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by Billy Walker SOUTHGATE, MI – During this time of coping through COVID-19, I was reminded of a little song that we learned in the music class of my elementary school. The lyrics were, “Stop, look and listen, before you cross the street. Use your eyes, use your ears, then use your feet!” Beautiful, catchy lyrics with an equally compelling melody made this a huge hit with kids and parents alike. Not really, but it was an easy song to teach and it was intended to help kids who were walking to and from school. You know, back when that was a thing! Is there a chance there is a scriptural and practical application from that long-ago tune that can help us as we move to the other side of this pandemic? For the most part, we need to concentrate on the first and last part of that song. STOP If this were a biblical story, it might start out as, “In the days of quarantine...” I was not prepared for hitting the pause button on life as we know it, but there can be no doubt that God has worked and still works through the stoppages. Noah building the ark, Joseph in prison, Moses in Midian, David as a shepherd in the fields. The periods of isolation were often preparation for what God was about to do. Even Jesus, at the beginning of His ministry, went off alone for 40 days. Sometimes it was by choice, but sometimes, there was no alternative. Ezekiel tells us that God stopped the progression of the Israelites in Egypt for a lengthy period of time because of their refusal to give up the idols they’d grown accustomed to and live up to His expectations (Ezekiel 20:7-8). For the most part, we don’t like change – unless change comes by our choice. However, there are times when change is forced upon us for one reason or another. In WW2, curfews, rolling blackouts, and rations for food and gas became a way of life that most people did not choose, but realized its necessity. After 9/11, no more meeting your family at their arrival gate or getting to the airport 30 minutes ahead of time. Metal detectors and bag checks became the norm at theaters, concert venues and stadiums. Again, while not a personal choice, change had to occur. So, what changes will happen because of the coronavirus? And rather than think about how this is an attack on more of your personal freedoms, think about the church, your church and you. Why did God put a stop to life as we know it? Was there a lesson He wanted us to get? What about all of those spiritual disciplines that we often claim we don’t have time for? What did He want us to learn, but He had to stop the world so we would get it? LOOK Moses saw a burning bush, the Israelites saw the plagues converge on Egypt, Daniel saw what was to come, Elisha saw the mountains filled with angelic warriors. What does God want us to see through this pandemic? He is moving the church forward – even through difficult days. The online service that we use to livestream our gatherings has seen more than 200,000 decisions for Christ since the beginning of the stay home stay safe order. And that is just one platform. We have had viewers and even gifts from across the country as the weeks turned into months. This type of ministry was not even on our radar at the beginning of 2020, but it was always in the mind of God. What does He want you to see? LISTEN 1 Kings 19:12 says, “and after the earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after he fire, a still small voice.” Isn’t there a chance that God had to stop the merry-go-round of our lives in order for us to listen to Him? I know I’m edging out on a weak limb here, but do you remember the high volume of disagreement that was being shared on social media pages even within our own denomination? THAT is what people were hearing. But within just a few days, a lot of that had stopped. We live in a world that often celebrates the one with the loudest voice (think political pundits on any major news network). But God speaks the loudest often in the stillness. MOVE YOUR FEET This is the final triumphant ending to the catchy kids’ lyric, but it has some serious spiritual weight behind it. MOVE YOUR FEET! What is the one question that was and is being asked by everyone in the entire world right now, including you and me? “When will we get back to normal?” I think you would agree that God has no desire for us to go back. He is looking for us to move forward. God is a merciful, loving God, but check out what happens in Exodus and Numbers when the children of Israel talk about going back. He is not having it! And what is it that moves the hand of God on our behalf? Our faith! Once you have taken the time to stop and look and listen, then you have to move out. You can’t cross the street without moving your feet! Go ahead, say it with me. “You can’t cross the street...” Well, you get the idea. I for one do not believe that God caused this pandemic, but I definitely think He is using it. Using it to get our attention, to reprioritize our lives, our family, our ministry. Using it to speak to us, if we will only listen. And using it to prepare us for an incredible wave of blessing, favor, and revival in our nation and around the world. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rev. Billy Walker is the Lead Pastor of Calvary Church in Southgate, MI, the Vice President of the Billy Walker Evangelistic Association and a leader with the Church Strengthening team for the BSCM. He and his wife Laurie have two daughters and are lifetime residents of the downriver area. #JUNE20

