Baptist Press Stories for Dec. 4 2012 --------------------------------------- WEEK OF PRAYER: Beijing's masses keen for relationships http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39282 WEEK OF PRAYER: Beijing's young adults become U.S. couple's focus of outreach http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39283 Judge rules against Calif. gay therapy ban http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39288 Sen. defeats treaty opposed by family groups http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39290 'Sonny' Tucker named Ark. executive director http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39291 Cooperative Program has strong showing http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39284 Small, remote church reaches world with CP http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39286 Persecuted need U.S. help, advocates say http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39285 FROM THE STATES: Miss., Mo. & Ark. evangelism/missions news http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39289 FIRST-PERSON: A Christmas caroling outreach http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39287 --------------------------------------- WEEK OF PRAYER: Beijing's masses keen for relationships By Elaine Gaston Dec. 4 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39282 EDITOR'S NOTE: This year's Week of Prayer for International Missions in the Southern Baptist Convention is Dec. 2-9 with the theme of "BE His heart, His hands, His voice" from Matthew 16:24-25. Each year's Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions supplements Cooperative Program giving to support Southern Baptists' 5,000 international missionaries' initiatives in sharing the Gospel. This year's offering goal is $175 million. To find resources about the offering, go to [URL=http://imb.org/main/give/pagelm.asp?StoryID=8078&LanguageID=1709&cid=lmcop]www.imb.org/offering[/URL]. Beijing is the focus of the 2012 International Mission Study ([URL=http://www.wmu.com/Beijing]www.mwu.com/Beijing[/URL]) BEIJING (BP) -- Beijing is an urban center peopled by the rich, politically privileged -- and utterly poor. Outwardly, it's strikingly modern with its Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium and rapidly expanding state-of-the-art subway system. It's ancient, too, with the Forbidden City of Imperial China at its heart. It's blatantly communist with the Soviet-styled Great Hall of the People set in the city center –- yet capitalist with posh shopping areas shimmering with luxury designer goods nearby.
It's also a magnet, drawing people from throughout the country as they flow in from provinces seeking employment and a better life. Thomas*, a Christian worker in Beijing, sees the drawing power of the capital city as a strategic place for reaching into China's provinces with the Gospel message. "Beijing is a city that breathes people," Thomas reflects. "Every day hundreds of thousands of people travel in and out of the city. At peak times there are more than a million travelers per day. Some stay only a few days, yet others stay much longer. "A few who come are already Christians from two strong Christian areas of China -- Henan and Anhui. Most are not and know more about Coca-Cola than Christ," Thomas continues. "Whether they come as tourists, on business or looking for some kind of employment, we want all who enter the capital of the Middle Kingdom to learn of the eternal Kingdom and the Emperor who died on a cross for them," Thomas says. Unprecedented growth When Beijing's population hit 19 million in late 2009, it had already surpassed the government's target to keep the capital's population below 18 million until the year 2020. Government officials are searching for ways to slow the city's growth, as infrastructure can't keep up with the surging population, which has now reached more than 20 million. "The size of Beijing doesn't intimidate me," Thomas says. "It's not a mass of humanity. You learn to read it socio-demographically ... once you get above a million, it doesn't really make a difference. You look at where you have the relationships." China is riding the same wave of urbanization as the rest of the globe. The United Nations estimates that by 2050 nearly 70 percent of the world's 10 billion people will be living in cities, up from only 30 percent living in cities in 1950. A similar scenario is occurring in China but -- as in its economic and industrial development -- at a much more rapid pace. As recently as 1980, less than 20 percent of China's population lived in cities. In the '80s, Chinese citizens were generally assigned to "work units" and the central government largely restricted their movements. Opportunities for work in cities nevertheless beckoned and even in the mid-'80s a significant percentage of temporary workers ventured to cities such as Beijing. With China's meteoric economic development of recent decades, that "floating population" has increased in the capital and in other cities in China. By the end of 2011, half of China's population was living in cities. "You have a lot of advantages [as a Christian worker] in the city," Thomas says, noting that relationships in urban environments are built through mutual interests rather than proximity. Effective witnesses "In some ways it is very natural," Thomas says. "In some ways, the bigger the city, the better your odds of finding somebody with similar interests. In the city you can't share with everybody. It's not practical and not effective. You find points of common interest. You build relationships. The Gospel spreads along relational lines. "So when I look at the city I don't see the masses of people," he says. "It's easy to start seeing the pockets. Where do you start in a city? Wherever your relationships take you." For Thomas, this occurs through training others to be effective witnesses. For others it may be connecting with subcultures of artists or musicians. Change has come to China at such a blistering pace that it is hard to know what is next. Thomas points out that in the Book of Acts, God used persecution to scatter the church. Likewise, he suggests, "God is using economic migration to bring the lost to the church [in the city]. "Napoleon Bonaparte said 'when China awakes, the world will tremble.' In the sovereignty of God, as countries rise and fall, God is bringing China to the center stage of world history," Thomas says. "It's not a question of 'Will China rise?' It's a question of 'What kind of China will it be?' "Those fields of harvest are rice paddies. They're longing for the Gospel. And they're coming to us, even here in the city." --30-- *Name changed. Contributing writer Elaine Gaston provided this story for the International Mission Board. Southern Baptists' gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions and through the Cooperative Program help Southern Baptist workers around the world share the Gospel. Gifts for the offering are received at Southern Baptist churches across the country or can be made online at [URL=http://imb.org/main/give/pagelm.asp?StoryID=8078&LanguageID=1709&cid=lmcop]www.imb.org/offering[/URL] where there are resources for church leaders to promote the offering. Download related videos at [URL=http://www.imb.org/main/give/page.asp?StoryID=5595&LanguageID=1709&cid=lmcop]www.imb.org/lmcovideo[/URL]. -- End