BMAA Army Chaplain Chris Grizzle with his wife, Denise and the Meritorious Service Award.
BMAA Army Chaplain Chris Grizzle with his wife, Denise and the Meritorious Service Award.
Part 2: Go. Disciple. Plant. Repeat.
By John David Smith, Executive Director • BMAA Missions
The theme of World Missions Day 2021 is represented in four words: Go. Disciple. Plant. Repeat. Those four words are a reminder of what we are here for, who we are and what global missions is all about. In II Tim. 2:1-7 (NIV), Paul addressed Timothy, who is in Ephesus, the city where Paul started ministry on his second missionary journey and spent a lot of time on his third missionary journey:
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No ditone serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”
• Plant — The third word is plant and, of course, that implies churches. Unashamedly, BMA Global Missions is local church driven and local church focused. We believe the local church is both the source and the goal of New Testament missions.
The church is the one that sends and, of course, wins people to Christ, makes disciples and gathers them in a community of believers who meet to worship God, obey the commands of Christ then scatter again to repeat the process.
In II Tim. 2:2, Paul addresses Timothy as an individual working in a church at Ephesus; a city with a rich history in the New Testament. It’s estimated that 40% of all New Testament churches had some connection to the church at Ephesus. That’s how vibrant they were in the mission of God.
Paul ministered in Ephesus. Timothy ministered there also. Peter addressed the churches of Asia when they were under persecution. John, no doubt, wrote from Ephesus when he was at the end of his life. Jesus spoke to the church of Ephesus when the seven churches of Asia were addressed in the first chapters of Revelation. Ephesus has a very key place in the New Testament.
In Revelation, Jesus commended the Ephesus church for good works but then said, “You’ve left your first love,” which was that drive and desire to fulfill the mission of Christ and make disciples in all nations. That mission marked the church at Ephesus for the first 40 years. When John wrote, and Jesus spoke, in the book of Revelation, maybe the institutionalized things (all those good things we do in church life and in Christianity) began to dominate the main thing. And so we see that we must plant churches.
• Repeat — Now we come to the final word, plant. We must continue to multiply. We never get to the end of our mission. We never fulfill our mission. We never say we’ve done enough. We never do. So, we repeat.
Certainly, in II Timothy there is an element of the succession of leadership where Paul adds extra encouragement to Timothy to carry on the ministry. But this was more than just one time of encouragement. This was the norm of the entire New Testament. They were involved in and had the goal of multiplication: Go. Disciple. Plant. Repeat.
• Suffer — This word is not officially a part of our 2021 World Missions Day theme, but, because there are many pastors and leaders who need encouragement, I’d like to add the word suffer. Immediately following Paul’s admonition to Timothy, Paul told his disciple he must be like a soldier, an athlete and a farmer. He must be strong, he must fight, he must be diligent in preparation and he must be patient in his efforts as he waits on the results.
Many are suffering, either due to having COVID or losing loved ones and church members. I know you’re also under a large and heavy weight, so I want to encourage you. Just like Paul told Timothy, as circumstances worsen, as pressures rise and as doubts increase, may our intimacy with Christ deepen. May we prepare disciples that are not simply able to attend church in an open and free context, but may we prepare disciples who are ready when those days come again, and when we might be oppressed as they were in II Timothy.
Five words — Go. Disciple. Plant. Repeat. Suffer. May God bless us all that we may remember the main thing and may we be faithful to fulfill the mission of God.
Almost Halfway to Our Language Goal
By Holly Meriweather, Director of Content
(via Lifeword’s newsletter) Five years ago, when the Lifeword team began praying about, concepting and implementing the Lifeword Cloud, there were many vision-sharing meetings, whiteboard lists and bullet-point goals. Lifeword’s mission would not change, but the method would, and the far-reaching potential of sharing the gospel through cloud technology had to be carefully planned.
In Lifeword’s 2017 Annual Report to the BMA, Lifeword Executive Director Donny Parrish said, “We will use the Lifeword Cloud as an opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus in as many languages as possible. Very soon, people from all around the world will be able to discover who this man Jesus is to them. JesusToYou.com will become the door that will open the teachings of Jesus to the people of the world.”
Building the Lifeword Cloud was in the early stages and its vision was just being cast. One part of that vision, as Bro. Donny alluded to in his report, was to have gospel presentations in more languages, and in 2017 the language count was 40. Donny’s language goal for Director of Operations Luis Ortega was 200 in 10 years.
Since the September 2018 launch of lifeword.org, 55 languages have been added — making the gospel now available in 95 languages! Yep, almost halfway to the goal! God has shown favor to Lifeword’s ministry, but more important is that more languages mean more people who can understand who Jesus is and come to faith in Him.
To see those languages, go to lifeword.org and click on the dropdown arrow next to “English.” Also, front and center on the home page are videos of people explaining who Jesus is in all 95 languages: “Who is Jesus to You?” as Donny mentioned in his 2017 report.
All glory to God for guiding us to reach the nations of the world. In 2021 more of Lifeword’s ministry will be pushed to our global partners who understand their cultures and can produce more relevant gospel content for them.
At Lifeword, We Tell the Story to “the ends of the earth.”
If you are interested in receiving Lifeword’s newsletter, please contact Lauren Crawley at lauren@lifeword.org.
BMAT Names Todd West
Pastor Connections Coordinator
By Jerry Fulton, Director/Editor • Baptist Progress
The trustees of BMA Texas Missions approved the request of Heith Mitchell, BMA Texas Missions director, to employ Todd West as pastor connections coordinator during their December meeting. West will represent the BMA of Texas by meeting with pastors one-on-one, as well as planning retreats across the state to bring pastors together, all the while promoting a unifying vision and identity for the state association.
According to the constitution and bylaws of the BMA of Texas, the director of missions is also tasked with serving as the executive director of the state association. His duties include coordinating quarterly meetings of department directors, regularly communicating the vision, purposes and plans of the departments with the churches through Baptist Progress, personal visits and other means, as well as other responsibilities. West will assist Mitchell in fulfilling those duties.
Mitchell said, “We are pleased to have Todd serve as pastor connections coordinator because he has already established so many relationships with pastors across the state through preaching revivals and the training workshops he has provided. Anyone else would be years behind in building relationships because he would have to make brand new connections with pastors. Because Todd already has relationships in place and has already invested several hours in BMA Texas Missions through coaching and training, he can hit the ground running.”
It is the state missions director’s desire that the Lord use West to reach out to pastors who are in isolation and burdened for fellowship.
Mitchell stated, “A lot of churches are no longer a part of a local association. Therefore, a number of pastors do not have the means of interacting with other brothers in the ministry. Todd will help in this area.”
The plan is for West to perform his duties on a six-month trial basis, six days each month. He will continue to serve as senior of Mt. Pleasant in Plumerville, Ark. as well as director of Todd West Ministries — a ministry in which he coaches pastors and church planters from various states, trains groups of pastors and church planters and strives to be a pastor to pastors.
West, who has preached scores of revivals, crusades and conferences in Texas and throughout the United States said, “My years of itinerate ministry have opened doors to build friendships with many pastors and families, and I’m looking forward to what the Lord has in store for me in my new ministry role in Texas.”
West previously served as senior pastor of Oasis Church in North Little Rock from 2002 to 2019 and director of Todd West Evangelistic Ministries from 1996 to 2002. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
MOVING with Ministers and Staff
To view previous listings from this column, visit our website at
www.baptisttrumpet.com.
First Baptist Church in Bourbon, Mo. is seeking a pastor. Resumes may be sent to P.O. Box 386, Bourbon, Mo. 65441 or kte@mst.edu.
Mississippi Baptist Children’s Home is seeking a couple to help with house, parenting and maintenance duties. Resumes may be sent to info@msbch.org.
