In This Issue

Church Security: Preparing for the Unexpected (pg. 4)

Just The Crumbs Deploys/Volunteers Needed (pg. 3)

Seventh Annual CBC Gala (pg. 2)

Spotlight on Missions (pg. 6-7)

Why Participate in the Association (pg. 5)

CBC Announces

Inauguration of its 10th President

Central Baptist College is pleased to announce the inauguration of Dr. Jeremy Langley as its 10th president. The inauguration ceremony will take place on Friday, April 10, at 2 p.m. in the Burgess Auditorium, followed by a reception on the campus lawn. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and friends of the college are invited to attend this historic event.

Dr. Langley joined CBC in August 2024 as executive vice president, bringing a strong combination of administrative experience, pastoral leadership, and a deep commitment to Christ-centered education. Prior to his time at CBC, he served in a variety of roles at Southern Arkansas University, including assistant to the president and assistant director of Development. He also faithfully served as associate pastor of Brister Baptist Church in Emerson, where he was actively involved in preaching, teaching, and ministry leadership.

Dr. Langley’s academic preparation reflects his dedication to both ministry and higher education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Ouachita Baptist University, a Master of Public Administration from Southern Arkansas University, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from BMA Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas, and a Doctor of Ministry in Ministry Leadership from Liberty University. His blend of theological training and administrative expertise uniquely equips him to lead CBC with clarity, compassion, and vision.

In May 2025, the CBC Board of Trustees officially appointed Dr. Langley as president, recognizing his steadfast leadership and deep alignment with the CBC’s mission of transforming lives through education that integrates Christian faith and academic excellence.

The April 10 ceremony will celebrate this significant moment in the college’s history. The program will feature prayers of dedication, special music, and an inaugural address by Dr. Langley, who will share his hopes and vision for CBC.

Following the ceremony, guests are invited to enjoy refreshments on the campus lawn and extend their congratulations to Dr. Langley and his family.

Central Baptist College looks forward to celebrating this joyful milestone and invites the entire CBC community and friends of the institution to be part of this memorable occasion.

Kidd, ‘Pastor to Missionaries,’ Former BMAA Missionary and Missions Director, Dies

Jerry Dwayne Kidd, 86, of Bryant, passed away January 20. He faithfully served the Lord as a pastor and missionary within the Baptist Missionary Association of America.

Bro. Kidd devoted more than five decades to gospel ministry as a pastor, missionary, missionary pilot, and denominational leader within the BMA. He accepted Christ at the age of 12 at Unity Baptist Church in Hope, where he later surrendered to the gospel ministry on Oct. 31, 1959.

A 1957 graduate of Hope High School, Bro. Kidd attended Southern State College (now Southern Arkansas University) in Magnolia before enrolling at Central Baptist College in Conway, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible in 1963. While still a student at CBC, he was ordained to the ministry March 21, 1961, at College View Baptist Church in Magnolia and pastored Tomberlin Baptist Church at Coy and Eastside Baptist Church in Lonoke.

Following graduation, Bro. Kidd served as pastor of Eastside Baptist Church in Springhill, La. In 1967, he began serving as an interstate missionary at Westwood Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., where he served for five years. During this period, God burdened his heart for missionary aviation.

To prepare for that calling, Bro. Kidd attended Columbia Bible School and Missionary Technical School at LeTourneau College (now LeTourneau University) in Longview, Texas, receiving technical training for aviation missions while pastoring Ware Acres Baptist Church. In 1973, the Kidds were appointed as missionaries to Bolivia.

After an arduous journey, they arrived in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in 1974, where Bro. Kidd served for eight years as a missionary pilot. Flying his Cessna 206, Wings of the Wind, he supported missionaries working among indigenous tribes, delivered supplies, assisted medical evacuations, and carried the gospel — including the “Jesus” film and electric generators — to remote villages throughout the country, while also preaching and supporting local churches.

While on furlough in 1982, Bro. Kidd was asked to serve in the Department of Missions of the Baptist Missionary Association of America (now BMA Global). He served for many years in missions leadership, including as director of Foreign Missions (later known as director of International Missions), and in regional leadership overseeing missions work in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

While continuing his service with BMA Global, Bro. Kidd accepted the pastorate of Temple Baptist Church in Little Rock in November 2012. He later played a key role in leading the replant of Temple Baptist Church as South City Church, guiding the congregation through a season of transition. Bro. Kidd continued serving for many years as a co-pastor and, later, as a legacy elder, remaining actively involved in discipleship, missions engagement, and small-group leadership.

In 2013, Bro. Kidd transitioned into a new role as part-time director of Missionary Care, becoming the first within the BMA to give full, dedicated attention to the spiritual and practical care of missionaries. In this role, he continued ministering to missionaries on the field, and many came to know him as a steady shepherd and trusted counselor — a true pastor to missionaries.

In May 2019, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in recognition of his decades of faithful missionary service.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sue Kidd; daughter Juli Ellis; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a wide circle of pastors, missionaries, and friends whose lives were shaped by his faithful ministry.

Visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at Park Place Baptist Church (22208 I-30 Frontage Road) in Bryant, with funeral services immediately following at 11 a.m. Burial will take place later that afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at Anderson Cemetery (214 Hempstead 7) in Hope. Arrangements by Smith Family Funeral Homes (smithfamilycares.com).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to South City Church, 317 Shackelford Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72211, or to the Baptist Missionary Association, P.O. Box 878, Conway, Ark. 72033.

2026 Goals & Prayers Series

By Jeff Herring, Executive Editor

Over the past several weeks, we have shared the 2026 Goals & Prayers from ministries across our association, offering a window into the work God has set before us in the coming year. From missions and ministry training to education, media, stewardship, and church support, these articles have reflected both the opportunities ahead and our shared dependence on the Lord.

This week, we conclude the series by sharing the goals and prayer requests of the Baptist Trumpet itself. As the official publication of the BMA of Arkansas, the Trumpet exists to serve our churches by helping keep them informed, inspired, and involved in what God is doing through our cooperative work. Like every ministry featured in this series, it depends on the faithful prayers and support of churches and individuals who believe in its mission.

As we wrap up this series, we encourage you to continue praying for each of these ministries throughout the year — not as individual works, but as partners in a shared mission. May God use our collective faithfulness in 2026 to strengthen churches, expand gospel reach, and help us move forward together, planting disciple-making churches around the world.

• Faithful and timely ministry reporting — Our primary goal is to continue providing accurate, Christ-honoring coverage of BMA churches and ministries that strengthens cooperation and encourages faithfulness across our association.

