The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-05/01/2002 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Old West church saddles up with boost from CP Missions by Karen L. Willoughby Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday WAXAHACHIE, Texas (BP)--Before others noticed a trend, CP Missions was riding it. Two years before the events of Sept. 11 brought Americans to a new appreciation of home and family, church starter Ron Nolen lassoed the Cooperative Program for the tie needed to successfully start a cowboy church. Matter of fact, that's its name: Cowboy Church of Ellis County, just south of Dallas. "CP missions is absolutely indispensable to what we're doing," said Nolen, who is now in his second plant of an Old West Culture church and is a consultant for similar church starts across the state and nation. "No one knew there was this much Old West Culture people in Ellis County," Nolen said in a distinctively Texan twang. "These are people who tend to be cowboyed-up or they have an affinity for Old West values and culture, the cowboy mentality, the values that pretty much settled this country -- 'man's word is his bond,' that kind of thing." This blue-collar people group for the most part has been ignored by upwardly mobile Southern Baptists, Nolen said. "And that's a shame, because you can tell from country music that they're everywhere. They don't all have horses, but they have an affinity for the values and the culture. "That's what the Cooperative Program is for -- to help break down barriers here in the United States as well as around the world. Some think America is gospel-hardened, but the fact is, they're gospel-ignorant. God is using CP Missions and cowboy churches to change that." Each week, more than 40 million American adults tune to one of the nation's 2,186 country radio stations, according to statistics compiled by the Country Music Association. Country format is nearly double that of second-place Adult Contemporary, which has 1,128 stations. News/talk format has 1,118 stations. Country radio stations were rated No. 1 in 22 of America's top 100 markets in 2001, including Toledo, Ohio, Syracuse, N.Y., and Riverside, Calif., the CMA report shows. And 55 percent of those who purchase country music have annual incomes of more than $50,000. That's the people group Nolen is tapping into. More than 300 people showed up Easter 2000 for Cowboy Church's first service, which took place in a Waxahachie agricultural arena where 4-H exhibitions and cattle/sheep/horse/pig auctions usually take place. This year nearly 1,000 joined in at Cowboy Church for the Easter celebration. "They had been here all this time, but no one was noticing them as a distinct group, so when Cowboy Church was begun, it gave them a comfort level to come and seek the Lord," Nolen said. "We know all our Baptist churches have a vision for all people, but they didn't know that." Cowboy Church reflects Old West Culture folks through worship services complete with a cowboy band that plays the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans' song "Happy Trails" at the close of services, small group discipleship that introduces them to Southern Baptists, and community outreach/church inreach team-roping events in the church's arena. Yup, the congregation that once met in a livestock arena has built a worship center and -- in contrast to the gymnasiums of an earlier generation -- an outdoor arena where team-roping, barrel-racing and similar sports take place on a weekly basis. CP Missions provided the resources needed to outfit (or establish) Cowboy Church and begin reaching people. In addition to advertising in the local media -- newspapers, country radio and direct mail -- CP Missions support provided fans in the shape of cowboy hats (the metal livestock arena wasn't air-conditioned), ball caps with the church's bronc-busting logo, and 1,000 Cowboy Bibles from The Bible League. These works "would never have come into existence" without churches which have provided support through the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Southern Baptist Convention, Nolen said. Cowboy Church, which gives 7 percent of its offerings to BGCT/SBC missions and 3 percent to Ellis County Baptist Association, moseyed 12 miles down the road to start Frontier Church in October 2001. About 500 people attend Cowboy Church on a regular basis; Gary Morgan is now pastor. Frontier Church, where Nolen is the startup pastor to about 120 people, gives the same missions tithe. And an as-yet-unnamed cowboy church in eastern Ellis County is expected to start later this year. "With 20-plus million people in Texas, we believe now there are at least a million people we can reach out to through these Old West Culture churches," Nolen said. "If we could reach 125,000 in the next 10 years, it would take 400 churches running 300 each to disciple them. This is probably one of the most overlooked church planting opportunities we have -- maybe in America, but certainly in Texas. "For sure it's not limited to Texas," Nolen continued. "I have a note to call a guy in Longview, Calif., who wants to start one of these churches. There's two planned for San Antone', one already started in Eastland, Terrell and Commerce will start the first Sunday in May with 60 people already in their core group." The idea for a cowboy church came from attending team roping events with his son Matt, Nolen said. "Team roping is one of the oldest cowboy activities, carried over from the American frontier days where a header and a heeler roped the steer in the fastest time," Nolen recounted. "It came back strong about 20 years ago and in fact, it's one of the dynamics driving the Old West Culture in America. It's an amazing thing to see." In talking with other parents, it became obvious that many team-roping families were not going to church because they thought church wasn't for them, Nolen said. "There's a lot of misunderstanding in this culture about religion," he explained. "So what we did was to try to figure out what are the barriers to get the gospel a hearing amongst these Old West Culture people." Location was one barrier, so Cowboy Church started in a familiar setting, and when they built, it was a metal building with a concrete floor -- same as that first sale arena. Attire, money and the time-honored "invitation" also were seen as barriers, Nolen said. So, during country worship services, cowboy hats don't come off except during prayer time -- Nolen even preaches wearing one. No offering is taken -- though one is received in upended cowboy hats. No invitation is given -- though the sinner's prayer of repentance is prayed at the close of every service. "It's not about traditions. It's not about money. It's not about hats," Nolen said. "It's about people being able to gain a comfort level where the gospel does what only it can do, and that's what the church is here for." --30-- (BP) photos posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo titles: NEW FAITH IN OLD WEST, WESTWARD FAITH and SADDLED UP. -------------------------------------------------------------------- CP gifts in April off 10.72% from April 2001 by Staff Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Gifts to the Southern Baptist Convention's Cooperative Program in April were 10.72 percent below gifts for April 2001, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman. Year-to-date support for CP Missions, however, remains .79 percent ahead of totals at this same point last year. April's $14,017,168.91 in CP gifts to support Southern Baptist ministries globally and across North America compared to $15,701,065.71 in April 2001, a difference of $1,683,896.80. Designated gifts of $12,380,853.39 in April, meanwhile, were .81 percent below April 2001's $12,481,976.26, a decrease of $101,122.87. In year-to-date CP giving, $105,759,449.38 has been received, compared with $104,929,589.33 in 2000-01, an increase of .79 percent or $829,860.05. The SBC operates on an Oct. 1-Sept. 30 fiscal year. In year-to-date designated giving, $117,502,512.92 has been received, compared with $116,769,666.94 in 2000-01, an increase of .63 percent or $732,845.98. For the SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget, the April receipts of $14,017,168.91 were 94.34 percent of the budgeted $14,858,239.92, or $841,071.01 under the budget goal. The SBC Cooperative Program total includes receipts from individuals, churches, state conventions and fellowships for distribution according to the 2001-2002 Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. The Cooperative Program is Southern Baptists' method of supporting missions and ministry efforts of state and regional conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention. Designated contributions include the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions, Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund and other special gifts. State and regional conventions retain a percentage of Cooperative Program contributions they receive from the churches to support work in their areas and send the remaining funds to the Executive Committee for national and international ministries. The percentage of distribution is at the discretion of each state or regional