by Odelle Cadwell REDFORD, MI – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. These verses and the entire 46th chapter of Psalm helped us and is helping us as we recover from COVID-19. My husband was diagnosed and hospitalized for a week at Oakwood Beaumont Hospital Dearborn. Although I was not diagnosed or hospitalized with the virus, I share his pain, symptoms and literally his quarantine as we both sought to recover. When I left Michael at the hospital that Saturday night both of us were uncertain as to whether we would ever see each other again on this side of the grave. Michael had survived triple by-pass heart surgery followed by a stroke 6 years ago. God was so gracious to us that no one could tell this by looking at him or talking with him that he had undergone these physical experiences. However, the coronavirus was different. People were dying all around us. The news was keeping the death and illness statistics in plain sight daily. It was a definite time of uncertainty. I remember spending countless hours in prayer. I can also remember the comfort that can only be explained by the comfort of the Holy Spirit. In the midst of continuous phone calls and prayer support, I drew closer to God than I have ever done before in my life. I will say the first night away from Michael I slept better than I had in a long time. I was not constantly checking his breathing or his coughing. The second night, after I had rested, was horrible. I had spoken with him earlier in the day and all he would say was that he wanted to come home. I spent this whole night in prayer and preparation for what God would have me to do, no matter the outcome. I meditated on Psalm 46:10a. "Be still and know that I am God." The Holy Spirit showed me that this was a time in which I would have to live what I believe. The next morning, the tone of his voice was nothing short of a miracle. I can remember saying to him jokingly “Do I hear bass in your voice?” From that day on, there was nothing but improvement. Every day he was stronger and stronger. I began to clean the house, because no one was in my way. I can remember being in the middle of scrubbing the baseboards in the den when I received the call from the hospital that he would be discharged within the next two hours. I was elated. When I picked him up, he asked if he could drive. We asked the nurse and she said if he felt like it, so he drove us home from the hospital. All we can say is that God is good and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Both of us understand that this could have gone another way. God in His mercy and grace chose to spare me the loss of my husband. I must say that even if He chose to take Michael home, He is still good. Both Michael and I are of the demographic where people are dying every day. Michael came home without needing the assistance of oxygen, and we are now walking and riding our bikes when weather permits. Our God is a miracle worker, and I am eternally grateful for what He has done. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Odelle Cadwell has been married to her husband Michael, for 42 years. They have 2 sons, 2 daughters and 2 grandsons. They live in Redford, MI and attend Temple of Faith Baptist Church in Detroit, MI under their pastor, Rochelle Davis Jr. They have been members of this church for over 35 years. Odelle received the call to Christian Women's Job Corps in 2002. She developed a sight in downtown Detroit at the Hope Baptist Center. She retired from The Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village after working 15 years as a Guest Service Manager. Michael worked for Jervis B. Webb as an industrial photographer for 17 years. He is now retired and works closely with Odelle as they serve in their local church, association and State. Odelle is the newly elected president of the Women's Missionary Union for the state of Michigan. #JUNE20

by Staff DETROIT, MI – You know these are stressful times when one of the ways you de-stress during a quarantine is playing Monopoly with the entire family. But that’s how Pastor David Cox Sr says he does it. He adds that he also takes walks with his wife, Tiffany. Those walks probably come after the Monopoly game. Cox is pastor of the Temple of Faith Baptist Church in Detroit. He says this time quarantine has given him one-on-one time with each of his immediate family members; his wife, his three children ages 20, 18, and 12, and his German Shepherd, Simba. Cox adds that after reviewing his budget, he learned a lot of his money had been spent on restaurants before the lockdown. Those are some of the positives for his family during this unusual time. But like many of our Michigan pastors, there have been some painful times as well. Cox says one of the most difficult things is being unable to go to the hospital when a member is suffering from COVID-19, or even worse, not being able to mourn with his families when they experience loss. Like nearly every church, Temple of Faith is finding ways to use technology to continue the ministry of the church. They are using conference calls for things like the Worship Service, Sunday School, and Wednesday night Bible study. The youth group, of course, is stepping up its technology game by using Zoom calls to do their service and Bible studies. Cox simply is asking for God to give him wisdom, understanding, and good health. He asks that others would pray for the church to move according to God’s will, and that they are able to adapt to technology and the coming change in culture. #JUNE20