of story -- WEEK OF PRAYER: Beijing's young adults become U.S. couple's focus of outreach By Elaine Gaston Dec. 4 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39283 EDITOR'S NOTE: This year's Week of Prayer for International Missions in the Southern Baptist Convention is Dec. 2-9 with the theme of "BE His heart, His hands, His voice" from Matthew 16:24-25. Each year's Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions supplements Cooperative Program giving to support Southern Baptists' 5,000 international missionaries' initiatives in sharing the Gospel. This year's offering goal is $175 million. To find resources about the offering, go to [URL=http://imb.org/main/give/pagelm.asp?StoryID=8078&LanguageID=1709&cid=lmcop]www.imb.org/offering[/URL]. Beijing is the focus of the 2012 International Mission Study ([URL=http://www.wmu.com/Beijing]www.mwu.com/Beijing[/URL]) BEIJING (BP) -- When Steve* was diagnosed with prostate cancer just before he and his wife Lisa* were planning to move to China, some friends took it as a sign. [QUOTE@right@190="God is preparing people and putting them in our path. And it's just amazing." -- Christian worker in Beijing]"People [said], 'I guess you are not supposed to be going overseas,'" Steve recalled. "I said, 'No, I think I am just getting a tune-up here.'" Treatment for the illness caused a year's delay in their plans, but it didn't deter the middle-aged couple. At a time when most of their generation are deciding where to settle for their golden years, Steve and Lisa saw these years as a golden opportunity. During an earlier visit with friends who work in another part of China, Steve and Lisa opened their hearts to the idea of sharing Jesus Christ in China as well. "Every day we just saw the Lord doing things. So halfway through the trip we said we ought to check this out," Steve said. It was a longer road to the field than they expected. Before they landed in Beijing, Steve completed a seminary degree as well as his cancer treatment. "We can see that that whole year was all part of the plan," Steve said. "We were in a whole different place when that year was over." God has used them from the very start, bringing a variety of young people into their lives before they even acquired language skills. They led several to the Lord, and by the time they'd been in Beijing a year, they were discipling a number of young adults. All had come from other provinces in search of employment. While these relationships fuel Steve and Lisa's enthusiasm, there also are plenty of challenges in their life, perhaps the most daunting being language learning. "Language at our age is really hard," Lisa said. "I took Latin in high school because I wouldn't have to speak it. I didn't take [a language] in college." They invest the time to learn Chinese knowing God will open even more doors for them to be His heart, hands and voice when they can communicate in the heart language of those around them. "The encouraging thing is that I [study so much] and feel like I am just struggling and not doing well. But, you know what? However I butcher this language, God is using us. And He is bringing people to us," Lisa said. "So having these relationships has made the struggle of language worth it." It's interesting that the Lord has brought young people into their lives rather than people of their own generation. Lisa points out that these are young people precisely the ages of their own children in the U.S., from whom they are so far away. "It's not us," Lisa said. "God is preparing people and putting them in our path. And it's just amazing. It's just amazing." --30-- *Names changed. Contributing writer Elaine Gaston provided this story for IMB. Southern Baptists' gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions and through the Cooperative Program help Southern Baptist missionaries around the world share the Gospel. Gifts for the offering are received at Southern Baptist churches across the country or can be made online at [URL=http://imb.org/main/give/pagelm.asp?StoryID=8078&LanguageID=1709&cid=lmcop]www.imb.org/offering[/URL] where there are resources for church leaders to promote the offering. Download related videos at [URL=http://www.imb.org/main/give/page.asp?StoryID=5595&LanguageID=1709&cid=lmcop]www.imb.org/lmcovideo[/URL]. -- End of story -- Judge rules against Calif. gay therapy ban By Michael Foust Dec. 4 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39288 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- In what is being called a victory for religious liberty and parental rights, a federal judge has ruled against California's controversial new law that bans change therapy for teens who have unwanted same-sex attractions. The first-of-its-kind law, signed by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown in September, prevents licensed counselors from trying to change a minor's sexuality, even if the therapy is desired by the patient. Judge William B. Shubb issued a temporary injunction Monday (Dec. 4) preventing the law from being enforced against the three plaintiffs in the case. But while Shubb's ruling was limited, he indicated he eventually would strike the law down altogether. The day after Shubb's ruling, a federal judge in a second case upheld the law. The law is scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1. "Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their ... claims based on violations of their rights to freedom of speech under the First Amendment," Shubb wrote. " ... The Supreme Court has recognized that physician speech is entitled to First Amendment protection because of the significance of the doctor-patient relationship." Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) filed the lawsuit. PJI President Brad Dacus said the law violates religious freedom, free speech and the rights of parents. "It is not unusual for a judge to limit the injunction just to the plaintiffs themselves," Dacus told Baptist Press. "But the injunction is not based upon particular nuances or facts solely related to our client, but rather is prefaced upon the statute on its face being likely to be found unconstitutional." The law states, "Under no circumstances shall a mental health provider engage in sexual orientation change efforts with a patient under 18 years of age." Any mental health providers who attempt such counseling could lose their license, the law adds. Shubb was nominated by President George H.W. Bush. "California has arguably survived 150 years without this law and it would be a stretch of reason to conclude that it would suffer significant harm having to wait a few more months to know whether the law is enforceable as against the three plaintiffs in this case," Shubb wrote. --30-- Michael Foust is associate editor of Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter ([URL=http://www.Twitter.com/BaptistPress]@BaptistPress[/URL]), Facebook ([URL=http://Facebook.com/BaptistPress]Facebook.com/BaptistPress [/URL]) and in your email ([URL=http://baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp] baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp[/URL]). -- End of story -- Sen. defeats treaty opposed by family groups By Tom Strode Dec. 4 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39290 WASHINGTON (BP) -- The U.S. Senate fell short in its bid to ratify a