The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-05/08/2013 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------- A marriage torn by betrayal & porn moves to authenticity by Kay Adkins Date: May 08, 2013 - Wednesday LAKELAND, Fla. (BP) -- Bonnie Hicks had known for years something was wrong in her marriage. At times it seemed good. At other times, although Allen was physically present, she felt he was emotionally absent. From time to time she was certain he was having an affair but she lacked proof. In December 2010 the truth was unveiled. Allen, a youth pastor at the time, was caught in an adulterous relationship, which seemed to doom their 22-year marriage. Over time, however, the truth cleared the way for the couple to build an authentic marriage and set Allen on a new path toward freedom from a long-term sexual addiction.
The Hickses are now members of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Fla. The church's senior pastor, Jay Dennis, is leading a movement to battle pornography and sexual addictions among Christian men. Since the "One Million Men" campaign began at Church at the Mall in 2011, Dennis said the church has experienced a new "awareness and openness to deal with those issues." The campaign -- to be set in motion nationwide during the Southern Baptist Convention's June 11-12 annual meeting in Houston -- is named "Join 1 Million Men," on the Web at www.join1millionmen.org. "As long as men suffer in silence and secrecy, the enemy has a stronghold," Dennis said. "However, once the secret is revealed by the light of God's Word, Satan loses much of his power to keep Christian men in bondage." By openly addressing pornography in the church, Dennis said, those ensnared in sexual sin can begin to understand they are not alone in their struggle and that they will be supported and encouraged by other Christians as they repent and do the hard work necessary to break free. Allen and Bonnie indeed have worked hard to deal with painful issues on their journey to freedom and healing. Bonnie was pierced with the reality of Allen's betrayal first via a text message from the other woman. "I went into a rage," Bonnie recounted. "I groaned and moaned, like an animal almost. I hit him -- I was physically abusive at this point as a reaction." That night at Bonnie's request, their pastor at the time and his wife, George and Margaret, met Allen and Bonnie at their church. "At 10:30 we met in George's office to begin to deal with this nightmare," Margaret recalled. "Allen was denying most of it. Bonnie was beside herself." George requested Allen's resignation as the church's youth pastor. But George and Margaret, who had once survived a similar trial, did not abandon Allen and Bonnie. Instead, they walked with them through it, George working with Allen and Margaret working with Bonnie. The other woman continued tormenting Bonnie for weeks. Brokenhearted and defeated, Bonnie kicked Allen out of their house just before Christmas Eve. But the other woman's harassment persisted for nearly a year, and Margaret helped Bonnie endure the agony. The woman, Margaret said, "was doing anything she could do to hurt them." Bonnie's brokenness was compounded further when her 16-year-old son rejected her. "He didn't want anything to do with me," Bonnie said. "It nearly put me over the edge." Allen recalls how Bonnie often ended their phone calls by declaring, "I hate you." Though the year was, in Bonnie's words, "hell on earth" for them, Allen said that is where the story begins of God's grace working in their lives. Bonnie sought out counseling and support groups right away, and through a chance encounter she found L.I.F.E. Recovery International ("Living in Freedom Everyday," www.freedomeveryday.org). Her L.I.F.E. group guided her through a process of grieving. "Then God started working in me, showing me things that were in my own life that I would not have recognized," Bonnie said. "Emotionally, your anger, the ways you cope.... I was so negative and critical, and I had lived that way in my marriage and as a mom." Not long after Bonnie began going to a women's L.I.F.E. group, Allen began to attend a men's L.I.F.E. group. Recalling his initial response to being exposed, he said, "I had lived these two lives for so long. Part of me was relieved that it was out because it was treacherous holding all that in. But instead of being remorseful, I was very angry with everyone except myself." His motive in the L.I.F.E. group, he admitted, had nothing to do with trying to get any better; he just wanted to get his family back. "But," he said, "Bonnie's thought was, 'We can't go back to what it was.'" Bonnie sometimes called Allen at work, and he was encouraged that they had had some good talks. "I was just hanging on. Hanging on," Allen said. But one day Bonnie called and announced that God was leading her to divorce him. "At first I didn't accept that," Allen said. "Then I talked to some guys in my group, and I realized that I had to change my focus. I had to fix what was wrong with me to be a good husband. I had to put the marriage on the sacrificial altar and just work on me, and who I was. I accepted the fact that she was going to divorce me and signed the paperwork." Allen added, "When the anger subsided, I could see the destruction I had caused in all of these lives -- Bonnie, the kids, the youth at church. "That's when the remorse came." In working on himself, Allen said, a key to change was identifying the sources that started him on an addictive path. His home life growing up was "teeming" with alcohol and tobacco addiction, "lots of addictions," anger, co-dependency and verbal and emotional abuse. Lacking a positive male role model in his life, Allen said he learned to be more comfortable in relationships with women. "Porn," he said, "helped me carve out a fantasy world where I was in control and was never rejected." In his L.I.F.E. group, Allen found many who could relate to his experiences, several of whom were in ministry. Dave, a former worship minister, became one of Allen's accountability partners, and their stories had much in common. Both