Pete Etabag with Lifeword Asia-Pacific takes part in Lifeword's Global Partner Zoom meeting.
Pete Etabag with Lifeword Asia-Pacific takes part in Lifeword's Global Partner Zoom meeting.
MOVING with Ministers and Staff
To view previous listings from this column, visit our website at
www.baptisttrumpet.com.
First Baptist Church in Carthage, Texas is seeking a full-time director of discipleship with emphasis on children, families and education. Must have at least a bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years’ experience. Resumes will be accepted until April 30, and may be sent to james@firstbaptistcarthage.com or to First Baptist Carthage, c/o Personnel MAT, P.O. Box 548, Carthage, Texas 75633.
Christian College
Challenges Biden Order
By Valerie Coleman, Public Relations Director • College of the Ozarks
College of the Ozarks filed suit in federal court on April 15 against the Biden administration. The lawsuit challenges a directive from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which forces religious schools to violate their beliefs by opening their dormitories, including dorm rooms and shared shower spaces, to members of the opposite sex. The directive accomplishes this by requiring entities covered by the Fair Housing Act to not “discriminate” based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The administration’s rule change forces religious schools to violate their beliefs by opening up female dorms to biological males and vice-versa, or face fines of up to six figures, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. The reinterpretation of “sex” in the Fair Housing Act comes in light of President Joe Biden’s executive order titled, “Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation,” signed in January 2021.
Attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) will represent the college. “The government cannot and should not force schools to open girls’ dorms to males based on its politically motivated and inappropriate redefinition of ‘sex,’” said ADF Senior Counsel Julie Marie Blake. “Women shouldn’t be forced to share private spaces — including showers and dorm rooms — with males, and religious schools shouldn’t be punished simply because of their beliefs about marriage and biological sex. Government overreach by the Biden administration continues to victimize women, girls and people of faith by gutting their legal protections, and it must be stopped.”
College of the Ozarks holds to the Christian belief that biological sex is not changeable, and it operates its dorms accordingly. The college’s sincerely held religious beliefs influence their policies, including dormitory policies, which prohibit male students from living in female residence halls, and vice versa.
“Religious freedom is under attack in America, and we won’t stand on the sidelines and watch,” said College of the Ozarks President, Dr. Jerry C. Davis. “To threaten religious freedom is to threaten America itself. College of the Ozarks will not allow politicians to erode this essential American right or the ideals that shaped America’s founding.”
The lawsuit opposes the HUD directive and the executive order requiring it. The order, issued to all federal agencies, requires them to modify their policies on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The lawsuit explains that the HUD directive contradicts the historical judicial interpretation of the Fair Housing Act, which confirms that “sex” means biological sex. The suit also argues that the directive exceeds the administration’s authority and violates the constitutionally protected freedom of College of the Ozarks and similar religious institutions to operate consistently with their religious beliefs.
ADF attorneys filed the lawsuit, The School of the Ozarks, Inc. d/b/a College of the Ozarks v. Biden, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Southern Division. For additional information, contact the Public Relations Office at (417) 690-2212.
Executive Editor’s Note: I reached out to CBC President Terry Kimbrow to see if this would affect CBC in a similar way. He replied, “We are concerned about many of the proposed changes in the new administration. We are members of CCCU (Council for Christian College & Universities / cccu.org), a network of like-minded, mission-driven, Christian colleges and universities. They are considered to be the leading national voice of Christian Higher Education. We receive legislative and legal updates and action alerts as they occur. CCCU is located in D.C. This allows us to speak with a unified voice on issues such as this.”
CBC Tower Media Wins 43 Awards
By Ann Gardner, CBC Communication Department Chair,
Assistant Professor of Communication and Student Publications Advisor
Central Baptist College’s Tower Media student journalism staffs won a combined 43 awards from the Arkansas College Media Association on April 9, including junior Mallory Sullivan being named Photographer of the Year. Ten colleges and universities in Arkansas submitted work from 2020 for the competition.
The Tower Media staffs never cease to amaze me. Even with the challenges of COVID-19, our students continued to provide coverage of what was happening on campus. We had a core group of staff members who worked hard, and the effort shows with these awards.
A judge said Sullivan’s photography included “a strong portfolio with a nice mix of action and portraits.” A Communication Major, Sullivan is pursuing a concentration in Photojournalism and has won Gallery X competitions, a CBC student competition sponsored by the Communication Department each semester. Mallory has been a real blessing for Tower Media. She came into our program taking great photos, and she continues to improve each semester. She is very deserving of being named Photographer of the Year.
The 2020 Carillon received third place in the Yearbook of the Year category. The Tower was named honorable mention for Newspaper of the Year. We’re the smallest college that competes in ACMA, but we continue to do well in newspaper, web, photography and yearbook categories. I’m looking forward to see what other categories we will excel in next year.
