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by Mike Durbin PLYMOUTH, MI – “We sent the truck back empty!” Those were the words of Pastor Roland Caldwell about the Dairy Box distribution in Metro Detroit. He went on to say, “Within three hours it was gone. People came from everywhere.” Hundreds of people received the much needed dairy products in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Odelle Cadwell, President of our state Women’s Missionary Union, was actively involved in organizing the ministry and was present the day of the distribution. She said, “It was a blessed display of mission and evangelism when the Greater Detroit Baptist Association under the leadership of Pastor Roland Caldwell distributed 1,056 boxes of dairy products in the Detroit area on Saturday July 23rd.” The product was donated by Hope and Encouragement for Humanity (HEH), who partnered with the Department of Agriculture to provide families with these products during the pandemic. The boxes included (2 gallons of milk, 1 quart of chocolate milk, 1 quart of strawberry milk, cottage cheese, cream cheese and French onion dip). The Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM) provided the funds for the first truck to come to Detroit, the hardest hit area in Michigan. BSCM Executive Director, Tim Patterson, was active in fulfilling this mission. Celise Tillery, WMU Director for the Greater Detroit Association, was instrumental in securing the banners and the fork-lift which was used to remove the boxes off the truck. There were 13 churches represented on that Saturday. Many pastors who were not able to attend sent members of their congregation to assist. These pastors and staff loaded boxes into the trunks and back seats of the vehicles. More than 35 different zip codes in the Detroit area were served. The WMU ladies were packing and distributing tracks to give with the boxes. Saturate Detroit packages were also distributed. While vehicles were in line awaiting their turn, volunteers were able to pray and share Jesus. Pastor Caldwell also saw to it that a nearby senior citizen apartment received several boxes. When HEH bus driver Gary Phillips pulled away there was not a single box on the truck. What a blessing! One of the significant things about this event is that there was not just one church that took leadership. It was a great example of the church outside the walls. This is an example of what a family of churches can do. It was fun and exciting. It was an example of how partnerships can help Southern Baptist ministries to do greater things together than one church or entity can do alone. We thank Pastor Caldwell, Tim Patterson and Celise Tillery for their leadership as we continue to Punch Holes in the Darkness in Michigan.” 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. #SEPTEMBER20

by Mick Schatz ROSCOMMON, MI – I realize this article is being published in August, however I was recently reminiscing with some friends about favorite holidays. One of my favorite celebrations is July 4th. I love the color, the pageantry and celebrating. The fact that our country was established on Christian principles. Also, no matter how old I become, I still get excited to watch and hear fireworks. My favorite place to watch fireworks is in Flagler Beach, Florida, close to the pier where the fireworks are launched. As a kid there was nothing better than laying on the beach looking straight into the sky, and feeling as if the kaleidoscope of colors were going to fall right on top of me. The colors would be so vivid and expansive it seemed as if you could reach out and grab them. The boom would be so loud and explosive it would make your teeth rattle, and shake you to the core of your being. The only bad part of the evening was it seemingly ended too soon. However, it would go out with a bang – a continuous 3-4 minutes of explosions of color, and sound would fill up the beach sky – it was always an amazing finale! Reflecting back on this I am reminded of how God has called us to be light. In Matthew 5:16, we are instructed to let our light (God in and through us) shine before others so they may see our good deeds and bring glory to our Father in heaven. Imagine for a moment living a life so infused with Christ, so empowered by His love, and so visibly loud for His glory that our lost neighbors would be in awe of our lives and know that only God could be responsible. Amazingly, we do not need to just imagine it. When we die to our old nature, and let God’s nature supernaturally change us from the inside out, we become reflectors of His glory. We begin to shine in dark places and light up the night sky like the 4th of July. We are to let the light of God manifest and shine so brightly in all that we do the world will not only take notice, but will give glory to God our Father for it. Oh, and do not forget, this light does not disappoint. This light has no end. It has no finale. It shines on and on for all eternity. Eradicating darkness wherever it shines. Healing broken lives, resurrecting lost dreams, restoring hope to the hopeless, replacing heaviness with joy, restoring relationships – this is the power of God’s light. So, don’t hide His light, don’t be afraid where it may lead you. As long as His light is illuminating the path you can be sure of your next step. You never know, you may just be the fireworks that grabs the attention of your co-worker. You may just be the boom that causes your lost family member to wake up and look up. Go! Let your life light up the dark night. Light it Up! 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. #AUGUST20