by Ameila Woods ANN ARBOR, MI – Coronavirus, COVID-19, shelter in place, virtual anything, face masks, and social distancing were not common household words prior to March 2020. Now, even my three-year-old is becoming familiar with the term virus and grabbing her face mask before we head out the door to ride around. When I think back to the week of March 9, I remember calling my husband, Chris, who was out of town for work in an attempt to relay all of the changes happening so quickly in our community. We welcomed him home with a renewed love and appreciation in the midst of a strange week in our nation. It was nice to end the night at a familiar family restaurant for our last out-to-eat meal. Little did we know what the next month would hold, but our Heavenly Father knew every detail that would unfold. Chris came home that Friday with a mild sore throat, hoarse voice and a little fatigue. We chalked it up to travel and allergies as he had been around the beautiful, blossoming cherry trees in Washington, DC ahead of spring’s emergence in Michigan. However, he suddenly lost his sense of taste and smell. The day we found out that was a symptom of COVID-19, I had already started with intense body aches and fever at 26 weeks pregnant. For the next two weeks I became very sick with COVID-19 culminating in hospitalization for a couple days. I could recount all of my symptoms that mirrored the numerous news articles and stories. The phone calls to OB doctors in the middle of the night. Even the very unique symptoms that have allowed me to be a part of a database to help doctors learn about this novel virus. Instead, I want to recount the faithfulness of God through this trial as a child of God, a wife, and as a mother. As a child of God, I saw His care towards me as the Great Physician. He oversaw the details of all of my care in the midst of a very confused medical system. On one occasion, I was sick and becoming severely dehydrated. Our children’s pediatrician texted me and offered to pick up anything we needed from the store that day and drop it off on our porch. That was the day God provided broth for my nutrition. I saw the Body of Christ in a great way across states as 1,500+ people from several different seasons of my life were lifting us up in prayer. I would receive texts of prayers and not see them until weeks later on the very day that I needed them. I could go on but suffice it to say these are specific examples of how the Lord cared for me as His child in the specific details of my life. As a wife, I saw his faithfulness towards my husband when our local church stepped in with a meal train for a month. A church member dropped off two large trays of navel oranges and strawberries the very day we ran out. A neighbor dropped off a plate of fresh smoked BBQ to Chris for dinner the night he was exhausted from managing the kids and a household alone. To add to the specific details of God’s care, that was the night he forgot to eat and sat down at 9pm hungry and too tired to make his own plate. An ER nurse from our church brought some Pedialyte with her meal the night I was on the verge of being hospitalized for dehydration. His provision continued to be perfect in the practical. The Lord was so near to us as we traversed this road. As a mother, I saw God’s faithfulness in the small sign that my seven-year-old made and hung on our bedroom door (this was the nearest they could be to me). The sign read, “getting well”. I cherished those words as they reminded me of the progressive nature of God’s sustaining love and care over me. I was getting well. Some days I wasn’t sure how that would play out, would I get well on this side of heaven? Some moments, I actually wondered. But I rested in the fact that my Savior had been down a road of suffering knowing the time of His own death. I am so grateful that I do not carry the burden of that knowledge because my sovereign God holds me and that knowledge for His glory and my good. This season of suffering has taught me to number my days as the Psalmist says in Psalm 90:12 that I may gain a heart of wisdom. It has increased my desire to teach the Bible to my children. I have been reminded on a very real level that our days have been ordained since before the beginning of time, and we can rest in the God who is over our days. It is our gospel hope that yet while we were sinners Christ died for us. He knew our need, provided for our deficit as sinners even before we knew we needed Him. He is perfectly capable of sustaining us in life and this pandemic just as he has in our salvation. He knows and will provide exactly what we need before we need it. Let us all turn to him more than ever, seek him as those who know and believe like James says in chapter 1 verse 12, “blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Chris and his wife, Amelia live in Ann Arbor with their 4 children and one on the way this summer. Chris is a lay elder at Treasuring Christ Church in Ann Arbor. #JUNE20

by Anthony DeMonaco MADISON HEIGHTS, MI – A professional athlete, multiple business owners, executives of large corporations, best-selling author, motivational speaker, and eager disciples of each; these are the people who raised me. This is my family. This is a ‘wish list’ of mentors, worldly speaking. The spiritual lens, however, simply shows death. Death coupled with adulation, bravado, and a façade of importance. Death coupled with spiritual blindness. I carry a burden for the ‘successful’ lost; the lost that are rarely found. The Lord called me to start a chaplaincy ministry for professional baseball players in 2016 and has blessed us graciously. There are now 10 of us serving, and He is using us in ways that I never would have imagined. The inquiry we get the most from the players, “Why are you guys always happy?” It’s an amazing jump-off point. Last September, the Lord led me through Colossians and Ephesians. I’ve spent months reading and praying through these 10 chapters. Individual study, corporate study, the individual’s role in God’s overall plan, the churches role in God’s plan, etc. I began to teach through them this February to a men’s group from my church, the chaplains, and a group of now retired baseball players. My grasp and communication of the Scripture was nothing special, however each group commented on the peace and joy they were witnessing in me personally. Praise the Lord. On March 23rd, I was informed that a dear man that I knew and loved for 35 years, had 48 hours to live. He was a cancer patient, however this was completely unexpected. The quarantine did not allow for any form of ‘see you later’. On April 1st, my wife was informed that her 43-year-old sister had gone into cardiac arrest during a routine