grew up in church, yet both also grew up in the midst of alcoholism and pornography. Additionally, Dave suffered physical, verbal and sexual abuses that ultimately gave way to sexual addictions. At age 20 Dave married Barbara, the daughter of a Baptist preacher. "She knew about the abuse," he said, "but we thought she could fix me." Like Allen, his addictive cycles continued. Dave lamented that the times he sought help from church leaders or men in ministry, he felt condemned by some and exploited by others. Those hurtful experiences left him too fearful to be honest with his pastor. Dave told himself, "You are 48 years old and this is just how you are." He lost hope that he could be different and for 14 months walked away from his family. "Then," Dave said, "through counseling, and the help of our three boys, our close friends and our awesome church family, for the first time in 29 years we began walking this journey together." Dave and Barbara renewed their wedding vows on Sept. 7, 2009. In 2010, Dave discovered L.I.F.E. Ministries online and began participating in a group. Now he serves as a L.I.F.E. group facilitator in Orlando and coordinates the groups in central Florida. "Allen works right-hand with me. We have a Tuesday night conference call that is worldwide. We minister to men from everywhere who are dealing with these addictions and we encourage, empower and equip them to Live in Freedom Everyday. It is a lifelong journey to walk out of. That is why I live by Jeremiah 29:11 -- 'God's Plan'." As Bonnie was wrestling with her decision to divorce Allen, God spoke to her in several ways. At a marriage conference the couple had attended the previous year, Bonnie had prayed that God would give her a real marriage. "When I was wondering if I wanted to be married [after Allen's betrayal], God reminded me of my prayers at that conference," she said. One day she tried to fax the signed divorce papers to the paralegal, only to be thwarted three times by the oddly malfunctioning fax machine. That "coincidence" and some other seemingly odd happenings, plus some friends who were asking her "the hard questions," prompted Bonnie to slow down and give marriage counseling a chance. The Hickses began working with a licensed marriage and sexual addiction counselor in August 2011. Both of them lacked hope for their relationship, but Bonnie recalled, "It was a step of faith and saying, 'I trust You, God, and if You want me to go back into this marriage...." As they began to reveal all of the secrets they had hidden from each other, a new relationship began to develop. During a 2011 Christmas Eve celebration, Allen and Bonnie renewed their marriage vows. Among the witnesses were many who had supported them throughout their restoration process, including Dave and Barbara and George and Margaret. This year the Hickses will celebrate their 25th anniversary. "God performed a miracle," Bonnie said. "It's a journey -- it's still a journey," Allen said. "We had to start all over. We were lousy communicators. We had so much hidden from each other. But we've come a long way." --30-- Kay Adkins is a writer in Mountainview, Ark. Allen and Bonnie Hicks reside in Lakeland, Fla., where he is a sales manager for a car dealership. The couple, parents of two sons and a daughter, are committed to ministering to others struggling with issues related to sexual addiction. Allen helps facilitate a L.I.F.E. support group for men struggling with sexual addictions. Bonnie has written a devotional guide for women titled "Where Can Broken Hearts Go? A 31-Day Journey Towards Healing" (https://www.ebookit.com/books/0000002695/Where-Can-Broken-Hearts-Go.html0), available at Amazon.com and other online retailers. Her blog is at http://hope4brokenhearts.com. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -------------------------------------------------------------------- Sexual failure needn't rule out God's grace by Kay Adkins Date: May 08, 2013 - Wednesday LAKELAND, Fla. (BP) -- "You are not alone." That expression of hope is often spoken by people like Allen and Bonnie Hicks, a couple now rebuilding their marriage after the brokenness caused, in large part, by Allen's long-term sexual addiction. With the help of their church, a recovery ministry, professional counseling, the support of friends and each other and, certainly, God's grace, Bonnie and Allen can say with authority, "You are not alone." The Hickses are members of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Fla., where the senior pastor, Jay Dennis, is leading a movement challenging Christian men to commit to a pornography-free life. Dennis told Baptist Press, "Sexual sin, although no worse a sin in the eyes of God, is worse for people because of the destructive consequences. Sexual addiction affects every area of a person's life spiritually, emotionally and physically. It closes their mouth to worship and praise, prayer and sharing the faith. It brings shame to the person and distances them from the things of God. Guilt like a chain is carried everywhere they go." The campaign Dennis is leading -- "Join 1 Million Men," on the Web at www.join1millionmen.org) -- will be given a national spotlight during the Southern Baptist Convention's June 11-12 annual meeting in Houston. Allen Hicks attended First Baptist Church at the Mall for the first time while separated from Bonnie after his sexual addiction had been exposed. "The first time I came, the pastor talked about this issue and breaking free. He talked about addiction and pornography. I knew he had a heart for what I was going through." Bonnie said she is grateful "for a pastor who was instrumental in the hands of the Lord to speak truth in a loving way. When I arrived at this church two years ago, my life was in ashes. But along with support groups, my church became a hospital." To help churches become hospitals for their members trapped in sexual addictions, Dennis developed a number of resources "to educate leadership on how to forthrightly, but compassionately, address the issues of pornography" in their churches. For more information, visit www.join1millionmen.org. A