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Statewide EdiJion Telling the Story oF Tennessee Baptists Vol. 173 I No. 29; Aug. 8, 2007

Nasfndlle-. congregation is •ilingual, 1 •i-cultural' By Connie Davis Bushey · Baptist and Reflector

panic congregations were never accept­ed as members of the main congrega­tion, he noted. "Here everybody is a

NASHVILLE - About three years member of the congregation," said Fer­ago Saturn Drive Baptist Church here nandez, who is bilingual. "We are learn-was at its lowest point in many ways. ing from each other."

Today, about 10"0 people gather for Anita Davis~ another member who Sunday morning worship. teaches a Sunday School class for teens,

The worship service is somewhat said~ "This is the New Testament church unusual. The congregation is made up in action." of about half Anglos and half Hispanics • Asked about changes she has seen though people from oth~r races are a since the Hispanic group joined· Saturn part. Some of the people wear headsets Drive, she said, "I don't feel like we've so they can understand tb.e l~guage given up anything. It's no sacrifice if spoken - in the Sunday morning serv- you're having fun." ice a translation of the predominantly She added ·that Christians "don't

' English service and in the Sun,day 4ave to leave the city to be a part af the evening service a translation of the pre- mission field." -dominantly Spanish service. .She has received "so much love here," .

The church is also unusual in that Davis concluded:

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-it has two pastors - · Joe Coleman and Juan Fernandez, co-pastor along <t~~ Fernandez. The church is also with Coleman, feels that he and the lmown as the Community Church. . other members of the Alcance (pron. Al-

Things are on the upswing at Sa~ kahn-say) Ilispano Baptist Mission of Drive Baptist. Renovations are taking Nashville who joined with Saturn Drive place. People are visiting and joining are a part of something unusual. The the unusual congregation. mission congregation was meeting in

.LEADING THE PLEDGE to the Bible during Vacation Bible School at Saturn Drive -Baptist Church, Nashville, are, Joe Coleman, left, co-pastor, who led the pledge in English; Froylan Lugos, holding the Bible; and Efrain Fernandez, a member, who led the pledge in Spanish.

Efrain Fernandez, a member, said he another Baptist church facility. Fernandez and Coleman helped lead the church's recent Vacation · Bible

the opening service was conducted in English because most of the children speak English well, explained Coleman who has served the church for 12 years. - See Nashville congregation, page 4

; has been a member of several Hispanic "People cannot believe this is hap­Baptist congregations. They met in the pening," he said. Sometimes "Anglos facilities of Baptist churches but they reject Hispanic people, but we found a remained seP.arate. Members of the His- church that loves Hispanics."

School. During the opening service

In Hermitage/Mt. Juliet area

'pledges were made and songs were sung . in both English and Spanish. The rest of

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Local · BaptiSts establish Pregnan~y Care . Center By Lonnie Wilkey Baptist and Reflector

OLD HICK.ORY - Denise Haywood has seen the hurt, embarrassment, and ·disap-

pointmentofwomen affected by an unplanned pregnancy. ~ile living in Crossett,

Ark., she was involved with Life Choices Crisis Pregnancy Center which ministered to

DENISE HAYWOOD, right, and Bev Murgatroyd of Tulip Grove Baptist Church look over financial plans for the new Pregnancy Care· Center which is currently being formed. The site ~or the cen­ter has yet to be determined but will focus on eastern Davidson County and portions of Wilson County.

young women, counseling them on o~tions other than abortion.

After moving to 1'! ashville about two years ago with her husband Scott and three chil­dren, the Hafwoods became members of Tulip Grove Bap­tist Church in Old Hickory.

She thought her involve­ment with crisis pregnancy cen­ters was behind her, but she kept hearing stories about abortion when she . turned on the radio or picked up a news­paper.

"I knew God was saying, 'You've got to get back in this.> "

Haywood mentione1i her concerns to her pastor, Keh Clayton, who suggested that she talk to the church's . women's minjstry group.

She shared abortion statis­tics just for the state of Ten­nessee which report 13,902 abortions we!e performed in 2004 (the latest year statistics were available). In addition, of

· 79,575 live births, 31 percen~

were born to unwed mothers (30,342). In addition, 31.5 per­cent of the pregnancies were females, ages 10~19.

Haywood also noted that there was a 39 percent increase -in adolescent pregnancies (ages 10-19) from 1995-2004.

One lady, Mary Gant, volun­teered to help and soon others joiried the effort.

A steering committee was formed, comprised primarily of Tulip Grove Baptist vohinte.ers,­to . explore the feasibility of openmg a cn_s1s ptegnancy cen­ter.

Haywood stressed that while currently most of the volun­teers are from Tulip Grove, they are seeking interested people from churches of all denomina­tions to be involved.

After careful prayer and study, the Pregnancy Care Cen­ter was established and paper­work is being filed to incorpo­rate as a non-p!ofit, tax-exempt organization. - See Local, page 3

TBC CP gifts dip in July; still up 3.57 perC:ent · Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD - Gifts through the Cooperative Pro­gram dipped slightly in July, but still remain 3.57 percent ahead of the same time last year. In July, Tennessee Bap­tist churches gave a total of $2,508,867.

After nine months of the current fiscal year, Tennessee Baptists have given $27,872,634, an increase of $961,309 or 3.57 percent over the same time frame a year ago. Gifts also are $122,634 or 0.44 percent over current budget needs.

"We are grateful that we are still ahead of budget needs for this year," said James Porch, executive direc­tor of the TBC. "We anticipate our churches will continue to

. give generously to meet min­istry needs in our state and around the world." 0

#BXNHFRX *************5-0IGIT 37203 - #01499375# REG 534/7 HISTORICAL COMMISSION AUG 0 9 2007 901 COMMERCE ST STE 400 NASHVILLE. TN 37203-3628

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you-r ·new$fourna1

Subscribe to the Bapt[st an(f · Reflector for one year and

receive 47 copies. Individual· subscriptions, _$12-; Church Le_adership Plan, $8.75 p~r

·subscription; other plans avail-· able

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sac·cp gilts up . . I

2.7J pertent di:rection:S' have led to confu.sio:n for her safe return, ho.pin.go she and·eyen ill Will amoitg brQth~ts .l}acm:'t f~en ·Victim tQ fouf play. and sisters · in Christ . . We G:ope The;y ~:ecently 'hetcil a baliloon · this conference will demonstrate release':a:s a Vigjl and have sro.od

B&ptlst Pres.s. _ "how 1. imp~rtant ~heoiugi:c~l beside tnelgastar•in his ifief: He NASHYILLE - Yea:r:-to-date issues· cai1 be discussed With dicfu:'t t:etU!!'ill! to the plilpit . faF

contrf~utions thr~agll tb~ . g:r8:ce, iritegtity, ~d love." we~k&. accor~g to. The ·Press,_ . - '

Southern Baptist Conventi:on's The conference will feature Register. . " · Qoopera.five Progl-ain -ru_;e· 2·. 7l . speakers from oath the Calvin- ,· Meanwhile. Smith -=--· who·

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percent al;lead of .the s~me tjme jst .and non-Calvinist perspec- · ·autho11ities ·say .had develqpe.d frame. in 2.006,, according to a tives. Am:ong those speaki~g an· addiction · to . painkiiller.s -news ·:release frol;Il SBC ·Execu- . from the non-Calv~~t pel'spec- had started a new life a tliou­tive Committee President and tj\~;e wiU be David Dockery, sa:nd miles away --f~om her . Chief Executive Officer Moms president of Union_ Univ"er.si· Aiabama heme . .

::=Order capies ' .

for B&ltDay

. B'ltENt.(WQOD - . $ .unday,

Allg,. l~, ·i's reoqgnized on the ca!l~nda~ of t'he Ten:n.esse:e Ba,ptist · Conven:tidn: as Bap­tist artd lfefJJ!!c.t'orlUity. '

Lonnie Wilkey, editor {615)·37.1-2046, . lwilkey .@ tnpaptist.org

~ · H. Chapman. . -- :ty, Jac:ks.o:q:. · ~in:di Reav~~; ministry assis-As · of J.u.Iy~ ttl, the ~e~-to~ . First sessions will begili o:A. ·fant at Fi.r$tL.Baptist, .~urn-

: Chu:r.:ehes 'inte1.1est.ed in obsezyin.g l!J&R IDa-y, bu.tdt'a-v:e ' n.Qt -~rder;eil. fi:ee . copies, ~ave nntli noon on Aug.-1!0 to place

Conhi~ Oavis Bushey, news e(litor

(61S) 371-7928, · cbushey@ tnbaptist. org

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Susie EdWards, financiaV­circulation coordinator

date fotal of.$1 'Z2,141;-653.97 for Monday and~ conclude ~ noOI1' merdale, said the pasto:r ha<lnot • ... I t' ( ..

Cooperative -Program (CP) mis- · Wednesaay. Program . fees .... are,. : spoken With· .hls wife · as of .July s~ons is $4',539,069.57. ahead of. $-75 '(excludes mea~s) 9r $104 · 30.' ' '

thew ,lr,~uestJ;~. · . To ol'der ff.ee copies of the -

Aug~ _1i5 issue,, eQI~ ~61'5} · B'ZJ;~ 26Q3 or e-m~l Susie Edwanls 'at ,sedwatds@tnba;ptist.org~

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tP,e $167,602,584.40 ·received at (indudew six meals}. Lodging '®ith .. the ~ew pews .... he's the Saine point in 2006. For the· options are: $69 per night (Mt. ·got a lot-of questions. He's. hUrt month, 'receipts of . J;.aurel Inn) or_ $54 per 'iright right now,~ she:said, accor.ding_tO_ .$17,166,646.84 were '5.i4 per- · (Pritchell and Maple). Cont.act' ·TJie Press-Register. 0 · be~s involy.ed in·the tr~ge~y, : cent, or $8~8;536.90, ahead of . LifeWay Riqgecrest teservf(tions _ "Our .dls~ster relief respense-

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. (61~) 371-2003, sedwards@tnbaptist.org .

the $.i6,328,109.-94 ret eived_ in at 8~_0-588-7~2~. ~ . . . . _ taraesf feam·, ,., u.nit 'has .been .. offerced,~ Sm<ideen · July 2006. LifeWay -Res.earch,. wl:flch . :J· _ · said Aug. 2. "At tbis_ .. pomt ii'hey

Designated g~vmg of s:tudied Calvinism a~ its inaugu:- fatkfeJ IJ.eedS _ are ·in a recovery . effort and $195,565,394.60 · for the,. same· ral siudy last September, will th~y're 's·~ying ~hey ,prQbably

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Mary Nimmo;'advertising/ chur~h p~ges coordinator

{615) 371-7929, mnimmo@ tnbaptist:org

Marcia Knox, spec;ial features assistant

(615) 371-2089, mkqox @.tnbaptist.org.

