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FIRST-PERSON: Stewardship of land
by Shane Burchfiel
Date: March 10, 2014 - Monday

DYERSBURG, Tenn. (BP) -- As a farmer I regularly think about the land and resources that God has granted me to care for. From an agriculture standpoint, the United States is blessed with soils that are rich and deep, along with strong water resources. In addition, diversification and technological advances continue to make our jobs easier. I believe that most farmers desire to be good stewards of their land. They strive to leave the land and resources to the next generation in even better condition than when they assumed care of it.

There are well over 50 passages of Scripture that deal with various forms of stewardship. Some deal with stewardship of land (a significant theme in the Old Testament) and resources, others deal with money. Many will be familiar with passages from Genesis 1 and 2, Psalm 24 and 50, and throughout most every genre of Scripture. In Luke 19, Jesus rewards the servants for the wise use of time and management while rebuking the waste of these resources.

With over 98 percent of the people in the U.S. depending on someone else for their food, we as producers have a vested interest in caring for our land and animals in a way that is ethical, sustainable and, yes, profitable. While I enjoy Levon Helm's music, I do not necessarily want to be singing the "Poor Old Dirt Farmer" blues. Besides, "profit" need not be a bad word. In fact, treated with the right attitude, profitability leads to even greater generosity.

Two important components of this discussion are how the land is treated and what the land is used for. What makes one a good or bad steward of the land? Biblical stewardship at its foundational level is recognition that God owns everything, regardless of whose name is on the title or deed.

Joseph undoubtedly understood this. Adam and Eve, not so much, at least not at first. What about in our modern era? If I fertilize my fields with uranium that's bad, right? No one really wants glow-in-the-dark corn. But what if I plant GMO seed? Isn't one of the beasts referenced in Revelation 13 Monsanto? Am I a good steward if I grow organic edamame beans, gently watered with butterfly tears, and only sold to Chipotle? Who decides this?

First, the food I grow is the same food I eat. It is also the same food that my wife and children eat. I am confident in the safety of our nation's food supply, regardless if the food is grown by more conventional methods as is done on our family farm or on smaller scales via locally grown networks, community gardens or certified organic farms. I desire all producers to be successful, because we all need to be so in order to continue feeding a growing global population. As Howard Buffet has well documented in his book "40 Chances," many nations struggle with depleted soils, severe drought and tyrannical control so much so that many barely have enough food to eat once a day, much less the three-plus meals per day that most of us enjoy here.

Second, it would seem counterproductive for me to not be a good steward of the land. The land is what I derive my livelihood from. Why would I want to hurt it? I believe modern farming practices are safe and sustainable. No-tilling, crop rotation, cover crops, advanced hybrid selection, greater emphasis on reducing erosion, reducing pesticide and fertilizer use, reducing fuel use all lead to cleaner air and water and healthier soils. And we're getting better at it every year while continuing to increase efficiency and productivity. I believe, despite a lot of negative press, agriculture in the U.S. overall is moving in the right direction, not in one that reminds us of a Hollywood scene in "The Hunger Games" from District 12 of Panem.

So therein lies the rub. Lines are drawn, sides are chosen, beans are counted and everyone begins throwing them at each other. Somewhere in this bean toss war, the bigger questions of sustainability and stewardship gets lost. It is an important discussion that many folks are having concerning how and where our food is produced, and one that needs to continue. But ultimately, I try to take a rational, realistic and common sense approach to how I manage the land in my care, and one that I do not believe is in conflict with Scripture. And I believe the overwhelming majority of producers do so as well.

It really is a luxury to have this kind of debate. While many people around the globe wonder where their next meal will come from, we can argue over choosing to shop at Whole Foods or Walmart. A lot of us have that choice. I and the other farmers in this land want to continue to strive to produce the best product possible so that consumers continue to have that choice. Simply put, stewardship is a way of living, or farming, that recognizes everything belongs to God and our resources are His resources to be used for His glory and the common good. And as long as I continue to operate within the framework of God's created design, I'll steward the ground over which God has entrusted to my care so that that choice will remain as long as people want it.
--30--
Shane Burchfiel works on a family farm in Dyer County, Tenn., where he raises cotton, corn, soybeans and wheat and manages a timber tract. He is a 2011 graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. 


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Crimean tension stirs call for prayer, Bibles
by Nicole Lee
Date: March 10, 2014 - Monday

CRIMEA, Ukraine (BP) -- Crimean pastor Kostya Bakonov said he believes the conflict in Ukraine is not only a political battle, but a battle for souls as well, calling for more Bible and more prayer.

In the middle of what some are calling the biggest crisis between Moscow and the West since the Cold War, Ukrainian Christians are not panicking, but are on the offensive by praying.

Last week, Ukraine ordered a full military mobilization in response to the buildup of Russian forces on the Crimean peninsula, an autonomous republic within the border of Ukraine. 

Ukrainian's new Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, has warned that the country is "on the brink of disaster," with Crimea's multiethnic population battling over decisions concerning its future while NATO and Russia stand on opposing sides.  

Bakonov, who leads a church in the Crimean city of Simferopol, said that all across Ukraine churches are calling for prayer vigils to ask God for peace in their country and for His name to be glorified. 