second source of support that played a part in Bonnie and Allen's healing was L.I.F.E. Recovery International, a Christ-centered support group ministry for those struggling with issues related to sexual addiction. L.I.F.E. is an acronym for Living in Freedom Everyday. When her marriage illusion was shattered, Bonnie started attending a L.I.F.E. support group for grieving spouses. "I thought sex addiction was hogwash. But I was willing to go be with a group of women who knew about it," she said. "There was so much healing from being in a community of women who had walked my path. God's grace was in these women." L.I.F.E. sexual addiction recovery support groups operate in most states throughout the U.S. and have a worldwide reach through conference call support group meetings. Visit www.freedomeveryday.org for more information. The couple also sought help from a professional marriage and sexual addiction counselor. Emphasizing the value of groups and of counseling, Allen explained, "When trapped in this sin cycle, most guys try what I call 'goal-based sobriety.' In other words, all they want to do is stop acting out. Then, when they fall short and DO act out, there is even more shame attached to it. The key is, go back and find the source or the wound that creates the atmosphere for the acting out. That's where the support groups and counseling come in." Additionally, some faithful friends held Bonnie and Allen's arms up when they were weak. Bonnie developed a special friendship with Margaret, who was with her from the day she found out about Allen's infidelity. Margaret was by Bonnie's side during much of the drama and prayed for her every time she called. When Bonnie was about to finalize her divorce from Allen, Margaret asked some hard questions: "What is the rush? You have your information, what is the rush? What does God want you to do here?" Questions like that from friends like Margaret slowed her down so God could work. Dave is a L.I.F.E. group member in recovery who has walked with Allen through his recovery. "I am so proud of both him and Bonnie and the steps they are taking in their marriage, and also to help others," Dave said. "It is so crucial that husband and wife work this out together. "Maybe spouses don't have the same addiction issues," Dave said, "but they have things to work on too. God doesn't call one without calling the other. When my wife came on board, it made it so much easier." And Bonnie points to God's grace. "God still saves marriages. He still performs miracles," she said. "The most beautiful part of pain is reaching the point of believing that God can use pain to bring transformation in the heart of the offended and the offender. No one, not a pastor, not a deacon, not a layperson is too far gone for God's grace." --30-- Kay Adkins is a writer in Mountainview, Ark. Allen and Bonnie Hicks reside in Lakeland, Fla., where he is a sales manager for a car dealership. The couple, parents of two sons and a daughter, are committed to ministering to others struggling with issues related to sexual addiction. Allen helps facilitate a L.I.F.E. support group for men struggling with sexual addictions. Bonnie has written a devotional guide for women titled "Where Can Broken Hearts Go? A 31-Day Journey Towards Healing" (https://www.ebookit.com/books/0000002695/Where-Can-Broken-Hearts-Go.html0), available at Amazon.com and other online retailers. Her blog is at http://hope4brokenhearts.com. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp) -------------------------------------------------------------------- 52,000 letters en route to Iran for U.S. pastor by Erin Roach Date: May 08, 2013 - Wednesday WASHINGTON (BP) -- More than 52,000 letters have been written to American pastor Saeed Abedini, commending him for his strong demonstration of faith as he languishes in an Iranian prison. The Web-based campaign was launched by the American Center for Law and Justice ahead of Abedini's 33rd birthday May 7. ACLJ, which is representing Abedini's wife and children who live in the United States, reported that 52,501 letters had been written to the pastor, a U.S. citizen of Iranian descent who has been sentenced to eight years in prison for converting to Christianity. More letters can still be written at SaveSaeed.org. "These letters show the impact Pastor Saeed's case is having on people's lives," ACLJ said. "One letter reads, 'Your message of forgiveness is an amazing testimony and actually helped us realize there was someone in our life we needed to forgive. Thank you.'" ACLJ said it is printing out and delivering each letter through intermediaries to Evin Prison in Tehran. The large number of letters also serves to let Iranian officials know that the international community is still fighting for his release, Tiffany Barrans, international legal director of the ACLJ, told the persecution monitor Morning Star News. Abedini's wife Naghmeh, who grew up mostly in the United States and is a U.S. citizen, wrote a letter of encouragement to her husband that was published by ACLJ. "With tightness in my throat, pain in my heart, and tears streaming down my face ... so very weak, I promise to stand strong in the strength of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fighting with every strength of my being until you are united to our family again," Naghmeh Abedini wrote. "I will be a voice, where you are being silenced. I will be hands and feet where you are being bound and in chains. That the whole world would know, that the whole world would hear that Jesus is Lord," she wrote. "We are so proud of you. Hang in there. Hold on tight to Jesus. You have many brothers and sisters praying for you and standing with you." Jordan Sekulow, ACLJ's executive director, said this is a crucial time for Abedini as his health continues to worsen at the hands of his Iranian captors who have beaten him continually, refused him medical treatment, pressured him to recant his faith and recently placed him in solitary confinement. Sekulow reported that on the day before Abedini's birthday his father again was turned away by prison officials when he