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by Philip Miles MIDLAND, MI – In Ephesians 2:11-22, Paul eloquently reminds the Gentile Christians of Ephesus that they were once far from Christ and the covenant promises of God. This alienation left them without hope and without God in their midst. However, in Christ, they were brought out of that alienation and made near to God and His promises. Jesus Christ broke down all of the hostility and division that separated Jew and Gentile, “...that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (Ephesians 2:15b-16). Out of this destruction of division and hostility emerges one citizenry who are members of the household of God, thus giving us all access to the same God through the same cross by the same Jesus. Following this, in chapter 3, Paul makes an astounding revelation that we should not miss. He says, in essence, that this was the plan all along. Though it was a mystery shrouded from understanding for a long time, it was always God’s plan that the gospel would make Jew and Gentile, alike, heirs of the same promise in Christ. Here’s the kicker. In Ephesians 3:10, Paul says that the church, uniting Jew and Gentile together in Christ and killing their long standing hostilities, demonstrates to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places, “the manifold wisdom of God.” In short, whenever the rulers and principalities and powers of the air raise an accusation against God or try to beguile Him and His foolish plan of redemption, it is the church to which He points to silence their hisses. In light of this, Paul in his imprisonment urged the church, “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6) This is the spiritual essence of the church. It should be that our churches represent the death of hostility and the unity of the Spirit. It should be that our churches are the places in our communities where people see genuine humility, gentleness and patience on display. The church ought to be the place where a body of people bear with one another and carry one another’s burdens. The church is called to display unity and peace. All of this is meant to be so regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, etc. The surrounding world craves this kind of community, whether they know it or not. Our churches should be living, breathing examples of the gospel’s work that smashes hostility and false identities and lives out our conviction that in Christ we are not defined by anything else, but by our position as joint-heirs with Christ. In the church, we all entered through the same door. We all have the same Lord, we all believe in the same gospel and we’ve all partaken in the same baptism. On a whiteboard in my office I have written the following: Beware of any teaching, “ism”, or school of thought that promises that which only the gospel can deliver. May we resist any effort on the part of the enemy to be drawn into a fight that unnecessarily threatens the unity of the Spirit and may we also reject anything that seeks to supplant the preeminence of the gospel and its work in our churches. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Philip Miles, Pastor of Sunrise Church Midland, MI. Husband of Kari and dad to 4 children (teenage down to 6 years old). My hobbies include: podcasts, reading, guitar, cheering from the sidelines of whatever one of my kids is doing, and dreaming with my wife. #AUGUST21

by Tim Patterson PLYMOUTH, MI – Some time ago I made a quick trip back to Texas to visit a dear friend of mine. It was a great time for Sabrina and I to travel the highways of Texas because of all the beautiful wildflowers that are in bloom. Especially beautiful is the state flower of Texas, the "bluebonnet". This short excursion to my homeland really brought back some great memories of days gone by, and the ministries I have had in that great state. It seemed as though every sight, sound, and smell would cause the events and people of my past to spring up in my memory like the flowers of the season. One such gentleman who came to my recollection was a man I had the privilege of pastoring several years ago. He was a great man and a true friend. He had one slight problem. He had a severe hearing loss and needed hearing aids in order for him to adequately understand conversations. The problem really wasn't his hearing, but his refusal to wear his hearing enhancement piece. As long as he wore his "aids" he was a joy to be with and to talk to, but the moment he went without them, he became a completely different person. His whole demeanor would change, and his attitude would go “south” in a hurry. He would interrupt while others were speaking, and completely misunderstand what they were trying to say. On several occasions, he became enraged because he misunderstood another man's statement. It was quite easy to ascertain when he was driving, and not wearing his hearing aids as well. He would appear to be in his own little world, and totally oblivious to his surroundings. On several occasions he just barely avoided being involved in or causing an auto accident because he could not hear the warning blasts from other drivers’ horns. When large groups would gather, he would isolate himself from everyone, or just leave the gathering altogether. Many thought he was antisocial and did not like socializing. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. He loved people and enjoyed their company more than anyone could know. But all of this embarrassment, pain, and these problems could have been avoided if he would only use that which could help him receive communications clearly. All he needed to do was to use his hearing aids. In every Believer, God has given us a special "hearing aid". That hearing aid is the Holy Spirit that dwells in each of us. By Him, we communicate with our Heavenly Father and receive our directions, instructions, corrections, and encouragement. Today many of us travel the "information superhighway" and the vast majority of us are “connected” to the web through a plethora of media. The truth is that God established a "Supreme Information Superhighway" when He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us thousands of years ago. It is super "hi-tech" and you don't need to log on to it. All we must do is pray. But if we refuse to pray and use this wonderful gift that God has given us it will ultimately cause others and us untold pain and suffering. We will begin to isolate ourselves from other Believers, misunderstand and create unnecessary conflict. When we refuse to stay connected to our Father, not only do we cause self-inflicted wounds, but we can create an atmosphere surrounding us that can wreak havoc on those closest to us. Prayer is not so much us talking to God, but us listening to Him, receiving instruction from Him as to His will, and then living our lives accordingly. If we don't listen, we will not know. If we do not stay connected, we will be doomed to a life of isolation and misunderstanding. No one would willfully choose to be deaf. Deaf to the voice of God. Now that is sad! 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. #AUGUST21

by Tony Lynn PLYMOUTH, MI – On July 19, 2021, in Flint, Michigan I witnessed the association of churches, in which I grew up as a teenager, make a bold decision to trim down their administrative expenses. This radical course change by the churches intentionally increased the churches’ funding for evangelism, community engagement, and church planting. Send Network Church Planter/Pastor Jason Loewen of Union Flint Church in Flint was elected Assistant Director of Missions. Pastor Ed Emmerling of Westside Church in Flushing was elected Director of Missions. Loewen and Emmerling’s bond and brotherhood grew during the early months of the COVID-restrictions. Church planter Loewen and the launch team found it very difficult to find a gathering place. Long time pastor, Emmerling was moved by Loewen’s radical focus on reaching local people for Christ and led his congregation to generously share their facilities with the new church plant originally located mere minutes from their established church. When other men would have felt fear, frustration, or jealousy, these two men increased in faith and felt compelled by God to combine their efforts and hearts for God’s Kingdom and for the redemption of the lost surrounding them throughout three counties. The two separate churches meeting in one location has intensified the presence of God, and the proclamation of the Gospel in the area. On that Monday evening, Transition Team leader, Pastor Chris Tenneriello of Bethany Baptist Church, Grand Blanc explained how the team altered course during this past year. The team admitted financial resources were too meager to hire as they had in the past. At the same time, the team was keenly aware that a mighty movement of collaboration had swept into the region more than a year ago. Corporate prayer preceded this associational transformation! Southern Baptist pastors and non-Southern Baptist pastors in the region, started a regular prayer gathering inviting God to create a movement unlike anything they had ever seen before. The attendance at the prayer meetings has remained one of the highest priorities of the pastors’ calendars. Those prayer gatherings gave way to conversations between pastors erupting in community-wide initiatives that are still being discussed months later. Following the very brief session where Loewen and Emmerling were unanimously elected new leaders, a gathering of BeTheChurch.org cohorts got underway with inspirational Pastor Joel Wayne of Chapel Pointe Church in Hudsonville facilitating the roundtable discussions. “Be The Church” comes alongside spiritual leaders of today and tomorrow to equip them through authentic leadership development, foster relationships that weather any storm, and discover the massive impact they can make in churches and communities for the Kingdom of God. There was an unmistakable rhythm of deep reflection as participants listened to Wayne speak, followed by enthusiastic roundtable discussions among pastors and church leaders. Participants during the evening, remarked that previous associational gatherings may have had ten people in attendance whereas on this night, seventy people were enveloped in dreaming about the increased effectiveness of their church and the collaboration of all of the churches. Emmerling has been overheard saying, “I’m at a point in my life, I don’t care who gets the credit, I just want to see more people saved.” Highlighting the radical transformation of the local association in which he has participated for decades, Emmerling explains the new design by saying, “It’s about getting more of the money from our churches into the streets of our communities so that others can receive Christ.” How does a transformation like this occur? Here are some of my observations: 1. Prayer I think the association’s transformation started more than one year ago in the midst of praying pastors who invited the Lord to do something radical. God is acting. 2. Humility Established pastors, with many years of service in the region, have been gracious in receiving new pastors and new church planters into their numbers as friends. 3. Respect Younger men and older men in the ministry honor one another as those called by God to spread the Gospel among the nations and into local populations. 4. Collaboration Pastors and planters at different ages and who serve in different contexts share authentic feelings and thoughts that create bold, fresh initiatives. 5. Courage Every pastor is displaying his bravery by letting go of the traditions and preferences of the past in order to take hold of God’s new endeavors. 6. Laymen This divine movement is trickling down into the hearts of lay leaders within the local churches. 7. God The Lord is the overwhelming driving force behind this united effort overshadowing the other current topics that create divisions among believers. 8. Gospel The desire to see an amazing number of people come to know Christ is the foremost concern on the hearts and minds of my friends in the Greater Flint area. 9. Anticipation Everyone believes God is up to something only He can do, and they want to take part in His movement. Might we see evidence of God doing similar things like this throughout North America? I believe if we look around, we will see that God is making things like this happen all around us. 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. #AUGUST21

