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NASHVILLE, TN (BP) – Maybe you've seen a missionary cry. Interviewing a missionary in Ecuador some years back, my heart was gripped when he spoke through tears of the persecution experienced by the indigenous people he worked among in the Andean mountains. It was midday, we were in a cold, dark room. All I could do was sit there and dig for empathy within my soul as he cried. In a conference more recently, I saw a husband and wife, missionaries to Russia, cry as they described their love for the people they had served. I had regarded the Russians as communist enemies, people who spoke a distinct language that often burst forth from deep in their chest or the back of their throat. And they wore furry hats. Those notions suddenly became an embarrassing caricature in my brain. Through these missionaries' tears, I began to see Russians as real people who, for decades, labored under a governmental system that sought to deny them any precious opportunity to encounter the living Lord. And just the other day, I saw another couple, missionaries to Malawi for more than 20 years, cry over the country they had left behind as they adjusted to retirement. The burning desire to share Christ was still aflame in their saddened souls -- souls that remained, in large part, in Africa. Isn't this something marvelous about the Cooperative Program that should stir us as Southern Baptists to profound gratitude to the Lord? Through CP, and through our missions offerings, we send passionate missionaries to the world's masses who join with local believers in rural villages and towns and in urban centers to share a wondrously redemptive faith. And thankfully, these missionaries are known to cry with burdened hearts -- and joyous hearts -- for the missionary calling which we facilitate through the Cooperative Program. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Art Toalston, now a freelance writer, was an editor with Baptist Press for more than 25 years. #NOVEMBER19

PLYMOUTH, MI – Several years ago Sabrina and I frequented a particular restaurant that served a variety of foods at a reasonable price. The service was good, but the food was good enough to make you slap your grandma. One day the waiter, who had come to know us by our first names, told us about a brand new desert item and suggested that we try it. On most of our dining occasions, by the time we got to the desert portion of our meal there was no room for anything, especially dessert. But this particular time, the dessert that was offered and the unusual nature of this treat captured the attention of our curious little taste buds. The dessert that our waiter offered was fried ice cream. Just the thought of how frying ice cream could take place made you want to place the order. How would it keep from melting? What would it taste like, or for that matter, what would it look like? How could two seemingly opposing tastes, textures and states of being be brought together to produce anything that tasted good, or for that matter was edible? It was almost incredulous to me that one could fry that which was to be an ice cold dessert, and it remain frozen and maintain it’s cold, smooth and creamy texture. Would modern miracles never cease? When our waiter did deliver our confectioners crazy cold creation, it was a culinary delight. The combination of a hot flaky crust encasing a frozen center of vanilla ice cream was a gastronomical delight that sent my salivary senses into extreme agitation. In other words I slobbered all over myself it was so good. The improbable and seemingly opposing tastes and textures had been combined to provide a most memorable dining delight. The same sort of culinary combination is accomplished with the “sweet and sour” sauces used in Chinese food. Logic and experience would tell us that these opposing tastes and textures should not get together, but the fact of the matter is that they do. I have found that these diverse combinations that produce unexpectedly wonderful blends are not unique to the world of foods. They are found in our life experiences as well. One of the life passages in parenting takes place when your offspring move into their own homes and starts their own families. We watched both of our sons, I might say with great heartache and great joy, as they moved away and started on their grand adventures of life. One lives in Kentucky and the other lives in Colorado. The best part is that they have given us five wonderful granddaughters. I still remember vividly the grief I experienced as both of them left the nest and flew to new heights and adventures. I was happy for them but I cried like a baby. If you are a parent, or know what it is like to be separated from the ones you love then you understand the difficulty of such an event yet at the same time this new life in a different place is exciting and fulfilling. How can these two blend to create a wonderful life experience? How can the joy of seeing your children step out into life’s great adventure mingle together with the grief of loss? Does one outweigh the other, and thus make it bearable? No! The fact is that God takes the joy and the sadness and combines them to create a brand new life experience that will be used to make us more like Him and honor His wisdom. He mixes the good and the bad, the joyful and sorrowful, the sweet and the sour, and makes something wonderful and new. It goes beyond our logic and the experiences of our past. It really doesn’t make sense, but God somehow synthesizes it for our good and His glory. If you have not already encountered God’s special way of combining life’s experiences, you will. Just relax and enjoy the meal. His fried ice cream is a tasty treat indeed. (Over the holidays we will have the opportunity to gather together to celebrate the seasons and to laugh and love with each other. But I really believe the best part of the Fried Ice Cream experience is the GRANDGIRLS. But don’t tell the boys.) "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." – Romans 8:28 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. #NOVEMBER19

