The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-12/12/2019 DISCLAIMER: Baptist Press should be credited for any reprinted stories that originate with BP. Suggested credit line: Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. Please note that Baptist Press periodically carries stories from other sources by permission. Individuals interested in reprinting non-BP stories should contact the entity where the story originated to seek reprint permission. -------------------------------------------------------------------- CHRISTMAS HYMN: Angels We Have Heard on High by Keith Getty Date: December 12, 2019 - Thursday EDITOR'S NOTE: Modern hymn writer Keith Getty has written a series of essays, each focusing on a Christmas hymn or carol. This is the eighth of an 11-part series in Baptist Press. NASHVILLE (BP) -- This is such a beautiful carol. It's one of the most joyful and well-written choruses ever composed. The English version was written in 1862 by James Chadwick, a Roman Catholic bishop in the northeast of England, and is most often sung to the tune of a traditional French carol 'Gloria.' The lyrics are based on an original French song 'Les Anges dans nos campagnes' (literally 'the angels in our countryside'). It depicts the story of the nativity as told in Luke 2, where a whole company of angelic hosts appear to a small group of unassuming shepherds in the countryside. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be? Which inspire your heavenly songs? As the angels gather in the night sky, they proclaim: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests" (Luke 2:14). And this is where the song's memorable refrain comes from -- the line 'Glory to God in the Highest heaven,' translated into Latin becomes: Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! And it's sung with that wonderfully prolonged 'o' of Gloria which is such a delight to sing and captures something of the joy and reverence of heaven. My favorite verse is the fourth one: Come to Bethlehem to see him whose birth the angels sing Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord the new-born King What must it have been like for the shepherds to witness a sky full of worshiping angels 2,000 years ago? It must have been incredible. With this carol we are invited to join in with their worship and to add volume to the heavenly sound as we declare the birth of our King. A great Christian life, or a great sermon, or a great song have a way of showing Christ to be so vast and glorious that our response can only be to humble ourselves, to bow down on bended knee and to acknowledge and be in awe of the greatness of our God. I think this carol enables us to do that really well. About Keith & Kristyn Getty Keith and Kristyn Getty are modern hymn writers whose compositions are sung the world over. For more information on Getty Music and the Sing! initiative, visit www.gettymusic.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Church gets creative with 'Lattes for Lottie' by Leslie Peacock Caldwell Date: December 12, 2019 - Thursday KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- If you're heading to Mount Harmony Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., you don't need to stop at a fancy coffee shop on your way to church. Multi-flavored coffees and lattes will be ready for you when you arrive, served by smiling baristas. Donations at the coffee counter raise money for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, but also raise awareness about the offering's namesake. "I didn't just want it to be a table with people coming up to give money and get a latte," says Emily Sheddan, who started "Lattes for Lottie" in her church in 2017. "It was on my heart to get them involved and really know who Lottie was." Sheddan, the daughter of IMB missionaries, grew up in Southeast Asia and remembers learning about Lottie Moon. As an adult, she noticed that many people in local churches didn't know about the feisty missionary. Those who did not participate in missions education programs, like Girls in Action and Royal Ambassadors, may never have learned about Lottie. "It wasn't just a name of an offering, but was indeed a sweet soul who went forth," Sheddan says. "I feel like it has to be pushed out there that she's an actual person in history that we speak of, not just the name of the Christmas mission offering." Each year, Sheddan refines the process and introduces new ways to teach church members about Lottie Moon and about current missions efforts. In past years she has distributed quizzes about Lottie's life and used displays that taught more about the missionary to China. This month, she is displaying an IMB map that features unreached people groups. Each time someone buys a latte, Sheddan adds a "Send and Go" pin to an unreached area of the world. As for the lattes, Sheddan prepares batches in crockpots and offers flavored syrups, espresso and whipped cream at the counter. Church members stop by before Sunday School or before the worship service and add their donations to a collection box. Sheddan enlists youth from the church to don the barista aprons, and together they serve up the hot treats. The team even adds the special touch of shaking the beverages in mason jars before serving, to add the frothy effect common in coffee shop lattes. Elijah Morton, 15, is taking his place as a volunteer barista for a third straight year. "My friends and I enjoy it and we always make it a blast," Morton says, "whether we are making coffee, having competitions of who can make the best whipped cream swirl, or just chatting while we have downtime." Morton credits Lattes for Lottie for helping grow his own understanding of missions. "It has helped me understand why we do this, why we need to reach other states, countries, nations. It's all for the glory of God and I realize that now, by seeing people with loving hearts give to see more people get to know the Lord," he says. This year Sheddan hopes that latte donations will raise $800 toward their church's LMCO goal. With her own missions experience and with her parents still serving on the field, she has personal connections and the knowledge of how those contributions make a difference in the lives of missionaries. This month, she is sharing her love of missions through a latte for Lottie, with or without a whipped cream swirl on top. Read more about the missionary Lottie Moon and learn more about giving to the offering named in her honor. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Bible Study: How do you handle criticism? by BP staff/LifeWay Christian Resources Date: December 12, 2019 - Thursday 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 Explore the Bible curriculum. Bible Passage: Numbers 20:1-13 Discussion Questions: -- What does the way a leader responds to criticism reveal about his or her character? -- How can a believer deal with criticism in a God-honoring way? Food for thought: Arthur Flake outlined a simple plan for growing an ongoing Bible study ministry, which he called Sunday School. That plan came to be known as Flake's Formula and included these elements: Know the possibilities, Expand the organization, Enlist and train leaders, Provide resources, and Go after the people. In his notes, Flake identified two objections he expected to hear from his critics: It won't work here and We tried that. Most leaders have encountered these same two, tiring objections at some point in their lives. In Numbers 20, we find Moses yet again being badgered by the Hebrews. He was grieving the death of his sister -- the person who watched him float in a basket as a baby before being rescued by Pharaoh's daughter -- but his grief did not deter his critics. Moses and the Hebrews were in Kadesh and in need of water -- again. One might think by now the Hebrews would have known God would provide, but that does not appear to be the case. Instead they bring their complaints to Moses with accusations and regrets. Moses and Aaron put their personal grief aside and humbly approached God. God showed up and gave them a plan of action without them even asking. Problem solved. Our only refuge is going to God and seeing His counsel. Once He provides us with that counsel, we then can act with confidence. Unfortunately, Moses and Aaron did everything right, except follow to the letter what God told them to do. They struck the rock just as they had done in the past, but God had told them to speak to the rock. Criticism can wear on the strongest of people, especially when they are dealing with a personal loss. We can know that even in the most difficult of circumstances and when facing our harshest critics, we can depend upon God to identify our next steps. Our responsibility is to obey, following exactly what He directs us to do. Explore the Bible Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible. Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool or ordered at LifeWay Christian Stores. --30-- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Top Bible verse of 2019 by Tess Schoonhoven Date: December 12, 2019 - Thursday OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) -- YouVersion Bible app announced its most popular verse of 2019, Philippians 4:6: "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." The globally influential app has seen significant increase in downloads, engagement and consistent interaction from users new and returning around the world. The overall increase of app use from the previous year is 30 percent, according to a release. The statement also notes that 5.6 billion chapters of the Bible were listened to, 35.6 billion chapters read, 1.1 billion days were spent in Bible plans, two billion highlights, bookmarks and notes were made and more than 478 million verses were shared throughout 2019. Ronnie Floyd, president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, said reading the Bible consistently is vital for spiritual health. "I am confident the Bible is God’s Word for us today and people are always seeking help in how to live their lives," Floyd said. "Reading the Bible is something that any person can do and all persons should do. When you read the Bible, God meets you in your life personally. Unquestionably, one of the most powerful and impactful disciplines I have ever practiced daily is reading through the Bible annually. When a Christian reads the Bible daily, their life will change continually." Floyd said the statistics presented by YouVersion may be surprising to some, but because of how important Bible reading is to individual growth, the time invested in the Bible through the app is only natural when individuals are seeking to engage with God's Word. In all 11 years since the app's creation, it has been downloaded more than 400 million times. Global outreach outside the United States has grown tremendously with the app now offering more than 2,000 versions and more than 1,350 languages. The app has been downloaded in every country on earth. Algeria saw the largest engagement increase, finishing the year at 261 percent growth. Another prominent verse shared consistently was Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you." This verse was the most shared in Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Argentina, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam. Trevin Wax, senior vice president of theology and communications at LifeWay, said the commonality between countries and their most popular verse raises a lot of questions about the specific app usage in each individual country. Socioeconomic status, church attendance history and denominational background could potentially play a role in the Bible app usage throughout the year, Wax said. "It raises additional questions that make you wonder about the different contexts," Wax said. "It is fascinating to see so many different countries gravitating toward the same verses." The cultural situations may be vastly different, but the inclination to share verses that call individuals to point their minds above, to God, is a commonality. "People that are sharing Bible