by Mike Durbin PLYMOUTH, MI – SPARK is BACK! SPARK is free online equipping for church staff, leaders and volunteers without the time or expense of travel. It’s training your church can access in teams or individually for greater ministry impact in your church, community and beyond! Much has changed in the last year and a half, but the need to “…equip the saints for the work of the ministry” remains. The Spark Conference is an incredible resource churches can use to equip leaders and volunteers taught by leading practitioners across our convention. It’s just what we need as we continue to engage our world with the hope of the world. It’s completely free for all who register before August 12th at thesparkconference.com. All content will be available for FREE from August 12 through September 4 if the individual, church, or association has registered before August 12. This incredible equipping resource is made possible through our partnership with Georgia Baptists. Hear keynote messages from Tony Evans, Charles Lowery, Ben Mandrell, and David Kinnaman. Over 40 Breakout sessions are available in the following categories: Discipleship, Evangelism, Kids, Students, Women, Worship and Music, Missions, Pastoral Wellness, and more. What will you learn? Strategies for ministry longevity How to teach teenagers Doing practical, simple evangelism Conversational apologetics in women's outreach New post-pandemic rules for small group success Starting missions from zero How your church can help end human trafficking Leading worship in a post-pandemic world New ways to get your church into church planting Starting a bulletproof church security program How to implement the 3 pillars of successful children's' ministry Gaining data-driven knowledge of your community Protecting your ministry in a changing culture Recovering a biblical framework for discipleship Engaging and mobilizing Gen Z Updating to current changes related to reducing risk of abuse Remember, Spark is free for everyone who registers before August 12th at thesparkconference.com. Follow this link for more information and a complete list of breakouts. Contact mike@bscm.org if you have questions. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mike Durbin is the State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before joining the state convention staff, Mike served as Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions in Metro Detroit since 2007. He also has served as a pastor and bi-vocational pastor in Michigan, as well as International Missionary to Brazil. #AUGUST21

by Coye Bouyer LANSING, MI – As a pastor I come in contact with a lot of different people, and over the years I have learned that people are very different. There are a variety of attitudes and actions just depending on who you’re talking to. I have also learned how to listen to just about anyone even if I don’t always agree with everyone. However, it never fails that at some point I come in contact with someone who instead of looking to listen and learn from biblical council, they would rather YOU listen to THEM, and simply leave them where they are. In fact, I have come to appreciate listening to all, but leaving some right where they are. Sounds a little like a Proverb I once read, “He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer or he will hate you,” (9:7-8a). In this particular Proverb, Solomon basically says, any attempt to alter the attitude or actions of an arrogant individual is only asking to be abused.” Wanting to express a fundamental truth that makes practical sense to many yet is only practiced by a few, Solomon highlights a principle that even Jesus will teach His disciples later. “Do not give what is holy to dogs or cast your pearls amongst swine.” Why does Jesus say this in Matthew 7:6? For the same reason as Solomon, both men recognize that intelligent individuals desire to illuminate and enlighten the minds of the naïve, foolish and young. But both men also understand that when you are dealing with an individual whose attitude and actions are marked out by haughtiness, pride, or simply arrogance (in Hebrew, “a scoffer”), then you are inviting insult, and in some cases, injury into your life. For whether they trample on your wisdom like swine do pearls, or turn on you to tear you to pieces like wild dogs, in the end the one offering help is left in need of help because they failed to pay attention to this simple piece of proverbial principle given by Solomon and promoted by Jesus. So, what is the point of this lesson? Simple, you and I as pastors, ministry leaders, lay-people, parents, and as everyday people must learn the balance and skill of ‘learning to listen to all, but leaving some right where they are.’ ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pastor Coye L. Bouyer is the founding pastor of Kingdom Life Church in Lansing, MI where he has served since March of 2010. Pastor Bouyer recently stepped into the Diversity Ambassador role for the BSCM and firmly believes that he was not only called to Preach the Gospel as part of the process of reconciliation of man to God, but also using any platform as a bridge of reconciliation of man to man, and even more so amongst the brethren. Pastor Bouyer and his lovely wife Keturah (Gen. 25:1) have been married four over 20 years and have four children; Sierra, Seth, Cayla and Coye II. #AUGUST21

