The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-10/18/2016 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Church's 'micro mission trips' nurture its reach by Raegan Melfe Date: October 18, 2016 - Tuesday CARMICHAEL, Calif. (BP) -- The Church on Cypress called them "micro mission trips," short-term initiatives that were affordable and close to home to increase missions participation. There are "all kinds of reasons" why some people shy away from mission trips, said Peggy Tumlinson, a missions team member at the church, named for its location on Cypress Avenue in Carmichael, Calif. "[S]ome find it frightening; some find it hard because of finances; some just are not sure what to expect," Tumlinson said, so the church sought to make missions outreach "accessible to anybody including children in the family." Cypress members went on three micro trips from May through July, ranging in cost from $50 to $100 depending on the destination, with scholarships available as needed. The first trip was to Camp Alta, 50 miles to the northeast, to help with various activities, including cleaning roads and cleaning/painting signs. "Camp Alta is our associational camp [Sacramento Region Baptist Network], and we already have a working relationship," Tumlinson said. "We asked them if there was some way we could come up and minister, if there were some sort of projects we could do." During the Friday-Saturday trek to the camp, the church's volunteers also focused on prayer for "kids and adults that would come to the camp throughout the year," Tumlinson recounted. They prayed that people would "come to know Christ if they didn't know Him or they could be drawn closer to Him." The second trip's destination was NewLife Community Church in Fresno, 180 miles to the southeast. Eric Mann, NewLife's pastor, previously was associate pastor at the Carmichael church. Church on Cypress volunteers helped with Vacation Bible School over the course of a week, preparing rooms and crafts during the day while teaching VBS at night. New Life was in need of VBS workers, Mann said, and might not have been able to do it without the help from Carmichael. "I would encourage churches who think they can't do something by themselves to try to connect with other churches or maybe help another church that is small," Mann said. "They were really encouraging to us.... By the end of the week both our church and their church were excited about hopefully doing this again next year. I think what's developing is a longer-term relationship between the two churches." Mann noted the families from Carmichael stayed in host homes during the week, which was a blessing for both churches. "We had a family that hosted one of the college girls and they connected really well," Mann said. "She's actually coming back to spend Thanksgiving with them -- that's how well they connected." The third project was a three-day trip to Trinity Southern Baptist Church in Fresno. Cypress sent 12 people to help pack 500 backpacks -- with pencils, crayons, paper, rulers, pencil boxes, glue, folders and a Gospel tract -- for children in the community. Becky Fees, Trinity's community outreach director, said the Cypress team's service was an "amazing blessing," and people from the school next door who came to a giveaway event were overjoyed by what they received. "We had grandmothers who now have custody of their children and they said they had no idea how they were going to be able to pay for a backpack [from a store]," Fees said. "It wasn't just the grandparents, it was the parents and the kids who just gave you a hug and said thank you." In addition to its micro trips, The Church on Cypress goes every summer to The Church on the Rock in Pitt Meadows, B.C., Canada. The congregation partners with a missionary there for a week, helping out any way they can. Tumlinson encouraged churches that want to start their own micro missions effort to find "people who have a heart for the Lord." She pointed to "the joy that you receive working together as a team -- getting to know each other because you go to church with all of these people and you don't get to know them really well unless you are in a small group." David Brown, lead pastor at Cypress, said the church was interested in calling him as pastor because of his love for the Great Commission, while the reason he and his wife were drawn to the church was because of the congregation's mission-mindedness. "We're taking very seriously the call to be a Great Commission church where we go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth," Brown said. Brown noted the mission trips had the most impact on the teams themselves because they were able to serve the Lord and others. "[Y]ou can't help but be changed when you are helping others," Brown said. "Even going on these micro mission trips transforms people. They're just not the same when they come back because they see that God used them to connect with other people and to make a difference." -------------------------------------------------------------------- FIRST-PERSON: A tiny handshake & squeaky voice by John Weaver Date: October 18, 2016 - Tuesday DITTMER, Mo. (BP) -- At the eye clinic at St Louis Children's Hospital, more than 25 people received a tap on their leg or shoulder the other morning followed by a tiny little handshake and then heard a squeaky little voice say, "Hey Low! How wa you?" As my 6-year-old son Noah made his way around the room, he quickly gained everyone's attention and I could actually see them look forward in anticipation for their own personal greeting from this precious little boy. Every