convention. --30-- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Church of Nativity standoff now at 1 month & counting by Art Toalston Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Accompanied by a priest one by one, 26 Palestinians exited Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity April 30. It marked the second small step forward in negotiations to end the month-long Manger Square standoff between Israeli troops and Palestinians holed up in the ancient church believed by many Christians as Jesus' birthplace. Nine Palestinian young men exited the church April 25, carrying with them coffins containing the bodies of two Palestinians killed in gunfire exchanges with Israeli troops. The Jerusalem Post reported May 1 that 82 individuals, including several clerics, have been able to exit the church in various ways since an estimated 250 armed Palestinians took control of the church in early April -- when Israeli troops and tanks began securing Bethlehem as part of the nationwide "Operation Defensive Shield" against the onslaught of Palestinian suicide bombers. Remaining in the church with the Palestinian gunmen are an estimated 30 to 40 clerics, including several nuns, who have been called hostages at least by Israeli officials and the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, while representatives of some religious groups have depicted the clerics as remaining in the church to maintain its sanctity. According to news reports, Israeli and Palestinian representatives are continuing negotiations on the key issue -- the number of Palestinians inside the church, perhaps 30, specifically wanted on terrorism charges and who would face trial in Israel or permanent deportation. Palestinian Authority officials, meanwhile, are negotiating for the gunmen in the church to be relocated to the Gaza Strip in the presence of a third party. Negotiations to end the Manger Square began the week of April 21. The 26 Palestinians who left the church April 30 were selected by the gunmen in the church who, in various reports, have voiced a resolve to remain in the church indefinitely. Several Palestinian gunmen have been killed by Israeli sharpshooters during the standoff, while a number of fighters on both sides have been wounded in gun battles. The Israeli military has permitted small deliveries of food, but, according to The New York Times April 30, the Palestinians and clerics inside the church were surviving on what was described as "a broth of boiled grass." A 20-year-old Palestinian who escaped from the church April 21, Taher Manasra, said at the time that about 50 Palestinian young men and children were being held in the church's cellar at gunpoint by a member of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's presidential guard as they sat or slept throughout the day or used a bathroom. They were permitted fresh air for short periods one at a time, Manasra said, according to the Tel Aviv newspaper Ha'aretz. Manasra, an unemployed resident of a refugee camp near Bethlehem, said he believed they had been guarded for their own protection. "Our food was a pretzel apiece [per day]," Manasra said. "Once, they also gave us a hot meal of rice." The day after the Palestinians took shelter in the church, the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem charged that gunmen with using "the landmark Church of the Nativity and other religious sites in Bethlehem as a safe haven" and using "innocent civilians as human shields." The ICEJ statement condemned "the deliberate and provocative exploitation by armed Palestinian elements" and quoted the embassy's executive director, Malcolm Hedding, as saying, "As a voice for millions of Christians worldwide, we cannot accept this transgression on the sanctity of the Church of the Nativity and we thoroughly denounce it." The ICEJ's Hedding said the Palestinian gunmen's entry into the church "is a premeditated offence by militant outlaws who know it is a place central to our faith and thus would provide them unquestioned refuge." "While the current conflict is a difficult and complex one, everyone must recognize that these Palestinian gunmen took the battle inside this church by design," Hedding said. The ICEJ statement accused the Palestinian Liberation Organization of having carried out "a similar tactic" during the war in Lebanon where it said "the PLO systematically defiled and destroyed churches and other Christian properties." --30-- -------------------------------------------------------------------- New cloning bill proposed, criticized as 'subterfuge' by Tom Strode Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday WASHINGTON (BP)--U.S. Senate supporters of cloning for research purposes proposed another bill April 30 in their effort to thwart a comprehensive ban on cloning and, in the process, gained the endorsement of a Republican who has a reputation for being pro-life. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R.-Utah, joined pro-choice Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D.-Calif., Edward Kennedy, D.-Mass., and Arlen Specter, R.-Pa., in the announcement of a new measure that would prohibit reproductive cloning but would permit cloning in order to harvest embryonic stem cells for experimentation. Such research cloning results in the destruction of the young embryo. While other Senate bills already exist that ban reproductive cloning and allow research cloning, the sponsors of the latest legislation provided enough new language -- including the requirement of an ethics board review -- to sway Hatch, who has cast numerous pro-life votes during his five terms in office. The National Right to Life Committee, however, described the new bill as a "dressed-up version of the existing 'clone and kill' bills." "This is not a compromise; it's a complete surrender," said Shannon Royce, director of government relations for the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. "It's a subterfuge. "They're saying in this bill that you cannot create an embryo for the purpose of reproducing a baby. What they are doing is mandating the destruction of these tiny people, because all they are outlawing is the implantation of these tiny cloned embryos. How is this good or right?" The sponsors of a Senate bill that would prohibit both types of cloning rejected the arguments of Feinstein and others that the new bill is needed to protect important medical research. To say the comprehensive cloning ban "is anti-research is false," said Sen. Mary Landrieu, D.-La., "We simply recognize that the creation of cloned human embryos is not a necessary part of the equation. It's unnecessary, and it's unacceptable." Sen. Sam Brownback, R.-Kan., said the latest bill "would ratify and endorse the mass production of human embryos as research material. This will inevitably lead to the creation of human embryo farms where embryos will be grown to specification and then harvested for body parts." Brownback and Landrieu are sponsors of the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, S. 1899. It has 30 cosponsors, with Landrieu the only Democrat. The House of Representatives adopted a comprehensive ban last year by more than 100 votes. It appears the Senate finally will deal with the cloning issue in May. The fate of the Brownback-Landrieu bill is uncertain. Members are nearly evenly divided on the comprehensive ban, with some still uncommitted. The biotechnology lobby has been actively pressing senators to oppose the Brownback-Landrieu legislation. President Bush endorsed the Brownback-Landrieu proposal in April and called on the Senate to approve it. Proponents of research cloning say it must be protected in order to permit experiments on embryonic stem cells, the body's primitive cells that have shown the ability to develop into cells and tissues to use as replacements in treating a variety of conditions, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, heart disease and diabetes. Research on embryonic stem cells already is being conducted without the use of cloned embryos. Adult stem cells also have shown such capability and have been used already as successful treatments. Procuring stem cells from adult sources does not harm or destroy a human being. Critics of research cloning charge the hope embryonic stem cells supposedly provide is only speculative. Other senators, including Tom Harkin, D.-Iowa, Byron Dorgan, D.