PLYMOUTH, MI – “More than 155,000 people die daily without Christ. That is a harsh and unacceptable reality,” said Dr. Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention. My heart pounded when I heard Chitwood say, “We need 500 more missionaries by 2025.” President Paul and Michelle Chitwood caught my attention during the first session of a three-day event. I was in a room surrounded by over 250 attendees who had arrived from thirty-one states, and I was hanging on every word they uttered. It may be strange to say, but it expresses my feelings, the tone of their testimony was layered with rare, sincere humility. The president and his wife explained how tough their lives were in the early years as children. Then they shared how blessed they were, as adults, in each of their previous ministries always thankful for the honor to serve the Lord, never seeking to be elevated or raised to another place of service. A phrase echoes in my memory as I recall their testimony, “We were the unlikeliest of candidates to lead the International Mission Board.” I now see what others sensed as they considered Chitwood. He influences others to serve the Lord by helping others to succeed and to feel valued. I was stunned when I heard that the president had already visited two-thirds of the IMB mission force in just eleven months. Then minutes later, I chuckled with the entire crowd when we learned that Chitwood asked missionaries at the start of his appointment as president, “If you were president and could change something before sunset today, what would that change be?” One of the most often desired solutions was, “Please, provide fitted sheets for the beds at the International Learning Center.” In short time, fitted sheets were provided for all the beds. It was a practical, I-hear-you gesture of love and value that will forever mark his legacy among missionaries. One of the pillars of the IMB is Dr. Gordon Fort, Senior Ambassador for the International Mission Board. He, like other personnel of the IMB can easily tell you how many presidents and interim-presidents he has served under throughout his decades of service. Tears rolled out of my eyes when Fort asked retired missionaries to stand-up in the crowd, and I spotted two men standing who influenced my life; Bill Bullington and Dr. John Floyd. Looking at those upon whose heritage we now stand, Fort took a breath to clear his throat and said, “I believe now more than ever that we will see in our lifetime the moment when every tribe and every tongue will hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Others throughout the days said, “The current cooperation among our people and the anticipation that God is about to do something miraculous is obvious to all of us.” Scott Ray, one of the most recent missionaries to take on a large task in Richmond, encouraged attendees to do two important things: Correct an ongoing misunderstanding by letting everyone know that the IMB is open for business and ready to appoint new missionaries. Ray added, “We have more open slots than candidates.” In a break-out session, Ray reported, “We only have 298 long-term applicants and 399 mid-term applicants meaning that if we do not fill-up the pipeline with more candidates that the number of overseas personnel will decrease in the coming year.” Fill the candidate pipeline with those whom God calls to international mission service by informing others about the pathways open to overseas service. Ray, like Fort and Chitwood, echoed the importance of prayer and sharing correct information concerning the mission of the IMB. Ray informed attendees about the variety of service opportunities; assignments from 1 year to career, financial and administrative support team members, roles that do not require college degrees and more. Attendees responded with enthusiasm and commitments to return to their churches with the news that the “IMB is open for business!” As we approach Christmas and that time of year when in early December 47,000 churches are invited to collect a special offering for international missions, would you join me in prayer? Asking the Lord to influence more churches to participate in the offering? I learned that less than 50% of our churches give to the international missions offering. Asking the Lord to influence pastors to challenge members of their churches to step-out into overseas service? There are more unfilled requests for mission personnel than we have candidates in the pipeline. Ray warned, “With retirements and personnel returning to the United States after their mid-term service is ended our number of overseas personnel will decrease if the pipeline is not filled with more God-called candidates.” Blessed, I oversee the discovery, development and deployment of 40-50 active church planters in Michigan in my daily life. I see unprecedented evidence of a God-movement in my home state. After attending a three-day advocate conference with the International Mission Board, I am burdened and want to see a God-movement upon the people within our churches moving from sanctuaries to overseas service. Would you join me by praying, informing, going and sending others? You can find more information at imb.org or follow the International Mission Board on Twitter @imb_sbc or on Facebook @imb.sbc – let’s see what God is going to do in our lifetime. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tony 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. #NOVEMBER19

