The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-03/26/2019 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------- FIRST-PERSON: Laws aren't for picking & choosing by Jeff Iorg Date: March 26, 2019 - Tuesday ONTARIO, Calif. (BP) -- Gov. Gavin Newsom recently placed a moratorium on the death penalty here in in California. No executions will take place while he is governor. "The intentional killing of another person is wrong," Newsom declared in a written statement. "And as governor, I will not oversee the execution of any individual." No matter your position on the death penalty, the governor's action is alarming. Governor Newsom has declared he will not enforce California law, even one reaffirmed by voters as recently as 2016. He has decided to pick and choose which laws he will uphold. When Newsom was mayor of San Francisco, he authorized the first same-sex marriages in California. This was in violation of a state law at the time, also reaffirmed by popular vote, which upheld the traditional definition of marriage. Elected officials are sworn to uphold the law. They are also expected and welcomed to use their influence to change the law. That's part of their job as political leaders. They are not, however, free to select which laws they will obey or implement. Governor Newsom has a proven track record of doing just that. So, Governor, can we all have the same privilege? Can I select two laws and selectively ignore them? My first choice, as April 15 approaches, is not paying state income tax. I don't like paying to support a government that undermines my values on important issues like marriage. Can I ignore tax laws without consequences, just like you? My second choice would be ignoring some land development laws which have made my life -- to say the least -- quite interesting over the past years as Gateway Seminary has relocated to Southern California. We all know the answer to my questions -- No. The state of California will not allow me to ignore tax or land use laws without consequences. So, unlike the governor, the rest of us are expected to remain law-abiding citizens. One other thought: The governor has claimed a moral imperative for his decision about the death penalty. He said, "The intentional killing of another person is wrong." Let's take him at this word that he sincerely believes this. Since the governor has shown he will set aside laws that violate this conviction, it's time for him to apply his moral standard consistently and set aside laws permitting abortion in California. Not likely, since he apparently does not believe abortion is the intentional killing of another person. If it's not, then why isn't it? Exceptions to exceptions -- in laws and moral judgment -- rule the day as politicians in both parties value popularity over policy, votes over values. We continue to drift from laws based on truth at our peril. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Seth Brown to lead N.C. Baptist newsjournal by Biblical Recorder Staff Date: March 26, 2019 - Tuesday CARY, N.C. (BP) -- The Biblical Recorder's board of directors has elected Seth Brown to lead North Carolina Baptists' newsjournal following the retirement of current editor-president Allan Blume. Brown is currently the organization's content editor. Gerald Hodges, chairman of the search committee, presented Brown, 33, as the committee's candidate in the board's semiannual meeting Monday (March 25). "Early in our conversations with Seth we were very impressed with his passion for the ministry of the Biblical Recorder, his perspective of the current landscape of Baptist journalism, as well as his wisdom and insights concerning changes and innovations that are needed for the Biblical Recorder to move ahead," Hodges said. Hodges said the search committee also expressed appreciation for Brown's spiritual maturity, noting, "There was a clear consensus within our committee that Seth is the man to take the helm as the leader of the Biblical Recorder. He has a passion to see the Recorder not just survive, but thrive in the mission and ministry it has provided since 1833." Before joining the Recorder's staff in 2015, Brown was a writer and researcher for Docent Research Group, which provides churches with resources and research, and he owned a graphic design business. Blume announced his retirement, effective May 31, during last October's board of directors' meeting. Brown will assume the lead role June 1. The Biblical Recorder publishes a biweekly print edition and is online. "Southern Baptist news outlets are important," Brown told the search committee. "They play a vital role in Southern Baptist life by providing reliable information -- something that is essential to our cooperative effort. We live in an era of #FakeNews, and confidence in media is low. In that context, the Biblical Recorder has made trust a key value. We promote truth and clarity. Our goal is to be a light shining in darkness." Brown was honored as the top newswriter by the Baptist Communicators Association in 2018, receiving the Frank Burkhalter Award for a series of reports from Bangkok, Thailand, titled "Little Lahore." He holds a master of