by Gary Ledbetter GRAPEVINE, TX (BP) – What gives you hope? Our ultimate hope is eternal life in Christ, and that is the best answer to that question. But there are human analogs for ultimate hope – light in the darkness, the protection of a hen for her chicks, a land of milk and honey, the bosom of Abraham, and so on. What in this life, a pure thing, encourages you to put up with the frustrations of the day? For the past 37 years or so it’s been something out of Psalm 127 for me. “Children are a heritage from the LORD,” “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,” “He, [with a full quiver of ‘arrows’] shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Arrows are stand-off weapons – they go where the warrior or hunter cannot or should not go. When my children began to become resources to me, people of spiritual and even temporal wisdom, I began to sense the power of having them at my back. That confidence grows as they do. They go where I cannot and do things that are beyond my ability. There also comes a day when you take some level of hope from things you’ll never live to see. I think of grandparents or great-grandparents who hold on to see that next baby born – a baby they likely won’t know as an adult. At that point the hope is real, but the reality of it is beyond our sight. But it’s important nonetheless. These kids, all of them, will on some days give us reason to despair, just as we did for the earlier generations. But we take joy in what could be rather than in the gritty details we know will come with child-rearing. But this doesn’t have to be only about kids. Think of bereft Job (“Though he kill me, still I will hope in him”) or formerly childless Hannah (“My mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your salvation”). In the midst of the specifics, it is the LORD who builds the house and who watches over the city (Psalm 127:1). Some of us do the other thing, like Naomi in Ruth (“The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me”). Maybe they focus on the cost or pain or multiplying themselves. Some are hopeless and cannot imagine doing something as hopeful as reproducing, spiritually or physically. Can it be that we are more hopeless when we stop being obedient and useful to the kingdom of God? Is that why we get fractious as the days of relative isolation and uncertainty drag on? I observe that inactivity in good works and despair are traveling companions these days. Although I think Psalm 127 is literally talking about parents and children, maybe grandchildren as well, remember also the comfort Timothy was to Paul (“his father in the faith”) during Paul’s last phase of ministry. With whom have you shared generously the things God has shown or given you? Our spiritual children, those to whom we have witnessed or those we have taught, give us a reach beyond our imagination, a hope for things we will never see finished. These I think are also our arrows when we face the enemy at the gate. Those whose lives you have touched during your ministry so far are those who will encourage you as they reach their own maturity. Consider Naomi near the end of Ruth chapter 2, when she sees hope for herself as God opens a door for her widowed, pagan daughter-in-law. She comes alive, guiding Ruth at a strange and crucial moment, and then later, she was called blessed by the neighbor ladies because she was not left without a redeemer. This redeemer was not her own son, but from the young woman she adopted and taught. And Naomi was neither hopeless nor ashamed. So reproduce yourself, physically if you are able, and spiritually if you are one of the redeemed of the Lord. Be confident, as Paul was, to say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” to those who are your spiritual and physical children. It is a God-honoring, prudent bit of self-interest to prepare those who will one day be your strength and confidence – God’s provision for a warrior in the gate. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gary Ledbetter is editor of the Southern Baptist TEXAN, where this article first appeared. #SEPTEMBER20

by Aaron Earls NASHVILLE, TN – Millions of Christians read the Bible each day, but few have a full grasp of the historical, cultural and geographical context of what they read. The new “Holy Land Illustrated Bible” from LifeWay Christian Resources aims to change that. The latest study tool to feature the text of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), the “Holy Land Illustrated Bible” is the result of a two-year editorial process, but an even longer period of collecting the more than 1,000 photos displayed throughout the resource. “The high-quality photos and historical/archaeological content collected for the Bible was the result of more than two decades of research and effort,” said Andy McLean, director for Bibles and References at LifeWay. In addition to the photography, the Bible includes maps and illustrations to provide greater insight and understanding of the people, places and objects of Scripture. Editors also included 275 full-length commentary articles and more than 40 “Digging Deeper” callouts placed throughout the text for further explanation. This type of resource can help Bible readers better understand the context of a passage. A recent LifeWay Research study found 57% of Protestant churchgoers say they find it challenging to make sense of the Bible when they read it on their own. Yet nearly all (96%) say it is important to understand the context in which