PLYMOUTH, MI – As the New Testament unfolds, we see the missionary expansion, ministry, and the disciple-making of the early church. They earnestly lived out the command of Jesus to be His witnesses in all the world. We read how the Greek speaking widows were neglected in the daily distribution of bread. When the Apostles were told, they led the church to set apart what are commonly believed to be the first Deacons to make sure the widows’ needs were met. Paul dramatically steps into the story, and before long he is mentoring, instructing, and developing disciples like Timothy and Silas to lead the church as she reached a new generation. Missionary expansion, ministry, and making disciples are still at the heart of the church’s mandate. The question is: “How is my church engaged in accomplishing these tasks today?” Lost people still need the Gospel, hurting people still need ministry, and new leaders are still needed for today’s generation and the next. One of my strategies as a pastor to fulfill these responsibilities was to get involved in Convention and Associational life. I actively took leaders and potential leaders to training events to equip them for mission, ministry and leadership. Giving through the Cooperative Program was one of my strategies to help my local church ministry and beyond. I came to the conviction early that I needed help in ministry, and that I needed to be a help. A healthy church needs to be involved in mission and ministry that is both local and global. The struggle is not to pick between the two, but to develop strategies for the church to engage in both. Jesus sees us, and He sees those beyond us. He wants His church to do the same. Our cooperative efforts are one way to help us minister locally and globally with sister churches to impact the world. This month Michigan Baptists will gather for the 62nd Annual Meeting of our State Convention at Mile City Church in Plymouth on November 8th. It will be a time to hear about our cooperative work, approve the ministry budget, make new friends and connect with old ones. There will be times of celebration, inspiration, and vision casting. The part that thrills my heart about our Annual Meeting is that it helps us see the missions, ministries, and leadership development that we do together. Together... Michigan Baptists have 40 new church plants Bambi attendance is growing dramatically Women’s ministry is impacting lives Disaster Relief is serving people Baptisms are up 20% And much more And that’s just part of what we are doing in Michigan together! Our partnership goes beyond our church, beyond our state, beyond our nation, to the ends of the earth. We are Partners in Advancing God’s Kingdom! 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. #NOVEMBER19

ROSCOMMON, MI – “Whatever it takes” - If you have ever spent much time here at Bambi Lake you may have heard those words spoken by Jimbo, one of our Bambi Lake volunteers and residents. Jimbo would usually utter these words when a simple repair turned into a renovation, a fairly common occurrence here at Bambi. I imagine if Jimbo had a dollar for every time he has spoken that statement of faith over his 15 years of service here at Bambi, he could buy his own private island. Now, although Jimbo may not own an island, he does possess something(s) of much greater value. Jimbo has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ which he would tell you is his greatest treasure. Ask him to tell you about what Christ means to him and you better be prepared to order a pizza, sit down and listen. He will tell you his journey with Christ has been filled with forgiveness, joy, excitement, pain, sadness, miracles, blessings and unconditional love. He will tell you that life can be done God’s way or the hard way. He will remind you that obedience brings blessing and serving gives fulfillment and you can’t out-give God! “Whatever it takes” is more than a trite saying for Jimbo. It exposes his character and faithfulness to do what God has called him to do no matter the difficulty. Serving at Bambi has had it share of reward as well as challenges. Most often having to fix big problems with limited resources or not being able to purchase the right tool for the job - toilets overflowing, septic tanks backing-up, equipment not working, pipes freezing and on and on. However, in all the time I have spent with Jimbo, I have never heard him complain about dealing with crazy circumstances or minus 25-degree weather. His heart and attitudes are always about glorifying God in the task that needs to be accomplished. He is always seeking to do what is best for Bambi Lake and the guests who enjoy the property and events. For 15 years, Jimbo has been a testimony of Christ-likeness, faithfulness and servanthood here at Bambi Lake. He has served with a joy, selflessness and love rarely found in our culture today because Jimbo does not serve man, he serves God. Of course, Jimbo is not perfect, Vicki his wife will tell you that, however the love he has for Christ is encouraging and contagious. If you ask, he will humbly tell you that since Christ did “whatever it takes” to save him and forgive his sin, how can he do any less to serve and follow his Savior. I wanted to personally share all this about Jimbo because he is retiring from Bambi Lake at the end of November. After 15 years of faithful service and witness for Christ, Jimbo is excited to experience the next season of his journey doing whatever God has for him. To say he will be missed cannot begin to describe the thoughts and emotions of our Bambi Lake staff. Nevertheless, we are excited to know that God already has ministry for Jimbo and that he will do “whatever it takes” to see it accomplished! Thank-you Jimbo, Bambi Lake Loves You! 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. #NOVEMBER19