verses in YouVersion look like they gravitate towards action verses where it's something of a daily jolt or a reminder of what it is that we're all to be about," Wax said. Matthew 6:33 is a command from Jesus to seek the kingdom and Philippians 4:6 is a command to be God oriented, to take whatever it is we encounter in our lives to the Lord. "What's interesting to me, is how many of these number one verses, regardless of what country they come from, are pointing upward," Wax said. "They [the verses] are, when someone shares them, making a statement about their [the person's] own being, to be reoriented to things that are above, not things on the earth." "What we are seeing in global engagement is exciting to us because with every verse highlighted, plan day completed, or audio chapter listened to, that's a person who is being transformed by knowing God more intimately through spending time in the Bible," said YouVersion founder Bobby Greunewald in a release. YouVersion also partners with illumiNations to develop Bible translations. Their goal by 2033 is that 95 percent of the world's population will have a complete Bible, 99.9 percent will have a complete New Testament and 100 percent will have at least some part of Scripture translated in their native language. "The importance of the Bible cannot be overstated for the health and life of the Christian church," Wax said. In many cases of Bible translation there may not even be a written language, Wax said. The translation of the Bible goes beyond sharing the Gospel to bringing a sense of cohesion to the language itself. "It's an honor and a privilege to have God's Word," Wax said. Witnessing others receive a Bible for the first time can shake out the complacency some may have toward the Bible. "We grow familiar with the world-shattering impact of the Gospel," Wax said. YouVersion's goal for future Bible translations should be a reminder of the power of God's Word and is something we should be very grateful for, Wax said. Wax noted that the sheer number of app downloads and level of engagement with the Bible through the app during 2019 is encouraging because it shows the level of connection points people are having with Scripture. However, connection to individual verses is not truly enough for a lifetime of faithful, biblical study, Wax said. "I think we celebrate this because its people connecting to the Bible," Wax said. "But on the other hand, we as the church have our work cut out for us in making sure that engagement leads to a fuller immersion in the passages of Scripture that may be more obscure but that are all pointing us to the Gospel and leading to life transformation." -------------------------------------------------------------------- SBC DIGEST: Women's Leadership Forum in West; SBTS doctoral program expands; Campus donated to OBU by Joy Allmond and SBTS and OBU Staff Date: December 12, 2019 - Thursday LifeWay to host first Women's Leadership Forum in the West By Joy Allmond NASHVILLE (BP) -- The LifeWay Women's Leadership Forum will make its western debut at Mariner's Church in Irvine, Calif., Feb. 20-21. Since the inception of the forum, LifeWay Christian Resources has hosted thousands of women in the Nashville area and at Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina. Kelly King, LifeWay's women's ministry specialist, said there's never been a more important time than now to come alongside churches in the West. "We need each other," King said. "Not just as individuals and sisters, but as churches who have the same goal -- to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to spur one another on as we do that. "I'm thrilled to link arms with other leaders -- perhaps some of whom we've never had the privilege to serve -- to accomplish great things for the Kingdom and in the lives of women." The theme of the forum is "Flourish," which focuses on the important role of mentoring in disciple-making. With its focus verse of Acts 12:24, King said, "Scripture has a lot of metaphors about planting seeds and where the seed falls. The result is fruitfulness. Our job is to plant the seeds, water them -- do that part of it -- but allow the Lord to bring the growth." The women's forum is for women who lead or serve in the local church in women's and girl's ministry or by teaching Bible studies, as well entrepreneurs, stay-at-home moms and working professionals who walk out their leadership calling in their day-to-day life. Women attending the forum will sit under the teaching of today's top ministry leaders and authors, participate in breakout sessions led by experienced trainers, and learn from peers who serve in the local church. Not only is it mission-crucial for LifeWay to host an equipping event such as the forum in the West, said King, but it's timely, given the theme and one of society's current challenges: loneliness. "We live in an age of isolation," she explained. "It's a real issue that results in anxiety and depression. And we can find accountability and spiritual growth through mentoring relationships." Ruth Chou Simons, founder and CEO of Colorado-based GraceLaced Co., is a keynote speaker for the forum. GraceLaced, according to its website, is "a multi-faceted company rooted in ministry" that serves customers around the world through its offerings of gospel-inspired original prints, books and other gifts. "I'm excited to serve and encourage women at the Women's Leadership Forum," Simons said. "Nothing will impact our leadership as sisters serving sisters more than a steady commitment to the Word of God and the tools that help us to use our gifts in service. I can't wait to see how the Lord builds women through the forum." LifeWay author Kelly Minter, another keynote speaker at the forum, said she's eager to break geographical ground for LifeWay's women's ministry on the West Coast. "I can't think of a better part of the country to equip and encourage leaders in their ministries, especially since our culture is longing for truth and purpose," Minter said. "We want to make Jesus known from