-N.D., and Feinstein, have introduced bills that would bar cloning for reproduction but allow cloning for research. At its annual meeting last June, the Southern Baptist Convention passed without opposition a resolution condemning both research and reproductive cloning. Contacts with senators may be made by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or by emailing through www.erlc.com/capitolhill. --30-- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Brownback: 'What is a clone?' carries enormous implications by Ken Walker Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--With a vote on a proposed cloning ban expected in the U.S. Senate by mid-May, Sen. Sam Brownback is urging voters across the nation to take a stand against the practice. "The question is, what is a clone?" said Brownback, the key leader of an effort to enact a federal ban on cloning. "Is it a person, or a piece of property, a piece of livestock?" Making his case recently before 700 Kentuckians -- including both of its senators, Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning -- the Kansas Republican said those who advocate cloning fail to consider its implications. Cloning raises "enormous" issues about humanity's future, including the question of whether humans will re-create life in their image or allow God to do the creating, Brownback said at the annual banquet of Right to Life of Louisville, Ky., in mid-April. "A number of people want to research on clones. They want to research on embryos, saying, 'These are not people, these are pieces of property. They can be done with as their master chooses.'" Brownback said the pending Senate vote will revive discussion about a topic that has deserved debate since the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion. Namely, he said, is a fetus a person or a piece of property? The same question swirled around slavery, he said, referring to an 1800s Supreme Court decision that ruled slaves were three-fifths of a person. Likewise, Brownback believes cloning raises similar confusion. "News accounts say it's an entity with the potential to be a person," he said. "We struggle with the idea of acknowledging that this is a person." Cloning's supporters argue it is needed to find cures for such diseases as Alzheimer's and cancer, he said. But Brownback said the same claims were raised in support of research on fetal tissue and that method hasn't worked. In addition, he said, in recent weeks there have been "amazing" advances using adult stem cells to treat multiple sclerosis, manufacture cartilage from fat cells, and repair corneas before putting them back in patients' eyes. He said among groups siding with the proposed ban are women's health groups, who foresee women being exploited by researchers wanting their eggs, and environmentalists, who don't want animal genetic material placed in humans. Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieux, a Democrat who supports a woman's right to choose an abortion, also has signed on as a cosponsor of Brownback's bill. "[Cloning] is immoral, unethical, unnecessary and it should be illegal," Brownback said to hearty applause. "In the words of President Bush, you don't create life to destroy it." Among those in the audience was the leader of a proposed ban on cloning in Kentucky, which passed the state House of Representatives recently but failed in the Senate. State Rep. Joe Fisher of Fort Thomas, who hopes to reintroduce his bill next year, said no matter what Congress ultimately decides, all states need to adopt legislation against cloning. While the federal government can ban interstate transportation of cloned material, it is not certain if such a ban would apply within a state, Fisher said. Citing a 1995 Supreme Court ruling that held the federal government could not ban possession of firearms around a school, he said that precedent casts doubt on whether all cloning could be prohibited across the nation. Thus far, only Michigan and Virginia have banned cloning and Kansas has been considering it, Fisher said. Despite testimony during recent hearings that no such research presently occurs within Kentucky, university lobbyists argued scientists should be able to replicate human life for research, Fisher said. While everyone is opposed "reproductive" cloning that would reproduce a human being, supporters argued that cloning embryos and using their stem cells for the treatment of disease is different, he said. In reality, they are the same thing, Fisher said. Without a ban on human cloning, the legislator said it would be impossible to restrict the growing, harvesting and implantation of embryos, predicting the likelihood of "embryo farms." "We're trying to prevent this from happening in the first place so this ethical dilemma doesn't happen," Fisher said. "To deny the humanity of an embryo is to deny your own humanity. It contradicts medical ethics. No human life should be extinguished for the benefit of another." In an interview after his speech, Brownback noted that the complexity of cloning, and its potential benefits, tend to obscure the reality of the procedure. While scientists might be able to find a cure for someone's disease by removing pieces of his or her spinal cord, without one's consent that wouldn't be right, he argued. "But yet it seems as if we continue to get blinded by that, saying this is not a person, it's property, it's livestock," the senator said. But Brownback also urged the crowd to speak the truth in a loving manner. Noting that the late Mother Teresa was a friend of Sen. Hilary Clinton despite the latter's pro-abortion stance, he said the late Catholic nun recognized that love brings repentance. "We should never stop speaking that truth," he said. "We should always move forward with that great love." --30-- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Focus on the Family radio show to feature Bob & Cheryl Reccord by Staff Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--North American Mission Board President Bob Reccord and his wife, Cheryl, are scheduled be the featured guests May 6-7 on the internationally syndicated "Focus On The Family with Dr. James Dobson" radio program. During the two-part interview, Reccord will talk about his new book, "Beneath the Surface -- Steering Clear of the Dangers That Could Leave You Shipwrecked," released earlier this year by Broadman & Holman Publishers, the trade book division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. In his book, Reccord identifies biblical principles to guard one's heart, family, ministry and relationships from destructive temptations. The Reccords will also share lessons learned from their 30-year marriage. For a list of radio stations which air Focus on the Family programming, go online at www.family.org and click on "Find a Station." Reccord is also scheduled May 14th to be a special guest on "The 700 Club," an internationally syndicated television program produced by Christian Broadcasting Network, where he will discuss how to deal with temptation and share insights from his new book. The 700 Club is on various cable networks, including FamilyNet Television, NAMB's cable channel. For a list of broadcast times, check online at www.FamilyNetTV.com or www.cbn.com/700club, or check local listings. The 700 Club also is broadcast on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) weekdays at 3 p.m. EST and 12 p.m. PST, as well as on the ABC Family Channel at 10 a.m. EST and 11 p.m. EST. --30-- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dobson's 'Bringing Up Boys' remains LifeWay best-seller by Staff Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson leads the list of top-selling hardback books at LifeWay Christian Stores for the fifth consecutive month. The book took first place in December 2001 and continued as the most popular selection through April. The national chain of stores, operated by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, releases a list of each month's best-selling hardbacks, paperbacks, fiction and music based on sales during the previous month. All best sellers will be featured in the stores at discounted prices throughout May. LIFEWAY CHRISTIAN STORES TOP 10 BEST SELLERS/May 2002 HARDBACK 1. Bringing Up Boys, James Dobson, Tyndale 2. When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, Beth Moore (Broadman & Holman, trade publishing arm of LifeWay) 3. Prayer of Jabez for Women, Bruce Wilkinson (Multnomah) 4. Traveling Light, Max Lucado (Nelson Publishers) 5. Praying God's Word, Beth Moore (B&H) 6. He Chose Nails, Max Lucado (Nelson Publishers) 7. Wild at Heart, John Eldredge (Nelson Publishers) 8. Heaven My Father's House, Anne Graham Lotz (Nelson Publishers) 9. Church God Blesses, Jim Cymbala (Zondervan) 10. Secrets of the Vine, Bruce Wilkinson (Multnomah) PAPERBACK 1. Power of a Praying Wife, Stormie Omartian (Harvest House) 2. Praying God's Will for Your Life, Stormie Omartian (Nelson Publishers) 3. Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman (Moody Press) 4. Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian (Harvest House) 5. Power of a Praying Husband, Stormie Omartian (Harvest House) 6. Case for Faith, Lee Strobel (Zondervan) 7. Bad Girls of the Bible, Liz Curtis Higgs (Waterbrook) 8. Humor for a Woman's Heart, Shari MacDonald 9. Experiencing God With Bible Study Questions, Henry Blackaby (B&H) 10. Sacred Romance, John Eldredge & Curtis Brent (Nelson Publishers) FICTION 1. The Proposal, Lori Wick (Harvest House) 2. Cape Refuge, Terri Blackstock (Zondervan) 3. Distant Beacon, Janette (Bethany House) 4. Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers (Multnomah) 5. True Valor, Dee Henderson (Multnomah) 6. Cape Light, Thomas Kinkade (Appalachian Christian Book Company) 7. Could I Have This Dance, Harry Kraus (Zondervan) 8. Sacrifice, Robert Whitlow (Nelson Publishers) 9. The Protector, Dee Henderson (Multnomah) 10. True Devotion, Dee Henderson (Multnomah) MUSIC 1. Almost There, Mercy Me (Word) 2. Worship, Michael W. Smith (Provident) 3. Thrive, Newsboys (Chordant) 4. Obvious, Plus One (Word) 5. Sing Alleluia, City On A Hill (Provident) 6. Come Together, Third Day (Provident) 7. Our Love Is Loud, Passion (Chordant) 8. Eleventh Hour, Jars of Clay (Provident) 9. Worship God, Rebecca St. James (Chordant) 10. Rebirth of Kirk Franklin (Provident) --30-- -------------------------------------------------------------------- FIRST-PERSON: The Lord is talking. Is anybody listening? by Joe McKeever Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday KENNER, La. (BP)--My minister friend said, "My pastor is letting me preach sometimes. I'm really enjoying it." Long pause. "Joe," he said, "where do you get those stories? You always have some great stories and they can really dress up a sermon." I said, "You just start paying attention. Things are happening around you all the time, but because you've not been needing sermon stories, you didn't notice them." We were traveling into the city to have lunch with a mutual friend and then to attend a funeral. I said to him, "Get your notebook. I'll nudge you every time we find a sermon illustration." While we drove, we talked. Twice I said, "Okay, that's a good point. Put that in your notebook." At lunch, our guest told us a story about the waitress. Fred made a note of it. Later, I saw him jotting down insights from the pastor during the funeral. By the end of our day, he had the beginnings of quite a collection of sermon stories and insights. That's how it's done. You pay attention. If we believe that the Holy Spirit is always with believers, that he guides us and teaches us, it only makes sense that he would be calling things to our attention all day long. That's what a Great Teacher does. Whether we are listening is the question. God speaking to us personally is not a privilege just for the ordained, but standard issue for every believer. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me." If you are not hearing from the Lord on a regular basis, you're missing out on an essential component of the Christian life. Hurry. Crowds. Noise. The three great characteristics of this age are also the three great enemies of your spiritual life. These are guaranteed to block any reception of messages from heaven. Be still. Be alone. Be quiet. Only those willing to take these steps may expect to hear from heaven. Walter Moore was an IBM service repairman. One afternoon he was working in a local bank when quitting time came. The office force turned off their machines and left the building. Walter was alone in the huge room. That's when he noticed for the first time that the bank provided piped-in music for the office. No one could hear it for the noise. The Lord Jesus looked out at his audience and saw the glazed-over look which every preacher knows and hates. The people were not getting it. The stories he was telling were not registering with them. He interrupted his storytelling to speak to them about the deadness of heart that was destroying them. It's like what Isaiah said: You have ears but you do not hear, eyes but you do not see. The heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear. He turned to the disciples and said, "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous people have desired to see what you see and did not see it, and to hear what you hear and did not hear it." Some people pick up on everything the Lord says, and some just do not get it. What's the difference? Some are listening. Paying attention. They're expecting God to be there, to call their attention to opportunities and insights and lessons, and they watch. C.C. Hope told me once he never, ever was without something to write on and something to write with. He would make notes of the names of people he met and ideas that came to him, quotes he ran across, and things to do when he got back to the office. Some people who don't know how to work a pen do this with a small tape recorder. Whatever works for you. Never pray without a pen and paper handy. Never go to church without expecting God to speak to you; show that you expect it by being ready to write down the insights and instruction. You are not looking for sermon illustrations, in all likelihood. But -- like us preachers -- you are expecting the Holy Spirit to guide you to what you need to know and do. Messages with your name on them. Just for your situation. The Lord specializes in this. It's one of the ways you know you are his and that he loves you. Every day of our lives, let us pray the prayer of the child Samuel: "Speak Lord, thy servant is listening." --30-- McKeever is pastor of First Baptist Church, Kenner, La. -------------------------------------------------------------------- FIRST-PERSON: Favorite films of famous folks by Phil Boatwright Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (BP)--Whenever I'm introduced to someone and he or she discovers that I review films, the conversation quickly shifts to the subject of movies. No matter their profession -- banking, education, medicine, whatever -- they want to talk movies! As soon as the opportunity arises, I ask if they have a favorite film. And you know what? They always do. A fan's description of his or her favorite movie tells me a lot about that person. It's the critic's version of the Rorschach test. Recently, I asked a few celebrities, clergymen and one particular politician to name their favorite motion picture. Radio talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger loves "The African Queen." For her, it is, "The most romantic story ever told on the screen." The story has Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn as a boozy vagabond and a prim missionary spinster traveling downriver in a dangerous effort to sabotage a Nazi warship. Through toil and trouble, the mismatched pair find romance. Good call, Dr. Laura. This isn't just an amusing action/adventure. It's really about that indefinable mystique that overtakes the war between men and women. The war (he lisps, "You psalm-singing, skinny old maid," and she dumps all his gin overboard) is soon diminished by that intangible something that brings opposites together - for life. Evangelist Billy Graham's favorite film is the 1956 version of Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments." Following its release, the famed director presented Dr. Graham with the production's replica of the tablets containing the Ten Commandments. "The spiritual impact of this movie has moved millions of people and the brilliant direction and staging of this epic motion picture have allowed it to endure for decades," Dr. Graham says. (Thanks to David Bruce for obtaining Dr. Graham's favorite. And thanks to Dr. Graham. Although in ill health, he continues to help others any way he can.) Suspecting that George W. Bush may have enough on his mind, I decided not to attempt to contact him. I simply looked it up on his web page biography. It listed "Field of Dreams" as his choice. While strolling through his Iowa cornfield, Kevin Costner hears a whispery "If you build it, he will come." Soon after, he finds himself sacrificing his farm to build a baseball diamond in the center of his land. Everyone thinks he's nuts, but Costner plays host to the ghosts of an infamous team blackballed from the sport 60 years before. Replete with positive, uplifting scenes, this parable is about second chances and fulfilling not only your dreams, but those of others. It's an allegory about redemption and faith. So, Phil, what's your favorite film? I thought you'd never ask. I have a favorite in nearly every genre. John Ford's "The Quiet Man" is right at the top of the list, along with "To Kill A Mockingbird," "Key Largo," "Patton," "The Best Years of Our Lives," "Jesus of Nazareth," "The Great Race," "West Side Story," "Tender Mercies," "Babette's Feast," "Dead Man Walking" and "The Magnificent Seven," just to name a few. David Lean's faithful rendering of the Dickens' classic "Great Expectations" also would be included on my list. Although special effects are great, and performances are essential, for me a well-written story that entertains, enlightens and enriches is an absolute for making my favorites list. And no one could tell such a story better than Charles Dickens (well, maybe that other English fellow). But, with all due respect to masterpieces such as "Citizen Kane" and "Casablanca," Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" has to be my first pick. Jimmy Stewart's George Bailey is given a chance to see how life would have turned out for friends and loved ones if he had never been born. Capra's delightful fable reinforces the belief that our compassion and responsibility do make a difference in the lives of those with whom we come in contact. Well, there you have it. You've heard from a famous radio personality, one of the world's most respected evangelists, the president of the United States and, ahem, a brilliant film reviewer. So, what's your favorite film? --30-- For an extensive free list of Phil's Favs from different genres, e-mail him at moveereptr@aol.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2002 SBC Annual Meeting Schedule by Staff Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday
Theme: "The Highest Power for the Greatest Task"
Scripture Text: Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. . ." (NKJ)
TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 11