Grizzle Honored And Promoted
By Dr. Scott Carson, Director
BMAA Chaplaincy
BMAA Army Chaplain Christopher Grizzle and his family recently returned from an overseas assignment to Germany and is now assigned to Fort Polk, La. As Chaplain Grizzle wrapped up his duties in Europe, his command presented him with a Meritorious Service Medal in recognition for his effective ministry and noteworthy contributions to the mission of his unit. He also received an additional, and very significant, career honor as he was promoted to the field grade officer level of major.
As a major, Chaplain Grizzle will assume a greater level of responsibility and, for his first duty as such, he has been appointed as the Fort Polk Religious Support Office Resource Manager. His duties include the proper accounting of the Chaplain’s Office financial affairs and the resourcing of every religious activity in their sphere of responsibility. This is a very technical job that requires attention to detail while working with the various ministries to meet their fiscal requirements. Keep the Grizzles in your prayers.
In This Issue
A Plain Path Trailblazer (pg. 3)
Spotlight on Missions (pg. 8)
The Power of Mentors (pg. 2)
Trapped in Debt - Part 2 (pg. 6)
Values: Aspirational or Actual? (pg. 3)
Now Enrolling for Spring 2021 PACE Courses
The PACE (Professional Adult College Education) Program at CBC offers a solution for working adults looking for a flexible way to earn a college degree. Classes are offered in-class, online or in a hybrid format. With eight enrollment periods per year and five-week courses, you always have an opportunity to get started.
The next enrollment deadline for the Spring 2021 semester will be Feb. 26 for courses beginning March 29. Be sure and take advantage of our $500 BMAA Grant — this grant applies to all students who attend a BMAA church. Students may also qualify for the Ministry Tuition Grant or the Veterans Tuition Grant.
For more information about beginning or completing your college degree through the PACE Program or to begin the admissions process, visit cbc.edu/online. The CBC PACE Program is accredited, affordable, online and flexible. It’s your time to begin or complete your college degree. Contact a Personal Enrollment Officer at either admissions@cbc.edu or (501) 329-6873, for more information or to get started today.
Endowed Scholarship Application Deadline
CBC offers over 80 Endowed Scholarships, and applications for the 2021-2022 academic year are currently being accepted. New and current traditional CBC students are encouraged to apply. The endowed scholarship deadline is March 15.
To apply visit cbc.edu/scholarships and click on the Endowed Scholarship link. If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office at either financialaid@cbc.edu or (501) 205-8911.
Schedule a Personal Campus Visit Today
CBC invites you to schedule an in-person, on campus Personal Campus Visit Experience. Our personal campus visits are designed to give prospective students and their guests a personal experience of all that CBC has to offer. CBC is currently following all state and federal public health guidelines in response to the ongoing COVID-19 health pandemic. If your schedule does not allow an in person visit, CBC offers a virtual campus visit experience.
Our Admissions team is ready to meet with you at any time, whether in person or virtually. Go to cbc.edu/visit to schedule a personal campus visit experience, take a virtual tour or schedule a virtual visit with a Personal Admissions Officer. If you have questions or need additional information, contact the Office of Admissions at either admissions@cbc.edu or (501) 329-6873.
Apply Now for Fall 2021!
For students who are currently in high school or are looking to transfer from another college, now is the time to apply for the Fall 2021 semester! Go to cbc.edu/apply to get started!
DISTRICT CALENDAR
Canceled — Mt. Vernon District Brotherhood, Mar. 8, 6:30 p.m., Central, Hughes.
PEWS FOR SALE
14’ long, solid hardwood pew with padded seat/back, 3 book racks per pew (expect back 2). Pictures available upon request. Can be bolted to the floor. 27 available. $100 each or best offer (take one or all).
Visit www.SMBCH.com for more information contact Larry Baker at (479) 751-1937
UPCOMING EVENTS
World Missions Day, Feb. 21, 10:45 a.m.; Fil Kakilala, speaker; Kingsland, Kingsland.
World Missions Day, Feb. 28, 11:00 a.m. Sean Pasley, speaker; 5:00 p.m., panel discussion; 6:00 p.m., John Michael Poulin, speaker; Immanuel, Greenbrier.
World Missions Day, Feb. 28, Jerry Kidd Offering for BMA World Missions.
Ministry Connections Workshops, Mar. 23, 10 a.m.; Sponsored by Baptist Progress; CrossRoads, Rowlett, Tex.
CBC Scholarship Gala, June 5, 6 p.m., Conway Expo Center. Contact Amy Reed for more info at areed@cbc.edu.
National Galilean Camp, June 25-28; Stoneridge Baptist Camp, Smithville, Arkansas.
Fresh Grounded Faith Women’s Event, Aug. 6-7, 7 p.m. Fri., 12:30 p.m. Sat.; Antioch, Conway.
Ark. Ladies Retreat, Sept. 25, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Sports
News
By Erik Holth
Women’s Basketball
• Conway, Feb. 9 — Looking to bounce back after a loss on the road, CBC returned to Reddin Fieldhouse to take on the Stars of Stephens College in an American Midwest Conference (AMC) game. CBC (8-3, 3-3 AMC) trailed for 19 seconds the entire game, leading 33-21 at halftime before beating the Stars (1-7, 1-7 AMC) 68-44.
• Fulton, Mo., Feb. 11 — Playing on the road for the second time in four days, CBC took on William Woods in an AMC game at Anderson Arena. CBC (8-4, 3-4 AMC) led after three quarters but were outscored 18-8 in the final quarter to fall 56-47 to WWU (4-8, 4-8 AMC).
• St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 13 — Looking to avenge a triple-overtime loss earlier this season in Conway, CBC took on the Spartans of Missouri Baptist at the Petty Student Resources Center. CBC (8-5, 3-5 AMC) led only three times in the game, trailed by 15 at halftime and lost 76-59 to MBU (13-5, 9-3 AMC).
Wrestling
• Conway, Feb. 13 — Hosting the AMC Championship for the first time in program history, CBC competed in the AMC Championship. CBC finished fourth in the championship while Ben Freeman made history by winning the first championship in program history at 141 pounds. He also qualified for the NAIA National Championships to be held in Park City, Kan. March 5-6. Alejandro Mas, who was named the AMC Freshman of the Year, finished second at 149 pounds while Trevor Williams medaled at 165 and Dewayne Jennings medaled at heavyweight.
Men’s Basketball
• St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 13 — Returning to the court for the first time in nine days, CBC took on the Spartans of Missouri Baptist at the Petty Student Resources Center. CBC (13-5, 8-2 AMC) never led, trailing by 25 at one point in the second half before losing 80-63 to MBU (14-8, 10-4 AMC).
• St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 14 — Looking to bounce back from a loss, CBC took on the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis in an AMC contest at UHSP gymnasium. CBC (14-5, 9-2 AMC) never trailed, leading by 32 at one point and cruising to a 92-69 win over the Eutectics (1-17, 0-10 AMC).
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 Power of Mentors During the High School Years
Valentine’s Day was a sad one for me because my high school band director passed away. I know that may seem like the natural order of things, and it is; however, my band director was much more than just a teacher. Pat Ellison was a pioneer in high school music in Arkansas and impacted thousands of lives. She pushed me to be a better musician and even a better person. The world seems a little less musical now that she is gone.
During those high school years, I had parents who loved me and provided for me in great ways, but it was the extra push from an outside voice that helped move me in positive directions in this world. That is the power of mentoring students. Whether you are a teacher, student ministry worker, church member or family member, pouring into a student during their teenage years can make an impact for a lifetime. More importantly, for those of who know Christ, it can make an impact for eternity.
If you haven’t been investing in a teenager lately, it is well worth the investment. However, it is hard to start from scratch. Here are a few ways to begin that process with those in your church:
• Talk to your youth pastor or youth Sunday School teacher about the students in your church. You may not even know the names of students in your congregation. Speak to those that are connected to them and find out who could use a friend.
• Pray for the student or students you want to impact. Prayer is a powerful force. God can work in ways that we can’t even imagine.