East Coast to West, and I can't wait to see how the timelessness of God's Word ministers through the forum in Southern California." The forum will also include smaller breakout sessions that allow leaders to customize their equipping experience based on their ministry roles. Attendees will hear testimonies of mentoring relationships, and there will be emphases on family and marketplace ministry. "Collaborative Conversations" -- opportunities to network with other women who lead and trade ideas, strategies and inspiration -- will be available to all in attendance. There will also be an on-site LifeWay store, which will offer books, Bible studies, apparel and other gifts. The film industry will have representation through the main stage at the forum. Shari Rigby, who has starred in notable films like "October Baby" and most recently, the Kendrick Brothers' "Overcomer" is scheduled as a keynote speaker. "LifeWay is bringing women leaders together to encourage and inspire them by uniting the East and the WestÑwomen empowering women," Rigby said. "The world we live in today teaches us to focus on all that we see, spinning us out of control and causing anxiety to fill our lives. We must mentor women, reminding them to keep their eyes on Jesus." Other forum speakers include LifeWay authors Jen Wilkin and Beth Moore, along with Mariners Church Pastor Eric Geiger. Immediately following the conclusion of the leadership forum, LifeWay Women will host Living Proof Live with Beth Moore (Feb. 21-22), also at Mariners Church. Bundle pricing is available for women to attend both the forum and Living Proof Live at a discounted price. Visit the forum website for more information and to register. ********** Southern Seminary expands its non-residential doctoral studies program, adds two modular concentrations LOUISVILLE, Ky., (BP) -- In an effort to make its doctoral studies program available to pastor-theologians everywhere, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary announced it is installing new doctor of philosophy modular concentrations in Biblical Studies and Historical and Theological Studies. The two modular formats will bring Southern Seminary's high standard of excellence in biblical and theological studies to students previously unable to study them remotely. The concentrations also underscore the school's commitment to excellence in biblical and theological scholarship in service to the church, said R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Seminary. "Southern Seminary's Ph.D. program has been the leader for over a century," Mohler said. "We believe these two new programs are incredibly strong. They will serve the church, give us flexibility we have never had in the past, and put us in good stead as we look to the future for this premier doctoral program." The new programs will extend Southern Seminary's longstanding commitment to the highest standards of Christian theological scholarship, said Matthew J. Hall, senior vice president of academic administration and provost of Southern Seminary. "Since 1892, Southern Seminary has offered one of the premier doctoral programs in North American theological education," Hall said. "Marked by the highest level of scholarship, a commitment to biblical authority, and a passion for the church, this stewardship continues in this generation. By offering the Ph.D. in these classical theological disciplines, we are now able to make this level of study accessible to even more, all the while complementing our traditional residential programs." These programs will not only make traditional theological disciplines more available to students who cannot physically be on campus, they will also expose students to a broader range of disciplines and equip them to be better scholars and teachers at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students in the biblical studies program will take courses in both Old Testament and New Testament directly from faculty in those departments. Likewise, historical and theological studies students will take courses from Southern Seminary's church history and systematic theology faculty members. The modular Ph.D. program is already excellent, said Jonathan T. Pennington, director of the research doctoral studies program, but these new courses will give modular students the opportunity to study under Southern Seminary's accomplished evangelical faculty. "For over 125 years the goal of Southern's research doctoral studies program has been to provide rigorous scholarly training in a confessional environment, channeled into service for the Church and the Kingdom of God," Pennington said. "These new Ph.D. concentrations help us expand the heritage of our programs into the future and reach more people than ever." These two modular concentrations will officially open in the Fall 2020 semester. Find out more about the program here: sbts.edu/newmodularphd. ********** Hobby Lobby and Green Family donate campus to OBU SHAWNEE, Oak., (BP) -- Hobby Lobby and the Green Family formally announced their donation of the former St. Gregory's University campus to Oklahoma Baptist University during a special event Wednesday, Dec. 11. The event took place at the Rockwood Center on the campus of the former SGU, now the OBU Green Campus. Hobby Lobby purchased the property last year following SGU's bankruptcy proceedings, after St. Gregory's closed its doors in December 2017. At that time, OBU offered a teach-out agreement to current SGU students, with many of them transferring to OBU to complete their degrees. The donated property is approximately 72 acres, with 286,600 square feet contained in seven major buildings. The donation deed for the property was filed earlier in the week, officially transferring ownership to OBU. St. Gregory's Abbey and Monastery will continue to occupy its current property, as will the Mabee-Gerrer Museum, as they operate as separate entities from the university. The event included comments by Les Miller, real estate analyst for Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.; Dr. Pat