NASHVILLE, TN – Meetings often fill the calendars of office workers, but pastors say their days are often full of meetings as well. A survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research asked 1,000 Protestant pastors if they regularly have any of six types of meetings. Virtually every pastor (99%) says they regularly have at least one of those work-related meetings. “Churches are people, and church ministry is people ministry,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. “It is not surprising that pastors participate in many meetings, but the nature of those meetings varies.” Nine in 10 pastors (90%) say they regularly meet to counsel church members. Pastors of churches with attendance of 100 to 249 (94%) and those with 250 or more (94%) are more likely to say they have these counseling meetings regularly than pastors of churches with attendance of 50 to 99 (88%) and those with less than 50 in attendance (83%). In an earlier LifeWay Research study on mental illness, 10% of pastors indicated they have a graduate degree in counseling or psychology and 38% had taken graduate school courses in counseling. Another previous study from LifeWay Research found that 76% of pastors say they refer church members to a professional counselor if they require more than two counseling sessions. “Pastors have opportunities to give spiritual counsel as well as advice on many other life issues,” said McConnell. “Pastors of larger churches have more people under their care. While they may have additional staff, the senior pastor is still the first person a churchgoer confides in during difficulties.” Close to 9 in 10 Protestant pastors (88%) say they regularly meet to encourage members to step into leadership roles. Pastors 65 and older (82%) and those in churches with attendance of less than 50 (79%) are the least likely to say this is a regular part of their ministry. More than 4 in 5 pastors (84%) say they meet with individuals one-on-one to personally disciple them. Pastors age 45 to 54 (90%) are more likely to have these meetings regularly than those 55 to 64 (82%) and those 65 and older (80%). Around 4 in 5 (82%) say they meet with visitors or new attendees. Protestant pastors in the South (85%) are more likely to do so than those in the Midwest (79%). Pastors 65 and older are the least likely to regularly meet with those new to the church (73%). Presbyterian or Reformed (86%) and Baptist (85%) pastors are more likely to say they have these meetings than Pentecostal pastors (74%). Pastors are also extremely likely to say they lead a small group Bible study (80%). Those who lead the smallest congregations (73%) are the least likely to say this is part of their regular ministry. Pastors younger than 55 (82%) are more likely to lead such a small group than those 65 and older (74%). A clear majority of Protestant pastors (63%) also say they have regular meetings with two or three individuals to personally disciple them. Again, larger church pastors, those of churches with attendance of 100 to 249 (68%) and those with 250 or more (67%), are more likely to establish regular small group discipleship meetings than those at churches with less than 50 in attendance (55%). “Some may think pastors of larger churches spend less time directly with people, but they are just as involved in ministry meetings and more of them actually meet regularly with people for counseling and small discipleship groups than in smaller churches,” said McConnell. For more information on this study, visit LifeWayResearch.com or view the complete report. Methodology: The phone survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors was conducted Aug. 29 to Sept. 11, 2018. The calling list was a stratified random sample, drawn from a list of all Protestant churches. Quotas were used for church size. Each interview was conducted with the senior pastor, minister or priest of the church called. Responses were weighted by region to more accurately reflect the population. The completed sample is 1,000 surveys. The sample provides 95% confidence that the sampling error does not exceed plus or minus 3.2%. Margins of error are higher in subgroups. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aaron Earls is a writer for LifeWay Christian Resources. #OCTOBER19

ALPHARETTA, GA – The North American Mission Board announced an all-time high for the 2019 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, the third year in a row to break the record. This year, Southern Baptists gave $62.2 million. 21 State conventions across the Southern Baptist Convention saw increases in their gifts. The increases were led by Alabama with an increase of more than $900,000. The Baptist State Convention of Michigan was a part of the increases seeing gifts raise by more than $12,000. See the chart below for other increases. #OCTOBER19

DETROIT, MI – Wow… what a summer! Heart and Soul community church has a mission to Reach, Revive and Restore individuals to a dedicated life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Our Lord gave me a vision and desire to plant a church to enhance and enrich the spiritual lives of those living in the Detroit area. I daily contemplate how can we live Luke 10:27 and put feet to our mission and vision? Through our Lords guidance we began to partner with others. This summer our Lord’s direction not only brought feet to our mission and vision; His direction brought feet with roller skates. I’ve worked with Cru Inner City for approx. 10 years assisting with various initiatives, boxes of love (thanksgiving meals for those in need), Back to School Power Packs, Resurrection Bags and Athletes in Action (JAM Camp). The goal of J.A.M (Jesus Athletics and Manhood) Camp is to minister to High school teens inner city communities through athletics and the gospel of Jesus Christ. This summer 7 states from Detroit, MI to Houston, TX participated. Praise God…32 teens accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior! I also worked with Cru Inner City regarding discipleship training. Our Lord spoke to my heart to follow up with our JAM Camp participants and take a deeper dive to disciple youth of all age’s boys and girls. To walk with them and help them understand their assurance of Salvation, prayer and the Bible. I also desired outings and God blessed. We obtained Tigers game tickets and to create innovative thinkers, I developed a partnership with Henry Ford. One day, I noticed 7 kids sharing one bike. Following the completion of 6 weeks training, could the youth possibly gain a bike?? Yes…through Christ and partnerships. An anticipated annual summer event is our yearly church picnic and baptismal. The vision of “Gathering in the Park” is to bring different Christian ethic/culture groups together to praise the LORD and set an example