Mitch Canter, church page design

(615) 371-7930, mcanter@ tnbaptist.org

Office - B.aptist EJnd Reflector, ~ . .

5001 Maryland ... Wa5!, Brent-wood, TN 37027

Mailing addr.ess- P.O. Box 728, Brentwood, TN 37024

Phone- (615) ·371.,2003 . .~ . .

FAX- (615) 37·1-2080 .

Web Site-· W'NW.tnbaptist.org -

PuJ>Iisher- Tennessee Baptist Convention 'Exec4tive Board

Shared Ministries Committee-

·Wendell Boertje chairman; Tim Frank, vice chairman; Tom Bigham, Orvind Dangeau; Mary Beth Duke, Niria Fletch­er, David Green! Doug. Jen­nings, Joey Johnson, Bert · Jones, Tommy Lemmonds, Greg Long, William Oakley, Ed Porterr Mildred Thompson,

_ Lar.ry Triplett, Wes Turner

f)ostmaster -Periodical postage paid at

Brentwo0d arid at additional . . ~ - . .. · mailing <;>ffiee. (USPS 041-· 780) POSTMA$TER: Send a<;Jdress ~hange~ to Baptist and-Reflector, P.o. Box 7a8, Brentwood', TN 370~4:

year-to-date period is (>.99 per- se.rve as conference host. -Brad in ·NeM( Otf-tldS \\dll pet n-:eed ow- sel'V<i®.s," he " cent; or · $12,785,048.78, above WaggQner, Llfe:Way?s· vice ·presi- noted. · ~ . gifts of$182,780,345.82 recei~ed dent for· research and niinistry Baptist Press -"I<w:ould like to-see ·s-outherp. at this point· last year. ~The de:velQpment, said thls confer- NEW ORJ.,;~S- Fo(' the . Ba~tists, praying .-that .nM $8,930,590.98 . iQ. designated ence is compatible with the mis- ·400-member ·"Carolina Mission churches . and Ol)r ~eopl~ .tJi"eF.e gifts received last m<'>.nth is siQn: of Life Way R~sear.ch. Tearil."' in~New. Otlean:s - Oper- · would be able to irtflu.ence ·fliase _ $913,01~.71 b'elow the "The '. goal of LifeWay · _ation NOAH Rebuild's.JaF-gest :w·Iioarehurtmgtightnow,"Sun-- _ $9,843,607.69 received in July Research is to provide .relevant .'group of. vo,lunte.er.s eve.r - deen said. :0 2006, a decrease 9f9.28~percent~ information to people and ' changil).g the werld-might 1,10t · ~ - _ • · . ~ .- - · .

For the SBC. Cooperative Pro- chu~ches for the .. punpose of - see~ so~ tall an··order. .. -fatf10 W~IJS -f1ghl gram Allocation Budget, the reaching people for Chtis;t," "S.ometimes_:kids don'-t think .1• ·. ~;, -r. . yea~-to-date · total - of Waggoner said. "Calvi:nism is they can cha:nge th~ world ·uneil fO ~ISP•Df 1eD_ $172,141,653:_97 is 1os.42 per- obviouslysome,thingtJ}a.t .a:lot'or . _theyhavetheop?ortw._rltytQbea. Commaa-dinent~ cent of the $163,290,352.13 bud: people have discussed ove:r _tb:e part of soJD,~tbillg b~gger than ~ . , · . • geted to· support Southern Bap- past couple of years. Ahytini.e they've ev~r ·imagined," said Jeff Baptist-Press .ti&t i:ninis~~e~ g~obaJly and, Chris~ans can ·co~e ·.tqg~ther - · G~ay, youth ~iniste~. ~t W~ow_ · ·_- :FAROO, N.D.-· When the city­

. across North Afuenca. The SBC espectallythose Within .the same Ridge Church m Lenngton; _S.C., commission heFe voted: to mov:e a operates on an Oct. 1-Sept. 30 · "family'' - and see~ deeper bib- one of nine "C~olina chm:clles Ten Comclandments ·inonunient : fiseal year. 0 tical unders~ta:nding, t~~ eD;tire re~resen~~ "!~n ~he .trip... from .tfie law,.n ·outsid~ ·citY b.alF,.

• Body of Christ benefits .. 0 In ~ rmtiati<Ve. as big as the· they· quickly learned. how· ~mea SBC seml~liry 10··· • • ·' team ItseJ.t ~he groul? .. worked the' biblical docwnent' means-.ta.

I ..- • · ltiiSSing pas. tor~s with NOAH- the Notth 4ID~r- the~ cl.tiz~ns. _ · - · .. sponsors ,, 1/IIJISm ... , •••. •ou .... ,... ic;lh..Mission BoaFd paxtnership · The sh-.foot.:tall ~anite mp~ ..

IIIAIJ' ·~e··en"''la , .... .... '.· ,. ... 1'1 J'l . .... ; _\ with: ~ Louj~~an:a B.a•p,tis.ts , .to. ~e:ntwasdoriatedte .thecityin • . ., 1'1 • I .... ... "; • • v. lc rebui;ld homes and share ,,the 1958 b th Fr 't al 0 d f

. Bapt•l's't Fress efllt .• or . gospel in New. o~lean8 . - - to E .. 1 y d' e. :ha ,eb;r.:n 'hr ' er 0 , . _ ,... · ag es, :an It , as. · een t . e most . NASHVILLE_ Calvinism, a BaptistPr:ess ... . tackle dozens of work 01:tl~rs, ·- pro:mi.D.~nt feature of-'th.e l·awn

fre.quent tQpic within the Soutb- _ BIRMINGHAM, &a. - .An.. . t_alting 011 every:th~g · from since. l~En, according to .U~A: pamtfng to roofing. d · ern Baptist C.onvention and Al,abama, Baptist pastor's wife · · To ay · ,.

~eyqp.d, will be, the theme of a missfug since Mru:ch4as turned . ''The daz:olina group djd -a . Fi~e ' years ·ago, a gl:.Oljp ' of Nov. 26-28 conference spansored up working at a fast food restau- tre~endous amo~t .of.work for a:bqu~ too people· ealed the Rea by Southeastern ,Bap~i~t- 'fhe~- rant in New York state,. accor<l- ou:r homeewners; ·_ said. Steve R1V:er Ftee£hb:dters demanded. logical Se~D;inacy and Founders ing to Bossier City, La.; ·police~ Gahagan, NO~ . const:uction: tna.f.. the · comJna ndments b~ Ministries, at:l organization Mary By;rne · "Beth" Smith, manager, who on~aJ:ly ·is fro~ ~emo~etl because .they 1fhought it based.;tn Cape Cora:i, F-la., .th.~t · _whose ·husband, Jason., is-pastor g'reen;wao:d; :s.c. "'Uhe CaEoJ.ini,., · vi91ate'a the Fi:vst Amendmeiit:~ supports~ the pdnciples . of of First Baptist.Churchin.Sum- ~s came prepared witll, f.leld estabil~hmen:t clause. . · Calvinism, as rej:m~.sented merd:a;le, Ala., disappeared four ,s:u~eriis~rs,_ ,rwm:'ers, ~~ _tfi_e . When ~he ire~tliihk&'rs lost ·

, 'among some o'f t he leaders in montb.s ago from a Beth ·Moore . s1citlls; ~eedefi for tl!!:e '~8~· 0 that fig1it, tliey de'Wsed ~ plaa for - . '-the eatly years of tlie Southern ~¢'erence' in the Louisiana city. · B .. · . f • f: · · . .1:. · a ~D:ru:ke:r- ·to be .Placed near t:he

· ., Bapttst Convention. · . A1,1tliorities learned receptl;y· · Rp IS S _,ref(IIY, wonument with. a quate f.rpm a The conference, titled. "Bu!ld- ti,tat Smith p~Wl1ed h~r wed~g fer res•OHe affflf ~79.7 trEfa~ .si~en.oy th~ Um~d

• ing Bridges:· Southern Baptists.' nng at·.a shop n.ear the c(mv:e,11- · r . . , . · States and,...Tripo~, whleh smd, and yalvimsm," will .he_ 11~1d at ti,on ceat_er. and pai<;lt $169 .. for a -. IJrilg. e 10/lap_se _ '"rh~ U~ted States o.f Anierica_is_ Ridgecrest Conference Genter in, one-way Greyhound ticket to '! • ~ not m. any· sense found_ed an~ the Norlh Carolina. 'New York City, aecoramg·to Plie-- Ba~llst"'.Piie~s ·; Cht;i$ti~ religion." -. ~