treatment. She passed 2 days later. Again, unable to say ‘see you later’. We also were not able to mourn with those who hurt with us. This scenario played out 6 more times in April. That is, we lost 8 people during the COVID-19 quarantine. The virus did not claim them all, and a couple of them could be considered expected. However, they all died alone and we were cheated out of our last moments. We were cheated out of being with our families to mourn and comfort. We were unfairly impacted, and everyone would agree. But, God… On March 27th, I received a text from a player that I ministered to last season. It said, “Tony, can you please help me to know God?” I hadn’t communicated with him since October. We had a decent relationship, but he wasn’t interested in the message. We spoke the following day about control, or really the perception of control. He wanted to know how to get off of the roller coaster. Achievers experience the highest of highs, but they tend to have lower lows, too. We got into the Word of God, we talked, we prayed; and on April 13th, he gave his life to Christ. The phone kept ringing – ball players and family, alike. Losing their ‘path’ was dire. Their lives made no sense. How could anyone be stable without control? With each death we had to face, the Lord was able to show through us – to show that peace, love, and joy can be completely separated from conditions and circumstances. He let us experience the pinnacle of human existence. The Lord let us be a part of redeeming the lost. What I take away from all of this is humble gratitude. The Lord began preparing me months ago to use us in an amazing way. Col 1:15-20; Eph 1:10; 2:10; 3:10. A significant amount of loss was allowed into our lives under circumstances that could have derailed us. However, those same circumstances opened doors to the Kingdom that we didn’t know existed. April 2020 will be remembered in our house for exponential growth in faith. Put on the eternal, spiritual lens. The view is perfect. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tony and his wife Tifanie live in Madison Heights with their two children, Madison and Bobby. He serves as President of Stewardship Consultants, Executive Director of Champion Sports Ministries and treasurer of The Church at Clawson in Michigan. #JUNE20

by Ann Lovell RICHMOND, VA (BP) – On average, eight Christians died for their faith every day in 2019. That equals more than 2,920 people killed for the cause of Christ last year, according to the 2020 annual report from Open Doors' World Watch List. In addition, 9,488 churches or Christian buildings were attacked, and 3,711 Christians were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned. Open Doors reported that 260 million Christians experienced high levels of persecution in the top 50 countries on the World Watch List in 2019. The top five were North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya and Pakistan. In recognition of the persecution faced by Christians around the world, the Southern Baptist Convention last year designated the first Sunday in June as a Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. This year, that's June 7. International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood affirmed the necessity of intercessory prayer on behalf of Christians suffering for their faith. "Prayer is our greatest resource in the Great Commission, and it is also the greatest act of compassion we could perform for our brothers and sisters around the globe who are enduring persecution," Chitwood said. "Just as the souls of those slain for their faith cry out in heaven, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood ...' (Revelation 6:10, ESV), we should cry out on behalf of those on earth who continue to suffer. "We ask God to give them courage and hope. We know that their temporary suffering will be rewarded in eternity and pray that it will result in many being saved from among the nations." Not without sacrifice Throughout their 175-year history, Southern Baptists have maintained an uninterrupted witness among the nations, in spite of famine, war and civil unrest. This commitment has not come without sacrifice. Since the founding of the Foreign Mission Board (now the IMB) in 1845, approximately 60 missionaries and children have died in violent circumstances while serving with the organization. Causes include accidents such as drowning, automobile and aircraft crashes and ships lost at sea. Others died as a result of war and criminal or terrorist acts. In some cases, the missionaries were targeted specifically because of their faith or missionary service. Of those 60, more than 20 FMB/IMB missionaries lost their lives "as a result of human hostility in a cross-cultural setting," said Scott Peterson of IMB's global research team. The first was J. Landrum Holmes, who served in China. Holmes and his wife Sallie were appointed by the Foreign Mission Board in 1858 and arrived in China in 1859. Less than three years later, Taiping rebels murdered Holmes and Episcopal missionary Henry M. Parker. Although family encouraged Sallie Holmes to return to the U.S., the young mother chose to stay in China with her newborn son. Writing home, Sallie said at the time, "I think I might probably be instrumental in the conversion of more persons at home than here, but if I went home for that and other missionaries acted upon the same principle I doubt if there would be a missionary left in China." Sallie Holmes went on to mentor one of IMB's most famous missionaries, Charlotte Digges "Lottie" Moon, for whom IMB's annual missions offering is named. Lottie Moon also died while in active service aboard a ship docked in Kobe Harbor, Japan, December 24, 1912. Although both Landrum Holmes and Lottie Moon died while in active service, neither is considered a martyr. "The IMB does not typically refer to or describe our personnel who have died in active service as martyrs," Peterson said. "In many cases, it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine if our personnel (who died due to violence) were targeted because they were missionaries or Christians." Terminology notwithstanding, the sacrifice of those who died while serving cross-culturally -- regardless of the means or cause of death -- is no less significant than those who were targeted specifically for their faith, Peterson said. "The fact that we do not use the term [martyr] does not minimize the significance of the lives and sacrifice of those who died while serving cross-culturally," he said. "We memorialize all of our personnel who die in active service regardless of the cause of death. Each of those is a sacrifice because of a life lived in obedience to Christ." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ann Lovell is editorial design manager for IMB. #JUNE20