8:00 Inspirational Music: First Baptist Church, Dallas, Adult Choir and Orchestra, Keith Ferguson, minister of music, Eddie Fargason, associate minister of music/instrumental director
8:10 Congregational Praise and Worship: Jeff Cranfill, associate minister of music, First Baptist Church, Snellville, GA
8:15 Call to Order: James Merritt, president, Southern Baptist Convention, pastor, First Baptist Church, Snellville, GA
Registration Report and Constitution of the Convention: Lee Porter, SBC registration secretary, retired pastor, Lawrenceville, GA
8:20 Prayer: Grant Ethridge, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Lavaca, AR
8:25 Committee on Order of Business (First Report): Ron Rogers, chairman, pastor, Rocky Mountain Baptist Church, Rifle, CO
8:30 Announcement of Committee on Committees, Credentials, Resolutions, and Tellers: James Merritt
8:35 Local Arrangements Committee Presentation: John R. (Jack) Wilkerson, vice president for business and finance, Executive Committee, Nashville, TN
8:40 Crossover St. Louis Report: Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, president, North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, GA
8:45 Welcome: Gerald Davidson, pastor, First Baptist Church, Arnold MO
8:50 Response: R. Philip Roberts, president, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO
8:55 Introduction of Motions and Resolutions (All Resolutions Must Be Presented Before Today's Afternoon Session): James Merritt
9:15 Committee on Nominations Report: David H. Shepherd, chairman, director, Northeast Campus, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Schenectady, NY
9:25 Theme Interpretation: J. Robert (Bob) White, executive director, Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia, Atlanta
9:45 Introduction of Tim Goeglein (White House staffer), James Merritt
9:50 President Bush by live video satellite link
10:00 Prayer, Charles Stewart, pastor emeritus, Rose Hill Baptist Church, Ashland KY
10:05 Executive Committee Report (Part 1): Morris H. Chapman, president and chief executive officer, Nashville, TN
10:55 Congregational Praise and Worship: R. Todd Bell, minister of music and worship, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Dallas, TX
11:00 Worship in Music: The Martins, concert artists
11:05 President's Address: James Merritt
11:45 Benediction: Freddie Gage, evangelist, Euless, TX


TUESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 11

1:00 Inspirational Music: First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL, Youth Choir and Orchestra, Joseph Bolin, associate minister of music, Ed Dickinson, instrumental director
1:10 Prayer: Wayne Hamrick, pastor, Atco Baptist Church, Cartersville, GA
1:15 Business: Committee on Order of Business (Second Report): Ron Rogers
Introduction of Motions, Reporting Proposed Resolutions
1:30 Executive Committee Report (Part 2): Morris H. Chapman
2:10 Messenger Information Survey: John L. Yeats, SBC recording secretary, editor, Oklahoma Baptist Messenger, Oklahoma City, OK
2:15 Election of Officers (First): James Merritt
2:30 Music: The Martins, concert artists
The Highest Power for the Greatest Task . . . in North America!

2:35 Theme Interpretation: Jerry Vines, pastor, First Baptist, Jacksonville, FL
2:55 North American Mission Board Report: Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, president, Alpharetta, GA
3:05 North American Mission Board Presentation: Robert E. (Bob) Reccord
3:25 Theme Interpretation: Junior Hill, evangelist, Westmeade-Decatur, AL
3:45 Congregational Praise and Worship: Scott White, senior minister of music and worship, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA, with Mark Wills, country artist
3:50 Seminary Reports: L. Paige Patterson, chairman, Council of Seminary Presidents, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC
4:15 Election of Officers (Second): James Merritt
4:30 Introduction of New Motions (Last Opportunity): James Merritt
Reporting Proposed Resolutions
4:55 Benediction: Kevin Cosby, senior pastor, St. Stephens Baptist Church, Louisville, KY

TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 11

6:30 Concert of Praise: First Baptist Church, Snellville, GA, Adult Choir and Orchestra, Rick Forbus, assistant pastor, music, convention music director, Jeff Cranfill, associate minister of music, Starla Harbin, national recording artist, Jane Keel, concert artist, with Mark Wills, country artist
6:40 Congregational Praise and Worship: Rick Forbus, assistant pastor, music, convention music director, First Baptist Church, Snellville, GA, with Mark Wills, country artist
6:45 Prayer: Lincoln N. Bingham, cooperative ministries consultant, Kentucky Baptist Convention, pastor, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Louisville, KY
6:50 Election of Officers (Third): James Merritt
7:00 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Presentation: Charles S. Kelley, Jr., president, New Orleans, LA
7:15 Business: Committee on Order of Business (Third Report): Ron Rogers
7:25 LifeWay Christian Resources Report: James T. (Jimmy) Draper, Jr., president, Nashville, TN
7:35 LifeWay Christian Resources Presentation: Jimmy Draper
7:55 Previously Scheduled Business: James Merritt
Reporting Proposed Resolutions
8:20 Inspirational Music: First Baptist Church, Snellville, GA, Adult Choir and Orchestra, Rick Forbus, assistant pastor, music, convention music director, Jeff Cranfill, associate minister of music
8:30 Convention Message: Claude Thomas, pastor, First Baptist Church, Euless, TX
9:05 Congregational Praise and Worship: Kim G. Noblitt, minister of music, First Baptist Church, Euless, TX
9:10 Benediction: C. Richard Wells, president, The Criswell College, Dallas, TX

WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUNE 12

8:00 Concert of Praise: First Baptist Church, Merritt Island, FL, Adult and Student Choirs and Orchestras, Byron Cutrer, associate pastor, music and worship
8:10 Congregational Praise and Worship: Byron Cutrer, associate pastor, music and worship, First Baptist Church, Merritt Island, FL
8:15 Prayer: Richard P. Oldham, pastor, Glendale Baptist Church, Bowling Green, KY
8:20 Baptist World Alliance: Tony Cupit, director of evangelism, Falls Church, VA
8:30 Election of Officers (Fourth): James Merritt
8:40 Business: Committee on Order of Business (Fourth Report): Ron Rogers
9:00 Previously Scheduled Business: Ron Rogers
9:15 Committee on Resolutions (First Report): Frank Harber, chairman, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Colleyville, TX
9:45 Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Presentation: Kenneth S. Hemphill, president, Fort Worth, TX
10:00 Election of Officers (Fifth): James Merritt
10:10 Committee on Committees Report: Edward Johnson, chairman, pastor, First Baptist Church, Ocala, FL
10:20 Inspirational Music: Starla Harbin, national recording artist, First Baptist Church, Snellville, GA
10:25 Recognition of Former SBC Presidents: James Merritt
10:35 Annuity Board Report: O.S. Hawkins, president and chief executive officer, Dallas
10:50 Inspirational Music: Rick Muchow and Musicians, pastor of magnification, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA
The Highest Power for the Greatest Task . . . in the Nations!

10:55 Theme Interpretation: Rick Warren, pastor, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA
11:15 International Mission Board Report: Jerry A. Rankin, president, Richmond, VA
11:25 International Mission Board Presentation: Jerry A. Rankin
11:45 Theme Interpretation: Terry G. Fox, senior pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Wichita, KS
12:05 Benediction: Ruben Hernandez, state missions and evangelism director, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Irving, TX