Taylor, OBU interim president; Dr. Heath Thomas, OBU president-elect; Dr. David Whitlock, former OBU president and chancellor; and Dr. Will Smallwood, OBU senior vice president for advancement and university relations. Miller, a 1981 OBU graduate, offered remarks on behalf of Hobby Lobby and the Green family, who founded and owns the corporation. "It is with great joy that God has extended to the Green family the opportunity to invest in the future of Oklahoma Baptist University and her students, through the donation of this beautiful property, now affectionately referred to as the Green Campus," Miller said. "OBU's history is one of steadfast faithfulness to God's Word, something that must remain the highest priority as a University devoted to impacting the world for Christ and His kingdom." "OBU is known for providing the highest in quality, Christian liberal arts education," Miller continued. "OBU functions as a means of God's grace to the students who come here to be educated. Yet they receive far more as they step into her care – they are given the rare and unique opportunity where rigorous scholarship, together with a Christian world view, prepare the whole person for success, but also for the many challenges of life. In a time when Christian faith is viewed by the world as something to be tolerated, OBU embraces the understanding that a deeply meaningful and fulfilling university education includes a firm foundation established in Christ." "For these reasons, and for so many more, it is an honor for the Green family and Hobby Lobby to present this property to Oklahoma Baptist University, to the future benefit of generations of students, on mission for Christ," Miller said. Miller also shared deep-felt appreciation to St. Gregory's University alumni and former employees, who impacted the community and the state with more than a century of Christian higher education on the former SGU campus. "The Greens would also like to recognize the long and outstanding contribution that St. Gregory's University made to the Shawnee community, to Oklahoma, and far beyond. The importance of this property to the community, the alumni, faculty and administration of St. Gregory's University does not go unnoticed. To the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory's Abbey, thank you for your stewardship of this property and ministry to Oklahoma and points beyond." Dr. Heath Thomas, OBU president-elect, concluded the ceremony with his words of gratitude for the gift of the Green Campus and anticipation of what the future holds for OBU. "It is an historic day," Thomas said. "It is an exciting moment in the history of OBU. We are excited about the future of this Green Campus as we continue our mission to transform students' lives by providing distinctively Christian liberal arts higher education at OBU. It carries on the legacy of education that has gone on here for over a century. "I join the chorus of those who have spoken this morning to express my heartfelt gratitude and say thank you to the Green Family, and to all who facilitated this generous gift to OBU. This is indeed a day of celebration." Thomas continued with words of anticipation for how the campus will be used to transform lives into the future. "As we move forward, we will work carefully and deliberately to ensure that this campus extends the legacy of Christian higher education begun by St. Gregory's University for over a century. And for that legacy, we are grateful, and we will carefully consider how best this campus will facilitate OBU's mission of transforming lives through a distinctively Christian liberal arts education." -------------------------------------------------------------------- Muy pocas iglesias para el 'campo de misión' de los hispanos de New Mexico by Keila Díaz Date: December 12, 2019 - Thursday ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (BP) -- Casi la mitad de la población de New Mexico es hispana, el porcentaje más alto en Estados Unidos, sin embargo, solamente hay 57 iglesias bautistas hispanas que ministran a casi 3,000 hispanos cualquier domingo en todo el estado. Un bautista del sur está determinado a cambiar eso. "New Mexico es un campo misionero," dice Ricardo Rivera, el estratega hispano estatal de la Convención Bautista de New Mexico. "Nuestro mayor desafío es encontrar plantadores de iglesia para alcanzar estas etnias." La población hispana de New Mexico es tan diversa como grande. En la parte norte del estado la mayoría de los hispanos son de ascendencia española, han estado en el área durante muchas generaciones y hablan principalmente inglés. En la parte sur del estado, la mayoría de la población hispana está formada por inmigrantes de México, Centro y Sur América que hablan mayormente español. Finalmente, al este hay muchos hispanos que trabajan en las lecherías que cubren esa parte del estado. La Primera Iglesia Bautista (FBC) en Portales es actualmente la única iglesia en New Mexico que trabaja para alcanzar a los trabajadores de las lecherías. "El ministerio a los trabajadores de las lecherías comenzó a través de un diácono de FBC Portales quien es dueño de una de las fincas y quiere alcanzar a los hispanos que trabajan allí. Cuarenta personas han sido salvas como resultado de ese ministerio," indicó Rivera. Otra estrategia que usan las iglesias para alcanzar a los hispanos son los eventos evangelizadores que Rivera dice son esencialmente cultos estilo reavivamiento. Las iglesias hispanas son animadas a albergar uno de estos eventos al año. Los eventos incluyen fiestas de cuadra y evangelismo puerta a puerta. Treinta iglesias recibieron a cerca de 900 personas perdidas en sus cultos de reavivamiento del Domingo de Resurrección, dijo Rivera. Más de 100 fueron salvos y 12 han sido bautizados. El próximo año las iglesias trabajarán para albergar dos reavivamientos; uno en la primavera y otro en otoño. Hasta ahora, mucho del alcance se ha enfocado en la primera generación de hispanos. "Tenemos muchos latinos de segunda y tercera generación que se comunican en inglés, pero son culturalmente hispanos," dijo Rivera. "Actualmente no estamos sirviendo a ese grupo efectivamente." "Necesitamos que plantadores de iglesia jóvenes y bilingües lleguen y trabajen con este grupo en New Mexico." Aunque es un lugar desafiante para ministrar debido al fuerte trasfondo católico romano, "la gente está abierta a oír el Evangelio." Haciendo eco de Mateo 9, Rivera manifestó que los recursos están disponibles, pero los obreros son pocos. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Descendientes espirituales de Adoniram Judson viven en Massachussets by Tobin Perry Date: December 12, 2019 - Thursday WORCESTER, Mass. (BP) -- Ya han pasado diez años desde que el grupo de refugiados de Myanmar (anteriormente Birmania) llegaron a la puerta de Worcester Baptist Church en Worcester, Mass., vestidos con ropa tradicional birmana y unas cuantas pertenencias. Llegaron a la iglesia bautista local porque ellos eran bautistas y querían un lugar para alabar a Dios. La iglesia dio la bienvenida a los refugiados en su servicio de alabanza y en sus propias vidas durante la década siguiente. Los refugiados sabían poco sobre los Estados Unidos a su llegada, pero conocían un nombre: el de un hombre que había dejado el estado de Massachusetts hace casi 200 años. "Realmente no sabíamos nada sobre ellos o de dónde venían, pero conocíamos a Adoniram Judson," dijo Bree Cobbs, quien sirve como líder de alabanza en la iglesia. "Él fue un misionero que se mudó a Birmania y sacrificó mucho para diseminar el Evangelio allí. Ellos celebraban el 'Día de Judson.' Así que nuestra iglesia comenzó a celebrarlo." En un domingo típico, la iglesia cuenta con unos 40 asistentes, de los cuales 20 son birmanos. Judson, un bautista, había sido uno de los primeros misioneros protestantes en Birmania a inicios del siglo XIX. Además de haber comenzado la primera iglesia bautista en el país en 1827, también tradujo la Biblia al idioma birmano. Hoy en día, según el Instituto de Historia Cristiana, Myanmar tiene más de 2 millones de bautistas, la tercera concentración bautista mayor en el mundo. Los bautistas en Myanmar continúan celebrando la llegada de Judson en 1813 como el 'Día de Judson' cada mes de julio. "Con el pasar de los años, han continuado alabando a Dios con nosotros," dijo Cobbs. "Hemos trabajado con ellos para ayudarles a conseguir empleo. Comenzamos ministerios de enseñanza del inglés como segundo idioma. Yo les he ayudado a algunos a comprar una casa. Así que en cuestión de diez años ellos han podido venir a un país donde no hablaban el idioma. Han conseguido empleo y sus hijos están en la universidad. Están comprando carros y casas. Después de todo lo que han pasado, continúan siendo una bendición para nosotros. Ha sido maravilloso poder verlo." Entre los refugiados de Myanmar, muchos se convirtieron al cristianismo a través del movimiento comenzado por Judson particularmente entre el pueblo Karen, y se han estado estableciendo en comunidades por todos los Estados Unidos desde la década de 1960. Bernie Michaud llegó a Worcester Baptist Church como pastor interino en el 2017. Esperaba quedarse por unos meses hasta que encontraran a un nuevo pastor, pero la iglesia le pidió que considerara convertirse en su pastor a tiempo completo. Mientras lo pensaba, él y su esposa hicieron un viaje a Maine. Cuando la pareja se dio cuenta que su hotel tenía un cine decidieron ir a explorarlo. Se sorprendieron al ver la película "All Saints," que trata sobre una iglesia que había sido revitalizada luego de incorporar a un grupo de refugiados birmanos. "Nunca había visto una película sobre una iglesia, nunca había estado en una iglesia con personas birmanas, solamente en la que estoy ahora. Y me puse a pensar, 'Esto es muy, muy extraño,'" dijo Michaud. Con el tiempo, Michaud aceptó el llamado de la iglesia y ha apreciado la diversidad de la congregación y su conexión con un pionero en las misiones bautistas. "Reconozco que esto ha pasado probablemente gracias a la obra de [Judson]," dijo Michaud. "Él alcanzó a muchas personas. Hay muchos cristianos en Birmania gracias a su ministerio." Desde la llegada del grupo original de refugiados de Myanmar hace 10 años, más residentes birmanos se han unido a la iglesia. Paw Wah y su familia llegaron en el 2013, cinco años después de mudarse a Worcester. Mientras su familia planificaba la mudanza, se le hizo una pregunta sencilla: "¿a qué estado quieres ir?'" Wah nunca había estado en los Estados Unidos. Ella y su familia habían estado viviendo en Tailandia en un campamento de refugiados de las Naciones Unidas y simplemente deseaban encontrar un lugar donde vivir permanentemente. No tenían una preferencia, pero oraban a Dios que les ayudara a encontrar el lugar correcto. Con el tiempo Wah y su familia llegaron a su nuevo estado donde les esperaba una sorpresa. Wah se dio cuenta que la palabra "MA" que había visto en el domicilio de su destino significaba Massachussets. "Le dije a mi trabajadora social que toda mi vida supe que existía Massachusetts porque cada 2 de julio había un servicio en memoria de Adoniram Judson y que él vivió en Massachusetts," dijo Wah. "Les dije, 'Mándenme a Massachusetts.'" Wah dijo que la conexión con el estado del hombre que ayudó a su pueblo a escuchar el Evangelio le ayudó a saber dónde la quería Dios. Durante los años siguientes, algunos de los refugiados se mudaron fuera de Worcester a otras ciudades menos caras, pero Wah cree que Dios proveerá para ella y se quedó en la ciudad. Wah cree que Dios proveyó al conectarla con Worcester Baptist Church. Dice que rápidamente se dio cuenta que la iglesia era el lugar para ella cuando después del primer servicio de alabanza le dijo al pastor de dónde venía, y él le preguntó 'Entonces ¿conoces a Adoniram Judson?'" "La iglesia amó a mi familia y tenía clases de coro para mis hijos," añadió Wah. "Mis hijos fueron a la Escuela Dominical y mi hijo se convirtió en diácono de la iglesia." -------------------------------------------------------------------- Yanes nombrado director