by Baptist Press Staff Falls Creek cancels summer 2020 camp season DAVIS, OK (BP) – Leaders with Oklahoma Baptists announced today (May 18) that Falls Creek Youth Camp and CrossTimbers Children's Mission Adventure Camp will not hold any camp sessions during the summer of 2020, due to factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, Oklahoma Baptists had announced tentative plans for a delayed start and revised schedule, with the provision to continually evaluate the plans and make a final decision by May 18. Those plans have been canceled. "With a heavy heart, and after extensive consultation with pastors, lay leaders and information from public health officials, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all Falls Creek and CrossTimbers-Davis and CrossTimbers-Grand Lake sessions for 2020," said Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer with Oklahoma Baptists. The Executive Committee of Oklahoma Baptists' Board of Directors unanimously approved the decision. Oklahoma Baptists' President Blake Gideon, who is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Edmond, Okla., leads the committee. "In light of the fluidity of COVID-19," Gideon said, "I affirm wholeheartedly the recent decision of the Oklahoma Baptist Executive Committee to cancel summer camps for 2020. During this time of uncertainty, safety and caution are of supreme importance. It is better to choose wisdom over desire." Plans for Indian Falls Creek and LifeWay Collegiate Week, which were previously scheduled for late July and early August, also were canceled. "While these beloved camps will not be able to meet on the campgrounds in 2020," Dilbeck said, "our convention staff is currently producing a ministry curriculum and localized event strategies to come alongside churches to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with young people across the state this summer." The alternate summer outreach plans, which will be unveiled in early June, will be led by Todd Sanders, Falls Creek program director, and Charlie Gatton, CrossTimbers program director. For information about Falls Creek and CrossTimbers, visit oklahomabaptists.org. CSBC Executive Board recommends selling Jenness Park Christian Camp by Terry Barone FRESNO, CA (BP) – With mounting deficits and no revenue from a 2020 camping season, the California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC) Executive Board voted to permanently shutter and sell Jenness Park Christian Camp. The action calls for Jenness Park to be closed immediately and permanently shut down by June 30. The recommendation also gives CSBC corporate officers authorization to "take necessary actions" to sell the camp and its assets. An amendment to the recommendation gives Southern Baptist churches and entities priority in purchasing the camp through June 30, 2020. Jenness Park is a 160-acre camp owned by CSBC in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Sonora, Calif. The camp has been part of the California Southern Baptist family since 1953. Victor Chayasirisobhon, chairman of the CSBC Executive Board and pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Anaheim, said the "decision to close JP is a very, very unfortunate situation. Every effort was made to help the camp survive. With everything going on, including the global pandemic, this was a sad and difficult decision." He added Jenness Park has played "a valuable part of CSBC ministry for many years and those blessed by JP's ministry will continue to live out its legacy." Marc Tempesta, the CSBC's chief financial officer, told Board members the Jenness Park staff would be offered employment through June 30. CSBC Executive Director Bill Agee said the decision to close and sell Jenness Park "was not easy, nor was it impulsive." Agee acknowledged the camp's history and importance to California Baptists but said the camp is financially unsustainable, adding: "We have exhausted every avenue we know to keep the camp afloat." The camp had been operating at a deficit for several years, even while fully operational. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the camp from operating, increasing the deficit to $70,000 a month. Agee said the camps' past losses were covered by CSBC reserves, but that "CSBC now has no reserve funds to cover the losses. With no revenue stream, Jenness Park is faced with insurmountable losses." Agee noted CSBC has made significant strides to "live within its means" by trimming more than $1 million from annual operating expenses. Jenness Park was on a plan to balance its budget and become a self-sustaining CSBC entity by the beginning of 2021, but COVID-19 hit and derailed the plan. The camp also has a loan totaling $1.4 million. Costs for the loan (interest only at this time) are included in the deficit figures. After the recommendation was amended to give Southern Baptist churches/entities priority through June 30, the 26 members present voted 25 to 1 to proceed with liquidating the property. An FAQ about the board's decision to sell the camp can be found here: http://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/csbc.com/documents/Jenness-Park/JP-QA.pdf ABOUT THE AUTHOR Terry Barone is the CSBC communications team leader. #JUNE20