"In our church we have a prayer chain 24/7," he said, asking believers worldwide to join them in praying for their country. "I fervently believe the crisis in Ukraine is not only about the political stability in the country and region but also for the souls of men."

After protesters in Kiev saw president Viktor Yanukovych removed in late February, the Russian majority of Crimea began challenging the authority of Ukraine, seeking to return to the 1992 constitution in which it briefly had its own president and foreign policy. 

It only heightened the discord when one of the first decisions of the interim Kiev government was to revoke a law that permitted Russian to be recognized as the official language in Crimea. About 97 percent of the population speaks Russian as their first language, according to a Kiev International Institute of Sociology poll. 

Russian president Vladimir Putin has maintained his right to defend the Russian people of Crimea and was asked to do so by Yanukovych, whom Putin claims is the rightful Ukrainian president. Ukrainian and Western governments support the legality of the current government and have warned that Russia's action on Ukrainian soil is a declaration of war. 

Crimean citizens are divided on whether they want to be independent, remain part of Ukraine or become part of Russia. 

Despite differing views, believers in Crimea are sticking to the bigger issue. 

In the face of escalating tension and increased media speculation, Bakonov said his motto has become "less news and television, more Bible and prayer."

"Yes, we are concerned about the situation in Crimea, but I encourage our congregation of 800 believers by the Word of God," he said. "I continue to preach the Gospel to the people of Crimea and beyond."

Despite constant changes and rising tensions, Bakonov is most concerned for the spiritual outcome of this time of unrest. He was encouraged that, during the Maidan protests, churches in Kiev ministered in the center of the unrest and helped Ukrainians find peace in the midst of the conflict. 

He said many people in the country are spiritually open because of the ongoing hostilities.

"Many people in Ukraine have been searching for answers and are seeking the answers from churches and ministers.  We praise God that He is opening hearts to reveal Himself," Bakonov said. 

He asks for prayer for peace in the region and for the leaders involved in decision-making, including Putin and Ukrainian president Alexander Turchynov. 

Bakonov said Turchynov is a strong believer in Jesus and prays that Turchynov will boldly and righteously lead the country and seek Godly counsel. Turchynov is a Baptist lay preacher who frequently speaks in local churches.

"Our team believes that the changes going on in Ukraine are a second chance from God for the people to turn to God and seek Jesus as their Savior," he said.
--30--
Nicole Lee is an IMB writer based in Europe. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).




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Crossover Baltimore to bring hope through partnerships
by Sara Shelton
Date: March 10, 2014 - Monday

BALTIMORE (BP) -- Less than a year ago Bob Mackey spent a Saturday traveling around Houston. On that day, during Crossover 2013, the executive director of the Baltimore Baptist Association witnessed partnership in action.

He saw visiting Southern Baptists working alongside the local association, churches of Houston and hundreds of other Southern Baptists from across the nation. All were gathering together for the citywide service and outreach initiative preceding the SBC annual meeting. 

Since then Mackey and his team at the Baltimore Baptist Association have been working hard to prepare for Crossover Baltimore, taking place in their home city on June 7.

"We visited a lot of different events taking place as a part of Crossover Houston," Mackey recalled. "It was exciting to see what God can do for a city through service and partnership. I left with a great sense of hope and expectation for what God will do when Crossover comes to our city this year."

The day of evangelism takes place the Saturday before the SBC and invites visiting Southern Baptists to serve alongside Baltimore churches by hosting block parties, evangelism outreaches, health clinics, sports camps and various other outreach events. Mackey and his team already have participants scheduled to serve from more than twelve states, including Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi, Maryland and Delaware, as well as commitments from many sister associations.

"We are excited about the interest we've seen from other states and churches to serve with us in Baltimore this year," Mackey said. "These partners coming alongside us will help extend our reach around the city and connect our community to the local churches already at work in Baltimore."

Local pastors and church planters are gearing up for the event as well. Some are opening their churches as hosting sites for the day, putting on events and working with visiting teams to set up evangelism and outreach efforts in their neighborhoods. Others are sending teams out to serve alongside sister churches around the city. Mackey said he believes this sense of camaraderie and cooperation between the churches of Baltimore comes from a shared hope for people of the region to meet Christ.

"Our churches are excited about the unique opportunity to share Christ with our city that Crossover will bring," he said. "Baltimore is not like a lot of other places in the country. We're not in a predominantly Christian region of the country; we don’t have a church on every corner or throngs of people actively seeking out Christianity. Our hope is that, through the partnership of others in the SBC, Crossover will represent Christ to the people of Baltimore and our region and lay a greater foundation for our local churches."

Partnership has been a key piece of the preparation for Crossover Baltimore, and Mackey believes it will be an essential piece of the day itself. The Baltimore Baptist Association has been working closely with the North American Mission Board as well as state conventions and associations to pray and prepare for Crossover Baltimore.

"NAMB is sharing about Crossover Baltimore on a national level while our state conventions and associations are sharing with their congregations on a more local level," Mackey explained. "Their help and support has been key for us. They are giving us a voice and giving people a chance to come and be a part of seeing Christ magnified in the Baltimore area."

Al Gilbert, NAMB's vice president for evangelism, said, "We want the Southern Baptist Convention meeting to leave Baltimore with more than just a brief economic boost. We want to leave behind changed lives and re-energized churches. I hope everyone attending this year will arrive a day early and participate."