• Strengthening sustainability and stewardship — Like many ministries, the Trumpet continues to work toward long-term financial stability. In 2026, we are focused on careful stewardship, improved systems, and growing support that will allow this ministry to continue serving churches faithfully and consistently for years to come.

• Expanding accessibility and digital reach — As reading habits continue to change, we want to ensure the Trumpet remains accessible to readers across generations. This includes strengthening digital delivery, improving archive access, and exploring tools that help churches, leaders, and individual readers engage more easily with our content.

• Wisdom and discernment — Please pray for wisdom for those who lead and serve through the Trumpet, especially in editorial decisions, financial stewardship, and long-term planning, that we would steward well the trust our churches place in us and serve them with clarity, fairness, and grace.

• Faithful partnerships with churches — Pray that churches would continue to see the Trumpet as a valuable ministry tool and choose to partner with it through prayer, financial support, and participation, including providing the Trumpet to their members through a church plan.

• Clear testimony of God’s work — Above all, pray that the Trumpet would faithfully point readers to Christ and help strengthen churches by clearly communicating how God is at work across our association and through the cooperative efforts of our churches.

We are grateful for the churches, individuals, and ministry leaders who pray for and support the Baptist Trumpet. As we move into 2026, we remain committed to serving our BMA family with integrity, gratitude, and a deep dependence on the Lord.

Student Ministry

Matters

Phone: (479) 790-7808

bmayouthdepartment@gmail.com

www.StudentMinistryMatters.com

BMA of Arkansas Youth Department

1410 North Porter Rd. • Fayetteville, AR 72703

Dan Carson

Director

The Art of Celebration

Some of us love a great celebration. I wish I were one of those people. My happy place is a quiet place where I can get away from noise and distraction (and people, but I’m not supposed to say that because I’m in ministry). When someone says, “Let’s celebrate ________.” I am not the one who jumps up and says, “Count me in!” And honestly, that’s a problem. For those of us in ministry, we need to be about the art of celebration. We need to pause and take time to celebrate the wins God provides and the people He uses. Celebration is a time to lead well and honor God.

What do I mean? When we celebrate the work and steps forward that people take, we reinforce the good and godly things they are doing. When we celebrate the good that God has done, we are making Him known to the world in a greater way. Both are incredibly valuable.

While celebration is important and valuable, it does not come easily to all of us. I would encourage you to take small steps as you move forward in learning the art of celebration. Here are a few to get you started:

• Celebrate God openly. We love it when athletes praise God in their post-game interviews. There is something fulfilling in seeing someone win a great contest and then share their faith. While the words of the victors may just seem like part of the entertainment, many of these athletes are looking for opportunities to give God the glory. While the athlete may have a bigger stage, we should use our victories and setbacks as opportunities to openly celebrate the God that we love and serve. Encourage your students to give God glory after a test goes well or an interview for a job is successful. God is not just with the athlete. The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer and is carried into all situations in life. That means that God is worthy of celebration at every turn.

• Celebrate your students (and church family). As a youth pastor, it is easy to celebrate the students who are involved in extracurricular activities. The football or soccer player has games that you can attend and brag about. Band, choir, and orchestra members have concerts and all-region tryouts. What do you celebrate about the student who just goes to class? That is a bit harder. They might not get good grades, and school might be a place of struggle for them. Take time to celebrate their character and faithfulness at church. You can celebrate them on social media, by sending them cards, or mentioning them to the whole church when you gather. It is important to notice people and celebrate them.

• Celebrate your volunteers. It is easy to forget to celebrate the people who are always there. We take them for granted. Don’t let that happen. Your volunteers, no matter the area that they serve, need celebration. You can do this in so many ways. I know we can be afraid that, by highlighting one person, others might feel slighted if we don’t mention them. However, we don’t need to live in that fear. Be intentional. You can highlight whole groups of servants at once. Our pastor is sure to thank our worship leader and the worship team each Sunday before he begins preaching. This acknowledges their willingness to put in extra time and effort for the service. There are times to celebrate the individual, but if you become concerned that someone will be or feel left out, acknowledge the group.

• Celebrate your family. This can take many forms. Birthdays are just the tip of the iceberg. We need to celebrate anniversaries, good grades, faithful service, and more. While some celebrations are just for those in your house. Don’t be shy about sharing your feelings about your family online or in person. It provides an example to your students and your church family. The truth is, I like bragging on my family. I love them and don’t care who knows. While I don’t do it because of my church family, they have noticed. Your church family is looking at your life. Part of our calling as pastors and ministers is to be an example for our people.

Is this an extensive list of areas that we should celebrate? No. You may have other areas that you like to highlight. However, these are important ones to keep high on your list. If you struggle to celebrate others and highlight how good God is, then it is time to take a few small steps forward and celebrate someone today. It can be a simple thank you with some added praise:

• “Thanks for your faithfulness. It means much to me.”

• “You know, Joe has done a great job.”

• Or most importantly, “God is doing some great things in my life and in my church! Let’s give Him the praise.”

Let’s celebrate all that God is doing in our lives and let Him be known in greater ways. We would love to know something that you celebrate in your life. Share it at facebook.com/groups/StudentMinistryMattersCommunity.

1501 College Ave. • Conway, Arkansas 72034

(501) 329-6872 • (800) 205-6872 • www.cbc.edu

Twitter: @CentBaptCollege and @JeremyLangley

Dr. Jeremy Langley

President

Anchored in Faith: An Invitation To the 7th Annual Scholarship Gala

Every spring, the Central Baptist College community comes together for an evening that changes lives. On Friday, March 6, friends, alumni, churches, and supporters will gather at Antioch Baptist Church for the seventh Annual Scholarship Gala, CBC’s premier fundraising event dedicated to supporting student scholarships.

Since its inception in 2019, the Scholarship Gala has raised nearly $4 million for student scholarships. Those dollars represent more than numbers on a balance sheet. They represent opportunity. They represent students who were able to enroll, remain, and graduate because a faithful community chose to invest in their calling and their future.

At CBC, scholarships are essential to our mission of providing a Christ-centered education that integrates academic excellence and biblical truth. Many students feel called to ministry, service, education, healthcare, and leadership, yet need financial assistance to answer that call. Gala gifts help bridge that gap, making a CBC education accessible and attainable.

This year’s theme, “Anchored in Faith,” reflects both our identity and our hope. While higher education and culture continue to face uncertainty, our foundation remains secure. We trust in God’s provision, and we remain committed to preparing students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership grounded in faith.

We are honored to welcome Jonathan Falwell as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Gala. Rev. Falwell serves as senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church and as Chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. He has served as senior pastor since June 2007, following the passing of his father, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, founding pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church.