face in the room had a big smile during and after his little introductions. As Noah was making his rounds, one of the parents asked me about him, and I was able to share his and Andrew's adoption story. One gentleman remarked out loud to the whole room, "You know, if more people were like Noah, this world would be a lot better place!" Several said, "That's for sure!" or shook their heads in agreement. As we left the office to go home, almost everyone who had been there when we arrived said, "Goodbye, Noah!" He, of course, responded with a brief little wave and a squeaky "Byeee!" as he ran down the hall giggling with me chasing him from behind. I absolutely love it when Noah and his brother Andrew greet other people. Sometimes the greetings will involve a wave, handshake, hug or even an occasional kiss on the cheek. It has been so cool to watch as frowns are quickly turned upside down in stores, hospitals, churches and other places as unsuspecting people get a surprise greeting from one of our little guys. Our boys acknowledge almost everybody they see -- not because they are running for some political office, want money or candy, or because Mommy or Daddy "told them to." They do it because they genuinely love other people. As a dad, it has been really good for my heart to see these transformations as well. As Christ followers, may we see others the same way my little guys with Down syndrome do. In other words, let's treat others the same way Jesus did. He's the One we are following after all and who spoke these words: "I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). -------------------------------------------------------------------- Artificial intelligence spawns ethical concerns by David Roach Date: October 18, 2016 - Tuesday NASHVILLE (BP) -- The ethics of artificial intelligence (AI) has drawn comments from the White House and British House of Commons in recent weeks, along with a nonprofit organization established by Amazon, Google, Facebook, IBM and Microsoft. Now, Baptist computer scientists have called Christians to join the discussion. Louise Perkins, professor of computer science at California Baptist University, told Baptist Press she is "quite worried" at the lack of an ethical code related to AI. The Christian worldview, she added, has much to say about how automated devices should be programmed to safeguard human flourishing. Individuals with a Christian worldview need to be involved in designing and programing AI systems, Perkins said, to help prevent those systems from behaving in ways that violate the Bible's ethical standards. Believers can thus employ "the mathematics or the logic we will be using to program these devices" to "infuse" a biblical worldview "into an [AI] system." While AI has no universally accepted definition, an Oct. 12 report by the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy defines it as "a computerized system that exhibits behavior that is commonly thought of as requiring intelligence." Self-driving cars and AI-equipped unmanned aircraft are two examples highlighted in the report, which also notes AI applications in health care, transportation, the environment, the criminal justice system and "economic inclusion." Perkins noted automated manufacturing, surgery and warfare as potential applications of AI. Among the most common forms of AI on the market is the automated personal assistant on many smartphones. The 58-page White House report states that "ethical training for AI practitioners is a necessary part" of ensuring "fairness and safety" in the use of developing technologies. Similarly, the House of Commons' Science and Technology Select Committee stated in an Oct. 5 report that "ongoing consideration" is needed in such areas as minimizing "bias being accidentally built into AI systems" and limiting "unwanted, or unpredictable, behaviours" by AI systems. The Amazon/Google/Facebook/IBM/Microsoft partnership -- dubbed the partnership on Artificial Intelligence to Benefit People and Society -- was announced Sept. 28 with one of its goals being publication of research "in areas such as ethics, fairness and inclusivity," according to a press release. Perkins said one of her ethical concerns related to AI is security. By hacking into the AI systems of a future manufacturing plant, for example, terrorists might be able to program an entire series of self-driving cars to malfunction at the same time, causing chaos on the roads. AI weapons systems also could fall prey to hackers, and AI systems that prepared food could be hacked to poison people. Positive AI capabilities that appear to be on the horizon are "wonderful," Perkins said. "But these things come with the ability for someone else to take control of them and use them." The only "non-hackable" devices available currently "are behind fences, where they are not interconnected to the real world," Perkins said. "The devices we're developing now are going to be interconnected to the real world." Perkins also noted that ethical standards will have to be programmed into AI systems involved in surgery and warfare among other applications. A robot performing surgery on a pregnant woman, for instance, could have to weigh the life of the baby relative to the life of the mother, and an AI weapon system could have to apply standards of just warfare. Mike Brake, a former computer scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico who now serves as a student pastor, echoed some of Perkins' concerns. AI "is to be used to help aid and assist humans," said Brake, student pastor at First Baptist Church in Los Alamos. "There's definitely