The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-01/06/2015 DISCLAIMER: Baptist Press should be credited for any reprinted stories that originate with BP. Suggested credit line: Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. Please note that Baptist Press periodically carries stories from other sources by permission. Individuals interested in reprinting non-BP stories should contact the entity where the story originated to seek reprint permission. -------------------------------------------------------------------- MISSIONS: How God is at work in Abidjan by Elaine Gaston Date: January 06, 2015 - Tuesday EDITOR'S NOTE: Ivory Coast was the country of focus for the 2014 International Mission Study by Woman's Missionary Union (WMU). Find resources to support the study at wmu.com/IMS and imb.org/ims. ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (BP)-- As I pored over news stories to prepare for the trip to Ivory Coast, not much of the nation's recent storyline encouraged optimism. Abidjan, a city formerly known as the "Paris of West Africa," seemed littered with tales of violence that left marks in bullet-pocked walls and on people's hearts. Accounts of bloodshed and strife caused by a decade of civil war filled my background notes. Even the airport I flew into, reconstructed and modernized now, had been looted and damaged during fighting, which culminated in the Battle for Abidjan in April 2011. Though now the government is stable and the city is rebuilding, I could also imagine the physical state of this West African city of more than 6 million inhabitants: tangles of traffic, impoverished neighborhoods, disparities between rich and poor, unemployment and economic uncertainty, all of which might have rubbed the sheen off a country that was once considered a model of stability for the continent. All of that awaited me in Abidjan. But something else was there as well when I stepped through the airport doors into the humid African night with IMB missionary Heather McAfee. As she steered her vehicle through dark streets, dodging potholes and pedestrians, before we even reached her home, Heather began offering glimpses of a city much different than the one conjured up from reading too many articles on la crise, "the crisis." Heather and her husband, Mike, urban church planters in Abidjan, have a passion for this city and care deeply about the multitudes of people whom they seek to reach with the Gospel. A diverse group it is, with more than 60 indigenous languages spoken in the city and a religious makeup that includes Muslims, Catholics and those who follow tribal religions. Only a sliver of the population includes Christian evangelicals. In the following 10 days, Mike and Heather carried me throughout the city from the Treichville commune, to Abobo in the north, across the canal that makes Abidjan the primary port in West Africa, to the central business district of Plateau. They introduced me to national friends in ministry, took me into Muslim homes where they openly share Christ, showed me places of possibility in the city where God seems to be moving and other areas where they hope to establish a church presence. They shared how God is there in Abidjan, working in those neighborhoods, touching lives of Muslims -- even through dreams -- and opening doors for their efforts to speak truth to many who live in fear of curses and darkness. Their daily focus, Mike says, is to discover where God is at work and join Him in what He's doing in this sprawling, needy city. Telling the story Heather is a homeschooling mother of three. If that isn't enough, she also manages to be deeply involved in ministry, wearing a dozen hats ranging from volunteer coordinator and hostess to networker with national pastors' wives. One day she took me to Vridi, where she visits weekly to share Bible stories. Vridi was the first place that Heather began to practice Chronological Bible Storying in French when she first arrived on the field. She had only been in language study for three months when another missionary took her there to model the work. The following week, the older missionary encouraged Heather to tell the Bible story in her then-halting French, and Heather's been returning weekly since that time. Power lines skim the sky over this shantytown settled decades ago when the former French colonial government brought immigrants, mostly from Burkina Faso, to build the Vridi Canal. Dwellings are jumbles of corrugated tin, shored up by slats and pieces of discarded wood: someone else's trash woven together to make a home. Young barefoot children wearing mismatched clothing run up to Heather, determined to shake hands with la blanche, the "white lady." Heather finds her way along a dusty path to Vridi's market area. There she meets two women, Agira and Marie, at a market stall with clothing hung on nails stuck in boards against the stall sides. Smoke from cooking fires wafts through the air. Surrounding stalls sell cheap hairpieces, plastic beaded necklaces and food items such as peanuts and bananas. Heather seats herself on the floor of the stall while Agira reclines. Agira is pregnant with her second child and not feeling well today. Heather tells the story, in her now-fluent French, of the paralyzed man whose friends brought him to Jesus' feet. As she wraps up the story, they discuss it while Shakira, Agira's 4-year-old daughter, playfully climbs into Heather's lap. Agira is interested in the fact that God is willing to forgive, "even really bad sins." She comes from a Muslim background but has told Heather before today that she wants to give her life to Jesus. The three ladies conclude by singing a song together. Looking back As with most missionaries going to the field for the first time, when the McAfees landed in Abidjan in late 2007, it was a commitment of uncertain shape and size. Heather and Mike, with their then-8-year-old Caleb and 6-year-old Karis, were planting their lives on an unknown continent with only the assurance that God had called them there. Now, however, Heather is clearly at home, sitting on the floor of this African market stall and talking about issues of the heart with these women. As urban church planters, the McAfees' ultimate hope is to plant a church in every quartier, or neighborhood, in Abidjan -- a God-sized task. As they work toward this end, it's just possible that these city streets that saw so much bloodshed will instead know God's forgiveness, reconciliation and grace. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Paris of West Africa' draws mission focus by Elaine Gaston Date: January 06, 2015 - Tuesday EDITOR'S NOTE: Ivory Coast was the country of focus for the 2014 International Mission Study by Woman's Missionary Union (WMU). Find resources to support the study at wmu.com/IMS and imb.org/ims. ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (BP)-- Standing beside Ébrié Lagoon, Hotel Ivoire rises 24 stories into a humid sky. The luxury hotel's white tower is an Abidjan landmark. It soars high over the lush green landscape stretching out below and is hedged by gardens and pools. It is situated in the Cocody area, an affluent locale where embassies, Ivory Coast's foremost university and wealth reside. The hotel's renovated lobby and sleek interior disguise the fact that in 2011, this place resounded with the tramp of military boots as French forces were quartered here. Protests and violent confrontations took place at the hotel gates, and Cocody turned into a war zone. The Golf Hotel, another resort farther east along the palm-fringed lagoon shore, came under mortar and small-arms fire. Not far away, the presidential residence came under attack to oust former president Laurent Gbagbo. But violence wasn't limited to Cocody; it ran riot throughout the city. A new day While United Nations peacekeepers remain on the ground, Abidjan is rebuilding after a decade of war and political upheaval, which concluded with Gbagbo's arrest in April 2011. The university reopened in late 2012 after it was wrecked by the 2011 period of conflict -- combatants and vandals stripped buildings bare. Now new lecture halls, libraries, student buildings and sports facilities fill the campus. Elsewhere in the city, outward evidence of the fighting is fading. Perhaps the most notable change to the cityscape is the recent completion of a desperately needed third bridge crossing the lagoon that divides Abidjan. According to Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan, more than 200,000 vehicles converge on the city's two other bridges daily. The new bridge linking the city's northern and southern sections had been put on hold for a decade during the turmoil. Then and now Abidjan, home to about 6 million people, is the economic and industrial capital of Ivory Coast. It was also the political capital until 1983, when longtime President Félix Houphouët-Boigny (pronounced oof-WEH bwahn-YEE) relocated the capital north to his hometown of Yamoussoukro. And though Houphouët-Boigny transformed the formerly small Yamoussoukro into an impressive new capital -- with buildings including the world's largest church (patterned after, but even bigger than, Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City) and an airport that could handle Concorde flights -- official offices and embassies remained in Abidjan. The coastal city of Abidjan is also a strategic port located on the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. Roads and highways leading from the port make it a travel hub for landlocked West African countries. These travel routes fanning out into the neighboring inland countries of Mali and Burkina Faso bring thousands to this growing metropolis. For decades after Ivory Coast's independence from France in 1960, Abidjan was the capital of one of the most stable West African countries, and its well-ordered infrastructure and tropical beauty earned it the nickname "the Paris of West Africa." Its economy -- based mostly on agriculture -- thrived; in fact, it is the world's largest cocoa bean producer and exporter. Other exports include coffee, rubber and palm oil. But with Houphouët-Boigny's death in 1993, that period of stability came to an end. Conditions in the country deteriorated with a number of coups, the devaluation of its currency, a recession and, most destructively of all, a short-lived (2002-2003), but not well-resolved, civil war. Cultural geography International Mission Board missionaries Mike and Heather McAfee came to Abidjan in 2007 to work with one ethnic group: the Mossi, who are primarily from Burkina Faso as well as Mali and Togo. Eventually, though, their job description expanded to the entire city, which is an extremely diverse place. "Abidjan is made up of just over 60 indigenous language groups, ethnic groups that are indigenous to the Ivory Coast, and that's not counting the immigrants that come from the other countries such as Burkina Faso, Liberia, Ghana or Mali," Mike McAfee explained. Fortunately the McAfees don't often struggle with multiple languages among the city's inhabitants; as a remnant of Ivory Coast's colonial heritage, French remains the official language of the country and its schools. In fact, Abidjan is one of the largest French-speaking cities in the world. As the urban team leaders, it's the McAfees' assignment to not only understand Abidjan and its multitude of ethnicities and neighborhoods but also make an impact here for Christ. Obstacles on every corner "There are a lot of obstacles that we face. One of the biggest is what I call the 'theology of place,' where if you walk … or you drive around our city, you see mosques almost on every corner," Mike McAfee explained. "I liken it back to being in the South because I'm from [Tennessee], and when you drive around the cities of the South, almost on every corner there's a Baptist church." He estimated that 45 percent of Abidjan's population is Muslim. There is also a strong representation of Roman Catholics, reflecting the French historical connections. Mike McAfee said because of the cultural significance of worshipping in buildings like mosques and big, beautiful Catholic churches, encouraging seekers or new Christians to meet as small groups in makeshift places is difficult. "There's no loyalty to those small groups, so to get the small group to 'church' is the obstacle. How do you get them to realize that this small group is going to become a church? We just have to have patience, and we have to wait on that," he said. "Yes, it's good to evangelize. And yes, it's good to start small groups. But when these people accept Christ, we have to have someplace for them to go." Another unmistakable obstacle the McAfees encounter in sharing Christ is the influence of African tribal religions. "Islam and Catholicism allow them to bring [a degree of] that animistic belief with them," Mike McAfee said. "What we're telling them to do -- and it's an obstacle -- is to drop all that … where Jesus says, 'I'm the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father except through me.' We're teaching them that Jesus is the way, not a way, and that they can't bring their other beliefs in with them. "It's a big obstacle. They don't want to. They want to continue on, and so we pray that they will be able to drop their other religions, their other gods, and only follow Christ." A church in every quartier As urban church planters, the McAfees' ultimate vision is to plant a church in every quartier, or neighborhood, in Abidjan. Mike McAfee estimated that there are 30 existing Baptist congregations -- most with fewer than 100 members -- in the city. To accomplish such a daunting task in this sprawling metropolis, the couple have turned to Southern Baptist