Rev. Falwell has been in full-time ministry since 1994 and brings both a pastor’s heart and a leader’s perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing Christian higher education today. He and his wife, Shari, have been married since 1992 and are the parents of four children and grandparents to five grandchildren. His message is sure to encourage and inspire all who care deeply about the next generation.

The Scholarship Gala will feature dinner, fellowship, and a compelling program centered on CBC’s mission and vision. Guests will hear firsthand from students whose lives have been transformed by scholarship support and from partners who, like us, believe that investing in Christ-centered education has an eternal impact.

Your presence truly matters. So does your partnership.

• Sponsorships begin at $2,000

• Individual tickets are $100 each

To purchase tickets, secure a sponsorship, or make a donation, visit cbc.edu/gala. For additional information, contact Vice President for Advancement Duffy Guyton at dguyton@cbc.edu or (501) 269-6784.

As we look ahead to March 6, we are grateful for the generosity of those who make this event possible. Thank you for standing with Central Baptist College, for believing in our students, and for helping us remain anchored in faith.

BMA of Arkansas State Missions

Paul White, Executive Director

arstamis@comcast.net

Missionaries

Ruben Isturiz

Misión Ebenezer, West Little Rock

(501) 707-5388

Johnny Shew

Faith Chapel, Flippin

(870) 421-1984

Bryan Clay

Faith Journey, Benton

(501) 522-0079

Roberto Marcelletti

Misión Gracia Soberana, NW Ark.

(936) 202-7988

Jake McCandless

Epic Life, Pea Ridge

(501) 472-9079

Michael Hight

El Faro #2 Mission, Cabot/Jacksonville

(501) 326-0198

Michael Hight, Hispanic Coordinator; (501) 326-0198

Donna Webb, Administrative Assistant

E-Mail: bmaofarkfrontdesk@gmail.com •Phone: (501) 565-4601

Office Location: 10712 Interstate 30 • Little Rock, AR 72209

Mailing Address: PO Box 195514, Little Rock, AR 72219

www.bmaARmissions.com • Facebook.com/ArkansasMissions

The Miracle

As the cold, gray days of winter arrive and slowly fade, a transformation takes place in the natural world. Bare branches sprout green leaves, frozen ground softens for new blooms, and birds return with song — and I am ready. This yearly transition from death to life is more than a change of season. It is a profound, living picture of the spiritual renewal found in Jesus Christ.

Just as spring brings new life to the earth, Jesus brings new life to the human soul. Winter represents a season of dormancy, much like the spiritual “deadness” we can experience in our lives. Yet Jesus offers the opportunity to be made new, regardless of past mistakes or failures. As the apostle Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor. 5:17 NIV).

Spring does not simply improve what already exists — it brings forth something entirely new from what once appeared lifeless. This is the essence of the resurrection. A seed must fall into the ground and die before it can produce new life. In the same way, Jesus’ resurrection stands as the ultimate victory over death and sin. He is the living “root” that can never die, sharing His life with all who trust in Him. And just as flowers bloom each spring, faith in Jesus offers the promise of eternal and abundant life.

From Our Missionaries

Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “I thank God for the opportunity to begin this new year by praying for each Ebenezer family. This year, four new families have joined the list, welcoming us into their homes with great joy. I ask you to support us in prayer, especially for those homes where the wives attend our church, but their husbands do not yet know the Lord.

“Due to recent snowfall, we suspended our in-person service last Sunday and met via Zoom. It was a blessing to hear testimonies of how God protected our brothers and sisters, provided heat in their homes, and brought joy to those who saw snow for the first time. We had a wonderful time of celebration.

“As for my health, I am improving. The cold weather has required me to rest and suspend my gym visits, as I must avoid breathing in freezing air. I trust God that I will make a full recovery soon, and I appreciate your prayers for my well-being.

“During January, Ebenezer is also joining our mother church in supporting the Caring Hearts ministry, a pregnancy help center. This is a valuable opportunity to serve our community.

“Thank you for your constant prayers and support. Let us continue praying for the projects ahead this year. To God be the glory!”

Faith Journey, Benton: Bryan Clay writes, “We hope everyone enjoyed a fun and safe couple of snow days. Due to the weather, we had to cancel our Sunday worship services, but ministry continued throughout the week.

“Before the snow arrived, we held seven small group classes with great participation. We also shared our monthly devotional at one of our local middle schools, providing pizza and dessert, and enjoying a meaningful time of worship and fellowship. The lesson focused on being the salt of the earth, reminding students of the importance of adding God’s love and truth to the world around them and sharing the gospel in everyday life.

“We are hopeful the roads will clear soon and that we will return to regular services and activities. Thank you for your continued prayers and support of Faith Journey’s ministry.”

“Misión Gracia Soberana (Sovereign Grace), NWA: Roberto Marcelletti writes, “Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ. Because of the weather, there was very little we could do this week for the advancement of the kingdom. For safety reasons, we suspended our small group meetings, Sunday school, and Sunday service, as many of our brothers and sisters were unable to leave their homes.

“We are staying in contact by phone in case support is needed, and by the grace of God, everyone is well and safe. We are also doing well at home, and Patty has taken this time to recover from her back injury. I ask that you continue praying for her health. Blessings.”

Epic Life, Pea Ridge: Jake McCandless writes, (1/20) “Pray for us this week as we have our Discover & Connect Night Sunday at 5 p.m.! Both our groups met, and we had a great week. We’re looking forward to our outreach this Sunday, and we hope our social media usage impacts others to come check it out. It will be a chance to see what we do with a message and worship.

(1/27) “As with everyone across the state, the winter storm greatly affected our plans this week. We had our first Discover & Connect Night planned and had to cancel. Our second will be in a couple of weeks. One of our groups met before the storm, but not all of them. This week, it will likely be the opposite groups meeting. This seems to be the rough part of scheduling this time of year. We’re looking forward to rescheduling our Discover & Connect Night and pulling that off.”

JTC Disaster Relief Responds in Ripley Following Winter Storm Fern

Just The Crumbs (JTC) Disaster Relief Ministry is responding to damage caused by Winter Storm Fern, deploying to Ripley, Miss., to provide hot meals and essential supplies to residents who remain without power.

Widespread power outages have disrupted daily life across the area, leaving many households without running water and without a safe way to prepare food. According to local officials and reports, restoration efforts could take weeks in some communities and potentially up to a month in the hardest-hit areas.

JTC has deployed three pallets of bottled water to Ripley and is mobilizing its mobile kitchen to begin serving hot meals to families in need. Teams expect to serve meals immediately upon arrival and will continue to provide food and water as long as the need remains.

“We’re going because people are hurting, and basic necessities are suddenly hard to come by,” the ministry shared. “A warm meal and clean water can make a real difference while the community works to recover.”