• Send the student cards on their birthday and for other special occasions. Cards and notes may seem old fashioned, but they are still a great way to show that you care. My kids still receive birthday cards from some of the special people in their lives from church.
• Attend the events the students are involved in. Games, band concerts, choir concerts, plays and other events are all places that you can show up and show you care.
• Talk to the student and get to know them. I know that can be a little difficult if you don’t talk to many teenagers but, again, it is worth the effort. Find out what they are involved in and what they like. Learn about them from them and be yourself. There is no need to be someone you aren’t. Students want authentic people in their lives.
Impacting a student’s life is worth it. My life was worth it when Ms. Ellison poured into me. God may have a student in mind for you to pour into.
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Trumpet Printing, Inc.
10712 Interstate 30 • Little Rock, Ark. 72209 • (501) 565-0479
Kellar Notes Available for Download
By Dr. Tony Cleaver
The lecture notes on Romans compiled by Dr. Gerald Kellar are available for download from BMA Seminary Kellar Library at cutt.ly/kellar-Romans. These notes were used by Dr. Kellar in his early days of teaching at BMA Seminary. They are typewritten and are many years old but are in PDF form and provide a good copy. They may be read using Adobe Acrobat or any good PDF reader. His daughter (my wife, Jerrie Sue) and I found them as we were cleaning out some papers.
The notes will be beneficial to both preachers and Bible teachers. You are encouraged to make use of this great resource from one of the stalwarts of the BMA of America. Dr. Gerald Kellar is the only individual who served as president of each of the educational institutions of the BMA. His last service was as president of Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, Miss.
Just Thinking...
By Tom Mitchell
President, BMA of Arkansas
(501) 804-6647 • temitchell1946@gmail.com
A Plain Path Trailblazer
Jurl Norris Mitchell had a long and productive ministry that spanned 66 years. On a personal note, He was one of my favorite preachers. He was well prepared, bold and often fiery in his presentation of the Word. Add to that, he was my brother-in-law. No, not my brother as many people think, but Karen’s brother, (I married a Mitchell!)
Bro. Mitchell was born in Elsinore, Mo. However, after graduating from Central Baptist College, he and Mary Ann, who would be married for 67 years, made Arkansas their home. The couple served as dorm parents at CBC’s Bruce Hall.
He was also a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, and He taught at the Vilonia High School for a few years. But preaching was his calling, and preaching is what he did best.
Jurl was always a missions-hearted pastor. While pastor of the West Heights Baptist Church in Little Rock he led the church to extend an arm to a Malvern mission that today is the South Main Missionary Baptist Church.
Among the churches he pastored were: Marcus Hill, Enola; Needs Creek, Greenbrier; Mt. Olive, Guy; West Heights, Little Rock, Oak Grove, North Little Rock; Rose City Immanuel, North Little Rock; and his last pastorate was Grace Baptist in Russellville. Despite being a much-loved pastor, the urging from the Holy Spirit led him to serve the BMAA as a self-support missionary in Bolivia. He, Mary Ann, and their son, Dwight, moved to the South American Country. He and Mary Ann taught in the Gulf Oil American School. Although, political circumstances caused them to move back to Arkansas, their hearts were in Bolivia and they later returned as full-time BMAA missionaries.
A licensed pilot, Jurl and BMAA Missionary Marvin Loyd flew supplies for the Gulf Oil Corporation, as well as for missions needs. They ministered in the town of Santa Cruz, but later moved to the village of San Simon where they planted a church among the Chiquitano Indians. The adventures resulted in Jurl writing two books: En La Manana (In the Morning) and Chiquitano. Both books were published by the Baptist Trumpet. Bro. Mitchell wrote like he spoke, so readers who knew him could “hear” him as they read.
After the Mitchells returned from Bolivia, he was director of Plain Path Ministries for 20 years and preached across the nation as a full-time evangelist. He rarely stayed in homes or in motels, choosing rather to pull his recreational trailer and set up in church parking lots where he was preaching.
He served several years on the board of trustees for Central Baptist College, the school he dearly loved. Bro. Mitchell also served the BMA of Arkansas as a vice-moderator and then as moderator of the association.
Ever the outdoorsman, Jurl Mitchell was an avid canoeist. He loved to be on the Current River with is family in his home state of Missouri. Amazingly, at the age of 78 he became a kayaker — even mastering the roll maneuver. He and Mary Ann loved camping and bicycling, an activity they continued into their late seventies.
Jurl Norris Mitchell was an influence on many young preachers. As I have traveled among our churches over the years, I have had many who are now older pastors, music ministers and youth pastors tell me what an impact the man made on their ministries. He positively affected the lives of unbelievers and believers from the Northwest to the Southeast of the USA. Karen and I heard such testimonies from members of South Main Baptist Church this past Sunday — the church that, years ago, Jurl had led West Heights Baptist Church to assist in getting started.
On Nov. 15, 2018, the 84 year-old preacher received his heavenly promotion.
The director of Plain Path Ministries certainly left a plain path for those who have come behind him. Indeed, Jurl Mitchell was a BMA Trailblazer.
Healthy Church Solutions
Values: Aspirational or Actual?
There is a time to step back, refocus, retool and re-evaluate. It is wise to revisit your core values, mission, vision and strategies every two to three years. What are your core values and are you practicing them? It is easy to state your core values, but do your actions back up your verbiage?
Aspirational values (what we say we believe) are different from our actual values (how we actually live). Values are why you do what you do and can be determined by taking a closer look at your schedule and how you actually invest your time.
It is very important to begin this enlightening journey with core values because it demonstrates what you believe about the Scriptures, your doctrine, the Great Commission, eternity and your worldview. Core values are more than what you believe because they determine the direction of your life and how you behave. Values enable you to have a vision for a preferred future that is driven upon the Word of God and directed by the voice of God. Values move you beyond doing church weekly to becoming focused more on being the church daily.
In Values Driven Leadership, Aubrey Malphurs states that core values will drive you toward, some kind of mission, so make sure it is the right one. They determine the bottom line, and they communicate what really matters. Core values drive a stake in the ground as non-negotiable on where you stand and what you believe. They enable you to develop God-directed strategy and intentionality. They help you determine who you really are and move you past realization to activation in your church. They shape your life and ministry.
If you say you value lost souls who are dying and headed to eternity without Christ, then you actively build bridges to them and strive to engage them by connecting with them. This core value reminds your church that you are not a fortress where you pull up the drawbridge and isolate. One church has stated this value well: “We are building bridges; not walls!” The big difference between aspirational values and actual values is the action you take to carry them out. Core values determine why your church does what it does!
Aubrey Malphurs defines core values as constant (slow to change), passionate (fully persuaded), biblical (never contradict God’s Word), core beliefs (deeply rooted in who you are) and they drive the ministry to where God wants your church to go. You must be vision-focused, but you must also be values-driven. Values are the engine that get you to His destination and His preferred future in advancing His kingdom. When your church is not moving toward its preferred, articulated mission it is a values issue, not a mission issue!
In Acts 2:42-47, the early church valued fellowship, discipleship, worship, serving and mission. They were focused on these functions and valued them so highly that they saw them as imperative to the health of the church. These core values were not only discussed, but they were also practiced and demonstrated. It is very easy to get distracted by the form of worship (contemporary, traditional, etc.) more than making sure that worship (the function) actually occurs. Do you value worship enough to not allow anything to keep you from it?
Are you positive that you value what God values? Do the leaders and other members of the church have the same values? A great exercise would be for everyone to take a personal values audit (email us and we will send you one) and then compare your values with their values. Why are they different? How do you narrow the gap between them? What has not been communicated well on the core values of your church? If you define core values differently than the majority of the church, it must be resolved as quickly as possible.
How do you and your church define success? Biblical success is obeying what God has asked you to do and doing it as well as you can. It is discovering God’s mission, vision and strategy for your church in your context, then carrying it out with excellence as best as you possibly can. God measures success by how faithfully you follow Him, not by outward accomplishments. He looks at our hearts and motives, making sure that our actions are true to His calling. Your mission is to make disciples, but your purpose is to glorify God in all you do.