arts degree in Christian studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., and an undergraduate degree in religion from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss. Brown serves on the pastoral leadership team at Imago Dei Church in Raleigh. He and his wife Lauren are natives of Mississippi. In a statement to the Recorder, Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Seminary, said, "I believe North Carolina has the finest state paper in the Southern Baptist Convention. Under the leadership of Allan Blume, it has achieved a reputation for journalistic excellence second to none. "With Allan's retirement, I am excited that the Biblical Recorder will now be led by Seth Brown," Akin said. "What a superb choice! I believe he will provide the same outstanding leadership we have come to expect in the BR. I see continued bright days on the horizon for North Carolina Baptists under Seth's direction." Milton A. Hollifield Jr., executive director-treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, said he values the Recorder's mission to keep "North Carolina Baptists and others informed about missions and ministry endeavors taking place in North Carolina, across the country and around the world." "During his tenure as editor, Allan Blume has raised the Recorder's profile as a trusted news source through its quality printed edition while expanding its online presence," Hollifield said in an email statement. "The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina enjoys its partnership with the Recorder, and we look forward to continuing our work together in advancing God's Kingdom as Seth Brown leads the publication into the future." Nate Jones, chairman of the Recorder's board of directors, noted "the unanimous vote of the board" for Brown and said it is "a great day when we elect someone to take the Recorder to the next level." Todd Unzicker, a former sports editor and journalist who now serves in pastoral leadership at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, said in an email to the Recorder, "There has not been a more effective and honest investigative Baptist reporter the last several years than Seth Brown. "In an age of 'fake news' and high levels of media distrust, Baptists can rest assured that Seth will present the full truth. He has earned great respect from his peers and approaches stories with pastoral care while diligently seeking the truth at all times.... [I]t is hard to find a more trustworthy person than Seth Brown." -------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM THE STATES: Tenn., Ala., Ariz. evangelism/missions news; 'I heard God say to me "what is your problem; why are you not serving me?"' by Staff Date: March 26, 2019 - Tuesday Today's From the States features items from: Baptist and Reflector (Tennessee) The Alabama Baptist Portraits (Arizona) ********** Tenn. youth conf. leads to 780 salvations By David Dawson NASHVILLE (Baptist and Reflector) -- When the lights dimmed, the excitement level spiked inside Municipal Auditorium in downtown Nashville. After weeks of anticipation, the big moment had arrived. Then, with an explosion of lights on stage and a rush of adrenaline among the attendees, the 2019 Youth Evangelism Conference came to life. More than 6,000 teenagers, youth ministers and leaders sprang to their feet, joining together with the YEC praise team for a thundering rendition of the praise anthem, "Glorious Day." The high-energy opening sequence set the tone for a weekend of worship and evangelism at the annual conference, which is sponsored by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and has been held in the Nashville area for 51 years. This year's YEC once again proved to be a powerful platform for the Gospel. By the time the two-day conference came to a close on the afternoon of March 16, there had been 780 first-time professions of faith. "YEC 2019 was incredible," said TBMB evangelism event specialist Jay Barbier, who serves as YEC coordinator. "This conference is all about introducing people to the love of Christ. And from the opening moments to the grand finale, it was all about Jesus." Barbier was named YEC coordinator last spring when Kent Shingleton retired from the position after 20 years in the role. "I'm so honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead a great event to reach people for Jesus," Barbier said. This year's conference included Wade Morris and Jordan Easley as the featured speakers. The event also included the music of Rush of Fools and special messages from TBMB director of evangelism Roc Collins and TBMB evangelism team leader David Evans. Youth groups from all around the state — in addition to several groups from outside Tennessee — came together to form a near-capacity crowd at the spacious arena for the conference, which has drawn more than 1 million attendees since its inception. Coming back for more Although YEC always attracts a long list of first-time attendees, the bulk of the crowd is normally comprised of "repeat customers" — groups and individuals who have developed a tradition of making the trip to Nashville each year for the conference. Gene Mills, youth