Volunteers Needed

Just The Crumbs is urgently requesting volunteers to assist with meal preparation, service, and relief support. Individuals, churches, and community groups willing to help are encouraged to respond as needs continue. Those interested in volunteering or assisting may contact Just The Crumbs at (601) 522-6055 for more information.

How to Donate

Those wishing to support the relief effort may donate by mail to Just The Crumbs, 10 Wagon Trail, Sumrall, Miss. 39482, or BMA Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 878, Conway, Ark. 72033. Donations may also be made via PayPal at justthecrumbs21@gmail.com.

Please keep Just The Crumbs Disaster Relief teams and the people of Ripley in prayer as relief operations begin and recovery efforts continue.

(USPS 043-720) (ISSN 0888-9074)

Published by the Baptist Missionary Association of Arkansas; sponsoring Missions, Benevolence and Christian Education.

JEFF HERRING, Executive Editor

editor@baptisttrumpet.com

P.O. Box 192208 • Little Rock, Arkansas 72219-2208

Telephone (501) 565-4601

(Note: You can leave a voicemail on the office line if you

calling after regular working hours (8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Thur.)

www.BaptistTrumpet.com

JOHN HERRING, Associate Editor

associateeditor@baptisttrumpet.com

(mailing list changes & billing inquiries)

Subscription Rate: $72.00 per year ($1.60 per issue)

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Published weekly except for the week of New Year’s and one week in April, May, July, September, November and December. Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, Arkansas. Editorial offices at 10712 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Baptist Trumpet, P.O. Box 192208, Little Rock, Arkansas 72219-2208.

Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the churches of the BMA.

Preparing for the Unexpected in Your Worship Service

By Brandon Porter, Writer • Baptist Press

(via Baptist Press) — The choir was singing while we were in the middle of serving the Lord’s Supper one Sunday morning. The ushers were halfway down the middle aisle when the sanctuary’s rear doors flew open, and a young man stepped into the aisle and began yelling.

“You are prophets of doom,” he shouted.

“This is a place of lies,” he exclaimed.

I was sitting in a corner of the room. Another associate pastor was in the other corner. Immediately, our eyes met, and we rose, simultaneously moving toward the man.

The congregation was shocked. Some didn’t know what to think. Others thought it was a staged event.

It was not.

The other pastor and I were able to get the man’s arms and escort him out of the sanctuary.

By that time, a few others headed our way to provide assistance, and someone had already called the police.

When I watched the video of the disruption at Cities Church in Minneapolis Jan. 18, I was reminded of this event that happened almost 20 years ago.

For the past decade or so, churches have been vigilant in raising up security teams and training them for active shooter situations.

This past weekend, churches were reminded that they need to expect the unexpected. Dealing with a service disruption should be on that list.

What are some practical ways church leaders can care for their congregation if they face a disruption?

If a person or group of people begins disrupting the service, churches should utilize communication pieces at their ready disposal.

First, instructions could be shared through the church’s PA system. This would require careful thought as to who will speak, what they will say, and how they will have quick access to a microphone.

Perhaps a well-thought-out script could be written and prepared so it is readily available, and the people running the soundboard could be ready to read it.

Second, most churches have screens. A slide could be prepared that would be posted on the screen advising the congregation on next steps.

This slide could be easily accessible on a computer desktop or in the weekly service slides, so that it is ready at a moment’s notice.

Another consideration is caring for the pastor or whoever is at the podium when a disruption begins. That person will be one of the most surprised in the room as he is focused on communicating information to the congregation when the disruption begins. We can all relate to the disorientation that comes when our thoughts are interrupted.

A point person should be assigned to shepherd the person on stage.

As we saw in Minneapolis, we live in an age when what is happening in the room can also be livestreamed over the internet.

In a disruption, the people are not looking for dialogue. They want to steal the spotlight, elevate their cause, and confuse those in attendance.

While Pastor Jonathan Parnell did a tremendous job of remaining focused on the Gospel and caring for his church family in the Jan. 18 disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn., we cannot all be sure we would react similarly in such a high-pressure moment.

A church should consider a point person assigned to help the pastor navigate the emotions of a disruption.

While the disruptors may be focused on what is happening in the church’s worship center, church leaders know there are other things happening in the church building.

From children’s ministries to all sorts of activities, most church buildings are busy places on Sunday mornings.

Churches need to have a communication plan that helps those outside the place where the disruption is happening be informed that an emergency is developing.

Since churches range in size and leadership structure, it’s best for you to figure out the appropriate plan for your church family.

Executive Editor’s Note: If you are wondering where to start in developing a plan to care for your church, check out the articles we shared last year from Bryson Haden about things to consider. You can find them in the Feb. 19, 2025 and March 12, 2025 issues.

BMA Pastors Conference

By Heidi Sorrells, Pastor Advocate • Healthy Church Solutions

Healthy Church Solutions is honored to sponsor the BMA Pastors Conference at the National Meeting on April 22, from 9-11:30 a.m. at Antioch Baptist Church in Conway. We invite you to make plans to attend this gathering designed to intentionally invest in pastors and church ministry leaders.

The conference will focus on three critical areas of leadership health, equipping you to lead your teams and congregations toward deeper spiritual growth and long-term vitality.

The first session, Healthy Souls, will feature a panel discussion centered on soul care, addressing spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, and relational health. BMA Global Vice President of Church Strategy and Training Larry Barker will moderate a conversation with experts in each area, offering practical insight on how to assess your current health and identify simple, obedient next steps the Lord may be calling you to take.

The second session, Healthy Men, will explore the biblical calling for men to serve as spiritual leaders and how the local church can more effectively equip and support men in fulfilling this God-given responsibility.

Finally, Healthy Rhythms will highlight the importance of rest, Sabbath, and intentional planning for sustained ministry. This session will include a personal testimony underscoring the value of sabbaticals and healthy pacing for long-term faithfulness and effectiveness.

We look forward to this meaningful time of encouragement, reflection, and challenge, and hope you’ll join us! Watch for more information next month!

Why Participate

In the Association

By Dr. Philip Attebery, President • BMA Theological Seminary

Why should I participate in the work of an association? Although there are pragmatic reasons, the most essential reasons are biblical. First, the Lord desires to receive “glory in the church by Christ Jesus” throughout all generations (Eph. 3:21). So, until Christ returns, believers should be faithfully involved in a biblical church. Second, the Bible records how early churches worked together in matters of missions, theology, benevolence, and shared literature.