the Bible was written. Those are the readers the creators of the “Holy Land illustrated Bible” had in mind, as McLean said the new resource was designed for “anyone who has a desire for gaining a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural context surrounding the Bible.” For McLean, the “Holy Land Illustrated Bible” also serves as an excellent tool for readers who have not had the opportunity to travel to the Middle East and Israel to explore the areas depicted in Scripture. “Our desire was to invite Bible readers who couldn’t visit the Holy Land physically into an experience that would engage them right in their homes with a beautifully designed visual journey,” he said, “adding valuable historical and cultural context to the Scriptures with photos of cities, homes and even ancient artifacts that were used throughout the Bible.” With the immersive aspects of reading Scripture in the “Holy Land Illustrated Bible,” McLean said those who worked on the project “hope readers gain a strengthened understanding of the history, culture and worldview behind the pages of Scripture, as well as a strengthened connection to how Scripture can impact our lives today.” For more information on the “Holy Land Illustrated Bible,” visit CSBHolyLandIllustratedBible.com. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aaron Earls is a writer for LifeWay Christian Resources. #SEPTEMBER20

by Diana Chandler NASHVILLE, TN (BP) – Charles Grant has been named executive director of African American relations and mobilization at the SBC Executive Committee. In a partnership jointly funded by the SBC EC and the North American Mission Board, Grant will work to equip and mobilize African American churches, as well as to engage potential new churches. In announcing the hire, Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC EC, called Grant a “gifted, experienced, and highly respected leader.” “We believe God will use him in a great way,” Floyd said. “As a former pastor, church planter, and ministry leader with a state convention as well as with a national entity for over a decade, he has relationships with pastors and churches all over the country. “We believe Charles will be used of the Lord to further our commitment to serving African American churches and continuing to mobilize them towards the Great Commission.” Willie McLaurin, the SBC EC vice president for Great Commission Relations and Mobilization, called Grant “a gifted leader” who will help Southern Baptists increase the mobilization of African American churches. “His high levels of character and competency will assist the entire network of Southern Baptist churches in their task of fulfilling the Great Commission,” McLaurin said. “For such a time as this, Charles is the right man who will lead our convention in serving Black churches. Charles has an authentic love for his wife, children and for the local church. “I am extremely grateful that God has led Charles Grant to the SBC Executive Committee.” Grant comes to the EC from LifeWay Christian Resources, where he has served since 2008 as a regional church partner. He also served concurrently with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board since 2013 as a new church catalyst. Before coming to Nashville, he planted New Life Baptist Church in the Tampa area in 1997; he served as New Life’s senior pastor until 2007. In accepting the position, Grant thanked God for guiding his life since his 1985 salvation at a Black Southern Baptist church. “I am honored for the Lord’s preparation and strategic timing to serve the Southern Baptist Convention,” Grant said. “I recognize that I stand on the shoulders of many faithful servants before me who have served churches passionately for the glory of God. I am most grateful to each of them. “I am excited and look forward to serving alongside Dr. Ronnie Floyd as he leads the SBC Executive Committee, Dr. Willie McLaurin as he leads our Great Commission relations and mobilization efforts, and our entire team as we endeavor to serve churches for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission.” NAMB President Kevin Ezell said Grant “will help keep Southern Baptists focused on the need for more evangelistic churches that will reflect the diversity in North America.” “Charles knows Southern Baptists well, and he has a heart for reaching everyone with the Gospel,” Ezell said. “As we take to heart the command from Jesus to disciple all nations, Charles brings the skills and background to help us do that.” Grant holds a Master of Divinity from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (now Gateway Seminary), a Master of Special Education from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Science in business management from San Jose State University. Grant’s wife Jackie is an administrative assistant for the Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University. The couple has three adult children. Grant’s arrival marks the fulfillment of Floyd’s commitment to hire three fulltime associate directors to focus on diversity. Julio Arriola was named executive director of Hispanic relations and mobilization in November 2019, followed in December 2019 by Peter Yanes as executive director of Asian American relations and mobilization. Filling Grant’s position was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The three executive directors promote active participation at every level of Southern Baptist life among their respective demographics, as well as increased Cooperative Program engagement and involvement. Referencing John 9:4, Grant said he desires “to partner with our various SBC entities and churches to help us respond to the … Vision 2025 call to reach every person for Jesus Christ in every town, every city, every state and every nation.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer. #SEPTEMBER20