a great intention behind it in almost any use." Yet "when you have software making decisions on behalf of humanity," Brake told BP, "you have humans who are writing that software. And humans, as we all know, are prone to error." Christians should not worry about robots taking over the world, Brake said. "But you do have to be aware that there is artificial intelligence, and it's a software program that is gaining intelligence and making decisions." -------------------------------------------------------------------- SBC DIGEST: Surgeon Rebekah Naylor honored; Rainer podcast surpasses 1M; Digby to lead MBC ethics arm; New FCA leader named by LifeWay, MBC and BP Staff Date: October 18, 2016 - Tuesday Surgeon, former IMB medical missionary Naylor honored FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) -- Former Southern Baptist medical missionary Rebekah A. Naylor is the recipient of the 2016 American College of Surgeons/Pfizer Surgical Humanitarian Award for her medical ministry to underserved populations. The award recognizes Naylor's accomplishments during 35 years of medical missionary work in Karnatake, India; her nearly 10 years on the faculty of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas; her help in founding a free medical clinic for the underserved and uninsured in Fort Worth, Texas. Currently serving as global health care consultant for Baptist Global Response (BGR), a Southern Baptist humanitarian group, Naylor mobilizes and trains health care personnel to serve worldwide, making frequent trips to India to serve at Bangalore Baptist Hospital (BBH). During her rise from clinical surgeon to medical superintendent of the BBH in Karnatake, she helped double the number of patient care beds from 80 to 160, organized training programs in four allied health disciplines, and established accredited residency training programs for physicians, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) September bulletin reported. The Rebekah Ann Naylor School of Nursing Naylor founded in Karnatake has trained more than 350 nurses, many of them from low income backgrounds and 129 of them currently employed at BBH, according to the ACS. Naylor arrived in India in 1974 as a missionary with the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) of the Southern Baptist Convention. During her time in Karnatake, she helped plant 90 churches to serve the 53 million people there. She returned to the U.S. in 2002 and joined the faculty of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where she served as clinical associate professor of surgery until her retirement in 2010. She helped found the free medical service Mercy Clinic in 2011, and continues to chair the group's board of directors. The ACS will present the award Oct. 18 at the Clinical Congress 2016 in Washington. Rainer leadership podcast surpasses 1M listeners NASHVILLE (BP) -- The "Rainer on Leadership" podcast is on pace to reach 1.2 million listeners this year, having reached a milestone in September when it surpassed 100,000 downloads per month. LifeWay President and CEO Thom S. Rainer with Jonathan Howe, host of the podcast and operations director of ThomRainer.com, launched "Rainer on Leadership" in 2013. The podcast offers practical solutions for issues facing pastors and church leaders in the 21st century. Recent topics include dealing with staff conflict, multigenerational worship ministry, keys to a healthy church, and how to make guests feel welcome. The twice-a-week podcast, which has seen 265 percent growth over the past two years, was started as a companion to Rainer's blog at ThomRainer.com. "We wanted to give a pastoral wakeup call to churches in North America," Rainer said. "You cannot deal with the issues until you understand the reality. We're able to share things in a pastoral way that not only lays out the issues but also offers solutions." Rainer said he's been surprised by the diversity of churches represented. "The blog and podcast are reaching about 265,000 churches in the U.S., and they range in geographic region, denomination and size." ThomRainer.com, launched in 2012, receives more than 8 million views per year. For each of the past five years, the blog has reached readers from every nation in the world. The blog, like the podcast, is a solution-based resource. The most popular topic has been church guests. The podcast and blog have covered everything from what not to say to first-time guests, how to do effective follow-up, and how to make a positive first impression. "We want to be a sounding board for pastors. Much of our content comes from the feedback we receive from our listeners and readers," Rainer said. "In many ways, both the podcast and blog have become a friend of pastors and church staff." Kenny Digby to lead Christian Action Commission JACKSON, Miss. (BP) -- Kenny L. Digby, missions director of the Alcorn Association of the Mississippi Baptist Convention, has been named the new executive director-treasurer of the Christian Action Commission (CAC), the Jackson-based agency of the Mississippi Baptist Convention (MBC) that addresses moral, social and ethical issues. Digby expects to begin in his new post Nov. 1, succeeding Jimmy Porter who retired in April 2015 after 15 years in the post. "Dr. Kenny Digby was chosen due to his deep love for Christ and His church. He has a dedicated discipline for study and memorization of the Scriptures," said Rodney Anderson, CAC chairman and pastor of First Church in Mendenhall. "His astute understanding of ethical and moral issues is evident in his living and preaching. He will be at home in all of