ejecutivo de relaciones y movilización asiático-estadounidenses by Por Amy Whitfield Date: December 12, 2019 - Thursday NASHVILLE (BP) -- Peter Yanes ha sido nombrado director ejecutivo de relaciones y movilización asiático-estadounidenses en el Comité Ejecutivo de la Convención Bautista del Sur (SBC). El nuevo rol es una cooperación formada en conjunto con el CE y la Junta de Misiones Norteamericanas (NAMB) con el enfoque principal de atraer más iglesias asiático-estadounidenses a la familia bautista del sur. "Peter Yanes llega altamente recomendado de toda la vida bautista del sur," dijo Ronnie Floyd, presidente y director ejecutivo del CE. "Él tiene un fuerte conocimiento de quiénes somos como bautistas del sur, ha estado involucrado con nosotros durante años sirviendo y liderando, y tiene una gran pasión por ser usado por Dios para llevar a cabo nuestra visión en relación con las iglesias asiático-estadounidenses y su movilización para alcanzar el mundo para Cristo." "Con la atractiva personalidad de Peter y su amor por la gente, creemos que puede traerle gran valor a nuestro trabajo como bautistas del sur. Peter e Irene son una pareja sobresaliente en su devoción a Dios con pasión para alcanzar a personas para Jesucristo," dijo Floyd "Peter tiene un gran corazón para el Evangelio y ama a la gente," dijo el presidente de NAMB, Kevin Ezell en una declaración a Baptist Press. "Los bautistas tienen mucho terreno que poner en orden para actualizarse en el enorme crecimiento de la población asiático-estadounidense. Estoy emocionado de poder unirnos con el Comité Ejecutivo de la SBC en esta iniciativa." Yanes ha fungido como pastor sénior interino de la South Jersey Bible Church International en Pitman, N.J., desde septiembre de 2018. Con anterioridad a eso, fungió como misionero catalizador de lenguaje de la Junta de Misiones Norteamericanas y catalizador de plantación de iglesias en la Convención Bautista de Pennsylvania-South Jersey y tuvo roles pastorales en iglesias en las Filipinas y en Estados Unidos comenzando en 1992. "Estoy agradecido con Dios por el privilegio de ser parte de un compañerismo misionero intencional entre nuestros líderes asiático-estadounidenses y las entidades de la SBC y las iglesias, en obediencia a la Gran Comisión para Su Gloria," le dijo Yanes a Baptist Press. "Mi máximo deseo en la vida es servirle fielmente a mi Señor y Salvador Jesucristo con el apoyo en oración de mi familia." Floyd anunció el 1o de noviembre la adición de tres puestos a tiempo completo en el personal del CE que se enfocarán en aumentar el involucramiento diverso. Este es el segundo de los roles a ser llenado, luego de la designación en noviembre de Julio Arriola como director ejecutivo de relaciones hispanas. Yanes trabajará con otras dependencias del CE y NAMB para desarrollar e implementar estrategias para el involucramiento y la participación de las iglesias asiático-estadounidenses y los líderes de iglesia a lo largo y ancho de la SBC. Esto incluirá promover la participación activa en cada nivel de la vida de la convención, además de incrementar el entendimiento y el involucramiento del Programa Cooperativo entre las iglesias asiático-estadounidenses. Durante las pasadas dos décadas, el número de congregaciones asiáticas en la SBC ha incrementado en un 79 por ciento -- de 1,158 en 1998 a 2,073 en 2017. "Me siento honrado por este nuevo rol de servir junto a mis hermanos asiático-estadounidenses con nuestro equipo del Comité Ejecutivo, y solicito las oraciones de todos, la cooperación en compañerismo cuando diligentemente involucremos nuestras respectivas comunidades y más allá con el Evangelio," dijo Yanes. Yanes recibió la maestría en teología de la Universidad Cairn en Longhorn, Penn., y la maestría en ministerios pastorales de la extensión en Filipinas de la Escuela de Teología Golden State. Tiene una licenciatura del Baptist Bible College y del Seminario en Rizal, Filipinas. Peter está casado con Irene, y tienen dos hijos -- Christian, estudiante de tercer año de Bucknell University, y Shekinah, estudiante de primer año de Villanova University. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Bautistas de Carolina del Sur le dan a cada recluso un regalo by Por Tess Schoonhoven Date: December 12, 2019 - Thursday COLUMBIA, S.C. (BP) -- Compartir el amor de la temporada navideña llega este año a través de regalos individuales a cada recluso en Carolina del Sur que son provistos por las iglesias y asociaciones de la Convención Bautista de Carolina del Sur (SCBC). El ministerio de paquetes a reclusos ha estado sucediendo durante los pasados 40 años. Jon Jamison, líder del equipo de servicio de la Convención Bautista de Carolina del Sur, dijo que el punto del ministerio es servir tangiblemente a los reclusos y proveer oportunidades para que ellos oigan el Evangelio. Los regalos son recogidos durante el año y empacados y enviados durante la temporada navideña. La SCBC les requiere un número específico de paquetes a sus 2,125 iglesias y 42 asociaciones. Cada asociación se compromete a reunir un número específico de paquetes en las que algunas envían de 50 a 75, mientras que otras recogen hasta 1,200. Los números finales dependen del total de la población de las prisiones en Carolina del Sur y la cantidad de participación de cada asociación. Este año, un total de 19,825 paquetes fueron enviados, dijo Jamison. La sociedad entre la SCBC y las asociaciones individuales es la que hace el ministerio posible. Los artículos en los paquetes de regalos son preaprobados por el Departamento de Corrección del estado, e incluyen cosas como pasta de dientes y cepillos de dientes, libretas de notas, bolígrafos, dulces, jabón y sobres. Además de los artículos prácticos, cada paquete incluye otros elementos que tienen la intención de ministrar el corazón de los reclusos. Cada recluso recibe una tarjeta de Navidad y un devocional de 30 días, provistos por la SCBC. Después de que las asociaciones ensamblan las bolsas, estas son procesadas y revisadas en una localidad por voluntarios