"The Word. of God calls us to (Mobjle) Ptess-Regtster. - , ~NNEAF~LIS'- A:. South.: ln .Inne, t~e city, commisstan love the .Lord ~th all .. of our ·Once folind,. S:inltfi e.»pi:esseM ehl-Baptr$t disaster relief :pn:it rejeete{l -tlre "~ister monument" he~rt/' said~ Danny Akin, .. 'p~esi-~ v.emorse to 'ttetectives a:na sa:i.d · w~ -~~rcepaiied -to assist ii cal[e<il idea and voted to· xp.ove the•co~~ dent of S-outheastern Seminary. she "migh~ contact h~:u ni:J.skla:n<l b.t:t ·Jl>y rl'reoyery w:orl~er.s in. ,1\fm- c man&lre:nts off cit¥r propet.ty to "It also cans· us to l9ve H..im with . and two chif~en, a ]O:.yea:i,-Qld ,a·~,apolfs aft~r · an. eign:t-l~ne avoitLfuitlllier legal cnalle.:nges, . all of O,Ur mind. ~ng hibHl" ' boy and a 7-:,Yeat-o'Td g:id . B·at interstate . bri~g~ eof:tapsed at us~ Today s.~<l. But·O_f!ponents · catly and theologica1Jy, ther,e~ she aa:so asked tb.at .her. r,exact .. die ''height . of n:tsh hour Aug. :J,. · - of the: .move coH:ected 5,265 sig­fore,. fs esse:ratial. to a ,balanced. location not .De· re¥eal'ed, The - ' Five people were kille~d, move m.~ttl;tes, f-a-v· S:~Fpass).ng the

Frequency ef. issue-· and healthy Christian life. Pr.ess-~gister s~a. · J han l:G(1) ~e9pie i:njurced, ~d 2,8SQ needed t<:> for~e .comnds-Published weekly except for the_ "Ca.lviiris~ h.~s gener~ted a . Smith faces .:no oh~ges, sind eigJ;it are: still mj:~smg, -ac~ordmg sion:er.s ei:tfter to keep t~e m:onu-

weeks of Christmas,. t-Jew . lot of interest in" recent years in · Bo::;sier GitY Po-1iqe Chief .Mike 'to a fe:m.ews.com, r,eport Aug. ·.;'6. tnent or Jet voters decide ~t.$ fate·._ '(ear's, Memorial ~~y. Four\~c ;~'{:~oUI~~~~ r~B~W.~t;:M.£~1..'*~lt<m~ :.~.HalR\WJthi;t,'-•(t2 :;: , , ; "' . ., · Qavi~ Sundeen, ~ectOr of !En Jull! "~ne .. <:ommissione.r of ,July, and Labor Day. · - . :n_oted. "U:afoFt~,awt.Y: we. h;a;v:~ ~ ,.:Jv :~l~t.~,:s.,p.!l~e Snntli s dis.- _ e'Vange1ism . at t~e- Minnesota_ ch~g'ed his vote and tfie con:t-

. p ,. ted . . often talkecl at an~j)~h~«J ~ fJ,P,P,if*litJ~e~J\~~i.famiJy, mends, Wis<;onsi:n Baptist Qenvention>, ~ssion de.eided to keep. the 'Ten ~ nn on anothe~. Ui;ll:ie81~l?.~rie1lerief'lliul:~.:Janl1:1t~felll(lw .~ (C~ch :m:em:bez;s. ~ld' Baptist Pres.s the $taB' was ()dfntnab;<lments <monUiJlent on ~ reqcled _pa~r misrepvesentafikin& ~£i0:Jil~l;;alMTh~V.ef~nlpi~~g and pleading not aw.are of any cnllllcn ineib.- the lawn af.rcity hail. LJ

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Jlifofmation technology specialists aid Montana college By Marcia Knox hotel in Billings. Baptist and Reflector Smith next talked to Den-

BRENTWOOD Two members of the Tennessee Baptist Convention's Informa­tion Technology (IT) staff recently participated in a com­puter mission project for Yel­lowstone Baptist College in .Billings, Mont., prior to a _Southern Baptist Convention State IT Directors meeting.

Raymond Smith, TBC Tech­nology Services manager, led in coordinating 10 other state Baptist convention IT profes­sionals to werk together, and Liboy Eaton, TBC Information specialist, also helped in updating the computer system for Yellowstone Baptist Col­lege (YBC). The Montana col­lege has a ·relationship with the Yellowstone Southern Bap­tist Association an.d Montana Southern Baptist Convention, both in Billings, and Okla­homa Baptist University, Shawnee, Okla.

"This was the first mission -project attempted by the SBC . ' ;f"f conference group," said Smith, who launched the mission projec.t. id~,a at the 2006 meeting ,of the IT direc­tors.

"Since it was my year in -2007 to host the IT meeting, I thought about the Tennessee/ Mont ana Baptist Convention partnership for a possible mis­sion project."

Smith contacted the Mon­tana convention. to become the host and was referred to, YBC for the mission project. The mission project was to be held July 16-17 at YBC prior . to the beginning 9f the IT conference July 17-20 at a

nis - Thomason, professor of classical languages and IT person at YBC, to see what the IT needs were for the college. The initial mission project pro­pos~d was to teach software classes to college students and area pastors, supply data for demographic studies, and install wireless access ports at the college.

What happened next with the mission project became a "God Thihg," because the proj­~ct plans changed after the volunteers got on site at. the college, Smith added.

"With no students showing up for the computer classes, the team was redirected. They soon discover ed that compo­nents of the college computer system had been lost during recent electrical storms, wliioh we repaired and saved the college money in technical consultation and labor. How­ever, we also found that the college administration arid students had no cyber net­work to communicate with each other.

· "We re.did the college net­work for . data, designed and built a student database, and migrated data for multi-user ·

· access.'' .. "God redid our paths,"

Eaton noted, who is a member of Crievewood Baptist Chlirch, Nashville. "What we thougl).t we -were going to do with the missien project was not what . we all ended up doing for it. What we did had more far reaching applications tlian

. what we had thought to do. '.fhis plan became big and expanded the computer sys-

TWO STAFF members of the Tennessee B~ptist Convention - Raymond Smith and Libby Eaton -

were among a team of Southern Baptist information technology specialists who did a missions proj­

ect at Yellowstone Baptist College in Montana. The school is affiliated with the Mc;mtana Southern Bap­

tist Convention which has a current partnership with the TBC. Pictured, from left, are, front row, Lon- ·

nie Wright, Florida; Troy Fulkerson, Kentucky; Eaton; Russell Schwab, Nqrth Carolina; Shana Johnson,

Louisiana; SmJth; Tim Huggins, Georgia; back row, Charlie Loper, Oklahoma; John Pitzer, South Car-. -

olina; Drew Heironimus, Illinois; Michael Hendricks, Kentucky; and Jeff Hammack, Alabama.

te~ for the college. I~ fact, it~ was huge for what we had

. offered for tliem." She also quoted Proverbs 3:5-6.

"Another form of coopera­tion occurred when there was a pooling of the talent of the 10 leaders of IT from the state ·conventions, who came up with ideas to work together on

the mission project in a coop­erative spirit .

''AJl of us in IT are support-· ed by Cooperative Program funds ill the state conventions and with Tennessee Baptist Convention funds here. It was a business trip for us, and CP paid our business expenses."

"The college appreciated

what we did for . t h em," remarked Smith, yvho is a member of King's Cross ·Church, Tullahoma.

"I've been on mission trips before with different types of projects to do. God does what needs t o be done. I knew everything would cop1e off this time." 0

Local Baptists -establish- P·regnancy Care Center in Her111itage ••• ,

-Continued from page 1 of both Tulip Grove and the umbrella ·of Care Net, a net- The steering committee is of the building. "Confidential-The center is not a budget- steering committee, agreed. work of pregnancy centers in the process of getting infor- ity is a big issue," Haywood

ed ministry of the church, but "I want us to minister to across the United States and mation together to send to stressed. Young women would instead will be supported those men and women and Canada, the two women other churches to gage theii be hesitant to visit a center through donations, Ha)rwood families- to show God's for- shared. "Care Net provides interest in being involved with where their car could easily said. giveness, His grace, and His credibility for us," Murgatroyd ~he new center. be spotted or recognized · as

The purpose of the Preg- unconditional love." noted. ''They set standards as Though funding is a slow being i~ a crisis pregnancy -nancy Care Center is to func- Both women observed that to what is needed to be in process, the two women noted center. tion as "an evangelistic arm of · the ministry of the center place before you even open the that Care Net says it takes While they would like the local churches" and to ~emon- would extend beyond young doors." about 18 months to establisp a center to be O.J?en as soon as strate the "compassion and women in crisis. There are also The first or-der of business, financial base. possible they understand the truth of Jesus Christ in prac- men and families who will be in addition to filing the needed While no definite opening need for patience. tical ways to families and involved and ~1 require min- documents, ·has been to get date has been determined, "We are trying not to run individuals with pregnancy- istry, they agreed. funding in place. Haywood said they tentative- ahead of the Lord," Murga-related needs," .Haywood When operating, the center "We have to have our ly would like to open the cen- troyd stressed.

• • noted: . will off~r free pregnancy finances in place before we ter by the s~mmer of 2008. "God will work out all the

She stressed that the cen- screening, information on ever open the center/' Hay- That timeline falls within details - if we don't get in the ter will offer "alternatives to abortion risks (physical, emo- wood said. what Care Net says is needed way," she added. abortion in unplanned preg- tional, and spiritual), abortion The center has more than to be financially viable, she Haywood stressed that the nancies in a way that is nei- alternatives, learn and earn $5,000 in donations, but much said. "real purpose" of the planned ther political nor social, but programs, Bible studies, absti- more is needed. They are The steering committee center is to "bring glory to spiritual. nence program, abortion anticipating a budget ·of about also is looking for a good loca- God."