our churches, associations, and schools no matter the location or size. We know him to be a committed family man and defender of truth and morals." Jim Futral, executive director-treasurer of the MBC Board in Jackson, noted Digby's experience beyond church walls. "He has been involved in the world beyond the doors of the church," Futral said. "Beyond experience, he brings a desire to help our churches as they struggle with issues and challenges in seeking to be Christian in an ever-increasing secular world." The 64-year-old Digby has been Alcorn Association's missions director since 1998. He has 12 years of pastoral experience, another 12 years of experience as a fulltime evangelist, and since 1970 has served concurrently during his pastoral and evangelistic ministry with the Church for the Crisis radio and television ministry in Fulton. Digby has been an adjunct professor at New Orleans Seminary/North Mississippi Extension since 2007, was director of the North Mississippi Extension for the seminary from 2013-14, served six years as a full-time professor of practical theology at the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas, and has additional professorial experience. Shane Williamson to lead Christian athletes KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The National Board of Trustees of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has named Shane Williamson as president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2017. Williamson, currently FCA executive director of field ministry, replaces FCA president and CEO Les Steckel, who will retire at the end of 2016 after 12 years of service. "FCA conducted a comprehensive, national search for our new president, and the candidates we interviewed were tremendous leaders in their fields," board chairman Bruce Graham said. "When it came down to it, we were thrilled to discover that the Lord led us to someone from our own FCA family -- someone who understands the heart and soul of FCA." Graham described Steckel as "one of the most passionate leaders in FCA history," and said Williamson "will carry out FCA's strong vision to impact coaches and athletes for Christ and continue to take the ministry to new heights." Williamson, a member of the nondenominational Impact Church in Hartwell, Ga., has served FCA for 24 years and has held his current post since 2014. The Loris, S.C., native has worked as FCA's vice president of field ministry for the Carolinas, multi-area director for Metro Atlanta and area director for Upstate South Carolina. Before Williamson's employment with FCA, he was an FCA sponsor, a teacher and coach. "I am honored and excited to serve alongside such wonderfully committed teammates, coaches, athletes, supporters and volunteers in leading the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as president," Williamson said. "FCA is a ministry uniquely positioned, through the influence of coaches and athletes, to impact our world by promoting in sport the life-changing message of Christ. As a husband, father, coach and athlete, God has used FCA to grow and change my life, marriage and family in so many positive ways. I can only hope to lead in such a way that continues to give all who serve and support this ministry greater opportunities to invest in coaches, athletes and all whom they influence in the same way." -------------------------------------------------------------------- NOBTS to launch Adrian Rogers Center for preaching by Gary D. Myers Date: October 18, 2016 - Tuesday NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees have approved the establishment of an Adrian Rogers Center for Expository Preaching. Additional initiatives also were approved during the trustees' fall meeting to enhance the training of local church pastors and other church leaders -- a Christian leadership major in the doctor of philosophy program and several enhancements to the seminary's master of divinity program. "Dr. Adrian Rogers is one of the most significant alumni in the history of NOBTS -- well-known for a lifetime of excellent expository preaching," President Chuck Kelley said following the trustee meeting. "This center will enhance our ability to train students and prepare them to open God's Word and teach through great expository preaching over the years of their ministry." Rogers, who died in 2005 after 33 years as pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., earned the bachelor of divinity (equivalent to today's master of divinity) at NOBTS in 1958. The Memphis-area pastor and three-time SBC president, launched his radio and television ministry "Love Worth Finding" in 1987. Through Love Worth Finding, millions of people were impacted through Rogers' preaching. Building on Rogers' legacy of expository preaching, the new academic center will promote training and skill development for current students and pastors alike. In addition to providing leadership and promotion for the preaching degrees in the academic program (master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees with expository preaching specializations and the biblical exposition major in the doctor of philosophy program), the Rogers Center will host conferences and lectureships in expository preaching. The center also will develop preaching resources to assist local church pastors. Led by Adam Hughes, NOBTS professor of expository preaching and dean of the chapel, the Rogers Center will officially launch in January 2017. More information about the new center is available at www.nobts.edu/rogerscenter. The new Christian leadership major in the doctor of philosophy program approved by trustees during their Oct. 10 meeting is aimed at providing a Ph.D.