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 12

3:00 Concert of Praise: First Baptist Church, Merritt Island, FL, Adult and Student Choirs and Orchestras, Byron Cutrer, associate pastor, music and worship, with Blackshear Place Baptist Church, Flowery Branch, GA, Adult Choir and Orchestra, Rob Britton, pastor of music and worship, Keith Blackwell, director of instrumental music
3:10 Prayer: Ken Cademartori, senior pastor, Mason Dixon Baptist Church, New Freedom, PA
3:15 Woman's Missionary Union Report: Wanda S. Lee, executive director-treasurer, Birmingham, AL
3:25 Memorial
3:35 Presentation of Outgoing Officers: Morris H. Chapman
3:40 Presentation of New Officers: Morris H. Chapman
3:45 Business: Committee on Order of Business (Fifth Report): Ron Rogers
Election of 2002 Convention Sermon Preacher, Alternate, Music Director
3:55 Previously Scheduled Business: James Merritt
4:10 Committee on Resolutions (Final Report): Chairman
4:40 Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Presentation: R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president, Louisville, KY
4:55 Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Report: Richard D. Land, president, Nashville, TN
5:15 Congregational Praise and Worship: Rick Forbus, assistant pastor, music, convention music director, First Baptist Church, Snellville, GA, with Starla Harbin, national recording artist, and Mark Wills, country artist, and the Combined Choirs and Orchestras of First Baptist Church, Merritt Island, FL, Byron Cutrer, associate pastor, music and worship, and Blackshear Place Baptist Church, Flowery Branch, GA, Rob Britton, pastor of music and worship, Keith Blackwell, director of instrumental music
5:25 Special Guest Speaker: Bill Bright, founder and chairman, Campus Crusade for Christ, Orlando, FL
5:55 Concert of Praise: First Baptist Church, Merritt Island, FL, Adult and Student Choirs and Orchestras, Byron Cutrer, associate pastor, music and worship, with Blackshear Place Baptist Church, Flowery Branch, GA, Adult Choir and Orchestra, Rob Britton, pastor of music and worship, Keith Blackwell, director of instrumental music
6:00 Benediction: Terry Fields, senior pastor, Liberty Heights Church, West Chester, OH -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2002 SBC Pastors' Conference Schedule by Staff Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday
Theme: "Lest We Forget"
June 9-10, 2002 St. Louis
Scripture Text: Proverbs 22:28 "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." Session 1, June 9, 2002 Sunday, 5:40 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
"Lest We Forget -- Our Calling"

5:40 Pre-Session Praise: Combined Choirs of First Baptist Church of Arnold, Missouri, Ed Callahan, Director, and Second Baptist Church of Springfield, Missouri, Joe Crider, Director
6:00 Welcome: Ken Whitten, President, Pastors' Conference 2002, Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida
Prayer: Robert Werner (Retired), Concord Baptist Church, St. Louis, Missouri
6:05 Congregational Praise: Joe Crider, Director, Second Baptist Church, Springfield, Missouri
6:10 Praise: Combined Choirs of First Baptist Church of Arnold, Missouri, and Second Baptist Church of Springfield, Missouri
6:15 Message: John Marshall, Pastor, Second Baptist Church, Springfield, Missouri
6:45 Praise: Combined Choirs of First Baptist Church of Arnold, Missouri, and Second Baptist Church of Springfield, Missouri
6:50 Message: Jack Graham, Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas
7:20 Congregational Praise: Ed Callahan, Director, First Baptist Church of Arnold, Missouri
7:25 Recognition: "Lest We Forget" Recognition: Michael Catt, Senior Pastor, Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia, presents flowers to Mrs. Ron Dunn
7:30 Praise: Geron Davis and Kindred Souls
7:45 Message: Robert Pitman, Pastor, Kirby Woods Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee
8:15 SBC President's Welcome: James Merritt, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Snellville, Georgia
8:20 Prayer/Offering: O. S. Hawkins, President, Annuity Board
8:30 Congregational Praise: Joe Crider, Director, Second Baptist Church of Springfield, Missouri
8:35 Praise: Choirs and/or Geron Davis and Kindred Souls
8:40 Message: Fred Luter, Pastor, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana
9:10 Prayer: Waylon Moore, First Baptist Church, Dade City, Florida (Retired Pastor)
9:15 Praise
Session 2, June 10, 2002 Monday, 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
"Lest We Forget -- Our Children"

8:15 Pre-Session Praise: St. Stephen Baptist Church Choir, Louisville, Kentucky, Kevin James, Director
8:30 Welcome: Michael Claunch, Vice President, Pastors' Conference 2002, First Baptist Church, Slidell, Louisiana
Prayer: Ralph Sawyer, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Wentzville, Missouri
8:40 Congregational Praise: Kevin James, Director, St. Stephen Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky
8:45 Praise: By Design
8:50 Message: John Sullivan, Executive Director, Florida Baptist Convention, Jacksonville, Florida
9:20 Praise: St. Stephen Baptist Church Choir, Louisville, Kentucky, Kevin James, Director
9:25 Message: Kevin Cosby, Senior Pastor, St. Stephen Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky
9:55 Prayer/Offering: Domingo Ozuna, Senior Pastor, Primera Iglesia Bautista, Grand Prairie, Texas
10:00 Congregational Praise: Ron Upton, Director, Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida
10:05 Praise: By Design
10:15 Message: Ken Davis, Ken Davis Productions, Franklin, Tennessee
10:45 Praise: This Hope
11:00 Message: Jay Strack, President, Student Leadership University, Orlando, Florida
11:30 Prayer: Les Wesley, Senior Pastor, Community Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
11:35 Praise
Session 3, June 10, 2002 Monday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
"Lest We Forget -- Our Church"

1:00 Pre-Session Praise: Rodrigo Rodriguez
1:10 Praise: Brian Arner
1:15 Welcome: Charles West, Secretary of Pastors' Conference 2002, First Baptist Church, Bethalto, Illinois
Prayer: Jon Lorch, Senior Pastor, First Southern Church, Jerseyville, Illinois
1:25 Congregational Praise: Scott White, Director, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia
1:30 Praise: Brian Arner
1:40 Message: Johnny Hunt, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia
2:10 Praise: Rodrigo Rodriguez
2:15 Message: Mac Brunson, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Dallas, Dallas, Texas
2:45 Prayer/Offering: Paul Garcia, Senior Pastor, Iglesia Bautista Agape, East St. Louis, IL
2:50 Congregational Praise: Vernon Whaley, Director, Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida
2:55 Election of Officers
3:10 Praise: Charles Billingsley
3:15 Message: Ted Traylor, Pastor, Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida
3:45 Praise: Charles Billingsley
3:55 Message: Junior Hill, Evangelist, Hartselle, Alabama
4:25 Prayer: Abraham Byrd, Senior Pastor, Greater St. James Baptist Church, Alton, Illinois
4:30 Praise
Session 4, June 10, 2002 Monday, 5:40 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
"Lest We Forget -- Our Country"