by Trennis Henderson GARLAND, TX – Missions discipleship is personal for Mary Lou Sinclair and her Acteens group – even amid a pandemic. Sinclair has served as the Acteens director at Freeman Heights Baptist Church in Garland, Texas, for more than 20 years. During that time, five of her Acteens have been named National Acteens Panelists and three others have been selected as Top Teens. They also have traveled extensively over the years to participate in mission trips, state and national Woman’s Missionary Union annual meetings and Blume, a national missions gathering for girls. A close-knit group that reflects the church’s multicultural community, the Acteens describe themselves as family and thrive on frequent fellowship among the teens and their adult mentors. Based on their close connections, the 6th through 12th grade girls refuse to let coronavirus-induced social distancing and sheltering in place derail their missions and ministry focus. “We can't begin to understand what is happening right now,” Sinclair acknowledged, “but we, as Christians, can be sure that there will be some good that comes out of all of this.” Pursuing personal connections On a practical level, Sinclair asked Marisol Sandoval, one of Freeman Heights’ youth ministers, to set up virtual Acteens meetings online to keep the group connected. Sandoval, a former Top Teen who grew up as a member of Sinclair’s Acteens, now serves alongside Sinclair as an Acteens leader. In order to help transition the group’s meetings to video conferencing, “I had to learn everything I could about Zoom,” she said. “It’s worked out pretty awesome. The girls are adapting well,” Sandoval added. “They want to be with us. They want to see us. They want to hear from us. It’s been really neat that we have the ability to use technology for our Acteens meetings.” Sinclair said their virtual meetings still include several typical features such as “praying for people in our church, praying for national and state WMU, having our lesson and having Bible study.” Along with using available tech options to stay in touch, the teens and their leaders continue to plan a variety of missions projects, including a virtual prayer walk of their neighborhood using GPS mapping. They also plan to sew protective masks for residents in area apartment buildings and send letters of encouragement to members of a local Chinese Christian church who may be feeling ostracized as some Chinese-Americans are harassed on social media and elsewhere. Sinclair said the goal of the letters simply is to say to fellow Christians, “We’re praying for you, we’re so thankful that you’re here and safe and we want you to know that we care about you.” Practical missions impact Long before the widespread impact of the coronavirus crisis, the Freeman Heights Acteens have been known as one of the most active youth mission groups in Texas Baptist life. The girls regularly volunteer at the ROC (Re’Creation Outreach Center), a community ministry center that provides such resources as a food pantry, clothes closet, after-school tutoring, Bible studies and a host of other ministries and activities for children, youth and adults. Even while observing social distance restrictions, the Acteens have helped fill bags of groceries for families to pick up at the door of the ministry center. “The ROC is really the home base for several faith communities in the Garland area. Ultimately, it’s a hub of gospel ministry within the area,” explained Adam Wood, director of the ROC and lead pastor of The Neighborhood Church in Garland. “One of the marks of effective community ministry is when the people you are serving become people who serve. One of the places we’ve seen that most is with this strong of group of teenagers,” Wood said. “This group of girls has become servants, not just those who are served. I think it’s in large part because of their connection with Mary Lou and the Freeman Heights youth group.” As her Acteens navigate a new normal, Sinclair plays a huge role in encouraging their ongoing missions commitment. “Mary Lou is one of those people who does whatever’s needed,” emphasized Larry Venable, her longtime pastor at Freeman Heights. “What she has done with Acteens is fabulous, just teaching them spiritually, getting them involved in mission activity and growing. … She’s definitely captivated by her relationship with Christ and the gospel.” Nayely Vallejo, one of the National Acteens Panelists nurtured by Sinclair, also helps lead Acteens alongside her mentor. Affirming the opportunity to “just live on mission with my fellow Acteens girls, showing people who Christ is and showing people our servants’ hearts,” Vallejo said, “Because of Mary Lou and because of how she’s raised us as GAs and Acteens, it’s just natural for us to serve everyone any chance we get.” Growth amid challenges With this summer’s national WMU annual meeting cancelled and Blume postponed until 2021, Sandoval said their Acteens “are sad but they’re fine.” While coping with social distancing, loneliness and disappointment, “I think there’s been a lot of growth spiritually,” Sandoval reflected. “This has definitely taken us out of our comfort zone. We know from looking in the Bible that whenever we’re taken outside of our comfort zone, there’s growth and we learn to trust in God. We learn how important relationships are. “It’s hard because we can’t really go and hug them,” she shared. “That’s one of the hardest things for this social distancing because you just want to hug them and just comfort them and you have to trust God that He’s there to comfort them and love on them.” Before the current crisis erupted, Sinclair said she was involved in event planning with a group of state WMU leaders who “talked about being the hands of God and being able to use the tools that we have in our hands to do ministry.” During a recent follow-up video conference call, “we talked about how the things in our hands are totally different than what they were before,” she said. “But God finds a way and we just have to be looking for how He can use us to do His ministry.” Even amid the turmoil of a global pandemic, pursuing new and creative ministry opportunities is precisely what Freeman Heights’ Acteens continue to do – just as Mary Lou Sinclair has faithfully taught them. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Trennis Henderson is a freelance national correspondent for the Woman's Missionary Union. #JUNE20