-level learning option for the growing number of NOBTS students in master's programs focusing on leadership, NOBTS Provost Steve Lemke said. The 64-hour degree plan is designed to prepare students to lead in local congregations as well as teach at colleges, universities and seminaries or serve in administrative or leadership roles with the various boards, entities and commissions of the Southern Baptist Convention. "The area of leadership has become one of the most popular specializations among students in our doctor of ministry and doctor of educational ministry programs, and we wanted to offer this focused training in our Ph.D. program as well," Lemke said. Trustees approved revisions to the standard M.Div. which adjusted several courses and allowed for more options for individual students. Still an 84-hour degree, the new M.Div. moves from nine hours of free electives to 12 hours of free electives. Students are given options for two additional courses in order to better tailor their degree plan. Ultimately, Kelley hopes the revised M.Div. will better prepare students for the pastorate and for church planting. "We are thrilled with the approval of our revised M.Div.," Kelley said. "It truly is a pastor's M.Div. that prepares someone for the full work of the pastor." In an effort to assist local church leadership training, trustees approved three new certificate training sites in Georgia: Fort Creek Baptist Church in Dearing, Ga.; Murray Baptist Association in Dalton, Ga.; and Bartow Baptist Association in Cartersville, Ga. The board voted to relocate the church leadership certificate site in Broward County, Fla., from the Church by the Glades in Coral Springs to Oasis Church in nearby Pembroke Pines. In response to a referral from the SBC Executive Committee following the 2016 SBC annual meeting in St. Louis, the board approved a written media policy for trustee meetings and general media requests at NOBTS. The policy delineates the open meeting policy for plenary sessions of trustee meeting. The written policy reflects the longstanding practices of the NOBTS board regarding open meetings. In his report to the trustees, Kelley announced healthy enrollment numbers for the seminary. Last year's enrollment was the third largest in NOBTS history and the current year's enrollment is trending slightly higher than last year's. NOBTS also is expecting a large number of prospective students for its campus preview event later this month. -------------------------------------------------------------------- N.Y. Baptists affirm marriage & gender, increase CP by Staff Date: October 18, 2016 - Tuesday SCHROON LAKE, N.Y. (BP) -- Messengers to the Baptist Convention of New York increased giving to Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministries for the second year in a row and discussed proposals to affirm the biblical definitions of marriage and gender in the convention's constitution. Messengers also heard addresses from SBC Executive Committee President Frank S. Page and Todd Starnes of Fox News during their Sept. 25-27 sessions at Word of Life Conference Center in Schroon Lake, N.Y. In addition to 90 registered messengers, 21 guests were present for a total of 35 churches represented. Two amendments to the BCNY constitution proposed by the convention's Executive Board dealt with the topics of gender and marriage. Both amendments will be voted on at the 2017 annual meeting. The first, which was amended by a messenger, would deem churches "not in cooperation with the Convention" if they "act to affirm, approve, [or] endorse ... same-sex marriage, or any expression of marriage, including but not limited to civil unions, other than the uniting of one biological man and one biological woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime." The constitution already states churches are not in cooperation if they affirm, approve or endorse "homosexual behavior." The second proposed amendment would add to the convention's affirmation of the Baptist Faith and Message the statement, "We also believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person." In other business, the convention adopted a 2017 budget of $2,063,400, a decrease of 0.3 percent from the current year. Included in the 2017 budget: $745,000 in anticipated Cooperative Program giving from BCNY churches, for 36.5 percent of the budget; $1,235,000 in anticipated funding from the North American Mission Board; and $60,000 anticipated from LifeWay Christian Resources. The convention will forward 28.5 percent of CP receipts to the SBC's national and international missions and ministries, up from 27.5 percent in 2016 and 25 percent in 2015. The budget includes no shared expenses with the SBC. Elected as the convention's 2016-17 president was Paul Flores, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Nazaret in West New York, N.J. Also nominated was Andy Smith, associate pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Cortland, N.Y. Elected as vice president was Dan Schallmo, pastor of Summit Church in Cazenovia, N.Y. Re-elected as recording secretary was Van McClain, pastor of Grace Community Chapel in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Daniel Lee, pastor of Compass Fellowship Church in New York City, delivered the annual sermon. Worship was led by Kevin Rogers, associate pastor of Open Arms Church in Rotterdam, N.Y. In addition to Page and Starnes, among the meeting's guest speakers were an International Mission Board missionary who cannot be identified for security