pastor at Pocahontas Baptist Church, is among those who annually attend YEC. He brought a group of 39 to this year's conference, and noted that the group included six college-aged students who serve as mentors for the other attendees. "Over the last nine years, we've had some youth saved here (at YEC) every year," said Mills, who has brought a group to the event each year since becoming the church's youth pastor in 2011. "And that's what it is all about." Mills noted that the youth "always go back home energized and enthused" about their relationship with Christ. Richie and Andrea Hickerson, co-leaders of the youth group at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Dresden, have been taking their youth to YEC for the past 16 years, including a 30-member group this year. "It provides an atmosphere where the kids can get away from home, get away from the distractions, and get involved in the worship," said Richie. "It's definitely a chance for the kids to hear the gospel -- and that's the main thing, of course." Andrea added that she is always amazed that the youth run into familiar faces at the conference. "What's really neat is, even though we are three hours from home, our kids come here and see others kids from their school," said Andrea. "It's like we come all the way from across the state to wave at each other," she added with a laugh. Municipal Auditorium has hosted YEC for the past several years. The conference has also been held at several other venues through the years, including Vanderbilt's Memorial Gym, Belmont, Opryland and the Murphy Center on the MTSU campus. Barbier said the evangelistic success of this year's event was the result of long hours of hard work put in by an almost countless number of individuals. "It's been an entire year of dreaming, vision casting, prayer and planning," said Barbier. "Honestly, the last month of preparation has been mentally exhausting and invigorating at the same time.... The fun for me was establishing a team that could take this event to the next level. Our TBMB staff helped take the lead and they knocked this out of the park." Why it's appealing What is it about YEC that causes youth leaders -- and more importantly, the youth themselves -- to want to return year after year? The answer to that question is almost as lengthy as the number of churches who attend. Andrea McDaniel, the wife of student pastor Michael McDaniel from Hilldale Baptist Church in Clarksville, said she believes part of the appeal of YEC is that it gives the students an opportunity to feel the support of other Christians. "YEC builds community among the youth," said McDaniel, who helped oversee a group of 42 students from Hilldale this year. "They get the chance to worship Christ with a ton of other believers, and I think that is special for a teenager. It's easy for Christian teenagers to feel like they are alone -- but when they get to identify with other believers, and see others worshiping with them, they love that." McDaniel and her husband have been at Hilldale for five years, but she noted that the youth group has attended YEC for many years prior to that. Toni Dunville, who also works with the youth at Hilldale, said the format of YEC is tailor-made for teenagers: "Even though it only lasts a short amount of time, that can be a good thing, because kids can lose their focus (at longer events)," she said. "A short trip is a nice little getaway." Another appealing element of YEC revolves around the conference's schedule. The opening-night session usually ends around 10:30 p.m., and many youth groups will stay in town that night. "Getting to spend the night in Nashville -- that's an exciting deal for the kids," said Adam Hickey, youth leader from First Baptist Church, Sparta. He then added with a smile, "And they get to go to Waffle House at midnight, so that's always an experience for them." Hickey noted that the youth group from FBC Sparta has attended YEC "for the past 15 or 20 years." He said this year's trip was a little different because the church's youth pastor, Kevin Weldon, had to miss the event after coming down with the flu earlier in the week. Dalton Noe, youth pastor at Circle C Cowboy Church in Morristown, was attending the event for the first time. Noe, who has been youth pastor since the start of the school year, brought a group of 14 students. "For our group, it's something different," said the 20-year-old Noe. "Being at a big retreat like this, it's something the kids really look forward to. It's away from their parents, away from their normal, everyday lives. And they get a chance to get out, be themselves and have fun in a Christian environment. And that's definitely a big draw." The YEC leadership team has "changed things up" through the years to keep the event fresh. But the central theme of the conference has never wavered: It's always been about bringing youth to Jesus. And that message will continue in the years to come. "Keeping the focus on Jesus is one thing that will never change about YEC under my leadership," Barbier said. "The conference will always be about giving students an opportunity to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ." Life-changing