attempted a visit. Until recently, the pastor's Iranian family had been allowed to see him on occasion. Abedini was sentenced in January for threatening "national security," which Morning Star News noted is a catch-all phrase often used by Iranian courts to imprison converts from Islam for various sorts of evangelistic activities. Though he is receiving the most international attention, Abedini is just one of numerous Christians imprisoned for their faith in Iran. World Watch Monitor pointed to a report from Mohabat News, described as an Iranian Christian news agency, which said May 6 that an Assemblies of God pastor in Iran and three members of his church were summoned to serve one year in prison on charges of "converting to Christianity and propogating against the Islamic regime through evangelism." In late 2011, Iranian security authorities had raided their church and arrested the four people as well as everyone who was in attendance at their church service, Mohabat News said. "It is obvious that the restriction and arrest of Christian converts is not a new phenomenon in Iran," Mohabat News stated. "It is the strategy of the Islamic regime to prevent its citizens from exercising their rights and freedom." Morning Star News reported a pattern of massive political arrests and executions that it cited as part of a general repression leading up to presidential elections in June. Four Christian converts arrested last year each posted $80,000 in bail in March. A fifth is still in jail, Morning Star News said, adding that the judge intentionally set the bail amount high to financially cripple the Iranian Christian community. Morning Star News said the men were not tortured in prison but their movements and privileges were limited. They reportedly were not allowed out for exercise, could not use the library and were limited in their contact with other prisoners. The five men, who were arrested at a house prayer service, are members of the Church of Iran, a heavily persecuted denomination to which jailed pastor Benham Irani also belongs, Morning Star News said. Irani suffers from an acute blood infection and is barely able to walk as he serves a six-year sentence for "acting against the interests of national security." Also imprisoned, facing a nine-year sentence, is Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, the attorney who defended another long-imprisoned Iranian pastor, Yousef Nadarkhani, whose freedom was the focus of a worldwide campaign that resulted in his release last year. Khataza Gondwe, the Africa and Middle East director for Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said the practice in Iran of arresting and harassing Christians "is the procedure these days with cases of converts, and I think there is a message being sent out with them." --30-- Erin Roach is assistant editor of Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Immigration bill will falter if same-sex amendments are added, ERLC warns by Tom Strode Date: May 08, 2013 - Wednesday WASHINGTON (BP) -- Amending a long-awaited immigration reform bill in the U.S. Senate to include same-sex partners would force it to oppose the legislation and would deal a death blow to passage, the Southern Baptist Convention's ethics entity has warned. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission issued warnings both before and after Sen. Patrick Leahy, D.-Vt., filed amendments Tuesday (May 7) supported by homosexual rights organizations. One of Leahy's amendments would recognize for immigration purposes same-sex marriages that are legal in a state or foreign country. His other amendment would enable same-sex partners of American citizens to gain legal residency in the same way a husband or wife of a citizen does. Leahy chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will begin consideration of the immigration reform bill and its 300 filed amendments Thursday (May 9). The ERLC's Barrett Duke described Leahy's decision to file the same-sex amendments as "very disappointing." "The inclusion of same-sex marriage complicates things beyond measure and will certainly kill any chance we have of passing immigration reform if it is added to the bill," Duke told Baptist Press Wednesday (May 8). "It is my hope that the Senate Judiciary Committee will determine that the immigration bill is not the place to be trying to change our country's longstanding commitment to traditional marriage. Let's move forward with what we can agree to and solve the dilemma of the 12 million people living in the shadows in our country now." ERLC President Richard Land and other supporters of broad immigration reform had urged Leahy in a May 1 letter not to push same-sex measures in the bill. "If your or any other proposal includes [same-sex] provisions, most, if not all of us, would have to oppose it, preventing us from mobilizing our extensive networks on behalf of the bill," Land and 11 others told the senator. "We urge you not to tie our hands as we work together to reform our nation's broken immigration system." Land and the others said such same-sex measures "would be strongly opposed by many in our communities who would be otherwise sympathetic or even enthusiastic about the benefits of immigration reform." Among the signers with Land of the letter to Leahy were representatives of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). An active advocate for broad immigration reform even back in 2006, Land has warned in the past that injecting same-sex rights would be a poison pill for such legislation. "Among the majority of evangelicals and Southern Baptists, it would be seen as a de facto federal recognition of same-sex marriage and thus would be a deal-breaker," he said in February. Duke, the ERLC's vice president for public policy and research, said Wednesday the immigration reform effort has enough challenges without adding same-sex partnerships. "The country is ready to resolve our immigration dilemma if it can be done in a way that respects the rule of law, deals compassionately with the undocumented and ensures that we won't have a repeat of this problem in the future," Duke