CBC General Excellence Winners
• Photographer of the Year — First place, Mallory Sullivan, CBC, Tower Media
• Yearbook of the Year — Third place, the 2020 CBC Carillon, Jocelyn Waters and Coby Harvison, co-editors
• Newspaper of the Year — Honorable mention, the Tower, CBC, Emilee Brown, Jocelyn Waters and Rachel Burns, co-editors
2020 Carillon Yearbook Awards
• Cover — Jocelyn Waters and Coby Harvison, honorable mention
• Closing — Jocelyn Waters and Coby Harvison, third place
• Divider — “Six Feet Apart,” Jocelyn Waters and Coby Harvison, honorable mention
• Introduction/Theme — Jocelyn Waters and Coby Harvison, third place
• Feature Layout — “Senior Direction,” Jocelyn Waters and Coby Harvison, second place
• Student Life Layout — “Harvesting Memories,” Jocelyn Waters, first place; “Read All About It,” Jocelyn Waters, third place
• Sports Layout — “See You in Court,” Jocelyn Waters, first place
• Typographic Presentation — “Strange Semester,” Carillon staff, first place; “Stuck At Home,” Carillon staff, honorable mention
• Art/Illustration — “Life Upside Down,” Carillon staff, honorable mention
• Sports Photo — “Scream and Shout,” Marcela Bueno, second place
• Student Life Photo — “Praise His Name,” Sydney Hawkins, second place
Tower Web Awards
• Breaking News — “Campus Prepares for Online Classes,” Kat Carson, honorable mention
• Election/Political — “Seeing Blue,” Kat Carson, first place
• Personality Profile — “Jesus Over Baseball,” Emma Reddin, second place
• Editorial/Commentary — “Can 36 Questions Lead to Love?” Kat Carson, second place; “An Open Letter to COVID-19,” Jessica Sawyer, honorable mention
• Reviews-Arts/Entertainment — “The Social Dilemma,” Josh Burns, second place; “The Invisible Man,” Kat Carson, third place
• Headlines — “Pondering podcasts: Mornings are best met with murder,” Kat Carson and Rachel Burns, first place; “An Insight in Isolation,” Kat Carson, second place
• Feature Photo — “Lindsey Ebarb,” Lena Srdanov, first place
• Sports Photo — “New Year, New Team,” Katelynn Blacklaw, honorable mention
Tower Newspaper Awards
• Feature Writing — “Food Insecurity,” Katie Beth Fly, second place
• Editorial Writing — “Mask Required,” Rachel Burns, second place
• General Column — “I’m So OCD,” Jocelyn Waters, second place
• Election/Political — “Do You Really Know Your Political Party?” Emma Reddin, first place
• Headlines — “Social Christmasing: Students Look Forward to Going Home for the Holiday Season,” Rachel Burns and Jocelyn Waters, first place
• Art/Illustration — “For Better or For Worse,” Haley Lingenfelter, third place
• Sports Photo — “One for All,” Marcela Bueno, third place
• Sports Story — “One for All,” Faith Birmingham, third place
• Editorial Cartoon — “Mind Over Matter,” Faith Birmingham, first place; “Navigating Communication,” Jocelyn Waters, second place; “Battle for the Funds,” Faith Birmingham, third place
• Cartoon Strip — “Nice Mask!” Rachel Burns, third place
• Front Page Layout — “Can You Give Me a Break?” Jocelyn Waters, second place
• Feature Page Layout — “Misconceptions of Mental Illness,” Jocelyn Waters, first place; “Misinformation,” Jocelyn Waters, third place; “Online Dating: Risk or Reward?” Jocelyn Waters, honorable mention
• Editorial Page Layout — “Battle for the Funds,” Jocelyn Waters, first place; “Let’s Turn the Tide,” Jocelyn Waters, second place; “Navigating Communication,” Jocelyn Waters, third place
Tower Media leadership included Jocelyn Waters and Emilee Brown, Spring 2020 Tower newspaper co-editors; Jocelyn Waters and Rachel Burns, Fall 2020 Tower newspaper co-editors; Kat Carson, Tower Web editor; Haley Lingenfelter, Spring 2020 Tower Photo editor; Mallory Sullivan, Fall 2020 Tower Photo editor; Hannah London, Tower social media editor; Abigail Lowery, Tower Video editor; Elliot Bender and Logan Cline, Spring 2020 Tower Radio station managers; Logan Cline and Eli McAlister, Fall 2020 Tower Radio station managers, and Jocelyn Waters and Coby Harvison, 2020 Carillon yearbook co-editors.
Global Partner Update
By Holly Meriweather, Lead Writer
Once a month, Luis Ortega, Lifeword’s Director of Operations, leads the USA and global teams in a Zoom meeting with partners from six different time zones. Representing Ghana, Tanzania, Lebanon, Romania, Central America and the Philippines, they join us to dream, discuss, plan and review tasks and action points then assign new ones for the next month.
You can only imagine what a blessing it is to those of us at Lifeword USA as we are able to interact with these faithful, hard-working men and women.
Behind the team leaders we see virtually, there are many others we haven’t met who produce and upload video, audio and print content to the Lifeword cloud. In fact, in the last 12 months there was so much website usage at Lifeword.org that the demand for processing power drastically increased at our servers. This caused the website to go down multiple times, necessitating a server upgrade at the end of March.
During April’s Lifeword global meeting, team leaders explained new initiatives to expand their video content. The following topics and people are targeted with specific needs of believers and non-believers in the following countries:
• Lebanon — Women’s empowerment (which means something very different in a male-dominated Middle East), Teenage girls (body image, peer pressure, confidence, etc.) and Agnostic and atheist millennials (scientific arguments, biblical truths and discipleship).
• El Salvador — Children’s discipleship; Pastor-to-pastor encouragement.
• Nicaragua — Married couples Bible study.
• Philippines — Technology training and tutorial videos and Thai-language Bible studies.
• Romania — Gypsy community Bible teaching (Romany-Kalderash language translation of the Gospels).
These initiatives and more are being produced, uploaded to the cloud and available in 107 languages by global partners all around the world.
Please join us in praying for the following:
• That people groups who speak the 107 Lifeword languages will hear and respond to the gospel, then be discipled through a local church.
• For Rama in Myanmar, as a military coup continues for a third month with widespread protests and limited internet access that hinders his ministry to the disenfranchised.
• That the economic and political crisis causing massive unemployment and poverty in Lebanon will reverse course and that people will be blessed by churches’ relief efforts as they share the gospel with the hungry and hopeless.
We praise God for the following:
• The expansion of the Lifeword Cloud with 12 new languages, which allows more people to find gospel presentations, teaching and help to develop their walk with God.
• Talented and hard-working global partners as they implement new initiatives reaching women, young girls, children, married couples, young adults, non-believers and gypsies with the gospel.
• Global team members who have a burden for their respective people groups to know Jesus and be discipled.
If you want to hear more about what God is doing through Lifeword, contact Lauren at lauren@lifeword.org to schedule Executive Director Donny Parrish or another team member to come share what God is doing through your media ministry.
In This Issue
Abandoning Sound Doctrine (pg. 3)
Celebrating Seniors (pg. 2)
Finding Your Purpose (pg. 6)
Thoughts on Genesis (pg. 6)
Who is the Church For? (pg. 3)
Summer Curriculum Preview
By Jordan Tew, Asst. to the President
Hi friends! I wanted to give you a preview of the summer Sunday School/Bible Study curriculum. The new quarter begins June 6, and ordering for summer begins in May.
The purpose of Genesis can be summed up in the phrase, “a book of beginnings.” Genesis 1:1 begins with the phrase, “In the beginning,” which is one word in the Hebrew, the original language of the Old Testament. Genesis reveals the beginning of the world and universe through Creation and the beginning history of man, particularly the line of humanity from which the Messiah would come. This study will cover Genesis 1-11: Creation to Abram. We will be assured that God created all things, and even though humanity fell into sin, His redemptive plan for mankind moved forward.
This quarter was written by Dr. David Hellwig, a professor of Biblical Studies at the BMA Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of Central Baptist College and has also earned a Ph.D. He currently serves as pastor of First Baptist Church in New Summerfield, Texas.
We hope you’re looking forward to this study as much as we are!
Calhoun Endowed
Scholarship Established
I am pleased to announce the establishment of the Calhoun Endowed Scholarship. The Calhoun Endowed Scholarship was established by Cory and Cari Calhoun and will give first priority to residents of Benton County and Saline County, Arkansas. Second priority will be given to graduates of the Baptist Preparatory School in Little Rock. It is so encouraging when CBC alumni and former employees give back to the college in such a meaningful way. I am so thankful to Cory and Cari for sharing God’s blessings in their lives with CBC.