"It is a ministry where peo- recovery, evangelism, refer- $60,000 for the . first year of tion for the center. Ideally, the For more information on ple who are passionate about rals, and a long-range goal of operation but that does not center would be located in an th e center or how to be the sanctity of life can make a medical services. include items such as comput- area such as a strip mall involved, call Haywood at difference," she said. The Pregnancy Care Center ers and furniture, the two which would have plenty of (615) 754-5923 or Murgatroyd

Bev M'\l.Tgatroyd, a member will be operated under the women agreed. parking or parking in the rear at (615) 758-4510.0

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~asltville congregation is IJilingual, 'IJi-cUitural' ••• - Continued from page 1 Coleman. The church had to He also works as a human close its popular day care. Cole­resources director of a lumber inan's wife, Paula Wright Cole­company. man, grew up in the church and

The best way he can explain was director of the day care. Joe what has happened here is with Coleman also had to begin work­

. a story, Colema:q said. A Hispan- ing another job. · ic boy -about 10 years old came But the congreg~tion kept from 'the neighborhood into a rn.eeting and ministering · recent Sunday morning worship ,_because members who remained service and sat down. Not long needed their help, descr~bed afterwards his father came and Coleman. led him away. The next day the In 2004 the first Hispanic boy came to the evening opening group and the African American· service ofVacation Bible School. - group left. But this time the father met . "Here we were a -handful of Fernandez who spoke to the members," said Coleman. Then man in Spanish explaining some the Alcance Hispano Baptist things about the church. The Mission asked Saturn Drive if it man and the boy stayed. could use its facility to hold a

Coleman, who has been a Vacation Bible School. Many of pastor for 27 years in Tennessee-, the Alcance members lived near said Saturn Drive Baptist strug- the church so meeting at Saturn gled for years with how to adjust Drive would be more convenient to the changing community, than where the congregation which is located west of the was meeting for the rest of its Nashville airport in the Briley activities. Parkway/Murfreesboro · Road Members of Saturn Drive area. provided refreshments for the

The community is made 1!-P of · Alcance VBS. Then Fernandez small homes which drew veter- asked if the two congregations ans after WWII who worked in might like to worship together. nearby companies like Aladdin, The daughter of Fernandez and Genesco, and Avco. the daughter of Coleman trans-

Today those small homes are lated. Febe Damian knows both owned by Hispanics and African her native language of Spanish Americans as well as Anglos. and English because she has

Saturn Drive, which in the 'lived in the United States for early 1970s drew about 250 peo- about 10 .years. Catherme Cur­pie to Sunday School, tried to tis, Cole~an's daughter and a adjust· to the changing commu- member of Saturn Drive, nity by trying to minister to chil- majored in Spanish at Belmont dren in the neighborhood. But Univer~ity, Nashville, and the church wasn't reaching the - teaches Spanish and English in-parents. a Franklin public school. , Then the congregation "Everything went so smooth-allowed several groups to meet ly," sai<:I Coleman. in its facility including an Alco- . Then the two congregations holies _Anonymous group, an began considering a relation­African-American congregation, ship. Both groups were up front and a Hispanic congregation. with problems they had experi­All of the groups, including the enced in relationships with Alcance (meaning to advance) other language groups. Hispano congregation, initiated Alcance asked if they could the relationship with Saturn hold a Sunday evening service Drive, noted Coleman. Alcance at Saturn Drive. Saturn Drive

· was the second Hispanic ·con- didn't have a Sunday evening gregation related to . Saturn service. "~o we didn't have to Drive. give up a thing," said Cole­

These experiences were man. preparation by God, believes The relationship has devel~ Coleman, to help Saturn Drive ·oped from there, he added . .... members prepare for a more The Hispanics ·here want to diverse congregation·. learn English so it makes sense

Some Saturn Drive members ·to join. a bilirigual cb.arch, he ~ I

left for various reasons, said n,oted;

CO-PASTORS OF Saturn Dri'!e Baptist Church, Nashville, are Juan Fernandez, left, and Joe Coleman.

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Someone might wonder, then why includ~ Spanish at Saturn Drive, Coleman said. "We do it . . . to demonstrate a respect, acceptance; and love for each · other."

And in the future, when the older generation which is still struggling with language is gone, the church will certainly call just one pastor, said Cole­man.

''We are building a bridge here to the future for the kids.

"It isn't a church that is for everyone but the ones that are here, we have just learned to iove." 0

BOTH ANGLO AND HISPANIC children sing a so(7g with motions during the Vacation Bible School of Saturn Drive Baptist Church, Nashville.

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. LEADING A SONG IN Spanish during the opening session of Vacation Bible School are Gelia Cole-mao, left, director of the VBS tor Saturn Drive Baptist, and Clavert Dannadieu; a member.

' . . TEACHING· A VACATION Bible Sc,hool class are Febe Ruth Damian, left, and Catherine Curtis. . ~

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• • I .editorial op1n1on .i,.·~ 5 I B&R I Aug. 8, 2007 - "'-----=------=------------ 'Ill'

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Churches don'i neecl · a . resolution to clo what's right · moral ~tew:ardship by observ- The story reported that the If these allegations are t~e, from churches "all the time"

' ing responsible employment parents said numerous people it is not'. surprising that a law- about how to put policies in refle~tiOnS pr~otices, induding performing had complain~d that the indi- suit has been filed. place. As a result, several

By Lonnie Wilkey, ed'itor

During the annual meeting ~ of the Southern Baptist Con­

vention in San Antonio, Texas, in June, Baptist messengers adopted a resolution entitled "Protecting Children from Abuse." - •

It is a sad sign of our tim~s that we even need to address_a m-atter sueh a~ tJ:Us. Itjust goes to show that Satan can de-ceive. and infiltr.ate what should be one of the safest communities we have ·- the local chureh.

Tlie. resolution adopted by the SBC strol}gly recomme_nds that "Southern Baptist chnreh­es ~n.d con.vention. entities respond to ·anY suspicions-·or all.eg~tions of child abuse in a .tiJn~ly 'and fo:r:thright~manner."

- - The resolution also urged · ~outhern Baptist churches and

convention -entitie~ ~to exercise

criminal background che'cks on vidual ."had engaged ill inap- Churches h~ve a moral obli- resources are available at all ministers, employees, and propriate sexual touehiiig of gation to make sure that www. tnbaptist.org. On the volunteel's:" ehildren on the church premis- everyone who walks -throug:Q. home page, click on childhood,

Chwches shouldn't need a es." its doors will be safe. then click on resources. Vicki resolution. to remind them to The mcidents_allegedly; took Now, I know things happen recommends that churches, do something that should · be plaee betweea 2001...,04. The . that are uncontrollable. A especially those with no poll­automatic. • m~ later pled guilty to four madman . or terrorist could cies or procedures look at the

However, a story I re~d last counts af sexual indecency walk into any church on a Sun- "Suggested Template for week rein:fbrces th~ need for with a ·child and received six day morning and wreak havoc. Preschool Ministry Policy & Southern Baptist churches to years probation in August . of I am referring to things wp_ich . Procedures" and. "Teacher take every precaution possible last year. - churches can control. Screening: Is There Really a when employing staff: A& much According to th~ -laws~t, Churches, however, must Need." as churches want to be trust- the man had taught public take basic precautions and Vicki says she often hears ing, they also must verify the scliool and when a c~·urch have pelicies in place. Some of this: "We -are a small . church backgrounds ofvolunt~ers whe employee asked the schoal dis- these should include back- and we know everybody." Her wark with chlldren and youth., . trict for a reco~meridation on ground · checks ( on both staff response: ''We see on the news whether it be in - Sunday whether or not to hire the man, and volunteers), having at all the time p~ople who are School, missions, caoi.Fs, etc. the school district recommend- least two adult teachers thought to be upstanding citi-

The story, reported by ed against employing him in a (pr~ferably not related) in a zens who abuse children." ethicsdai~y.com, told of a position iilvolving children. classroom, and requiring a per- For more information on chw.ch in anether stale that is The lawsuit alleges the son-to be a member at least six protecting children in your being sued because it failed to church ignored the warning months before being allowed to church, contact Vicki Hulsey at heed warnings that a Sunday and hired the person. work w:ith'children; 1-800-558-2090, ext. 2081, or School. teacher and a paid The lawsuit aiso charges Unfortunately, many vhulsey@tnbaptist.org. childcare worker . wa,s a P,edo- that tile church "did not take churches in Tennessee do not We ca~ot take chances phile. even the most basic of precau- have· such policies, according to when it comes to protecting

The_ lawsuit alleges that tions" by allowing tlie person. Vicki Hulsey, a childho.od edu- our children from sexual pred- ' ' - . thangh ch.urcli leadership was to teach ·children without cation specialist for the Ten- ators. Children are a gift from Warl!ed, they did notlii.llg to . · another adult- p:resen.t, accord- nessee Baptist Convention. God and church, of all places, keep the· kids safe. ing to the news report. _ Vicki tells me she gets calls · should be a safe haven. 0

GOlf gives _fl,veryone · talents to use for His ·glory anll ltonor •

words from the Word

Byo Johnnie' C. G·odwin

"All motivation is~tempo­

racy, anyway," a recent car­toon read. That didn't set well . -

with . me. · I've- always felt . trusting @h:rist as I.o11d arid Savior was meant to include motivation. for a lifetime._ Oh, I know we Christians are inconsistent, but I also know God giyes eaeh of us "talent" and. expects us to use it for Him as · long as· we live or until Jesus returns.

Just. what is a "talent?" Biblically, a talep.t was a

measure of weight or a sum af money. It coUld be gold, silver, or copper. The Student Bible Dictionary (by Dae~ey, God­win., and G<>tlwin) says, "What,. ever the exact com,paiison with our money, a talent was a huge sum-of moaey that would require years of commpn labor to earn." The dictionary adds,

' "Whether talent refers to money or ability - as it does today - the Bible teaches that the possessor has both oppor­tunity and res-ponsibility."

The sin of doing noth:ing 'With talent

The Par'a:ble of the Talents is weU-knoWJl, so I won't go into detail about an of it (Matthew . 25:14-30). But let's focus on the man entrusted with one talent. Fear motivat-

ed hiin to oury his talent. He was afraid tQ risk anything . He didn't. even. draw mte:rest. on th.e money. He did nothing with what he was en.trusted ~d bJamed it on 'his master. The master called the de-noth., ing servant wicked and sloth­ful, took the one talent from him, and gave it to the te~-tal­ent man. Then he p:r<;mounced judgment.

We know salvation comes only by God's · gra~e· through faith ~d not by works. It's ·an God's gift, ~ut we are saved for goad works (Ephesians 2:8-iO). Faithful stewwdshlp is

' ' one outcome of salvation and has its rewards. Hut at every age and stage of life, we face the. temptation te do little or. nothing with ·what God ·bas . given. us. That's my personaa: cpn.cern in. my own. journey.