said. "The Senate has its hands full just doing that in a way that can garner enough votes." Evangelical supporters of immigration reform said upon its April 17 introduction that the Senate bill -- the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, S. 744 -- marks a solid, though imperfect, start. The product of about three months of negotiations among four Democrats and four Republicans, the proposal is the first serious congressional attempt since 2007 to repair what seemingly everyone acknowledges is a broken immigration system. The lack of enforcement of the current system has resulted in an estimated 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States illegally. The 844-page Senate bill includes a universal employment verification system, as well as border security and fence plans. When the border security plans are in place, undocumented immigrants can seek temporary status. To achieve such provisional status under the bill, each immigrant must, among other requirements, pass a background check, pay taxes and $2,000 in fines, and wait at least 10 years behind legal immigrants who applied before him. He will receive no federal benefits during this provisional period. Some conservatives have said the border security measures are inadequate, and others have criticized the cost to the government. A Heritage Foundation study released May 6 predicted the Senate proposal would cost taxpayers at least $6.3 trillion. Some advocates of immigration reform disputed that forecast. Homosexual rights organizations have decried the bill's refusal to include partners in same-sex relationships. Supporters of immigration reform have warned there is only a narrow window of opportunity for passage in this two-year congressional session, which closes at the end of 2014. Land has predicted approval must happen by the Fourth of July or Labor Day this year. The Evangelical Immigration Table (EIT), led by Land and nine others, launched Wednesday a new prayer-and-action campaign to gain passage of legislation in the next 92 days. The length of the campaign is based on the number of times the Hebrew word for immigrant appears in the Old Testament. EIT has called for immigration reform that: -- "Respects the God-given dignity of every person; -- "Protects the unity of the immediate family; -- "Respects the rule of law; -- "Guarantees secure national borders; -- "Ensures fairness to taxpayers; -- "Establishes a path toward legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents." Messengers to the 2011 Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix approved a resolution on immigration reform that called for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus while pursuing justice and compassion. The measure urged the government to make a priority of border security and holding businesses accountable in their hiring. It also requested public officials establish after securing the borders "a just and compassionate path to legal status, with appropriate restitutionary measures, for those undocumented immigrants already living in our country." It specified the resolution was not to be interpreted as supporting amnesty. In addition to Land, signing onto the May 1 letter to Leahy were: Leith Anderson, president, NAE; Jose Gomez, chairman, USCCB's Committee on Migration; Samuel Rodriguez, president, NHCLC; Matthew Harrison, president, LCMS; Mathew Staver, chairman, Liberty Counsel; Carlos Campo, president, Regent University; Noel Castellanos, chief executive officer, Christian Community Development Assoc.; Stephan Bauman, president, World Relief; Alfonso Aguilar, executive director, Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles; Robert Gittelson, executive director, Conservatives for Comprehensive Immigration Reform; and Joel Hunter, pastor, Northland Church, Orlando. --30-- Tom Strode is Washington bureau chief for Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -------------------------------------------------------------------- TRUSTEES: Golden Gate raises budget 2.9% by Phyllis Evans Date: May 08, 2013 - Wednesday MILL VALLEY, Calif. (BP) -- Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary's trustees have approved a budget of $11,904,000 for the coming year, an increase of 2.9 percent from the current year. The budget also is part of a two-year process of increased faculty compensation. "The importance of this upgrade," GGBTS President Jeff Iorg said, "is we are now compensating our faculty more appropriately and are able to attract stronger candidates for the future." Iorg, in his report during the trustees' April 15-16 meeting at the Northern California campus in Mill Valley, said the seminary "continues to experience the results of hard work by many coupled with the grace of God protecting, guiding and using us." "We are a healthy seminary," Iorg said, "because we focus on our mission -- shaping leaders who expand God's Kingdom around the world. We practice mission discipline rigorously and we stay mission-focused." As part of his report, Iorg noted that the Korean English bilingual program, which launched last fall, "has exceeded our expectations and is the most successful new program launch in our history, both in enrollment and donations." Iorg saluted David Gill, the program's director and former longtime pastor of a California Korean congregation, for the development and growth of the program. Iorg added that the program already is becoming a model for other potential bilingual programs. "The most challenging aspect of academic programming is keeping up with the changing nature of educational delivery," Iorg told the board. "Golden Gate is keeping pace with the expansion of online learning, and our online programs are the fastest-growing segment of our academic delivery system." Iorg also described the retooling of the seminary's strategy at its regional campuses in the Pacific Northwest, Colorado and Arizona. "At our regional campuses outside California, we are revising how we offer classes and the number of classes we offer. We are integrating our options with more online courses." The seminary also has revised