text, explain what it means, tie it to other scriptures so people can see the whole a little better, and apply it to life so it bites and heals, instructs and edifies.” This applies to every pulpit in every church, including the newest church plants. Churches that seek to honor God require good preaching for at least five reasons. 1. Good preaching glorifies God. That’s obvious, right? Nothing trumps this. God is the goal and the ground and the purpose of all biblical preaching. “All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” (Psalm 86:9) “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) We preach to glorify Him, not to increase attendance or raise money or start programs. In a sermon preached in 2006 at the Together for the Gospel conference, John Piper said, “Preaching is not conversation. Preaching is not discussion. Preaching is not casual talk about religious things. Preaching is not simply teaching. Preaching is the heralding of a message permeated by the sense of God’s greatness and majesty and holiness. The topic may be anything under the sun, but it is always brought into the blazing light of God’s greatness and majesty in his word.” When we preach the inspired Word of God, God is glorified and all of heaven rejoices, no matter how small or how big your church may be. 2. Good preaching creates a positive first impression. In his helpful article, Planter, Become a Better Preacher, Yancey Arrington (teaching pastor at Clear Creek Community Church in Houston, Texas) suggests that newcomers will evaluate your church primarily on the basis of the preaching. Most churches are concerned about first impressions. Are the grounds neat and groomed? Is there any trash on the property? Is there a place for our visitors to park? Is there anyone to show newcomers the way into the building? Do we have good signage? Can people find the restrooms easily? Do we have someone warm and welcoming at the front door to greet people? So, preaching may be a “first impression” element also. Pay attention to what you say and how you say it every week. We want that first impression to be positive and encouraging because first impressions last a long time. 3. Good preaching announces our theology. Most church websites contain a page that declares “What We Believe.” The pulpit is the most effective place where congregations not only see what the church believes about certain doctrines, but also how they apply those doctrines. People enter the doors holding all kinds of notions and expectations about what a church is and how a church should act. In the early days of our church planting experience in Windsor, Ontario, one Sunday two couples showed up, seemed to enjoy the service, and waited to speak to me at the back. But our conversation felt more like an attack. “Don’t you believe in the Holy Spirit? Why aren’t the sign gifts manifested in your services? Do you not believe in speaking in tongues?” They were incredulous. Consistent biblical exposition will answer those kinds of questions and deal with misinformed expectations in context. When we preach, we joyfully assert and clarify our theology; we make it as plain and as clear as possible, and disciple them in what we believe, why we believe it, and how we live it out day by day. 4. Good preaching helps us to grow in grace. David Mathis, the executive editor for DesiringGod.org and pastor at Cities Church, writes, “When we sit attentively under the faithful preaching of the gospel, not only do we forget ourselves and refill our faith, but we are genuinely changed.” The Apostle Paul urged his young, church planting protégé to preach the word, to be ready in season and out of season. He urged him to “reprove, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience.” Why? Because a time is coming “when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Timothy 4:1-3, ESV). Sound biblical preaching will help your congregation to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28) 5. Good preaching allows us to encounter the living Christ. Faithful, Christ-centered preaching allows people to come face-to-face with Jesus Himself and experience the resurrection power of His gospel. As Martin Luther said, “To preach the gospel is nothing else than Christ’s coming to us or bringing us to him.” Jesus is the only One who can satisfy. In a day when it seems hip to attack evangelicals and bash denominations, deconstruct the faith of our fathers, and embrace so-called “progressive Christianity,” let’s not waver or neglect the preaching of God’s Word in every church. For the glory of God, and the good of your people, preach the Word! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Garth Leno lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, where he planted The Gathering Church in 2014 with help from Send Network. He holds graduate degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Bethel Theological Seminary and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. #FEBRUARY22

by Tom Bradley GRAND RAPIDS, MI – We have been working to plant and grow CrossWinds WestSide in urban Grand Rapids for the past five years. My wife, Merri, and I constantly have seen the beauty and brokenness of our neighborhood. It is everywhere, we are immersed in it, and it is a little crazy at times. It is a little crazy The first night in our house when we moved from the suburbs, I remember seeing flashing strobe lights outside my front window. Walking up to the window to take a peek outside, I heard shouting “get down on the ground and stop resisting.” Having been a police chaplain for 20 years, I immediately knew what was happening. This summer we had a repeat of that event on a Saturday morning. While waking up with coffee, my grandson and I heard shouting outside. We looked out the kitchen window to see someone being arrested in our driveway. “What is going on papa?” my grandson asked. Later, I found out the man actually called the police to turn himself in because of outstanding warrants, but panicked when they arrived and ran. So sad, but that's my neighborhood. Living in an environment like this has taken a little getting used to. If my wife and I go for a walk at the end of the day, we know what areas to avoid, like the freeway underpasses where homeless people are bedding down for the night. If someone a little erratic approaches us and asks for money, or wants something, we are a little better prepared at