Gilbert said Crossover Baltimore is also an opportunity to help church planters who are serving as part of NAMB's Send North America: Baltimore emphasis. Several projects will partner with and benefit local church plants.

Mackey knows firsthand the importance of a Southern Baptist outreach in an under-reached and underserved area like the Northeast. He became a Christian at age fifteen after an encounter with a Southern Baptist church in Connecticut and has since spent much of his life working to reach others in the region. For him, Crossover is more than a day of service -- it's an answer to prayer.

"It's an honor and a privilege to have events like Crossover and the Southern Baptist Convention come to Baltimore this year," he said. "To see the name of Christ glorified through service to our city is an answered prayer. Now our continued prayer is that individuals in our city who haven't before had the opportunity to see what it looks like to see Jesus will see Him in the hands, feet and hearts of those serving at Crossover."

For more information on Crossover Baltimore, visit embracebaltimore.com/crossover or contact Cindy Irizarry at cindycrossoverbaltimore@gmail.com.
--30--
Sara Shelton is a writer for the North American Mission Board. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).


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Ministry spreads amid unrest in Venezuela
by Maria Elena Baseler
Date: March 10, 2014 - Monday

CARACAS, Venezuela (BP) -- As tensions escalate amid anti-government protests across Venezuela, International Mission Board missionaries and their Venezuelan Baptist partners are ministering to Venezuelans on both sides of the conflict. 

One Venezuelan Baptist pastor goes to the front lines of the protests, praying with demonstrators and their opponents at barricades protesters have erected in Caracas, the capital city. He also visits Venezuela's National Guard and police stations to pray for their forces, even though some of them have been accused of alleged human-rights violations against protestors. 

At a barricade where he went to pray with demonstrators, the pastor "put the skids on an attack on protesters," reported Matthew Starr*, IMB missionary in Caracas. 

Residents of a nearby barrio (slum) approached, carrying sticks and stones, ready to attack demonstrators. The barrios of Caracas -- stretching up the mountains surrounding the city -- are considered bastions of support for the socialist government.

"He went across to the attackers and said he was a Baptist pastor and was praying with folks from both sides, sharing their need for God to take control of the situation," Starr recounted. "This defused the &#91;conflict&#93; and they didn't carry out the attack."

"Pray for this pastor as he's making this his ministry during this crisis," Starr added. "He's also asking other pastors to get involved." 

Another front-line ministry is happening through a Baptist church located near the main protest area in Caracas. Every morning some church members prayerwalk the area before protests begin in the afternoon. 

Although church leaders cancelled prayer meetings at their building for security reasons, they asked members to pray together in homes and invite their neighbors to join them. 

One family shared that five non-Christian neighbors showed up for a prayer meeting in their home. 

"Many unsaved Venezuelans are realizing they just don't have the spiritual resources to face the crisis," Starr observed.  

The latest crisis erupted in early February when students in western Venezuela staged demonstrations after a female university student allegedly was raped. Protesters demanded the government address Venezuela's crime issues; the country has the fifth highest murder rate in the world, according to news reports. They also complained about Venezuela's 56 percent inflation rate -- the world's highest -- and a shortage of basic goods like milk, cooking oil and toilet paper. 

After police detained some students, anti-government demonstrations spread to Caracas and other cities. 

Venezuela has been deeply divided politically for nearly 15 years, a rift that began as the late President Hugo Chavez ushered in socialism during his 14-year presidency. That rift widened after the March 2013 death of Chavez and the bitterly contested election last April of his hand-picked successor, Nicolás Maduro. 

"There's been a lot of discontent in the country, even before the protests broke out," Starr noted. "&#91;The unrest&#93; has just been building." 

"A fuse has been lit, but we just don't know how long the fuse is," a Venezuelan pastor told Starr six months ago.

So far, at least 20 people have been killed in violence surrounding the protests, news reports said. 

After the first of those deaths, the National Baptist Convention of Venezuela issued a statement condemning the violence and urging democratic solutions. The statement also asked Christians around the world to pray for Venezuela, calling for "heartfelt and ongoing prayer to God, imploring Him to shine His face over us, to heal our nation and to help us to face and transform the present circumstances for the good of all Venezuelans."

IMB leaders echoed that call to prayer and urged prayer for Venezuelan Baptists and IMB missionaries in Venezuela. 

Terry Lassiter, the IMB's strategy leader for the American Peoples Affinity Group, said "…. God is moving in greater ways in evangelism and church planting &#91;there&#93; than ever before."

"This has not been an easy time for our missionaries &#91;and their Venezuelan Baptist partners&#93;," Lassiter added, "so pray that God will use them in mighty ways like never before." 

Christopher Rigdon*, IMB missionary in Caracas, said, "As the world focuses on Venezuela and its problems, pray that we as well as our national partners would remain faithful to what we have been called to do." 

Despite the unrest, Baptists in Caracas are planning for an early launch of a city-wide evangelistic campaign previously scheduled for August. In preparation, leaders asked church members to start home prayer meetings and invite non-Christian neighbors to join them. 

"The idea is to saturate the city in prayer," Ridgon said. "Just imagine what could be if every street and every apartment building were covered in prayer. Each prayer group has the potential to become a new church in the network of churches in the city."

Meanwhile, Rigdon and his IMB colleagues are reaching out to their neighbors while spending more time at home due to barricaded streets and security concerns. 