churches in the United States to join with them to get the job done. In July 2013, for example, a team from Valley Baptist Church in Searcy, Ark., came to Abidjan on a vision trip to consider how God might use their church in this city. The McAfees helped the team explore areas that would be good locations for a church plant as team members worked with translators and members of Treichville Baptist Church in Abidjan, which would be the ongoing presence. Team members, translators and local church members went into areas without a Baptist presence and worked together in evangelizing, reaching out to the community and telling stories to the community to start small groups that will eventually become Baptist churches, Mike McAfee explained. A similar team came the previous May and was successful in drawing new members to an existing small church. "I can't do it by myself," Mike McAfee said. "Heather can't do it by herself. We need the churches from the States. We need the churches that are already here in Abidjan, and we all need to work together to start these churches so we have a place for people to come [to] worship God." One way U.S. churches can support the McAfees is by giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. "It's only through Lottie Moon and … the Cooperative Program that Heather and I can come here and do what we do," McAfee said. "It's only through Lottie Moon and the Cooperative Program that we have a car to drive and a house to live in. If it wasn't for that, we couldn't stay here, we couldn't be here doing what we do. … Through giving to Lottie Moon, believe it or not, you support us, you are on mission with us." -------------------------------------------------------------------- FIRST-PERSON: Resolve to read the Bible by Redunda Noble Date: January 06, 2015 - Tuesday MEMPHIS, Tenn. (BP) -- It is that time of year again -- the time when Americans have made New Year's resolutions. We've promised to eat healthier foods, exercise more and lose weight. Most of us, though, have fallen prey to the never-ending cycle of failed resolutions. We begin the new year promising to make changes, only to fail after a short time. We start with good intentions, but somewhere along the way, we lose motivation and end up making the same resolutions at the beginning of the next year. Why not get out of the resolution rut and try something entirely different this year? Consider making a commitment that will feed your spirit and bring great blessing to your life. In 2015, let's resolve to read more of God's Word. I know you might be saying, "I'm already at my church three nights a week. I can't fit in another Bible study." Before you get overwhelmed, let me explain. I am not talking about joining another weekly Bible study or small group at your church. I am simply talking about you and God becoming more intimate this year; about you hiding His Word in your heart so that you will not sin against Him (Psalms 119:11). I am not talking about looking in the Bible to answer Sunday school questions, but relishing in God's Word so that you develop a deep love for the Lord you never thought possible. Here are a few simple ways to make the Bible a priority and begin a spiritual resolve for the rest your life. Start a daily Bible reading plan It is super easy to download a Bible reading app these days on your smartphone or tablet. Simply choose the plan that interests you and get started. The app will remind you to read and will keep you up to date with your plan. You never have to try to remember the chapter and verse of your reading. You can even highlight and bookmark favorite verses. If you want to spread the love, involve your whole family. Choose a family devotional reading plan and then discuss what you learned over dinner each evening. A family devotional works even if you have adult children away at college. You can view each other's plan activity and encourage each other as you read and study together. Memorize Scripture How many times do we try to quote a verse only to forget a portion of it? Maybe we can't remember an important chapter and verse when sharing our faith with someone. Why do we attend church, but refuse to read the Bible? It is no wonder that researcher George Barna called Americans "biblically illiterate." For Christians, memorizing Scripture is the best way to hide God's Word in our hearts. When we face struggles, or temptations, the Lord is faithful to bring His Word to our remembrance and help us overcome. Try memorizing a verse each week. Write the verse on index cards or put Scripture sticky notes on your bathroom mirror. While brushing your teeth in the morning, you will be investing in your spiritual growth. Turn off the radio Music is inspirational, but does it guard your heart against sin? Choose to turn off the radio in your car and put in an audio Bible CD instead. Take a break at work, plug in your headphones to your Bible app, and push play. Allow God's Word to minister to you while you tune out all other distractions. Journal meaningful verses Keep a journal of the verses that mean the most to you. If you have been encouraged, strengthened or challenged by a verse, write about it. Write down what God is teaching you, and what you need to change to obey Him fully. Write how the Lord has answered a prayer in your life related to the verse. Write a name next to the verse if you are praying for someone else. Your journal is your point of reference as you see God's hand at work in your life. Get alone with God If your house is too noisy and someone is always interrupting your quiet time (like at my house), try finding a spot outdoors to spend time with God. Sit alone with your Bible in your backyard. If you get tired of sitting, walk in your neighborhood while you recite Bible verses. Find a cubicle at the local library or a quiet corner at the coffee shop. Read for several minutes and then meditate on the verses you read. Listen for God to speak to your heart. In 2015, resolve to include the Bible in your daily life. The Lord has graciously given us His Word, and it is our privilege to read and study it. The ultimate blessing is that as we allow the Bible to penetrate our hearts, we will grow in faith, draw close to our heavenly Father, and experience sweet fellowship with Him. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Survey: most churchgoers won't skip church for football by Bob Smietana Date: January 06, 2015 - Tuesday NASHVILLE (BP) -- Most American churchgoers would rather attend church than watch their favorite football team, a LifeWay Research study shows. But a few die-hard fans are willing to miss out on worship to watch a game. About 1 in 7 churchgoers (15 percent) say they'd skip church in order to watch their favorite football team, according to a survey of 994 churchgoers. Researchers found most of the faithful balk at skipping church for football. More than 8 in 10 (83 percent) disagree with the statement: "I would skip a weekly worship service in order to watch my favorite football team." Many worshipers had particularly strong feelings -- nearly 7 in 10 (68 percent) strongly disagree. "Most churchgoers put divine revelation ahead of division rivalries," Scott McConnell, vice-president of Nashville-based LifeWay Research, said. Some churchgoers, though, are more devoted to their team. Especially when the team is doing well. Two years ago, Daniel Espy, pastor of The Bridge Church in Snohomish, Wash., hosted a special 8 a.m. service in order to accommodate Seahawks fans, whose team had found success after years of struggling. The early service started as a joke on the church's Facebook page. Espy joked that all churches in Seattle should hold early services, so fans could worship and then watch a playoff game. The idea took off and eventually landed the church on the front page of the local newspaper. These days The Bridge has two services, making it easier for church members to worship before games. Still, attendance goes down when the Seahawks have an early game. "Attendance can swing about 30 to 40 percent, depending on kickoff," Espy says. LifeWay Research found faithful football fans in the West (22 percent) are more willing to skip church than those in South (13 percent) or Northeast (13 percent.) About 1 in 4 church-going men (22 percent) say they'd skip church to watch football. That drops to 1 in 10 for women churchgoers. Catholic football fans (20 percent) are more willing to skip church than evangelicals (12 percent). Espy says he's taken a good-natured approach to those who skip church to watch football. He notes that works better than a guilt trip. "Honestly, we just try to show people that Jesus is better than football," he said. Methodology: The phone survey of 2,000 Americans was conducted Sept. 19 to Oct. 5, 2014. The calling list utilized random digit dialing. Sixty percent of completes were among landlines and 40 percent among cell phones. Maximum quotas and slight weights were used for gender, region, age, ethnicity and education to more accurately reflect the population. Responders were screened to only include those whose religious preference is Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, or Non-denominational Christian who attend a religious service on religious holidays or more often. The completed sample is 994 surveys. The sample provides 95 percent confidence that the sampling error does not exceed plus or minus 3.5 percent. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups. -------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM THE STATES: Mo., La., Calif. evangelism/missions news; 'We are only racially divided if we want to be' by Staff Date: January 06, 2015 - Tuesday Today's From the States features items from: Illinois Baptist (via Ferguson, Mo.) Baptist Message (Louisiana) California Southern Baptist In Ferguson, new ministry follows riots By Kayla Rinker FERGUSON, Mo. (Illinois Baptist) -- The plywood nailed to the windows of homes and businesses reminded Stoney Shaw of living near the threat of hurricanes when he was younger. "People would brace themselves for the storm that was coming," said Shaw, senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Ferguson. "That's exactly what is happening here; a devastating storm. But praise God things seem to be winding down and there is a lot of rebuilding going on, which is what we've been praying for." Despite the rioting and arson surrounding the grand jury's Nov. 24 decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown, Shaw said there are glimpses of hope among the ashes. "On that very same plywood, artists have drawn pictures of encouragement and hope," he said. "We are the real Ferguson people, black and white. As a whole we are not the ones marching and picketing, we are the ones getting looted and broken into. There are a lot of other narratives, but the reality is that this is a terrible tragedy and it does not have our best interest in mind." But because of that reality, it leaves Ferguson-area churches with a unique opportunity to minister to a broken and hurting community. Shaw said FBC is engaged with the city to promote positive changes. For example, when the district closed a nearby school because of the impending threat of rioting, FBC opened its facilities to provide meals, tutors, and a safe place for the kids to be during the day. The City of Ferguson has also used FBC's fellowship hall for their "Talk-Back" meetings for people to express their grievances and appeals for change to the mayor and city leaders. "It's exciting to be a practical part of the solution to a very complicated situation," Shaw said. "I've said it before but we were at Ground Zero before it was Ground Zero. These are scary times and we are living in the shadow of that. God has called Christian people and churches in Ferguson to go and do what needs to be done together, in order to recover our fine city for Him." Sean Boone is pastor of New Beginning Christian Fellowship, an SBC church plant in nearby Hazelwood, Mo. "What I'm seeing and hearing is more about believers being white or black before being Christian," Boone said. "As believers we must step back and ask are we rendering grace to both sides? Are we looking at everything through the lenses of U.S. citizens or (as) citizens of the body of Christ?" He said only when believers answer these questions honestly can Biblical and fair solutions for all people be found. "If we only rely on a system born out of the flesh of sinful man, we will constantly get flawed results," Boone said. "One side or the other will always feel disenfranchised. Right not we are witnessing an expression of a group of people feeling hopeless. The church needs to address the reason for this hopelessness ... which is sin." Shaw believes there are legitimate issues and injustices regarding the treatment and the voice of the majority of Ferguson residents. He said that more than anything, this tragedy has shined a light on those problems. For starters, the African American subgroup in Ferguson makes up 70% of the city's total population, but there is only one African American member of the city council. Shaw said the city needs to push for everyone to register to vote. "We are blessed to have some neat African American ladies in our church who have started taking young adults in the 18 to 30 age range and teaching them the basics of our democratic republic," Shaw said. "We have a nation of people who don't know how it works. When only 10% of the majority 70% of the population is registered to vote in a city, it's bad. People start to feel like they aren't included and can't change anything, which leads to looting and burning." And that idea of feeling included is what lays heavy on