In II Timothy 4, Paul is handing off the ministry to his young apprentice Timothy. In John MacArthur’s commentary, he points to these characteristics as Paul’s core values. He does not focus on the visible success of Timothy’s ministry, but on the excellence of his service. He does not focus on Timothy’s opportunities, but on his commitment. He does not focus on personal prominences, but on Timothy’s character. Paul expresses no concern for the young pastor’s acceptance or reputation but shows great concern for his faithfulness and goodness.
Paul did not emphasize the size, wealth or influence of the church at Ephesus, but rather he valued their spiritual life and health under Timothy’s care. Paul did not concentrate on Timothy’s spiritual gifts, as important as those were, but instead on his spiritual vitality and spiritual service. Paul states what you should value in Phil. 3:8, “More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ.”
P.O. Box 878 • Conway, Ark. 72033-0878
(501) 455-4977 • larry@bmaam.com
Larry barker, Director of Operations North America
BMA of America Missions Department
healthychurchpodcast.com • healthychurchsolutions.org (coming soon)
Journey with Jeff
By Executive Editor
Jeff Herring
That’s a Lot of Snow
I am sure most of you are like we are this week — trying to stay warm and enjoying the beautiful scenery of a record amount of snow in Arkansas for February. Allan and I made plans last week to work from home this week due to the expected winter storm. Because we have transitioned to managing things in the cloud, we do not have to be physically at the office to get the Trumpet out; and since we have had some practice ,thanks to COVID-19, we are able to continue to provide you with the news and important information of the BMA and beyond even when it is not safe to make it to the office.
Customer Portal is Ready
As of today, the customer portal is now available at baptisttrumpet.com. To access the customer portal, you will need to click the blue “Login/My Account” button on the top right of your screen. Once you are there, you can login in two ways: using your email and password or your unique identification code and zip code. If you already have an email address associated with your account, you can use the “forgot password” link to set up your personal password. If you do not have an email associated with your account, you can use the unique identification code found above and to the left of your name and mailing address on your mailed Trumpet along with your five-digit zip code.
Through the customer portal, you will be able to update your profile, including your email address, name, mailing and billing address, see your transaction history and manage your subscription. Church plan customers are able to update their subscriber list, as well as see the transaction history and billing options. If you are a member of a church plan, you will see a notice that says, “Your subscription is managed by” and list the church with which you are associated.
For the convenience of our customers that would like to utilize it, we are providing the option to pay by debit card or ACH (from your checking account). There will be a small processing fee added depending on which payment method you choose ($2 for debit/credit card and $1 for ACH). While we have provided the option to pay via PayPal in the past, we have never charged a fee to cover the cost associated with doing so, and as a result we never received the full amount that should go towards the subscription or donation amount that was given.
If you have trouble accessing your account and need some help, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at the office, (501) 565-4601, and we will see what we can do to help.
Thank You
Thank you for your support of the Baptist Trumpet. Please be in prayer for our upcoming time of Special Emphasis in March and April, as assigned by the BMA of Arkansas. We have had a few faithful supporters respond to our immediate need and that is a great blessing, but we will need a successful time of Special Emphasis to help us move forward with a more stable foundation.
Reports from the Churches
Dickinson, Harrell reports one by letter since last report.; Phillip Reddin, pastor.
Lemonwood, Pine Bluff ordained Luther Drye as deacon Jan. 31; Ron Johnson, pastor.
Providence, Hope gained one by baptism; Casey Curtis, pastor.
Sulphur Springs, Fordyce welcomed one by letter and one by statement; Sam Hobbs, pastor.
Deaths
Jimmy Lee Crossett, 85 of Grapevine, passed away Feb. 8. He was a member of Immanuel Bapist Church in Sheridan.
Joan Rutherford, 77 of Trumann, passed away Feb. 4. She was a member of Parkview Baptist Church.
Opportunities For Service
Bradford Baptist Church in Bradford is seeking a full-time pastor. Resumes may be sent to the Pulpit Committee at P.O. Box 16, Bradford, Ark. 72020 or bbcbradfordar@gmail.com. For more information, call (501) 344-2414.
Meadowside Baptist Church in Pittsburg, Kan. is seeking a full-time pastor. Contact Greg Hardister at (620) 704-6860.
(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
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Trumpet Notes
By Executive Editor Jeff Herring
Bill Would to Ban Abortions
When Babies Feel Pain
Legislation to end the “excruciating suffering and physical pain of unborn babies” from abortion at 20 weeks or older was introduced Feb. 15 by Rep. Chris Smith (R/NJ) and 142 Members of the House of Representatives. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would bar most abortions after 20 weeks gestation.
According to Smith, co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act recognizes the medical evidence that unborn children feel pain. “We are not living in uninformed times,” Smith said. He pointed to leading experts in the field of fetal pain, including Dr. Kanwaljeet J. S. “Sunny” Anand, who stated in his expert report, commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice: “It is my opinion that the human fetus possesses the ability to experience pain from 20 weeks of gestation, if not earlier, and the pain perceived by a fetus is possibly more intense than that perceived by term newborns or older children. (lifenews.com)
A Look at Legislation This Week
Good Bills Passed — Act 94/H.B. 1211 (Religion is Essential): This good bill by Representative Mary Bentley (R/Perryville) and Senator Kim Hammer (R/Benton) recognizes that religion and religious organizations are essential in Arkansas. H.B. 1211 will protect churches and religious groups without hampering the government’s ability to respond during a pandemic.
Act 90/H.B. 1195 (Pro-Life): This good bill by Rep. Jim Dotson (R/Bentonville) and Sen. Bob Ballinger (R/Ozark) enacts legislation ensuring that women are offered information, assistance and resources that could help them choose an option besides abortion. (familycouncil.org)
Legislators Sign Letters Opposing Taxpayer-Funded Abortion
Arkansas’ four U.S. Congressmen and two U.S. Senators recently signed letters opposing efforts to pay for abortions with taxpayer funds. The letters come as President Biden has rescinded U.S. policies preventing taxpayers from funding organizations that support abortion overseas and has recently made statements opposing the Hyde Amendment that prohibits taxpayer-funded abortion at home.
The letter that U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton signed says, “Abortion is not health care; rather, it is a brutal procedure that destroys the life of an innocent unborn child. The Hyde Amendment reflects a consensus that millions of pro-life Americans who are profoundly opposed to abortion should not be coerced into paying for it or incentivizing it with their taxpayer dollars.”
U.S. Representatives Hill, Womack, Crawford and Westerman joined with some 200 congressmen in signing a letter that says, “The Hyde Amendment alone has saved the lives of over two million innocent babies and continues to protect the conscience rights of a vast majority of Americans opposed to publicly funded abortions. We cannot allow the Hyde Amendment and other important pro-life safeguards to be decimated by Congressional Democrats. Accordingly, we pledge to vote against any government funding bill that eliminates or weakens the Hyde Amendment or other current-law, pro-life appropriations provisions.”
Public opinion polling has shown, again and again, that Americans don’t want to pay for abortions with their tax dollars. Without the Hyde Amendment, even if you don’t support abortion and you don’t have an abortion, you could still be forced to pay for an abortion with your taxes. Fortunately, Arkansas’ congressional delegation is pushing back against efforts to fund abortions with public dollars. (familycouncil.org)
Transgender Athletes Will
“Destroy Women’s Sports”
Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said Feb. 10 that transgender girls should be banned from playing on middle and high school sports teams. “I do believe that transgenders participating in women’s sports will destroy women’s sports,” Lee told reporters. “It will ruin the opportunity for girls to earn scholarships… I think it’s bad for women and for women’s sports.”