Rigdon and his wife Kate* have found ministry opportunities while waiting in long lines at grocery stores due to food shortages. 

One day a woman behind them said she'd just received a message via Twitter reporting that another demonstration was beginning.  

"You could see the concern and anxiety on her face," Rigdon recalled. 

Rigdon then offered to pray with her. "Right there in the checkout line, we bowed in prayer," he said. "My wife looked up at the end of the prayer and realized that those around us had also bowed in prayer, too." 

Another day in a checkout line, a Venezuelan man mentioned the recent unrest. Rigdon turned the topic to spiritual matters and shared his testimony. The man seemed open, so Rigdon offered to get together later to share more. Within a few hours, the man texted Rigdon and asked to meet the next Saturday.  

"Many Venezuelans know they need something in their lives. Unfortunately, many have filled that void with worldly things and not God," Rigdon said. "They need &#91;believers&#93; to ask tough questions like, 'What's keeping you from making the choice to follow Christ?'"

Starr and his wife Monica* are asking those questions of a Venezuelan family that unjustly lost their business because of Venezuela's political and economic situation. As the family struggled to cope, the Starrs shared the Gospel with them. The mother and her children now come twice a week to the Starrs' apartment, where Monica leads them in Bible study. 

"Pray that they will come to &#91;a&#93; relationship with the Lord," Monica said. 

The Starrs and their colleagues ask Southern Baptists to pray that same thing for Venezuelans on both sides of the country's conflict. 

"Many Venezuelans have turned their backs on God … and they need to submit to God and recognize His sovereignty," Matthew Starr said. "A nation that turns &#91;its&#93; back on God is not going to be blessed." 

Pray requests:

-- Pray evangelical churches in Venezuela will not take sides in Venezuela's political conflict but will focus instead on reaching Venezuelans for Christ. 

-- Pray many unsaved Venezuelans on both sides of the conflict will come to know Jesus Christ as Savior.

-- Pray for God's protection and wisdom for IMB missionaries and their Venezuelan Baptist partners as they seek creative ways to minister amid the unrest. 

-- Pray for the safety of some Venezuelan Baptists ministering on the front lines of the protest areas. 

-- Pray that the Venezuelan government will listen to the concerns of protesters and that peaceful solutions can be found. 

-- Pray for reconciliation among the people of Venezuela, who are deeply divided politically. 
--30--
*Name changed. Maria Elena Baseler is an IMB editor/writer living in the Americas. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).

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BP Ledger, March 10 2014
by Staff
Date: March 10, 2014 - Monday

<i>EDITOR'S NOTE: BP Ledger carries items for reader information each week from various Southern Baptist-related entities, and news releases of interest from other sources. The items are published as received.</i>

Today's BP Ledger contains items from:
Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia
Campbellsville University
Christian Newswire
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Judson College

President of the SBC hopes to encourage Virginia churches
By Ishmael LaBiosa/SBC of Virginia

GLEN ALLEN, Va. (Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia) -- The former president of the SBC Pastor's Conference is opening up his church for a special conference with the current President of the SBC. 

Dr. Grant Ethridge serves as the senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton and the President of the SBC of Virginia (SBCV). He served as president of the SBC Pastor's Conference in 2011. Ethridge and his church will host a new SBCV event - Empowered Conference. 

This is a new event that will bring evangelism, leadership, and a Bible conference into one to help strengthen churches. Dr. Fred Luter, the President of the Southern Baptist Convention, Senior Pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, and a personal friend of Ethridge, is one of the guest speakers. 

"It is an honor to have the first African American President of the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Fred Luter, to meet with us," said Ethridge. "Dr. Luter has a pastor's heart. He has poured his life into reaching his city, New Orleans, where he was born."

Dr. Alvin Reid, the Professor of Evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, will also take the stage at the conference. Reid plans to challenge attendees through evangelism.

"I love leaders," exclaimed Dr. Alvin Reid. "I love encouraging leaders. I love the next generation. I have a real burden to not only help reach the next generation, but also equip the next generation to help reach their friends and to be on mission for the rest of their lives."

"We're calling SBC of Virginia pastors, church staff, church leaders, and members from our churches together to be encouraged and equipped," said Dr. Brian Autry, Executive Director of the SBCV. "We know the Lord Jesus has told us that we will be His witnesses because of the power of His Holy Spirit. "

Ethridge added, "We believe pastors, staff members, and attendees will return to their churches energized and empowered to carry out the Great Commission." 

Empowered Conference is a one-day event on March 11 from 10 am – 3 pm held at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia. Go to www.sbcv.org to learn more.
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CU swim teams sweep Buffalo Funds NAIA Champions of Character Awards
By Chris Megginson/Campbellsville University

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Campbellsville University) -- For the last five years, Campbellsville University has used the slogan "More Than a Game." The NAIA recognized that in two of CU's 25 sports teams on March 5, awarding both the CU women's and men's swimming programs as the Buffalo Funds NAIA Champions of Character Team Award for their respective sport.

CU sophomore Shelby Mattingly was also recognized as CU's individual Champion of Character.

The team award is nominated for by each school and presented annually to one team from each of the NAIA's 23 championship sports.

