
The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-04/23/2003

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Kingdom Family Rally to set tone for SBC annual meeting in Phoenix
by Michael Foust
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--The Grand Canyon will be just a short drive away, but Southern Baptists visiting Phoenix this June will be seeking something much more grand -- God's Kingdom.

The Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, June 17-18 at the Phoenix Civic Plaza, will feature the theme "Kingdom First," drawn from Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

But the SBC's first-ever "Kingdom Family Rally" the evening prior to the convention figures to set the week's tone. On Monday evening, June 16, during the closing session of the SBC Pastors' Conference, messages from family experts on how to strengthen families will culminate nearly three years of planning by the SBC Council of Family Life. The council will present a standard for all Christian families -- described as the "Seven Pillars of a Kingdom Family." 

The rally will begin at 7:15 p.m. local time and will include appearances by Dennis and Barbara Rainey of FamilyLife Today, pastor Tom Elliff and his wife Jeannie and recording artist Steve Green and his wife Marijean. Beth Moore as well as James and Shirley Dobson are scheduled to speak via video. An address by Bellevue Baptist Church pastor Adrian Rogers will immediately precede the rally.

The SBC Council on Family Life, LifeWay Christian Resources of the SBC and the SBC Pastors' Conference are sponsoring the rally.

"At the rally, Southern Baptists will be introduced to a strategy which can strengthen existing families and virtually divorce-proof the families of the future," said Tom Elliff, head of the Council of Family Life. "Southern Baptists around the world will be encouraged to embrace with their hearts &#91;the Seven Pillars of a Kingdom Family&#93; as guiding principles for personal and family life."

The Seven Pillars are:

-- Honoring God's Authority.

"God, as Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all, holds ultimate authority over His creation," the statement reads. "By establishing the family, God has provided a unique setting in which each individual should come to properly understand and respect authority. I will glorify God by surrendering every area of my life to Him and by offering Godly respect in all my earthly relationships, starting in my family."

-- Respecting Human Life.

"Human life is a gift from God and is of transcendent worth," the statement says. "It is to be treasured, protected, encouraged, and loved from the moment of conception until the moment of death. I know that each member of my family must ultimately give a personal account to God, and forgiveness of sin and eternal life in heaven are His gift to those who by faith repent of sin and believe in Christ. I will honor God by expressing self-sacrificial love to each of my family members throughout the entirety of their lives."

-- Exercising Moral Purity.

"God has established the family as His first institution on earth. It is worthy of my most noble aspirations and commitments, including my commitment to moral purity, marital fidelity, and Christ-like love for each family member. Because marriage is a picture of Christ's faithfulness to His Bride, the Church, and because the family is a picture of the Father's faithfulness to His children, I will honor the Lord by being faithful and pure."

-- Serving My Church.

"The Church is the Bride of Christ, comprised of all the redeemed who will, one day, be taken to heaven by Him. By exalting Christ, resting on the sufficiency of His Word and giving place to the ministry of the Spirit, the local church becomes the means by which spiritual growth is promoted and the ministry of Christ is brought to my family, my community, and to the world. I will support and will encourage my family to support our local church with faithful attendance, diligent service, generous and God honoring giving, and loving cooperation."

-- Using Time Wisely.

"Time is a resource given to each person by God. My use of it, especially in matters related to my family, reflects my esteem for God. One day, I will give an account to Him for how I have spent the time He entrusted to me. As I order my life in concert with His will, I will have sufficient time for personal growth through prayer, for the study of God's Word, and for fulfilling every God-given responsibility related to my family."

-- Practicing Biblical Stewardship.

"God has provided material resources so that I may glorify Him through the exercise of faithful stewardship over them. I will be held accountable for this stewardship. Therefore, I will diligently seek my Master's best interests in the way I earn money, expend it for life's needs, use it to touch the lives of others, and give it for the support of His work through my local church."

-- Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"The greatest and most noble purpose in life is to glorify the Lord through the fulfillment of His Great Commission. I will glorify the Lord by sharing my faith with my family, and by joining with them and others in specific activities which cultivate a passion for fulfilling the Great Commission."

The Seven Pillars are preceded by a preamble that puts the seven articles in context.

"I am a member of God's Kingdom Family," the preamble reads. "I have by faith repented of my sin, believed on Christ as my Lord and Savior, and received His gift of forgiveness and eternal life. By the miracle of God's grace, I am both a citizen of His Kingdom and a member of His family, His subject and His child, His bondslave and a joint-heir with Him, His battle-ready soldier and His bride.

"It is now my desire to glorify the Lord by giving my own earthly family relationships the interest and care they so richly deserve. With the balance of my life and relying on the leadership of God's Spirit, I will commit to God's plan for my life and family by (following the Seven Pillars.)"

Pastors are the key to the implementation of the "Seven Pillars" strategy in local churches, said Elliff, pastor of the Oklahoma City-area First Southern Baptist Church in Del City and a former SBC president.

"They serve in reality as gatekeepers in each local church," Elliff said. "Without their wholehearted willingness to embrace and implement the Kingdom Family strategy, there would be little opportunity for their church members to become aware of the Kingdom Family movement in the SBC."

Southern Baptist families, Elliff said, are the "pool" from which missionaries, ministers and seminary students are drawn.

"From that same pool comes our Sunday School teachers and workers, the deacons and other volunteer leaders in our churches," he said. "And it is out of that pool that hot-hearted men and women will surface, people with a burden for fulfilling the Great Commission in their communities, businesses and schools. Properly understood, it is this last group which has the greatest capacity as a catalyst for exponential growth in God's 'Kingdom Family.'"

Southern Baptist President Jack Graham is expected to be nominated and elected to a second one-year term during the SBC's Tuesday afternoon session June 17. He will deliver his presidential address that morning at 11:20.

"We are praying and planning toward a valuable time together including powerful Kingdom challenges from dynamic preachers, celebrative worship and the affirmation of the Southern Baptist Convention's Kingdom work and missions around the world," Graham said, summarizing the convention's events. "In the context of a troubled world, Southern Baptists will deliver a message of hope as we exalt the King and expand His Kingdom. Together we will renew our vision and rekindle the fire of missions and evangelism."

The Empowering Kingdom Growth (EKG) movement and the "Kingdom First" theme will be a focus throughout the convention with four "Kingdom Challenge" sermons. Delivering the messages will be Adrian Rogers, pastor of the Memphis-area Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.); Daniel Akin, dean of the school of theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Tuesday, 3 p.m.); Edwin Young, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Houston (Tuesday, 9:10 p.m.); and Jim Richards, executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (Wednesday, 10:40 a.m.).

Annuity Board President O.S. Hawkins will deliver the convention message at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday.

The Executive Committee will deliver reports at 10:10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Part of its report will be a recommended funding redirection of $125,000 into global Empower Kingdom Growth initiates from the $425,000 allocated for Baptist World Alliance causes in recent years. BWA General Secretary Denton Lotz will deliver a BWA report to the convention at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday.