its delivery schedule at its Brea, Calif., campus. "The new teaching plan in Southern California is more commuter-friendly and focused on expanding our reach across that region," Iorg said. The board elected Lisa Hoff to the faculty as associate professor of intercultural studies. She had been serving under a presidential appointment, but now joins the full-time faculty. She has served for more than 17 years in Southeast Asia before coming to Golden Gate. Hoff holds M.Div. and master of arts in intercultural studies degrees from Golden Gate and was a recipient of the William O. Crews Presidential Leadership Award recognizing her outstanding potential for future service. Hoff subsequently earned a Ph.D. from Biola University in California. Trustees elected Ben Skaug as vice president for institutional advancement. Skaug is a native Idahoan who previously served as director of development at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky and most recently has been serving in a pastoral role. "We are delighted to add someone with Dr. Skaug's competence and passion for seminary education to our staff," Iorg said. "We are also thrilled to increase the diversity of our leadership team by adding a Native American as a vice president." Skaug holds D.Min. and M.Div. degrees from Southern Seminary. The board also hosted a reception to celebrate the W. Morgan Patterson Collection, an extensive library of nearly 5,000 Baptist history and theology items donated by Patterson's widow, Ernestine North Patterson. "This collection of rare books is a treasure for the West Coast," said Chris Chun, chair of historical/theological studies at the seminary. "This collection will draw scholars from all over the world to visit and study Baptist history and theology at Golden Gate." Ernestine Patterson is the recipient of the seminary's 2013 Harold K. Graves Award given to an individual or family who demonstrates continuing support and service. The board also heard a detailed report about the seminary's land development options and the challenges of finding long-term solutions to using the property and facilities to best accomplish Golden Gate's mission. "We are confident God has a plan for all this and pray for His wisdom to discern the best steps forward," Iorg said. Elected as trustee officers were chairman, Steven R. Sheldon, pastor of Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa.; vice chair, William "Bill" Moffitt, retired executive from Pasco, Wash.; and secretary, Greg Byman, pastor of St. Joe Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. Golden Gate Seminary is a Cooperative Program ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention, operating five fully-accredited campuses in Northern California, Southern California, Pacific Northwest, Colorado and Arizona. For more information, visit www.ggbts.edu. --30-- Phyllis Evans is director of communications for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Swedish homeschooler persecution challenged by Staff Date: May 08, 2013 - Wednesday SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (BP) -- Two cases of persecution of homeschoolers in Sweden are being highlighted by U.S. attorneys as examples of potential religious freedom threats that may arise in the United States. Alan Sears, president of Alliance Defending Freedom, noted that a key benefit of ADF's involvement in helping defend religious freedom overseas is "the crucial perspective it gives us" for defending legal rights in America." Both Swedish cases are similar to a German homeschooling case that has received attention in the United States -- the Romeike family which sought asylum in 2008 after German officials levied hefty fines against them and threatened to take away their children. Their asylum case now is being considered by the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. The first Swedish case Sears mentioned in a May 3 advisory is that of Jonas and Tamara Himmelstrand, whose daughter was diagnosed with autism-spectrum disorder and whose psychologist had advised that homeschooling was the best option for her development. In 2010, Sweden, which along with Germany is chief among persecutors of homeschoolers, passed a law making parents criminally liable if they homeschool their children except in "exceptional circumstances." The Himmelstrands filed for an exemption but the request was denied and they were fined for homeschooling their daughter. The family fled to Finland, unable to pay the major fines. A second case involves Christer and Annie Johansson, whose 7-year-old son Dominic was taken from them in 2009 as they sat aboard an airplane bound for India. The family had been on furlough in Sweden and was returning to the mission field in India. While in Sweden, they had homeschooled their son. Homeschooling was not yet illegal in Sweden at the time, but officials placed Dominic in foster care and a government school. His parents were allowed to see him rarely at first and then not at all. As Sears reported, a lower court restored the parents' rights, but a higher one later reversed that decision. Now the case has been appealed to the Supreme Court of Sweden. "Instead of protecting its citizens, Sweden's government has become a frightening threat," Roger Kiska, senior legal counsel for ADF, said. "This is a tragedy and injustice of epic proportions, and we are asking Sweden's highest court to right this egregious wrong." ADF and the Home School Legal Defense Association have launched a letter-writing campaign asking the Supreme Court of Sweden to accept the Johansson case and return the boy to his parents. "As the district court found, Annie and Christer Johansson are good parents," Mike Donnelly of HSLDA said. "It is unconscionable that the court of appeals -- or any court in a democratic country like Sweden -- could somehow think that it is in Dominic's best interest to remain separated from his parents." --30-- Compiled by Baptist Press assistant editor Erin Roach. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Survey: Public foggy on Planned Parenthood by Staff Date: May 08, 2013 - Wednesday WASHINGTON (BP) -- Americans may think they are familiar with Planned Parenthood but a new survey shows they actually aren't well-informed about the country's No. 1 abortion provider. The National Right to Life Committee commissioned the Polling Company to conduct the survey, which found that 88 percent of registered voters polled said they were familiar with Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Of that total, 41 percent said they were very familiar and 47 percent said they were somewhat familiar. The poll found 63 percent had a favorable opinion of the organization. That total included 38 percent who described themselves as pro-life. Yet, 55 percent of respondents said they did not know Planned Parenthood performs abortions. Even half of the pro-lifers said they did not realize the organization provides abortion services. Of the 45 percent who knew about Planned Parenthood's abortion practice, only 14 percent knew its affiliates perform more than 300,000 abortions each year. Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee, said in a written statement that the American people "have been duped into thinking that Planned Parenthood is nothing more than a 'mainstream health care provider,' when in reality, Planned Parenthood clinics are performing upwards of 27% of all abortions performed in the United States annually." "Regardless of what they say, for Planned Parenthood, abortion is big business," Tobias said in releasing the survey April 30. Affiliates of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America reported performing 333,964 abortions during 2010-11, the most recent year for which statistics are available. That was an annual record for the organization. Planned Parenthood also established a record for funds received from federal, state and local governments -- $542.4 million in grants and reimbursements during the latest fiscal year. --30-- Compiled by Tom Strode, Washington bureau chief for Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -------------------------------------------------------------------- Admiral vows to continue sharing faith by J.C. Derrick/WORLD News Service Date: May 08, 2013 - Wednesday EDITOR'S NOTE: For Baptist Press' coverage of the National Day of Prayer breakfast in Nashville with Frank Page of the SBC Executive Committee as the featured speaker, click here. WASHINGTON (BP) -- Living one's faith in the U.S. military took center stage at the 62nd observance of the National Day of Prayer in Washington as lawmakers and faith leaders gathered on Capitol Hill. After a series of speakers at the Cannon Office Building, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. William D. Lee took the microphone to represent Americans serving in the military. Lee told the crowd he had 10 minutes of carefully prepared remarks but was leaving them in his chair and, instead, would "speak from the heart." Lee, who described himself as "a man of deep abiding faith who happens to wear a uniform," went on to defy any efforts to stop military personnel from openly sharing their Christian faith -- a topic that has sparked widespread controversy in recent weeks. (One such report was in Baptist Press.) Lee mentioned last year's record number of active military suicides, 349 -- roughly one per day -- and said every 65 minutes a military veteran takes his or her life. "I want you to remember that number," Lee said. The rear admiral spoke of a 24-year-old soldier who had attempted suicide recently but survived his self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Lee said when he met the soldier, he knew the rules call for sending him to a chaplain. But Lee said his heart was to give him a Bible. "The lawyers tell me that if I do that, I'm crossing the line," Lee said. "I'm so glad I've crossed that line so many times." Lee pledged not to back down from "my right under the Constitution to tell a young man that there is hope." Lee received several standing ovations during his brief remarks. He requested prayer for Christian military personnel to "weather the storm that I am almost certain will come." Also during the May 2 observance, Greg Laurie, honorary chairman for the 2013 National Day of Prayer Task Force and pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., addressed the crowd despite homosexual activists' attempt to force him to withdraw from giving the keynote address. Laurie, who has held to the biblical definition of marriage, said he wouldn't back down from his stance. Earlier in the day, Laurie spoke at the Pentagon, focusing most of his remarks on the need for prayer that would spark revival. He prayed that God would "send a spiritual awakening that will turn the hearts of men and women, boys and girls, back to You. Forgive us, and heal this troubled land we love so much." Featured speakers at the Washington event also included, among others, James and Shirley Dobson; Rep. Robert Aderholt, R.-Ala.; Vonette Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ; Rep. Frank Wolf, R.-Va.; and Barry Black, U.S. Senate chaplain. The National Day of Prayer, which President Harry S. Truman signed into law in 1952, is recognized on the first Thursday of each May. The national observance in the nation's capital was one of many observances held across the country. In his 2013 National Day of Prayer proclamation, President Barack Obama said, "Prayer brings communities together and can be a wellspring of strength and support." He called on Americans to remember those affected by the recent tragedies in Boston, Newtown, Conn., and West, Texas. --30-- J.C. Derrick writes for WORLD News Service. Used by permission. -------------------------------------------------------------------- MOTHER'S DAY: Honoring God's indispensable gift by Barrett Duke Date: May 08, 2013 - Wednesday WASHINGTON, D.C. (BP) -- "God couldn't be everywhere, so He made mothers." While not theologically accurate, this old Jewish saying describes beautifully the significant role mothers have in our lives. Motherhood is one of God's greatest gifts to humanity. A loving, committed mother is an indispensable person in our development. Just