"Congratulations to Coach (Casey) Smith and both of her swim teams for being recognized for their character, servant leadership and service to others. This validates that our efforts with the Champions of Character program are being successful. This is a great honor for our swim teams, the athletics department and the entire campus community," said Rusty Hollingsworth, athletic director.

Campbellsville University's nomination was lengthy with just some of the many things the swim teams do throughout the year to demonstrate positive character on campus and in the community.

"With a team of mostly freshmen and sophomores, it is particularly exciting for me to see both Swimming Tigers receive this award. They have such a strong desire to reach out not only to each other but also to other student-athletes on Campbellsville University's campus, swim teams from other schools and the local Campbellsville community," CU swim coach Casey Smith said. "From moments about honesty of missed classes to the desire to run a marathon to honor God, my athletes have been a wonderful model of what it means to truly be a Champion of Character. Being with them as they show such amazing character reminds me why I love to coach!"

Last April, Smith and freshman Jenna Rueff completed the 26.2 mile Kentucky Derby Marathon as a promise Rueff made with God more than a year and a half prior. Rueff did so after overcoming brain surgery and continuing her swim career. That moment, along with others sprinkled in through the 2012-13 season, built a foundation and desire for character among the returning "Fab Five" of the CU women's team.

This men's program, which was reestablished in 2012-13, has a completely new roster this season and also quickly formed together to build character.

"As this is the first full season with our reinstated men's team, it has been particularly exciting for me to see this group of guys not only bond together, but be willing to catch my vision for the program and incorporate that into their building of the men's program," Smith said. "The current roster is a wonderful group of guys who have been working very hard to establish a foundation of positive character traits. They have had to create a healthy and positive atmosphere for each other and in cooperation with the women's team."

During the first week of the 2013-14 season, as CU's athletic department began to emphasis character building more, so did Smith's swimmers. For the last few seasons, Smith has rewarded Champions of Character swim caps to her swimmers who are displaying positive attitudes and examples. This, along with teachings throughout practice and meetings, expanded in 2013-14 with student-led movements.

In September 2013, both swim team participated with the entire athletic department in the Green River Lake Cleanup, and then also helped host the inaugural CU Tigers Fall Festival for the local community. Also, in the fall, Smith was featured in CU's Live 5 video series to talk about servant leadership. Each CU head coach will be featured in a Champions of Character video through the 2013-14 academic year.

During each home meet this season, the teams placed a "Change for Change" jar at the front door to help raise money for an organization called Beading to Beat Autism, a non-profit run by a girl in her teens from Louisville, Ky. Even though the regular season is over, the jar remains in the swim office to help Beading to Beat Autism reach its $5 million fund-raising goal.

In November, Mattingly rallied her team around the idea of having a 12-hour dance marathon called Dance Maroon to raise awareness for the St. Baldrick's organization, which gathers funds and research for pediatric cancer. More than 100 students and community members participated to launch the men's and women's teams' combined goal of raising $5,000 for St. Baldrick's. Members of both teams will also participate in the annual Color to Conquer 5K on March 15 and the St. Baldrick's Shave-a-thon on campus March 22.

CU also has been a servant leader in the swim community, by extending a helping hand to other programs. In January, CU invited fellow Mid-South Conference team Bethel University to share in their Senior Day festivities since Bethel did not have any home meets. On Feb. 8, CU opened its doors to host the first high school meet in the community in more than 20 years in Powell Athletic Center. The Tiger and Lady Tiger swimmers worked as life guards, timers, meet managers, staff to aid fans and high school athletes, ticket sales and concessions.

Most recently, Smith arranged a special trip to Briarwood Elementary School and Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla. CU was scheduled to visit with both schools during the day on March 4 to begin their trip to Oklahoma City, but inclement weather forced the teams to cancel the event with Moore Schools being closed and CU's bus being stuck on I-40 in Arkansas.

Campbellsville's student-athletes took advantage of the traffic jam though, finding a way to serve others despite being stuck on the road for 42 hours. CU, which was sharing a bus with the Bethel swim teams, gave away bottled water and offered snacks to the University of the Cumberlands swim team, which was also stuck on I-40 in front of them, and loaned the bus' bathrooms to other motorists stuck in the traffic jam.

While the list of acts of kindness could go on-and-on, as well as stories of team and personal Bible studies within the team, one thing that stands out about CU's program is the character building and life changes which occur during the season.

As part of the nomination process, coaches are asked for student-athletes to comment on character.

For the women, sophomore Bailey Foxworth described how she has learned to enjoy her sport once again at CU. Foxworth's essay described how she used to be focused solely on her result, but has learned to cheer for her teammates once out of the water.

"If swimming isn't a team-oriented sport, then I don't know what is," Foxworth wrote. "I have been swimming competitively since I was 6 years old, and for 13 years I've dedicated my life to this sport, but until I started swimming for Campbellsville University, I held fast to my belief in swimming as individual sport."

Foxworth, who admitted she considered during her first semester in Fall 2012 of transferring at the end of the year to get away from swimming, accepted Christ in Oct. 2012 during a campus revival.

"I finally let Jesus into my heart. I stopped worrying about being the best swimmer on the team, and started to fall in love with swimming again. It was through my teammates, my wonderful coach, and my growing relationship with Christ that I learned sportsmanship, and what it truly means to be a part of a team," Foxworth said.