Ages and stages I got saved at age 7_. I was

motivated to receive God's lov-._ ing, gift of salvation in J~sus and to avoid ete:tn:ity in heU. When I was 15, I got so moti­vated from feeling God's call to preach that I surrendered my will to His Will. Now, I'm 70. So what about motivatioiJ. for a lifetime? Person.ally; motiva-"'tion for a lifetime never· was much of a problem for the first 70 years of my life . . Last year I took a sabbatical. It was a Golden Weqemg Anni~Versary Year. I didn't take a vacation from God or a furlough from availability. But I did back off from some- invitations that came my way, and rm j.ust now

getting back on track. I'm convicted not_ to leave

any -chapter of the Christian life unwritten- to look to God as both Auth9r and Finisher of my ·faith. You and I are not through on this earth until God is through with us. an.d calls us home..- I believe the word "talent" challenges us to .use all God has given us in every stage of.life.

What about retirement? - - '

The .person who says he will never retire probably hasn't discussed that with God. Th.ere's a tiJ.ne for everything, and there comes a time for· each of u.s when we can.'t do everYthing we've always done. Or don't want to. But that can ~e a good . thing. We can still keep (;)~ answering God's call and walking w~rthy ofit but in n.ew and different e~ressions -(Ephesians 4:1-3).

l'v~ written a couple of books on netirement. In the process, I discovered. retire­ment is one ·of the most ambiguous and misunders~ood concepts around. I'll just sim­plify my own -understanding of retirement by sharing this with you: When spe1lchecker would correct my mistyping of retirement, one of .ilie alter­nate s;uggestions offe:red was "retooling." Define retirement any way you want to. I have, and n,one of the definitions include backing off from God's will or what He wants to write in this chapter of life. I titled one of my books Retirement: Life's Best Chapter. That last

chapter includes stewardship commitment to ·God that is as strong as ever despite the aging process.

What about transition? . Transition may be the bet­

ter way to talk about retire­ment. Friend Billie- Friel called me spontaneausly the . other night and bubbled over about enjoying what I had written on retirement. How

:-could he do that? Anyane who knows Billie knows he's not about to sit down in a rocking chair and rock away. He's in transition and finding God writing each page in this chapter. Billie told me he's dis­covering what 1 wrote about God's calling in transition is true for him. ·

He said, "Johnnie, some­times I've come to Wedn~sday and prayed, 'Lord, you know I .don't have anywhere to preach Sunday; and i sure would like

·to be used.' Then someone will have an emergency appendec­tomy, and I'll._ get a call to preach. I hate for someone to have an appendectomy for me to get to p:reach, but I'm glad

• God us.es me." Well, it so hap-, .

pens I too had had a call to supply for a "friend who had an emergency appendectomy; and I also p_refer better health for those I supply for. At his for­mer pastorate, Billie is· pastor emeritus and still on staff but in _a new position; he:S also writing Sunday School lessons and doing interim director of missions work. He's in transi­tion. I consider that a good

example of God's style of retirement for those who can still get up and go. · For others with diminished talent-bearing ability, God may use your prayers, your phone calls, your gifts, or something else. No matter what your circumstances, God will still use you. He'll u se you all of your life if you stay moti­vated to His lordship forever. Motivation is not to be tempo­r~.

Risking it all Not failure but low aim is

a crime. That's the motto on my high school class ring. God's not in the business of p-g.nishing those who risk all for Him even if they seem to lose what's entrusted to them. The challenge is not just for preachers; it's for all Christians in all ages and stages of life. Let us not be guilty of the sin of doing lit­tle or nothing with ~hat God has given us.

The late Paul Tournier was · a Christian psychotherapist. -He believed all of life is to be one continuous yes to God. He counseled filling up each page of life. He added that when we fill up each page fully, it won't be hard to turn over the last page that ends in death. Then God will make the sequel to this volume even better. Let's use our talents and know God will honor our efforts to glorify Him. 0 - Copyright 2007 by Johnnie C. Godwin. E­mail: johnniegodwin@comcast.­net.

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Minist~y Matters· -,. '

This issue of "Church Health Matters" .focuses on - '

pastor and church.$taff appreciation. '

The following Tennessee Baptist Convention ~taff ¥ . .

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Wby ·show Your·'lPastor' a·nd C.hurc~ Sta(f Appreciation?

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By Bill Northcott

As one who served as pastor church to recognize and honor - . of four churches over· a· period the godly ministers who setVe

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Team Buiider Convention Press,

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Module, Na:shvil'le, "'::;· · . members '¥'e av~lable to help with. diurch st~ issues. Included

4 1 . - l~' below is the contact information for members of your state of some 20 years, and associate

pastor for six yc;=:ars, 1 know _ pe;l"sonally how it feels .to 'be

appreciated, underappreciatecl,

and unappreciated.

faithfully the flock of God. •

.1997, p. · 11). ' ' •

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• missionary staff and the church staff members that they assist. - '

Bill Northcott

Church-Ministers Relations specialist .. , . .. .. . .. (6{5) 371-2099·-

bnq~con@tnbaptist.org

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, ' · Jewell Btuke.

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.. Administrative assistant . .. . ... . . : .. ~- . . . .. . .... (61.5) ~71:;2010

1 jb.u.rke@tnbaptist.org "

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Mini~rers o£ ~usic and W:.Qrshlp # ~ - ' .,

p.datJ_c.@taQaptist~P.t;g

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Fortunately, my "ministry over · those years was in good

churches. that loved· me and -

found w4ys to e~ptess t}leir . '

appreciation-for my •ministry. The ((MINISTRY'' has

. - -- alway~ been characterized by~

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ups and downs.. How many Mondays has a ·minister

tho~ght about resign,ing! ·In that context, it mea..tl:'s so much

to a minist~r to know that

church members really ~O· ca~e.

Goo.d and faithful ((servants~' -

deserve to be tec(i)gnized and

appreciated. f-t. is bibli:eaf fo.r (I

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Paul was ·)Vriting i:0 young· Paul w£ote the fotlowin,g ~ "

Timothy when he admon.- words to the chureh at · ished, ((Tlie ~ldets who. diree.C 'i."~ss4io.nica:, "Now we ask

the affairs -~f the church well you, broth~t~, to respect those

·are. worthy of doub~e _honor, who W<?tk _nard among you,

'esp~dally these whose work is who are. over yo\! in the Lord -· prea:chj~g a~~ ~aching". (I and wh? ad':llonish you. Hold

Timothy 5:17, NIV). 'Zhe _them i~?- · th:e -~igh~st regatrd in term ((eld~rs" · in this reference, love 'because ~f, thei.r work . ; ." . . '

as well as oth~rNewTestament. (1 Thessalonians 5:ll-13). '

referen.ces, is interpreted .by 1t js <;:}ear f;om God's Word

~ifiy ·to ~.:efer to pastors. ((The th""t the faithful and· de<lieatecf :: 'elders'· of the N~w Testament · mfrusters of our churche-s are church were the .· 'pastors' WQ.rthy of' appreciat~~n and

(Ephesians <j:ll), 'bishops or hono~. Yot:t s:an help d tat overseers' · (Acts 2<!>:28), · .happen by ,ptanning.· a .special

'leaders' and 'rulers' (Heb~ws daYo of_ ~e~~:gnition- and

13~:7; I Thessalonians 5:12~ of appreciation for the ministers ' .

the floGk" (Fi:.an:k Lewis, citing

·Eaton~·,Bi~le qictionfUY,,.~~

' who -serve y:o,ur 'diiuFch ·

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. -ta1th&lly: •. § .> ' A i_,,·.

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- .. . . . . '!\tlgust 16-14. · M'I-J.~icMini~tty ka:de11s:hip Baptist Church, Bnin.two.0d

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~-Aug\Jst 'n , ·sxtr~r~udt.1al¢over Sund"¥ \S(;hQolTFa!ning Canferen~, First Baptist Clhll,-dl.,_ Selmer-

. . . _ AugJ;tst . .l.3 .-. Ext:t~me. Mde.o:v~~ S.nnd.ay School Tiaining O .<mfere!lce; Fi~st Baptist Chutdt;. Dan.dfidg~ -~.,_ l . I . ' ' • I ' ~ - -- - • ~ 'f: '" , - ~

Attg\lst . 14 f Extreme Ma!Keovet Slllnday $elioal "'&aining Corifer~n~, :First Baptist ·Chtuch, Sllelbyville •I A ' •

Au~t '17 -12 ~uij>pin.g "0' Sunday School' G~n~entiien? First_ BapJlist Church, "Hendersonville' ,.. . '

August 1 ~ • Baptist an~ Reflector Dliy ~- ' ·

Aum\st 20-:-22 ~eal E1i,cotu1tet - Conaeet, CO@ke.viille . J ( ...... : 11\o.• T,> f • ! ~

l\: ,8.~ugiP'S.t. 21 ~ ~ . - &tt~Jillei.·Mak~<!>vel[ Sunday Scho~l':ftainfag 'Ccinfereq<;e,. ~irsr-Bap.tisrClu:J;r~h,. We-~enzie · .. ·-·~·-- ,

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How to Hold a Pastor and Staff Appreciation Day

By Andre Dugger and Bill Northcott Pastor/Staff Appreciation Day provides an excellent opportunity for your

churrch to affirm love and appreciation for those who are called by God and your church to l_ea:d them in fulfilling the Gre'!lt Commission. TFaditionally,, the me nth of 0G:t0ber has · been designated as Pastor/Staff Appreciation Month.

Pastor/Staff Appreci~tion Day is usually ~lebrated the second Sunday in October. However, it is always a good time to show your love and appreciation to the ministers who serve you. 1. Set a Date

o National Clergy Appreciation Day is the second Sunday of October each y.ear.

o Check with the pastor and the church calendar and set the date so that it does not conflict with other events.

o Any day is better than no day. o Make thi~ an annual event.

2. Use the Personnel CoQtmittee er appoint a team to plan the event. o Planni·ng should l)egin 'Several m0nths in advance of the even.t.

3.