treaty critics charged could subvert parental authority and American sovereignty, as well as expand abortions. [QUOTE@right@190="I'm delighted that this ignominious treaty has been sent to the ash heap of history where it belongs." – Richard Land]Senators voted 61-38 Tuesday (Dec. 4) for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD) but failed to achieve the two-thirds majority required in the Senate to approve a treaty. The CRPD's foes had expressed hope they had the votes to prevent ratification, but they acknowledged senators were under intense pressure to support the controversial treaty. The treaty's opponents applauded its failure. "I'm delighted that this ignominious treaty has been sent to the ash heap of history where it belongs and that even a lame-duck Senate understood the intrusions upon American sovereignty that were unacceptable," said Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Michael Smith, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), described the treaty's defeat in an email to supporters as "a great victory for parental rights, homeschool freedom, and children with special needs." Senate ratification would have meant the treaty would become law under the U.S. Constitution, supersede state laws and be considered binding in the courts, HSLDA warned before the vote. HSLDA, which led opposition to the treaty, listed the following among its concerns with the treaty in a recent letter to senators endorsed by Land and 39 other pro-family and conservative leaders: -- An article in the treaty making the "best interests of the child" a "primary consideration" could usurp the "traditional fundamental right of parents to direct the education and upbringing" of a special needs child. -- A 1989 New Zealand law that is considered to comply with the CRPD permits the secretary of Education to require a disabled child to attend a government-operated school if he thinks it best for the student, implying the same thing could happen in the United States. -- The U.S. could surrender its sovereignty to a committee – the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – established by the treaty. The treaty's inclusion of the term "reproductive health" -- sometimes a euphemism for "abortion rights" -- drew concern as well. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee failed to allay those concerns when it defeated an amendment that sought to clarify "reproductive health" does not include abortion. Sen. John Kerry, D.-Mass., who promoted the treaty as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, rejected the charges leveled by its foes. He denied the CRPD would either usurp American law or change abortion policy. Kerry also said the committee established by the treaty has "very, very limited powers." The treaty's foes acknowledged the need to expand protections for disabled people in developing countries but said the federal Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) already provides such safeguards in this country. All of the Senate's 51 Democrats, as well as the chamber's two independents, voted for the treaty's ratification. Eight Republicans joined them. President Obama signed the CRPD in 2009, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved it in a 13-6 vote in July of this year. Three Republicans joined the 10 Democrats on the panel in supporting the treaty at that time. --30-- Tom Strode is Washington bureau chief for Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter ([URL=http://www.Twitter.com/BaptistPress]@BaptistPress[/URL]), Facebook ([URL=http://Facebook.com/BaptistPress]Facebook.com/BaptistPress [/URL]) and in your email ([URL=http://baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp] baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp[/URL]). -- End of story -- 'Sonny' Tucker named Ark. executive director By Tim Yarbrough/Arkansas Baptist News Dec. 4 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39291 [IMG=34022@right@200]LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (BP) -- J.D. "Sonny" Tucker was elected executive director-treasurer of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) at the Dec. 4 meeting of the ABSC Executive Board. He officially begins his duties Jan. 1. Tucker, 53, replaces Emil Turner, who announced Aug. 2 his intention to retire in 2013. Tucker has served as team leader of the convention's evangelism and church growth team since 1997. Turner has served as executive director since 1996. Don Blackmore, discipleship pastor at Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro, who serves as chairman of the ABSC Operating Committee, said Tucker possesses qualities the committee was looking for in a new executive director. "We were looking for someone who would continue to serve the churches of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention," he said, adding, "A second quality we looked for was somebody that would continue with an evangelistic zeal, keeping [with] Dr. Turner's theme, 'More people in heaven and less people in hell.' So we wanted to continue that focus as well. Another quality that we were looking for was someone who understood the churches of Arkansas. "[We] felt very confident that after that interview process with him that he was God's person." Following his election, Tucker received a standing ovation from members of the Executive Board. Members of the Operating Committee surrounded Tucker and his wife Nicki as Blackmore prayed. "I think the Operating Committee and the board made a wonderful choice. Sonny is quintessential Arkansas," Turner said following Tucker's election. "He is an Arkansas pastor's pastor. He loves Arkansas churches. He'll lead well, and he'll set a great tone for the state convention." Gary Hollingsworth, president of the ABSC Executive Committee and pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, said Tucker knows Arkansas well. "In addition to his experience and his knowledge of the churches and the leaders around our state, it struck me very clearly that -- while he has done a wonderful job leading evangelism -- he has a real vision for where we need to go in the future," Hollingsworth said. "He also has great relationships built around our larger Southern Baptist Convention family, which is important because he'll be a part of that network of the other state conventions," he continued. "He was a wise choice because of the fact that he knows Arkansas, but he's already well-respected around our convention." "These are challenging times for conventions," said Rex Horne, president of Ouachita Baptist University, where Tucker received an undergraduate degree. "It is a challenging time for our country, and he'll come in and give us good leadership, strong leadership, collaborative and creative leadership; that, I think, is going to really set us up well for years to come." Tucker said following his election he wants to continue "the great foundation that Dr. Turner has laid" working with Arkansas Baptist churches. He said he wants to see Arkansas Baptists make "big strides" in evangelism, missions and church planting. "Arkansans know Arkansas Baptist convention churches are kind, gracious and caring. I want [them] to know that we stand for Jesus and the Word of God and that we really, really love folks," Tucker said. "We want to stay focused on Arkansas, with a strong sense of family and a