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Iron Stream Media, WMU, and the WMU Foundation are offering curated boxes of books to send to those isolated in senior care facilities, hospice centers, hospitals and seniors sheltering in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The joint initiative, Honor 6:2, is based on Eph. 6:2: “Honor your father and mother.” According the John Herring, CEO of Iron Stream Media, the seed was planted when one of Iron Stream’s subcontractors asked if she could order a couple of boxes of books to send to local elder care facilities. “I thought it was a great idea,” Herring reflected, “and the thought came into my heart early the next morning that we could expand on her idea. As I was praying, I was thinking of what it must be like to have read everything on the shelf and longing for a new book to read. “We have a warehouse full of books that need to be read,” he continued. “Many of our parents and grandparents have more time on their hands than ever. Visitations may not be possible, but we can gift inspiring books to them to help them grow in their spiritual walk with the Lord. Gifting a box of books is a way of showing deserved honor to our parents and grandparents. I pray each recipient will receive joy from knowing that we remember and honor them and enjoy having a new book to read.” Each box contains titles from three categories—Bible studies, Christian living, and Christian fiction—as well as a copy of Your Pain is Changing You, a book written by Dr. David Crosby, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church New Orleans. It was written predominantly out of his painful experience from Hurricane Katrina. All curated books are new and free. The only associated costs are for shipping and handling. To gift a box, go to honor62.com, select a box size, indicate where to ship it, and provide payment information. Boxes of books are available in four sizes: mini (4-6 titles), small (7-11 titles), medium (11-17 titles), or large (more than 20 titles). There is also an option to make a donation above the box price to help support the Honor 6:2 ministry, if desired, through the WMU Vision Fund. “We hope the hearts of those sheltering in place and isolated will be touched to know they are being thought about even in the midst of the chaos caused by COVID-19,” said Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director of national WMU. “We want them to be assured God loves them and cares about them, and we pray they are encouraged as God strengthens their faith and enables them to overcome challenges they may face. “Everything we do is to share the good news of Jesus Christ,” she continued. “We pray in each circumstance, God will be honored.” David George, president of the WMU Foundation, added, “We are always honored and privileged to work with WMU and her ministry partners. This effort to honor our elder loved ones during the novel coronavirus pandemic is a perfect example of one of the many ways we can partner together and help others.”

ROSCOMMON, MI – Growing up in Florida I spent a lot of time around the water, either at the beach, fishing in the rivers, or just chillin’ in the beautiful natural springs abundant all-around Central Florida. To help facilitate the enjoyment of our natural habitat, my dad bought my brother and I a bright red, sixteen-foot canoe. On one particular occasion we took the canoe in the river and paddled around to our favorite fishing spots. This was not as much fun as you might think because a canoe is not really meant to be in big open rivers, and paddling against the wind is extremely tiresome. Nevertheless, being young men, we had more brawn than brains, and were willing to throw caution to the wind if it meant catching more fish. On this particular outing, a storm blew in while we were on the water. This is typical Florida weather, and another reason not to be on the wide river in a canoe with only two paddles for a motor! Summer storms bring lightning, and Florida is known to be the lightning capital of the United States. Where we were canoeing was also referred to as “Lightning Alley”. This storm proved no different, providing heavy rain, loud thunder and numerous amounts of lightning. We paddled very hard and as fast as we could to reach the shore and seek some sort of shelter. After what seemed like an eternity, we made land, tied the canoe off, and ran up onto the bank of the river. At that same moment, a huge bolt of lightning struck a tree about twenty yards (seemed like two feet) in front of us, and we instantly dropped flat on the ground like a sack of potatoes. We were scared! There was nowhere to run, no shelter to take refuge, and no idea where lightning was going to strike next. I don’t totally remember, but I feel as if there was a lot of forgiveness asked and bargains made during those ten or so minutes hugging the dirt. Needless to say, as soon as it was safe we paddled quickly back to the dock, loaded up our canoe, and drove home with only wide-eyed looks at each other to communicate what we were feeling. We never took the canoe out in the river again, and we upgraded to a boat with a motor (that’s a whole other story). Why the story you ask? As we all have been processing through