being compassionate, but not enabling. Sometimes it is a little scary and overwhelming, and we are not sure what to do. So often we meet people whose lives are the accumulation of years of chaos and depravity because of what others have done to them, or choices they have made. In many ways, all of this is so big it is easy to wonder, what can a small church on the West Side do? We know we can’t make a difference just ourselves, and there lies the great opportunity to see God work. Brokenness and the Power of God A friend of mine told me a few years ago, If you want to see the power of God try something you can’t do. Our environment regularly brings us to a deep dependence on God to move, change hearts, and transform lives. In the face of overwhelming darkness, I often see the power and grace of God break through. Things like; helping find shelter for a homeless family with a newborn on a cold winter night, comforting and counseling a family after their father was murdered, removing an elderly, lonely man from an abusive environment and getting him into safe housing with a loving CrossWinds church family, working with a homeless young man to finish his High School degree and get into college, and talking to a young man miraculously recovering from 17 stab wounds in the neck, who says to me in the hospital, “I think God has a purpose for my life.” I reply, “He does. Let's talk about that.” In all the chaos of these lives, the constant is the opportunity for gospel conversations, for change, for a new spiritual life, and transformation through the power of Christ. I know its power because I was there once. Pray for CrossWinds Westside, as we seek to make Jesus known in our neighborhood. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tom Bradley and Merri are North American Mission Board missionaries in Grand Rapids Michigan. They have been involved in Church Planting for over 25 years. They have 2 children and four grandchildren, and are completing the fourth year of their adventure at CrossWinds West Side. Follow their community on FB at facebook.com/cwindswestside. #FEBRUARY22

by Jamie Lynn SPRINGFIELD, IL – More than 100 Michigan pastors and church leaders headed to Springfield the week of Jan. 18-20 for the 2022 Midwest Leadership Summit. The Summit happens every other year and includes 9 Midwest state conventions and 12 states, Dakotas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas/Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota/Wisconsin, Missouri, and Ohio. The Leadership Summit always drew 850 participants across the Midwest. This year was not a disappointment. We were thrilled to have so many of our Michigan church leaders and pastors. The schedule was packed full of amazing speakers during the plenary sessions: Shane Pruitt (NAMB), Ben Mandrell (Lifeway), and Willie McLaurin (SBC Executive Committee). The worship team led as the room overflowed with people singing their hearts out in worship to God. The speakers were open, real and vulnerable as they shared the vision for reaching the Midwest (and the world) with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A favorite and relevant part of the plenary session is when the Midwest Practitioners speak. These are men who are doing ministry in the Midwest, share their ideas, and tell what is working, and where they are struggling. We heard from Kirk Kirkland, the pastor at Revive City Church in Cincinnati Ohio, David Martinez, Associate Pastor for Spanish Ministries at Northern Heights Baptist Church in Norfolk, Nebraska and Lead Ethnic Church Planting Catalyst for KNCSB and NAMB, and Jeff Mueller, Church Planter at Restore Church, Yankton, South Dakota. After these practitioners shared, there were many people who came up to encourage and pray over them. There were 72 Breakout sessions. They fell under categories like: Current Issues, Revitalization, Leadership, Ministry Wives, Hispanic Ministries, Church Planting and Evangelism Discipleship. We had 6 session opportunities to attend the Breakout groups that would most help us in our ministries back at our home churches. The training was top notch and inspirational. To watch and listen to many of the sessions at mwadvance.com. A special time of camaraderie among the Michigan attenders was had as our pastors and church leaders gathered on Tuesday evening after the session for a time of dessert, fellowship, and prayer. It was encouraging to know that these leaders came to the Summit to grow in their ministry skills and be heartened in their work at their church. Thank you to all the Michigan church leaders that came. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jamie Lynn is the Communications Director for the BSCM. #FEBRUARY22

by Dan Russell SOUTHGATE, MI – To help strengthen the pastors and church families of our Convention as we face this coronavirus crisis, here are some encouraging reminders on how to keep your trust in God during this pandemic. Choose Faith Over Fear Let’s remember to let faith rule our hearts and not fear. I absolutely believe we should take this pandemic seriously, use precaution and exercise wisdom. At the same time, we can do so while keeping our faith in God. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 2:1-7) Choose Wisdom Over Worry While we can still maintain our faith because of our unchanging God, it is still important to exercise wisdom instead of becoming paralyzed by worry. If there is an action you can do to protect yourself, do it. Use wisdom and listen to sound advice. “So, incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding.” (Proverbs 2:2) Choose Prayer Over Panic Prayer is the exact prescription the Bible gives us to cure panic. It’s easy to watch the news and overthink all the possible negative outcomes that can take place. All that will do is rob us of the peace God promises us for today. Prayer is powerful and effective and if we are too busy panicking instead of praying, we forfeit our greatest strength. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Dan Russell is the Executive Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Southgate, Michigan, a Church Strengthener for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, and an adjunct professor in the Christian Ministry Department of Spring Arbor University at two campuses in southeastern Michigan. He has 36 years of pastoral experience, including lead pastorates in Missouri, Kansas, and Michigan. He and his wife, JoLinda, live in Brownstown, Michigan, and have three adult children, along with seven grandchildren. #FEBRUARY22