strong sense of partnership with the churches." Tucker told the Arkansas Baptist News in a story published Jan. 26 that evangelism and church growth has always been his passion. "I perfected a proficient system of cold call or door-knocking evangelism," Tucker said. "It involved friendship making, praying for spiritual needs and sharing the Gospel." Tucker said he believes Arkansas Baptists must develop personal evangelism skills, as well as reach out through event evangelism, to effectively reach people in the 21st century with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition, he said while it is necessary to affirm the cultural diversity of today's society, some methods will reach across those boundaries. "The most effective vehicle [for reaching people today] is through ministry, service, friendship and acts of love and kindness," he said. All of Tucker's pastoral experience has been in Arkansas churches. Prior to joining the ABSC staff, he was pastor of Second Baptist Church in Monticello from 1994 to 1997. His other pastorates were at West Helena Baptist Church, West Helena, 1991-94; Fair Oaks Baptist Church, Fair Oaks, 1988-91; and Shady Grove Baptist Church, Sparkman, 1981-88. He was youth director at Antioch Baptist Church in Hot Springs from 1980-81. Tucker completed a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in 1998. His major field of study was missiology with a focus on evangelism and church growth. Tucker also received a master of divinity degree from Mid-America in 1992. He completed undergraduate degrees in pastoral ministries and speech and communications from Ouachita Baptist University in 1983. He and his wife are members of First Baptist Church in Benton and have two grown children, Megan and Curt. --30— Tim Yarbrough is editor of the Arkansas Baptist News (www.arkansasbaptist.org), newsjournal of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. -- End of story -- Cooperative Program has strong showing By Staff Dec. 4 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39284 NASHVILLE (BP) -- Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee are 7.59 percent over the same period last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President Frank Page. The total includes receipts from state conventions and fellowships, churches and individuals for distribution according to the 2012-13 SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. As of Nov. 30, gifts received by the Executive Committee for distribution through the Cooperative Program Allocation Budget totaled $30,586,021.68, or $2,158,294.66 above the $28,427,727.02 received through November 2011. "I am greatly encouraged at this positive report," Page said. "It is too early to speculate whether this is a sign that our '1% CP Challenge' is beginning to make an impact, is the result of an improvement in the economic prospects of our people and churches, is the effect of the state conventions that are moving closer to a 50/50 division between the state portion and the SBC portion of the Cooperative Program, or is merely the timing of the monthly gifts from the churches and states. Whatever the cause, I am thankful for this increase in gifts through CP." A Cooperative Program survey conducted by LifeWay Research (see the Winter issue of SBC LIFE, mailed this week, with a follow-up BP story slated for next week) showed that 7 percent of pastors accepted the "1% CP Challenge" in their churches' current budget year, with another 8 percent of pastors planning to lead their churches to accept the challenge in the next budget year. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I am not into building a denomination. But I am very much into extending the Kingdom," Page said. "Each gift through the CP increases the number of missionaries we can appoint, the number of churches we can help launch and revitalize, the number of students we can help train for leadership in our churches, and the impact we can make on Capitol Hill advocating for biblical morality and religious liberty. This is why I am excited about and committed to the Cooperative Program." For the month, a total of $16,983,721.04 was received for distribution through the Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. Meanwhile, year-to-date designated giving of $6,765,332.93 is 6.79 percent, or $492,938.20, below gifts of $7,258,271.13 received at this point last year. This total includes only those gifts received and distributed by the Executive Committee and does not reflect designated gifts contributed directly to SBC entities. The CP and designated giving totals represent money received by the Executive Committee by the close of the last business day of each month. Month-to-month swings reflect a number of factors, including the number of Sundays in a given month, the day of the month churches forward their CP contributions to their state conventions and the timing of when state conventions forward the national portion of their CP contributions to the Executive Committee. For the SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget, the year-to-date total of $30,586,021.68 is 97.61 percent of the $31,333,333.33 budgeted to support Southern Baptist ministries globally and across North America. The Cooperative Program is Southern Baptists' method of supporting missions and ministry efforts of state and regional conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention. The Cooperative Program total includes receipts from individuals, churches, state conventions and fellowships for distribution according to the 2012-13 SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. Designated contributions include the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions, Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund and other special gifts. State and regional conventions retain a portion of church contributions to the Southern Baptist Convention Cooperative Program to support work in their respective areas and forward a percentage to Southern Baptist national and international causes. The percentage of distribution is at the discretion of each state or regional convention. --30-- Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter ([URL=http://www.Twitter.com/BaptistPress]@BaptistPress[/URL]), Facebook ([URL=http://Facebook.com/BaptistPress]Facebook.com/BaptistPress [/URL]) and in your email ([URL=http://baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp] baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp[/URL]). -- End of story -- Small, remote church reaches world with CP By Karen L. Willoughby Dec. 4 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39286 [IMG=34021@right@250]LINDRITH, N.M. (BP) -- Despite its remote location and small membership, Lindrith Baptist Church reaches to the end of the world each month by giving through the Cooperative Program. Only 200 people live within a 25-mile radius of the church in Lindrith, N.M., that draws 30 to Sunday morning worship, but the congregation does mighty works in its own community and across the globe. The cooperative work of Southern Baptist churches through CP is key to the church's national and global reach, according to pastor Chuck Self. "Lindrith Baptist has a longstanding belief in the Southern Baptist principle that working together we accomplish great things for God," Self said. "We give to the Cooperative