In the men's nomination, freshman Devon Cross admitted the men's team has had to learn good communication, commitment and accountability this season, even at times when it wasn't fun to do so.

"We've learned the hard way this season, but yet through any trial, it builds more and more character," Cross said. "Our coach taught us that being on a team, we are one body. It has several different parts that make the whole system operate, some seem small and insignificant, but when you move just one of those parts it cannot work like it used to."

Smith's message of her teams being one body comes from 1 Corinthians 12, a passage she has taught throughout the year and placed on her team's shirts during preseason – a lesson which the teams are now living out and sharing with others.

"I am blessed by my teams and so proud of the way they are learning to serve together. Living and loving like Christ is not an easy lifestyle choice, especially in collegiate athletics, but it is a choice that is much more possible when you have support," Smith said. "My athletes have been working on supporting one another to live, practice and compete in a way that is not the norm, a way that takes much more effort.

CU women's and men's swimming are the third and fourth Campbellsville University sports teams to receive the NAIA Champions of Character Team Award since 2010. CU women's basketball received the award in March 2010 and CU football received it in December 2010.

The 2013-14 women's swimming roster includes Lindy Charity of Pretoria, South Africa; Jessica Cook of Tilbury, Ontario; Bailey Foxworth of Georgetown, Ky.; Casey Galyon of Louisivlle, Ky.; Emily Hunter of Newark, Del.; Katylnn Lanham of Owensboro, Ky.; Shelby Mattingly of Versailles, Ky.; Olivia Murphy of Mt. Sterling, Ky.; Jessica Paasch of Valley Springs, Calif.; Kyle Perkins of North Pole, Alaska; Jenna Rueff of Louisville, Ky.; and Rebekah Tilton of Crestview, Fla.

The 2013-14 men's swimming roster includes Filippo Albertino of Turin, Italy; Brad Clem of Scottsburg, Ind.; Devon Cross of Lewisburg, Ky.; Daniel Fathergill of Lexington, Ky.; Jonathan Kattus of Versailles, Ky.; Tanner Marcum of Frankfort, Ky.; Alex Meade of Paintsville, Ky.; and Tyler Vaughn of Lewisburg, Ky.

Both teams are coached by head coach Casey Smith and graduate assistant Zac Malyon.
**********
World Congress of Families calls on pro-family groups around the world to pray for Ukraine; WCF Meeting in Kiev Planned for Summer 2014

ROCKFORD, Ill. (Christian Newswire) -- World Congress of Families managing director Larry Jacobs today called on the international pro-life and pro-family network to pray for peace in Ukraine. "We are concerned about the crisis in Ukraine and pray for world leaders to come together to promote peace and resolve the conflict," Jacobs said. "We echo Pope Francis's prayer, 'that all parts of the country work to overcome misunderstandings and to build together the future of the nation.' We have many Christian friends and pro-family leaders of all faiths in all regions of Ukraine.  We pray for their safety and their important work to promote authentic human rights, encourage the natural family, and protect human life from conception to natural death." 

Jacobs announced that planning for a special World Congress of Families event in Ukraine's capital city of Kiev would continue. "After speaking with our friends and supporters in Ukraine, we are pleased to announce that they are continuing their efforts to organize a World Congress of Families regional meeting in Kiev this summer in collaboration with WCF leaders from Eastern Europe and Russia to promote the natural family as the fundamental unit of a free and stable society that transcends all political differences and the interests of nations and armies," he said.

Quoting from Pope Benedict XVI, Jacobs said, "peace begins at home."   He continued: "May these words inspire world leaders to true lasting peace in Ukraine...'Where does true education in peace and justice take place? First of all, in the family, since parents are the first educators.  The family is the primary cell of society; it is in the family that children learn the human and Christian values which enable them to have a constructive and peaceful coexistence.  It is in the family that they learn solidarity between the generations, respect for rules, forgiveness and how to welcome others.  The family is the first school in which we are trained in justice and peace.'" Jacobs concluded, "Amen.  May it be so."

For more information on World Congress of Families, visit www.worldcongress.org. To schedule an interview with Larry Jacobs, contact Don Feder at 508-405-1337 or dfeder@rcn.com.
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Bettie F. Ferguson, wife of former Midwestern Seminary president, passes away at 86
 
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) -- Bettie F. Ferguson, the wife of former Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Milton Ferguson, died on March 6 at St. Luke's Hospice House in Kansas City, Mo., according to the family. She was 86.

Dr. Jason K. Allen, president of Midwestern Seminary, offered his condolences to the family, "The entire Midwestern Seminary community celebrates Mrs. Ferguson's life, mourns her death, and prays for Dr. Ferguson and the family at this time. It has been my personal joy to know Dr. and Mrs. Ferguson since my election as president of Midwestern Seminary. They have been a deep source of personal encouragement to me. Their love for Christ, the seminary, and one another, have made a deep impression on so many." 
 
Mrs. Ferguson was born on Oct. 10, 1927. She met Dr. Ferguson on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University in 1949, and they married on June 12, 1951. The Ferguson's had three daughters Jane Anne, Julia, Jo Catherine (deceased), as well as several grandchildren.

Dr. Ferguson became the second president of Midwestern Seminary in 1973 after Dr. Millard Berquist retired in 1972. He served in that capacity until he retired in 1995. 
 