Cory and Cari (O’Dell) Calhoun are both CBC alumni who were raised in Bryant (Saline County), and Cari graduated from Baptist Prep. Cory received his Associates degree in General Education and then transferred to the University of Central Arkansas where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics before returning to CBC to serve as the Director of Admissions. Cari received her Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Counseling and then went on to the University of Central Arkansas and earned her Master’s degree in School Psychology.
Cory and Cari currently reside in Rogers with their children, Lincoln and Emery. Cory is the senior manufacturing recruiter at Management Recruiters of Rogers. Cari is a school psychologist with Bentonville Schools. Cory and Cari hope that by establishing this endowed scholarship fund, it encourages others to support scholarships at Central Baptist College.
CBC has over 70 endowed scholarships representing over $3.6 million in contributions. Endowed scholarships serve as a lasting tribute, as contributions are placed in the permanent endowment and only a portion of the interest is awarded as scholarships. Endowed scholarships are awarded by vote of the CBC Scholarship Committee, taking into account the qualifications and eligibility of the applicants as detailed in the scholarship agreement.
Additional contributions to the Calhoun Endowed Scholarship fund can be sent to Central Baptist College, 1501 College Avenue, Conway, Ark. 72034. Checks should be made payable to Central Baptist College with “Calhoun Endowed Scholarship” indicated on the memo line. Gifts can also be made online at cbc.edu/endowed. Include “Calhoun Endowed Scholarship” in the comments box on the online donation form. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Sancy Faulk, Vice President for Advancement, at (501) 205-8799 or sfaulk@cbc.edu.
Sports
News
By Erik Holth
Golf
• Mountain Home, April 13 — Looking for a jump on the final day, CBC took the course at Big Creek Golf and Country Club for the final round of the Battle at Big Creek. CBC finished sixth after posting a final round 311 to finish at 621, 39 shots behind champion Park, while the women’s team finished in eighth after shooting a final round 525.
Baseball
• Point Lookout, Mo., April 13 — Stepping out of conference for a midweek contest, CBC took on the Bobcats of College of the Ozarks at Davis Field. CBC (18-13) came from behind twice, scoring four in the fifth and three in the ninth to defeat the Bobcats (9-18) 8-6.
• Holly Springs, Miss., April 17 — Stepping out of conference for the second time this week, CBC took on the Bearcats of Rust College in a doubleheader. CBC (20-13), swept the doubleheader, scoring 20 runs in two games, winning by scores of 11-2 and 9-1 over Rust (13-18).
Softball
• St. Louis, Mo., April 17 — Hitting the road for the second straight weekend, #20 CBC took on the Eutectics of the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis in an American Midwest Conference doubleheader at the Kirkwood Athletic Complex. #20 CBC (23-9, 10-2 AMC) took care of business, cruising to a 13-3 win in game one before posting their first shutout, 5-0, in game two over UHSP (4-18, 3-11 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
Celebrating Seniors
It is almost that time. A month from now, high school seniors across the country will be walking across stages and receiving their diplomas. COVID-19 restrictions will continue to make this a different looking event, but odds are that your community will be having some sort of celebration to mark the occasion. Last year, many weren’t able to have a gathering at all, including our churches.
With these things in mind, we head into a time that we normally celebrate those finishing high school. As we do, we often wonder what is the best way to mark the occasion. Over the years, this has been a hard thing as you have families that are only marginally involved, and you don’t want to leave anyone out. Here are some things to consider as you make your plans; and, if you haven’t started planning it is time to get on it:
• Think through the seniors connected to the church. It is easy to think about those that are there serving and active in the church, but with a year like this past one, it is important to make the extra effort. As you consider the families, you will want to make sure you don’t miss any stepchildren, adopted children or children living with the other parent. Be sure to approach those parents and ask if they are going to be involved in what you do. Honestly, this isn’t a time for grandchildren, nieces or nephews of your members to just randomly show up for a free gift and recognition. However, it is a time to honor the families that have worked together to reach their goal of high school graduation.
• Think through your gift to seniors. There are so many things that a graduating senior needs. However, I think that there is really only one proper gift for a church to give its students, a copy of God’s Word. It represents all that they have been taught and all that they have left to learn. Now financially, your church may only be able to give a readers copy, but if at all possible seek out the best Bible for that student. I still have the NIV Student Bible that Springdale Baptist Church of Springdale gave me back when I graduated from high school. It is wearing out, but I will never give it away. It served me well during those first years out of high school. And in the front cover, my friend, Rob Hager, wrote down the time and date when I surrendered to the ministry on his dorm room floor. Plaques and certificates are nice, but a gift that keeps on giving life changing truth is the best way to go.
• Think through your celebration. How will you honor your seniors? Some do this during the morning worship service. Others plan a party after church. If you decide to make this event coincide with your worship service, be careful to not make it all about the students. Their accomplishment is great, but the God we serve and worship is so much greater. Celebrations during the worship hour should include prayer, commissioning and a charge that clearly indicates the expectation that they are to go out into the world carrying Jesus with them.
Gatherings that fall outside of the worship hour can be more lighthearted in nature, but still should be a time of sending. I think about the Senior Roasts that we had over the years at Temple Baptist Church of Rogers. The church would gather after an evening service and tell stories of the young men and women graduating. They were times of laughter and fun, but there was always a sense that this was the beginning of something new for them.
I know your Senior Celebration may be steeped in tradition at your church. However, I would encourage you to rethink it. Is it the most God-honoring event that you can provide? Traditions may need to be set aside to provide a truly great celebration.
I would love to hear what your church does for its seniors. Join the conversation at Facebook.com/groups/StudentMinistryMattersCommunity.
Just Thinking...
By Tom Mitchell
President, BMA of Arkansas
(501) 804-6647 • temitchell1946@gmail.com
Abandoning Sound Doctrine
I was just thinking about the sad state of Christianity in our present time. I think almost every reader of this paper believes that we are, indeed, living in the last days. In fact, the biblical description of such days is very evident in all aspects of modern society.
For many years, I have heard people say, “I don’t like doctrine! Just give me some old-fashioned preaching about the cross!” How sad such statements are. The preaching of the cross is doctrine!
Addressing the young pastor Timothy, the apostle Paul wrote, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (II Tim. 4:3 NIV). The Greek word for itching can be translated “tickling.” How sad that today people would rather have their ears tickled instead of their souls fed.
The basic definition of doctrine is “instruction or teaching.” Paul wrote the church at Corinth informing them that they needed doctrine, but their lack of spiritual maturity hindered them from learning it. For decades, I have told teachers — both public school teachers and Sunday School teachers — that no one has taught until someone has learned. The need for sound doctrine permeates the New Testament letters to the churches. The problem remains that too many just do not want to hear it and consequently they do not learn it.