Lee’s comments come as Tennessee Republicans began advancing a proposal this week requiring student athletes to prove that the student’s sex matches the student’s “original” birth certificate in order to participate in public school sports. If a birth certificate is unavailable, then the parents must provide another form of evidence “indicating the student’s sex at the time of birth.” Lee stopped short of promising to sign the legislation should it come to his desk, but instead reiterated that he believes transgender athletes would put “a glass ceiling back over women that hasn’t been there in some time.”
Tennessee is one of a dozen states with lawmakers backing restrictions on athletics or gender-confirming health care for trans minors this year. The proposals come as a growing number of state high school athletic associations in the U.S. have enabled transgender athletes to play on teams based on their gender identity, and the NCAA has trans-inclusive guidelines for all its member schools. (baptistpress.com)
Bill to Grant Legal Status
To Dreamers Reintroduced
Members of Congress are seeking to enable undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to earn permanent legal status and, ultimately, citizenship by meeting certain requirements. Sen. Richard Durbin (D/Ill.s) introduced the Dream Act Feb. 4, with Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina as the lead Republican sponsor. Durbin first introduced the proposal 20 years ago, but it has never received approval from both the Senate and House of Representatives in the same session.
President Biden issued a memorandum Jan. 20 that called for maintaining and strengthening an Obama-era program that protected qualified, undocumented immigrants brought into this country as children. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program kept those who arrived in this country before their 16th birthday from being deported.
The measure introduced would permit undocumented immigrants brought to this country as minors to gain legal status and eventually citizenship if they: achieve a certain level of education, work lawfully for a minimum of three years or serve in the U.S. military; pass background checks and have not committed a felony or other serious crime; show an ability to speak English and a familiarity with American history; and pay an application fee.
Durbin proposed the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act in 2001. As a result, those covered by the proposal have since been known as Dreamers. After more than a decade of congressional failures, President Obama issued an executive order establishing DACA in 2012. The program provided a two-year window of protection from deportation and made participants eligible for permission to work and other benefits. About 700,000 people participated in the program.
Nearly three-fourths of Americans support granting legal status to undocumented immigrants brought across the border as children, according to a June 2020 survey by the Pew Research Center. The poll showed 74% of Americans favor granting legal status, while 24% oppose it. By political party, 91% of Democrats and 54% of Republicans are in favor. (baptistpress.com)
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BMA Church Bands Together To Combat COVID-19
By Randy Story
A group of ladies at Bold Spring Baptist Church in Smithville has joined together to do what they can to combat COVID-19. They have dedicated themselves to mask-making to send to hospitals and schools as a way to combat the spread of the illness.
Cleatta Poland sits at her Brother sewing machine in Strawberry repeating a process that has been familiar to her for nearly 70 years. Although her tools have changed, Poland was taught to sew as a basic survival skill when she was five years old and she easily repeats the work. These days, though, she is driven by a unique focus on survival because she is producing masks for use in the ongoing struggle against the spread of COVID. Her skilled hands have, in roughly eight months of time, created nearly 2,000 masks.
As she works on each mask, Poland creates a variety of patterns and designs ranging from holiday-themed face coverings to elaborate beaded designs like the one created by her sister Deborah Martinez. “Debra has done about twenty of the beaded masks, including crosses for religious ones,” Poland states proudly.
“I started doing this to protect my family, and then others started letting me know they needed some, too,” says Poland. In a more matter of fact tone, she adds, “What originally inspired me was that I was not about to pay $5 for something I could easily make for 20¢. I looked at the masks that others were making and said, “I can do that.”
Seeing a need well beyond her family, Poland began to wonder how she might help to address the growing problem. As it happened, she was not alone in her concerns. In fact, thanks to the members of her tiny home church, Poland has become part of a movement to help others in a unique way.
At Bold Spring Baptist Church, located just outside of Strawberry and slightly over the line into neighboring Sharp County, Poland spoke with Beverly Fisher, another church member. Fisher brought the need for masks at Arkansas Children’s Hospital to the attention of Poland and other church members, including Patricia Smart. The group formed a plan of action to help as many people as possible by providing them with free masks.
Since May of 2020, this small group of volunteers has been responsible for the creation of over 3,000 masks, and the effort has expanded beyond Bold Spring Baptist Church to include women from several communities in Lawrence County. For example, Smithville resident Janet Shirtz recently produced numerous masks as part of the Bold Spring work, adding to hundreds of masks being sent to Ark. Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.
But Ark. Children’s Hospital is only one of the places benefiting from the actions of the Lawrence County seamstresses. Others include: the John J. Pershing Veterans Administration Medical Centers in Poplar Bluff, Mo. and Paragould, Ark., the Washington Elementary School in Sherman, Texas, Hillcrest Public Schools in Strawberry and Lynn, Ark., the Butterfly Ranch in Swifton, Ark. and Morningstar Baptist Church in Monticello, Ark. At the most recent count, individuals and organizations in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and West Virginia have received these gifts.
Poland, Fisher and the others do not accept pay for the masks themselves, but will sometimes accept a small consideration to help offset material costs. The team also accepts donations of mask making materials.
Poland quickly adds, “Only if they want to do so, though, because I (we) want people to wear our masks in good health.”
The team of mask makers have not limited their generosity at all.
“If you see me or one of the other ladies in Walmart or anywhere else, and you need a mask, all you have to do is ask,” says Poland, who laughs as she admits to carrying a “stash” of extra masks with her wherever she goes these days.
Praise for their efforts has been given by many including family, friends, and countless others. Retta Stuart of Lynn, also a member of Bold Spring Baptist Church, added, “While I have only provided material, I am very proud of our church ladies who have spent many hours making masks to help others.”
Erica Phillips, Executive Director of Volunteer Engagement for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital noted in a letter addressed to the members of Bold Spring Baptist Church, that the donation of the cloth masks helped everyone at Arkansas Children’s feel safer. “All of our patients, families, and guests are required to wear masks when visiting one of our locations.” She added that, because of the masks being donated, the facility can continue to operate in difficult times.
At Washington Elementary School, in Sherman, Texas, where Poland once resided, Dale Rideout is part of the Foster Grandparents Program. Rideout has volunteered to help with kindergarteners at the poverty-stricken school. Earlier this school year, Rideout says that a school counselor there asked if he could find someone to donate some face masks to Washington Elementary students.
“We are in a poor neighborhood and families do not have money for some of the extras needed at school,” Rideout says. “So, I put a notice on Facebook asking for volunteers to please send masks for our children. A few days later, I got a surprise package in the mail from Cleatta Poland in Arkansas.”
The package Rideout referred to contained about 90 handmade cloth masks in various sizes and colors, along with a note saying that her church had worked on this project and sent them for our Washington Elementary kids. Rideout added that Poland, who is a family friend to Rideout, encouraged him to choose one for himself. Rideout said, “I got a little selfish and picked out three because they were so pretty it was hard to choose just one.”
On a more serious note, Rideout stated, “We are living in very troubled times with the COVID-19 virus, and it is refreshing to see folks like Cleatta and her friends who give not only of their money but also their time to make and send such thoughtful gifts to folks they only know through Facebook, like the students at Washington Elementary.”
Poland’s husband, Bob, is a disabled veteran of the United States Army, and fellow team member Beverly Fisher is the mother and daughter of military veterans. In fact, each person on the small team has military within their circle. For this reason, and a general sense of patriotic support, the team continues to produce masks for military hospitals.
Dale Garrett, Voluntary Service Officer, John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, said “Cleatta (and the others) have been quite helpful in continuing to make and provide masks and that is a tremendous asset to our work here.”
Knowing that she is not alone as she works in her sewing room, Poland produces one mask after another to add to a true team effort that is spreading out far more than she and the other women at Bold Spring Baptist Church ever imagined it would when they began to answer a call.
Poland pauses the Brother sewing machine as she carefully surveys the mask in front of her, and then says in a reflective tone, “I have sewed all of my life, and if it helps one person then it’s all worth it.”
As she starts to work again to the sound of her sewing machine, she finally says quietly, “I have been so blessed and rewarded through this work.”