According to Allen, Mrs. Ferguson played a key role during her husband's tenure at the school. "Throughout Dr. Ferguson's tenure as Midwestern Seminary's president, Mrs. Ferguson served faithfully and sacrificially by his side," Allen said. "Her love for students and the seminary community as a whole remains a part of the seminary's memory and is a tribute to her legacy."

"Mrs. Ferguson was a kind and gentle figure on campus," recalled Midwestern Seminary Librarian, Dr. Craig Kubic, who was hired during Dr. Ferguson's tenure. "She graciously hosted many student's wives and faculty wives events. Her pleasant personality always made students and visitors to the campus feel at home." He added that Mrs. Ferguson was also a very visible figure at seminary chapel services, special occasions, and ladies' events. She was also a faithful member of the Midwestern Singers. 
 
Mrs. Ferguson's presence was also felt within the local community, serving as president of the Assistance League of Kansas City, including when it was chartered as a chapter in 1983. Her work led to the establishment of the current ReSale shop on North Oak Trafficway in Kansas City, Mo. 
 
The family will hold a memorial service at First Baptist Church of Independence Mo., 500 Truman Road, Independence, Mo.on Friday, March 14 at 2 p.m. A reception and time to visit with family and friends will take place following the memorial service. 
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Judson equestrians win national all-academic awards
By George Frangoulis
 
MARION, Ala. (Judson College) -- The Judson College Equestrian team is proud to announce this year's Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National All-Academic Award recipients. The purpose of the award is to recognize the individual academic achievements of our participating undergraduate members each year.
 
Team members named to the All-Academic First Team (achieving a grade point average of 3.8 or higher, based on a 4.0 scale): Senior, Rebecca Malphurs of Dothan, Ala.; junior, Brianne Culp of Bruinswick, Ohio; freshman, Katie Gehr of Waukesha, Wisconsin.
 
Team members named to the All-Academic Second Team (achieving a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on a 4.0 scale): Junior, Kayla Syck of Deatsville, Ala.; sophomore, Dakota Runnels of Gainesville, Florida.

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Presbyterian mega church leaves denomination
by Gregory Tomlin
Date: March 10, 2014 - Monday

NASVHILLE (BP) -- The 4,000-member Menlo Park Presbyterian Church has decided to sever ties with Presbyterian Church (USA) over differences in doctrine and evangelistic philosophy.

The move will cost the San Francisco Bay-area church, popularized by the preaching of Pastor John Ortberg, $8.89 million, because all church property is owned by the PC(USA)'s local presbytery and not individual churches. Menlo Park's members, which include former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, approved the severance with the PC(USA) earlier this month, with 93 percent of the church's members signing off on the move. 

Menlo Park's pastor and elders provided a rationale for leaving the denomination. In a statement, church leadership contended Menlo Park's evangelical identity -- its understanding of who Jesus is, the authority of Scripture, and its evangelistic methods -- were "increasingly out of alignment with the PC(USA)."

"For years we have referred to ourselves as a 'Jesus church.' We believe that God has expressed himself uniquely in his son Jesus, who lived, taught, died and rose again for our sakes. We believe that … God has revealed the truth about himself in the scriptures of the Old and New Testament, which are our unique and authoritative guides in faith and action," according to the rationale provided by the church's leaders.

The rationale also said the PC(USA) "increasingly represents a wide range of beliefs on who Jesus is and on his relationship to our salvation." Those beliefs include denials of the deity of Christ and his role in salvation. In a 2011 denominational survey, only 41 percent of the denomination's pastors "agreed" or "strongly agreed" with the statement, "Only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved." Forty-five percent said they "disagreed" or "strongly disagreed."

For those who teach doctrine contrary to what is contained in Scripture, the statement of rationale claimed "disciplinary actions provided for in the Book of Order are rarely if ever invoked against pastors for their theological views."

The PC(USA)lost 61,000 members in 2010, 64,000 in 2011 and 103,000 in 2012. Today, only 1.8 million members remain in the denomination, according to the denomination's own reports.

In a statement following the announcement of the church's intention to separate, Ortberg said the departure from the denomination was "not an ending but a beginning. There's a lot yet to come of what Dallas Willard called the unique life of spiritual adventure in living with God daily -- entering fully into the good news Jesus has brought, for ourselves, and for us as a church."

Menlo Park has voted to join the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO), which was founded in 2012 and which includes 115 churches previously separated from the PC(USA). It did not join the more conservative Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), founded in 1973 over the increasing theological liberalism of the PC(USA). The PCA also has resisted female leadership in its churches, which may have prevented Menlo Park and other churches from joining its ranks.

Human sexuality, same-sex marriage and the ordination of homosexual ministers were not cited as reasons for the church's departure from the denomination. However, in spite of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) upholding the traditional definition of marriage in 2012, the denomination dropped its prohibition on non-celibate homosexual ministers in 2010. 

The issue of same-sex marriage is also expected to resurface at this year's General Assembly. 

Christianity Today reported March 7 the departure of the Menlo Park church came one week to the day after First Presbyterian Church in Houston narrowly voted to remain in the PC(USA) instead of joining the ECO. That church is the seventh largest in the nation, according to the Washington Post.

R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., told Baptist Press that Menlo Park's departure from the waning denomination demonstrates the importance of biblical doctrine and the cost that may be associated with keeping it. 