The North American Mission Board will present its report at 8:35 p.m. Tuesday; International Mission Board, 8:30 p.m., Wednesday; LifeWay Christian Resources, 3:20 p.m., Tuesday; Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, 6:45 p.m., Tuesday; Woman's Missionary Union, 2:10 p.m., Tuesday.

The six seminaries will present their collective report at 4:05 Tuesday afternoon. In keeping with a two-year rotation system, three seminaries will give individual presentations: Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, 2:40 p.m., Tuesday; Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 11 a.m., Wednesday; and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 6:15 p.m., Wednesday.

Author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar will speak at 7:55 p.m. Wednesday.

Jerry Colangelo, chairman and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball and Phoenix Suns basketball teams, will welcome messengers to the city Tuesday morning at 8:45.

"We are indeed delighted to have our Southern Baptist family in town," said Steve Bass, state missionary for the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention. "Since we are a tourist state, we are speaking in terms of our family of faith as coming to see us. We are proud to be Southern Baptists and it will greatly encourage our people for our Southern Baptist family to visit.

"We also want to use this convention as an opportunity to say thank you to those committed Southern Baptists who have supported the Cooperative Program. We are a recipient of their faithful giving. We invite them to come and see the mission field they have so faithfully supported over these past years."

The week prior to the convention, hundreds of Southern Baptists will come together for "Crossover Arizona," an evangelism-focused strategy that uses block parties, door-to-door visits and other efforts to spread the Gospel in and around Phoenix.

Beginning this year proposed resolutions must be submitted at least 15 days prior to the annual meeting, giving the Resolutions Committee a two-week period in which to consider submissions. Detailed guidelines on submitting resolutions are available on the Internet at www.sbcannualmeeting.net

Also beginning this year, online registration will be available. 
The traditional steps in years past -- waiting at the counter as a registration volunteer types in various lines of information -- is skipped with the online process. Churches can register their messengers online at www.sbc.net

By registering online, the SBC website gives a church a "messenger reference number" form to be printed out and presented by each messenger at the SBC registration booth in exchange for a nametag and ballot.

Online registration ends June 8 -- after which registration must be done the traditional way.

The appropriate church-authorized representative must complete all online registration.

The process includes entering information online normally found on the traditional messenger card. Names can be added, edited and deleted up to June 8. Each messenger must bring the printed form that shows the messenger's reference number -- given on the website -- to the registration booth in order to receive a nametag and set of ballots.

Technically, a person is not a messenger until the messenger reference number is presented at the registration booth. But, unlike the traditional method, the person is pre-registered before he or she arrives to the convention.

The traditional registration method also will be available for those churches unable to use Internet access. For those using the traditional method, SBC officials emphasize that most state conventions do not automatically send messenger cards to churches. The churches must request the messenger cards from their state convention offices.

If a messenger comes to the convention without a properly completed card - or without the Internet messenger reference number -- the person must go before the convention's Credentials Committee. The Credentials Committee will open after 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 16. Any messenger who does not have a messenger card should bring a letter from the church and meet with the Credentials Committee. 

The registration desk also will be able to accommodate messengers who need to send messages either by telegram or fax, and it will serve as the convention's lost and found office, SBC officials said.

The qualifications for messengers wanting to register for the convention are found in Article III of the SBC Constitution. Messengers of the convention are members of missionary Baptist churches cooperating with the convention as follows: 

"1. One messenger from each church which (1) Is in friendly cooperation with the Convention and sympathetic with its purposes and work. Among churches not in cooperation with the Convention are churches that act to affirm, approve, or endorse homosexual behavior. And, (2) Has been a bona fide contributor to the Convention's work during the fiscal year proceeding.

"2. One additional messenger from each such church for every 250 members; or for each $250 paid to the work of the Convention during the fiscal year preceding the annual meeting.

"3. The messengers shall be appointed and certified by the churches to the Convention, but no church may appoint more than 10.

"4. Each messenger shall be a member of the church by which he is appointed."

The convention does not register "alternate messengers."

Other amenities provided by the registration desk include nametags and a service to locate messengers' hotel rooms. Messengers should submit the name and number of their hotel when their register.

Additional information about the annual meeting can be found by clicking on <a href="http://www.sbcannualmeeting.net">www.sbcannualmeeting.net</a>.
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(BP) photos posted in the BP Photo Library at http:www.bpnews.net. Photo titles: KINGDOM FIRST, PHOENIX CIVIC PLAZA and PHOENIX CIVIC PLAZA (NIGHT). 


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Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

June 17-18, 2003
Phoenix Civic Plaza
Phoenix, Ariz.
Theme: "Kingdom First"
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 17

8:15 Inspirational Music: Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX, Celebration Choir and Orchestra, R. Todd Bell, minister of music and worship

8:25 Congregational Praise and Worship: Jim Van Matre, associate pastor/minister of music and worship, First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, GA

8:30 Call to Order: Jack Graham, president, Southern Baptist Convention, pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX

Registration Report and Constitution of the Convention: James H. (Jim) Wells, SBC registration secretary, director of missions, Tri County Baptist Association, Highlandville, MO

8:35 Prayer: Steve James, president, Louisiana Baptist Convention, senior pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, LA

8:40 Committee on Order of Business (First Report): T.C. Pinckney, chairman, editor, The Baptist Banner, Alexandria, VA

8:45 Welcome: Jerry Colangelo, chairman and CEO, Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns, Phoenix, AZ

8:50 Response: John Avant, senior pastor, New Hope Baptist Church, Fayetteville, GA

8:55 Announcement of Committee on Committees, Credentials, Resolutions and Tellers

9:00 Introduction of Motions

9:20 Congregational Praise and Worship: Buster Pray, associate pastor of worship ministries, First Baptist Church, Springdale, AR

9:25 Music Feature: Prestonwood Celebration Choir and Orchestra

9:30 Kingdom Challenge: Adrian Rogers, senior pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, TN

10:00 Local Arrangements Committee Presentation: John R. (Jack) Wilkerson, vice president for business and finance, Executive Committee, Nashville, TN

10:05 Crossover Phoenix Report: Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, president, North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, GA

10:10 Executive Committee Report (Part 1): Morris H. Chapman, president and chief executive officer, Nashville, TN

11:00 Committee on Nominations Report: Hollie Miller, chairman, senior pastor, Sevier Heights Baptist Church, Knoxville, TN

11:10 Congregational Praise and Worship: R. Todd Bell, convention music director, minister of music and worship, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX

11:15 Worship in Music: Prestonwood Celebration Choir and Orchestra

11:20 President's Address: Jack Graham

12:00 Benediction: Robert A. (Bob) Graham, pastor, Cleburne, TX

TUESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 17

1:00 Inspirational Music: Chris & Diane Machen, concert artists, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX

1:10 Prayer: Kevin L. Smith, Ph.D. student, Southern Seminary

1:15 Business: Committee on Order of Business (Second Report) -- T. C. Pinckney 

Referral/Introduction of Motions

1:30 Executive Committee Report (Part 2): Morris H. Chapman

2:10 Woman's Missionary Union Report: Wanda S. Lee, executive director-treasurer, Birmingham, AL

2:20 Election of Officers (First)

2:35 Congregational Praise and Worship: R. Todd Bell

2:40 Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary Presentation: William O. (Bill) Crews, president, Mill Valley, CA

2:55 Special Music: Chris and Diane Machen

3:00 Kingdom Challenge: Daniel L. (Danny) Akin, vice president for academic administration/dean, School of Theology, Southern Seminary

3:20 LifeWay Christian Resources Report: James T. (Jimmy) Draper Jr., president, Nashville, TN

3:30 LifeWay Christian Resources Presentation: James T. (Jimmy) Draper Jr.