reasons; Steve Allen of NAMB; and Greg Love of GuideStone Financial Resources. Next year's annual meeting will be Sept. 24-26 at Bible Church International in Randolph, N.J., with a theme of "make every effort" based on Philippians 3:12. -------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM THE STATES: S.C., Texas, Md. evangelism/missions news; '... [F]ree food and car washes ... with absolutely no catch' by Staff Date: October 18, 2016 - Tuesday Today's From the States features items from: The Baptist Courier (South Carolina) Southern Baptist TEXAN BaptistLIFE (Maryland) ********** S.C. churches unite to 'love their city' By Julia Bell CHESNEE, S.C. (Baptist Courier) -- Earlier this year, 16 churches from across the Chesnee community participated in creative service projects and outreach opportunities on the first "Love Your City" day. Several revivals occurred in the weeks that followed, and some projects have become ongoing ministries. Pastor Daniel Godfrey of Arrowwood Baptist Church imagined a ministry day like this over a decade ago after participating in smaller-scale servant evangelism activities. Then last year, while engaging with an evangelism team and other pastors in his association, the city-wide idea became more concrete. Brandon Lewis, pastor of Piedmont Baptist Church, shared an evangelist's idea to host revivals and community outreach simultaneously. "I believed a number of my Chesnee pastor friends would join forces on an idea like this," he says. They did, including a small group of them who prayed weekly for revival nine months leading up to the event. Basic data research revealed that there were roughly 15,000 people living in the Chesnee zip code and surrounding areas, and that 12,000 of them were unchurched. The planning team decided to focus efforts on a 10-mile radius of the community. A "Chesnee LYC" Facebook page was created, along with a billboard announcing the event. Postcards were mailed to area homes, provided through a grant from the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Participating churches planned the ministries they each would provide during Love Your City day. All lay leaders were invited to attend three joint worship and evangelism training services leading up to the project date. "The pastors were also unified working together on this. The desire to see God work in our community resonated with them," Godfrey says. On the morning of Love Your City day, 30 participants were positioned around Chesnee holding inspirational signs with messages like "We're praying for you" and "Jesus loves you." In 13 different ministry locations, there were free car washes, a prayer drive-through, a diaper and wipes distribution, free meals, and inflatable play areas for children. Church members talked about their faith as they interacted in the community. People began responding to the simple acts of service almost immediately. "Several folks allowed us to pray for them and were overwhelmingly grateful. People were shocked to realize the free food and car washes were given with absolutely no catch," Lewis says. One young mother heard that Arrowwood Baptist Church was giving out free diapers and wipes and walked from another part of town to get some. At the time, her daughter was wearing the last diaper the young mother had. After hearing about free diapers, another mother came to Arrowwood Baptist the next day to ask for some. Godfrey said this same woman's brothers had prayed to receive Christ at the church's free lunch on Love Your City day, and that Godfrey had prayed for this woman with the brothers. Nine of the churches planned revival services to coincide with the event. New Vision Baptist Church joined Arrowwood Baptist Church to host services led by a guest evangelist, where 29 people were reported to have made professions of faith. Other churches also reported salvations. Lewis says he is most excited to see that pastors from across the community are drawing closer together as a result of the event. "We still meet every Wednesday morning at First Baptist, Chesnee, to fellowship and pray for one another. This has helped each of us as pastors, but I think it also helps our respective churches; healthier pastors make for healthier churches," he says. According to Godfrey, next year's event planning is already underway, and he hopes the idea spreads. "Churches have been asking to be a part of this going forward, including other denominations," Godfrey says. --30-- This article appeared in the Baptist Courier, newsmagazine of the South Carlina Baptist Convention. Julia Bell writes for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. ********** Texas congregation brings hope to violent region in Mexico By Jane Rodgers EL PASO, Texas (Southern Baptist TEXAN) -- "When we arrived, several vehicles surrounded us and lowered the windows, [the men inside] displaying their firearms," Zulma Molina said, describing the greeting her group received this July at the village of Huajumar, nestled in the Sierra Tarahumara mountain range of Chihuahua, Mexico, a region plagued by drug violence. Molina led 36 volunteers from Ministerios de Compasion El Paso, an organization associated with El Paso's Immanuel Baptist Church, to the village of Huajumar July 23-31 to repair a church known locally as the "abandoned church." They also brought Vacation Bible School to Huajumar and Yepáchic, a village an hour's drive northwest. Both villages have fewer than 1,000 residents, Molina said, adding that the area contains many illegal landing strips and is controlled by the drug cartel. "The main businesses are the drug