imagine a world without mothers. It would be a sterile place indeed. Mothers instill powerful social and nurturing characteristics in each generation. It is principally from their mothers that children learn the virtues of sacrifice, sharing, valuing others, compassion, community and a host of other interpersonal values and skills that enable humans to live together in peace. Biologically, women are designed for self-sacrifice. When pregnant, a woman's body focuses its primary attention to nurturing that new, growing life developing within her. Her body will automatically prioritize the needs of her unborn baby. And this inherent gift for self-sacrifice isn't only biological. After her children are born, a mother will continue to sacrifice herself for the needs of her children. She will do whatever she can to assure her children have what they need. Mothers are also designed by God to nurture. There is just no greater nurturing power on the planet than a mother. When the apostle Paul was describing his love for the church at Thessalonica, he used the metaphor of a mother's love to describe how deeply he cared for the Thessalonians. He reminded them that he was like a "gentle" mother who "tenderly cares for her own children" (1 Thessalonians 2:7). When God described His love for Israel, He did so with a motherhood metaphor. He told Israel that He would comfort them like a mother comforts her children (Isaiah 66:13). I am reminded of the closing chapters of the great biblical book of wisdom, the book of Proverbs. The book that has helped billions of people through millennia live better lives closes with a great testimonial tribute to women. That's right; the last words of the book of Proverbs don't extend praise to God, or exalt manhood. They speak of the beautiful, indispensable role that women play in God's creation. After 30 chapters of directions on living the good, godly, noble life, the great book of Proverbs closes with these words to the godly woman: "Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying, 'Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.' Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates" (Proverbs 31:28-31). The best of all that God designed a woman to be is expressed in motherhood. Not one of us came into this world without a mother. And in these days of abortion on-demand, motherhood is a conscious, deliberate decision by a woman to enter into that noble, God-like act of loving self-sacrifice to participate with the God of all creation to bring a new life into the world -- you. This Mother's Day, I hope you will take the time to say thanks to your mother in a special way. No she isn't perfect, and no she didn't do everything right, but she gave you life. And if she is like most mothers, she sacrificed for you and did what she could to prepare you to be a loving, caring person. And to mothers, I say thank you for all you have done to prepare your children to be the good men and women of the next generation. Our world cannot make it without you. Thank you for all you do. Happy Mother's Day. --30-- Barrett Duke is vice president for public policy and research for the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -------------------------------------------------------------------- BIBLE STUDY: Sunday, May 12, 2013 by Staff/LifeWay Christian Resources Date: May 08, 2013 - Wednesday NASHVILLE (BP) -- This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups. This week's Bible study is adapted from the MasterWork curriculum. Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:31-32 Discussion Questions: Why do people tend to hold on to anger instead of releasing it? What excuses to justify anger have you used or heard? Food for Thought by Dwayne McCrary: The apostle Paul challenged the Ephesians to "put away" their anger (Ephesians 4:31). In the Greek, this phrase literally means to strip away or to lift up and toss away. In other words, the Bible commands that we remove anger from our hearts. If Paul didn't mean that you actually could "put it away," he would never have encouraged the church to do that. You can do it by the power of the Holy Spirit. As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have the power to lay it down. Now, there are some other things you still have to deal with. Putting away anger is not the end of the issue, but is a major part. You put it down. Get rid of it. In an interesting contrast, Paul told the church in Colossae to "put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" (Colossians 3:12). Paul made a very clear distinction between which emotions we need to "put on" and which we need to "put away." Do you really want all that God desires to give you? If so, ask Him to remove any obstacles that stand in your way. One of those obstacles may be deep-seated anger. Some anger is so deep that only the grace of God can heal it. The anger has been there for so long and has become such a part of daily life that the person cannot possibly free himself. The good news is that no degree of anger is beyond God's reach. Ask the Lord to prune any anger from your heart. Years ago, I came upon a sentence that changed my life. The author, whose name I have long since forgotten, wrote: "The size of a man's anger is the measure of that man." The moment I read that statement, I determined I would not be ruled by anger. That does not mean I, or any other person, can become immune to anger. What it means is that I've set my will toward living free from ungodly anger. And I'm trusting God daily to set me free from the bondage of bitterness and resentment. I know that's the only way I can be all God desires for me to be. MasterWork MasterWork is an ongoing Bible study curriculum based on works from a variety of renowned authors and offers pertinent, practical messages that adults will find uplifting and enriching. The list of authors and their books to be studied in upcoming months can be found at LifeWay.com/MasterWork. Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool. --30-- Dwayne McCrary is a team leader for Explore the Bible and can be followed on twitter @gdwayne.