4:00 Congregational Praise and Worship: Keith Martin, worship pastor, Graceland Baptist Church, New Albany, IN

4:05 Seminary Reports: Paige Patterson, chairman, Council of Seminary Presidents, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC

4:30 Election of Officers (Second)

4:45 Introduction of New Motions (Last Opportunity)

5:10 Benediction: Hyoung Min Kim, Asian consultant for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, pastor, Denton Korean Baptist Church, Denton, TX

TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 17

6:30 Concert of Praise: Prestonwood Celebration Choir and Orchestra

6:40 Prayer: Thomas J. McCoy, pastor, Thompson Station Baptist Church, Thompson Station, TN

6:45 The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Report: Richard D. Land, president, Nashville, TN

7:05 Election of Officers (Third)

7:15 Business: Committee on Order of Business (Third Report) -- T.C. Pinckney

7:25 Previously Scheduled Business

Reporting Proposed Resolutions

7:50 Recognition of Former SBC Presidents: Jack Graham

8:00 Congregational Praise and Worship: R. Todd Bell

8:05 Music Feature: Prestonwood Celebration Choir and Orchestra

8:10 Special Testimony

8:35 North American Mission Board Report: Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, president, Alpharetta, GA

8:45 North American Mission Board Presentation: Robert E. (Bob) Reccord

9:05 Inspirational Music: Prestonwood Celebration Choir and Orchestra

9:10 Kingdom Challenge: Ed Young, pastor, Second Baptist Church, Houston, TX

9:30 Benediction: Reuben Guerrero, evangelist, Samaritan's Purse, Mesquite, TX

WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUNE 18

8:30 Concert of Praise: Valley Baptist Church Choir, Bakersfield, CA, Gary Mathena, minister of music

Congregational Praise and Worship: Gary Mathena

8:45 Prayer: Bruce G. Coe, senior pastor, Castle Hills First Baptist Church, San Antonio, TX

8:50 Annuity Board Report: O.S. Hawkins, president and chief executive officer, Dallas, TX

9:05 Election of Officers (Fourth)

9:15 Business: Committee on Order of Business (Fourth Report) -- T.C. Pinckney

9:35 Previously Scheduled Business: T.C. Pinckney

9:50 Baptist World Alliance: Denton Lotz, general secretary, Falls Church, VA

10:00 Committee on Resolutions (First Report): Michael S. (Mike) Hamlet, chairman, pastor, First Baptist North, Spartanburg, SC

10:30 Congregational Praise and Worship: Gary Mathena

10:35 Music Feature: Valley Baptist Church Choir

10:40 Kingdom Challenge: James W. (Jim) Richards, executive director, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention

11:00 Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Presentation: R. Philip (Phil) Roberts, president, Kansas City, MO

11:15 Election of Officers (Fifth)

11:25 Committee on Committees Report: Bryant Wright, chairman, pastor, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta, GA

11:35 American Bible Society: Eugene B. Habecker, president

11:40 Congregational Praise and Worship: Kim Noblitt, minister of music, First Baptist Church, Euless, TX

11:45 Music Feature: Valley Baptist Church Choir

11:50 Convention Message: O. S. Hawkins, president and chief executive officer, Annuity Board, Dallas, TX

12:25 Benediction: Bob Parker, pastor, First Baptist Markham Woods, Lake Mary, FL

WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 18

6:00 Concert of Praise: Prestonwood Praise Band, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX

6:10 Prayer: Reuel May Jr., oral surgeon, Jackson, MS 

6:15 Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Presentation: Paige Patterson, president, Wake Forest, NC

6:30 Presentation of Outgoing Officers: Morris H. Chapman

6:35 Presentation of New Officers: Morris H. Chapman

6:40 Business: Committee on Order of Business (Fifth Report) -- T.C. Pinckney 

Election of 2004 Convention Sermon Preacher, Alternate and Music Director

6:50 Previously Scheduled Business

7:05 Committee on Resolutions (Final Report): Michael S. (Mike) Hamlet

7:35 Worship with Charles Billingsley, concert artist, and the Liberty University Praise Band

7:55 Special Guest: Zig Ziglar, author, Carrollton, TX

8:25 Congregational Praise and Worship: R. Todd Bell

8:30 International Mission Board Report: Jerry A. Rankin, president, International Mission Board, Richmond, VA

8:40 International Mission Board Presentation: Jerry A. Rankin

9:00 Benediction: Jon Elliff, pastor, Harrison Hills Baptist Church, Lanesville, IN
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Pastors' Conference to focus on health of pastor's family
by Michael Foust
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--A focus on strengthening America's families -- particularly those of the pastor and the church -- will dominate this year's Pastors' Conference.

Based on the theme "Building Kingdom Families," the 2003 Pastors' Conference will feature such prominent speakers as Howard Hendricks, David Jeremiah, Josh McDowell, Adrian Rogers and Johnny Hunt. The conference will conclude with the Southern Baptist Convention's first-ever "Kingdom Family Rally" Monday evening, June 16, hosted by singer Steve Green and his wife Marijean, with special speakers Dennis and Barbara Rainey of FamilyLife Today and SBC Council on Family Life leader Tom Elliff and his wife Jeannie. Pastors, church staff members and laypeople from across the country are invited to attend.

The Pastors' Conference sessions will be held in the Phoenix Civic Plaza prior to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting there.

Pastors' Conference President Mac Brunson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, said the reasoning behind the theme is simple - America's families are in need of a spiritual awakening.

"I don't know anything else that is more needed today than that," he said. "I don't know any area that is more critical than that."

Because of a pastor's leadership role, his marriage often serves as a model for others, Brunson added. "Statistics are telling us that pastors' families are in real trouble," he said. "There is a critical need for ... help for pastors' families.

"A church is going to take on the personality and the flavor of the pastor," he said. "What he does in his family speaks so much louder than anything he says in the pulpit -- how he treats his wife, how he treats his kids, what he does with his family.

"&#91;Church members&#93; can hear him preach, but if there's nothing of substance there in his own life and in his own home, they know it's hypocrisy."

Pastors also deal with marital problems within their church on a regular basis, Brunson added. Research by George Barna backs Brunson on this: The divorce rate among Christians is identical to that of non-Christians.