by Mick Schatz ROSCOMMON, MI – Summer has finally arrived here at Bambi Lake. It’s refreshing to hear the sound of children, teenagers, and adults splashing in the lake, screaming as they fly down the Bambi Booyah water slide, or just enjoying the many activities available here at the camp. The snow is gone and the grass is growing-fast. Projects put on hold during the long winter have resumed as well as new projects beginning. We know summer is here in Michigan because of the orange barrels that seem to pop up everywhere you drive. Here at Bambi Lake it always seems as if we are UNDER CONSTRUCTION. There is always maintenance to be done or projects to be started and completed. Every day seems to bring with it the promise of new opportunities to repair or build. Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated at the seemingly endless projects can be a battle. Fortunately, we have a great staff who can prioritize and accomplish the tasks at hand. So let me ask you a question - “Have you ever experienced this in your own life?” Have you ever felt as if you were constantly UNDER CONSTRUCTION? I have and do feel this way every day. I’m breathing six feet above the ground. The good news is that we should feel this way, if we are following Christ in our life journey. In his letter of encouragement to the believers at Philippi, Paul puts it this way - “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” Philippians 1:6. This truth should bring us great joy and encouragement each day we are alive. God is constantly shaping and molding us to be more like Him. This means we are in His process and He loves us too much to leave us the way we are. God is continually allowing situations in our life to strengthen our character, and remind us of our need to totally depend upon Him. Growing and maturing spiritually requires constant maintenance and attention. And just like here at Bambi, sometimes deconstruction has to happen before reconstruction can happen. Out with the old and in with the new is typically the only solution. This is especially true in our lives. God has to take out the old habits, faulty attitudes and toxic sinfulness and build something completely brand new and beautiful. At our most recent WildWeek Youth Camp we had 23 students experience God’s saving grace in their lives - out with the old in with the new! Just as being UNDER CONSTRUCTION is making Bambi a better and stronger camp, Christ is also transforming us more and more into His image through his construction on us. It may seem endless in the moment, but Christ has promised to complete us so we are perfected for His return. As for Bambi, I know God’s hand in this camp, and He is shaping and molding us to have a greater impact on this world for His Kingdom. So for now, I’m happy to be UNDER CONSTRUCTION! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mick Schatz serves on the staff of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. He is the State Director of Spiritual Enrichment and Retreats and lives at Bambi Lake. #AUGUST21

by Dr. Garth Leno WINDSOR, CANADA – When we planted The Gathering in Windsor, Ontario, in 2014, we were a rag-tag bag of people who gathered on Saturday nights for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. We drank coffee after the study and ate too many cookies. In the beginning it was super casual. But when we organized and launched our small, but enthusiastic, church plant with SEND Detroit, we knew we needed to implement some structure. Since then, The Gathering has taken on more organization and ministry diversity. We hired staff and implemented policies, and the lanes began to feel a bit crowded with so many “good things” for us to do. Jesus is adamantly opposed to anything that gets in the way of people encountering Him. So, we need to ensure that our churches, newly-planted and well-established, do not become cluttered. Clutter makes it difficult for people to encounter the simple, powerful, life-changing message of the Gospel. We don’t want our earthly expressions of the Bride to get so weighed down with programs that people get busy doing church instead of being the church. Vision leaks and mission drifts, so we are convinced that we must cling to a simple process that pulls everything together; a compelling process that moves people toward spiritual maturity (Col. 1:28). What are we here for? The Gathering exists to bring glory to God through lives changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our mission statement succinctly describes our heart. We exist to bring glory to God. This is the chief aim and purpose of humanity and of all creation. The glory of God is ultimate (1 Cor. 10:31). What is your vision? What’s the vision for your church? Why gospel-centered? The gospel is the historical narrative of the triune God orchestrating the reconciliation and redemption of a broken creation and fallen creatures through the life, death, resurrection, and second coming of Jesus. In short, the Gospel is the good news that the everlasting and ever-increasing joy of the never-boring, ever-satisfying Christ is ours freely and eternally by faith in the sin-forgiving death and hope-giving resurrection of Jesus Christ (John Piper). We are unashamedly gospel-centered at The Gathering, as every church plant ought to be, because the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, and in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed (Rom. 