by Rick and Cindy Truesdail Happy New Year, MI COMers! We survived 2021! It has been a tough year for many of us, but Praise God, He has seen us through. For some, January 1st is just another day, which is true; but it is a day to pause and remember the past year – good times, bad times, learning from our mistakes and improving in the year ahead. Our hearts go out to everyone who lost a loved one in the past year, knowing that they face 2022 without them. Our prayer is that everyone has peace in their minds, joy in their hearts, and a new zeal to serve the Lord in the year ahead. He is our healer of physical and emotional pain, He is our source of strength, and He is ALWAYS with us! We are so thankful that God has brought us through so much since August. Rick had knee replacement surgery, Cindy had a blockage and a stent was put in the artery to the heart; Rick soon after had Heart Cath and received his 11th stent to keep the arteries open; and a couple of weeks later, once again Cindy was back in the hospital for a Heart Cath learning the blockage was too close to the heart for a stent. We have had to slow down for a bit, but look forward to continuing the mission God has called us to as we gain strength and each manage our heart disease. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us through these times. We have felt your love and God’s power working in us. MI COM is a family of believers who lift one another up in their times of needs. We support and encourage each other at all times. We are so thankful for every member of this ministry. We hope you will be involved and work on mission as much as possible in 2022! We hope to see you soon! Sharing Christ as We Go, Rick and Cindy MI COM Ladies Sewing Event Saturday, January 29, 2022 11:00am - 4:00pm Heritage Baptist Church 5199 E. Hill Rd. Grand Blanc, MI (In the Fellowship Hall) Bring your sewing machine if you have one. Also cotton and flannel materials. We will have other things you can do if you don't sew. Bring a friend to share this fun day of work and fellowship. We will provide soup. Bring finger foods and desserts. 2022 COM National Rally June 7-9, 2022 North Florida Fairgrounds Tallahassee, FL This will be the Golden 50th Anniversary of Campers on Mission. "Renew in 2022" will be the theme. Mark your calendars, start saving your money for travel, and be ready to register when it's available. More information will follow as we get it over the next few months. MI COM Christmas Banquet MI COM Christmas Banquet was great! We enjoyed warm fellowship and a delicious meal. TJ and Helena Witherell sang a few songs for us to enjoy and later led us in Christmas carols. Pastor Tim Shrader, MI Church Planting Catalyst (NAMB), brought an encouraging message that God used lowly shepherds to welcome Christ as a baby and to share that good news wherever they went. MI COMers too are chosen to share Christ as we go. There was laughter – and some confusion – passing an ornament back and forth according to the “Right-Left” story read by Cindy. We are very thankful to Pastor Larry Rednower, New Haven Baptist Church in Burton, for opening their fellowship hall to us. It was unanimously agreed we should have a MI COM Christmas Banquet in 2022. MI COM Ladies in Action MI COM Ladies are always excited to sew projects for the foster/refugee children at Bethany Christian Services. And a special thanks to Roy Davis, a friend at Heritage Baptist Church, for donating wooden cars and truck for the children. Thanks again to Maria Hannuksela for delivering an SUV full of these items before Christmas. Youth pillows - 24 Youth bags - 54 Christmas stockings/bags - 25 Children's throws - 10 School supplies - 2 boxes Wooden cars and trucks - 2 boxes Article from our MI COM Member A New Beginning by Brandi Dyke “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” 1 Corinthians 5:2, KJV Entering a new year can be refreshing and rejuvenating. Our “new year” resolutions set forth ambitious goals to strive for, as well as give us an opportunity to reset our failed attempts and previous unmet expectations. However, as we reflect on our previous year, let us take a moment to celebrate a year of life as a gift from the Lord, and rejoice for the hurdles that we overcame through Christ. While new beginnings give us a chance to reflect and build up excitement for the open possibilities of the future, it is of the greatest importance to understand that we do not need a new year, or even a new day, to spend time with the Lord and examine ourselves before The Father. In our quiet time with Him, we are investing into an everlasting relationship with the Lord, as well as allowing Him to enhance our perspective with His wisdom. When we are enlightened with the Lord’s righteousness, we are able to judge ourselves and come to a pure state of repentance; thus, allowing us to be set free from our infirmities through Christ and move forward without the “old leaven” in our bread; thus, giving us a new beginning. New beginnings are readily available anywhere and at any time. This is the beautiful gift that Jesus sacrificed His life to give us. Not for selfish freedom, but so that we may come to The Father in purity and build a relationship with Him. Let us take a moment to thank the Lord for His precious gift to us. Let us thank Him for new beginnings that are readily available through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May the Lord bless you all in this new year and season. “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:28-32, KJV ABOUT THE AUTHOR “In July of 2020, the Lord called our family to sell our home and travel the country in a fifth wheel camper. Not for vacation, but to spread the Gospel and be a vessel for His work. After much prayer and discernment, the Lord gave us several affirmations in this calling and, consequently, we chose to step out in obedience to Him and commit to His will for our lives. This transition was not an instantaneous process and it was exceedingly difficult in our flesh, as we have invested the last seven years into building our home to accommodate our vision and our plans for the future. However, as He calls us to abandon our plans and to adopt His, we chose, and continue to choose, to exchange our plans for His will for our lives.” Check