Should We Still Pray For Our Political Leaders?
By Dr. John Adams, Executive Director
Our Heavenly Father hasn’t promised that every political leader will become pure and righteous if we pray, but He still commands us to pray for our leaders and those of other nations. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (I Tim. 2:1-2).
You might say the world is still rocked by conflicts, corruption and lawlessness but let me ask you a question — How much worse would the world be if God’s people didn’t pray? What if we simply gave up and allowed the devil to carry out his schemes without interference? We may never know what impact our prayers are having — God is still at work in response to the prayers of Christians. “I’ve never witnessed such intense hatred and vitriol in Washington D.C. The disdain between the Democratic and Republican parties has plunged to new depths. The drive to rule is tearing our country apart,” said Lloyd Ogilvie, the late chaplain of the US Senate.
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eph. 6:18). Pray for our leaders, for wisdom and guidance in the days to come. Pray for both parties, that they will put aside their animosity and partisan politics for the sake of the unity of our great nation. Pray that the hostility will cease, and that peacemakers from both sides of the aisle will provide the courageous leadership that is so desperately needed.
When Benjamin Franklin emerged from the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia after helping forge the U.S. Constitution, he was asked what sort of government the delegates had created. His reply was, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
Our nation was born in a quest for religious liberty and founded on Christian morals and spiritual principles. John Adams, an original signer of the Declaration of Independence and our second president, wrote a profound letter to the Massachusetts Militia in the fall of 1798, saying: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (I Tim. 2:1-2).
What a difficult and different approach to governmental authority — even if we disagree, we are to pray for those who rule the daily affairs of our lives.
The early church had been accused of action against the decrees of Caesar and having another king — Jesus Himself (Acts 17:7). Their enemies effectively accused them of dissatisfaction with the ruling parties. Paul encouraged these early believers to look to God as the One who had placed these men in authority.
• Pray that they will have wisdom. This was Solomon’s prayer as he ruled the nation of Israel — that he would have “an understanding mind to govern the people” (I Kings 3:9). Pray that our leaders would have wisdom to know right and the strength to do it.
• Pray that they will have discernment. This is the ability to know right from wrong; to know God’s leading as opposed to the leading of the enemy (I Kings 3:9). Pray that God will protect them from lies and deception.
• Pray that they will be instruments of God. This was Paul’s instruction in Rom. 13:4 — that rulers, authorities and governing bodies were actually “servants of God.” Pray that our leaders would lead a society marked by tranquility, godliness and dignity
Oh, how we need all Christians to rise up in prayer. God can and will hear us as we pray!
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Part 2 of 2
Trapped In Debt? Here’s How You Can Be Released From It
By Jeff Swart
In part 1 of this article, we learned we should do some things to be released from our debt — commit to becoming debt free, start paying God and yourself first and list all you own and all you owe (see Feb. 10 issue). The steps to be released from debt continue below:
Resolve to Add No New Debt
We all got into debt the same way — spending more than we made. We must stop that today, not tomorrow. You’ll never get out of debt if you keep putting things on a credit card while trying to pay them off, so get rid of all your credit cards but one.
Here’s a project for that one remaining card — fill a bowl partially full of water, place the credit card in the bowl and place the bowl in the freezer. Keep the credit card in the freezer until a real emergency arises! While thawing the card, you may decide time you really don’t need to use it after all.
Some of us will need “plastic surgery.” If you got in debt with credit cards, you need to destroy them so you can never use them again. Credit cards are not bad as long as you do three things:
• Pay off your credit card balance every month. (Be careful because studies show that people who use credit cards spend 23% more money than those that use cash.)
• Never use a credit card to buy things that aren’t in your budget.
• Make a vow with your spouse that if you ever go one month without paying your credit card balance off, you will immediately destroy the card and never use it again.
If you do those three things, you’ll never have a problem with credit cards again. The key to adding no new debt is found in Heb. 13:5 (NIV): “Be content with what you have.”
To be perfectly honest, contentment is the single greatest key to staying out of debt. Discontentment is what gets us into debt. Jesus gave the secret for staying out of debt when He said in Luke 3:14 (NIV), “Be content with your pay.”
Charging things with money we don’t have means we’re not content with our pay. The minute you spend more than you make, you are entangled in the debt trap.
Have a Sale
After doing an inventory of what you own, you will probably discover there are things you own that you no longer need, so sell those assets. Someone may protest, “But it’s already paid off.” Even if it’s paid off, it still costs you money to insure it, license it and maintain it. If you are not using it, you really don’t need it. If you sell it, you can use the money realized from the sale to lower your debt.
At this point, you should decide what’s more important — holding on to something you really don’t need or relieving financial pressure and taking a step toward being debt free. It’s your choice.
You may need to sell a car with high payments and buy a more reasonably priced car. Cars are meant for transportation not status. If we reduce our monthly car payments, we’ve freed up money for tithing, saving or paying off debts.
Set Up a Repayment Plan
No one ever gets out of debt accidentally. It must be intentional, and you must have a plan. Solomon said: “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity” (Prov. 21:5 NLT).
If you want to be prosperous, you must have a good plan. Some people are in debt so deep that they need a financial counselor. The Bible says: “Get advice if you want your plans to work” (Prov. 20:18 NIV).
If you had a major illness, you wouldn’t try to cure yourself; you’d go to a specialist. If you are deeply in debt, you need a financial expert. I suggest you get some good financial advice!
Here’s how to set up a repayment plan if you have a credit card balance on one or more credit cards:
• Cut up all credit cards except one. Keep one for emergencies — real emergencies! Quit carrying a credit card in your purse or billfold so you’re not tempted to use it.
• If you have credit card debt, transfer your balance to a credit card that will give you a grace period of no interest. When that grace period is over, transfer your balance to another card that offers no interest for a grace period. Continue to do this until the debt is paid. By doing this, you will not pay interest on your credit card debt and every dollar you pay will go toward the principle.
• Contact your creditors and request a lower interest rate and monthly payments. Be honest with creditors and say, “I am a Christian, and I have made some poor financial decisions. I don’t want to file for bankruptcy. I don’t want to cheat you out of what I owe you, but I can’t pay what I owe you right now. I will pay it all off. Here’s my plan…”
Maybe your payment is supposed to be $50 a month and you say, “I can’t pay you $50 a month, but I will pay you $25 a month. I am simply asking that if you’ll be patient with me, I will pay it off.” You might even beg for mercy and say, “If you keep compounding interest on this debt you’re never going to get repaid. Please stop the interest from this point on so that I can just pay the balance I owe you.” Ask them. I know several people that have asked for this and got a reduced interest rate or even no interest.
If you’re honest with your creditors, they just might work with you. They want their money, so they have a vested interest in helping you! Prov. 16:7 says, “When your ways please the Lord, He will make your enemies into friends.”
If you put God first in your finances, He will bring favor upon your financial condition! You have God’s word on it!
• Contact the Consumer Credit Counseling Service. This is an organization that will contact your creditors for you to reduce the interest rate and reschedule a lower monthly payment. They charge a small fee for their services and guide you in paying off your debts, starting with the smallest balance and systematically eliminating them.
Stick with It!
Create your plan for getting out of debt and stick with the plan. Paul wrote, “Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Gal. 6:9 TLB).
Getting out of debt takes discipline, effort, sacrifice and time. These principles will work, but you must work them. With character and discipline you can get out of debt. Create your plan for getting out of debt and stick with the plan:
• Obey God and honor Him first in your finances.
• Pay yourself first.
• Learn to spend less than you make every month.
• Resolve to pay cash from this point on and incur no new debt.
At this point, some of you are thinking, “But you don’t know my finances. I am so in debt it’s impossible for me to get out.” You are right. I don’t know the state of your finances, but I do know the power of God! The Bible says: “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27 NIV).
You would be amazed at what you could do if you ask for God’s help and you’re willing to do it His way. It’s not easy, but it is possible. So, don’t tell me it’s impossible. With God all things are possible!