5:40 Pre-Session Praise: Eddie Struble, Idlewild Baptist Church Student Choir, Tampa, Florida, and Jamie Parker, Bellevue Baptist Church Student Choir, Memphis, Tennessee
6:00 Welcome: Ken Whitten, President, Pastors' Conference 2002, Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida
Prayer: Robert Patton, Pastor, Covenant Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida
6:10 Congregational Praise: Ron Upton, Director, Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida
6:15 Praise: Wintley Phipps
6:30 Message: Adrian Rogers, Senior Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee
7:05 Congregational Praise: Jim Whitmire, Director, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee
7:10 Praise: Janet Paschal
7:25 Message: Jerry Vines, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida
8:00 Prayer/Offering: Chaplain, Brig Gen Charles Baldwin, Deputy Chief of the Air Force Chaplain Service, Bolling Air Force Base, D. C.
8:05 Praise: Choirs Patriotic Salute -- Idlewild Baptist Church Student Choir, Tampa, Florida, Eddie Struble, Director, and Bellevue Baptist Church Student Choir, Memphis, TN, Jamie Parker, Director
8:20 Message: Lt. Col. Oliver North, USMC (Ret.)
8:55 Prayer: Paul Kim, Pastor, Berkland Baptist Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts
9:00 Praise -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2002 WMU Annual Meeting Schedule by Staff Date: May 01, 2002 - Wednesday
Theme: God's Plan ... My Part June 9-10, 2002 Ferrara Theater America's Center St. Louis Meeting in One Hundred Fourteenth Year Officers: Janet T. Hoffman, president State WMU Presidents, vice-presidents Yolanda Calderon, recording secretary Wanda S. Lee, executive director/treasurer Musicians: MarJean Shofner, directing Max Lyall, pianist Native PRAISE SCRIPTURE VERSE: "So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time" (2 Tim. 1:8-9 NIV). Scripture verses marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright (c)1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Scripture verses marked NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Copyright (c) 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture verse marked RSV is from the Revised Standard Version New Testament, copyrighted 1946, (c) 1971, 1973. Woman's Missionary Union Vision Statement: Woman's Missionary Union challenges Christian believers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God. Sunday Afternoon, June 9, 2:00 P.M. FOCUS: God's Plan . . . The World "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." John 3:16 (NRSV)
Instrumental Praise: Max Lyall Call to Order and Welcome: Janet T. Hoffman Introduction of Local Arrangements Committee Praise to the Lord: MarJean Shofner, directing Hymn: "We Have Heard the Joyful Sound" Announcements and Introduction of International Missionaries: Wanda S. Lee Intercession for Missionaries: Martha Testimony -- Into All the World: Cheryl Derbyshire Piano Medley: Max Lyall Acteens Presentation: Pam Smith and Karla Karr Hymn: "O God of Love, Enable Me" Special Music: MarJean Shofner Interview with Robert and Cheryl Reccord: Wanda S. Lee Draw Nigh to God: Randy Sprinkle Choral Benediction: MarJean Shofner
BREAKOUT SESSIONS: CONFERENCE ROOMS 260-267 4:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.
Sunday Evening, June 9, 7:30 P.M. FOCUS: God's Plan . . . Our Nation "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" Psalm 33:12 (KJV). Praise to the Lord: Native PRAISE Call to Order and Welcome: Janet T. Hoffman Praise to the Lord: MarJean Shofner Hymn: "America the Beautiful" Announcements and Introduction of North American Missionaries: Wanda S. Lee Intercession for Missionaries: Michelle Cantrell Testimony -- Taking the Gospel to All of North America's Indigenous People: Mark Custalow Testimony: Acteen Piano Medley: Max Lyall Message: God at Work in North America: Henry Blackaby Hymn: "Because I Have Been Given Much" Message: Forgiving the Dead Man Walking: Debbie Morris Draw Nigh to God: Randy Sprinkle Choral Benediction: MarJean Shofner
Monday Morning, June 10, 9:00 A.M. FOCUS: God's Plan . . . My State "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" Acts 1:8 (NIV).
Instrumental Praise: Max Lyall Call to Order and Welcome: Janet T. Hoffman Praise to the Lord: MarJean Shofner Hymn: "O Zion Haste" Announcements and Introductions: Wanda S. Lee Testimony -- Where God Leads: Chet Cantrell Intercession for Missionaries: Shawna Davis Executive Board Report, Part 1 Discover the Joy of Missions Ministries: Wanda S. Lee Election of Officers Praise to the Lord: MarJean Shofner Testimony: Stephanie Irwin, Nicole Beatty Piano Medley: Max Lyall Draw Nigh to God: Randy Sprinkle Musical Benediction: MarJean Shofner
BREAKOUT SESSIONS: CONFERENCE ROOMS 260-267 11:00 A.M.-12:00 NOON
Monday Afternoon, June 10, 2:00 P.M. FOCUS: God's Plan . . . The Association "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" Philippians 2:4 (NIV).
Praise to the Lord: Native PRAISE Call to Order and Welcome: Janet T. Hoffman Praise to the Lord: MarJean Shofner Hymn: "We've a Story to Tell" Announcements and Introductions: Wanda S. Lee Testimony: We See God at Work: Michelle Cantrell Intercession for Missionaries: Mark Custalow Executive Board Report, Part 2: Wanda Lee Discover the Joy of Missions, National Acteens Conference What Acteens Means to Me: Jennifer Martin Piano Medley: Max Lyall Hymn: "God, Whose Purpose Is to Kindle": MarJean Shofner Special Music: MarJean Shofner President's Address: Janet T. Hoffman Draw Nigh to God: Randy Sprinkle Choral Benediction: MarJean Shofner
BREAKOUT SESSIONS: CONFERENCE ROOMS 260-267 4:00 P.M-5:00 P.M.
Monday Evening, June 10, 7:30 P.M. FOCUS: God's Plan . . . My Part "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them" Romans 12:6 (RSV). Praise to the Lord: Native PRAISE Call to Order and Welcome: Janet T. Hoffman Praise to the Lord: MarJean Shofner Hymn:"Send Me, O Lord, Send Me" Announcements and Introductions: Wanda S. Lee Testimony -- My Part in God's Plan: Shawna Davis Intercession for Missionaries: Cheryl Derbyshire Executive Board Report, Part 3: Wanda S. Lee Discover the Joy of Missions: Happy Birthday CWJC Offertory Prayer: David George Offering Piano Medley: Max Lyall Testimony: Acteen Praise to the Lord: MarJean Shofner Message -- Courage, Faith, and Forgiveness: Debbie Morris Draw Nigh to God: Randy Sprinkle Musical Benediction: MarJean Shofner Adjournment