by Julie Walters BIRMINGHAM, AL – In response to a decline in sales due to COVID-19, national WMU announced today it is offering a voluntary retirement plan to staff. “We have worked incredibly hard over the past several years to ‘right size’ our organization based on revenue projections,” said Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director of national WMU. “With two difficult back-to-back downsizings and budget cuts, our goal has been to simplify and put limited resources where they can make the most impact for the Kingdom.” Over the past four years, WMU has cut 34% from its budget, which will be $5.2 million beginning in October for 2020-21. Sales of curriculum for missions groups is WMU’s main source of revenue. However, with so much uncertainty related to the pandemic, many churches are not ordering these resources. “This year we were strategically poised for growth and then COVID-19 hit our vibrant ministry with a force unequal to anything we’ve seen in recent decades,” Wisdom-Martin said. When churches suspended in-person services and many across the country were sheltering-at-home at the onset of the pandemic, WMU quickly responded by moving GA and RA lessons for April and May online, creating free missions resources for families during the summer, providing free PTSD Bible studies and resources for pastors, and launching a new podcast with inspiring interviews, just to name a few. While these efforts help to meet needs, they don’t replace income lost from decreased sales as churches grapple with not knowing how to plan for needed resources. With diminished revenue and uncertainty of when it may rebound, it is necessary to contain costs and present a balanced budget for 2020-21. “We value all of our employees,” said Wisdom-Martin affirmed. “Each and every one makes meaningful contributions, and we are seeking to be as gracious and generous as possible. After the consideration period for those eligible for the voluntary retirement offer closes on September 21, we will determine how much of a deficit in the budget remains and how to proceed from there.” With vision and proper perspective, a crisis can bring opportunity. Although the pandemic has significantly impacted WMU’s ministry model and so many other realities, COVID-19 didn’t catch God by surprise. “Even in the midst of these difficult days, we confess God as our Sustainer and Provider,” Wisdom-Martin encouraged. “I believe He has a hope and a future for WMU. This crisis has negatively affected our bottom line but it has positively amplified our mission. “Changes in our culture and church community bring opportunities for us to explore missions engagement in new and different ways,” she continued. “People are open to gospel conversations like never before; this is not the time to shrink back, but to boldly proclaim Christ.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Julie Walters is corporate communication manager for national WMU. #AUGUST20

by Tim Patterson PLYMOUTH, MI – My earliest memories of him come when I was three or four years old. In the hazy corners of my mind I can see him sitting alone in the kitchen in the wee hours of morning while the sun was still hiding its face. There on the surface of the yellow topped and chrome legged table sits the morning paper, cup, saucer, butter dish, a pan of fresh baked biscuits, and a can of black strap molasses syrup. Paw Paw is doing what he has done almost every morning for sixty plus years. He rises at 4:30 am, waits for the world to open its eyes, and makes sure his chickens herald their announcements on time. Of course, when the sun went to bed he did as well. I have found that in my present stage of life, his sleep patterns and habits have become mine with the exception that I do not “saucer” my coffee. I still prefer drinking from a favorite cup. As I peered around the corner from the hallway, I could see his dark silhouette as he mixed the right proportions of butter and syrup to make his plate of “bzero” as he called it. He said it would put hair on your chest, and from my vantage point in my bathroom mirror every morning, he was right. I shuffled my way to the table and crawled up on his knee for a taste of his concoction and a little early morning comfort. The smell of Old Spice was still strong from his morning shave, as I lay my head on his red plaid flannel shirt. Even today my olfactory senses respond to that unique spicy odor, I see Paw Paw dressed in his brightly colored flannel shirts with a pack of Lucky Strikes peering out of his breast pocket, a freshly ironed pair of khaki pants and his ever present brown felt fedora. In his early years he was a master carpenter and builder, and just after the war was responsible for building a good portion of the homes in our little hamlet. Now, he was a groundskeeper for the county hospital, and a rose gardener of the highest caliber. Apparently, his love for roses was genetically passed on to me. As I grew in years, Paw Paw and I were very close. Everyone who knew him said not only did I have his facial features, but my mannerism and gate mimicked his. When I entered those tumultuous teen years he watched with amazement. It was the Sixties and everything was being turned upside-down. He never really understood