out their blog: movingbyfaith.home.blog Chaplain's Corner Time. We are reminded of it all the time (pardon the pun)—but especially around New Years. This morning in my Intercessory Bible Reading I was reminded of this again from Romans 11:36 ... For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. For of/from him (past), and through him (present), and to him (future), are all things. Even from eternity past God has planned things; and even now all things are working out through Him to carry out those plans; and in the end all the glory from those plans will go to Him. Beloved, it’s OK for us to make plans for the coming year, but let’s just make sure even as our hearts plan our way, that it is still the Lord who directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). To the Praise of His Glory, Chaplain Chip Prayer Requests & Praise Reports Prayer Requests As we go forward in 2022, remember to hold your MI COM leaders and members in your prayers. May we do the will of God as we plan and move forward for His glory. Pray for our government, first responders, and people around the world as Covid continues to affect many people’s lives. Praise Report Praise God for all the work MI COM was able to accomplish in 2021! We could not have done it without His leading and protection. We have learned so much and are ready to move forward in 2022! Rick and Cindy continue to praise God for His presence during a few difficult months of health problems. “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.“ Luke 5:15-16 NIV If you have a prayer request or a praise report, please share it with us and we will post it on the website and include it in our monthly newsletters. MI COM Tees & Hats For Sale We have fun things and essentials for you to let others know you are a MI COMer!!! We encourage you to wear the tees whenever you are working or on a COM event. Tees are printed on the front and the back Patches are iron-on or easy to sew onto your shirts or jackets Key Chains are plastic on metal holder Hand-held fan is paper on wooden handle Hats are gray with embroidered logo, adjustable Lapel Pins are easily attached to a suit jacket or coat. Stickers to put on notebooks, computers, etc. Pens to accent your writing Contact Cindy for your purchase. MI COM Officers & Executive Board Presidents/Project Coordinator: Rick & Cindy Truesdail Vice-President/Project: Tony Morningstar Hospitality/Food Coordinator: Kim Norrington & Maria Hannuksela Sewing Project Coordinator: Cindy Truesdail & Terry Simmons Cleaning & Beautification Coordinator: Sharon Hessling & Ruth Farwell Secretary: Brandi Dyke Treasurer: Gary Hannuksela Chaplain: Pastor Chip Collins Historian: Cindy Truesdail Disaster Relief Liaison: Warren Hessling Networking Center Keep checking at our online Website and Facebook for announcements! Website: www.michigancampersonmission.org Facebook: Michigan Campers on Mission For more information, contact: Rick & Cindy Truesdail Phone: (810) 869-4716 Email: michigancampersonmission@gmail.com #JANUARY22

by Bob Kiger PLYMOUTH, MI – Happy New Year! As we begin 2022, I would like to highlight some activities that Michigan Disaster Relief volunteers participated in during 2021 and identify plans for 2022. Once again, Southeast Michigan suffered another devastating rain event during June. Your DR volunteers spent several weeks helping homeowners in Macomb and Wayne County recover from the flood. Because of our past efforts, we were contacted by the governor’s office and the mayor of Warren asking for help. We then were requested to help with recovery from Hurricane Ida. A team went to Pennsylvania for several days cleaning out flooded homes. Upon returning home, most of the same volunteers went to Bambi to help cut down dead trees and beautify the property. As we embark on a new year, DR will continue to offer Basic Training and Unit Training. If your church or Association would like to conduct training at your location, please contact me and we will schedule a convenient time to offer the three-hour Basic Training or any of the Unit Training (Flood Recovery, Chainsaw or Feeding) sessions. We are currently planning to offer all training at Bambi in the spring. Because recent disasters have been affecting larger groups of victims, a greater need for chaplains has become apparent. We conducted one training event in 2021, and will continue this year to equip more volunteers with the skills needed to help hurting victims in the future. During times of disaster, people are more willing to hear about the love of Jesus, and we want to have more of our volunteers prepared to share that love. If all of this sounds exciting to you, please attend a training session so you can also be “the hands and feet of Jesus“. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bob Kiger became a Christian at age 12. He and his wife Rose have been married for 46 years, have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. Bob retired from Ford Motor Company as a Senior Partner and then began using his talents in Disaster Relief efforts all around the nation. Bob is the Director of Michigan Disaster Relief. #JANUARY22

by Karen Blanchard MACOMB, MI – Are you tired of setting New Year’s Resolutions every year only to give up on them come the 3rd or 4th week of January? I know I am! In January of 2015, my husband introduced our church to the idea of choosing a One Word to define our year. He encouraged us to pray and ask God to lead us to a word that we can grow in spiritually and to choose a verse to go along with it. Almost every year since then, I have chosen a One Word to define my year. Through choosing a One Word over the last seven years, God has grown my walk with Him. Mike Ashcraft, a pastor in North Carolina who wrote the “My One Word” book, says: “We value initiative and effort in others and assume that’s what God values in us too. We qualify ourselves based on how hard we work. We evaluate our character based on how often we go to church, attend Bible studies, volunteer, or check other items off our religious resume. We carry the subtle belief that God helps those who help themselves. But, when you do all these things and yet little transformation takes place, what then: Work harder? Do better? Promise not to do this, or swear not to do that? No! We have to position ourselves to focus and depend on God’s work in our heart and in our lives.” So often in our lives we try to work hard in our own strength and make things happen. We think if we just try harder we can accomplish our goals. We should work hard to accomplish the things God is calling us to do, but we can’t do it on our own. We need to invite the Holy Spirit in our life and ask him to give us what we need to accomplish his goals for our lives. As each year comes to an end and I look ahead to a new year, I begin to seek God for what he wants me to learn and focus on in the coming new year. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” If we want to grow spiritually in 2022, then we have to be intentional with our growth. It will not just happen on its own. When we seek God to lead us to a word to define our year, then we can be intentional in seeking him through that One Word. Below are a few steps in seeking God through a One Word: Pray – Ask God to reveal to you what your One Word should be. When you pray for God to lead in this, it removes your striving to get it right. Ask God to open your eyes to what he has for you. Then he will begin to illuminate the word he has chosen for you. It is incredible the ways God has confirmed my words over the years. Make a List – Create a list of words that speak to you and that you would like to grow in. Is there an area in your character that the Holy Spirit has revealed to you that you need work in? If so, start there! Don’t be afraid of the words that seem difficult. If your word scares you, it is probably exactly where God wants to take you. You can have confidence knowing he is working through that word because you sought his guidance, and he led you there. Pick a Word – From the list you created and prayed over, choose a word. Don’t worry about picking the “right” word. God will use whatever word you choose to grow you in 2022. Again, it isn’t about what YOU do in the choosing, but it is about you seeking God through whatever word you choose. As you seek Him through this process, he will grow you! Stick With It! - When you have picked your One Word, be sure to stick with it through the entire year. This is where being intentional comes into play. Choose a book or devotional that focuses on your One Word. I search for verses and quotes, and I also like to wear my word on a necklace, bracelet, or shirt. By doing these things, I make sure my One Word stays in front of me all year long. I want to end this article with one final quote from Mike Ashcraft: “The goal this year is not for you to swear you’ll do better at ‘this’ or promise you’ll never do ‘that’ again. Sweeping promises inevitably breed feelings of failure. The aim is for you to use your One Word to get into a focused posture and remain there while you depend on Christ.” Change is possible. Focus is required. Seek God in 2022 through just a One Word. You will be amazed in the growth that comes. 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! #JANUARY22

by Myriah Snyder RICHMOND, VA – Jim works full time as an accountant in a global city. During his free time, he works with a missionary team to help them reach people with the gospel. He serves with the IMB as a part-time professional. Olivia attends school at the London School of Economics. When she’s not studying, she spends time sharing the gospel with the students around her. She serves with the IMB as a part-time student. Nick spends his days evangelizing and discipling his neighbors and friends through his local church. He works with the IMB as a full-time church planter. For those wondering if the International Mission Board has a place for them to serve into the Revelation 7:9 vision, the answer is probably yes! If an individual is Southern Baptist and aligned theologically with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, the IMB wants to help them discover how they can advance the kingdom. “No matter what their station in life is, no matter what their educational background is, there is a way to go with us to the field,” Scott Ray, IMB’s director of assessment and deployment, said. Ray said that every month the IMB conducts an interview conference. And at each one, he speaks with people from varied backgrounds – college graduates, seminary students, doctors, businesspeople, counselors, retirees. He said they once sent a rocket scientist overseas. For those who feel called to serve overseas, there are seven pathways for adults 21 and over who want to go longer than a couple months, many short-term trip opportunities, and a host of student pathways. Ray suggests asking two questions to find out which of IMB’s pathways might be best: How long do you want to go? Who is going to pay for it? MID-TO-LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES Team associate A team associate is not funded through the IMB but works closely with an IMB church planting team. This individual generally uses their trained profession overseas while they support church planting efforts. Team associates serve two-year assignments. Journeyman IMB offers a unique, fully funded, two-year missions opportunity for college graduates under age 30. Journeymen are sent by their church through IMB to join an international missionary team to share the gospel, make disciples, and help plant churches. For more information, visit https://www.imb.org/students/go-2-years-journeyman/. Macedonia project The Macedonia project is for individuals who have a long-term call but no seminary training yet. Those who sign up for this program go to the field, and while they are working on a church planting team, they also take seminary classes. The IMB pays for half of the degree, while one of the six Southern Baptist seminaries covers the other half. While this is a more difficult pathway, one of the many rewards is a debt-free seminary degree. There is no age limit for this pathway. Macedonia project workers serve 3-4 years and are funded through the IMB. Two + two The two + two program is another avenue through the seminaries. With this track, the first two years are spent physically at a seminary, and the last two years are spent working with a church planting team on the field. This opportunity, however, isn’t funded through a scholarship like the Macedonia project. The last two years of overseas service are IMB funded. International Service Corps International Service Corps is for anyone who wants to go but doesn’t want to go long-term. Through this pathway, an individual can serve for two to three years on missionary