Paul wrote the Corinthians, “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly — mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready” (I Cor. 3:1-2 NIV).
Timothy received this truth from his mentor, Paul: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (II Tim. 3:16-17 KJV). The reason many churches today are filled with immature believers is because there is an abandoning of sound doctrine in the pulpits and the classes. Even when believers are not looking to have their ears tickled, some preachers think it is best to tickle them anyway.
That is why Timothy was urged, “Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly,” (II Tim. 2:14-16 NIV).
Today, as never before, we need men in the pulpits who will diligently study the Word of God so that they may correctly impart it to the hearers. However, it does not stop in the pulpit. Men and women who teach Sunday School, home Bible studies, youth groups, Vacation Bible School and the children in the home must teach sound doctrine. Paul encouraged Titus in this way: “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1 NIV).
I think one of the most evident marks of the last days is given to the pastor Timothy. Paul wrote: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron,” (I Tim. 4:1-2 NIV).
Church members, do not shun sound doctrine! Be diligent to pray for your pastors, youth ministers and Bible study teachers. Pray for your worship leaders that the songs and hymns they lead are steeped in sound doctrine and not just nice words. Above all, do not fall into the gulch with those who abandon sound doctrine. That’s what I was just thinking!
Revivals
Faustina, Hampton, May 2-5; 11:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. Sun.; 7:00 p.m. Mon. – Wed.; Dwayne Williams, evangelist.
Temple, Fordyce, May 9-12, 7 p.m.; Jim Moss, evangelist; Lance Hollis, pastor.
Union, Rosston, May 24-26, 7 p.m.; David Dillard, evangelist; Joe Brown, pastor.
Liberty, Stamps, June 6-9, 7 p.m.; Donnie Edward, evangelist; Adam Rogers; pastor.
Bodcaw #1, Bodcaw, Sept. 12-17, 7 p.m.; Jimmy Walker, evangelist; Lane Garner, pastor.
Need
Printing?
Trumpet Printing
can help. Call
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Healthy Church Solutions
Who is the Church For?
This is definitely a challenging topic and, rest assured, you probably will not agree completely. My goal is to challenge us to once again be focused on God’s mission of making disciples by reaching unbelievers with the gospel. In Luke 14, we have the parable of the great banquet where a man invites many guests to come, but they all begin making excuses. The owner of the house then tells his servants to invite “the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” He is informed that there is still room for more and his response is, “Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in.”
There are several compelling truths in this parable that should grip and burden us:
• First, how busy are you inviting others into a relationship with Jesus Christ? Jesus came to seek the lost and the sick because those who are well do not need a doctor. Isn’t it interesting how Christ ministered and loved the lost, the last and least of society? Paul had such a passion for His people that he said, “For I could almost wish to be cursed and cut off from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood” (Rom. 9:3). Where is our burden and passion for the lost?
In order to have a burden for the lost, the place to begin is on our faces before God in repentance. We should ask Him to give us a fire in our soul for the lost because He has provided His salvation to all who believe — even to a criminal on the cross who would never have another day to follow or serve Him. It doesn’t seem fair that Jesus said to the rich young ruler, who tried to obey all the laws, that he needed to sell everything and follow Him. Yet, on the cross He promises a criminal, who apparently spent his life breaking the law, that he would be in paradise with Him.
You need to realize that if you take the Great Commission seriously it will get messy. Through the years, churches have had a “pack a pew” Sunday to encourage their people to bring guests to the services. You just have to wonder what Jesus’ pew would have looked like? There was a host of poor people who the church was going to need to feed and probably have to help financially. Remember the banquet? The owner of the house told the servants to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and they would be blessed. Also, there were unclean lepers and ladies of the evening hanging around.
Here is a great question to ask yourself and your church — would those people be welcome if they showed up for your services? An even better question is, “Are they even on our radar to intentionally reach with the gospel of Jesus?” Are you concerned that because you cannot help everybody that you rarely end up helping anybody? You may have even bought into the erroneous error of believing you have to be fair in what you provide for everyone. Unfortunately, what happens is you end up doing nothing. A better approach is for you to help someone the way you wish you could help everyone.
• Never compromise the truth. Never! The challenge is to be like Christ, who was full of grace and full of truth. Jesus told one lady that He did not condemn her (grace) but He also said go and sin no more (truth). Reexamine your approach to ministry because many times the thinking is that if they believe exactly like you do then and only then can they belong. After they belong for a while, then and only then will you bless them. What if you flipped this and blessed them in the beginning, allowed them to belong from the standpoint of hanging out with you, being loved and fellowshipping with you? Maybe then they would believe?
• Lastly, remember that it is not about the building. Church has come to mean a location more than a purposeful gathering of people on mission for God. Unfortunately, this has developed into whoever controls the building can then control the church. In church history it even turned into the harsh truth that those who controlled the building were able to control the Scriptures. When the focus transferred to a location and a building, the early church institutionalized, and the exponential movement of church growth came to an end. Now when you say church, very few think movement and most automatically think building.
Who is the church for? William Temple said it well, “The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.” We are a lighthouse for those who have lost their way. We are a hospital for those who are in need of the Doctor.
Who is welcome in your church should begin with who is welcome into your life and into your home. This is your opportunity to be salt and light. People far from God are not looking for your doctrine or church constitution but someone who genuinely cares about them. “Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:38).
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)
(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 • Fax Line (501) 565-NEWS
(Note: An answering machine on the 565-4601 line will take
messages after regular working hours — Monday-Thursday)
www.baptisttrumpet.com
ALLAN EAKIN, Associate Editor
associateeditor@baptisttrumpet.com
(mailing list changes & billing inquiries)
Price: $23.50 per year; Church Plan: $20.25 per year
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.
Journey with Jeff
By Executive Editor
Jeff Herring
We Need a Strong Finish
As you see below, we currently have received about 38% of our goal for Special Emphasis. While we rejoice for each offering we receive in the office (sometimes there is even shouting!), we are praying for God to provide the remaining funds so we can continue to Build for the Future of this ministry.
I had a conversation recently with someone about a college president who never asked anyone for funds to help the college. Instead, he would go to God and pray for Him to provide, and in turn people would donate because God moved in their heart to give. The story goes that he was always successful in raising the needed funds.
Allan and I have been and will continue to ask God to provide the needed funds according to His will. We know that the ministry of the Baptist Trumpet is not our ministry, but His. He has a plan and will work it out according to His will.
Special Emphasis Update
As we near the end of our designated time of Special Emphasis, will you consider supporting this ministry with a special offering or a monthly donation that helps carry us throughout the year? I would love to come and share about how we are doing our best to carry out our mission of getting the news and information of our association to the “person in the pew” as quickly as possible. If you would like for me (or Allan) to come and share, please contact me at editor@baptisttrumpet.com or (501) 565-4601.