"If there's one area that most pastors need help in the church it's, 'How do I help the families in my church?' Our families in the church are in trouble," Brunson said. "How do we divorce-proof and affair-proof our marriages? How can we as pastors minister to the families in our church?"

The conference will include pastors from both large and small churches, Brunson said, adding that he chose speakers who preached "the Word expositionally."

"If there's a second thing that pastors need modeled for them, &#91;it's&#93; expositional preaching," he said. "Beyond that, I picked men who I knew in their own personal lives they were committed to their families."

Southern Baptists, Brunson said, would be well served by attending the conference.

"I think every pastor and every staff member should try to get to Phoenix," he said. "We want to minister to them in their own personal marriage but then to equip them to help others."

The conference will be divided into four sessions, focusing on "Building Kingdom Families" in America, in the church, "in our homes" and "Building Kingdom Families to reach the world."

Following is a complete schedule of speakers:

-- Sunday, June 15, 5:30 p.m. ("Building Kingdom Families in America"): Hank Williams, evangelist, Hank Williams Ministries, Asheboro, N.C.; Howard Hendricks, chairman, Center for Christian Leadership, Dallas Theological Seminary; Josh McDowell, author/speaker, Josh McDowell Ministries, Dallas; Jerry Vines, pastor, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL.

-- Monday, June 16, 8:30 a.m. ("Building Kingdom Families in the Church"): Chip Roberson, pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Chesapeake, Va.; Dennis Swanberg, humorist/author, Monroe, La.; Ergun Caner, Assistant Professor, The Criswell College, Dallas, Texas; Johnny Hunt, pastor, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Ga.

-- Monday, June 16, 1 p.m. ("Building Kingdom Families in our Homes"): Ken Whitten, pastor, Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa, Fla.; Ted Traylor, pastor, Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, Fla.; Tommy Nelson, pastor, Denton Bible Church, Denton, Texas; David Jeremiah, pastor, Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, Calif.

-- Monday, June 16, 5:45 p.m. ("Building Kingdom Families to Reach the World"): Adrian Rogers, pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tenn.

-- Monday, June 16, 7:15 p.m.: SBC's first-ever Kingdom Family Rally, Steve and Marijean Green, host; Dennis and Barbara Rainey, FamilyLife Today, Little Rock, Ark.; Tom Elliff, pastor, First Southern Baptist Church, Del City, Okla., and his wife Jeannie. Video segments by Beth Moore of Houston and James and Shirley Dobson, Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colo.
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Breast cancer survivor, missionaries slated for WMU sessions in Phoenix
by Julie Walters
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--A variety of speakers and opportunities to meet Southern Baptist missionaries will be featured during the Missions Celebration of Woman's Missionary Union prior to the 2003 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Phoenix.

With the stage set June 15-16 in Arizona at the Phoenix Civic Plaza, WMU's keynote speaker will be Brenda Ladun, award-winning news anchor, author and breast cancer survivor.

In her book "Getting Better, Not Bitter," Ladun writes about her spiritual transformation through her battle with breast cancer. For her pioneering work in bringing breast cancer awareness to television viewers, she received national awards from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society. She also has won six Associated Press awards and an Emmy nomination for best anchor. Ladun, who ran a marathon within a year of her diagnosis, is currently training to climb Mt. Kilamanjaro with other cancer survivors.

"I believe your worst nightmares can lead to your greatest blessings," Ladun likes to say. As a strong Southern Baptist, she credits her family, Christian friends and most importantly her faith in God with seeing her through her struggle with cancer.

"Brenda is such an inspiration," said Wanda Lee, WMU executive director/treasurer. "As she shares her touching story, she relates firsthand how God can use our struggles and adversities to strengthen our faith, and through these difficult times, He can supply us with a peace that truly surpasses our understanding."

Other leaders of WMU's Missions Celebration will include Karla Worley, author, musician and worship leader; Debra Berry, author and WMU ministry consultant for African American audiences; Mary Kaye Wonner, worship leader; and Janet Hoffman, WMU national president. In addition, personnel of the North American Mission Board and International Mission Board will be featured during each session of the meeting.

Building on the theme, "Answer His Call", sessions begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, and conclude Monday evening. No pre-registration is required and there is no charge to attend. Childcare will be provided.

Along with four plenary sessions, WMU also hosts three one-hour conferences on Monday, June 16, featuring a variety of topics, including WMU age-level programs such as Girls in Action and Acteens and various WMU ministries. Some conferences will be in Spanish.

In addition, WMU will host two special events this year as part of the Missions Celebration.

The first is a reception on Sunday, June 15, at the Phoenix Civic Plaza for attendees to meet NAMB and IMB field personnel and hear their inspiring stories. Later that evening will be a Legacy Dessert Party at the Wyndham Hotel, a new event hosted jointly by WMU and the WMU Foundation. In the past, both WMU and the WMU Foundation have hosted individual events that celebrate the legacy of missions. 

"Since both these events celebrate the past while looking forward to our future, we are excited to link these two at this year's meeting," said David George, WMU Foundation president.

This is the only element of the WMU program that requires pre-registration. To register, send $7 per person to WMU Foundation, P.O. Box 11346, Birmingham, Ala., 35202-1346. It should be received no later than May 15.

For additional information on the 2003 WMU Missions Celebration, call 1-888-968-0322 or visit <a href="http://www.wmu.com/annualmeeting">www.wmu.com/annualmeeting</a>.
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Ministers' wives to gather as 'Jewels in the Desert'
by Erin Curry
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--"Jewels in the Desert" will be the theme of this year's Ministers' Wives Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention June 17 in Phoenix.

Based on Proverbs 31:10, "... a virtuous wife ... her worth is far above rubies," the theme plays off the desert environment of Arizona and reflects ministers' wives' roles as the jewels in the crowns of their husbands, said 2003 conference president Janet Hunt, wife of Johnny Hunt, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga.

"We had to choose the theme a while ago, and after &#91;Operation Iraqi Freedom&#93; started, I thought we should have a patriotic theme," Hunt said. "Then it dawned on me that our original theme still fits because our servicemen are the jewels of our nation serving in the Middle East desert."

So the women will both celebrate their role as jewels and pay special attention to the troops serving in the war.

The 11:30 a.m. ministers' wives luncheon Tuesday, June 17, will be held in the Phoenix Civic Plaza Ballroom in Phoenix, the host city of the June 17-18 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.

Advance tickets, at $10 each, may be ordered by sending a check payable to the SBC Ministers' Wives Conference and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Tammy Litton, 1627 Silver Creek Drive, Saraland, AL 36571. Advance ticked orders must be postmarked by May 15.

Tickets purchased at the SBC annual meeting will be $12 each.

Humorist Liz Curtis Higgs, author of "Bad Girls of the Bible" and "One Size Fits All and Other Fables," will be the luncheon's guest speaker.