church planting teams. No college degree or seminary credits are required. Retirees who want to spend a few years on the field are encouraged to go through this route. This is IMB funded. Field support The field support role includes professionals who work in logistics, finance, or another role that directly supports church planters and other IMB personnel on the field. While they work overseas and still focus on sharing the gospel, the majority of their time is spent in their professional role. This is a fully funded IMB role. Career missionary A career missionary serves as a church planter. They begin their first four-year term as an apprentice missionary, working alongside an established church planting team. The next term they return as a church planter. A church planter’s full-time job is the core missionary task. They are fully funded, and this is a long-term pathway. Missionary associate A missionary associate does the same work as a church planter, but there is no seminary requirement. This role is ideal for someone who has pastored or worked in ministry for many years but has no seminary degree. The requirement here is a life experience requirement. This is an IMB funded, long-term pathway. For more information on any of these pathways, visit www.imb.org/go and chat live with an IMB employee about what pathway might be right for you, or email sray@imb.org. SHORT-TERM OPPORTUNITIES Adults wanting to take the gospel to the nations on a short-term trip, lasting anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months can find a plethora of opportunities at www.imb.org/trips. Here, there are group opportunities as well as individual opportunities. Medical professionals wondering how they can use their gifts for a short-term assignment can find more information on healthcare-specific short-term missions at www.imb.org/healthcare. STUDENTS For a student wanting to explore where they may fit in God’s plans to reach the nations, there are many options. GO IMPACT Groups of teenagers age 15 and up can join the long-term, strategic efforts of IMB missionaries already overseas. Trips will last between 8 and 14 days, and projects are available in Argentina, Belgium, Botswana, Chile, Germany, Kosovo, Latvia, Malta, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom and Ukraine. For more information, visit www.imb.org/goimpact. 1-3 week trips Whether it’s spring, summer, or winter break there are many ways for high school teams and college students to serve for 1-3 weeks around the world with IMB missionary teams. While some of the trips are pre-packaged, IMB student teams are ready to work with churches, campuses or ministries to create a trip that fits specific mission strategies. Whether it’s relief efforts, coffee shop ministries, sports camps or church planting, there are many ways for students to make an impact. To learn more, visit https://www.imb.org/students/one-to-three-week-mission-trips/. Summer mission trips Join with thousands of college students using their summer break to reach the lost with missionary teams. IMB has numerous, inexpensive ways to serve for 6-8 weeks each summer in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and many other places all over the world. Individual and team projects are available. To find out more information on Nehemiah Teams in Southeast Asia, Summer Sojourners in Central and South America, and Face2Face in South Asia and more options, visit https://www.imb.org/students/summer-mission-trips/. Hands On Hands On is an international semester missions opportunity for students and young adults interested in working alongside a missionary mentor to share the gospel of Jesus with unreached peoples. Members of Southern Baptist Churches can receive funding to cover half the cost to go. For more information, visit https://www.imb.org/students/semester-hands-on/. IMB President Paul Chitwood shared with Southern Baptist pastors, “The IMB is not in a season of calling missionaries home and downsizing. We’re in a season of growth. Because there are more lost people today than ever before, the needs are greater today than ever before in history.” Chitwood added, “More lost people will die today than in any day that has ever gone before us. The needs are there. The opportunity is also there to get to them as we work together.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Myriah Snyder is senior writer/editor for the IMB. #JANUARY22

by Fran Trascritti SPRINGFIELD, IL – Covid has come. People have left. Attendance is down. So how do we get them back? This is one of the most common questions asked by church leaders as we look forward to 2022 and beyond. And the question behind the question: Is the current attendance a new normal for the church? For a while, probably. But here are a few general observations, both from the latest research and from hearing from leaders while consulting throughout the state: Worship attendance is down. LifeWay Research reports that the average church is at 63% of their pre-Covid attendance. Giving is close to or above budget. Bible study group attendance is much lower than pre-covid. Ministry to the local community is well received by those accepting help. Let me argue that all of this is encouraging. First, we can appreciate the fact that we’re not alone. It’s great news that we still have a core group of members actively attending, serving, and giving to the mission of the church. Praise God for those loving, serving saints! Second, we have a way to grow our leaders. One way to start is to launch our Bible study groups ministry and help them again become a strong part of the church. After all, whether the groups meet on campus or off campus, a robust groups ministry provides structure, trains leaders, promotes intimacy, and deepens spiritual growth. Even more, Bible study groups that operate with a team structure is the wisest approach. Several people within the group can become involved in important tasks, both in growing each other and growing the number in the group. This helps to develop people as they grow, serve, and share their faith. Third, we can reintroduce our church to our community. Since ministry efforts (such as food distribution) have often been well received by the community, we have an opportunity to reshape and reintroduce our churches to communities who need Jesus! It also means that we can rethink what membership in a church means: that every member is