Acts 13:1-3 records how “the church that was at Antioch” heeded the Holy Spirit’s calling to send away Barnabas and Saul “for the work unto which I have called them.” Later, Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, their sending church, and reported all that God had done (Acts 14:27). Other churches later gathered to hear the missionaries’ report (Acts 14:27; 15:3-4). Titus and others had been “chosen of the churches” to travel and minister with Paul’s missionary team and serve as “messengers of the churches” (2 Cor. 9:19, 23). Here, we see multiple churches associating to further the initial mission work of the Antioch church.

Third, John 3-8 records that unnamed ministers of the gospel testified to the apostle John about how Gaius and his church had faithfully welcomed and treated them during a visit. John declared that believers in a church are obligated to provide charitable support to those who minister truthfully for the sake of Christ’s name. By doing so, they become fellow participants in those persons’ ministries! Here, again, we see churches associated with one church supporting another church’s missionaries.

Acts 14-15 records that the church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to meet with the church in Jerusalem to discuss a theological matter regarding salvation. After hearing various points of view, it pleased “the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas…” to deliver a written message clarifying that they had never required circumcision for salvation (Acts 15:22-24). Here, we see two churches associating together to address theological error and inaccurate communication between them. Remember that the New Testament is composed of letters (i.e., literature) that were often shared among churches.

Paul wrote to “the church of God which is at Corinth” about how the churches of Macedonia had responded with sacrificial giving to help the Jerusalem church (2 Cor. 1:1; 8:1-4). Paul encouraged the Corinthians to finish their commitment to the benevolence project by joining with the Macedonian churches. By doing so, according to 2 Cor. 9:5, 11-15, the Corinthians would fulfill their initial pledge to help; both givers and receivers would be blessed; believers in Jerusalem would pray for those in Corinth; and God would be glorified through much giving of thanks! Here, we see multiple churches associating together to address the benevolent needs of another church.

Would you encourage your church to follow the example of New Testament churches by associating with others? Would you participate in the association by sending messengers to represent your church at local, state, and national meetings? Would you encourage your church to follow through with fulfilling its commitment and obligation to provide charitable support to the ministries of the Baptist Missionary Association?

The Care of Souls Conference

By Danny Paul, Pastor • Grace Baptist Church, Russellville

There is still time to register for The Care of Souls Conference: An Introduction to Biblical Counseling at Central Baptist College on Saturday, January 31. This free, one-day conference is designed to equip pastors, ministry leaders, and church members to care for others through the sufficiency of Scripture.

Sessions will address topics such as what biblical counseling is, why the church should counsel, how the Bible speaks to real-life change, and how Scripture addresses common struggles faced by believers. The conference will also include practical case studies drawn from pastoral ministry.

The Care of Souls Conference is open to pastors, Sunday School teachers, small group leaders, and Christians who desire to grow in caring well for others.

Registration is available online at: tinyurl.com/careofsoulsconf.

World Missions Day, Feb. 22; bmaglobal.org/worldmissionsday

CBC Scholarship Gala, March 6; Antioch, Conway; cbc.edu/gala

Baptist Trumpet Special Emphasis, March-April

Daniel Springs, June 7, “Camp Sunday”

(L/R) Harold Smith and Derrick Bremer on the Backwoods Baptist Podcast

(L/R) Anthony Kennedy, Jerry Kidd, Sue Kidd, Adrienne Kennedy

Backwoods Baptist

Notes from the Backwoods

By Harold Smith

pastorharold@att.net

The Fighting Side of Me

In January 1970, Merle Haggard released “The Fightin’ Side of Me,” and the song spent three weeks atop the country music charts. America was in a war (armed conflict was the legal term) in Vietnam, and the country was as divided as it has ever been. Our battle was much bigger than the Communist Party — we had a culture war raging at home. Haggard struck a chord in the heart of traditional American values with this closing line: “When you’re running down our country, hoss, you’re walking on the fighting side of me.”

Most folks by 1970 were sick of war, but they were even more fed up with young hippies pushing a drug and sex revolution. Criticizing our free country and the men who died to keep it free was clearly grounds for many to fight over.

When the “Hag” sang of a “fightin’ side,” he left us the implication that there must also be a friendly side to him as well. As long as we avoid these touchy subjects, we can stay on the friendly side of each other.

We all have a fighting side — an issue or situation that cannot be crossed if you value your safety. The sanctity of our home should be a fighting side — if you break into my home and pose a threat to my family, I’ll shoot you. Slap a man’s mother or his wife, and you are sure to see his fighting side. Oh, these are extremes, but I’m only making the case that we should have some lines that can’t be crossed.

Churches ought to have a fighting side to them, a line that is best not crossed. One of the dangerous trends in modern evangelicalism is the absence of convictions. Many professing Christian groups are akin to cheap vanilla ice cream — super sweet without much flavor. Like salt that has lost its savor, they ain’t good for much. In an effort to be accommodating to everyone, they have ended up being neither hot nor cold. I won’t belabor this point, but this brand of Christianity is not biblically compatible. Every true church should have some absolutes that they will readily stand and fight for.

Let us also be wary of the ditch on the other side of the ecclesiastical road. Over here, the fighting side is about 90-95% of the church’s territory. They only have a little sliver of peaceful ground barely big enough to hold their ministerial clones. This camp is made up of card-carrying “Fighting Fundamentalists.” You don’t even have to agree on what the fundamentals are, as long as you love to fight about it. They will fight you over holidays, haircuts, hymnals, and a hundred other things. It’s easier to define them by what they are against than what they are for.

It is easy to slide off into either of the ditches along our pilgrim pathway. Honestly, I have been towed out of both of these ditches more than I want to admit. I grow weary of fighting every evangelical boogeyman and lay my guns down. Eventually, my peace is broken by old heresy in new clothes, and I’m roused again into battle. Too much time on the front lines and I can become spiritually paranoid, taking sound shots at everything that could be the enemy. Lord, help us when we get like this!

As dangerous as the road is, there is yet another fighting side I see among the Lord’s churches. These battle lines are drawn within the local church itself. The fighting side could be two pews back or just across the aisle. These are factions within a church, and although you may not know the issues they are fighting over, you can feel the tension as you sit for worship on their battleground.

Infighting has destroyed more churches in the Bible Belt South than anything else I know of. Some churches are known in the community as fighting churches. The issue here is usually not what they are fighting for; it is that they are fighting. Christ said it best in Mark 3:25: “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

No church or individual Christian should go around looking for a fight. Neither should we be characterized as fighters who are always brawling about something. We should seek peace whenever it is possible. Our churches should be peaceful assemblies free of strife and discord. But we do have an adversary, the accuser of the brethren who seeks to do us harm. Settle it in your mind now — you will have to take up arms at some point to fight.