plantation and trafficking," she said. The mountains are "heavily patrolled by hit men," Molina added. Police and army avoid the region, with its narrow, ill-maintained, single-lane roads. The area has a history of both Christianity and violence. "Years ago, when the [drug] violence was at its worst, the church in Huajumar was abandoned by pastors and missionaries," Molina explained. "On the other hand, Yepáchic has an established little church, but people are terrified since the violence continues and killings happen on a daily basis." Even getting to the remote villages proved a harrowing experience involving flat tires, burned out brakes and vehicles stuck in mud. About 30 minutes from their destination, a trailer axle broke, stranding part of the group in the mountainous woods. "It was about 7 p.m. and dark clouds were gathering in the sky. We realized the real danger we were in. We could hear the noises of wild animals; phones did not work; and we only had a couple of flashlights, light jackets and a blanket," Molina recalled. "Our only hope was in the Lord, so we prayed and sang praises. Right there in the middle of nowhere, we lifted up our voices to praise God. Suddenly, a flash of light filled the sky and … hit the ground right next to us. We felt the ground tremble." After three hours in the woods, help arrived and the group entered Huajumar late that evening, greeted by machine guns as they unloaded vehicles and entered the mold-ridden, leaky, foul-smelling church. "We could feel a very dark presence," Molina said. "Although no one said anything, we all knew we were stepping into the enemy's territory and war was declared." The night was spent in some measure of unease and doubt, Molina admitted. "In the morning, the Lord renewed our spirits, and we got up ready to work. People looked at us with curiosity. … Little by little the church was filled with light," as the group labored to scrub mold and repair the structure that Sunday, even holding a small celebratory service before preparing to start VBS the next day in Yepáchic, despite warnings of violence there. "We were told that it was not a good idea to visit there because the previous day [the cartel] had killed 23 people. But we could not cancel VBS in Yepáchic," Molina said. "The local church invited the community, and children were waiting for us. So a group of brave warriors went to Yepáchic early Monday to conduct VBS," while others remained in Huajumar to continue work on the church and to do door-to-door evangelism. The group also held VBS in the afternoons and church services in the evenings at Huajumar. The danger was ever-present, but God was glorified. "While all of this happened, we had what we called 'personal security.' Everywhere we went, armed men were watching us," Molina said. By week's end, "we were exhausted but our spirit was filled with joy to see the abandoned church in Huajumar being transformed. More children and adults came to hear the Word of God. The last day, the church was packed, and it was beautiful to hear loud voices singing praises to the creator of the universe." Members from a church in Juarez, Mexico, accompanied the group from Immanuel Baptist to Huajumar and Yepáchic, Immanuel associate pastor J.C. Rico said. Mission trips to Mexico have become a mainstay of Immanuel Baptist. In July, some 33 members also trekked through the Sonoran desert on the church's second annual family mission trip to Peñasco, Mexico, a coastal city of about 100,000, at the request of a local church to conduct Vacation Bible School. Immanuel's involvement with the Peñasco church began when Rico was on vacation, attending a family wedding in the city in 2014. Rico had spotted the church on his way into town and decided to attend that Sunday. The pastor spoke on service and mission, ideas that Rico had been considering for Immanuel as well. Rico introduced himself to the pastor's wife and inquired about mission opportunities in Peñasco. "We need help with VBS!" she exclaimed. "We have 200 kids and not enough workers." The following July, more than 30 volunteers from seven Immanuel families spent summer vacation in Peñasco, helping with VBS in the mornings and enjoying time in the city or at the beach in the afternoons. In 2016, families from Immanuel led the VBS in Peñasco using LifeWay curriculum, Rico said. "After 1:30 p.m. each day, we were free to go back to the hotel, eat, have family time," Rico added, calling the family aspect of the mission trip "just as important" as the VBS. Evangelistic opportunities came during down times, too. Last year, Rico presented the Gospel to a local youth as the boy braided a souvenir bracelet for the pastor. The young man, Rogelio, prayed to receive Christ. "I got sunburned standing there, but it was worth it," Rico laughed. This year, Rico's wife led a local woman named Elena to Christ while the lady braided the hair of Rico's daughter. Removing sunglasses to reveal two black eyes inflicted by an abusive husband, Elena shared her story with the Ricos, who ministered to her. A third Immanuel family mission trip to Peñasco is scheduled for July 2017. --30-- This article appeared in the Southern Baptist TEXAN (texanonline.net), newsjournal of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Jane Rodgers is a correspondent for the Southern Baptist TEXAN. ********** Md. churches support their communities through local schools By Sharon Mager MARYLAND (BaptistLIFE) -- In an effort to build relationships and be engaged in their communities, Mid-Atlantic Network Baptist churches are loving their local schools, stepping up to provide