to show that Christian fellowship is based on one thing, the love of Jesus. We bring audio equipment. So, joyous praise to our Savior and a Christ centered message resonates through the park. We enjoy delicious food (I mean the works… ribs, chicken, burgers, sides, desserts), joyous fellowship and we take’em to the river. Well, actually… to the lake for Baptism. Glory to God 12 individuals were baptized this year. Partnership and hot fun in the summer continued with Vacation Bible School. A rally kicks off the event with popcorn, cotton candy, bouncers and sign up for a week of Christ centered fun and activities. A Nutty Professor (me) with wild white hair and rotted fake teeth (that continued to fall out) as I spoke with a German-Ebonics accent. I successfully brought biblical characters through a time machine. The fun and learning continued with help from CEF. The saying “better together” was truly evident this summer. Partnerships continued as our ministry-built relationships with various churches and businesses for our 200 bags of groceries and clothes give-away. This Lovefest outreach strives to tear down walls that separate geography, ethnic groups, denominations and pull together as a community serving our neighborhoods. We served hot dogs and hamburgers, youth enjoyed bouncers and adults were welcome to health screenings with two church services. Over 30 individuals stepped forward to learn more about a love relationship with our risen Savior. Do you believe praises to our Savior could be heard within a health insurance company? Heart & Soul partnered with BCBSM for a Faith and Wellness Challenge. Various churches from metro Detroit and Grand Rapids participated in a 12-week program for faith-based communities focusing on physical activity and education from health experts. Summer concluded with a book bag give away, free haircuts, nail polish for girls and ice cream sundaes. Did I say… Wow what, t a summer!!! Together we can reach, revive and restore our community with the love of our precious Savior Jesus Christ. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cornelius Roberson is an urban church planter in Detroit Michigan at Heart and Soul Community Church. He is a graduate of Union College and he has worked with Alcoholic’s for Christ Ministry (8yrs) and Promise Keeper’s ministry (7yrs). He severed as an Associate Minister of Detroit's Afro American ministries and Outreach Pastor for First Baptist of Oak Park. He has worked as a Social worker for the last twenty-five (25 yrs) and he is currently a licensed Social Worker for the State of Michigan. Cornelius is a licensed minister and has received a Master of Arts degree in Christian Psychology at Moody Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Marisa, have three awesome adult children, a beautiful daughter-in-law and four inquisitive grandchildren; Josiah, Jordan, Jaden. And Jayla #OCTOBER19

MCALLEN, TX – Representatives from the Northwest Baptist Convention and the Baptist State Convention of Michigan traveled to McAllen, TX, Sept. 5-7, to learn about potential partnerships with Texas Baptists River Ministry. During the three-day trip, the ministers and convention staff met with River Ministry missionaries, toured unincorporated colonias outside of Edinburg and visited the Migrant Respite Center in McAllen. Several individuals also traveled into Reynosa, Mexico to view the ministry to migrants and refugees there. Thirteen of Texas Baptists’ River Ministry missionaries were present at the meeting and shared stories of their on-going ministries, and ways churches could join in the work in Texas and Mexico.  “It’s such a joy to have our partners from the Northwest and Michigan to come here to work with us along the River,” said Tom Howe, associate director of Missions and director of Church Starting. “This is truly a reciprocal partnership where we can each share our strengths.” Hearing and seeing first-hand ministry River Ministry missionaries detailed their work in church planting, partnerships with local schools, feeding ministries, medical and dental work, trainings for church leaders and a myriad of other ministries for the visiting representatives. Each missionary partners with local churches in on-going ministry and also coordinates service opportunities for volunteer mission teams to support the local work.  “I was moved by the passion, dedication and creativity of the River Ministry missionaries to share Christ,” said Mike Durbin, State Evangelism director for Michigan Baptists. “This love for Christ is clearly on display.” Durbin traveled with several others into Reynosa to visit the Senda de Vida migrant shelter, which is equipped to care for approximately 250 migrants, but currently cares for more than 450. River Ministry Director Daniel Rangel and missionary Pedro Munoz guided the visitors around the shelter so they could witness first-hand both the humanitarian needs and opportunities for teams to serve.  “Our visit to the shelter in Mexico demonstrated the incredible mission team opportunities that exist,” Durbin said. “Teams could help with family festivals, job training, sports clinics, crafts, worship, Bible study and so many other ways.” Sue Hodnett, executive director of Michigan WMU, was inspired by the passion and love she saw through the River Ministry missionaries.  “The needs along the border are so great and opportunities to minister are limitless,” Hodnett said. “It was eye-opening to see that it is possible to make a difference in the lives of these families seeking refuge.” Tim Howe, church planting catalyst for the Northwest Baptist Convention, met Abraham Cervantes, who serves as a River Ministry missionary in Monterrey, Mexico.  “His approach to ministry and scope of the work seems to be something which inspired me,” Howe said. “He has a clear sense of what his ministry should be and is moving along several fronts to accomplish his goals.” A reciprocal partnership In the fall of 2018, Texas Baptists announced new three-year partnerships with both the Northwest and Michigan state conventions, with plans to assist their church planting and mission strategies. The partnerships are reciprocal, with Texas Baptists traveling to the two areas to provide training events and support, and Northwest and Michigan Baptists also coming to Texas to help with mission efforts along the Texas/Mexico border. “The Northwest Baptist Convention has already been greatly blessed by the partnership through vision tours and Texas Baptists churches partnering with our churches,” said Tim Howe. “An important aspect of this partnership is simply having other churches and ministries aware of and praying for you. Our churches and church plants have an additional sense of this emotional support as a result of the partnership.”  After returning home, the representatives from both conventions made plans to share stories with convention leaders and local churches for potential mission partnerships. Howe shared that Northwest Baptists have at least three trips planned for 2020 to send teams to serve alongside River Ministry missionaries.  To learn more about Texas Baptists River Ministry work along the border of Texas and Mexico, click here. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kalie Lowrie serves as News Director for Texas Baptists. Prior to joining the convention staff six years ago, she worked in communications at Dallas Baptist University and Howard Payne University. She enjoys telling stories of how God is at work in and through Texas Baptists. #OCTOBER19

INKSTER, MI – We are One Mission Church located in Westland Michigan, We are a small, but loving Church that focuses on discipleship. With our Church being small, we know that the commitment of our members is what matters. Our mission is to transform the community one person at a time through the power of the Gospel. We live out our mission in our everyday lives. We also teach that prayer is our number one priority when we speak of getting the Word of God to those who are lost. One Mission Church has had a busy, but productive 1st year in ministry. Within the year we have had more than 60 people join our Church family, and many others that have given their lives to Jesus Christ. In the beginning of our journey to answer the call to ministry, we had church in our home with about 10-15 people worshipping with us on Sunday mornings. This intimate setting was an amazing way to get to know some of our members on a personal level, and to build relationships. One Mission Church has volunteered at community events held by the City of Inkster on a few occasions. At these events we are able to connect with the community, and invite people that we meet to our church. One of our first community events that we held before we launched our Sunday services was our Community Fall Festival. We now host this community event annually in October. Our event consists of food, bounce houses, Christian music, activities for all ages, and an opportunity to receive the Gospel. Our focus is always to share about Jesus Christ, and what he has done for all of us. We focus on our neighboring communities that are close to our Church. One community that is on our hearts is a low income neighborhood called Lemoyne Gardens. It’s is a housing community where about 950 residents live. The Lord has called us to this area to Love on the Community of Lemoyne Gardens, and share the good news with them whenever possible. To get One Mission Church better equipped to go out in the community to share the Gospel we were lead to the training course of 3 circles. 3 circles helped our congregation to better understand how to turn everyday conversations into Gospel-centered conversations. During the training, a member of One Mission Church who came from a rough background of doing drugs, living on the streets, and not living for Christ, has come to have a strong relationship with the Lord. Now, she is sharing her testimony to all of the people with whom she comes in contact. Not only is she sharing her faith, but she has a better understanding of life and who she lives to serve in this world. One Mission Church may be a small church, but we are continuously growing in numbers and in love for Jesus Christ. We have a strong impact on our community because of the Love that Jesus Christ has for us. The Lord brought us to this building to serve others while sharing his good and faithful love across the nations. We are excited to see what 2020 brings. As we charge our members every week at the end of Sunday Service, be real, show love and make disciples, we also charge you to do the same. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Antonio and Jessica Wimberly are from Inkster, MI. Their church is located in Westland MI Antonio is a church Planter/ Pastor for One Mission Church. Antonio and Jessica have been married going on 7 years. They have 2 children Savanah 13 and Antonio 5. Antonio has also been trained to help coach other Church Planters; he's waiting for that opportunity to serve. Antonio Also Works with the Youth for the African American Fellowship of Michigan. #OCTOBER19

ROSCOMMON, MI – There are many places in Michigan where one can view the creativity of our almighty God. One of these places is Bambi Lake Retreat and Conference Center. Especially during the fall, I am constantly struck with the beauty of the lake, the trees, and the night sky. It allows you to begin to grasp the awesomeness of our Creator, and marvel at His glory. However, the glory of God does not end at the tree line, and I would like to remind you how Bambi Lake ministers to our local community, all of Michigan and beyond. A large part of the ministry at Bambi is providing an opportunity for groups and individuals to come and experience God in a way that is meaningful and unique. It is exciting and encouraging throughout the year to experience God’s spirit moving through the lives of adults and teenagers alike. We have enjoyed the opportunity to host and produce two weeks of summer camps for Michigan teens called Wild Week. During these weeks, youth groups from all over the state