With these facts in mind, let us strive to have a heart strong enough for war and tender enough for devotion. Consider young Samuel learning from the lackadaisical priesthood of Eli. As an old man, he moved with vengeance, hacking Agag to pieces after King Saul’s disobedience. His heart still mourned Israel’s folly, and he longed for them to have a king with a heart for God.

The answer to Samuel’s prayer was but a lad keeping sheep. David soon proved himself a man of war, cutting off the giant’s head in hand-to-hand combat. Any reader of the 23rd Psalm will not doubt the tender heart of its writer. The “sweet psalmist of Israel” was also a “man of war,” and so should we be.

“Father, give us balance in our spiritual lives. We pray for peace in our homes and churches, but we also acknowledge that true and lasting peace only awaits us in the world to come. When conflicts arise and we face battles, give us swift victories followed by grateful, humbled hearts. While we have a much needed fightin’ side, never let that become the defining trait of our ministry here on earth. Let us be known as faithful, not fighting people. Amen.”

The Gospel that Changes Everything: A Story from Nicaragua

Around the world, Christians often say, “The gospel changes everything.” For some, that phrase represents a belief. For others, it is an observable reality, especially in places where hearts and communities have been transformed in ways no one expected.

In Nicaragua, Oscar and Tamy Gaitán have devoted their lives to sharing that message. As ChangeMakers, they have seen firsthand what happens when the good news of Jesus takes root.

Perhaps the most striking picture of transformation in their ministry is found in the story of Herman González, a man whose name once inspired fear across the region. Herman lived in a village called El Griego. Everyone knew to avoid him — especially when he had been drinking. He was violent, unpredictable, and territorial.

“People said he had killed at least seven men with a machete,” Tamy recalled. “No one went onto his land. No one visited without an invitation, and most people didn’t want one.”

One day, to everyone’s surprise, the local pastor of a nearby BMA church received a message — Herman wanted to talk.

Fearing what might happen, the pastor asked the church to pray. He also asked another pastor to accompany him. Together, and with great caution, they climbed the hill to Herman’s house.

When they arrived, Herman said, “I want you to share what you’ve been preaching.” So, they did. They shared the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“I want to know more,” Herman said. “Come back later.”

They did. Week after week, they returned, sharing Scripture with the man many believed was beyond hope. And then, one day, Herman surrendered his life to Jesus.

What happened next astonished the community.

The man once feared for his violence became a man marked by peace. The man known for keeping everyone away opened his home to worship. The land others would not step foot on became a gathering place for believers. A church began meeting in Herman’s house, then later built a small church building that stands to this day.

“The gospel changed everything for him and his family,” Tamy said. “That’s how the gospel can change a man’s life.”

Stories like Herman’s are not stories of human improvement — they are stories of transformation through Christ. They are also a reminder that the mission of God is still active, still advancing, and still changing lives through people willing to go, preach, and disciple.

On February 22, churches across the BMA family will participate in World Missions Day, a day dedicated to praying for the nations and supporting missionaries and national leaders like Oscar and Tamy as they carry the gospel into new places.

Every church that participates helps fuel ministry among families, college students, unreached communities, rural villages, and people like Herman, people whose stories testify that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.

As World Missions Day approaches, readers are invited to pray for missionaries, consider how their church might get involved, and remember that the same message that transformed a feared man in Nicaragua is the same message that continues to transform lives around the world today.

Because truly, the gospel changes everything.

A Green Pastor... Seeking Greener Pastures!

Derrick A. Bremer, Pastor

Denver Street Baptist Church

derrick@dsmbc.org • (479) 544-7153

P.O. Box 1669, Greenwood, Ark. 72936

When We Speak Different Languages in the Same Church

It’s easy to do and difficult to avoid. Pastors live in a professional ecosystem that most church members never see. We have an entire subject matter that consumes our attention. We attend meetings and read books on topics ranging from church revitalization to missiology, ecclesiology, associational strategy, doctrinal fidelity, and church health, because for the pastor, these are everyday terms. These conversations shape our decisions and thoughts.

Over time, we forget that this language is not native to most of the people in our church. While that disconnect is almost always unintentional, it poses a unique obstacle to effective leadership.

Early in ministry, I assumed that because church members nodded along, they understood. They knew the words. They affirmed the statements. They supported the motions. Surely, that meant we were on the same page. Agreement does not always equate to understanding, though.

One of the most dangerous assumptions a pastor can make is that shared vocabulary implies shared understanding.

Take the word “missions” as an example. For many pastors, missions is a theological category rooted in the missio Dei (Latin for “Mission of God”), expressed through the local church, and extending from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. For many faithful church members, missions simply means “giving to missionaries” or “that week of services we have once a year.”

Or consider “revitalization.” Pastors normally mean a slow, prayerful, long-term reformation that reorders structure, rebuilds discipleship, clarifies doctrine, and strengthens an existing culture. Church members often hear, “We’re about to change everything,” or worse, “What we’ve done for years must have been wrong.”

Even the word “doctrine” can feel different across from the altar. Pastors tend to think in terms of systems, categories, and confessions. Many church members hear doctrine as either “something we’ve already agreed on” or “something that causes division,” not as the living teaching of Scripture shaping belief and practice.

When these meanings get misaligned, frustration grows for both the church member and their pastor.

When pastors operate with professional assumptions that aren’t shared by their congregation, several things happen:

• Our people feel lost but are too kind or too unsure to say so. They trust their pastor and don’t want to appear ignorant. They assume their confusion is their fault.

• Pastors feel unsupported. Decisions feel obvious and necessary. When members hesitate or resist, we interpret it as stubbornness, fear, or lack of spiritual maturity.

• Unity in the church begins to erode. What’s sad about this is that it isn’t what we expect to cause disunity. There isn’t a rebellious attitude. We just have people moving forward at different speeds and with different trajectories. Pay attention because this is a discipleship problem.

While modern ministry tempts green pastors today to focus on specific tangents, the calling of a pastor is that of a shepherd.

Specialists talk to peers. Shepherds teach their sheep. The young pastor must learn to spend more time with his people than on online discussion boards and theological journals. It isn’t enough for a young man called into God’s service to know what he needs. He must lead God’s children to know it. That work requires slowing down enough to explain more than just what a church is doing. We need to explain why, and that often involves clarifying the very words we use.

If the church is to walk together, the pastor must serve as a translator, bridging the gap between theological depth and everyday faithfulness.

That work takes patience, repetition, and, most of all, a gargantuan heaping dose of humility.

The most fruitful moments in ministry come when a church member says, “I’ve heard that word for years, but I never understood its meaning.” When we take time to bring people along, we honor the priesthood of believers and affirm that theological growth is not reserved for experts. We strengthen the whole body when we work to lovingly define terms rather than assuming there’s understanding.