As always, thank you for your faithful support of this ministry.
2021 Special Emphasis • Goal - $45,000
Previous Balance (April 7) $12,295.74
Diane Spriggs* $300.00
Springhill, Greenbrier* $827.00
Grace, Russellville $600.00
Mustard Seed, Cain $100.00
Particia Simmons $400.00
Paulette Herring $500.00
Friendship, Greenbrier $100.00
Grace, Wynne $62.00
Delores Head $500.00
Plaiview, Jay, Okla. $50.00
Mt.View, Choctaw $1,000.00
Anonymous $100.00
Total $16,834.74
*Have given previously
Trumpet Notes
By Executive Editor Jeff Herring
Arkansas Congressmen
Sign Pro-Life Petition
Last week all four congressmen from Arkansas signed a petition to force a vote on pro-life HR 619, the federal Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. HR 619 is a federal measure currently in Congress. If passed, it would protect infants who survive a botched abortion by ensuring that a baby born alive after an abortion receives the same medical care as any other newborn. The measure also would punish doctors who let an infant die or intentionally kill a newborn following an abortion.
Several states have enacted similar legislation — including Arkansas. HR 619 would protect babies nationwide. All four of Arkansas’ congressmen are co-sponsors on the measure. The measure is tied up in committee, but last week some 202 members of Congress signed a petition asking for a floor vote on the bill in the full U.S. House of Representatives. (familycouncil.org)
FDA Change Shows Arkansas Was Forward-Thinking on Pro-Life Laws
On April 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would no longer require women to visit a doctor’s office in order to get the RU-486 chemical abortion drugs. The change also lets abortionists deliver RU-486 to women by mail.
In the wake of COVID-19, doctor’s offices around the country shut their doors and moved to “telemedicine” only. Abortionists in some states seized this as an opportunity to push abortion drugs. They offered abortion consultations and prescriptions over webcam or telephone. Planned Parenthood, in particular, ramped up promotion of its “telehealth” programs. However, abortionists have not been able to prescribe abortion drugs over the phone or via webcam in Arkansas. That’s thanks to laws that pro-lifers have implemented over the past few years.
Arkansas Right to Life, Family Council and others have worked with pro-life legislators to implement good laws that prevent abortion drugs from being approved via telemedicine. Most recently, the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 560 and Act 562 of 2021. Act 560 by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R/Springdale) and Sen. Scott Flippo (R/Mountain Home) outlines the informed-consent process for chemical abortion. Arkansas’ current informed-consent laws for abortion are geared primarily for surgical abortion procedures. Act 560 will help ensure women get all the facts about chemical abortion — including its risks, consequences and pro-life alternatives.
Act 562 by Rep. Sonia Barker (R/Smackover) and Sen. Blake Johnson (R/Corning) updates Arkansas’ restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs like RU-486. Among other things, it outlines requirements that abortionists must follow in administering abortion-inducing drugs, and it prohibits abortion drugs from being delivered by mail in Arkansas. This will help ensure that abortion-inducing drugs aren’t approved via telemedicine and mailed in Arkansas — even though the FDA is removing some of its restrictions on abortion drugs.
“All of this underscores that Arkansas has been very forward-thinking when it comes to abortion,” said Family Council President Jerry Cox. “We’ve been able to pass good laws that anticipated things like telemed abortions changes in the FDA’s rules for RU-486.” (familycouncil.org)
Liberty Sues Jerry Falwell Jr.
Liberty University has filed a civil lawsuit against its former leader, Jerry Falwell Jr., seeking millions in damages after the two parted ways acrimoniously last year. The complaint, filed April 15 in Lynchburg Circuit Court, alleges Falwell crafted a “well-resourced exit strategy” from his role as president and chancellor in the form of a 2019 employment agreement while withholding from the school key details about a personal scandal that exploded into public view last year.
“Despite his clear duties as an executive and officer at Liberty, Falwell Jr. chose personal protection,” the lawsuit says. It also alleges that Falwell failed to disclose and address “the issue of his personal impairment by alcohol” and has refused to fully return Liberty’s confidential information and other personal property. (baptistpress.com)
Ohio Judge Blasts Abortion
A federal judge issued a strong opinion this week in favor of an Ohio law that bans abortions on unborn babies with Down syndrome, arguing that the horrific eugenic beliefs adopted by the Nazis continue today with abortions. On April 13, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals allowed Ohio to enforce its Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act. The law prohibits abortions if the abortionist knows the reason is because the unborn baby has or may have Down syndrome. In a concurring opinion, Judge Richard Allen Griffin, an appointee of President George W. Bush, compared discriminatory abortions to the Holocaust, The Daily Wire reports. “Many think that eugenics ended with the horrors of the Holocaust,” Griffin wrote. “Unfortunately, it did not.”
“The philosophy and the pure evil that motivated Hitler and Nazi Germany to murder millions of innocent lives continues today. Eugenics was the root of the Holocaust and is a motivation for many of the selective abortions that occur today,” he continued.
Griffin cited statistics about the near-100% abortion rate for unborn babies with Down syndrome in Iceland, and lamented similar “shockingly high rates” in other European countries. Recent reports in The Atlantic and CBS News also have exposed the shocking numbers. According to national health data, nearly 100% of unborn babies who test positive for Down syndrome are aborted in Iceland, 95% in Denmark and 77% in France.
The Sixth Circuit ruling is an encouraging sign for unborn babies and the ability of states to protect them. Because of Roe v. Wade and other abortion cases, states are severely limited in their ability to prohibit abortions. However, many are trying to protect unborn babies through laws like Ohio’s. Others with similar anti-discrimination laws include North Dakota, South Dakota and Missouri. (lifenews.com)
Biden Administration Reverses
Pro-life Policies
The Biden administration has issued new policies to grant abortion providers access to federal family planning funds and to remove the in-person requirement for a woman to obtain the abortion drug mifepristone. On April 15, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a proposed regulation that would rescind a Trump administration policy known as the Protect Life Rule. Issued in 2019, the Trump-era rule prohibits the use of money from the federal government’s Title X family planning program “to perform, promote, refer for or support abortion as a method of family planning.”
The Protect Life Rule requires “clear financial and physical separation” between Title X programs and non-Title X programs in which abortion is promoted as a method of family planning. The proposed regulation would restore family planning funds to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers that are ineligible under the current rule.
The policy reversals are disappointing but unsurprising for pro-life organizations that supported the Trump administration rules. An advocate for abortion rights, Biden directed HHS in a Jan. 28 memorandum to consider immediately whether to repeal the Protect Life Rule.