decisions In addition to the first-time professions of faith, many other life-changing decisions are made at YEC each spring. This year, 61 individuals surrendered to a call to the ministry during the conference. William Burton, ethnic church planting specialist for the TBMB, has firsthand knowledge of the impact that YEC can make. Burton surrendered to a call to the ministry while attending YEC as a youth. "I was 18 years old when I attended the 1985 Tennessee Baptist Youth Evangelism Conference with my church, Mill Springs Baptist in Jefferson City," he said. "I was a college freshman, trying to figure out what God wanted for my life. In midst of 10,000-plus teenagers, I heard God say to me 'what is your problem; why are you not serving Me?'" Burton said his entire life path changed because of the decision he made that weekend. "Because of YEC and God's call on my life, I changed my major to church music and enrolled at Carson-Newman University," Burton said. "I have since served in ministry as music minister, youth pastor, missionary to Venezuela with IMB, pastor, church planter and now serve Tennessee Baptists as the ethnic church planting specialist." Burton is a prime example of YEC's exponential evangelism, as the decision by one individual ultimately leads to many salvations. "When the evangelized become the evangelizers, that's Great Commission living," said Barbier. "Our dream is to get the students to know Jesus and make Him known." Burton said he is proud to be part of YEC's legacy. And he's even more excited about the future of the event. "YEC is effective because of intentional prayer, intentional evangelism and intentional challenge to respond to God's call," he said. "It takes a commitment from our churches to invest in the lives of the next generation of leaders. "It has been a 50-year commitment by TBC churches to support YEC through [the state missions offering] and the Cooperative Program," Burton added. "No single church could have the lasting impact that YEC has had over the years, but together we will continue for the next 50 years." --30-- This article appeared in Baptist and Reflector (baptistandreflector.org), newsjournal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. David Dawson writes for the Tennessee Baptist Convention. ********** Ala. association hosts church and sexuality event By Staff GROVE HILL, Ala. (The Alabama Baptist) – “You want me to come to what?" That seemed to be a common response as Clarke Baptist Association spent the better part of a year in prayer and planning for its church and sexuality event. And the effort paid off. On Jan. 25–26 more than 120 people gathered for "The Church and Sexuality: Helping to Define what Christ has to say about Real Issues Facing Real People," facilitated by Joe Godfrey, executive director of Alabama Citizens Action Program. 'Life is messy' Tray and Melody Lovvorn of Undone Redone were the speakers for the event. They have a motto: "Life is messy, bring your boots." This motto emphasizes the need for the church to address real life issues. Clarke Association's goal in presenting the program, which was held at Tompkins Baptist Church, Grove Hill, was to give rural communities insight into the battle raging in the world today. "By sharing the truth of God's Word, we can all make a difference, even if it's just one baby step at a time," Nancy Gill, ministry assistant for Clarke Association, said. The Lovvorns shared their testimony of how God brought healing and forgiveness to their marriage that previously ended in divorce. They also shared about Tray's redemption from a life of pornography and sexual addiction. They provided insight about what the world makes readily available for everyone, including children. And the Lovvorns introduced tools such as My Secure Family, which may be utilized to protect children in the digital age. They also shared many practical resources to aid in the difficult task of raising children in a safe environment and preparing them for the world as they leave the nest. "The ironic truth is that even in our homes we must seek to protect not only ourselves, but especially our children from the detrimental effects of cyber bullying, sexting and many other types of attack," Gill said. Tommy Littleton also was a keynote speaker for the event. Littleton, a Southern Baptist minister and evangelist, has over 40 years of experience working on university campuses, coastal resorts and inner-city streets. He focused on the importance of the church maintaining a faithful biblical witness while confronting today's cultural issues. Alerting the hearer to be aware of the push against the truth of God's Word, Littleton encouraged the church to remain faithful to God's Word and its gospel principles. Gospel principles Littleton shared the church's response to this divided culture needs to be modeled after the response of Jesus as He engaged with the woman at the well in John 4. Jesus addressed her thirst for the Living Water as He confronted the sin and revealed Himself to her. The result was a transformed person. "This is the only hope for our culture," Littleton said. "It is