Churches don’t need pastors who talk over their heads. For that matter, pastors don’t need churches that are perpetually shallow. Shared understanding is built upon patient teaching, honest dialogue, and mutual grace.

As pastors, we would do well to remember that our people are often more willing to change and adapt than we think and often less informed than we assume. Our job isn’t to rush them to where we are.

We can walk together. We can arrive at decisions together. We can do the work of proclaiming the gospel together.

Begin With the End in Mind

By Steve Crawley, PhD, Executive Director • BMA Financial

Jesus once asked a simple, almost practical question: “Which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost…” (Luke 14:28 ESV)? Before you build anything that matters, you stop and think about where it’s headed.

That reminds me of when my kids were young and loved puzzles. Early on, they were easy — big pieces, obvious fits. No picture needed. But as the puzzles got more complicated, the picture on the box became essential. Without it, they’d waste time forcing pieces that didn’t belong.

Money works much the same way.

Early in life, finances feel manageable. Then life fills up — family, ministry, homes, responsibilities, retirement. The puzzle gets more complex, and without a clear picture, people start making isolated decisions that don’t really connect.

As Brian Skrobonja often points out, the picture on the box isn’t your net worth or your investment balances. It’s your cash flow — where money comes from and what it can become.

Budgets tend to look backward. Cash flow makes you look ahead.

And that brings us back to Jesus. His point wasn’t just about towers. It was about wisdom. You don’t build first and hope it works out. You count the cost, understand the goal, and then you build with intention.

Do you need assistance building your “retirement plan tower”? Let us know if we can help you!

At BMA Financial, we want to help you become a better steward of God’s resources. Please let us know how we can help you! Contact us today at bmafinancial.org/contact. We are ready to serve you. Not a BMA Financial Member yet? Schedule a free Financial Assessment at bmafinancial.org to see how we can help you manage God’s money, God’s way, for God’s glory!

Stand Firm & Live Epic

Helping you navigate such a time as this.

By Jake McCandless

jake@standfirmministries.com • standfirmministries.com

The New Covenant Isn’t New in the New Testament

If you’ve been walking with me through the last few articles, you already know where we’ve been headed. We started by talking about interpretation — about how prophecy goes sideways, not because Scripture is unclear, but because we often ignore how Scripture tells us it should be read. We pushed past the modern instinct to start with headlines or systems and went further back than most are comfortable going. Not just to the original audience or original language — but to a principle Jesus Himself laid down and repeated: Start with the Law. Then the Prophets. Then everything else comes into focus.

That wasn’t a suggestion. It was a method. And if you’ve felt surprised — maybe even unsettled — by how much prophecy is already embedded in the first five books of the Bible, you’re not alone. I felt it too. We’ve already walked through 25 straightforward, spoken prophecies in the Law alone. Not typology. Not symbolism. Not shadows or poetic foreshadowing. Plain declarations that later prophets, Jesus, and the New Testament writers lean on again and again.

Which brings us to this article — and to what may be the most misunderstood phrase in the entire Bible: The New Covenant.

When most Christians hear that phrase, they instinctively think New Testament. That makes sense. New Covenant, New Testament — it sounds like the same thing. So, we assume the New Covenant begins when Jesus arrives, dies, rises, and the Church is born.

But Scripture tells a different story. The New Covenant is not a New Testament invention. It is an Old Testament promise.

And if you miss that, you don’t just misunderstand a doctrine — you misread the entire prophetic storyline, because prophecy in the Bible is not random predictions. It is covenant-driven. Covenants are the engine. Prophecy is the roadmap.

Jesus understood this. After His resurrection, He walks with two disciples who know the facts but don’t understand the story. They’ve seen the crucifixion. They’ve heard the reports. But none of it makes sense yet. So, Jesus doesn’t give them new information. He gives them structure.

“Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27 ESV).

That’s the blueprint — Moses first, then the Prophets, then clarity.

Which means if we want to understand the New Covenant rightly, we don’t start in Hebrews. We don’t start in Romans. We don’t even start at the Last Supper.

We start where God first promised it.

Jeremiah 31 does something no other Old Testament passage does — it names the New Covenant explicitly. “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” Two things are immediately clear. First, the New Covenant is future from Jeremiah’s perspective. Second, it is made with Israel and Judah. Not vaguely. Not spiritually. Explicitly.

That matters because the Bible never tries to detach the New Covenant from Israel’s story. This is not a generic religious upgrade. It is God’s promised solution to a real covenant problem — Israel’s repeated failure under the Mosaic covenant. Jeremiah even says so: “Not like the covenant that I made with their fathers… my covenant that they broke…” (Jer. 31:32).

The issue was never that the Law was evil. The issue was that the people could not sustain covenant faithfulness from the inside out. So, the New Covenant does not abolish God’s standards — it creates a people capable of living them. That’s the heart of the promise — “I will put my law within them… I will write it on their hearts… I will forgive their iniquity…” (Jer. 31:33-34).

Notice the direction of the movement. Forgiveness leads to transformation. Transformation leads to faithfulness. This is covenant empowerment, not covenant cancellation.

Ezekiel takes that promise and puts flesh on it. Writing to a people already living under the consequences of covenant failure — exile, land loss, national collapse — Ezekiel describes what the New Covenant looks like when it actually arrives.

God regathers His people. He cleanses them. He gives them a new heart. He places His Spirit within them. And then comes the line that changes everything:

“I will… cause you to walk in my statutes…” (Ezekiel 36:27). That’s the hinge. The New Covenant does not lower the bar. It changes the nature of the people. What the Law demanded but could not produce, the New Covenant creates from the inside.

And this isn’t merely about private spirituality. Ezekiel never allows the promise to shrink down to personal quiet times. He keeps the frame wide: land restored, a Davidic king reigning, a covenant of peace established, God dwelling in the midst of His people, the nations watching and knowing who the Lord is. That’s kingdom language. Restoration language. Fulfillment language. Which is why the New Covenant matters so deeply for prophecy. Without it, Israel remains stuck in an endless cycle of failure and judgment. With it, the promises to Abraham, the structure of Moses, and the kingship promised to David can finally converge.

This is where many readers go wrong — not because they reject Scripture, but because they flatten it. They collapse the New Covenant into the Church replacing Israel. They reduce it to forgiveness only. They spiritualize it until land, kingdom, and restoration quietly disappear. But the prophets never do that. And neither does Jesus.

The New Covenant is God’s answer to how a broken people become a faithful people — without abandoning the story God has been telling since Genesis. That’s why we’re starting here.