"I wanted Liz Curtis Higgs to come because I feel like the unsung heroes in our convention are the ministers' wives, and I want to make them feel special," Hunt said. "I have always loved the luncheon and felt special there. I feel like part of feeling special is to be encouraged, especially in times of war. All the encouragement we can get is what we need."

Last year, a capacity crowd heard a message from Janet Parshall, host of the nationally syndicated talk show "Janet Parshall's America" in Washington, D.C., and "Renewing the Heart" program produced by Focus on the Family.

Also at this year's luncheon, the 2003 Mrs. J.M. Dawson Distinguished Service Award for "distinct denominational contribution beyond the local church" will be awarded. Last year's award was given to Jeanette Henry, wife of Jim Henry, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Orlando, Fla.

The officers for the 2003 Ministers' Wives Conference are president, Hunt; vice president, Pam Agee, wife of Bill Agee, director of missions from Glendale, Ariz.,; recording secretary/treasurer, Tammy Litton, wife of Ed Litton, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in North Mobile, Ala.; and corresponding secretary, Janice Thomas, wife of Claude Thomas, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Euless, Texas.

The luncheon, always held on Tuesday during the SBC annual meeting, is open to all wives of ministers -- pastors, staff members, chaplains, missionaries and denominational workers.
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Directors of Missions to highlight theme of 'DOM: Missionary at Heart'
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--Missionary zeal will be underscored during the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Directors of Missions' 42nd annual meeting June 15-16 in Phoenix.

"The DOM: Missionary at Heart" will be the theme of the conference, which opens with a 9:45 a.m. worship service Sunday, June 15. The president's address, by Don Reed, director of missions from Kansas City, Kan., is slated for the Sunday afternoon session.

Ernie Perkins, a humorist and director of missions from Oklahoma City, will deliver the after-dinner entertainment Sunday evening.

Also featured during the two-day conference will be Carlisle Driggers, the current co-chair of the SBC's Empowering Kingdom Growth Task Force and executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, and O.S. Hawkins, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Annuity Board.

Charles and Helen Nunn of Pawleys Island, S.C., will be recognized for six years of service in the role of SBCADOM administrator/treasurer.

The conference's meetings will be at the Phoenix Airport Marriott Hotel.

Anne Graham Lotz, author and conference speaker, addressed the group at last year's meeting. Lotz encouraged messengers to stay "focused, fired up and faithful" to the Bible and the ministry God has for them.

Current SBCADOM officers are president, Reed; first vice president, Jim Freedman, director of missions from Nashville, Tenn.; second vice president, Nodell Dennis, director of missions from Kansas City, Mo.; editor of the association's newsletter, DOM Viewpoint, John Brackin, director of missions from West Palm Beach, Fla.; and recording secretary, Ernest Sadler, director of missions from Jackson, Miss.
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Hispanic network's 6-year mark fueled by 315 new church starts
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--The launch of 315 new Hispanic Baptist churches last year and the progress of a state Baptist convention in Puerto Rico will be celebrated during the Sixth Annual Celebration of the SBC Hispanic Multiplying Church Network June 16 in Phoenix.

Puerto Rico is moving strongly in the direction of becoming a convention, said Bob Sena, manager of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board church planting group's Hispanic unit. The Puerto Rican group elected a president, Rene Pereira of Glennview Baptist Church in Ponce, and will choose an executive director in July.

The SBC Hispanic Multiplying Church Network first met in conjunction with the 1998 SBC annual meeting in Salt Lake City.

Last year, more than 300 people representing 17 states gathered for the Hispanic network meeting. This year's meeting, at North Phoenix Baptist Church, will begin with a 5 p.m. dinner.

The program, which begins at 5:50, will include a Call to Church Multiplication by Daniel Sanchez, professor of missions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and founding director of the school's Scarborough Institute for Church Planting and Growth.

Also featured in the program will be a special recognition of Fermin Whittaker as a Champion for Church Planting. Whittaker has served as executive director of the California Southern Baptist Convention since 1995 and worked for 18 years at the Home Mission Board (now the North American Mission Board) of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has focused much of his ministry among Hispanic populations in serving local churches and on evangelistic crusades throughout the Americas.

Queries about the network and available resources for Hispanic church planting can be phoned to (770) 410-6227 or e-mailed to bsena@namb.net.

Nearly 36 million Hispanics in the United States comprise the largest minority group and, now at 12.5 percent of the population, are the fastest-growing segment, Sena said.
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Hispanic fellowship to take Gospel to the streets at annual meeting
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--The 16th Annual Reunion of the National Fellowship of Hispanic Southern Baptist Churches will celebrate the theme "There is Life in Jesus" as they conduct a week-long evangelistic crusade in Phoenix and surrounding areas.

The crusade, which begins Monday, June 9, will feature evangelists and lay leaders from Hispanic churches nationwide who will visit neighborhoods and lead evangelistic services in local churches.

Workshops and a concert featuring Miguel Angel Guerra, Miguel Cejas and others will be held at North Phoenix Baptist Church June 14-15. Workshop titles include "Foreign Missions," "Faith," "Leadership," "Financial Healing," "Youth," "Fighting Pornography" and others. The business session will be Sunday at 4:30 p.m. followed by special video presentations.

The Hispanic fellowship's concluding session will be June 15 at 7:30 p.m. with a message from the fellowship's president, Augusto Valverde, pastor of Resurrection Baptist Church in Miami. 

The national fellowship was begun by 14 Hispanic leaders meeting in Las Vegas in 1987. The founders wanted "to bring about an awareness of Hispanic needs," said Bob Sena, who was elected by that group as their liaison to Southern Baptist Convention entities. Sena currently is manager of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board church planting group's Hispanic unit. 

"It was observed that Hispanics and other ethnic Baptists should be given more representation and participation in the planning of their future within the Southern Baptist Convention," Sena recounted.

At the same time, the founders were committed "to motivate Hispanic congregations to be more involved in and cooperative with ... all levels of the Southern Baptist Convention: association, state and national," Sena said, and they rooted their doctrinal stance in the SBC's Baptist Faith and Message statement of beliefs. 

Hispanic churches interested in being a part of the fellowship may contact Julio Fuentes at (305) 978-5253 or Julhist@aol.com.
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Bethesda Community Baptist to host African American June 15 fellowship
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--Bethesda Community Baptist Church in Phoenix will host the June 15 worship fellowship of the African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Ronald Vail, pastor of Bible Way Baptist Church in St. Louis, will preach at the 6:30 p.m. service.

On Monday, June 16, the fellowship's annual pastors' meeting will begin at 5 p.m., followed by a fellowship dinner at 6:30 p.m., both at the Wyndham Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza) in Phoenix. The pastors' meeting will be in the Wyndham's Apache A/B Room, with the dinner in the Navajo A/B Room.

The dinner's featured speaker will be George McCalep Jr., the fellowship's president and pastor of Greenforest Community Baptist Church in Atlanta.