the hope of Clarke Baptist Association that those who took part in this relevant and timely event will take back to their family, their church and their community a renewed knowledge of the truth about what God's Word says concerning our sexuality," Gill said. "May we have a new resolve to stand firm on the word of God while exposing the fallacies of Satan." --30-- This article appeared in The Alabama Baptist (thealabamabaptist.org), newsjournal of the Alabama Baptist Convention. ********** Ariz. church cares for asylum-seeking families By Kay Harms AVONDALE, Ariz. (Portraits) -- Just as many Arizona families were wrapping up leftovers from Christmas dinner, members of First Southern Baptist Church, Avondale, started feeding and caring for a steady stream of refugees from Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had processed the immigrants and could either release them to a church or onto the streets. That's when Pastor Jack Marslender's congregation stepped in. First Southern, Avondale, cared for about 176 refugees over the two weeks following Christmas. "Our agreement to help was not a political statement," Marslender said. "It was an act of love to people in need." He went on to state that his congregation worked in full cooperation with the immigration authorities and the laws governing the refugees' entrance into the country. "These were people -- all of them families -- who had come into our country legally, with sponsors awaiting them in cities across the nation," he said. The church was joined by individuals, businesses and other nonprofit organizations in the community in serving the group, of which more than half were children. Local high school Spanish teachers translated, a local fire department furnished child car seats, city council members assisted, State Rep. Diego Espinoza translated and Hickman's Family Farms provided and cooked breakfast. Additionally, a Phoenix synagogue brought blankets, Arizona Southern Baptist Disaster Relief set up a shower trailer and gave cash toward the efforts and Gathering Humanity, a non-profit group that works with refugees, provided cots, clothes and backpacks. How exactly did the church serve the refugees? They fed them, provided showers, cots and blankets for a night or two and furnished them with essentials such as backpacks, clothes, towels and hygiene items. Then they made travel arrangements for the refugees to connect with their pre-arranged sponsors as far away as Chicago or Florida, and transported them to the Phoenix bus station. But the church also engaged the refugees in Bible studies and prayer meetings each evening. "When I would say let's pray, many of the refugees, who were mostly Catholic, would kneel or lay face down on the floor and cry out to the Lord and ask for help," Marslender said. "They were such grateful and humble people." Marslender told about one of the refugees he encountered through a translator. He said Juana was a 22-year-old woman who traveled from Guatemala with her six-month-old daughter to get away from gang violence that had infiltrated her community and escape the financial extortion she had succumbed to in order to keep her and her daughter safe. Before leaving Guatemala, Juana had paid 1,000 quetzals, about half-a-month's salary for the average wage earner and equal to about $130, for protection from the violence. "We chose to accept them in the name of Christ and love them and help them," said Marslender. "We do this for all people, regardless of their skin color, nationality, faith background, language or immigration status. When we say we love people, it often comes with an obligation to offer time, housing, food, clothing and attention. That's the nature of love." The church's gym, from which they assisted the refugees, is normally used for other weekly activities but was available during the Christmas break. If the facilities are available for use again, the pastor says the congregation will certainly consider offering aid in the future. --30-- This article appeared in Portraits, newsmagazine of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention (http://www.azsbc.org/). Kay Harms is a writer and speaker in Arizona. ********** EDITOR'S NOTE: From the States, typically 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 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. Except for minor style, security, formatting and grammatical changes, the items appear in Baptist Press as originally published. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dakota retreat counters isolation among leaders by Sarah Dixon Young Date: March 26, 2019 - Tuesday ABERDEEN, S.D. (BP) -- Snowy landscapes and distances lead to isolation for many ministry leaders in the Dakota Baptist Convention. Encompassing 147,878 square miles, it is considered a small convention with only about 90 Southern Baptist churches in the two-state region. In its ministry leaders' retreat, the convention sought to "draw pastors and church leaders together to break the isolation they have on the field," DBC Executive Director Garvon Golden said, so they can "enjoy intimate fellowship with one another." Another benefit of the retreat, Golden noted, is that leaders from within the convention provided training and nurture to help others grow. At this year's retreat, pastor Sam Ellyson from Sovereign Grace Church in Aberdeen, S.D., spoke on biblical counseling, and pastor John Flowers and his wife Debbie from Living Hope Baptist Church in Fargo, N.D., shared ways that leaders can endure in ministry and stay "Dakota Strong." Three dozen pastors and ministry leaders participated in the retreat from diverse areas, backgrounds and ministries. Some had been in ministry in the Dakotas for many years while others were new to their churches and areas. Several leaders came from Native American churches while others work with affinity groups in reaching out to equine or farming communities. In addition to lead pastors and church planters, pastors' wives, children's ministry workers and worship leaders also attended. Nick Geray and his wife Colleen, from the Dusty Way Chapel cowboy and rodeo ministry in North Dakota, were among the attendees who gathered at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Aberdeen. "I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of ministry to be had at this gathering," Geray said. "There is great value in not only challenging our own pastors and leaders to minister at a higher level but also in taking advantage of skills and experiences which are uniquely 'Dakotan.'" Scott Ristau, a worship leader from Sovereign Grace, led the group in times of Scripture reading, prayer and song during each session, and Sovereign Grace member Cory Nils shared original worship songs as a concert one evening. Ellyson, introducing the concept of biblical counseling, shared ministry and discipleship tools he has gained through courses with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). "Biblical counseling is simply a conversation where one person with questions, problems and troubles seeks assistance from someone they believe has answers," he said. "It is biblical wisdom properly applied by spiritually mature counselors." Ellyson laid out principles of biblical counseling, showing that the Bible is sufficient for all of a minister's counseling needs. "Why would Christians ever hand soul care over to a secular culture?" he asked. "Scripture makes clear that our problems don't come from our circumstances but from within our own hearts." Geray said Ellyson "delivered more information on biblical counseling than we could ever absorb in three short days," while Golden noted that "our pastors and leaders were getting in tune with the need for biblical counseling. This is really such a great tool for them to use in discipling the people in their churches and ministries." Ellyson encouraged attendees to learn more about biblical counseling at upcoming training sessions in April and May in Sioux Falls, S.D., or by going to the ACBC biblicalcounseling.com website. Fellowship In seeking to provide an opportunity for fellowship and growing relationships between ministry leaders, Golden noted, "As I talk about different ministries and pastors to other pastors in the Dakotas, I realize that they don't know each other. This retreat gave them an opportunity to meet and form friendships that will encourage them in their areas of ministry. This fits into the DBC's vision of wanting to be an encouragement to pastor families." John and Debbie Flowers, who have pastored in the Dakotas for more than 35 years, led in community-building exercises that had attendees laughing and talking with one another. A group game of rock, paper, scissors as well as discussion questions such as "Which animal do you most like to watch at the zoo?" led to deeper conversations. "I loved the community building exercises," Colleen Geray said. "It was a genuine pleasure getting to know the other ministry wives and being able to fellowship together." A popular favorite was John and Debbie's top 10 lists. They first gave a top 10 list of things not to do in ministry and later gave a list of 10 things to do in ministry. "Not establishing boundaries" topped the "no-no list" while "maintain the daily discipline of Bible intake and prayer" topped the "to do" list. John, sharing how to be "Dakota Strong," focused on the book of 2 Timothy and ways that the apostle Paul encouraged young Timothy in serving Christ, such as intentionality, endurance and dealing with suffering. "John and Debbie's activities built community even out of the most diverse group," Nick Geray said, "and John's messages challenged me to press on despite the difficulties." Golden said he would like to see two more ministry leaders' retreats in the next 16 months for leaders across the Dakotas to have the opportunity to get together for fellowship, discipleship and growth. Location, topics and speakers are yet to be determined. "This opportunity to pull leaders together in smaller groups meets two needs we have as Dakota Baptists," Golden said of the Feb. 21-24 retreat. "We get the encouragement of fellowship as well as the deeper content that will help us reach out in our ministry areas." -------------------------------------------------------------------- After Mozambique