In a letter on April 15, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R/Tenn.) and more than 100 other members of Congress urged Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to maintain the Protect Life Rule “to ensure that Title X funding does not go to programs that support abortion as a method of family planning and protects women and children under their care.” (baptistpress.com)
New Home, Quitman, May 16, Sunday School 10:00 a.m., Worship (Don Betts, message) 11:00 a.m., lunch 12:00 p.m., singing in the afternoon; J.D. Courtney, pastor.
Union, Rosston, May 23, 10:30 a.m., lunch 12:00 p.m.; Joe Brown, pastor.
Bodcaw #1, Bodcaw, July 25, 10:30 a.m., John Ed Dorman (devotional); Taylor Bruce (message); potluck lunch and singing; Lane Garner, pastor.
Moral Action urges all BMA Churches to pray for our America during the National Day of Prayer May 6.
Moral Moms
By Dr. John Adams, Executive Director
We sense and seek to understand the challenges of mothers. The extra energy and needed wisdom that all moms need to guide, sew, wash, cook, work, go and go, to love, teach and train and train. Yes, even to feel overlooked, to be frustrated, to be a woman, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an aunt, a sister, a niece, and etc.!
How many mothers love? Adopted mothers, mothers to be, some with many children, some with no children, and yet mothers to the church children and neighborhood kids are moral and Christian. God sees you and has listened to every heartbeat, seen every tear, heard every sigh and knows your desires as a Christian lady to lift, to care, to help and to be helped.
What do you truly need to be a moral mom?
• You need to be born again, first and foremost.
• You must have a local church and live for Him there.
• You have to carry a Bible in your hand and your heart.
National Day of Prayer is May 6
By Allan Eakin, Associate Editor
“I believe it is imperative for every Christian and church to pray for our nation. I believe this is biblical, therefore, must be convictional. America has never needed Christians and churches to pray for our nation more,” said Dr. Ronnie Floyd, president of the NDP.
Annually, the first Thursday of May marks the National Day of Prayer (NDP) in America. While people of faith pray regularly, they should especially pray on the National Day of Prayer.
Critics complain that the National Day of Prayer is simply a commercialization of prayer, much like Christmas and Easter have become commercialized. In reality, like Christmas and Easter, it is a day on which people who might not be open to Christianity are more open to spiritual things. God’s people would be wise to take advantage of the situation.
A National Day of Prayer dates back to 1775, when the Continental Congress asked colonists to pray for wisdom in forming a nation. Later, Abraham Lincoln called for a day of “humiliation, fasting and prayer” in 1863. President Harry S. Trumann signed a joint resolution from Congress declaring an annual National Day of Prayer. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan specified the National Day of Prayer to be the first Thursday of May each year. Every year since, the President of the United States has signed a proclamation, encouraging Americans to pray on that day for our nation.
The NDP Task Force coordinates thousands of local events across America on the National Day of Prayer. The most significant is the national observance in Washington D.C.
With work, family and personal obligations, it is difficult for many Americans to participate in an organized event. However, many can gather with co-workers during their lunch break, with family around the dinner table, with fellow believers in small groups and with fellow church members at the local church building to pray. Whatever the setting, the need for prayer is critical.
The NDP Task Force has identified seven centers of power (government, military, media, business, education, church and family) within the American culture. The group encourages all people of faith to intercede for leaders in these areas.
The NDP website (nationaldayofprayer.org) has numerous resources for churches and individuals to organize or promote an event or organize a series of prayer meetings.
The book, 31 Days of Prayer for My Nation, produced by the Great Commandment Network, challenges each of us with the following: “It is the people in God’s house who hold the future of our nation, not governmental leaders. We are called to pray for those in authority but not to depend upon them for the healing of our nation” (pg. 20). Throughout history, God has moved among the nations in response to genuine prayer and repentance.
Some churches across America plan to participate in community events, host local events, organize extended prayer vigils and encourage people to pray in small groups.
Christians should certainly pray on the National Day of Prayer. Furthermore, let this season of prayer launch a prayer movement in your local congregation or small group that God might move mightily among his people and our nation.
Statewide Drug Take Back Day
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is encouraging Arkansans to clean out their medicine cabinets and bring any unused or expired medications to one of the state’s more than 250 Prescription Drug Take Back Day drop-off locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 24.
“Cleaning out medicine cabinets and turning the expired, unused medications over to law enforcement during a Drug Take Back event saves lives,” said AG Rutledge. “It is important now, more than ever, that we continue to properly dispose of these prescription drugs.”
The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office hosts Prescription Drug Take Back Day twice a year in partnership with Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas Rotary Clubs, Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI, Office of the State Drug Director and over 100 additional law enforcement and government agencies, community organizations and public health providers.
Event sites are held at various locations across the state, but year-round locations are also available and can be found at ARTakeBack.org. The Attorney General’s office also hosts take back events at mobile offices around the state. Since the program began, more than 206 tons of medication have been collected in Arkansas, which is over 412,600 thousand pounds of individual pills.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Music On The Lawn, April 25, 6 p.m.; presented by the Fine Arts Department; Central Baptist College, Conway.
Gospel Singing, May 1, 5:00 p.m. meal; 6:00 p.m. singing; Dwayne Williams, singer; Faustina, Hampton.
Hot Dogs and Hot Rods, May 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; proceeds benefit Water for Christ; LifeSong, Greenbrier.
CBC Scholarship Gala, June 5, 6 p.m., Conway Expo Center. Contact Amy Reed for more info at areed@cbc.edu.
BMA Camp, June 21-24; Chis Vines, camp speaker, Doug Mickan, worship leader; Budd Creek Camp, Greers Ferry.
National Galilean Camp, June 25-28; Stoneridge Camp, Smithville, Ark.
SOAR 2021, July 6-8; Hilton Anatole, Dallas, Texas; visit soarconference.com for more info.
Fresh Grounded Faith Women’s Event, Aug. 6-7, 7 p.m. Fri., 12:30 p.m. Sat.; Antioch, Conway.
Ark. Ladies Retreat, Sept. 18, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Deaths
Gary Isbell, 72 of Jonesboro, passed away March 27. He attended Prospect Baptist Church.
From the President...
Think Globally—Act Locally
Jeff Swart, BMAA President
jeffswart@jeffswart.com
1175 Country Club Rd., Conway, Arkansas 72034
Finding Your Purpose
Luther Burbank (1849-1926) was a man who had an incredible understanding of trees, plants and flowers. He created many hybrids that made plants more beneficial to humanity. For example, he created the Russet Burbank potato plant that grew larger potatoes that were whiter, more delicious and were resistant to blight. He also developed a spineless desert cactus plant that cattle could feed upon, blackberries without thorns, plums without pits and strawberries that would ripen all year round.