1:16-17). We intentionally emphasize the centrality of the gospel in our preaching and teaching, in worship, in calling people into community with one another, in service that seeks to extend his grace and mercy to others, and in making disciples who make disciples and planting churches (Matt. 28:16-20). What’s at the center of your life and your church? How can we avoid “drift?” The expanding ministries of our church must keep the vision and mission dead center at all times. We must remove congestion from our church by courageously saying “no” to good opportunities so we can say “yes” to the best opportunities. We cannot allow the vision to leak or the mission to drift off course. We must be tenacious and bold in order to maximize the energy of everyone in our church by creating alignment. If ministries or events do not align with our vision and purpose, we must firmly say no. At our church we seek to make gospel-centered disciples by following a simple plan: Create significant, meaningful, Christ-centered Sunday morning worship experiences that are full of simple worship, passionate prayer, and strong teaching. Expand the scope and influence of small groups so that everyone has an opportunity to join a gospel-centered fellowship where they can get connected, grow in faith, care for one another, and serve God and others. Life-change happens best in small groups! Offer courses, seminars, workshops or conferences (on topics like marriage, parenting, dealing with addictions, etc.) that supplement the teaching and life-change ministry of our church. Say “no” to everything else. Let’s keep it simple. Focused, directed, centered ministry. It’s the best way to make disciples. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Garth Leno lives in Windsor, Ontario Canada, with his wife and one daughter, Jamie. Two more children, Nathan and Kristin, are married with families of their own. Garth is the senior pastor at The Gathering which he planted with friends in 2014. He is also on the Send Canada Advisory Board. He has a master’s degree in church planting from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and D.Min from Bethel Theological Seminary. #AUGUST21

by Dan Russell “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges. He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) SOUTHGATE, MI – Attitude is everything! Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of Britain during World War II said, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” Albert Einstein, the famous physicist who formed the theory of general relativity said, “Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.” So what kind of attitude should we have? A good one, obviously! A bad attitude is like a flat tire on your car… if you don’t fix it, you’re not going anywhere! In the world around us, attitudes are often defined as either “good” or “bad”, “positive” or “negative”, and can include having attitudes that are kind or unkind, cooperative or uncooperative, or unifying or divisive. Millions upon millions of dollars are spent in the areas of business, education, and counseling in order to cultivate attitudes that promote teamwork, academic excellence, and mental health. The dictionary definition of “attitude” is “a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways.” But what is God’s definition of “attitude” in His Word, the Bible? The word translated “attitude” in Philippians 2:5 is the Greek verb “phroneo”, which means “to think in a certain way”. We are told that we must think the way that Jesus did when He was on the earth. How did He think? Where can we find His attitude described in the Bible? Beyond the words of Jesus in the Gospels, which give evidence of His attitudes told many things, we are given His precise “thinking processes” in the verses that follow Philippians 2:5. In fact, in the three verses that follow, namely verses 6, 7, & 8, we are given the three main attitudes of Christ. We would do well to study them, apply them, and live them out in our lives! In Philippians 2:6 it says, “Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges.” This clearly shows Christ’s attitude of SELFLESSNESS! He was selflessly willing to leave the glory of Heaven and His equal existence with God, the Father, to come to earth on a mission of mercy to save fallen humanity from the curse of sin. In Philippians 2:7 it says, “He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” This is a wonderful example of Christ’s attitude of SERVANTHOOD! He was willing to become a human being in order to “serve” human beings. This was the Master of the Universe becoming a slave to humanity for the purpose of dying for the sin that had enslaved each and every human being. In Philippians 2:8 it says, “When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on the cross.” What an awful, yet beautiful, picture of SUBMISSIVENESS to the authority of another. Jesus obeyed the call of His Father to drink the cup of suffering and death in order to appease the wrath of God and pay the sin debt for all human beings. Notice that from start to finish, from birth to death, throughout the entire existence of Jesus on the earth, He exhibited these three attitudes. In His incarnation and birth, He showed us how to be SELFLESS. In His life and ministry, He showed us how to be SERVANTS. And, in His suffering and death, He showed us how to be SUBMISSIVE to authority. In the midst of the tremendous truth of this great sacrifice of Christ is the example to Christians of what kind of attitudes we are to have as we walk the same earth Jesus did. And as we apply the attitudes of Christ to our relationships with Him, our family, our friends, our employers, our professors, our fellow-students, and all those we relate to in this world, we will have the same attitude of Christ Jesus! WHO Jesus was (and is) can be WHO you are as you seek to be a “selfless” “servant” who is “submissive” to authority. This is what it means to allow Jesus to live through you! As you yield to Him and have these attitudes, your whole life can be transformed into the Christian He really wants you to be. So stop “trying” to do it on your own and simply start “trusting” Him to do it in you and through you… through the transmission of His attitudes through you to those around you! Check out my book on this subject, The Christ In Christian: How Every Christian Can Experience The Three Divine Attitudes of Christ 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. #AUGUST21

