living lettersstories from the Great Commission

cleaning up the neighborhood – here and abroad In one of the toughest crime-infested neighborhoods of central Memphis, local believers are mov-ing in, pushing out the drug dealers and helping change lives. And after training here, some are taking their missions calling overseas. It’s a one-square-mile neighborhood of about 9,000 people, where many refugees from Africa and Asia have settled to make a new life for them-selves. But poverty and crime make it a tough place to live. The area, how-ever, is gaining fame for its effective homegrown array of ministries, and in many ways it’s undergoing a spiritual face-lift. More and more faith-filled doctors, nurses and teachers have moved into the ‘hood’ to reach out to the commu-nity. They’re offering free medical clin-ics, community clean-up efforts and

a variety of youth and adult outreach projects. The challenge of living in this community has helped prepare many of them for mission work overseas. Some are partnering with IMB (Inter-national Mission Board) to go to some of the world’s most dangerous mission fields – including areas of Central Asia, Africa and South Asia. For Nathan Cook, a local believer, describing the transformation in the community is simple. “The general idea is for Christians to move into poor communities and love your neighbor,” he said. “The problems of the neighborhood become your problems. People interacting who ordinarily wouldn’t interact.”

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Baptists see response after tsunami relief They lost their three children and seven other relatives in one day along the coast of India. Paramesvaran and his wife, Choodamani, had every reason to lose hope. After the 2004 tsunami claimed the lives of their family and more than 200,000 oth-ers in 11 countries, the couple struggled with depression and suicide. Their Christian faith, however, led them to start an orphanage for 20 children – many of whom lost parents in the tsunami. Backed with the gifts of Southern Baptists — more than $17 million donated for tsunami relief — an IMB worker helped the couple provide beds, clothes, school supplies and other needs for the children. Since then, all of the children have accepted Christ as their savior and some of them are working with Paramesvaran to share Christ with the community. Baptist relief efforts in the region helped prompt the beginnings of 1,400 house churches and 12,000 people accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Learn more about Paramesvaran’s story at commissionstories.com.

news from NAMBThe morning mist lingers over the Appalachian Mountains as missionaries Charles and Marjorie Wilson open the doors of the Wheelwright (Ky.) Baptist Center for another day of ministry in the tiny hamlet. Forty percent of the people in southern Floyd County live below the poverty line. For 23 years, the Wilsons have helped meet the physical and spiritual needs of the community with support from Southern Baptists. Due to the current economic crisis, more and more people are looking for help. Baptist Centers are a beacon of hope to their communities. To find a center near you, visit www.namb.net/ministrycenters.

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PP 183.9M 11/09 P5889-1JANUARY 2010