Trees became more frost resistant and walnut shells became thinner. The Shasta daisy became more beautiful, calla lilies became more fragrant and the dahlia was even given a new fragrance. Burbank added many new varieties of plants and flowers to our world.
When others tried to praise him for his accomplishments, Burbank humbly deflected the accolades and told people that he was just a man who was trying to fulfill God’s plan for his life. Luther Burbank knew God’s unique plan for his life and sought to fulfill it.
God not only had a plan for Luther Burbank’s life, He has a plan for your life too. The Apostle Paul exhorted believers to find God’s will for their lives with these words: “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Eph. 5:17). My prayer is that you will find God’s will for your life and then do God’s will — this is the secret to happiness and contentment.
And I further pray that you may have enough happiness to keep you sweet, trials to keep you strong, sorrow to keep you human, hope to keep you happy, failure to keep you humble, success to keep you eager, friends to give you comfort, wealth to meet your needs, enthusiasm to make you look forward to tomorrow and determination to make each day better than the day before.
Lord, please help us all to use each day in the wisest way we can for You and for Your glory. Amen.
Reports from the Churches
Bald Knob, Plumerville added three by letter; Joe Hogan, pastor.
Broadway Ave., Bay welcomed one by letter; Rick Jensen, pastor.
Celebration, Haskell rejoices over one by baptism; Allan Eakin, pastor.
Center Point, Nashville gained one by baptism and two by letter; Jaron Tipton, pastor.
Charity, Ward received two by baptism; Keith Lewis, pastor.
County Line, Nashville reports one by baptism; Jerry Hill, pastor.
Lakeside, Newport added one by baptism; Albert Mullins, pastor.
Lemonwood, Pine Bluff welcomed two by statement; Ronnie Johnson, pastor.
Sand Springs, Damascus gained two by letter; Gaylon King, pastor.
Spring Lake, Texarkana rejoices over one by statement and one by baptism; Randy Shepherd, pastor.
Unity, Hope received two by letter; Nick Flowers, pastor.
First, Springhill, La. witnessed one by baptism and two by letter; Chris Lucy, pastor.
Leave it
to Cleaver
By Dr. Tony Cleaver
726 Walnut Dr. • Killeen, Tex. 76549
jstmcleaver@embarqmail.com
Random Thoughts From Genesis
• “The man replied, ‘The woman you gave to be with me — she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate’” (Gen. 3:12 CSB).
Adam not only “kicked Eve to the curb,” he also “threw her under the bus” when he had to tell God he had sinned. How shameful to point the finger at your wife and blame her for your actions! Yet Adam blamed someone else for his own sin.
Sin is not simply breaking the laws of the land. Sin is disobeying God. Adam had disobeyed God and was making excuses for his own disobedience.
Before we get too far into condemning Adam, let’s think about our own sin. When we disobey God, who is at fault? Certainly it is not your wife or husband. It is definitely not the boss or a neighbor who makes you sin. Please don’t say it is your society or culture that makes you sin.
Listen to the penitent David in Psa. 51:4: “Against you (you alone) I have sinned and done this evil in your sight.” David did not try to shift the blame to anyone regarding his choice of disobeying God. He confessed (confess means to say the same thing) his choice of behavior to God. God knew his choice and agreed with it. God heard David’s prayer when he said in verse 10: “God, create a clean heart for me…”
Who has sinned — you or someone who “made you do it”? Nobody caused your sin; you chose to do so. Confess your sin and ask for a clean, new heart through Christ Jesus our Lord.
• “Noah, however, found favor with the Lord” (Gen. 6:8). What does one do when all around is nothing but immorality and wickedness in the population, even corruption in the highest government offices? David asked this same kind of question as he looked around his own country in Psa. 11.3: “When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Basically, David concluded that the best thing for him to do was to go on being righteous! That is the situation here with Noah.
The passage tells us the Lord saw widespread evil in all of humanity, But (and here is the great exception) Noah found grace and favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Are you set every day on all sides with dishonesty, debauchery and even worse things? What can you do? You can go on being righteous. You can look to find favor in God’s eyes by following the precepts of the Word of God that bring light to your life. You will be that light shining in a dark place. The Lord looks for light. He found it in Noah.
• “ Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High” (Gen. 14:8).
Perhaps there is no more mysterious character in the Old Testament than Melchizedek. He appears after Abraham had rescued his nephew, Lot. Genesis identified him as “a priest to God Most High.” Melchizedek brought bread and wine and pronounced a blessing on Abraham. At this point, Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe or tenth of the spoils from his victory over the kings in his rescue of Lot.
The best understanding of this mysterious character is found in Hebrews 7. This New Testament passage presents Melchizedek as a type of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews quotes David from Psa. 110.4: “You are a priest forever according to the pattern of Melchizedek.”
The Jewish priesthood had many who served as priests. Death prevented their serving beyond life limits. However, Jesus is a priest forever. He is not like an earthly priest who has inadequacies.
Hebrews goes on to say Jesus is able to completely save those who come to God through Him for He, like Melchizedek, is not an appointed priest through earthly regulations. Jesus does not offer animal sacrifices. He sacrificed His own body on the tree that we might be brought from death to life by faith in Him.
The ultimate priest to God Most High is our Lord, Jesus Christ. Meet Jesus in your life “busyness” today. Meet Him as Abraham met Melchizedek. Let this Priest bless your life with bread and wine — His body and His blood.
BMAA Meeting
Farley Street, Waxahachie, Texas
August 2-4
For more information,
visit www.baptisttrumpet.com
Jose Luis Galeano, his wife Consuelo and their son Oliver baptized. Consuelo is holding Anderson.
Vehicle Needed
One of our missionaries is in need of a vehicle that is operational and ready to use for ministry. For more information, contact Arkansas Missions Director Paul White.
Check Out The
Trumpet Archives At
baptisttrumpet.com
Fallow Ground
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).
We are told in God’s Word that while we are to go to all places, He also knew that not all areas we enter will receive the message of the gospel. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet” (Matt. 10:14).
It comes as no surprise to believers today that the world is waxing darker and darker, resulting in a disdain for the church and the things of God. Such has been evident in our mission efforts in Green Forest. God blessed our association with a godly, doctrinally sound and earnest man in Carter Pearce to attempt bringing the good news to the people of that area. Unfortunately, he found that area to be very fallow ground.
After an asserted effort, he has felt that God has ceased his work there and that his resources can be better used elsewhere. It is always a sad time for all involved to see a work cease. In our recent visits, I have tried to assure him that we, as an association, only want what God wants and that we may never know the impact his time there will have on that community this side of eternity.
I personally want to thank Carter, Kristen and the boys for their service to our Lord. I pray God’s richest blessing on this family as no doubt God will continue to open doors of service for them in the future.