come together to worship God and to hear His word. We always witness many who make decisions to follow Christ, and dedicate their lives to serve the Lord. In 2020 we will be offering three Wild Week Camps - “3 Wild Weeks/3 Unique Experiences”. The First Wild Week will offer students the opportunity to participate in our exciting Wild Week Camp like we have offered the previous two summers. The Second Wild Adventure Week will offer students the opportunity to experience camp in the Mountains of Tennessee. The Third Wild Impact Week will offer students the opportunity to serve in mission/ministry projects in the local Michigan community which will culminate in a community-wide evangelistic rally. We are excited for the lives that will find Jesus and be forever changed this next year. Along with weeklong camps, Bambi Lake also hosts and produces weekend retreats throughout the year. You will find retreats for women, men, pastors, pastors/wives, leader training, married couples, and youth. Themes can vary from being a simple getaway to a time of training and growing in your walk with Christ. Weekend retreats are a great opportunity for believers to come and be refreshed and rejuvenated in their walk with Christ. Our hope is that Bambi will not only be a place to experience God, but a place for believers to be equipped for the ministry and also create long lasting friendships that extend past their time at Bambi Lake. This last year God allowed us to begin having a greater impact in our local community. We have been able to partner with local public schools for band and cross-country camps. We have become involved in our local Chamber of Commerce and have participated in Community Expos and even hosted our own “Bambi Lake Life Day” - a day for surrounding communities to come and experience Bambi Lake. God blessed us with an amazing attendance of local people who had never been to Bambi. Additionally, over the Labor Day Holiday every room we had including the Campground was filled - there was no room left in the Inn! It was exciting to see the hard work and renovations in the campground, lakefront, etc., being enjoyed by returning guests and many first-timers. Our prayer is that we will continue to see an increase of local community involvement here at Bambi, and that God’s presence would be tangibly known by all who enter our property. 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. #OCTOBER19

It was still dark outside as I rose to go to prayer. A chill in the room told me that it was going to be a frigid mile-walk to the square. I wanted to crawl back under the covers, but resisted. “I’ve been doing this for only three days while my Ukrainian friends have done it every day for five years,” I rebuked myself. Leaving the hotel, I picked my way around frozen piles of ice and deep muddy puddles, bent my head away from the wind, wrapped my scarf a little tighter, and walked in the early morning light to Freedom Square in Kharkov. It was only 26 degrees with fresh snow falling and a bitter wind beating at my face, but I arrived to find big smiles, hearty handshakes, and warm cheek-kisses from a jovial group who seemed not to notice the cold at all. The contagious joy warmed me from inside out and made me glad I’d come. But every day? For five years? I don’t know if I could do it. What compels these people to get up early and kneel in the snow? Why is it so important to meet together when they could whisper a prayer from the warmth of their beds? Call to Prayer In March of 2014 tanks and guns and men with masks appeared on the streets of Kharkov, Ukraine, throwing everything into upheaval and threatening the twenty-three-year religious freedom that had nurtured this post-Communist generation. Nearby cities of Lugansk and Donetsk were also under attack by separatists, but those battling in Kharkov didn’t know what they were up against. Pastors and evangelical leaders put out a call for prayer—seven o’clock every morning, in the city square, for anyone who wanted to fight the real battle taking place for their city—the spiritual battle. Within a week, a hundred and fifty to two hundred believers showed up to fight on their knees because they remembered the spiritual darkness that shadowed their land under Communism. This wasn’t a political battle, it was and is a spiritual battle of epic proportion as their freedom to worship, meet together as churches, pray publicly, and share their faith with others was all being threatened. “This is the generation of the children whose fathers were killed for their faith, whose fathers spent most of their time in prison for their faith. We knew the real face of Communism, and it was trying to come back. We were standing on our knees, and we said, ‘Lord, we don’t know what to do. Our eyes are on you, Lord.’ The only hope was on the Lord,” said Pastor V, a Baptist pastor and one of the leading organizers of the prayer meeting. During the seventy-two-year Communist rule, evangelical churches and activities were outlawed. Ukrainians who preached, taught from Scripture, or shared the gospel were forced underground and severely persecuted. Two generations of children grew up being taught in school that there was no God. After WWII, conditions were especially dangerous. Baptists and other Protestant believers in the USSR were compulsively sent to mental hospitals, were forced to endure trials and imprisonment, and were even deprived of their parental right in some cases. “At this point, I’d be afraid not to pray,” said pastor V. “We know what’s at stake.” After years of praying and paying dearly for their faith, God brought religious freedom to the country. Since that time Ukraine has become the Bible Belt of Eastern Europe. It is the hub of evangelical life throughout the former Soviet Union, leading the way in new churches and sending missionaries. In contrast, the still-occupied territory in Eastern Ukraine is presently seeing the same attitude toward evangelicals that they remember all too well from their childhood. In the wake of the 2014 takeover by