"I've been an African American pastor for 23 years. When I first became pastor and even now when I go to the convention, you don't see a lot of African Americans," McCalep said. "So for no more than the camaraderie and fellowship, &#91;the African American Fellowship&#93; serves a great purpose. Secondly, it addresses issues that relate to African American churches. I think it's very critical from that standpoint.

"This year like every year is always critical. People come to the convention to be involved in Southern Baptist life like the election of the president and resolutions that pass that affect the life of churches throughout the country," he said. "The churches have to be involved if we're going to make a difference."

More than 3,100 African American congregations and church-type missions are affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

African American congregations interested in becoming involved in the African American Fellowship may contact McCalep at (404) 486-1120.
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Denominational workers to celebrate black Baptist history in Phoenix
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--The Black Southern Baptist Denominational Servant's Network will host the first meeting of the African American Southern Baptist History Project June 14 at Bethesda Community Baptist Church in Phoenix. At the seminar, scheduled for 3 p.m., several papers will be presented and the first Journal of African American Southern Baptist History, published by the network, will be distributed.

"This will be an historic occasion," said Sid Smith, executive director of the network and director of the Florida Baptist Convention's African American ministries division. "It will be the first time that there has been an organized effort to focus on African American Southern Baptist history as an ongoing project."

The Black Southern Baptist Denominational Servant's Network annual meeting and awards banquet will be held June 15 at Bethesda Community Baptist Church.

The Sunday program is scheduled from 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Highlights will include the annual presentation of the Dr. Emmanuel L. McCall Denominational Servant Award and the first presentation of the Founders' Awards in honor of the founding members of the network. The Hall of Servanthood Awards also will be presented, and Roy J. Cotton will deliver the presidential address. Cotton is the Dallas/Fort Worth regional consultant for the Baptist General Convention of Texas' church starting center.

Ticket prices, which include both the history seminar and the banquet, are $30 per person. Reservations may be sent to the Black Southern Baptist Denominational Servant's Network at 6336 Wood Valley Road, Jacksonville, FL 32217. Checks should be payable to the Black Southern Baptist Denominational Servants' Network.
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Koehn, Myers to be remembered at Midwestern alumni luncheon
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)-Baptist hospital workers William Koehn and Martha Myers, who were killed in Yemen last December, will be honored posthumously as Honorary Alumni of the Year during Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's June 18 luncheon in Phoenix.

Koehn attended the Kansas City, Mo., seminary in 1974 and Myers attended in 1977. Both were longtime workers at the Baptist hospital in Jibla, Yemen, when they and a coworker were killed by a lone gunman.

Former President Mark Coppenger of Evanston, Ill., also will be named an honorary alumnus, in keeping with seminary tradition in which each past president has been accorded honorary status.

Alumni of the Year recipients will be Harry Clifton of Independence, Mo., and Roger Ellsworth of Benton, Ill.

The luncheon will be in the Hyatt Regency Hotel's Curtis A/B Room on level 2.

Advance tickets are $15; $17 at the seminary's booth in the SBC exhibit hall. The advance ticket price is good through June 12. Reservations may be made by contacting Kathy Harbert at (816) 414-3720 or kharbert@mbts.edu. If reserved by June 12, the advance ticket price may be paid at the booth.
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Phoenix campus draws spotlight at GGBTS Alumni & Friends Luncheon
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)-The work of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary's Phoenix campus will be highlighted during the seminary's June 18 Alumni and Friends Luncheon.

Seminary President William O. Crews will be the featured speaker, and this year's Distinguished Alumni Award recipient will be announced.

The luncheon, slated for noon Wednesday, will be held in the Phoenix Civic Plaza's Tucson Room 36/37/38. Tickets, at $10 per person, will be available at the seminary's booth in the SBC exhibit hall.
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Hemphill to host seminary luncheon, concluding 9 years as president
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's National Alumni Luncheon will be at 12:30 p.m. June 18 in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Pheonix.

Southwestern President Kenneth S. Hemphill, who recently announced his retirement from the Fort Worth, Texas, seminary, will present the seminary's 2003 distinguished alumni awards and the seminary's annual report.

Hemphill, who has led Southwestern since 1994, has been named as the national strategist for the Southern Baptist Convention's Empowering Kingdom Growth initiative.

The luncheon, held yearly in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting, will be in the Hyatt's Regency Ballroom sections C/D.

Alumni and friends of the seminary may purchase tickets for $17.50 per person before June 1 by writing to Southwestern's Alumni Relations Office at P.O. Box 22480, Fort Worth, Texas 76122-0480. Tickets may be purchased at the convention for $20 per person. Children are welcome to attend the luncheon, but they must have a ticket. Checks should be made payable to Southwestern Seminary. For more information, call (817) 923-1921, ext. 7260, or e-mail alumni@swbts.edu.
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Southern Seminary alumni/friends to convene June 18 in Phoenix
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)-Southern Baptist Theological Seminary will hold its luncheon for alumni and friends at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at the Wyndham Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza).

Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. will be among the speakers. The luncheon will take place in the hotel's Grand Ballroom North on level 3.

For information, call 1-800-626-5525, ext. 4143.
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Patterson, alumni award slated for SEBTS luncheon
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)-Paige Patterson, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, will address the annual Alumni and Friends Luncheon at noon Wednesday, June 18, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix.

The seminary's annual Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented during the luncheon, to be held in the Hyatt's Phoenix Ballroom East/West on level two.

Tickets are $12 per person and can be obtained by contacting the seminary at (919) 761-2202 or at the seminary's booth in the exhibit hall during the June 17-18 SBC annual meeting.
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New Orleans Seminary alumni & friends to hear from President Chuck Kelley
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's annual Alumni & Friends Reunion will be a luncheon meeting June 18 during the Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix.

Scheduled to begin at noon, the luncheon will be held in the Pueblo Room of the Wyndham Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza), two blocks from the Civic Plaza.

The meeting will include a special report from NOBTS President Chuck Kelley on the seminary's ongoing transformation through its New Horizons Campaign as well as the faculty's annual presentation of the distinguished alumni awards.

Tickets, at $10 each, are on sale now by mail. Tickets also will be available at the SBC annual meeting at the NOBTS booth in the exhibit hall. Cost will be $12 per person after June 1.

To purchase a ticket before the SBC, mail a check, made payable to the NOBTS, to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Attention Denise Wrye, 3939 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70126. Tickets ordered from the office after June 1 may be picked up at the seminary's booth in the SBC exhibit hall.
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Anne Graham Lotz to address evangelists' Sunday worship
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)-Anne Graham Lotz will be the first of three speakers during the Sunday morning worship sponsored by the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists prior to this year's Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.

The worship service in Phoenix will be from 9 a.m. to noon June 15 in the Symphony Hall across from the Phoenix Civic Plaza. "Jesus Is Precious" will be the morning's theme, based on John 12:32, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

Jim McNiel, a Southern Baptist evangelist of 35 years from St. Louis, described Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, as "a renowned Bible teacher" and author of several noted books, including "Just Give Me Jesus."