Please continue to pray for your missionaries as they and our pastors are facing a culturally difficult world.
From Our Missionaries
Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White writes, “It was a good week at Connection Point. On Saturday, our ladies held an Eat the Word mini conference. First, they enjoyed a delicious brunch. After that, one of our women’s ministry leaders led a training and introduced some new inductive Bible study skills. They were also provided some resources that they could use to dive deeper into God’s Word. The day was a great success.
“We had a pretty good day Sunday. Our numbers were down a bit, but we had a great day with some wonderful worship. We also met with our small group leaders and worked on a plan to reopen our kid’s classes on Sundays. We can hardly wait to get these running again. Keep us in your prayers as we look forward to a busy month of May.”
The Mustard Seed, Cain: Jim Tollison writes, “We had a great day at the mission Sunday. Our special music, with the Jones Family, was very ‘Special.’ We had 15 or more first-time visitors, and I feel that we may see some of them back to services very soon. The presence of the Lord was felt by all.
“We are beginning a Galilean program next Wednesday night. Kenneth Colvert will be leading the lessons. We have several making plans to attend Galilean Camp this year.
“I am hoping we can find someone willing to be a Sunbeam sponsor. We have several children in that age group. Pray with us about this.
“Our concrete work was delayed due to contractor problems, but it should be completed this week if the weather cooperates.
“This is an exciting time to be in the Lord’s work. God often does His best work in times of adversity. God bless you in all you do for Jesus.”
Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “At the weekend service we were blessed to baptize Jose Luis, his wife, Consuelo and their son, Oliver. The three received Christ as their Lord and Savior about four months ago after the Sunday meeting. What a blessing to see a father leading his family and bringing them to the feet of Christ.
“It has been beautiful to see the growth process of this family, since they received Christ, they joined a discipleship group and now they have taken the step of obedience to baptism.
“They were drawn to the church by the community outreach program. We invited them to our meetings, they agreed and responded to the gospel. The Holy Spirit continues to work in their lives. Let us pray that they will establish themselves in faith and commit to the Lord to be a blessing in the lives of others.”
Life Journey, Fort Smith: Darrin Smith writes, “We had seven first-time visitors this past Sunday, a big turnout for our Wednesday group and enjoyed a time of fellowship together last week. It is great to have these services and get togethers.
“We are being stretched in a good way. We are working to add ministries to meet the growing needs we have. This spring we are making preparation for the possibility of having a sports camp in the early summer, and for the fall we are working toward adding Awanas to our Wednesday nights, along with adult classes.
“Pray for us as we continue ministering to the needs that are around us.”
Grace, Green Forest: Carter Pearce writes, “It is with a heavy heart and after much prayer that the decision has been made to stop the mission work of Grace Baptist Mission Church in Green Forest and to offer my resignation as a missionary of the BMA of Arkansas, effective April 30.
“We had our first meeting in January 2018 and have a total of 14 members, 5 of whom have already left our work. We have 19 total regular attendees, but out of the immediate previous 8 weeks, my family of 5 has been the only people in attendance 5 of those weeks. We have had no new guests who have attended more than 2 times in the past 14 months.
“While our ministry in Carroll County has had an impact on a few, this is a very difficult mission field and one that is not producing results. We have seen three people saved and baptized, for which we rejoice greatly. All three of these are children of members.
“Based on the lack of impact we have had and currently have in our community; we believe that closing our doors and diverting support to other areas of the state is the proper thing to do. We truly appreciate the support of the BMA of Arkansas and the churches that compose our great association.
“Serving as a BMA missionary has always been a dream of mine, and I cannot overstate the blessings we have had during the past three years. We have not failed in service to our Lord. We realize, however, that this specific ministry has reached its end. Please pray for me and my family as we search for God’s next place of service.”
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “God made me review lessons last week. In January, we were praying for each family man with the purpose of blessing them and stimulating us to seek God; among them we prayed for five men who do not attend church.
“But, none of them have started attending our church. Last week, I asked myself the following question: where is the result of having prayed for each man in January? Last Thursday, one of these men called me and asked me to start discipleship at his home in Bryant. Glory be to God!
“In times of discouragement, Isa. 55:11 brings encouragement into my life. Our job is to sow the Word and leave the results to God. The Almighty will make the Word sown of Him bear fruit in His time. It was a beautiful lesson from God in my life. Pray for this meeting on Wednesdays with the Rodríguez family. May the Word of God continue to make changes in the life of this family. To God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had a wonderful week at Faith Chapel! We have signed a contract to purchase a house in Flippin very close to the land where we plan to build our church’s building. Though we are not that far away now, we feel that Flippin is where God wants us, and that will help our ministry.
“The man who did our perk test on that land told us that it passed, and the permit is in the mail from the health department. We got in touch with the company that we got bids from to build our road and the bid is still good. We will tell him to start as soon as we get that permit.
“A friend, who is a CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) designer, is helping us put together ideas into a plan for our building. We received word from Paul Vincent and Highland Hills that they voted to support us. They join Jerry Clements and Pleasant Grove in that, and we thank them and thank God, that He is using both of those churches to support our mission. It will help to make our own building possible.
“God is opening so many doors for us, and we are so busy, but we also have met more new people who say they will come. It seems the more people that see and hear of us, the more interest it generates! Praise God, because we know that He puts people in front of us to meet and talk to, to be a witness and a light to.
“Please continue to pray for us and our work, for those we need to meet and those we have already met. God is hearing our prayers and answering them.
“We have a new mailing address: Faith Chapel MBC, P.O. Box 1441, Flippin, Ark. 72634.”
Not Alone, Springdale: Clinton Morris writes, “It was a great week of planning. We have the church’s name, a vision statement drafted and are forging our overall strategy. When we came to Northwest Arkansas, we knew approximately what our mission was, and as we have been here the last four months the focus has become clearer.
“I had a three-hour conversation on Christianity with Matt, another one of our neighbors, and we are planning on meeting again soon.
“Our Bible study is going well, and we are inviting others to attend. We may have to start another Bible study at another time slot and location. (Pray that we will have clear direction on these decisions).
“We have a volunteer who is going to build out the website and do all of our graphics. We will provide more information about this as we get closer to the launch.
“We are praying over temporary places to house our church plant while we are in this early growth stage.
“Here are things we ask you to specifically pray for us: a second vehicle, an inexpensive meeting spot for our church, Spirit leading for the people that God is bringing into this plant and that we will see souls saved.”
Opportunities For Service
Meadowside Baptist Church in Pittsburg, Kan. is seeking a full-time pastor. Contact Greg Hardister at (620) 704-6860.
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Wynne is seeking a full-time pastor. For more information, call Britt Johnson at (870) 588-1667 or Scott McClintock at (870) 208-3243.