all that was happening in our society or me, but his love and guidance never faltered. One day he came by after work, and said he wanted to take me for a haircut. Now, at this time my hair was well over my ears and then some, and had the curly-kinky consistency of a steel wool pad on a caffeine overdose. I consented to the barber’s chair with specific instructions to the barber to only trim the edges. The barber was true to his word, but Paw Paw didn’t think he was getting his money's worth so he had the barber keep cutting until he could see “white side-walls”. Now if my mom or dad had been there and tried to get me in that coiffeur’s coffin I would have rebelled, but because it was Paw Paw, how could I say no? Whatever he said or whatever he did was right. Because he was never wrong? No. Because he was Paw Paw. God’s Word teaches us that a parent’s role does not diminish when the children marry and leave home. In fact, the real fun begins. When grandchildren come along, grandparents are given the wonderful opportunity to continue their impact on the lives of their children and children’s children. Phil Waldrep, in his book, The Grandparent Factor, answers the question: “Can grandparents really make a difference?” “Absolutely! Children today are looking for sincerity. They are regularly exposed to hype and phony behavior on television, at school, and sadly, in many of their homes. They are looking for, in fact, are desperate for authentic love. That’s what grandparents can give them. Kids see through all the marketing efforts to sell them $70 jeans and $100 shoes. When they see the real thing—the warmth of the grandparent’s love—they zero in on it like a radar beam.” Grandparents have the opportunity to touch and influence their grandchildren for their good and God’s glory like no other person on the face of the earth. It is usually not until you ARE grandparents that you understand what a wonderful and precious gift children truly are. You also have invaluable experience that can only come through time tested success and failures. If you are a grandparent, seize the opportunity to make an eternal difference in the lives of those little ones. Love them. Lead them. Spoil them with the special treats they might not get at home, and yes, give them candy between meals. Let them crawl in your lap, and love them while they are young. Later on when they really need direction and influence then the memory of a warm lap, a fragrant smell, and early mornings in the kitchen with biscuit and “bzurp” will remind them that you really do love them, and know what is best. How can they say no to that? "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers." (Proverbs 17:6 KJV) 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. #AUGUST20

by Scott Barkley DULUTH, GA – The upcoming SPARK Conference will feature several breakout sessions as well as the keynote addresses translated or led in Spanish. “This will help mobilize Hispanics to accomplish the Great Commission,” said David Cardoza, Hispanic representative of Pastor Wellness in the Central Regions. “It will teach them how to build effective teams for leadership and discipleship.” Otto Sanchez, a pastor in the Dominican Republic, author, and speaker, will lead the breakout sessions on building leadership teams as well as discipleship programs in the church. “He has written several books on discipleship and been a connection for Georgia Baptists for a while,” added Cardoza. International Mission Board Church Mobilization strategist Oscar Tortolero will lead sessions directing Hispanics toward opportunities for international missions. “These sessions will help Hispanics be ready to go and share the gospel with others,” Cardoza stated. Other breakout sessions to be translated into Spanish include: How to Disciple Your Family The Acts 1:8 Missions Portfolio Preschool Kids Ministry Safety and Security Equipping Parents for Family Ministry Sunday School that Really Works Creating a Healthy Worship Culture. The keynote addresses by IMB President Paul Chitwood, Decatur pastor Tyrone Barnette, and Tennessee pastor Robby Gallaty will also be translated into Spanish. The SPARK Conference will feature more than 50 breakout session leaders in addition to the keynote addresses. Live Q&A sessions will take place with Chitwood, Barnette, and Gallaty on Aug 28, the day materials are released for those who pre- registered. As of 10 a.m. July 21, there were 511 registrants for SPARK. With 57 host sites plus individuals logging in for the digital experience, the expected viewership for SPARK would exceed 3,000 as of today’s numbers. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scott Barkley serves as editor of The Christian Index. #AUGUST20