cyclone, Baptists 'stepping up' by David Roach Date: March 26, 2019 - Tuesday TICA, Mozambique (BP) -- Following a cyclone in Mozambique that killed at least 446 people, Baptist Global Response and the International Mission Board have begun disaster relief ministry in the southeast African nation and are preparing to broaden their response. "We have implemented a water and sanitation project in one of the displaced communities but are gearing up for some food and household goods distributions," said Jeff Palmer, executive director of BGR, a Baptist relief and development organization. "Food, water and shelter are the greatest needs at this time as well as the need for the [floodwater to recede] to allow response to the needy and displaced. We are currently distributing plastic sheeting/tarps to help with temporary shelter and privacy barriers in the makeshift camps." One challenge, Palmer told Baptist Press via email, "has been access to the [affected] areas due to the floods and damage to transportation." Cyclone Idai made landfall March 15 as a Category 2 storm with 110-mile-per-hour winds, according to media reports. The death toll is expected to rise as floodwaters recede and response teams can reach victims, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported March 25. More than 1,500 people were injured by Idai, and nearly 110,000 are in shelters, according to the UN. One eyewitness reported seeing 300-400 dead bodies wash up on a flooded stretch of road, CNN reported. Some $10,000 in BGR aid released thus far has gone toward buying the plastic sheeting used for latrines and temporary shelters, Palmer said. IMB workers have distributed nearly one mile of plastic sheeting in all -- every bit of sheeting that could be purchased locally. An additional $50,000 in BGR aid is expected to be released in the next two weeks, Palmer said. It will be used for "food and household goods such as cooking sets [and] hygiene kits." Located east of Zimbabwe along the Indian Ocean, Mozambique covers nearly twice the geographic area of California, according to the CIA World Factbook. Most Mozambicans speak one of several local languages. Only 10 percent speak Portuguese, the official language. Mozambique's population of approximately 30 million is 53 percent professing Christians, including 13 percent evangelicals, according to Joshua Project, a website that provides religion data on world nations. Relief efforts in the weeks to come likely will rely heavily on Mozambican national Baptist partners, Palmer said, but there may be opportunities for U.S. volunteers. "The center of our Baptist partners in Mozambique is in some of the hardest-hit areas," Palmer said. "Pray for our churches and leaders there who are stepping up and seeing this as an opportunity to reach out to their neighbors with kindness, compassion and the love of Jesus." -------------------------------------------------------------------- Midwest recovery begins as additional flooding looms by Brandon Elrod Date: March 26, 2019 - Tuesday OMAHA, Neb. (BP) -- Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) leaders have established several sites in the Midwest to respond to historic flooding that has created at least $3 billion in damages in recent weeks. "As soon as I got in the airplane and flew back home," said Sam Porter, national director of disaster relief with the North American Mission Board (NAMB), "it was stunning to see the farmland that still has floodwater on it. The river is back within its banks, but the land is so flat that there is still water trapped within thousands of acres." Porter traveled in and around Nebraska for several days as state SBDR leaders organized and formed their strategy. So far, SBDR has five sites that are operational with the expectation that more will be needed in the near future. "There were record levels of snowfall in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and much of that has yet to thaw," explained Porter. "The lakes in Minnesota are also still frozen. So, we're expecting further flooding of the region. "We are far from being close to finished with this flood." Whether from the runoff from melting snow or expected rainfall, Porter anticipates that Southern Baptists will need to broaden the scope of the response. Volunteers need to "stay tuned," he said, and churches need to continue praying for the region. SBDR has assessed homes in Nebraska and Kansas and have identified more than 2,000 flood-affected homes, and SBDR leadership expects a long deployment to provide relief for as many of those homeowners as possible. Volunteers in Iowa have begun the "mud-out" process of removing muck, damaged furniture and storm debris that has filled homes, cleaning roughly 20 homes in Sioux City. "We're trying to put boots on the ground physically to help mud out homes," Porter said, "but we're also trying to help out by teaching others how to clean out homes and fight the mold that will result from the flooding." Send Relief, NAMB's compassion ministry arm, has begun sending supplies -- crisis buckets, shockwave mold remediation, push packs and Bibles -- to resource volunteers and survivors as they