separatists, evangelical churches have been closed and threatened with fines in the main cities in the occupied territory. Now, when these brothers and sisters gather, they pray for those in the war zone and for long-lasting peace, knowing that it will only come if God’s spirit moves to bring people to repentance and faith in Jesus. This is why Ukrainians pray every day, on their knees, regardless of the weather. “At this point, I’d be afraid not to pray,” said pastor V. “We know what’s at stake.” Prayer Lessons Joe Ragan and Linda Gray, who serve in Kharkov as IMB missionaries, lived through the scariest times of the invasion. Joe had to flee his home in the war zone in 2014, leaving all his earthly possessions behind. Linda was in Kharkov, then and now, and remembers almost fleeing the city in fear during those days. God used this prayer group—their fellowship and faithfulness—to keep Linda grounded. “In some ways I was in awe of my Ukrainian brothers and sisters and their passion for prayer, only watching from afar. But after a short time, I found myself kneeling alongside my friends. I always rose up from the time of prayer with a sense of knowing I was still exactly where I was meant to be,” she said. Hebrews 11 is a roll call of those who came before us, an encouragement to learn from those who exemplified faith. Though the Ukrainians on the square are not figures of the past, they are present day examples of faith in a world not so different from our own. As Joe and Linda can testify, they have a lot to teach us. As conflict rises and anti-Christian rhetoric begins to influence the culture where we live, might we be wise to follow the example of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters? What might we learn from these faithful pray-ers? 1. Start with repentance. When the events of March 2014 took place, the Ukrainian church felt it was a wakeup call and was strongly convicted that they had not been already praying for their country and their leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-3). In the twenty-three-year period after Communism, enthusiasm had waned, and the church had quickly become complacent. “When we started praying at the square, I had to repent, because I hadn’t been praying for our president or our government. Because we didn’t like them, we didn’t pray, even though we are Christians and the Bible tells us to pray,” said Nadia, my translator and a pastor’s wife in Kharkov. Now they pray every day for those in power over them, whether they like them or not. 2. Pray in times of peace. Even though the immediate threat of violence has passed in Kharkov, the dedicated group (about twenty people now) continues to meet and pray faithfully. Through the events that took place five years ago, their eyes were opened to the threat of danger and the privilege of peace. They prayed frantically for safety from immediate danger. Now when they gather, they pray not only for God’s blessings, but for revival in their churches and on their streets so that God’s name can be known to all Ukrainians. 3. Pray even in the midst of social or political pressure to stop. When the prayer group began in 2014, they were threatened by soldiers and violence as well as policemen who said they had to disperse or face jail. “In the first days when we began to pray in the square, we were afraid because we knew that we might be beaten,” said Nina, an Orthodox believer who has been a faithful pray-er since the beginning. The fears weren’t imagined. In Donetsk, where the battle also raged, a prayer tent was set up, and the leader was beaten and hospitalized. He later died. “We have to stand on our knees and overcome our fears,” said Ivan, an eighty-year-old man who arises at 5:30 every morning to travel to the square and pray. “You must understand that when you kneel in prayer, big things happen. God gave us power to overcome fear.” 4. Join with other denominations to seek God together. Two of the founding members of this prayer group were an Orthodox priest and Pastor V, a Baptist. The fear of war brought believers of all denominations together in a new and unique way. Pastor V said that these “prayer friends” made their Christian world wider and helped them see what God is doing. No one ever asks a new pray-er what church they belong to. All are welcomed. “The church gathered, and Christians came out together,” said Nina. “On the square, the church became one.” 5. Know that the sweet fellowship of prayer is worth the effort. Despite long travel routes and bad weather, the ones who come together each day now depend on the encouragement and fellowship of communal prayer. The big smiles and hugs and laughter among the group make it obvious that the joy is greater than the inconvenience. Pastor V says the practice has become a welcomed routine and a great start to the day and makes them stronger in their spirit. “Whatever the weather is, after prayer and fellowship with brothers and sisters, moreover, with God almighty, I just fly back home on the wings of faith,” Ivan said. As I rise from my kneeling position, my toes are a little numb and, well, honestly, I’m freezing. But it doesn’t really matter because my heart is warm and full of gratitude for the witness of these people. I’ve never been because I’m not a ‘morning person,’ a reason that seemed legitimate until now. I live in Prague, Czech Republic, the atheist capital of Europe. There is a group that meets every morning in the center and prays. I’ve never been because I’m not a ‘morning person,’ a reason that seemed legitimate until now. Today, I decide, I will join the group of pray-ers in Prague one day soon, and as we pray for our city, I will also be praying for Kharkov and thanking God for the fellowship of standing on our knees together. Will you pray for your city? ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nicole Leigh is a writer with IMB, living in Central Europe. She has joined others in her city for prayer after being inspired with the faithfulness and fortitude of Ukrainian Christians. #OCTOBER19