A Debt You Cannot Pay
But here is the number one most important thing I’ll share with you — there is one debt you will never be able to repay, the debt of your sin. The Bible says all of us have broken God’s laws (Rom. 3:10, 23) — not just financial laws, but moral and spiritual laws. We’ve all blown it, and the Bible says there is a penalty for our sin — death (Rom. 6:23).
The message of the Bible is that God assumed your sin debt by sending His Son Jesus Christ to earth where on the cross He paid your sin debt for you. What a deal! What a God!
If you admit to God you’ve done wrong and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, your sin debt will be canceled! I’ll say it again — what a deal! What a God!
To get your financial and spiritual house in order, here’s a review of the steps:
• Make sure you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior to cancel your sin debt.
• Commit to being debt free now.
• Start paying God and yourself first.
• List all you own and all you owe.
• Add no new debt.
• Have a sale.
• Set up a repayment plan.
• Stick with it.
*The outline for this sermon was adapted from a sermon entitled, “Breaking Out of the Debt Trap” by Rick Warren. Copyright © 2021 by Jeff Swart @ http://jeffswart.com. Used with permission. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org.
Pastor Silverio and a local assistant installing the antenna.
LPFM in the Philippines Update
By Pedro Etabag, Lifeword Asia-Pacific
We installed the 41st Low Powered FM (LPFM) Radio in Southern Negros Oriental, in the mountains of Inapoy, Mabinay, which is around three hours’ drive from Bacolod City.
The main studio is at Inapoy Fellowship Baptist Church pastored by Pastor Rogelio Perez. He is also the director of Mountain Baptist Bible Seminary. He is assisted by students of the seminary and is reaching the mountains and villages. With the installation of the LPFM Radio, Pastor Perez told me they will be able to reach more places and open a lot of missions.
I thank Boy Estacio and family for letting us use their monster truck to drive through the off roads and reach our destination without further hassles. There are more places to reach with the use of this technology and, by the end of the year, we hope to reach our goal of 50 LPFM stations.
Thank you, Lifeword, for this project and thank you to those who shared their time, talent and treasures for the accomplishment of this goal — the fulfilment of the Great Commission of our Lord.
Pastor Pete Adjusting the antenna assisted by Pastor Silverio.
Part 2 of 3
You Must Be Sure of Your Salvation
We find in John 3:6 that many believers were baptized of John in the Jordon River, but when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to seek his baptism, he said unto them, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy for repentance” (Luke 3:7-8).
Nowhere has the Word of God substituted water for the blood. When the Roman soldier pierced the Lord’s side, it was His blood which flowed first and the water last. “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood (first) and water (second)… and he that saw it bore record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe” (John 19:34-35). The water that came forth from His wounded side was only proof that He gave all of His life’s blood for all. The atoning blood of Jesus is first in redemption and the water is secondary.
Baptism shows in a picture that lost sinners faith rests in the atoning power of the blood of Jesus. The moment Christ’s sinless veins were emptied of his precious blood, the son of God gave up the ghost in death. That very moment, redemption was affected. The water from His sinless body came forth sometime after His death; therefore, baptism must come after blood bought redemption. “Who (God) hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us (moved us over) into the kingdom of His dear son, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Col. 13:14). Baptism is not mentioned.
Neither do the waters of baptism have any cleansing power. “But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with the other, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin” (I John 1:7). So then, if baptism saves from sin and continues to cleanse from sin, then the Apostles (Paul and John) inspired writings were meaningless and without truth.
“The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and behold, a greater man than Jonas is here” (Matt. 12:41). In Jonah 3, we find the story Jesus referred to revealing that God’s judgment was about to fall upon this wicked city. God chose a prophet by the name of Jonah and commissioned him to warn these people of their impending doom. After spending three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish, he made his way to the wicked city, crying, “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). Jonah preached God’s word.
Faith without repentance is like sowing seed on fallow ground, the results are profession without possession. Peter on the day of Pentecost, stood before a great throng of people from every known part of the world and boldly cried, “Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out… When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life” (Acts 3:19;11:18). Sin blotted out and life everlasting is not forthcoming without repentance. I believe every man will be given ample time to repent, whether it be 40 days, 40 years or 40 minutes.
From Our Missionaries
Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White writes, “Wow, what a week. The winter weather has been active here at Connection Point in Brookland. Last week, we had freezing rain on Wednesday and we were unable to have our Wednesday night groups.
“Even though there was still a tremendous amount of ice on the parking lot, we were able to have our Men’s Breakfast on Saturday. Despite the treacherous walking conditions, we had a great number turn-out to enjoy a powerful devotional and a delicious meal. Saturday afternoon, we had men working to try and clear the ice, and they managed to clear a large amount of it.
“Sunday morning, we were able to have our worship service. The temperature outside was frigid, but inside we enjoyed a wonderful service with a better-than-expected crowd. We are so thankful for all who ventured out to worship with us in person.
“Unfortunately, we were forced to postpone our Valentines Banquet that was scheduled for Sunday Night. The threat of snow on top of the extremely low temperatures just did not make it possible to have our banquet because we had concerns about the road conditions at the close of the event. We hope to be able to have it this coming Sunday.”
The Mustard Seed, Cain: Jim Tollison writes, “My report will be a little short this week. We have been experiencing setbacks over COVID-19 and now we have a winter storm, as most are aware. I have been trying to keep in touch with our mission folks during all of these difficulties.
“I hope all of you have stayed well and have made preparations for this polar express we are facing. It looks like it will impact the entire state. God is going to see us through all of these obstacles, so keep the faith and keep praying for all of our mission points.”
Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “Because of the weather last week, we were only able to distribute 195 food bags and 94 boxes with products.
“For Sunday services, we prepared for the celebration of Valentine’s Day. The congregation was encouraged to bring guests and we prepared some gifts to reward the winners of dynamics. The sermon was on, ‘The Friendship of God,’ based on John 15:12-17; but at the last minute, the weather made us switch to a virtual program.
“Do you remember the two couples who moved from New Jersey, and visited us for the first time three weeks ago, Natividad and Alejandrina, Hector and Alejandra? Yesterday Alejandrina told Sayra how grateful they are to God for providing them with a church in Arkansas. Saturday afternoon during the Couples Discipleship Group in which they have been integrated, Natividad prayed, thanking God for the church, and also expressed to the group the importance of discipleship to grow spiritually. God is answering our prayers, and they have decided to congregate with us. Let’s keep praying.
“We moved from Honduras in the summer of 2014 and since the winter of 2015 it had not snowed as much as it has this week. We thank God for His greatness and impressive power. He has allowed us to enjoy the flowers in spring, the sun in summer, the change of colors of the leaves in autumn and now the snow in winter. We are happy!”
Grace, Green Forest: Carter Pearce writes, “With no services this week, I sat in my recliner watching the snow fall and coat everything with a beautiful clean white. All day, I sang ‘Whiter than snow, yes whiter than snow. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow,’ much to the chagrin of my teenage boys.
“I can’t help but think this week of the meaning of the fact that, through Jesus’ blood, my sins are washed whiter than snow. The complete innocence of fresh snow and the calm that comes as snowflakes slowly float to the ground are rare reminders of how pure Jesus is and how pure His love for us is.
“As I view the evil all around our community, our state, our nation and our world, I can’t help but pray that people will accept Jesus. I can’t help but pray that they, too, will be washed ‘whiter than snow!’”
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “To be in Christ is to live an adventure from day to day. Every week, God gives us different challenges. Last week, due to bad weather, we had to suspend the Berean Groups (cells). Sunday we had our online celebration service, and as I write these lines, beautiful snow is falling. This week, the Berean Group in Chenal will be online — advantages of the technology of our time.
“We previously suspended services due to bad weather and couldn’t enjoy celebrating together. Now technology is available to a congregation as small as we are. Let’s continue to pray for the advancement of the kingdom among the Hispanic community.