Also featured during the worship service will be:

-- Musical praise and worship featuring various music evangelists, led by Marion Warren, a longtime music evangelist from Euless, Texas, and music director for the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists.

-- James Messer, an evangelist from Theodore, Ala., near Mobile, known as the "Mel Tillis of evangelism."

-- "The Cross Ministry," a presentation on the death of Jesus from a medical perspective and His resurrection, with special lighting and sound effects, featuring David Ball, an evangelist/medical doctor from Batesville, Miss. A multimedia presentation is "something we've never done before, and we're exceedingly excited," McNiel said.

The evangelists also will hold a "Revival for Survival" symposium and question-and-answer session immediately following the Sunday night session of the SBC Pastors' Conference.

The discussion, to be held in the Hyatt Regency Hotel Ballroom A/B, will include Bob Pittman, pastor of Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn.; Mike Minnix, director of evangelism for the Georgia Baptist Convention; James O. Coldiron, an evangelistic campaign consultant with the North American Mission Board and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; and Jerry Chaddick, pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Laurel, Miss.

The panelists will focus on churches, ministries and strategies "on the cutting edge of revival for the 21st century church," McNiel said.

The annual business meeting of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists will begin with a noon luncheon Monday, June 16, at the Embassy Suites. Bill Britt, an evangelist from Dallas, will be the featured speaker.
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2 FAITH-related events scheduled during SBC
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--Two events are scheduled during the 2003 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting to extend appreciation to pastors involved in FAITH and to give pastors of non-FAITH churches more information about the strategy.

The FAITH/Sunday School area of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention will sponsor both events.

A FAITH Force Multipliers' lunch meeting for FAITH-trained pastors will be held Tuesday, June 17, immediately following the morning session of the SBC annual meeting. This free event will be at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the Regency Ballroom on the first floor. Tickets are limited to 700 participants. Bobby Welch, pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., and co-creator of the FAITH/Sunday School Evangelism Strategy, will be the speaker.

Pastors of non-FAITH churches who want to learn more about how the FAITH/Sunday School evangelism strategy can work in their congregations and help their churches grow are invited to a free FAITH awareness luncheon, Tuesday, June 17, during the convention's lunch break. Tickets are limited to 250 participants. The lunch also will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in the Phoenix Ballroom on the second floor.

While there is no charge for either luncheon, tickets are required for admission. Tickets may be picked up on Sunday, June 15, from 4-9 p.m., and on Monday, June 16, from 8 a.m.-9 p.m., at the FAITH information table in the SBC registration area.
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Lotz, Cupit to address BWA annual breakfast
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)-The Baptist World Alliance's Window on the World Breakfast, held annually in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, is scheduled for 7 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, in the Phoenix Civic Plaza, Tucson Rooms 38-39.

BWA General Secretary Denton Lotz and Tony Cupit, BWA director of evangelism, education, study and research, will be the featured speakers.

Tickets, at $15 each, may be ordered by contacting the Baptist World Alliance at (703) 790-8980.
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Ellsworth to speak on revival at Founders Fellowship Breakfast
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

PHOENIX (BP)--"Revival: Do Something Special" will be featured speaker Roger Ellsworth's theme at the Founders Fellowship Breakfast June 17 in Phoenix.

Ellsworth is pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton, Ill., and author of several books.

The 7 a.m. Tuesday breakfast, held annually in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention, is sponsored by Founders Ministries, an organization founded in 1982 for the perpetuation of historic Calvinism doctrines within the Southern Baptist Convention often referred to as "the doctrines of grace."

The breakfast will be held in the Wyndham Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza), in the Hopi A/B room on level two.

A full breakfast will be served, at a cost of $12 per person. Inquiries may be phoned to (239) 772-1400. Registration deadline for the breakfast is May 31.
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Pastors' Conference 2003
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

Building Kingdom Families
June 15-16
Phoenix Civic Plaza
Phoenix, Ariz.

Session I, Sunday, June 15

Building Kingdom Families in America

5:30 p.m. Pre-session Praise: Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra, Chapel Choir & Orchestra, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX

6:00 Welcome: Mac Brunson, president, Pastors' Conference, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX

6:05 Prayer: Donald Brunson Sr.

6:10 Congregational Praise: Keith Ferguson, minister of music, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX

6:20 Musical worship: Wintley Phipps

6:25 Message: Hank Williams, evangelist, Hank Williams Ministries, Asheboro, NC

6:55 Musical worship: Annie Moses Band

7:05 Message: Howard Hendricks, chairman, Center for Christian Leadership, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX

7:35 Musical worship: Chapel Choir & Orchestra, Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra

7:50 Message: Josh McDowell, author/speaker, Josh McDowell Ministries, Dallas, TX

8:20 SBC president's welcome: Jack Graham, president, Southern Baptist Convention, pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX

8:25 Prayer and offering: Jack Graham

8:35 Musical worship: Combined Choir & Orchestras, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX

8:40 Message: Jerry Vines, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida

9:10 Prayer: Rick Byrd, pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC

9:15 Postlude of Praise

Session II, Monday, June 16

Building Kingdom Families in the Church

8:30 Musical worship: Chapel Choir & Orchestra

8:35 Welcome and prayer: Vance Pitman, vice president, Pastors' Conference 2003, Hope Baptist Church, Henderson, NV

8:40 Congregational praise: Grady Chism, music associate, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX

8:45 Musical worship: Rick Webb Trio

8:50 Message: Chip Roberson, pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA

9:20 Musical worship: Wintley Phipps

9:30 Message: Dennis Swanberg, humorist/author, Monroe, LA

10:00 Congregational praise: Grady Chism, music associate, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX

10:05 Musical praise: Annie Moses Band

10:10 Message: Ergun Caner, Assistant Professor, The Criswell College, Dallas, Texas

10:40 Musical worship: Bruce Greer

10:45 Prayer and offering: Lee Sheppard, pastor, Celebration Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL

10:50 Musical worship: Chapel Choir & Orchestra

10:55 Message: Johnny Hunt, pastor, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA

11:25 Prayer: Bobby Worthington, pastor, Inner City Chapel, Dallas, TX

11:30 Postlude of praise

Session III, Monday, June 16

Building Kingdom Families in Our Homes

1:00 Musical worship: Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra, Bruce Greer

1:15 Welcome: Hal Kitchings, secretary, Pastors' Conference 2003, First Baptist Church, Eustis, FL

1:20 Congregational praise: Keith Ferguson

1:25 Musical worship: Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra

1:30 Message: Ken Whitten, pastor, Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa, FL

2:00 Musical worship: Rick Webb Trio

2:10 Message: Ted Traylor, pastor, Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL

2:40 Prayer and offering: Greg Mathis, pastor, Mud Creek Baptist Church, Hendersonville, NC

2:45 Musical worship: Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra

2:50 Election of officers

3:10 Musical worship: Wintley Phipps

3:15 Message: Tommy Nelson, pastor, Denton Bible Church, Denton, TX

3:45 Musical worship: Bruce Greer

3:55 Message: David Jeremiah, pastor, Shadow Mountain Community Church, 
El Cajon, CA