durante el curso de una mañana para asegurar que cumplan con todas las regulaciones. Los regalos luego son combinados en cajas grandes con alrededor de 25 paquetes, y son recogidas por los capellanes de prisión de las 21 instituciones en Carolina del Sur para enviarlas a su respectiva institución. Jamison dijo que generalmente hay entre 75 y 80 voluntarios que procesan y envían los paquetes. Además de estos voluntarios, cerca de 30 reclusos ayudan con los regalos. Los voluntarios y el personal de la convención creen que los regalos les llevarán esperanza a los corazones de los reclusos ya que, para la mayoría de ellos, este será el único regalo que reciban. "Creo que Jesús siempre se acerca al vulnerable y marginado," dijo Jamison. "Trato de seguirlo en esas áreas en mi comunidad. Mi interés en este ministerio surge de mi deseo de ver la iglesia tener relaciones significativas y servir efectivamente dentro de la comunidad." Los reclusos que recibieron los regalos dijeron que estaban agradecidos por recordarles que no son olvidados y que son amados, reportó ACB Columbia. "Algunas veces sentimos como si nos hubieran olvidados. Así que es una bendición poder recibir esos regalos de personas que ni siquiera nos conocen," dijo Ángela, una reclusa. Otro recluso, James, dijo: "Ves una tarjeta que dice 'Feliz Navidad,' y eso hace nuestra Navidad más feliz. Mostrarnos que nos aman significa todo." -------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL: Jesús es el Señor by Octavio J. Esqueda Date: December 12, 2019 - Thursday LA MIRADA, Calif. (BP) -- La frase "Jesús es el Señor" puede considerarse como el fundamento principal del cristianismo. Estas palabras indican un reconocimiento sobre la completa y total autoridad de Jesucristo sobre toda la creación y sobre todas las dimensiones de la existencia humana. A pesar de ser una frase importante y común para todos los seguidores de Jesús a lo largo de la historia cristiana, en los últimos días me ha traído paz recordar la realidad del señorío de Cristo en medio de tantos problemas a los que nos enfrentamos en este mundo. Al reconocer que Jesús es el Señor aceptamos que él está en control de todo sin importar las circunstancias a nuestro alrededor. ¡Solamente existe un Dios soberano y yo no soy él! La Biblia enseña claramente que Jesús es el Señor. De hecho, por siglos la confesión básica de cualquiera que se identificada públicamente con Cristo era declarar "Jesús es el Señor". Muchos seguidores de Jesús en diferentes tiempos y en diferentes lugares han expresado estas palabras al ser bautizados o al ser confrontados a explicar su fe. Esta confesión tiene su origen en los siguientes pasajes de las Escrituras: Romanos 10:9: "que si confesares con tu boca que Jesús es el Señor, y creyeres en tu corazón que Dios le levantó de los muertos, serás salvo". 1 Corintios 12:3: "Por tanto, os hago saber que nadie que hable por el Espíritu de Dios llama anatema a Jesús; y nadie puede llamar a Jesús Señor, sino por el Espíritu Santo". Filipenses 2:11: "y toda lengua confiese que Jesucristo es el Señor, para gloria de Dios Padre". El teólogo, periodista y político holandés Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) describió elocuentemente el señorío de Cristo sobre todo ya que él es el único Señor con suprema autoridad: "No hay un solo centímetro cuadrado en todos los dominios de la existencia humana sobre el cual Cristo, que es soberano sobre todo, no clame: ¡es mío!" De hecho, no solamente Jesús es el Señor, sino que es el Señor de señores y el Rey de reyes (Ap. 19:16). ¡No hay nadie como él! Sin embargo, a pesar de no dudar de esta realidad, con frecuencia me encuentro turbado o desanimado al ver cómo las grandes injusticias a mi alrededor se conjugan con mi gran impotencia por resolverlas. La hipocresía, el abuso de poder y la discriminación contra otros seres humanos constantemente me distraen de mis actividades y hacen que pierda el sueño o el gozo de una vida plena. En estas circunstancias, el recordar que "Jesús es el Señor" me ayuda a recobrar la perspectiva correcta y a encontrar el tan anhelado descanso que tanto había estado buscando. Jesús siempre continúa siendo el Señor soberano, pero yo necesito recordarlo constantemente y vivir de acuerdo a esta gran verdad. El domingo pasado mi familia y yo fuimos a escuchar una vez más la magnífica obra maestra del gran compositor alemán George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), el "Mesías". Handel presentó por primera vez este oratorio barroco en 1742 en Dublín. A través de los años esta obra sigue siendo un clásico de la música y se continúa presentando en todo el mundo, en especial en los Estados Unidos y en Inglaterra ya que la letra está en inglés. Además de la majestuosa música, el Mesías es especial porque relata en tres partes el nacimiento, la vida, muerte y resurrección de Jesucristo solamente usando pasajes de la Biblia. Angélica, mi esposa, y yo hemos escuchado esta obra muchísimas veces, pero en esta ocasión llevamos a nuestros hijos a que la escucharan por primera vez. Quizá las partes más famosas del Mesías son la sección del Aleluya y la conclusión. Al escucharlas y meditar en las verdades bíblicas me trajeron la paz y refrigerio que tanto necesita en ese momento. Me ayudaron a recordar que Jesús es en realidad el Señor y que, por lo tanto, todo lo demás es secundario. Le dejo estos pasajes bíblicos del Mesías con la esperanza de que le ayuden y edifiquen tanto como a mí: "¡Aleluya, porque el Señor nuestro Dios Todopoderoso reina!" (Ap. 19:16) "Los reinos del mundo han venido a ser de nuestro Señor y de su Cristo; y él reinará por los siglos de los siglos." (Ap. 11:15) "Rey de reyes y señor de señores." (Ap. 19:16) "¡Aleluya!" "El Cordero que fue inmolado y que nos ha redimido por su sangre es digno de tomar el poder, las riquezas, la sabiduría, la fortaleza, la honra, la gloria y la alabanza." "La alabanza, la honra, la gloria y el poder sean al que está sentado en el trono y al Cordero por los siglos de los siglos." Amén." (Ap. 5:12-14)