by Sharon Gilbert FRANKFORT, MI – Things are happening at Crystal Lake Church in Frankfort, Michigan! This church has had many ups and downs, mountains and valleys, growth, and decline, but after 28 years as the Pastor at this amazing tiny church, we’ve been blessed even through the low times. God is faithful. Around the beginning of the year, through a generous donor, we were able to hire Sarah Anderson as Director of Community Development and Youth, with the prayer that we can better reach young families. We also were able to finish the construction of our church which has been on hold for years. Even through COVID, we were seeing people being used to reach others for the Kingdom of God. Our Outreach Director developed the Facebook Page, M22 Fellowship, which is used primarily to reach community members who need a friend, who are lonely or have some kind of need. Through this platform, we met Robin who had brain surgery in February. She was struggling at the time, but now she is our biggest missionary. Robin loves the Lord, shares about His love and forgiveness to everyone she meets. Recently, we had a bonfire event to use for outreach. 33 people attended including 5 non-church families. We are praying for these new families, getting to know them, and hope to love them to faith in Christ. There are spiritual and physical changes happening at our church. We have hired an architect, and now we are ready to move to the next stage of construction. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sharon Gilbert has partnered in ministry with her husband Roger Gilbert, who has been the pastor of Crystal Lake Church Frankfort for 28 years. They have 2 grown children and 4 grandchildren, who all know and love the Lord, and serve Him. Crystal Lake Southern Baptist Church, or known as Crystal Lake Church, is associated with the Northwest Baptist Association and the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. #AUGUST21

by Scott Barkley DALLAS, TX (BP) – Jonathan Smith remembers the day he learned his church couldn’t afford a cup of coffee. He knew the church had struggled. It held plenty of building space but not the people to fill it. An aging membership reflected the difficulties in reaching the next generation. The congregation had been formative in planting other churches…but only because of a couple of splits in the fellowship. One day his ministry assistant was shopping around for a vendor when she called Smith. “You have to come see this,” she said. The church’s bank account showed $1.06. On top of that, the large crowds the church had drawn in the 1980s had dwindled to 25. Nevertheless, a process toward prioritizing the right things had been underway and would eventually lead to a $750,000 budget and attendance reaching 450. “You cannot out-mission the Messiah. We had to get back to the Great Commission, the Great Commandment, loving our community and loving the lost,” Smith, director of Church Health Strategy for the Baptist General Convention of Texas, told Baptist Press. “Over time the Lord just turned it around to becoming a really great, strong church.” In a culture that demands immediate results, it took about eight years for Smith’s church to experience the turnaround. That time consisted of building trust among members while identifying problems related to leadership development and missions involvement. One of the more difficult steps came through removing ministries serving more as a faded photo from yesteryear than effective outreach of the current day. “The upside-down church has a very large structure, but a small mission,” he pointed out. “It needs to be the other way around. We fall in love with programs, when we need to fall in love with the lost.” God began to move after missions and evangelism became a priority. When growth had reached 100 members, 40 of them at any time could be on a mission trip. After returning from Germany one year, Smith asked someone who the person was on stage leading worship for vacation Bible school. “That’s Becka.” “Who’s Becka?” Smith asked. “Oh, her family is one of the ones who came here while you were gone.” Five families had joined the church during Smith’s two-week absence in Germany. “That’s when it hit me that the more mission work we do and engage with the mission of Christ, the more people the Lord brought to us,” he said. “I tell pastors that we tend to focus on growing the church, when we should be focused on growing the kingdom.” That growth brought the need to develop leaders. It’s an issue churches tend to ignore when experiencing a time of growth, and when it’s not addressed also can hasten a decline, Smith noted. “Every pastor wants his church to grow until it does. We weren’t ready for growth, so we had to find ways to take care of the people God brought to us. I learned that you always have to be developing new leaders if you want your church to grow.” In a recent podcast with Church Answers, Smith called the layperson “the greatest untapped resource of the church. Our role as pastors is to develop and equip the saints.” Revitalization, he added, requires a sense of urgency but also trust. Of course, those are difficult to mix when one