Program and then out of our blessing we also support the individual causes we share as Southern Baptists." The first 10 percent the church gives through CP is simply obedience, the pastor said, and the giving has not hindered Lindrith Baptist in repaying a financial debt nor in serving its local community. "For me as pastor, this 'easy' step of obedience as a church can serve as an example for the individual members. At this time of year we will take advantage of the opportunity [of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions] to thank our folks for remaining obedient and not stealing from our privilege of giving back to the Lord to pay debt," Self said. "We will continue to trust in God as we go forward and look to Him for provision. "We have incurred a debt for the first time in the history of the church, borrowing $97,000 to replace a parsonage which was found to have mold. We have trusted in God's provision for this debt and He has already provided help from not only our members but from other generous givers around the U.S." Though the members have a global vision, they also see the need for people in the area to have as durable a relationship with God as they do with the hardscrabble sagebrush-sprinkled land in which they live. Ninety percent of the regular Sunday morning worshipers were involved in mission projects over the last couple of years, including renovation and expansion of the worship center, servant evangelism at Apache and Navajo reservations in Arizona, and pastoral support at a church located on a garbage dump in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. They also participated this year with the Baptist Convention of New Mexico in evangelistic ministry at the New Mexico State Fair and are regularly active in associational activities. Participation in the Cooperative Program has another benefit for Lindrith Baptist, the pastor said. "A lot of times people feel, 'We're not doing anything,' but when we see and hear about what is being done [through the Cooperative Program], we are reminded it happens because churches like us are working together, and we have a part in that," Self said. The church is located 14 miles from the one road that passes through town and 11 miles from the state highway that would take them to either Albuquerque or Farmington in about two hours. Lindrith is also 7,400 feet above sea level. "We are the community church," Self said. "We are known for providing assistance when needed, the place for meeting for various events -- funerals, weddings, showers and the like -- and our people are heavily involved in the community through the volunteer fire department, the local charter school, the rodeo association and the water co-op. "All are used as avenues to share the love of Christ," Self said. "We are striving to be known as the church that cares and where everyone is welcome. And globally, we share in Southern Baptist causes with prayer and through the Cooperative Program." The center of Lindrith is comprised of the Baptist church, a Church of Christ, a post office and the charter school educating 23 students this year. "That's town; that's it," Self said. "The next-closest church is about 20 minutes away, and it's 30 minutes to a Baptist church. About 40 people live in the center of the community; the rest are within the 25-mile radius from the community center. "My goal is to know and be known as the working pastor, a man who cares about people," he said. "That provides me with a great opportunity to share and live out my faith before people. "My focus has been to get involved in the community, get to know people and let them get to know me," he said. "It is through this kind of 'relational evangelism' that we have made the small steps we have." Recently, such relational one-on-one evangelism has included outreach to a recently baptized teenager, a Jicarilla Apache woman who is seeking God, and couples who have returned to the area in either retirement or to care for aging parents. Three people have been baptized so far in 2012; two more are hoping for a Christmas baptism to allow family to attend. "This is just one of those places where God is working," said Self, who is a member of the governing council of the local charter school, where he will be teaching a Dave Ramsey financial course in the spring. He also serves with the volunteer fire department, has worked with the local rodeo association and helps as needed with work on the local water system. His background includes 17 years as an auditor for Amoco in Tulsa, Okla., and nine years as executive pastor of First Baptist Church in Owasso, Okla. He also has served churches in Texas and Arizona. "I think as long as there are people here, the church will be here," Self said. "The kids move away for the most part after they graduate, but there's almost always some who move back to live and work on the family property. "So many things make the work hard, but I feel like God called us here for a purpose," Self said. "The people need someone in whom they can see God's love, and that's what we are trying to do." --30-- Karen L. Willoughby is managing editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message, the newsjournal for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. -- End of story -- Persecuted need U.S. help, advocates say By Anne Reiner Dec. 4 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39285 [QUOTE@right@200="Christians wear their Sunday best to go to church, and it turns out to be their funeral clothing." -– Emmanuel Ogebe]WASHINGTON (BP) -- The United States must make the fight against persecution a priority, religious liberty advocates said recently. "As the Apostle Paul taught the early church to respond to the needs of fellow believers who were being persecuted in Jerusalem, we here in America today have a responsibility to use our influence and our resources to help fellow Christians in need," said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council (FRC). Perkins joined five other religious freedom advocates in a webcast on persecution cosponsored by FRC and Voice of the Martyrs (VOM). As host of the webcast, he discussed the persecution of Christians in countries throughout the Middle East, as well as in North Korea, Eretria, China, Nigeria and more than 20 other countries. The other spokesmen emphasized the need for action from the United States government to help the persecuted. "I find it difficult to describe it as merely persecution. This is almost extinction," said Emmanuel Ogebe, a Nigerian Christian attorney. During the past year, Nigerian churches have suffered 24 suicide bombings, making it the worst year of the past 30 years of persecution, Ogebe said. Christians in Nigeria are not accustomed to such persecution, he said during the Nov. 14 webcast. "Christians wear their Sunday best to go to church, and it turns out to be their funeral clothing," he said. Nigeria has seen little support from the United States government, Ogebe said. Last Christmas, three cities were bombed by Boko Haram, a militant Islamic organization based in Nigeria. The State Department, however, said in its latest International Religious Freedom Report only one city was bombed, Ogebe said. He believes this further demonstrates the United States' desire not to label the bombings as terrorist attacks. Part of his belief is based on the fact