COVID-19 and all of its unique challenges, we have been inundated with many new terms and phrases; “flatten the curve”, “social distancing”, “essential activity.” The new phrase that brought back this particular fishing memory is the phrase “shelter in place.” On that particular fishing day, we found ourselves in great peril because we had no “shelter” to protect us and keep us safe. We felt helpless, alone, and frightened of an unforeseeable future. As we all have and still continue to journey through the oddities of this pandemic, its impact to the many facets of our lives, feeling helpless, alone, and scared can be a reality for all of us. Thankfully as Christians, “shelter in place” means not just physical shelter, but most importantly, we have direct access to THE shelter, strong tower and refuge. Jesus is our place of retreat and safety. He is our port in the storm. In Psalm 18:1-3, David verbalizes this reality of God's shelter by saying“I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” Don’t hesitate to lean into this truth - Know and experience the hope, peace and calm of being in THE shelter. Also don’t forget, many of our neighbors do not have this assurance, this shelter. Pray for them and look for any means possible to guide them to the safety of truly “sheltering in place” - the very presence of Jesus our Savior and King! 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. #MAY20

WARREN, MI – Where does the church turn, when the state has put a “Stay Home” order in place? What do we do when our meeting place is now off limits? We are home and we, with our social media, are asking these questions to each other as a church family. We chat about all the things that are changing in our lives, yet how do we change lives for the kingdom? We, as a church, are living in a time like never before. In recent months, our church has reignited GA’s (Girls in Action) and RA’s (Royal Ambassadors) on Wednesday nights. It’s a wonderful student ministry that teaches missions and the importance of sharing the Gospel. I’m so happy it’s back So, back to the original topic. We are separated from each other due to COVID-19, better known as “The 'Rona”. Since there had been such enthusiasm to study missionaries and do the fun things in the GA’s and RA’s groups, the teachers didn’t want the momentum to fade with the stay-at-home distancing. When the quarantine all started, our church went to live streaming service on Facebook and YouTube. I thought to myself, “Why can’t we “Zoom” with the kids and get them together to continue the mission studies and activities?” After a few calls to fellow teachers and tech folks in our church, we made a plan to get it rolling. After all, no better thing to share on social media than Jesus. So, for the last 5 weeks, RA’s and GA’s have been gathering on their computers and having the time of their lives. Leaders are continuing to teach about missions, and we are actually having virtual relay races and games along with the study. Missionaries can be invited to visit the meeting LIVE and share their work with specific people groups with the kids. The kids enjoy being able to ask questions and learn about what it’s like to be a missionary who is taking the Gospel message to different people groups around the world. Attendance in our student mission groups is up substantially. I’m so excited to see how the Lord will continue this ministry. God works in ways we don’t always understand. Though it has been tough being quarantined, He has certainly pointed us to how His word can still be shared. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Elaine Hill works as Administrative Assistant to both Motor Cities Metro Baptist Association and Warren Woods Baptist Church, where she and her family are active members. She has gone on mission trips throughout the United States, Russia and Jordan. She serves on the Executive Board of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan on the church strengthening team. Women's ministry is an important facet, as she serves as Vice President with the WMU. She also leads women's ministry through her church and the community. Elaine has been married to Dan for 44 years and they have a grown son and daughter, and spend lots of time with their two precious grandchildren. #MAY20

LANSING, MI – Pastor Coye Bouyer’s biggest takeaway during the Covid-19 crisis is how many people are afraid and functioning in fear. He says,”The most challenging thing during the quarantine was the realization of the significant fear of so many people.” Bouyer is the church planter of Kingdom Life Church in Lansing. He and his wife, Keturah, have four children and all are living at home. He says that in the midst of everything, Kingdom Life Church is doing well. Like most churches, the “shelter at home” order has brought more people to their Facebook page since they moved their services online. Because they are getting more traffic on their page, Bouyer is trying to add more content about their church. Church leaders are assigned a certain number of people each week to reach out and check up on their members. Bouyer is leading an online Bible study from the Book of Ruth. He says it’s to know that God is working, and for us to operate from a place of faith instead of fear and panic. The pastor adds that there are positive things happening as well. He has been able to spend more time with his family. We have all been able to have a time of mandatory rest, and it gives us an opportunity to stop and hear God more clearly. That quiet has revealed many individual issues that have not been dealt with; things like, addictions, dysfunction, and our dependence on money and things. Those are all things we need to see before God can address them. Bouyer’s prayer is that he, his family, and his church can all remember that God is in control. He adds, “Our lives are in his hands. He is working out His plans and ‘We are okay’.” #MAY20