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o Recommendations· should oe presented · to the church for approval.

o Use all possible means · to publicize and prom~te the event (local newspaper, church ~ newsletter or -website, association newsletter, church bulletin, etc.).

o A list should be prepar~d of special guests to invite; guests should be sent personalized invitations. . Ideas ·

o Set a Sunday morning in October to honor your pastor/ staff and their families.

o Present each. pastor/stafF .wemher with as many of the following as possible: o Personalized appreciation· certificate or plaque. o Gift ~~rtiflcat~tQr<i. · o · Monet~ gift. . o Flowers and oth~r appt<opriate gifts for ministers' wives . o· Mini-vacatiop (ptovi~: a weekend trip out of town,. all _

expenses paid.} 0 Reception following the service.

Retreat SpotS for Ministers

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The following special places have special rates for ministers who need a break.'

Tennessee Baptist Convention· Confo,.ence Centers Specidl Ojfih-: ~ ~ ;: ~ .

It's Time to Get Away! An Opponunity for Rest and Rtmewal See http://www.tnbaptist.or::g/full.asp?

. page=30 .

Beside the scenic Buffalo River.

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Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center, Linden Reservations- 1-877-3)4-6336 ·

Near the Saloky Mountains:. Carso~pririgs Baprltt Confe_ience-Centerr Newpon

Reservations - 1-877-704-6336

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o Encourage members to write letters of appreciation to the pastor and staff in time for them to be presented at the reception.

o Have a special prayer time in the worship service for pastor and staff. Various members could pray for the following pastor and staff needs: family, spiritual guidance, health, sense of fulftllment, and enco~ragement. The most important thing a c~urch can do for her pastor and staff and their fam.ilies is to lift them up in

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prayer. Other expressions of appreciation by churches:

o Honored pastor on his 15th anniversary with a check for $15,000.

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Purchased an automobile for her pastor. •

Provided a trip to the Holy Land for their pastor and his wife. Sent their pastor and his wife on an ocean cruise. Provided a book-of letters written by members to express their love and appreciation. -Provided finances for pastor·t9 pu:rsue continuing education .

· Filled the pastor's freezer with a side of bee£ Allowed the pastor/ staff to use member's lake house for vacations and/ or retreats. Provided, without cost, use of member's condominium in Florida.

o Purchased pastor a new swt, shirt, tie, and socks. o Members invite their pastorfstaff to play golf, fish, hunt,

etc. with ·them. ' o Many churches have irnpl~mented a sabbatical policy to encourage ministers to tal<:e titne off fqr spiritual renewal, skills development, _and continuing educati(}n. {For information on

~ . sabbaticals, see "ChurcH ·Hea:ftli Matters," Baptist &: lt¢Eiector, May 2; 2007, Vo{ 1?61 NG. 17.)

(Andre Dugger is pastor of Gr~e Baptist Church, Nashville.)

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5 + Durwood Howard, 80,

of Memphis, a retired Baptist minister of education/a dminis­tration, died July 4. Howard served churches in Tennessee for over 50 years including L~awood Baptist Church, Memphis; First Baptist Church, Donelson; Highland Heights Baptist Church, Mem­phis; and Broadmoor Baptist 'Church, Memphis. He is sur­vived by his wife of 58 years, Jane Howard; one daughter; · four sons; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Leaders ......

+ Haynes Flat Baptist Church, Speedwell, h as called Jason Poe of Speedwell as pastor. _

Chur"hes + First Baptist Church,

Fall Branch, dedicated sever­al new things recently. The church bought a bus and adja­cent property, was given a

; grand piano by a church fami-· ly, and renovated its sanctu­ary.

Associations + Cumberland Plateau

Baptist Association, Cross­ville, will sponsor -the _Good News Crusade to be held -

nightly Sept. 9-12 at Stone Memorial High School, Crossville. Bobby Welch, for ­mer South ern Baptist Conven ­tion president who is with th e SBC Executive Committee,

. will speak. Worship will be led by Jini Murray, formerly with the Gaither· Vocal Band and the Imperials. For informa­tion, call Pine Eden Baptist Church, Crossville, at (931) 456-0142.

Statewide vents

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+ The Tennessee Baptist Convention will sponsor the 2007 Fall Library Team Training -Events for _library workers. The theme for the events is "Learn A Latte." For a list of classes, visit www.­tn.baptist.org and then ·Church Libracy Training. A continen­tal breakfast and a LifeWay Christian Store will be avail­a~le. The ali-day clinics will be held as follows - Sept. 15, First Baptist Church, Cleve­land; Sept. 22, Brownsville Baptist Church, Brownsville; Oct. 6, Tulip Grove Baptist Church , Old Hickory; and Oct . 20, First Baptist Qhurch, Sey­mour. For information, contact Bev League at bleague@­tnbaptist.org, (615) 355-4181,

.1-800-558-2090 or (615) 289-8344.

EDWARD MCCALL, left, member of Cherry Road Baptist Church, Memphis, wears a hat which was a part of his 1 DOth birthday cel­ebration at the church on July 21. He starrds with Marc Drake, pas­tor. Mc9all still actively attends the church.

Help Preserve the Future of the B&R An endowment fund for the Eiaptist and Reflector has been

established at the Tennessee Baptist Foundation. TBF staff can help you in securing the future of tn~ officiaf newsjournal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. For more information about leav­

ing the B&R in your will or making a contribution to the endowment ' fund, contact William L. "Bo" Childs or Ga-ry Coltharp at the TBF at

(615) 371-2029. )

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THIS TEAM FROM First Baptist Church, Kenton, served July 13-20 in Pirtleville, Ariz. They worked with Tommy Stevens, director of missions in Arizona. He is former pastor, First Baptist Church, Rutherford. The Tennesseans worked with children and saw 13 make professions of faith. They also did construction work and ministered at an orphai)age in Mexico. They are, from left, first row, Linda Pratt; Ben Jones; Charles Pratt, pastor; Steppie Silva; Chad Keathley; Janice Wheatley; Clay Marvin; second row, Laura Silva; Laurie Silva; Tina Marvin; Sayna Howard; Jordon Jones; Kristen Howard; Gary Neely; Nancy Alexander; third row, Jerry Warren; Jerome Howard; Usa Howard; Jessica Alexander; Larry Davidson; Mikie Fox; and Sherry Ridge. ·

- . MEMBERS OF Cherry Mound Baptist Church, White House, served July 16-20 in the Cleveland area. The I(Oiunteers worked with Ocoee Outreach of Bradley County [?aptfst Association, based in Cleve­land, renovating homes. The church has worked with Ocoee Outreach for three years. Team members are, from left, front row, Charles Price, Josh Brown, Kelly Dorris, Kimi Dorris, Jessie Cothron, Char­lotte Eubank, Mack Keller, and Eddie Godwin; back row, Tommy Rawls, James Turner, Kathy Turner, Lannie Rogers, Beverly Price, Genny Dixon, Tony Tate, Angie Tate, Lisa. Jones, Earl Jones, Jack Keller, and Jake Keller~

Kit:tg sefYes as pianist for church for· 40 By Marcia Kno>.e Baptist and Re(lector

NASHviLLE - Haywood Hills Baptist Church, located in southeast Nashville, recent­ly honored its retiring ch~ch pianist Peggy King for her over 40 years of service t o the church. ·

"Peggy King Da~ was held July 22 with a special recogni­tion during the morning serv­ice and a luncheon hosted by t.fie Sanctuary Choir drawing about 275 people. Presenting her gifts and . sounding her ·accolades .were the church's personnel committee, friends, co-workers, and family mem-bers. . .

K.nown not just as a musi­cian to the church, King served on several occasions as a cook

" for youth camp. She and her husband, Joe, _are the parents of four children.

In 1965 King and her fami1y joined the church and King filled in for Ruth Spurgeon, who was at that time the pianist. Spurgeon became the church organist in 1966 and King the pianist.

When t he late Haywood Hills Baptist minister Jim Keith was asked to fill in as an interim pastor at Giles Creek Baptist Church, Smyrna, and the Smyrna church was with­out a pianist, King joined him for a while. Also in the 1980s,

PEGGY KING, center, pianist of Haywood Hills Baptist Church, Nashville, for 40 years, receives a gift on July 22 from Marjorie Newcomb, left, and Gary Mosley, right, of the church. - Photo by Garey Southern.

~g was pianist for the former Concord Baptist Church, Brentwood. Returning to Hay­wood Hills Baptist, King played the piano in the Hispan­ic mission church, and then return~ to the main musical team. She was away about two years.

One of the 11 ministers of music who served during King's tenure at Haywood Hills Baptist was Bill Cox, who is interim mi_nister of music, Tri­une Baptist Church, Arrington. He ventured that the musical team of King and Spurgeon had memorized the Baptist Hymnal. Cox recalled that all he had to do was mention a song, and the team would start playing it. The duo has played

together for over 40 years. During the luncheon, King

mentioned that the person most supportive of her job as church pianist was her hus­band of 52 years, Joe. The cou­ple h ave five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild to keep them occupied during their retirement years.

Another person who has been supportive of her music ministry was her musical part­ner, Ruth Spurgeon. "Ruth and I have played together so long as a team, and we worked so good together," King said.

"God has blessed our family and provided health for me to be able to serve my church for 40 years," King said, recount­~ her ministry. a

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Centrifuge draws largest trowd in JO years to N.C. ---

Baptist Press .

· RIDGECREST, N.C.- Matt Overton, a high school senior from Gallatin, prepared 'for a summer afternoon of extreme sports· at Centrifuge camp here. As he checked out the location of his next sports gig, someone yelled his name from the sand volleyball court.

"I just met that guy several hours ago," Overton explained. "That's what Centrifuge is all about - becoming friends with like-minded Christians in a matter of hours. It's awesome."

Overton, a six-year veteran of Centrifuge camps, added ---that the camps also provide "a way_to get away from the world and get alone with God."

While Overton and other Centrifuge participants enjoyed morning Bible studies' and after­noon adventure recreation, other campers opted for an XFuge missions track .that sent them on local ministry assign-

. ments such as painting a chil­dren'S' home; delivering meals to senior adults, and .feeding the homeless at a local church.