"The congregation voted to leave, knowing it would cost them nearly $9 million to keep their own facilities. This points to the fact that theology matters. Keeping the faith is worth infinitely more than $9 million," Mohler said.

For their action, Malcolm Yarnell, director of the Center for Theological Research at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, said the church deserves praise. In fact, he said, it had no other choice but to separate from its parent denomination.

"The doctrinal error of the PC(USA) certainly requires the church to separate. The tragedy for this local church is that it has to purchase its separation. This is one place where Baptist polity is far superior, for local church Christonomy (direct rule by Christ as Lord) demands that no other church or denomination may own or direct a church, for Jesus Christ rules the church," said Yarnell, who writes frequently on issues of church polity.

Doctrinal issues aside, Menlo Park also rejected the PC(USA)'s effort to control its evangelistic efforts after the church began an effort to establish multiple sites for ministry in recent years. The denomination argued these new sites infringed on the ministries of other local Presbyterian churches and were new churches requiring new leaders.

"&#91;The church&#93; feels called to help women and men in the Bay Area come to know and follow Jesus Christ with a sense of spiritual urgency. The changing social and technological landscape presents non-traditional opportunities for evangelism. For example, &#91;the church&#93; has seen attendance increase from 3,993 to 4,834 in the years since it started multisite campuses. Multisite is just one example of how we can reach people, and we want to be part of a denomination that celebrates and accelerates our capacity to do this." 

In a final note, the church cited its desire to avoid political distractions in the course of its ministry. The church's statement of rationale pointed to a resolution adopted by the Presbytery of San Francisco urging churches to pull investments out of companies, such as Hewlett Packard and Motorola, which do business with the nation of Israel. That effort followed critical statements made against Israel at the denomination's General Assembly.

Members of the Episcopal Church have also experienced some of the same denominational fracturing in recent years. In 2008, the Fort Worth Episcopal Diocese decided to leave the mainline denomination, following the same by dioceses in San Joaquin, Calif., Pittsburgh and Quincy, Ill. At issue in the Episcopal denomination were the appointment of homosexual ministers and the recognition of same-sex marriages.
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Gregory Tomlin is a writer based in Fort Worth, Texas. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).


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Gospel shared with Ukrainians in Sochi
by Evelyn Adamson
Date: March 10, 2014 - Monday

SOCHI, Russia (BP) -- After a long day of performing with her drama team at the recent Winter Olympics in Sochi, Tamara Wasylyshyn wanted nothing more than to step into the American fast food chain down the street, eat dinner and rest.

For Wasylyshyn, a Ukrainian-American serving with the ministry outreach effort Engage Sochi, the trip to Russia was a time to confront painful memories of Stalin-era abuses carried out against her family in Ukraine. Though she came to Russia with the network of Southern Baptists sharing the Gospel during the Olympics, it turned into a journey that challenged her to confront a painful past, then help others as they faced crises of their own.

"I had much reluctance in taking a trip to Russia," she said. "I was not really wanting to deal with that pain, so I worked with the Lord on forgiveness of what was done under communism to my family, many of whom were murdered in the Stalin era. For me to come, I had to clean all that out."

Wasylyshyn was physically and emotionally tired that night when she was eyeing the nearby restaurant. At that moment one of her team members called her over and mentioned he wanted her to meet a street vendor who was also Ukrainian.

"I said, 'I'm hungry, I'm going to get something to eat first,'" Wasylyshyn recalled. But one of the vendor's toy helicopters fell into her hands as she began to walk away.

"This little piece of plastic came flying into me, and I knew immediately that this was the time to speak to this person," Wasylyshyn said.

The vendor ran over to her and apologized that the toy fell on her. As she spoke with him, the topic turned to Ukraine and the current conflict stirring in the country. His face fell with an expression of hopelessness and sorrow as they discussed their homeland erupting in violence. Wasylyshyn then shared the Gospel and the hope that can be found in Christ.

"We discovered he was open to the Lord, and we prayed with him to accept Jesus. We told him we'd connect him to a body of believers," she said.

Wasylyshyn's Ukrainian-American identity opened many doors for her to reach out to Ukrainians during the Olympics. She said she saw grief build behind the eyes of a store clerk when she told him she was Ukrainian. They spoke about the rising tensions, and he appeared sad as he shared with her that he had been calling his family in Kiev every day to see if they were safe. 

After listening to him, Wasylyshyn offered to pray for his family and told him about Jesus Christ and the hope found in Him. The clerk asked if he could pray to receive Christ.

"We prayed and he understood everything in terms of accepting Jesus into his heart," she said. She wrote down his contact information and promised to pass it along to other believers living close to him so he could be connected with them. 

Wasylyshyn said most Ukrainians she encountered in Sochi were ready to hear a message of hope once conversations moved past surface level.

"I see that once the guard comes down, the hearts are very soft," she said. "I see it, and it's very, very hopeful."

During her time at the Winter Games, Wasylyshyn said she saw God at work in people's hearts preparing them to respond to the Gospel. She asked for continued prayer for the people of Ukraine during the coming months.

"Pray for the leadership in the government," she said. "Pray for everyone who does not walk with God, and pray … that they would seek the Lord instead of man for hope." 
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Evelyn Adamson is an IMB writer based in London. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).