“Since last week, we began a series of messages answering the question, ‘Who am I in Christ? My identity in Christ.’ Last week was an introduction — the creator God knows me; He knows who I am and what my identity is. This week, we saw I am a friend of God — the example of Abraham who the Word of God describes as a friend of God, and Jesus in the New Testament calls us friends. My best friend is Jesus Christ, and I am a friend of God! Pray God’s Word will bear fruit in His time. To God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “Due to the weather, we had online service only this week. I have never liked preaching to a camera only, whether due to COVID-19 or snow. I miss the interaction with the people. It seems like Satan throws more and more distractions at us every day, those things that Jesus called ‘the cares of this world’ in the parable of the sower. We just have to keep sowing the word, even when it seems unfruitful, and trust in Him that some lands on ‘good ground.’ We know that we plant the seed and God gives the increase. Thank you for your prayers, they mean so much to us!
Not Alone, Springdale: Clinton Morris writes, “After recovering from COVID-19, I have been trying to get back out and strengthen relationships that I have built. We have a Friday Night Bible study with a couple who is joining the core group.
“Next Sunday, we will have a meeting with a family of atheists. The husband is interested in Christian community and wants to know why we believe what we believe. They have two young children. Pray for this meeting. He owns a game store in Bentonville, and if God moved in his life, would be an amazing help.
“The weather may make this a quiet week, and we are trying to be safe. God is moving; we can see that He has already prepared hearts here.”
Shepherd’s Bags being delivered in Honduras.
Spotlight On
Missions
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P.O. Box 878 • Conway, AR 72033-0878
501.455.4977 • www.bmamissions.org
Larry & Tammy Wood • Ukraine
Our extended furlough in the states is coming to a close and we have plans to return to Ukraine in early March. Both Tammy and I had COVID-19 and experienced some residual complications which kept us from returning on our original date of Jan. 7. We are doing well and are resuming our schedule. We have enjoyed our time with family, as evidenced by the photo with our four grandsons.
We appreciate all of the churches who allowed us to come and share about the ministry in Ukraine and those who continue to financially support us. It was good to meet with several churches who have become new ministry partners. The friendships we have developed are very special to us, and we are grateful for you all. We have also enjoyed meeting with businesses, organizations and individuals who are ministry partners.
Water of Life, the church in Lutsk, continues to grow and expand her ministry in the city. They now have a student pastor, Oleg Hotsyk, who is doing a tremendous job in reaching young people throughout the city. Upon our return, we will introduce you to Oleg and his wife, Dasha.
Please continue to pray for your changemaker missionaries, Sasha and Julia Grebenyuk. They are working hard and doing a great job leading the church. We are very proud of them and their ministry.
Grace Church in Volodymyr is doing well. They recently added a new member. Please pray for Sergii Moroziuk and this group of believers as they are diligently working to build a strong church in order to reach their city with the gospel.
COVID-19 has hit both of these congregations very hard, both physically and financially, yet they both remain faithful to the cause of Christ.
We know all of you have been affected by COVID-19 in one way or another. We pray for you and your families during these difficult days, and we are all the more thankful for your sacrifice on behalf of the gospel.
Woods with grandsons.
Arkansas Spring Meeting Scheduled
By Dan Williams,
Ark. Galilean Promoter
Arkansas Galileans are set for their spring meeting. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the CBC Dining Hall on Saturday, Feb. 27. There is no registration fee.
The normal format for this meeting is to gather on Friday night, sleep on the floor of the CBC Dining Hall and have our benefit basketball tournament (for the Ark. Galilean CBC Nixon/Hornaday Endowed Scholarship) on Saturday morning. That is not appropriate, given the current situation with COVID-19, so we will only meet on Saturday, with no tournament, and conduct our meeting much as we normally do on Friday evening. A complete schedule for the meeting is posted on the Galilean website (galileans.com).
The state officers met in late January to plan all of the 2021 meetings and camps. The theme for 2021 is “When I Am Weak, I Am Strong” (II Cor. 12:9-10). At the time of the planning meeting, there was much more than the usual uncertainty regarding our ability to have a spring meeting. Because of that, the officers identified only two sub-themes — one each for our summer and fall meetings. The sub-themes are: Summer, “My Weakness” (Mark 4:35-41; Mark 14:38); and Fall, “God’s Strength” (II Kings 6:8-23; Job 40-41).
The Worship and Praise service will take place on Saturday with David McEuen serving as speaker and Galilean Will Sellers serving as worship music leader. At the close of the worship and praise service, the 2021 Arkansas Mr. Galilean Senior and Mr. Galilean Junior will be announced.
For further information email or call me at dwilltwelve@gmail.com or (501) 336-4586 or visit our Galilean website, galileans.com. Looking forward to seeing you at the meeting!
Without Money?
Can the church operate without money? Sure!
That is, if every member of the church is willing to go to a foreign mission field on a rotation basis, and serve as a self-supporting missionary.
If everyone will bring candles for lights, wood for heat and your own “funeral home” fan for cooling.
If everyone will bring materials to build a church house.
If every man in the church will be responsible for preparing a sermon on his sermon day.
If everyone will take time to lead the youth, clean the building, type the bulletin and do the office work.
If someone will take it upon themselves to write up a Sunday School lesson and furnish the paper and ink.
If each member will grow flowers to be sent to the sick.
And the list goes on and on…
Sure, the church could operate fine! Churches in oppressed, third world countries operate similar to this. Would you like to try it? (Oct. 12, 2005 Baptist Trumpet)
BMAA Meeting
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Rocky Goodwin & Tim Tyler after loading Shepherd’s Bags
EIM’s Shepherd Bags Ministry News and Goals for 2021
By Fonda Norris, EIM Shepherd’s Bag Ministry Coordinator
I know I’m not alone when I say I’m so glad that 2020 is in our rearview mirror and 2021 is here. While I’m not certain what the year 2021 will hold, I do know Who holds the future. Amen!
I wanted to give everyone an update and praise report from EIM’s Shepherd’s Bag Ministry. Due to COVID-19 bursting onto the scene, we had to cancel all of our 2020 overseas trips to go distribute Shepherd’s Bags in Honduras. Needless to say, it was very disappointing when countries began to close their borders, but God was faithful and still opened the door to allow us to be able to ship to Ghana, West Africa.
Tim Tyler, Director of Water For Christ, brought his truck in November and picked up 16,000 Shepherd’s Bags. Those bags will go on the shipping container when Bro. Tim makes his next shipment, hopefully in early 2021. We are still awaiting a few logistics to be worked out before that shipment.
Would you join with us in praying that God will use each and every bag to bring boys, girls, men and women to Himself with the gospel being preached before the children receive their bags?
Plans and Goals for 2021
We plan to keep doing what we’ve done since 1999, and that’s to keep assembling Shepherd’s Bags. While we have been slower getting a shipment together due to lack of work teams going and coming, with a few workers helping we currently have 8,000 assembled and boxed at our storage facility and we have supplies to finish up 8,000 more. When this shipment is complete, we pray we are able to ship them into the Philippines by this summer or early fall. In 2020, the border was closed for shipments due to the pandemic, and we know only God can open it up this year; but we can’t stop due to what may happen or what may be closed. We understand EIM’s Shepherd’s Bag Ministry is in God’s Hands, and He expects us to be faithful and let Him decide where these bags ultimately end up. I will purchase supplies for 16,000 more unisex Shepherd’s Bags, and we start all over again, since we assemble bags all year long.
Thank you to those who so faithfully give to EIM’s Shepherd’s Bag Ministry. You “give” so children around the world “get” to hear the gospel while receiving a small one-gallon zip loc bag filled with the same items — boys and girls receive the same gift. Having each child receive the same gift has worked so well and is very cost effective. You entrust us with your offerings to know that the lost will hear the gospel, and we try to be the best stewards of your offerings.
Please covenant to pray for us and with us that we will be faithful, whatever 2021 holds for us, and that many will come to know Jesus as Savior.