the State Department refuses to label Boko Haram as a terrorist group. The president and secretary of State must be willing to take action to help prevent the persecution of Christians, said Tom Farr, director of the Religious Freedom Project at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs on the Georgetown University campus. Also, Congress should deal with the issue as a bipartisan body, but while many are willing to agree, few are willing to act, Farr said. "I've been hearing 'amens' for 14 years, but I haven't seen any policies," Farr said. The number of Christians in Iran has risen to anywhere between one and three million, said Dr. Hormoz Shariat, founder of Iran Alive Ministries. Meanwhile, the government has begun cracking down on Christians in a way it has not done before, he said. "The persecution is a result of God working and people responding," Shariat said during the webcast. Shariat recounted the story of a 17-year-old boy who was imprisoned for his Christian faith. He was beaten, his leg broken and the fingers on his right hand broken. In addition, his education was expunged, and he was dismissed from his university. Yet, at the end of the teenager's imprisonment, the guard in charge of his torture asked the young man to continue to share the Gospel with him so he could become a Christian, Shariat said. Iranians are eager to hear the Gospel of Jesus, because they see so many flaws in their own Islamic faith, Shariat said. The Christian movement in Iran should not be pitied, he said. Christians should be encouraged to take hold of their opportunity to make Iran a new country, he told the audience. American Christians don't know enough about the persecution of their brothers and sisters abroad, said Todd Nettleton, VOM's director of media development. Some Christians are increasing their awareness of the plight abroad, but many more are still uneducated on the topic, he said. "There are a lot of Christians who close the last chapter of Acts and think that is where the persecution stopped," Nettleton said. Perkins and Nettleton urged Christians throughout America to educate themselves about the persecution of Christians so they would be able to pray effectively. They also urged them to send Bibles and letters for the persecuted and sign petitions calling for the release of imprisoned Christians. "There are people losing their lives, and we are doing nothing about it," Perkins said. In addition to the speakers who were at FRC for the event, Sen. David Vitter, R.-La., also spoke by video. --30— Anne Reiner was an intern this fall with the Washington bureau of Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter ([URL=http://www.Twitter.com/BaptistPress]@BaptistPress[/URL]), Facebook ([URL=http://Facebook.com/BaptistPress]Facebook.com/BaptistPress [/URL]) and in your email ([URL=http://baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp] baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp[/URL]). -- End of story -- FROM THE STATES: Miss., Mo. & Ark. evangelism/missions news By Staff Dec. 4 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39289 EDITOR'S NOTE: From the States, published each Tuesday by Baptist Press, relays news and feature stories from state Baptist papers and other publications on initiatives by Baptist churches, associations and state conventions in evangelism, church planting and Great Commission outreach, including partnership missions. Reports about churches, associations and state conventions responding to the International Mission Board's call to embrace the world's 3,800 unengaged, unreached people groups also are included in From the States, along with reports about church, associational and state convention initiatives in conjunction with the North American Mission Board's call to Southern Baptist churches to broaden their efforts in starting new churches and satellite campuses. The items appear in Baptist Press as originally published. Today's From the States features items from: The Baptist Record (Mississippi) The Pathway (Missouri) Arkansas Baptist News Miss. Baptists team up with FIEC to reach Great Britain By Tony Martin JACKSON, Miss. (The Baptist Record) -- Mississippi Baptists are partnering with the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) in Great Britain. Michael Stringer, retired pastor of Oadby Evangelical Free Church in Leicestershire and a volunteer with the FIEC, visited the state during the Mississippi Baptist Convention. Stringer was the first pastor of the church, founded in 1975, a position he held until his retirement at the end of August 2007. Using the 2012 Olympics in London as an opportunity for evangelism, 24 Mississippi teams joined 23 of the FIEC churches each for one week from May to August. "The FIEC began in England in 1922 as a response to the ecumenical movement," said Stringer. "Independent churches from all over the country were isolated from each other. There was a need for a network or fellowship of churches. The FIEC is not a denomination. It is deliberately biblical and evangelical. It holds to the basics of the faith based on the old confessions." The FIEC includes several Baptist churches among its 500 member churches. Stringer is frank in his assessment of the state of evangelicals in Great Britain. "Less than 2% of the population of England is evangelical Christian," he said. "75% believe in god -- but which god? The United States is about 20 years behind the U.K." As an example, the former Carey Chapel in Leicestershire is now a Jain temple, Jainism being an ancient Indian religion. Stringer also noted that, at its present state of growth, Birmingham, England, will have a Muslim majority in just a few years. In spite of these sobering statistics, Stringer is very upbeat about the ministry of Mississippi Baptists to date, and encouraged about ministry opportunities to come. "The wonderfully servant-hearted team members came to help the churches in a whole variety of Gospel activities -- community projects, open-air witnessing, BBQs and 'Fun Days,' visiting schools for assemblies, class lessons and teaching American sports, helping with coffee mornings, mum and toddler groups, and home groups! One small team was even taken for a night's street pastoring," Stringer stated. Future plans include outreach in Scotland in 2013. "That expansion is looking positive and strong," Stringer continued. "More English churches are asking for help. In addition, we have what is called the Commonwealth Games in Scotland in 2014. This is for countries that years ago were part of the old British Empire. When the Empire collapsed, these countries joined together in what is called the Commonwealth. So there are 70 countries of the Commonwealth that are gathering in Glasgow for these games, sort of like a mini-Olympics. We want to expand the work in Scotland to encourage witness during these games just as we did during the Olympics." These activities fall under the FIEC project known as TEAMWORK. "We're very excited to partner with you here in Mississippi," Stringer said. "Our churches are thrilled by what you have done. Pray for our progress. England is a mission field. Even when you add up all the religions, less than 10% of the people in England are involved in any religious activity. Since the 1950's, we've seen a steady moral, spiritual and social decline. Be aware of our needs -- Mississippi team members who have served did not realize that England had gotten in such bad shape." Stringer noted that there was a movement afoot in Great Britain to accommodate homosexual marriage. He observed how this same issue was being dealt with in the United States, with states recognizing same-sex unions. "Massachusetts was the scene of one of the great revivals of the 18th century with Jonathan Edwards," Stringer said, "and you've just elected your first lesbian senator." Churches interested in hosting a team to Great Britain in 2013, or looking for more information, can reach Stringer via email at mike102cr@gmail.com. "We must try to reach into our communities," Stringer said. "We've been in our holy huddles too long, and we have awakened to the fact that we have to avoid this." --30-- This article appeared in The Baptist Record (mbcb.org/business_services/br), newsjournal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention. Tony Martin is associate editor of The Baptist Record. ********** The Heartland Highway: MBC leaders help roll out I-29/I-49 new work idea By Allen Palmeri KANSAS CITY (The Pathway) -- Interstate 29/49 is now a symbol of cooperative church planting among Southern Baptists in the Heartland following a Nov. 16 collaboration meeting here at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS). Interstate 29 runs north from Kansas City, Mo., to Winnipeg, Manitoba. The idea is to push upward into Iowa and all the way to Canada, then outward into areas of the upper Midwest where there is little or no Southern Baptist or evangelical presence. There was some discussion among highway officials that would have taken the I-29 designation from Carthage to Winnipeg. December, 2012, Missouri Dept. of Transportation officials are introducing I-49 signage to US 71 from Carthage to Kansas City. Eventually, I-49 is slated to run all the way to New Orleans. About 35 leaders from five state conventions—with Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Director John Yeats spurring strategy development—met at the Koehn & Myers Center for World Evangelism. Leo Endel, executive director for the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention, cast the vision. Yeats and his counterparts from Kansas-Nebraska, Iowa, and the Dakotas all spoke to what Endel called "the embryonic idea" of the corridor. Besides the five state convention execs, participants included directors of missions, state staff members, pastors, and seminary officials. Half of the eight MBC team leaders sat at one of the four roundtables where strategy was discussed. One of the more seasoned leaders from Midwestern Seminary, Rodney Harrison, explained why the I-29/I-49 Corridor plan is needed. Harrison, vice president for institutional effectiveness, dean of online education, director of doctoral studies, and associate professor of Christian education at MBTS, has served at the seminary nine years, including seven on the VP level. "We need to reinvest in the Heartland churches," he said. "This is a worthy endeavor. Let's not neglect the Heartland." Endel talked about the opportunity. "There is openness in our world right now—in Minnesota-Wisconsin, in Iowa, and the Dakotas—to some group that would proclaim the gospel in clear ways so that people could be able to respond to it," he said. "That's our challenge to you, to consider the possibility." Yeats, who also serves as recording secretary of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), is ready to deploy an MBC church planting assessment and training process that has a 90 percent survival rate with new works. He also thinks the Heartland Highway idea that includes I-49 has potential for some southern partners to engage in this process. "We want to partner with our partners for Heartland mobilization of volunteers for special events and special projects," he said. The next step in the process is to appoint a task force. In the weeks to come, the state execs will be examining ways to accomplish that. Connecting with local church pastors and laymen is a priority. "If it's going to go someplace it's going to have to take place in the hearts of our pastors," Endel said. The meeting ended with words of encouragement and a prayer from Steve Davis, vice president, South Region, North American Mission Board (NAMB), who said that God is bringing all of the pieces together at just the right time along the I-29 spine of the Midwest, which is the aorta of the Heartland. "Think and plan and work from each of your strengths as full partners in the process," Davis said. "Some of you may not be able to bring as many people resources or financial resources and those kinds of things to the table, but each of you has some key strengths in your conventions and in your associations." --30-- This article appeared in The Pathway (mbcpathway.com), newsjournal of the Missouri Baptist Convention. Allen Palmeri is associate editor of The Pathway. ********** Sharing Jesus in multihousing By Tim Yarbrough MAYFLOWER, Ark. (Arkansas Baptist News) -– Multihousing communities present challenges and opportunities for church outreach -– but for members of First Baptist Church in Mayflower, Ark., it is a key part of their mission strategy. On Saturday, Nov. 10, the church used an auction and free rummage sale for residents of the Queens Manor apartment complex as a way to share the love of Jesus. "This is a culmination of things that really began with GPS -– God's Plan for Sharing –- and the Across Arkansas movement," said David Fox, pastor of First Baptist for the past two years. Upon entering the apartment community, a visitor was met with the sounds of children laughing and an auctioneer in the distance. People milled around cars in the parking lot. Some were seen carrying toys, appliances and furniture. Two residents carried a large bedroom mattress up a flight of stairs. Several "bounce houses" were set up for children, as were several tables of clothing and other items, behind a large row of apartment buildings. "It's turned out to be a pretty good day," said Fox, smiling and adding, "The ultimate objective is, of course, to see the residents of Queens Manor saved and in heaven. ... This is just a way to love them, show them the love of Christ." Fox said planning for outreach in the complex began this past spring when members of the church prayer walked the area. "Three people (from our church) -– Jim McDaniel, Dave Trezise, who is the auctioneer (today), and Geri Trezise -– (are leading it). They developed a burden to reach out. This is the culmination of those things." Activities included providing 36 backpacks filled with school supplies to Queens Manor children before the start of the school year, said Fox. About 400–500 residents live in Queens Manor, said Fox. "The people that live here rent by the week. ... It's definitely low income," said Fox. "There are folks here with great needs, not only material needs, but physically and spiritually. That's one of the things that we are trying to do, ... meet needs." Fox said Scott Martin, a North American Mission Board (NAMB) missionary and multihousing missions ministry consultant with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, was "huge" in assisting the church in planning outreach. "Scott was very instrumental in giving us ideas and thoughts," said Fox. Martin, who resides in a Maumelle