participate in recovery efforts. In northern Missouri, Southern Baptist chaplains have been providing emotional and spiritual support for families as they waited for floodwater to recede before they could go back to their homes. "I get to see the Cooperative Program in action with our SBDR teams doing what it takes to help serve one another in the midst of disasters like these," Porter added in reference to Southern Baptist cooperative ministry. The North American Mission Board is responsible for coordinating national responses by Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, which is one of the three largest providers of disaster relief volunteers in the United States. NAMB coordinates partnerships among 42 Baptist conventions that operate in all 50 states to gather volunteers and respond to disasters, including providing hot meals, chainsaw and mud-out relief work following natural disasters. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Cross & steeple of Luter's new church grace skyline by Diana Chandler Date: March 26, 2019 - Tuesday NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- The near-150-foot glass steeple and solid cross mark the new home of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church led by pastor Fred Luter Jr. "It is something that you just cannot miss," Luter told Baptist Press. "It's like being in St. Louis and seeing that big ole arch. If you're on the interstate, you're going to see it. You just can't miss it." The church relocated from its Ninth Ward location in New Orleans' St. Roch neighborhood, where the vibrant congregation required three Sunday morning worship services and never had enough parking. But leaving was tough, said Luter, who was elected as the first African American president of the Southern Baptist Convention while leading his church at its former location. "Our greatest growth through the years happened at the 2515 Franklin Ave. location," Luter said. "We really hated to leave because we're so much invested in the community, however we just couldn't expand. We had no parking spaces and it started affecting our attendance." The new $35 million facility sits on 25 acres about six miles away. A 3,500-seat sanctuary allows Franklin Avenue Baptist Church (FABC) to accommodate members and guests in a single Sunday morning worship service. Separate worship areas are dedicated for children and youth, with the entire church family worshipping in the sanctuary for the Lord's Supper each first Sunday. Many are able to walk to the 125,000-square-foot complex from nearby neighborhoods. Luter baptized 14 new believers the fourth Sunday in March, he said, a high mark since the congregation relocated in December 2018. Each fourth Sunday is dedicated to baptisms. "We will continue to do the things that made us who we are. Franklin Avenue is known across the city for our evangelism and for our discipleship of reaching the lost and also growing people once they come into the church," Luter said. "And we do that by small groups, through new members' classes and about 50 ministries that we have, geared to individuals from kids to adulthood." Three hours each Saturday morning, the church's evangelism team evangelizes door to door, rotating among adjacent communities. Results are already evident, Luter said. "People know Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. We have a good name in the city through our community outreach we've done for years," Luter said, "and by God's grace that will continue." Hurricane Katrina in 2005 interrupted the church, redirecting much of its outreach to Baton Rouge, La., and Houston after Katrina's floodwaters rushed many to relocate. The storm struck when the membership exceeded 8,300, having grown from the 65 members FABC had when Luter began his pastorate in 1986. First Baptist Church of New Orleans, under then-senior pastor David Crosby, integrated the church into First Baptist's worship and activities, allowing FABC to recover and rebuild. In 2008, Luter danced in the pulpit of the rebuilt sanctuary on its same Ninth Ward lot in the St. Roch community. New congregations born from Katrina continue to meet -- Houston's Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in Katy, Texas, led by S. Lachlin Verrett, and United Believers Baptist Church in Baton Rouge under the pastorate of Manuel Pigee III. "The blessing of post-Katrina is that we've been able to touch lives that maybe pre-Katrina we couldn't," Luter said. "Our church will never be the same because of Hurricane Katrina." In FABC's new home in New Orleans East, Luter still expects an overflow crowd this Easter. The new cross will serve as an apt object lesson amid concentrated community outreach in advance of Good Friday and Easter. Seven preachers will present the "Last Seven Words on the Cross" during Good Friday worship. "Hopefully it will be a draw that people will want to continue to come," Luter said of the weekend. The church's 6,000-plus members are excited to be in the new location, Luter said, despite the sadness over leaving their old neighborhood. "The only thing difficult," he said, "is trying to decide where they're going to sit."