The buil_d-your-own camp experience that offers essential­ly three camps - Cei;ltrifuge, XFuge, and XFuge on Mission- ' at one location is a new model for the student ministry team at Life Way Christian Resources. The inaugural combo camp launched June 24-29 at Life Way

- Ridgecrest ·Conference · Center with a sellout student crowd of 1,900.

The camp featured com:. bined morning and ~v~ning performances fro~ Chris~an band Big Daddy Weave, The Skit Guys, and messages from Tony Merida, associate profes­sor of preaching and dean of chapel at New Orleans Baptist

. Theological Seminary. The triple camp prototype

brought in' the largest group to Ridgecrest in more than a

··decade, sparking a fitting pre­lude to the 30th anniversary of

Lost hope for your loved one or fdend with drug and alcohol problems? Women at the Well a 25-bed 15-month residentia1 discipleship program in Athens, Tenn., offers hope. For more information call (423) 745-0010 web: www.thewomenatthewell.com.

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"This is the largest event we have had in 29 years and I am amazed at how smoothly it has

• run," said Joe Palmer, director of LifeWay's student e_vents, who quickly credited . the camp staff for the successful week. "In 1979 when Centrifuge began, we nev:er dreamed that we could fill up the whole camp. Now we~ve taken over the entire Ridgecrest campus.

Centrifuge offers an intimate small-group approach to Bible study, te~-building exercises, and interest track times such as photography, jewelry making, and adventure recreation. It is designed for students entering grades seven through college and "is the-staple of Life Way's camp ministries that allow group lead­ers to invest in the ·li¥es of the campers,': Palffier said.

MINISTRY - PASTOR Highland Baptist Church in Tulla­homa, Ter:tn. , is accepting resumes for the position of pas­tor. Please e-mail resume to dktatum@charter.net or mail to PSG, 808 West Hickory Street, Tullahoma, TN 37388.

MINISTRY - MUSIC Full-:time worship leader to direct all rnusic ministries at FBC, Oneida, Tenn. Send information to P. 0. Box 4067, Oneida, TN 37841.

MINISTRY - CHILDREN. Oolt_ewah Baptist· Church · is s~eking applicants for the posi­tions of director and assistant director for the Creative Learning Program, which will be in ses­sion four days per week, Monday through Thursday beginning August 2007. To be considered for this position, please send resume to Ooltewah Baptist

_- Church, P. 0. Box 9, Ooltewah, TN 37363. ............. • • • • Ooltewah Baptist Church is seeking a preschool and chil­.dren's director. To be considered for this. position, please send resume to Ooltewe!:h Baptist Church, P. 0. Box 9, Ooltewah, TN 37363 . . .............. • • • • Pak Street Baptist Church, Soddy-Dajsy, Tenn., is seeking a person/couple to lead in ministry to children. Male . or female, col-1ege students or older consid­ered. Contact Pastor Joe Miller at brojtm@comcast.net or send resume to 11340 N. Oak St.,

-_Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379. OSBC website www.oakstreetchurch~­

net.

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"To have more than 1,900 kids in one location is a dream come true," said Palriler, who added that LifeVVay's student ministry team has provided camps this summer for more than 85,000 students.

track that focused on.- smail: ··great arid the Bible study group group dev·otions, adventure recreation, and staff-led Bible studies. She said the week enriched her spiritual walk .

time is very meaningful. I would encourage any student to come to camp' if the Lord lays it on their heart.

-First-time Centrifuge camper Mary Bastin, a high school sen­

. ior and member of First Bap­tist Church,. Gallatin, fol­loyved the traditional Centrifuge

"God has shed a lot of light ~to my life," said Bastin, who will study music at Middle Ten­nessee State Univ~rsity in Murfreesboro, this fall. "Cen­trifuge has been informative, yet entertaining. 'Fhe teacb.ers -are

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"At first, I was apprehensive to come because I am the oldest girl in my group, but it turned out for the best because I was able to have many meaningful conversations with others in my own youth group.~ a

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END U RING I NS T I TU T I ON • SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR CHALLENGES S U CCESSFUL TRACK RECORD • INSURANC E GUIDED BY VALUES

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Smoke signals By Marvin Cameron

A few weeks 'ago I was watching a small plane leave smoke trails in its w~e. After a couple of minutes I real­ized that the plane was leaving a message so I watched to see what the message would be. Slowly-the smoke formed a "T", and then the letter "r'' and _.so e;n until the words. finally appeared. The message was "Trust Jesus." The only problem was that I had to be watching ~very

. moment to get the entire message because by the time the last letters of the name of Jesus appeared the first let- · ters of the word-"Trust" had disappeared. The message was lost on all those who did not see the entire flight.

The longer I pondered those "smoke signals" the more I wondered how they applied to my faith. Do I leave · "smoke signals" ef faith that quickly disappear in the . ' clouds? Or is my witness mor~ ,long-lasting? Do · those around me see a steadfast faith or one that is seen for a moment and then gone? ·

One way to answer that question · is how we behave , daily as Christians. One of the basic things people look' . for in society is truth. How are we doing in telling the truth? Let's think about that on Sunday as we ponder the su,bject "To tell the truth." a_: Cameron is p~stor of First Baptist Church, Kingsport. Reprinted from the church newsletter. ·

nailing it clown -;;.Networking

. ' By Marvin Nail

o't.Jl.l.. ... •

Every few Dienths my family goes on retveat te a sma:ll town in south Mississippi much like Mayberry, but with­out Andy, Barney, and Aunt Bee. In that idyllic place I still have to get up early every morning _because I don't want to miss the Coffee Bunch that gathers at the bait shop and restaurant near the local lake. F

One of the fascinating things for me about this gather­ing is the fact that at each meeting at least one of the guys asks the group if one of them hows someone who can haul something, fix somethmg, or get something for· them. Always, at. least one of them knows someone who can help yeu with ·whatever you might n~ed.

Though it is seen this way in a smal! town, the same procedure has been at the heart of business and personal · life throughout the centuries. At one time it might have been called having connections; but in this modern day of living by the desktOp computer it is called networking.

As· believer~ we have the best of all contacts, and that is Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that is available to us "2417" to intercede for us and give us guidanc~ by Hi~ Spirit (Hebrews 7 :25) a - Nail is pastor of Ivy Memorial Baptist Church, Nashville.

a way with words ·The teacher By Hugh X. Lewis

Of all the thankless jobs on earth The teacher has the worst. If jobs were rated. by their· worth, Then teaching would come first.

So many things_ they could have done, So much within their reach. Not fame nor wealth for there is none. And yet they chose to teach.

How could our standards be so wrong -Overlook the cause they serve? What does it take, Dear Lord, how long For praise they so deserve.

Copyright by Hugh X. Lewis. Lewis, a Baptist layman, _is poet laureate of Christian country music in Tennessee. He has written more than 250 songs and is f~atured daily on 110 Southern gospel radio stations throughout the country. He is available to speak to church and senior adult groups. For more information, call (615) 883-0086.

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When you're discouraged By Trent Bullock

Focal Passage: I Kings19:1-13a, 15-18

Introduction: You may have heard the story about the devil hav­ing a yard sale. People were buying articles such as lying, cheating, etc. There was one a:rtic1e on the end of the table, however, that had a sign "Not for · Sale." Se~eral people inquired about the item. The devil responded, "I have used this item

· often and found it to be very effec­tive. I call it discouragement. If I can get people discouraged, then I can do almost wh:at .I want with

· them." Yes, discouragement is one of the

devil's greatest tools for distracting the believer. While this stOry is sim­ply a fable, it does remind us that we all battle with discouragement at one time or another. Discourage­ment causes us to think, say, and do things we would not normally~think,' saY, or do. The prophet Elijah experi-

., enced firsthand the effects of ·dis:. ~ouragement. In I Kings 18, he dra­matically defeated the prophets of . .

Baal. at Mount Carmel and then called down rain. to enq.a drought. Yet, in the next chapter he experi­enced great discourage~ From our focal passage, we can identify .four ways to resp~nd to discourage­ment_ in our lives.

Recognize ( vv. f'-3.a): Although Mah was king, his . wife Jezebel appeared to be the one in charge. She was a devoted worshiper of

• - Baal and when Ahab told her how

Elijah had defeated and. then killed the prophets of Baal, she was not .,

the least bit happy. She sent word to Elijah that . she planned to kill him. Although Elijah had seen the LORD demonstrate great power on his behalf, now "he became afraid and immediately ran for his life." One suggestion as. to why Elijah became fearful and ran is that he was . mentaHy and physically exhausted. We must learn to recog­nize those times when discourage-. ment is apt tp affect us. Physical exhaustion, mental fatigue, and spiritually draining events cause·us to be vulnerable to discouragement. Discouragement hampers our abili- · ty to i:n~ke good decisions and, therefore, it is important not to make life-cha.ngirig decisions when we are discouraged.

Refresh (vv. 3b.;9a): Elijah journeyed into the wilderness and there he sat down under a tree. He · had had enough. He had done all that he could do to turn the hearts of the people toward God, but his best was -not good enough. He prayed that he. would die, and then he fell asleep. Twice an angel of the. LORD .woke Elijah and convinced him to eat and drink. "Then on the strength from that food, lie walked 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. He entered a cave there and spent the night." God pro­vided Elijah r-efreshment when he . needed it. God did not create us to live life at full speed 24/7 .. He creat­ed us with a need for rest and refreshment·. DiscoUragement often comes when we do not take the time for physical, mental, and spiritual refreshment.

Reev8Iuate (vv. 9b-13a): Elijah

Sunday Sdaool lesson •Ye Studies ,_Life

Aug. 12

.encountered God iri that cave. God's question to Elijah was, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Twice Eli­jah voiced his discouragement to God (verses 11 and 14). God spoke to Elijah, not in the dramatic event of a - mighty wind, a terrible earth­quake, or a .roaring fire, but in a "soft

· whisper." When we are discouraged, we must reevaluate what we are doing. What has caused us to feel discouraged? Are we trying to accomplish God's will in our own strength? Are we dragging our feet or running ahead of God's will? Spending time alone listening for the voice of God will help us to answer these questions.