Shaw's heart because he knows where it needs to begin: within the body of Christ. Though pastors and churches have come together to pray for one another in light of recent events, Shaw says that trend needs to continue. "It sends a wonderful message that we are united as one body of believers," Shaw said. "We need to get back to really associating with each other and that may require churches, whether predominately white or black, get out of their comfort zones: team up, serve together, go on mission together, fellowship together and even periodically do a pastor swap." "We are only racially divided if we want to be," Shaw said. "We need to be living like Christ throughout this crisis." --30-- This article appeared in the Illinois Baptist (ibsa.org/illinoisbaptist), newsjournal of the Illinois Baptist State Association. Kayla Rinker is a reporter living in southwest Missouri. ********** La. churches prepare for approaching economic boom By Brian Blackwell LAKE CHARLES, La. (Baptist Message) -- The pending construction of a liquefied natural gas facility, a gas to liquid plant as well as other clean energy related projects has Lake Charles and the surrounding area on the verge of an unprecedented economic boom that could pump billons of dollars into the economy and create more than 50,000 jobs over the next seven years While Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana government leaders make preparations to handle this upcoming surge, Southwest Louisiana Baptist churches and leaders are also hard at work as they prepare for the tremendous ministry opportunities that lie ahead. Bright future ahead In the coming years, the city of Lake Charles and surrounding area could see as much as an $86 billion impact on the economy, sparking a growth of 5.7 percent, according to George Swift, president and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance in Lake Charles. Such facilities include liquefied natural gas facilities, gas to liquid plants and other new clean energy projects. With the possibility of 30,000 temporary jobs and 20,000 permanent jobs over the next five to seven years, Swift said that provides a tremendous opportunity for church attendees and members. "Marketing efforts should be undertaken to make newcomers to the region aware of the various churches by location, denomination, and type of services including language diversity," he continued. "Just as businesses will have opportunities to increase sales, area churches have an opportunity to increase and fulfill their mission with the newcomers." To accommodate the additional people that may work as few as a couple of years, an employee village is planned. Expected to be complete this year, the complex called Pelican Lodge will feature living quarters, businesses, recreation facility and a chapel. Rent that is to be determined includes three meals and transportation to and from work sites. The $70 million complex located off Louisiana Highway 397 and one mile south of Interstate 10 will hold up to 4,000 workers at one time. The complex will span across 200 acres of Port of Lake Charles property. A design to reach thousands for Christ Sammy Pate, project manager for Greenfield Logistic Solutions of Louisiana, LLC who is handling the project, has worked alongside Bruce Baker, director of missions for Carey Baptist Association, on the design of the chapel. The plan is to enlist churches to lead ministries such as Bible studies, counseling and serving as a listening ear to the residents of the village. "These guys need someone to talk to when they are away from their families," Baker said. "Even if it's just offering a place for the men to play dominoes, that's a big deal. Knowing someone is there to care and pray for them is a big deal. And that in turn may make the men better workers." Pate hopes the chapel will offer the men an encouraging place of rest and refuel. "I have been to places where I feel so lonely and want a word of encouragement," Pate said. "It is at those moments that the men, some who may go months without seeing their family, have a greater chance of being receptive to the gospel." Baker said that Pelican Lodge presents an opportunity for the business and Christian community to all come together. Out of the village could come compassion and non-profit ministries that will serve Lake Charles' residents in need. "As Sammy and I have connected more and more it's clear Greenfield and others in the biz enterprise they have an interest in investing in them as well," he said. "One thing we have talked about is going to businesses and churches and developing partnerships. There are a lot of Christian business men who have more than money to give. "The more we talk and meet it is clear there are more opportunities," he continued. "To be salt and light we have to go out. I have met a lot of business owners who want to give back in more ways than writing a check." Many times, churches send their members on mission trips to other parts of the United States and world. But this is an opportunity to welcome the world to Lake Charles, Baker said. "God is about to send people here," Baker said. "God's an extravagant God who can accomplish His purposes in any way He wants to. "This will impact people for years to come," he continued. "It will be presenting the gospel but also giving a cup of cold water in Jesus' name. When you do that it always bears fruit and never comes back empty." First Westlake property sale One church already reaping the benefit from the impending economic boom is First Baptist Church of Westlake, which finalized the sale of its property to Sasol energy and chemical company on Dec. 12. Sasol plans to build a transit route on the property as part of an $8 billion ethane cracker and derivatives complex. The ethane cracker will produce 1.5 million tons of ethylene annually. Pastor Wayne McEntire said the church plans to relocate not far from its current location. First Westlake already owns the land where it plans to build the new facility on a 19-acre tract of land adjacent to the Westlake Golf Course. The property was purchased in 1998. "There is a lot of excitement and anticipation in regard to the opportunity before us to increase the effectiveness of our ministry to the community," McEntire said. "We are grateful that provision has been made for us to continue to utilize the current facility as steps are being made to move. The agreement allows us to salvage any of the material property that can be removed before demolition in around two years from now." The church first approached Sasol about purchasing their property at 501 Sulphur Avenue in February. Negotiations continued through November, when the church unanimously approved an offer. Though a final design is not yet complete, the church plans to build a facility at its future location with a large atrium and attractive learning