not just a minister, but even more, every member is a missionary. In other words, our core people, the faithful ones who are with us, can be on mission to reach people in the local community with the gospel as we come out of Covid. Fourth, we can invite our neighbors. Research indicates that people still do trust their neighbors, and Lifeway reports 51% of them said they would come to church if their neighbor invited them. Our core group of church members can and should invite friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors to church. When we not only train our people to share their faith, but also inspire them to do the simple things like inviting those they know and love to church, we can see a gospel movement happen as lives are changed forever. All is not lost. People need hope. And the church still stands. Remember that in many cases we still have a core group of faithful members. They stand ready to be mobilized to do high quality, purposeful, and gospel-focused ministry, and that ministry is welcomed by the community. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fran Trascritti is IBSA’s Team Leader for Leadership Development. FranTrascritti@IBSA.org. #JANUARY22

by Tim Patterson PLYMOUTH, MI – As you may know, I tend to be drawn to nostalgia. A hundred new automobiles can pass me on the freeway, but let one old 50-model vehicle slip by and it will turn my head. I have been known to run off the road and come close to causing accidents while craning my neck to get a better look at an old Chevy. It matters not its condition or color, as long as it is in one of those categories I call classic. A classic automobile is one that was produced before the Beatles were a hit and these rolling works of art were for the most part comprised of steel and rubber. These beauties were made to last. If there were any plastics in these vehicles it was relegated to a few knobs or an ornament here or there. The steel sheeting that was used to form the body parts for these rolling works of art was of more than the beer-can-thin moldings that are used today. These old beauties could take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. I have always been partial to 50 Model Chevrolet trucks. It is probably because that is the vehicle in which I learned to drive. It is also the vehicle that transported me to a great deal of trouble. It wasn’t the trucks’ fault, she just happened to be in the wrong driveway at the wrong time. I distinctly remember doing the steering. When Sabrina and I travel, we try to do so at a more leisurely pace, in order to take in the sights, and so that we can stop at every antique store we come along. Since I am willing to go to the antique stores with her, she is more than willing to stop and look at every old car or truck that catches my fancy. Some of these old vehicles are in open fields or junk lots. It is apparent that they have been abandoned by their owners and left to return to the earth from which they came. Some are in various stages of decay. but that does not deter me from taking a peek into their pasts and rubbing my hand across their faded skins. Each time I see one, I think of all the places it has been and the people it has transported. Just imagine the fun and laughter that the cab of one of these old trucks once held. I can see a farmer in his overalls and straw hat with his little boy perched in his lap as the little fellow steers this marvelous machine down some dusty country road. All the while his dad is telling him he is doing a great job all by himself. The boy is oblivious to his dad giving the wheel a little help with his left knee as he helps his son keep it between the ruts. There in my imagination I catch the vision of a young teenage boy and his girlfriend on their first date as they bounce down the farm to market road and into town to watch a movie at the drive-in theater. He is in his best blue-jeans, and she is wearing her favorite dress. The cab is filled with the scent of roses and Old Spice that have mingled together to create an intoxicating brew. She has been praying that she would not get catsup on her face, and he has been praying to exchange a kiss before the evening is done. I’m sure these old antique vehicles have seen their fair share of sorrows as well. How many of them made mad dashes to a hospital as fast as they could go on some dark foreboding night to get someone to the medical care they so urgently needed. And I wonder if any one of these were used to hurt, maim, or kill an innocent soul because its operator was careless and foolish. Sadly, there are not many of the old ones around anymore. Back in my hometown of Kermit, Texas there is the remains of an old truck that has been sitting in the same place since I was a little boy, and from all accounts, what is left of it is still there. When I was just a lad, I remember it had been abandoned because the motor and transmission had been taken out and the body was no longer of any use to its owner. At that time, all of the windows were still intact, and the paint was good, despite the horrendous West Texas sun. But as the years went by, little by little it began to fall apart. A window here and a tire there fell prey to the years. The paint began to fade and eventually peel away under the ravages of time. A few years ago, I was back in my hometown, and I saw what was left of the old truck. Only part of the cab remained, and most of it was buried under waves of sand that had washed over it as they were blown about by those hot winds. It was partially submerged and had almost completely returned to the earth. There is a time for all things. There is a time for laughter and joy. There is a time for pain and sorrow. There is a time for young life and young loves. There is a time to build up and a time to tear down. There is a time to give birth and a time to die. As in the life of a great old truck so it is in the life of man. But sadly, in today’s society when a fellow gets “too old and out of date” we no longer give them the attention they once garnered and still deserve. We are too enthralled with the new models and the fastest ones on the street. It is hard for me to watch the great men and women of our world begin to fade. I have great difficulty seeing their parts and purpose fall away like discarded finders from an outdated model of transportation. Instead of our present society looking away when one of those great old models comes rolling by, we should be admiring them for their true worth. They may have to use a three-wheeled scooter to move about but just think about the stuff of which they were made. Think about the places they have been. Just imagine the roads they have traveled. These are truly God’s rolling works of art. To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tim Patterson is Executive Director/Treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Elected unanimously in May of 2015, Patterson formerly served for 9 years as pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. He also served as trustee chair and national mobilizer for the North American Mission Board. #JANUARY22