by Scott Barkley DULUTH, GA – Tyrone Barnette, pastor of Peace Baptist Church in Decatur, will be the third keynote speaker for the upcoming Spark Conference. Barnette joins International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood and Robby Gallaty, senior pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., as part of the annual church leadership training event. Known previously as Go Georgia, Spark will be held entirely online this year with various breakout sessions and keynote addresses becoming available Aug. 28. Groups or individuals who register prior to that date at TheSparkConference.com will have free access to those resources from Aug. 29-Sept. 22. Called into the ministry in 1985, Barnette and 14 others founded Peace Baptist on Feb. 7, 1993 in his home. Since then the church has grown to more than 3,000 members with an average of 1,200 in Sunday attendance. Barnette has preached around the world, including Brazil and parts of Africa, where he helped build five churches and witnessed more than a thousand people receive Christ. Chitwood was elected IMB president in 2018, having previously served as executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention since 2011. Prior to that he was pastor of several churches of varying size for 18 years. Gallaty has served at Long Hollow since October 2015. His testimony has led him to the platform of “making disciples who make disciples” through resources at Replicate Ministries. “Pastor Tyrone Barnette is one of the most genuine and effective leaders in our state,” said Scott Sullivan, director of Spark and Georgia Baptist lead strategist in Discipleship on the Church Strengthening Team. “His ability to connect with an audience and communicate biblical truth is next level! Every pastor in the nation needs to hear how he grew a church of 14 meeting in his home to over 3,000 with a worldwide Gospel impact.” Barnette’s address will be titled: “Making disciples where you are with what you have.” He, Chitwood, and Gallaty will also be taking part in live Q&A sessions Aug. 28. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scott Barkley serves as editor of The Christian Index. #AUGUST20

by Mike Durbin PLYMOUTH, MI – SPARK 2020 is premiering in Michigan, August 28th. What is SPARK 2020? It’s our one-day Church Equipping Conference totally online. Through our partnerships, we are able to make this equipping conference the most flexible training ever. What makes the Spark 2020 Conference different? Registration is FREE Through our partnerships as Michigan Baptist, we are able make Spark 2020 free on the day of the event and for 3 weeks following. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Flexible schedule You can attend all day August 28 as the session releases in real time. After that, during the free portion of the event, you can watch online anytime. Each presentation will be available via free access for 3 weeks. No travel required There is no gas or lodging expense. That’s hundreds in savings! Attend from your own computer and still be at home with your family or church. Everyone can benefit It does not matter what stage you are in ministry, there is something for everyone at SPARK. This conference is designed with YOU in mind, no matter your experience or skill level! Over 50 session leaders We've assembled a diverse team of practicing leaders prepared to give you best practices in their field of expertise. Every part of the gathering - from our keynote speakers to our SPARK breakout sessions - has been intentionally designed by our team to equip and inspire your leaders. Make plans now to join us online for #SPARK20! Special guest speakers Paul Chitwood - President of the International Mission Board, Robby Gallaty - Pastor, Long Hollow Baptist Church Tyrone Barnette - Pastor, Peace Baptist Church One year affordable access to the training The content for the entire conference will be immediately archived and available at no cost from August 28 - September 22. If you want 12 month unlimited access to the content, it will be available. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER How You Can Use Spark 2020: Host your own one-day event with digital keynotes and breakouts. Use the content for ongoing training on Sunday or Wednesday nights. Give access to your leadership teams to meet, view, and discuss at their convenience. Bi-vocational: schedule in the evenings or on weekends to view and discuss the breakouts with ministry leaders. Develop your own creative ideas and we would love to hear how you are using it. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 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. #AUGUST20

by Samuel Brittain FORT WORTH, TX (BP) – COVID-19 has upended many plans. From vacations to graduations and everything in between, the global pandemic has left few events or lives intact. One group of people whom COVID-19 has profoundly impacted is missionaries. Many missionaries have had to shelter in place and quarantine in their host countries. Their lives were put on pause, and missionaries tried to find creative means to continue ministry. As more time passes, many missionaries find themselves unexpectedly back in their countries of origin. While many might assume "coming home" is nothing but fun, many, if not most, missionaries are standing in a now unfamiliar place without the blessing of goodbyes to friends or much time to pack. Many of these missionaries also had to make this return without knowing when, if ever, they would be able to return to their home and place of service. My family went through something similar when we had to leave the field abruptly due to health issues in our family. A quick return to the states helped us address our son's health, but also took us away from a country and people whom we love. Having walked through similar circumstances, here is how I would suggest we pray for missionaries who have been unexpectedly displaced: Pray that they feel the freedom to grieve. Praying for someone to grieve might seem morbid, but being ripped out of your life and ministry is traumatic and hurtful. Pray that these missionaries would give themselves the freedom to feel and express their grief. It is easy to shut down emotions like grief in the name of moving on or "trusting the Lord." Grief is not a denial of faith in the Lord; instead, expressing our grief to