areas for children and youth. The church also is considering using the frame of its existing gymnasium to reconstruct a similar building at the new location. "Sasol is allowing us to utilize our current facility for up to two years while we build," McEntire said. "Therefore, there is no definitive date for a last service and we do not plan to need an interim location. The Vision Team has looked at First Baptist Church of Orange as a pattern we would like to emulate for our construction, with a few modifications. But, there is no date as of now for construction to begin. We feel confident that we can be in a new facility within the allotted two years." Churches eager for the harvest From the onset, Baker said churches in the 65-member Carey Baptist Association have come on board with anticipation of the harvest ahead. East Ridge Baptist Church is one of those and is the church closest to Pelican Lodge. The church with an average worship attendance of 125 is located on Highway 397 and is a little more than a mile from the site of the employee village. Originally located in an area where demographics were changing in Lake Charles, the congregation opted in October 2010 to move to the outskirts of town and to its present location. At the time, most of the surrounding land was mainly grasslands. "People ask us all the time why we moved out here," said Alan Weishampel, pastor of East Ridge Baptist. "And they have a valid point. All they saw were cows and fields. "We did it because God told us to," he said. "It was God in His infinite wisdom leading us here for a bright future." In the coming months and years ahead, more homes and businesses will transform the area around the church from mostly farmland to a majority of structures. Weishampel sees that sharing the gospel with the thousands who will live in the area, whether temporary or permanent, is not an option and now is the time to prepare and pray. "We will look for as many ways as we possibly can to intentionally bring Jesus into their lives," Weishampel said. "Our prayer is as they accept Christ, they will go back to their homes and families and share the Lord with them. Who knows what the Lord will do with that. "Our vision is getting larger as God is revealing it to us," he continued. "We not only have the opportunity but the duty to bring Christ to the new residents, some who will come from other countries. This is our Jerusalem and Judea. It's not an option. We have got to reach these people for Christ." Building on that, Randy Edwards said his congregation is looking forward to seeing the mission field come to Lake Charles. "This church is very mission-minded, going on mission trips all over the state and world, as well as doing some things in the community," said Edwards, pastor of Sale Street Baptist. "But what's going to happen is thrilling because we are now seeing God move the mission field to our back door. We'll have the opportunity to reach a broad spectrum of the population and we want to make sure we are ready for it." Sale Street is already making preparations to accommodate the influx of new residents in the area. In addition to developing new ministries such as job skills training and outreach to apartment communities, the church is in the process of renovating its existing facilities. That will include replacing the existing fellowship hall with one that is larger and can accommodate a variety of activities for its members. Other improvements include renovating and upgrading its children's facility, replacing ceilings and the sound system in the worship center and adding additional classroom space and a welcome center. "We've also developed a much stronger discipleship program for the past three years, which is allowing us a place to disciple new believers that may come into the church," Edwards said. "This church had a great vision years ago to move out to an area that has grown quite a bit. We now have to continue that vision as we reach our neighbors that will come in over the next few years." Moreover, Steve James, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, said reaching ethnic populations such as Hispanics will be important, as he expects many of those moving into the area over the next few years to be Hispanic. James said that having new Hispanic church plants such as the one that meets at Trinity Baptist will be important. Started in January 2013, Iglesia Hispana de Lake Charles has an average attendance of 85 and meet every Sunday at 10:45 a.m. for services. He added that Trinity Baptist over the next few years will explore how it can expand to other venues to its north, east and west parts of the area. "My vision is to see where we can expand," James said. "We are not trying to overlap into someone else's existing work but pick up a ministry that isn't there. We can't sit back and let the people come to us, but we have to go to them." Looking ahead to the construction of Pelican Lodge and the impact churches will have in the midst of the growth and economic boom for years to come, Pate is optimistic. "We serve an extravagant God who has His hand on the future," Pate said. "If we can be a part of it to reach one person with the gospel, it will be worth it. "We have a great opportunity, a field ripe for the harvest," he continued. "For with this purpose God can do great things. We can offer Christ as a solution to the world's problems." --30-- This article appeared in the Baptist Message (baptistmessage.com), newsjournal of the Lousiana Baptist Convention. Brian Blackwell is a staff writer for the Baptist Message. ********** Native American leaders visit California to discuss partnership FRESNO, Calif. (California Southern Baptist) -- Three Native American leaders from North Carolina and Oklahoma recently visited California as the first step in developing a partnership to help with church planting in the Golden State. Gary Hawkins, president of the Fellowship of Native American Christians based in Oklahoma, and Charles Locklear and Chris Hunt of Morning Star Ministries in North Carolina, recently met Fermín A. Whittaker, California Southern Baptist Convention executive director, at a national Southern Baptist gathering of Native Americans. As a result, the men decided to travel to California to explore the possibility of a partnership. During their three-day visit, they met with Whittaker and Howard Burkhart, CSBC church planting catalyst, to get an accurate picture of the current status of Native American work and to look for ways of partnering to start churches on and near the many reservations throughout the state. The group also participated in a Skype call with Pastor Ethan Lawton on the Hoopa reservation in far northern California. Lawton recently graduated from college and moved to Hoopa. The church has grown from four to 16 people; he has started a swim team for the reservation high