by Dr. Tony L Lynn PLYMOUTH, MI – Set some giant goals only to fail? I have too! Make you mad? Make you sad? Make you stop reaching for bigger and better? Would you spend 3-minutes with me to see if we can become more for the Lord? To see if we can do more in service and in worship for the Lord? Big achievements begin with baby steps. During December a professor tweeted these words to encourage his PhD students: “If you read 20 pages of research material and write 200 quality footnoted words each day, you will complete your dissertation in about one year.” Did you capture the baby steps that could lead to a big achievement like a PhD? I did. Reading 20 pages and writing 200 words per day could lead to a PhD! I can hear you saying, “Sign me up,” right now. By the way, if you read the title of this column and read to the end of this paragraph you read the 175 words I typed. See, baby steps are easy. As we begin a new year, let me encourage you to change the pattern of 2022 with baby steps so that you will not be saddened, disappointed, frustrated, or beaten when 2023 arrives. Each one of us hopes for more from our personal and community life and all it takes are baby steps. Read the Best Book In Europe where we lived for 7 years, many Christian communities would read, non-stop, the entire Bible aloud in the city square during a period of 3 days and nights in local languages to highlight the importance of the Bible. We saw conversions and inquiries as an army of volunteers read for 20-minute portions. Looking at that from a personal, baby step perspective you could read the entire Bible in 1 year if you read 3 chapters per day or if you read the Bible, from cover to cover, for just 12-minutes per day. Have Conversations with God Ask yourself what topic of conversations lasts the longest in your typical day? All of us want to respond with, “My daily prayers with God, of course!” But if we are honest, we cannot say that. We would reply with sports, hobbies, gossip, irritating people, TV shows, celebrities, past events, upcoming plans, or talking about ourselves. Am I correct? How can we make a daily conversation with God more important? You will have to create your plan. Here is my plan. I am going to recite Galatians 5:22 (NLT) as my diagnostic tool for my life before my daily quiet time, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Then I am going to remind myself that God, like a mother holding the hands of a toddler above his head while he takes his first baby steps, wants me to succeed as it says in 2 Peter 1:3, “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” Then here is how I have designated the topics of prayer for me during 2022. Monday – ministry partners who need God’s protection just as I need him Tuesday – troubles/trials that I want to face with the Holy Spirit’s control Wednesday – weaknesses in my life to be replaced with God’s grace and strength Thursday – thoughts that turn into messages and writings that elevate Jesus Christ Friday – fun time rejoicing over God’s goodness and blessings in my life Saturday – salvation of the specific lost people with whom I share life Sunday – surrender all of myself to the Lord through worship Share Life with People Barring any radical life change, during 2022, all of us will receive 52 weeks or 365 days or 8,760 hours to spend. Are we going to spend that time in mindless, useless ways or are we going to share life with others so that Jesus Christ is elevated through our relationships? Would you take a moment to answer this questionnaire? Each week, how many people or families would you entertain in your home for a meal? How many phone calls would you be willing to make per day to encourage someone? Would you list 6 people in your life who need to hear how to follow Christ? How many for a meal? Sharing a meal with others is the global way of sharing life. Could you imagine receiving 52 families into your home? All it takes is a baby step of setting aside one time per week as an entertainment night. Invite 2-3 people or 1-2 families to join you. Help others connect to others. How many phone calls per day? One per day? Without repeating a person that would be 365 people called by you and hearing your voice ask about their wellbeing and offer them an update on your life. Do you have 365 contacts in your directory? If not, call some back or make more friends. A 15–20-minute phone call where you listen to someone talk about their life means more than you know. Did 6 people come to your mind? What are you going to do to have that ongoing conversation, during the next 12 months, elevating the Good News of Christ in the lives of 6 people? Pick them up in your car to take them to church then to a restaurant for lunch? Or mingle those who need to know Christ with respected believers at a dinner party at your home? Or set aside a private conversation where you say to each of those 6 friends, “Because I value you so much, can I take a few minutes to explain how I started following Jesus Christ in my life? And afterwards, I would love to hear if anything like my experience has been a part of your life.” Authentic conversations filled with respect and compassion change lives. Baby Steps Lead to Big Achievements Do you recall at the beginning of this column I asked you to spend three-minutes reading this article? You did it! You took a baby step. I am certain your head is swirling with personal responses for your life and your community. Before moving onto the next thing in your day, would you brainstorm some baby steps for 2022 and insert those baby steps into your daily life? You just may see those big achievements taking shape before 2023 arrives. 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. #JANUARY22