Because if you misunderstand the New Covenant, everything downstream bends. You’ll misread Israel. You’ll misread the kingdom. You’ll misread Matthew 24. You’ll misread Revelation. And you’ll wonder why prophecy feels either chaotic or irrelevant. But if you let the Law speak first — just as Jesus said — then the pieces start to lock together.

In the next article, we’ll step back even further and look at the covenant spine Moses gives us — Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic. Not as abstract theology, but as the load-bearing beams of the prophetic story. Because prophecy does not begin at the end of the Book. It begins with Moses. And if Jesus started there, we should too.

“...Everything We Need...”

II Peter 1:3

By Karen Mitchell

karenjoanmitchell@gmail.com • (501) 804-1480

If God Kept a Record of Our Sins

“If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared” (Psalm 130:3-4 NIV1984).

If God kept a record of our sins, we would have no hope. Every unrighteous deed, word, or thought in the past or present would never be forgotten. God’s scrutiny of our iniquities would leave us defeated and in great despair. Condemnation would be our inescapable plight. “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:10). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). “The wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 6:23). Of our own will and power, we could not or cannot help ourselves.

God does not overlook sin, and there are still consequences one must suffer. But there is one word that frees us from condemnation — “forgiveness.” “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). Since there is no condemnation for those who believe in Jesus, we are set “…free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2).

Not only do we have freedom in Christ, but we also have peace and joy. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. The psalmist David said, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).

Only a full confession of sin will make us right with God, and only then will we experience His undeserved forgiveness and enjoy freedom, peace, joy, and contentment. There is a purpose, however, to God’s forgiveness.

The Psalmist ended our opening verse with, “…therefore you are feared.” Some people equate “fear” with terror or judgment. They may picture God as a police officer in the sky, waiting to punish them for making a mistake. The fear of God as revealed in Scripture is the exact opposite of dread and terror. Instead, it leads to a deep and reverent awe of God. Recognizing the love and mercy bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ changes us, causing us to hate sin, yet giving us an ardent desire to submit ourselves to Him wholeheartedly. “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him” (Psalm 103:10-11). Is there a better reason for us to give Him first place in our lives?

God does not keep a record of our sins. In fact, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). Perhaps you regret something said or done in the past and still allow it to fill you with guilt. Perhaps you cannot forgive yourself, so you don’t feel worthy of God’s forgiveness. You aren’t worthy — none of us are. God forgives because of His unconditional love.

We are still prone to sin, and God holds us accountable, but the Bible tells us that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Don’t allow Satan to deceive you. Study and apply God’s Word to your life and “then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Healthy Church Solutions

P.O. Box 878 • Conway, Ark. 72033-0878

(501) 455-4977 • larry@bmaam.com

By Larry Barker,

Vice President for Church Strategy and Training • BMA Global

healthychurchpodcast.com • healthychurchsolutions.org

Partnership

Partnership is “to fellowship, to share something with someone.” This example is repeated in Scripture, where the people partnered with one another and shared in what had to be accomplished. 1 Corinthians teaches this principle, “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship (partnership) of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1:9). In Philippians 1:5, Paul thanks this church for their “partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” All believers are partners in ministry as we use our resources and opportunities in accordance with our abilities and callings.

You are in partnership with God by being His light to a sinful world. When Jesus left this world to return to the Father, He left behind three things: the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and a small group. Jesus told this group that the kingdom was already among them. What did that mean? He was letting them know who He was, the Messiah, that He was in communication with the Father, and through prayer, the kingdom was coming. Everywhere Jesus went, people were submitting to the rule, reign, and authority of the King. Jesus tells us to pray for the advancement of His kingdom.

Are you praying, “…Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:9-10) God allows us to partner with Him in His kingdom work. He longs for us to believe that in prayer, you can become a partner in the invasion of His kingdom here on earth. Jesus tells His followers to pray for laborers, and Paul encourages you to pray for open doors: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds” (Col. 4:2-3).

Partnership in advancing the kingdom means you have one hand reaching up to God for His help and the other reaching down to help someone find the Savior. Kyle Reno, in the One Cry podcast, stated, “God has decided that there is something that starts, is sustained, and brought to culmination only as His people partner with Him in prayer.” E.M. Bounds stated, “God has bound Himself to the law of prayer.” There are some things that God simply will not do unless we pray. If you live a prayerless life, then you will receive less than God intended.

Jesus understood that the kingdom had come in Him. Everywhere He went, spiritual oases were springing up, and truth was being embraced. Paul understood this principle of partnership as well. In Philippians 2:13, he reminds us of God’s responsibility and our responsibility, making it clear that it is God working in us, but verse 12 tells us to work out our own salvation. Jesus not only came to usher in the kingdom to the greatest extent possible through prayer and obedience, but He also came to show us what it looks like to carry out the Father’s will. He said, “I must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49).

In the Passion Code, O.S. Hawkins stated, “Jesus not only comprehended the Father’s will, but He came to perform it. The primary purpose of the Advent was ‘to do the Father’s will.’” Jesus’ primary goal was not to save us but rather to be obedient to the Father’s will. The greater issue is not discerning what you do not know but obeying what God has made crystal clear. Hebrews 10 speaks of the sacrifice Jesus made for all of mankind. In verse 7, “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” Focus on obedience, then on discovering new spiritual insights.

Here is what you do know. You have a God-given assignment. Ephesians 5:27 tells us, “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” The Bible Exposition Commentary says, “A ‘glorious church’ comes from the fact that she is cleansed and set apart unto God. Jesus will present the church as a radiant bride to Himself. His bride will carry splendor in eternity ahead. Her glory is the glory of Christ and His work. The church is positionally clean now and will obtain the perfection of Christ Himself experientially later.”

Where do you begin? Pray that the radiance of the light of God will shine brightly through your life and your ministry. Partner together to pray, go, disciple, and then repeat the process. God desires to use your partnership to bring about His purposes through the salvation of souls, the transformation of your communities, and a spiritual awakening in our nation. Jeremiah 29 is where God’s people were going into captivity, but they were not to feel sorry for themselves. Rather, they were called to pray for their city, and do you know why? To partner with God and to know that when the city had peace, they would have peace, and when the city prospered, they would prosper.

Pray specifically for your city. Kyle Reno challenges us to do that every time you pass a water tower: stop and pray for that community. Are you and your church praying specifically for your city, your community, your community leaders, and for those who are far from God? Maybe place a wooden cross in front of the church for people to nail the name of someone who needs Jesus to it. Think of how exciting it will be when you begin sharing with the congregation the names that were on the cross who have bowed their knees to Jesus and made Him Lord of their lives.

Why does this kind of movement happen? Because some believers began partnering with God in prayer. What area of town do you need to pray for? What lost people do you need to be praying for by name? What other churches do you need to be lifting up in prayer every day?