4:25 Praying for our families: Mac Brunson

4:30 Postlude of praise

Session IV, Monday, June 16

Building Kingdom Families to Reach the World

5:45 Musical worship: Annie Moses Band

6:00 Congregational praise: Keith Ferguson, Combined Choirs, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX

6:10 Welcome and prayer: Mac Brunson

6:15 Musical drama: "Every Other Saturday," Music Ministry, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX

6:30 Message: Adrian Rogers, pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, TN

7:00 Offering and prayer: O.S. Hawkins, president, Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention

7:10 Musical worship: Combined Choirs, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX

7:15 Kingdom Family Rally: Steve and Marijean Green, host; Dennis and Barbara Rainey of FamilyLife Today, Little Rock, AR; Tom Elliff, pastor, First Southern Baptist Church, Del City, OK, and wife Jeannie; video segments by Beth Moore of Houston, TX, and James and Shirley Dobson, Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO.

9:15 Postlude of praise
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WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting
by Staff
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

June 15-16, 2003
Phoenix Civic Center Ballroom
Phoenix, Ariz.
Theme: Answer His Call
2 Timothy 1:8-9 (NIV)
Sunday, June 15
Answer His Call ... to Faith
Romans 1:6 (NIV)

Pre-session music begins at 1:30 p.m., coordinated by Mary Kaye Wonner
2:00 Theme Interpretation: Acteens Panelists

Welcome: Janet Hoffman

Music for Worship: Mary Kaye Wonner

Answering God's Call: Missionary

Answering His Call to Faith: Debra Berry

Prayer Focus: Missionary

Music

A Call to Faith: Brenda Ladun

Calling Out the Called: Celebrating 90 Years of GAs

Prayer Closing: Karla Worley
3:45-5:00 Meet the Missionaries Reception in Lobby Three, Tucson Rooms
Answer His Call ... to Service
Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Pre-session music begins at 6:30, coordinated by Mary Kaye Wonner
7:00 p.m. Theme Interpretation: Acteens Panelists

Welcome and Announcements: Janet Hoffman

Music for Worship: Mary Kaye Wonner

Answering His Call to Service: Debra Berry

Answering God's Call to Ghana: Sandy Wisdom-Martin

Four-Handed Piano Medley: Connie Waddell, Donna Calaway

Calling Out the Called: Youth on Mission for God

Prayer Focus: Missionary

Music

Called to Serve Through My Vocation: Brenda Ladun

Prayer Closing: Karla Worley
Monday, June 16
Answer His Call ... to Leadership
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

Pre-session music begins at 8:30 a.m., coordinated by Mary Kaye Wonner
9:00 Theme Interpretation: Acteens Panelists

Welcome and Overview of Conferences: Wanda Lee

Election of Officers and Recognition of Vice Presidents

Music/Hymn Medley: Mary Kaye Wonner

Answering God's Call: Missionary

Four-Handed Piano Medley: Connie Waddell, Donna Calaway

Answering His Call to Leadership: Debra Berry

Music

President's Address -- God Is Calling: Janet Hoffman

Closing Prayer: Karla Worley

Breakout Sessions: Lobby Three, Tucson Rooms 36-43, 11:00-12:00, 2:00-3:00, 3:30-4:30
Answer His Call ... to Missions
Families on Mission for God
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Pre-session music begins at 6:30, coordinated by Mary Kaye Wonner
7:00 Theme Interpretation: Acteens Panelists

Welcome, Introductions and Announcements: Janet Hoffman

Music for Worship: Mary Kaye Wonner

Calling Out the Called: Families on Mission for God

Four-Handed Piano Medley: Connie Waddell, Donna Calaway

A Family Called to Missions: Missionary

Answering His Call to Missions: Debra Berry

Prayer Focus: Missionary

Music

Calling Families to Missions: Missionary

Prayer Closing: Karla Worley
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FIRST-PERSON: Stimulated toward death
by Ted G. Stone & Philip Barber
Date: April 23, 2003 - Wednesday

DURHAM, N.C. (BP)--For more than 50 years, stimulants have maintained a considerable measure of popularity, whether available through legal channels or obtained from illegal sources.

Amphetamines made their mark originally as pharmaceutical delights aimed to provide surefire weight loss. The diet craze was sweeping America during the 1960s, and ready customers for these capsules and pills flooded doctors' offices for easily obtained prescriptions.

Although sleeplessness and nervousness were obvious to eager users, the drug delivered what it promised: weight loss as the substance was ingested on a regular basis. And the accompanying increase in energy and the wide-awake state were added bonuses.

But other, more disastrous side effects became obvious to long-term users. Paranoia and violence were other disturbing results for many who continued for long periods down the amphetamine (speed) road, whether the source was a doctor's prescription or a street dealer. Stimulants have two quite negative effects. They speed up the heartbeat and constrict the blood vessels, and thus they increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Eventually professionals in the medical field and government regulators took notice, and finally it became more difficult to obtain a prescription. The public belatedly recognized potential harm, and most discontinued their habits, while others retreated to the street markets.

The diet craze did not disappear, however. Soon the market was glutted with products containing the herb ephedra, which was not carefully regulated by the government. Once again the public had discovered a substance that would do what it promised. Most in the market were convinced that pounds could be lost safely, and demand rose while businessmen steadily profited from their find.

However, these dietary supplements also caused an increase in the heartbeat rate and forced the vessels to constrict. But the public was lulled to sleep, delighting in certain weight loss and the tranquility of the legal marketplace.

Heart attacks and strokes were reported among some users, but no evidence seemed available to link these tragedies to ephedra, and the industry continued its brisk sales. Little attention was paid when national and international sporting groups banned the substance. A self-serving promotion group, formed to protect the manufacturers of and the outlets for the products containing ephedra, kept the public assured of its safety.

However, when the sudden deaths of sports figures who were ephedra users made the headlines, the public and the government began to question the safety of yet another substance that had delivered its original promises. But even now public opinion is slow to rise up against a substance that will make us feel or look better. We are reluctant to ask the essential question that should mark all such decisions: At what cost do we use the products that originally make such bold and enticing promises?

We have been eager to point fingers of blame and shame at those who choose illegal stimulants such as methamphetamine or crack, two other extremely dangerous amphetamine-related substances that produce feelings they promise to provide. Yet law-abiding society excuses its own poor choices under the deceptive veil of legality. Legal or illegal drugs posses the potential to deliver death.

Perhaps if we would pledge to learn the whole story before our next headlong rush into the use of potentially dangerous stimulants we would save others and ourselves from the tragedies of harm's way.
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Stone and Barber are coauthors of two books on alcohol and drug abuse, "The Drug Tragedy -- Hope for the One Who Hurts" and "The Drug Tragedy -- Hope for the One Who Cares," both available from LifeWay Christian Stores.