Reengage (vv. 15-18): After a time of refreshment and reevalua­tion, · God called Elijah to reengage in ministry. God gave Elijah a three­fold assignment and ~hen encour­aged him by reminding him that he was not alone. Times of rest and reflection are necessary to help pre­vent discouragement. Then, we can reengage life with a clearer under­standing of God's purpose and will knowing that He will not let us go alone. .

Conclusion: If you are discour­aged, take some time away, even if it

-is only a few hours, to get alone with God and listen for His voice of instruction and encouragement. -Bullock is pastor of First Baptist Church, Halls.

, love ·wholeheartedly By Billie Friel

Focal Passage: Mala.chi 1:1-2, 6-111 Introduction: The ·young couple

bluntly told the pastor that, be~use .of their careers, they had no ·time for God or the church. Soon after . that, their little boy walked out of the house and was hit by a car. The' cou: ple, ·who had no extra time, found t:he time to spend the next three months at the hospital. People today tend te compartmentalize their lives in terms of family life, vocational life,

_financial life, social life, and, if any thing is left over, spiritual life. Pas- . sages from the prophet, Malachi, challenge us to love God wholeheart­edly by ,giving Him OUJ.' best.

Do you trust God's love (vv. 1-2)? Malachi means "My_ Messenger."' Beeause of internal eVidence, we believe Malachi wrote pOssibly 100 years after the ministri~s of Haggai and Zechariah. By Malachi's time, the temple had been built, the priesthood inaugurated, and the sac­rifices commenced. The prophet used a disputational or dialectical writing style (a series of questions and answers) in which God charged the people, the people questioned the charge, and then God proved the charge was correct. God's first mes­sage through Malachi said to the people, "I have loved you." God's unchanging love had been the source and motive for all His acts and words throughout Isl'ael's history. Yet, Israel callously questioned, , "How have You loved us:r· Granted,

God's people had been under hard­ship, oppr~ssion, and dashed hopes throughout the Babylonian captivity, Persian rule, and the return to the holy land. However, only the hardest heart would doubt God's love. God

Sunday Scltool Lesson lxp~ the BiWe

Aug. 12

chose an historical but contemporary of the week and see where God fits example to prove His . love: boJh - in! What about your talents and abil­Israel and Edom came from the ities - does God Teceive our first same fainily. But, look at Edom now and best? - permanently driven out of their Do you.love God wholehearted­land and irretrievably banished-. ly (vv •• 12-14)? Our attitude toward Israel had been chosen by God and, worship, praye:r; concern for others, and even through deserved punishment opportwiities of service demo~ate and suffering, had ever been the that we believe God is great and object of God's everlasting love. deserves to be loved wholeheartedly. In When you can't trace God's hand, Malachi's daY,the priests profaned the trust His love. Lord's altar and insulted His name by

Do you honor'Gbd's greatness refusing to lead the people to reverence (vv. 6-11)? ·Malachi's second charge and offer Him their best. The priests involved the responses of the priests knew the Scripture (Leviticus 22:19), to God's greatness (vv. 5, 11, 14). - but continued to accept the stolen, the How should one respond in worship lame, and the sick as offerings to a to a great King? Malachi charged great God. What about us today'? Do we that the priests dishonored and limp into God's presence with uncon­despised God's name by offering fessed sins, unpaid tithes, unsaid inferior and defiled sacrifices on the prayers, untold friends, and uncommit­altar. The religious leaders treated ted lives? We show wholehearted love God;s table with contempt by disre- for God when we-repent of unaccept­garding His requirements concern- - able attitudes and actions and serve ing acceptable sacrifices (Leviticus Him willingly and joyfully. 22:18-25) . How vivid the picture of - Conclusion: Anything less than the priests-accepting a blind, lame; wholehearted devotion to the Lord is or sick animal .a,s an offering to not acceptable to HUn. May our com­almighty God! God challenged them mitment to Christ influence our atti­to offer lame, blind, or sick animals tudes and actions in all areas of life. to their governor in payment of their - Friel is pastor emerrtus and staff taxes and see what happened. Hey evangelist at First Baptist Church, Mt. ~Christians ofTennessee: examine Juliet, and interim director of missions, your offering that goes into· the plate Wilson County Baptist Association, this Sunday! Look at your 168 hours based in Lebanon.

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Leaders . + Elbert Charpie re­

signed July 29 as pastor of Grace Baptist Church, John­son City, where he has served for 11 years. He has accepted the call as pastor of First Bap­tist Church, Citronelle, Ala.

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. + Jo·e W. Byrd, pastor of Bloomingdale Baptist Church, Kingsport, preached his 56th Independence Day sermon on July 1. In addition, the church honored his longevity by giv­ing over $6,800 to the annual Tennessee Baptist Children's Home Mothers Day O~ering.

SEVENTY-THREE VOLUNTEERS FROM Weakley County Baptist Association, based in Qr:esden, served in West Virginia July 7-13. Sev-• J

enteen men worked on construction projects fo.r churches and six people served as their cooks. The rest, 50, ~served on six teams who

+ Valley Grove Baptist Church,. Knoxville, has called

conducted Vacation Bible· day camps. The day camps. drew 214 children and as a result, 26·children made professions of faith, reported Wayne Perkins, director of missions.

. ' Keith · Vaughn as interim pastor.

+Brent Seals has resigned as- pastor of First Baptist Church, Elizabethton, due to health problems.

+ Tony Buchanan has . resigned as pastor of East Rogersville B_aptist Church; Rogersville. He has accepted the po~ition of executive pas­tor of First Baptist Church, Lavaca1 Ark.

+ Henards C~apel Baptist Church, Rogersville, licensed·

· Scott Farmer to the ministry on June 24.

+ First Baptist Church; Counce, has called Bill Dar­nell as interim pastor. Darnell is also .the president of People Sharing Jesus ministries.

+ First Baptist Church, Crump, recently called Clarke Culver as interim pastor.

+ Erin Baptist Church, Erin, has called Ron Brown of Waverly as minister of youth. ..

+ Hilldale Baptist Church, Clarksville, has called Lyndel Littleton · as worship pastor. Littleton comes to the church fr.om First Baptist ·church, Joelton. In addition, Hilldale Baptist has called Paul

· Scott as community impact pasoor. Scott is a ..former International MissiGn Board

missionary to Venezuela.

+ One Heart Baptist Church, Clarksville, has called Dock Leem of Chicago, Ill., as pastor.

+ Dickerson Road Baptis~ Church, Nashville, has called ~e Fisher as pastor. He formerly served as pastor of BerryVi:lle Baptist Church, Old Hickory.

Churches-+ Kirby Woods Baptist

Church, Memphis, will host . . a Men's Disciple Making Co~-ference Sept. 7-8. ·Speakers will he Herb Hodges, Ji~ Dou­glas, Dan Baugh, Mike Woods, Ricky Pearson, and "Soup" Campbell. Music will be led.by Fred Kelly. Reservations may be made by at (~01) 682-2220, caseypearson@kwbc.org, or sharonwaits@kwbc.org.

+The People's Church, Franklin, will host "A Night . . with Friends" for military wives on Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Amy· .S.tephens will speak. The event ·is hosted hy the N~ashville , chapter of Wive·s of Faith. For more informa­tion and to register, visit WivesofFaith.org.

+ Keeling Baptist Church, Stanton, will host its . 72nd anniversary/home­coming on Aug. 12. For

STUDENTS FROM NEW HOPE Baptist Church, Dyer, participat­ed in M-Fuge·in St. Louis, Mo., July 2-7. M-Fuge is offered by Life­Way Chris~ian Resources, Nashville, and provides an opportunity for students in grades 7-college to participate in missions. Students are, from lett, first row, Wilda Record, Jeff Record, Brianna Forsythe, Cady Richardson, and Kay/a Shiflette; back row, Dale Record, Anthony Fernino, Jerry Ferriino, Joey Hays, Keith Hill, and Will Record. - .

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. information, contact Carol Littles, church clerk/secre­tary, at (731) 780-3460 or keelingbaptistchurch@yahoo.­com.

+ Liberty . Baptist Church;White Bluff, recent­ly held a hon1;ecoming se~ce in which two people accepted Christ. ~oyd "Lammie" Lam-

mersfeld, evangelist ofMcK~n­zie, spoke.

+ First Baptist Church, Church Hill, hosted an anniversary celebration July 22. ·This was the 62nd anniversary of the church. In addition·, pastor Gary Ger­hardt began his 25th year as­pastor in July. .

Associations · . + Cumberland Baptist Association, Clarksville, will send six evangelism teams Sept. 22-27 to Triangle Baptist Association in Great Falls, Mont. These teams are helping support the Tennessee/Mon .. tana Baptist Partnership.

MEM~ERS OF flAYS/DE BAPTIST Church, Harrison, stand with a new· friend made in Montana, Mike Dacy, pas_tor, Mission View Community Fellowship Church, Polson. The team did construction, prayer­walked, witnessed, and conducted a block party in Polson during the week of.July 4. The Bayside Bap­tist team reported five people accepted Christ and they discovered 17 prospects. Information on prospects was passed.on to Dacy. The team included, from left, kneeling, Mitch Cleek; first row, ·Ray­mond Kendrick;· Billie Kendrick, Juanita Hall, Linda Pittman, Joe Moon, Johnny Johnson, Cathy

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Popovich; seconp row, Marilyn Highlander, Tommy Yoder, Terri Yoder, Carl Yoder, Dacy, Laura High-lande~ George Hubbuch, Hannah Bentsen, Don Popovich, 'Vito ~angemi, Doyle .Pittman, and Gary Elrod. .·

MEMBERS OF CHURCHES OF SULLIVAN Baptist Association, based in Kingsport, hear Eric Geiger of Miami, Fla.,. co-author of the book, Simple Church, July 16. Geiger wrote the book along with Thomas Rain­er, president, LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville. The book is a result of the study of hundreds of

• churches which found most churches are making the process of evangelism too complex. Churches which are growing and thriving are focusing on clarity, movement, alignment, and focus, said Geiger. The confer­ence drew about 100 people~

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