apartment complex, said his role is to be a catalyst in helping encourage churches in Arkansas to have a passion for multihousing missions. NAMB estimates 150 million people reside in some type of multihousing community in North America, such as apartments, trailer parks, assisted living centers and nursing homes, said Martin, adding that an estimated 95 percent are unreached with the gospel. "Overall, there are a number of churches within our state involved in this type of ministry, and that number is growing," said Martin. "First Baptist Church of Mayflower is one example of a church that is investing prayer, time and resources in meeting the needs of residents at Queens Manor Apartments, in order to earn the right to share the gospel." First Baptist began work in Queens Manor with a block party and Bible study and has continued with a number of efforts – the largest of which was the Nov. 10 event. "On Tuesday, we saw the first conversion here, … a gentleman saved," said Fox. "So the work is beginning to pay off. There are a lot of strongholds, oppression here, you know, addiction, … those kind of things." Geri Trezise said the burden to reach out in Queens Manor began with her husband, Dave. "God laid it on his heart," she said. "I said, 'I want to be a part of that, too.' It is such a humbling experience. It keeps me grateful of how God has blessed me, because I know for the grace of God this could be me as well." Trezise knows, having managed an apartment complex prior to retirement. She sees God working as a result of the church's efforts in the complex. "He's helping break down those strongholds," she said. "There's just so much to overcome down here. We are hoping to do that and show that there's a better way and there's a God who loves them and they need Him." Trezise added, "(The) people here are like everybody else. They just want to be respected and just to know that somebody cares … (and) in some way show the light of Christ to them and let them know that, yes we love them, but there is Someone who loves them more." Fox, Trezise and others at the church are praying for God to open a door to establish a permanent location for a Bible study and other activities at the complex. "What we really want is a commons area," said Fox. "That would make an awesome clubhouse," Trezise said, pointing to the storage building immediately behind where the auction was being held. "That's the hope that we can bring some sort of building in to have a Bible study down here," said Fox. For now, the storage building isn't available, so they asked the Lord to give them a vacant apartment to use – especially in bad weather. The Bible study originally started in the complex "was too aggressive and just too much to start with," said Trezise. So the group began simply visiting Queens Manor residents and doing small things. "We would just come pray for them and love on them," said Fox. The complex manager has been cooperative with the church and made a vacant apartment available on Wednesdays, where the group would share chocolate, cookies and other goodies. Trezise said residents need assistance with things like transportation to get to the doctor and help with information services offered through the county. But the bottom line remains the same, and it is what fuels Trezise's passion to serve at Queens Manor. "(It's) to let them know that there is another way, there is a better way ... and that is the Lord." --30-- This article appeared in the Arkansas Baptist News (arkansasbaptist.org), newsjournal of the Arkansas Baptist Convention. Tim Yarbrough is editor of the Arkansas Baptist News. -- End of story -- FIRST-PERSON: A Christmas caroling outreach By Diana Davis Dec. 4 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39287 INDIANAPOLIS (BP) -- Now, here's a fun church-wide Christmas project. Plan a gigantic caroling blitz with an outreach purpose, where every attendee at your church -- singles, kids, elderly, teens, couples -- is challenged to contribute one hour for a purposeful caroling party. Try these simple tips for planning. -- Recruit great leaders. You'll need mappers, hot cocoa servers and a promotion team. Most importantly, recruit lots and lots of caroling team leaders. Set a big goal for the number of caroling teams. Give leaders an instruction sheet so they can be prepared. -- Offer multiple party times. For best participation, offer a choice of caroling hours, and perhaps a choice of days. For example: 10-11 a.m., 6-7 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. on Tuesday. Or every evening one week. -- Make caroling maps. Each caroling team will receive a unique list of homes and prospective members to visit. Design a plan that fits your church and community, considering distance and time. Mappers will attempt to set one pre-arranged appointment for each team, such as a homebound member or church guest. Caroling at one home takes about five minutes, then they can sing at nearby homes as well. Where to carol? Consider: 1) caroling for homebound members and their neighbors; 2) caroling at all homes within a few blocks of your church building, or an entire subdivision; 3) caroling for your town's mayor, police chief or other leaders; 4) caroling in hallways at a nearby nursing home, with permission; 5) caroling at the home of each recent visitor to your church, and at their neighbors. Also, consider including people with mobility limitations. They can carol from their car windows to nearby fire stations, outdoor Christmas tree stores, and, with permission, mall parking lots. -- Add extras. Caroling team leaders should set a joyful atmosphere. They could bring Santa hats, long scarves, kazoos, sleigh bells or tambourines. Add a violinist or bongo player. Make signs on stakes that read "Merry Christmas" and "from [your church's name]." Teams may enjoy decorating their car with battery-operated lights and garland. -- Advertise. Create excitement. Provide online registration. Make a Facebook invitation. Hang signup sheets at church, or pass them around in meetings, classes and worship. Ask all church leaders to help promote it. -- Have fun on caroling day. Caroling team leaders should arrive early to choose a mapped assignment, and then pick up church brochures and printed invitations to church Christmas events. As carolers arrive, they immediately join a caroling team. They sign Christmas cards to deliver, and when a team has 6-12 people, they pray together and depart. Most teams are out the door in five minutes. Latecomers form additional teams. If a team drives to their destination, they could play Christmas music as they go. -- Enjoy the after-celebration. Carolers return in exactly an hour to enjoy music and fellowship, hot cocoa and homemade cookies, and a great atmosphere of Christmas joy. A whiteboard is updated as teams arrive to show the grand total of people visited. Sharing the joy of Christmas with your community -- now, that's something to celebrate! --30-- A sample instruction sheet for Caroling Team leaders is available at [URL=http://dianadavis.org]www.dianadavis.org[/URL]. Diana Davis is author of "Fresh Ideas" and "Deacon Wives" (B&H Publishing). -- End of story -- Copyright (c) 2013 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press 901 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203 Tel: 615.244.2355 Fax: 615.782.8736 email: bpress@sbc.net