school and serves as its coach; and he started a Bible study on campus reaching more than 30 high school students. Lawton shared with the men his vision and plans to establish new churches on neighboring reservations. The second day was spent in Tuolumne County meeting with Kevin Gold, pastor of Tuolumne City Baptist Church, and another church leader. They made introductions on the local reservation of the Tuolumne Band of Mi-Wuk Indians, and were introduced to the tribal vice chief, tribal secretary and resident tribal historian and cultural expert. The morning was spent exchanging gifts and stories, along with a special visit in the tribal Round House, the tribal holy and ceremonial place. As a result, a relationship has been initiated. The group also met with CSBC staff in Fresno to discuss ministry possibilities. California has a Native American population of 750,000, about half of whom are full Native American. This makes Native Americans the fifth largest ethnic group in California after Anglos, Hispanics, African-Americans and Filipinos. Additionally, there are 115 federally recognized tribes in California. Riverside is home to Sherman Indian High School, which draws students from several states. While a few Native American people attend multi-ethnic churches, most do not attend any church; some are connected to the tribal and cultural religion. Among California Southern Baptists there are four Native American churches and two outreach Bible studies. Partnership plans are now being made for mission teams, Christian Native American music groups and performers, and other ways to help start new churches and reach people for Christ. For more information, updates or to join in the work, contact Howard Burkhart at hburkhart@csbc.com, 707-746-8782; or the CSBC church starting group at 559-229-9533, ext. 263, cacosta@csbc.com. --30-- This article appeared in the California Southern Baptist (csbc.com/csb), newsjournal of the California Southern Baptist Convention. ********** EDITOR'S NOTE: From the States, published each Tuesday by Baptist Press, relays news and feature stories from state Baptist papers and other publications on initiatives by Baptist churches, associations and state conventions in evangelism, church planting and Great Commission outreach, including partnership missions. Reports about churches, associations and state conventions responding to the International Mission Board's call to embrace the world's 3,800 unengaged, unreached people groups also are included in From the States, along with reports about church, associational and state convention initiatives in conjunction with the North American Mission Board's call to Southern Baptist churches to broaden their efforts in starting new churches and satellite campuses. The items appear in Baptist Press as originally published. -------------------------------------------------------------------- MOVIES: Best, worst, could-have-beens by Phil Boatwright Date: January 06, 2015 - Tuesday KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) -- It's that time of year when we movie critics exalt films that enlightened, enriched or simply entertained cinemagoers. At the same time, we get out our venom-dipped goose quills and take revenge for all those hours stolen by filmmakers who challenged the theory, "Nobody sets out to make a bad movie." The Best I suspect none of my choices will be Oscar picks, but while most critics are examining the impact of a film's technical and artistic merits, I maintain that art shouldn't just be about who we are, but about what we can become. Though this year lacked such greatness, the following selections contained uplifting messages and managed to entertain without bombarding the viewer with negative content. "The Better Angels": Produced by Terrence Malick and filmed in glorious black-and-white cinematography, The Better Angels sheds new light on the little-explored formative years of legendary President Abraham Lincoln and the women who shaped him into one of the most revered men in U.S. history. Based on interviews with Lincoln's family, The Better Angels is a beautiful, insightful and brilliantly composed feature debut from Malick's creative protégé, A. J. Edwards. To say much more about this documentary-like exploration into the making of this man would serve little purpose. It is a film that needs to be experienced on the big screen without interruption. You'll learn about 1800s American farm life; you'll gain insight into the making of a man who helped transform a nation, and you'll realize the importance of a good word or deed. (PG) "God's Not Dead": This is a thoughtful, perceptive and enlightening faith-based film that intelligently argues for God's existence and makes clear that He loves each of us. In an age when the Big Bang and evolution are central teachings in academia, this is a film every Christian student should see, for it reminds them that they need to study God's Word, and ask questions of mature followers of Christ, in order to confront detractors of God's truth. (PG) "Heaven Is For Real": This film stirred up a bit of controversy, as Christians are often suspicious of Hollywood's portrait of heavenly matters, and deservedly so. Time and again, I've stated in my writings that the truth is found in God's Word, seldom in Tinseltown's products. But wow, how great was it to view a movie in theaters that spoke of the reality of God and heaven! A movie such as Heaven Is For Real can certainly set the stage for a meaningful dialogue. And a film dealing with the subject of the soul should remind the faithful of our duty as Christ's ambassadors. (PG) "The Good Lie": After their village is attacked and slaughtered by terrorists, a Sudanese refugee and his siblings are allowed to enter the United States. They've come from a small plains village with absolutely none of the modern conveniences we Americans take for granted. Imagine the culture shock they endure as they attempt to adjust to their new home. Though The Good Lie, the title taken from Huckleberry Finn, has some brutal, unsettling moments, it is full of humor mixed with warmth and pathos. By the end of this illuminating theatrical experience, we are also reminded of how blessed we are to be in America. (PG-13) "Belle" is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of a Royal Navy admiral and an African slave. Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin prevents her from fully participating in the traditions of her social standing. Left to wonder if she will ever find love, Belle, portrayed by Gugu Mabatha-Raw, falls for an idealistic young vicar's son bent on change who, with her help, shapes Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England. The picture documents how good men, having examined the evil of slavery, put their reputations on the line in order to stand against such wrongdoings. Topnotch cinematography, production design and substantive writing help make this endeavor a most engaging night at the movies. (PG) "Bears": Disneynature's documentary follows an Alaskan bear family as its young cubs are taught life's most important lessons. Stunning! Once again, the folks at Disneynature seem to have gone where no man has gone before. From entering the caves where bears are hibernating, to the seeming side-by-side challenge of facing a world that contains avalanches and predators, we are transported into an amazing true-life adventure. (G) "When the Game Stands Tall": A high school football coach teaches his athletes life lessons. Although that same clichéd story structure found in most sports films is this film's one penalty, the film holds our attention throughout with heart, thanks to Thomas Carter's direction. You gotta have heart when telling a football tale and this film does. If you like football and football movies that contain an element of faith-based philosophy, you will love this film. (PG) "Big Hero 6": Loosely based on a Marvel superhero comic book, this action-packed adventure is filled with great use of animation and visuals, a spooky kabuki mask-wearing villain, and several tender moments that give the story poignancy and heart. (PG) The Worst So many elements are required to bring a film together, it's a miracle when any moviemaker succeeds. In these cases, miracles just didn't happen. "Blended": Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler star in this romantic comedy about a man and woman who find themselves stuck together at a resort for families in Africa. I may have outgrown the romance genre, as most entries from the past decade have become as alike as the previous 10. But my main problem with Blended stems from the coarse material the filmmakers placed in a so-called family-friendly film. What's more, if a filmmaker can only muster lowbrow humor, shouldn't it at least be funny? (PG-13) "Noah": I made a mistake on this one. I initially got behind this film because I thought it would generate dialogue about the Bible and matters of spirituality. But giant transformer-like rock people helping Noah build the ark? Oh brother. (PG-13) "The Other Woman": Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton take revenge on a three-timing boyfriend. Sometimes clichéd, often laborious due to slow and miscalculated pacing, the plot is predictable and overly familiar. The comedy is rancid and the language is coarse and profane, proving once again that to Hollywood, a new idea is an old idea with more obscenities. (PG-13) "Bad Words": An angry, cynical, 40-year-old man, bitter from some misdeed done to him in the past, finds a loophole in the rules of a kid's spelling bee and enters the contest seeking revenge. I kept trying to figure out the point of this movie. Son and absentee father issues? Cynicism defeated by a child's innocence? Possibly, but more likely, it's just another attempt to drag society's culture further down the rabbit hole of smutty humor. I'm not suggesting that was the filmmaker's intent, but that's what he achieved. Such is the state of movie comedy in our generation. (R) "The Congress": This sci-fi fantasy has a movie studio making a digital likeness of an actress. She approves of the use of her image for money, but objects 20 years later. Oops, too late. When a filmmaker gets a little too intellectual/artistic, his work can come across as pseudo-intellectual/incoherent. I won't say this film is much ado about nothing, but this live action/animated combo lacks a stimulus for making us care about the proceedings. At some point, we're just wishing it would end so we can go eat. (PG-13) The Could-Have-Beens Many films that will no doubt garner Oscar's attention this year were dreary, downright depressing. Some were agenda based, doing their best to promote secular significance while avoiding a spiritual component found in some of the best films of years past. Such hits as "The Tree of Life," "The Life of Pi," "It's a Wonderful Life," "Dead Man Walking," "Schindler's List," "Places in the Heart" and "Tender Mercies" were works of art that nurtured the spirit and entertained. We had no such productions this year. There were some good films, but enduring classics? No. The following could have been. "Unbroken": I liked this action drama about Louis Zamperini, who was taken prisoner by Japanese forces during World War II after being stranded at sea for 47 days. It was a good movie, but not great. It's only through a couple of written lines at film's end that we learn that Zamperini came to forgive his tormentors, including the barbaric camp commander. Reading those lines, I thought, there's your story! One leaves the theater suspecting they've missed something. (PG-13) "The Identical": Unable to care for newborn twin babies during the Great Depression, a good couple gives one of their sons to a minister and his barren wife. One child grows up the identical to Elvis Presley, and the other grows up identical to the identical. Though I appreciate the fact that the film has some spiritual substance, I can't help thinking the producers wasted Blake Rayne on a film where he's not actually playing Elvis. It's a bizarre concept, having this character built in the likeness of the King of Rock & Roll, which overshadows the film's main themes. (PG) "If I Stay": Life changes in an instant for young Mia Hall, portrayed by Chloë Grace Moretz, after a car accident takes her family and puts her in a coma. During an out-of-body experience, she must decide whether to give in to death or wake up and live. The film intermingles hospital scenes with flashbacks of Hall's life before the accident. The film reflects the sanctity of life, emphasizing that life, despite its troubles and woes, is worth the struggle. And our lives do affect those of others, a lesson well taught long ago in "It's A Wonderful Life." But the older I get, the less enthralled I am with films where characters face death, yet no one in the entire film mentions God. People are seen weeping and waiting, but not one single character is seen praying. What, this family doesn't know anybody who prays? (PG-13) "The Hundred-Foot Journey": A migrant family from India defiantly opens a restaurant across the street from a 4-star eatery. There is a clash between the proprietress of the celebrated French restaurant and her new neighbors, but once she gets a bite of their food, relationships build. Sadly for me this movie, although sumptuous to view, lacks that one ingredient that would make it a satisfying feast. The preparation of food in movies can be seen as a metaphor for life, yet director Lasse Hallstrom ("Chocolat," "The Cider House Rules") either shows contempt for religious matters in his films or, as in this case, ignores religion altogether. Perhaps that's the missing spice. (PG)