the Lord says that we acknowledge He is big enough to handle it. If we do not acknowledge our weakness, we rob ourselves the opportunity to see His strength. Pray for trusted listeners. Returning missionaries often feel out of place in their home country. This home country is not really home anymore! The missionary is changed, and her old friends have changed. Everything is different. On top of this reverse culture shock, missionaries have already undergone trauma and pain -- pandemics and forced relocations aside -- that are hard to express to someone who has not walked in those shoes. Ask God to provide safe friends, church members, even counselors, who will listen, mourn with those who mourn, and point towards Christ -- the incarnate One who shares in our sufferings. Pray for peace. Missionary life is uncertain by nature. However, the complete chaos caused by COVID-19 means many missionaries have no idea when they will be able to return to their place of service. Pray that the Lord would give them peace that passes understanding. Ask also that the Lord would make clear the next good works He has prepared for them. Pray for spiritual intimacy and growth. Unexpected changes often leave us open to stagnancy or aimlessness in our walks with the Lord. Removed from ministry that can give meaning and identity (and not always in healthy ways), missionaries can feel far from God's presence. Ask that the Lord would fill these missionaries with knowledge of His steadfast love. Ask that this time would be the beginning of a deeper walk with the Lord. We know that the sudden displacement of missionaries did not surprise the Lord. Even where grief springs up, the Lord is at work. Missionaries being displaced does not mean disciples are not being made and churches are not starting. Many missionaries remain on the field. Around the world, local churches and believers are faithfully meeting needs and sharing hope. Displaced missionaries and the Southern Baptists who sent them also find the peoples of the world all around us. In the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, for example, there are more than 400 people groups, of which more than 100 are unreached with the Gospel. As we pray for these missionaries, let's also pray that the Lord would use us to make disciples of the nations around us. Also, consider asking if your church or association knows of any missionaries who have returned to your area. Consider writing them a note or dropping off a meal to let them know you are praying for them. As it is safe and permissible to do so, ask some of these missionaries to teach you about their people and go with them to share the Gospel with internationals. Let's pray with our brothers and sisters and join them in making disciples of all peoples! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Samuel Brittain, who previously served in South Asia, is associate director of the World Missions Center at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. #AUGUST20

by Stan Parker LANSING, MI – Over the past twenty years the Potter/Walsh neighborhood has grown accustomed to having a Neighborhood Block Party each July presented by Faith Fellowship Baptist Church. Given the COVID-19 pandemic the neighborhood was feeling very sad and hopeless thinking the Neighborhood Block Party was not going to exist this year. However, Pastor Stan Parker and a team begin to pray to ask for God’s guidance. The team wanted to do something for the community, but was not sure what could be done given the various Executive Orders issued by the Governor. The team was concerned about the safety for the neighborhood. After two weeks of praying, God delivered an answer to the team. The Lord made it clear the traditional Praise in the Park Block Party was not a wise decision for this year. Instead the Lord directed to have the event on a different scale, with masks and social distancing. Out of prayer and fasting Praise and Serve Block Party was born. The team decided to praise God with some singing and handing out tracks while other service functions were going on. Pastor Parker contacted the Local Health Department to secure free COVID-19 testing at Walsh Park. Then the Health Department contacted Meijer’s Food Store to partner to give out gift cards and other goodies. Arrangements were made to have free chair massages to ease some of the stress due to the COVID-19. Another partner, the Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, sponsored screening for high blood pressure. The Praise and Serve Block Party was held on July 11, with wearing of masks and practicing social distancing along with free bagged lunches. The Prayer Team was able to engage in gospel conversations with some of the individuals, and extend information on the church services of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church. The next day 31 additional people viewed Facebook Live with Faith Fellowship. Six individuals contacted the church to ask for additional information. The birth of Praise and Serve has also increased the faith of the prayer team even in the midst of the COVID-19. The event served to confirm that God is still in charge. The Potter Walsh Neighborhood Association, thanked the Faith Fellowship for “Walking by Faith and not by Sight”. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Stan Parker is the Pastor of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church in Lansing Michigan. He is the current President of the Michigan African American Fellowship. He is married to First Lady Char Parker. #AUGUST20