works against time constraints and the other requires them. One way to address both is to “problem-cast” continuously – identify an issue and place it before the membership for their input. While discussing those issues, find ways to celebrate victories. Rather than have designated Baptism Sundays with several individuals, Smith would schedule one for each Sunday. Their story would be thoroughly shared and celebrated with testimonies by friends and family. As many churches age—both in membership and buildings—many have become more open to the necessary steps of revitalization. In much the same way, pastors and churches adopted online strategies last year when COVID-19 took away in-person gatherings. Smith maintains that such steps are more obvious than churches want to admit and often need to reach a point—like seeing $1.06 in the bank account—to make the move. “Every church has a psychology and instinctively knows what they’re supposed to be doing,” he added. “Nothing stirs the heart like three things: baptisms, new members and mission work.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scott Barkley is national correspondent for Baptist Press. #AUGUST21

by Timothy Cockes NASHVILLE, TN (BP) – Southern Baptists continue to fight against human trafficking worldwide as the issue is acknowledged by the United Nations on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons today, July 30. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world. Recently, the United Nations Global Report on Trafficking in Persons indicated there were nearly 50,000 detected victims of human trafficking in 2018. The U.S. Department of State estimates there are actually 24.9 million victims of human trafficking worldwide at any given time, whether reported or not. Human Trafficking is defined by the United Nations Trafficking in Persons Protocol as “the recruitment, transport, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by such means as threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud or deception for the purpose of exploitation.” Traffickers have various purposes for their victims, including commercial sexual activity (sex trafficking) or forced labor. Many of the cases of trafficking in the Western part of the world are related to sex trafficking. Sex trafficking remains a large problem in the United States. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reports that of the 11,500 cases of human trafficking in 2019, more than 8,000 involving sex trafficking. Trafficking experts say the COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of people who could be vulnerable to sex trafficking. Southern Baptists are actively fighting against this worldwide evil year-round, not just on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Kay Bennett is one of the North American Mission Board’s foremost experts on the issue of human trafficking. Bennett, a Send Relief missionary and the executive director of the Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans, La., told Baptist Press that Southern Baptists have a huge role to play in the prevention of trafficking in their local area. “If we as Southern Baptists could become educated about human trafficking so that we can take preventative measures, such as reaching out to people that are vulnerable, may be living in poverty, folks that are experiencing homelessness, or folks that are just vulnerable because of abuse or things like they may have experienced,” Bennett said, “if we can be preventative in those ways then we can help to stop human trafficking.” One of the main ways Bennett and the Baptist Friendship House (which has served New Orleans for more than 75 years) fight against trafficking in their community is by practically helping trafficking survivors who contact them. The Friendship House will provide out-of-state transportation to survivors who are in danger, and also houses survivors who need immediate shelter and safety. Bennett said they have served 30 human trafficking survivors already this year, including four in July alone. When survivors stay at the house, they receive backpacks with various hygiene supplies as well as a blanket and clothing. “That backpack says I care about you, but it also builds trust with them,” Bennett said. “And then it builds a relationship with them to be able to hear their story and share Jesus with them.” Send Relief, which also has a Send Relief Center in New Orleans, partners with the Friendship House in a variety of ways, including by helping prepare and distribute the backpacks to survivors. The Friendship House will also be participating in Send Relief’s national backpack day on Sept. 18-19, in which Southern Baptists are encouraged to pack a relief backpack as well as donate $10 for every backpack prepared. The backpacks will then be distributed among Send Relief ministries. Bennett said Send Relief also partners with the Friendship House to host visiting teams from other churches, ministries and state conventions. The visiting teams learn about the issue of human trafficking and how to prevent it so they can apply the information in their local context. Recently a group of 12 representatives from the Ohio Woman’s Missionary Union visited the Friendship House. Jean DiFilippo, president of the Ohio WMU, explained that Ohio ranks in the top ten for the number of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. The group plans to travel two by two (two representatives together) throughout their convention educating others on the awareness of Human Trafficking. “We have no desire to reinvent the wheel. There are many agencies [both Christian and non-Christian] that do a great job of rescuing victims and helping prosecute the abusers,” DiFilippo said in a statement to Baptist Press. “Our goal is to help people recognize the warning signs and to contact authorities. Our motto is ‘If you see something, say something.’ First and foremost, we need to bathe it in prayer. We personally prayed for a young woman and her child who were rescued while we were in New Orleans. “While we continue to pray for that young family, we also need to pray for the abusers. They need Jesus. We need to pray they will find Him and turn from their wicked ways.” The Woman’s Missionary Union is also very involved in fighting human trafficking on the national level. Human exploitation, which includes human trafficking, was a focus area for WMU from 2010-2014. There are several resources regarding human trafficking on WMU’s website including links to an online minicourse about trafficking and a simulation showing the realities of trafficking. Another ongoing ministry involving trafficking involves “WorldCrafts,” a WMU fair-trade ministry that supports artisan groups who help women at risk or involved with trafficking. “It is our privilege to partner with talented artisans in the WorldCrafts Support Freedom Campaign as they make beautiful items and rebuild their lives after being rescued from trafficking,” said Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director for the WMU. “When you purchase an item from these artisans and pray for them, you are a part of their transformation story.” Bennett concluded by stating it’s important for Southern Baptists to get involved with trafficking prevention through prayer and support, because no matter how many people are ministered to, every person is valuable to God. “I think we should pray for trafficking victims to be able to find the help that they need to get out of the situation,” Bennett said. “Pray for people like us at the Baptist Friendship House and in other ministry centers that are helping them and pray for wisdom and knowledge. “One of the greatest things also is for people just to pray for the needs that are around them. Most all of us live around people in need. It’s amazing when we start praying for the needs around us. God opens our eyes and opens the door for us to minister to people.” “It (fighting human trafficking) matters to every person that you reach … and it’s important to never give up on anyone, because Jesus never gives up on us.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Timothy Cockes is a Baptist Press staff writer. #AUGUST21

by Tessa Redmond SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY (BP) – Cedar Grove Baptist Church is discipling women with unplanned pregnancies and single moms. The church partners with Embrace Grace, Inc., a non-profit that equips churches to love and support women and families through gospel-centered small groups with the intent of integrating them into local bodies of believers. “I think, historically, churches have made single pregnant ladies feel like outcasts, so this is an opportunity for us to not do that anymore,” explained Christie Vaughn, women’s ministry leader at Cedar Grove. “It’s an opportunity to really build relationships with people that are hurting and feel like the last place they can go is to the church. But we want them to know that’s the first place they should go.” Cedar Grove offers two different small groups: Embrace Grace for single, expecting moms and Embrace Life for moms who have given birth to their babies. Over the course of 10 to 11 weeks, leaders share their testimonies and present the gospel. Eventually, meetings explore parenting, financial habits, Bible study practices and time management from a gospel perspective. “It’s about relationship building,” Vaughn said. “It’s not just about an opportunity to get together and talk about the gospel. That’s one step. Let’s see how we can help you live out the gospel.” The church then provides a free baby shower to moms who have completed all or most of the program. And according to Vaughn, each woman has walked away changed. “They’ve gone from being hopeless and not knowing how in the world they’re going to handle having a child, or having another child, (and) they have hope,” Vaughn said. “They know they’re not alone. They know the Lord cares about them, and so they don’t feel lost anymore.” Several moms who have walked through Embrace Grace and Embrace Life are now attending church, both at Cedar Grove and with other congregations. One is doing a Bible study with Vaughn because she wanted to continue meeting. Vaughn believes local churches should consider ministries like Embrace Grace small groups because they facilitate lasting, generational change. “I think it’s this type of ministry that really changes people’s minds about abortion and changes their hearts towards abortion,” Vaughn said. “Their minds aren’t going to be changed by protest. Their minds are going to be changed by somebody reaching out to them in love, and supporting them, and sharing the gospel with them. When their hearts are transformed toward God, their hearts are going to be transformed about abortion.” Providing Embrace Grace groups has also impacted Cedar Grove members, who have discovered many commonalities they share with the young women who have benefited from the ministry. Leaders have been able to share their experience with abortion, adoption, sexual abuse and pregnancy outside of marriage. “It’s just neat as our church has come together around this ministry,” Vaughn said. “We kind of get in this habit of just focusing on what’s right in front of us, and we lose sight of the world outside the church walls. This has helped us to refocus ourselves on the Lord and then to reach out to our surrounding community.” To learn more about the Embrace Grace and Embrace Life groups at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, visit cedargrovebaptist.church. To learn how your church can start an Embrace Grace small group, visit embracegrace.com. #AUGUST21