needed volunteers, hosting fundraisers and providing encouragement to teachers and staff. This is just a small sample of what churches are doing in partnership with their local schools. Sonrise Church in Berlin, Md., uses the sale of tacos each year to raise between $7,000 to $8,000 for Stephen Decatur High School. The church has "$1 Taco Night" at the school, and it's so successful the church doesn't have to promote it, says Darryl McCready, pastor of SonRise. The school puts it on their electronic sign, and thousands of people show up making four food lines around the cafeteria. "It's a massive event," said McCready. About 150 volunteers cook up 800-900 pounds of meat to make the tacos. They also prepare and sell desserts and sno-cones. SonRise meets at the school, but the rent they pay goes to the school board, McCready said. The funds from the "$1 Taco Night" go directly to the school and the principal uses it for a slush fund that provides non-budgeted school supplies for the teachers. "The school appreciates it," McCready said. SonRise Church's partnership with Stephen Decatur High School as well as other local schools began with McCready and nine other local pastors from various denominations, who meet regularly together, approached the local school superintendent and asked, "How can we help you?" The superintendent was amazed at the request, but responded that schools needed mentors. McCready and the others went to work and provided volunteers above and beyond what was requested. In addition to the "$1 Taco Nights," Sonrise provides "back-to-school" lunches for teachers with homemade food and gifts, barbecue picnics for seniors, backpacks, food for 60-70 children a week, multiple block parties a year, a huge community harvest fair, and other events working in partnership with the schools. In Western Maryland, Grace Baptist Church, Cumberland, serves free monthly dinners to the community. Twice a year, the church partners with a local school to have the dinner in the school cafeteria. Church members provide, prepare and serve the food and the school promotes it to staff, students and families. The community is also invited to attend. Now, some of the school staff and even some families from the school, show up at the church to help with the dinners throughout the year. "Dressed in Love," a ministry birthed out of Ashton Baptist Church, and led by Jennifer Williams, provides free dresses for girls attending prom and homecoming dances. Individuals and other churches donate the dresses to the ministry. Williams gets the word out to the schools, and many young women respond. "The moms know the amount they would have to pay for their daughters to go to the prom, or the homecoming dances," Williams said. They're very thankful and sometimes emotional. Williams also meets with girls who are living with foster care families and they arrive with their social workers. In addition to the dresses, girls are invited back the day of the prom or homecoming dance for makeup and manicures. Summit Trace Church, Frederick, provides an appreciation lunch for teachers the week that school begins. "We provide all the food, and we play hostess," Summit Trace Pastor Pastor Dan Housam said. The church also brings muffins and thank you cards to teachers on the first day of school, and at Christmas they take cookies to the school. In addition, the church hosts a chili cookoff event for one school, with face painting and a moonbounce. Joe Giles, pastor of student ministry, First Baptist Church of Easton, discovered a unique need at a local school. They needed someone to sweep floors and clean up after basketball games. "I can do that!" Giles told them. And he did. That simple, humble gesture brought some fabulous opportunities to engage the community. Giles has since built relationships with the school staff and with students and their families. The church is now hosting block parties in partnership with the school, and they're even leading Bible study for some of the students. "God is just opening the doors and moving on the heart of our people," Giles said. Bethel Baptist Church, Ellicott City, has been building a relationship with a local elementary school. Church members have given coffee to parents dropping children off at school, invited the third grade children to present a musical program to the church's seniors group, and the church has given backpacks with non-perishable food for kids in need. The school is also helping with a food drive to help the church provide for the needy. --30-- This article appeared in BaptistLIFE (baptistlifeonline.org), newsjournal of the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network. Sharon Mager is a correspondent for the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network. ********** EDITOR'S NOTE: From the States, published each Tuesday by Baptist Press, relays news and feature stories from state Baptist papers and other publications on initiatives by Baptist churches, associations and state conventions in evangelism, church planting and Great Commission outreach, including partnership missions. Reports about churches, associations and state conventions responding to the International Mission Board's call to embrace the world's 3,800 unengaged, unreached people groups also are included in From the States, along with reports about church, associational and state convention initiatives in conjunction with the North American Mission Board's call to Southern Baptist churches to broaden their efforts in starting new churches and satellite campuses. The items appear in Baptist Press as originally published.