SBC=>ENCOUNTERS

OKLAHOMA YOUTH ECHO THEIR FAITH BY ACTION

Can you hear their voices?

Last week's emotionally and physically draining youth camp experience did not deter a group of over thirty youth from turning out and putting into practice the theme of Falls Creek Baptist Camp:   "ECHO".  Their actions and words of faith in Christ are echoing loudly at Swinney Elementary School this entire week.

Youth teams of painters, landscapers, and cleaning crews banded together to give the Lawton school some very needed attention.  One of the youth leaders was told that the playground equipment "probably hasn't been painted in thirty years."  The extremely faded colors affirmed that probability.

In 102-degree Oklahoma heat, one crew scraped off chipped and peeling paint from the baseball field's backboard in preparation for fresh paint.  Teens painted poles, back-boards, and box game-lines for ball and hopscotch.  Brilliant red, blue and yellow will greet kids when they return to school this Fall and head to the playground.

A second crew dug up old grass and planted new seed.  They weeded overgrown flower-beds.  They cleared dead plants and spruced up the grounds.  Still a third crew worked inside the classrooms--scrubbing shelves, furniture, desks and anything else in need of a good cleaning.   The landscape crew doubled-up on tasks and helped move in a trailer-load of ten huge cabinets which two church members had built for storage (another project the youth worked on before youth camp--sanding and staining those cabinets). 

It's a matter of living love according to youth pastor, Jon Bowden, who disciples the youth at First Baptist East in Lawton, Oklahoma.  He believes one must abandon oneself to Christ and "live love" to exemplify the new life of Christ within.  He guides his youth group to make decisions to serve in various mission endeavors:  Mowing for the elderly.  Helping tear-out homes in Katrina-battered New Orleans.  Working with the homeless in Texas.  But this year, Jon felt the best place to minister in the name of Jesus was in their own back yards.  So when they brainstormed possible area projects, one of their youth leaders, Leslie Brennan, suggested the elementary school where she teaches.  The school was in dire need of help.  This group of teens provided the elbow grease, sacrificed their time, and devoted their energy to make a difference in their community.  The pride they took in their tasks may only be equaled by that which the students will experience when they see their newly painted playground.

These teenagers do this without any fan-fare.  They had no idea I was going to show up, take pictures, and write this story about them; their youth pastor did not know either.  This is only one of many things they do.  They've already helped teach in Vacation Bible School this year.  They turn out to visit in homes on Tuesday nights.  Some teens are overseas at this writing--doing Bible clubs and ministering.  I am certain this Lawton group is not the only group of young Christians who are serving in multiple ways throughout the Southern Baptist Convention.  But I am fairly certain that these young leaders of tomorrow are not recognized nearly as much as they should be for how they are leading today and glorifying God through their actions. 

I have no idea how God will use this act of theirs to touch our community.  I'm sure they have no idea.  However, I do know that their actions are glorifying God with every stroke of a paint-brush, every yank of a weed, and every swipe of the cleaning rag.  God knows that, too, and He will bring about a greater good from it.   selahV

RELATED STORIES:

WHAT'S UP WITH YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY?

FALLS CREEK BAPTIST YOUTH CAMPS ECHO

FALLS CREEK BAPTIST CONFERENCE CENTER

[NOTE OF INTEREST:  Some of this group of Senior-high teens will be working next week with the Middle-school kids on another elementary school in Lawton that needs sprucing up. I'd say that is leadership in action, wouldn't you?]

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, Hariette Petersen, July 2009]

 

   

DIGNITY FOR PASTORS...IT'S WORTH A MILLION DOLLARS

Are God's faithful doing all they can to meet the provisions of those in need?  Some are.

Life costs money.  Food.  Medicine.  Healthcare.  Clothing.  Utilities.  Transportation.  So very often I've heard through the years we spent in ministry, "The Lord will provide."  With a heart filled with confidence in the Lord, I have often uttered those words.  At times it was only a mustard-seed's worth of faith that literally delivered to our door, two chicken legs and a couple of potatoes to feed us one more day.  God does provide.  It's so very hard for people to ask for help when they need it.  You who are ministers know all too well the people in your congregation who go without, rather than ask for help.  Some folks will call it pride.  And well it might be.  Why would we ask when we are suppose to have faith that God is providing?

Just a couple of years ago, I began to search for ways to make ends meet.  I planned to shut off our phone-line, eliminate internet, and anything that did not necessitate life.  My husband's heart attack left us with only his social security check to exist.  It was through the internet connection that I'd made relationships with strangers who came to my aid.  I was sent 60-dollars in the mail which allowed me to stay connected one more month and continue my writing ministry.  Then out of the blue, we heard from Sagemont Church of Houston.  They'd heard of my husband's physical problems and financial needs and began sending him regular assistance.  We've been so grateful for their help.

GUIDE STONE MAGAZINE reported this month that "Sagemont Church of Houston was recognized as the first church in the Southern Baptist Convention to reach the $1 Million mark in contributions to Guide-Stone's Mission:Dignity ministry."  O.S. Hawkins, President of GuideStone said, "We are on a mission at GuideStone to bring dignity to these precious servants of the Lord in their declining years.  We are especially grateful for individuals and churches, like Sagemont, that support this vital ministry."

John Morgan, Sagemont's senior pastor for more than 40 years, has always had a heart for pastors and their families across the Southern Baptist Convention.  And what touches his heart most is the plight of retired ministers and widows who live near the poverty line.

"There's nothing we do here that motivates our people to give to the Lord more than the Mission:Dignity ministry," Morgan said.  "I believe that what makes a church a great church is loving God and loving people.  When a church shows love to those in need, God will pour out a blessing."

This is lived out in the life of Sagemont as I have testified above.  My husband and I had never even heard of Sagemont until we received their benevolent gift to us.  I truly do not know how we would have made it had it not been for their generosity.  I know that they help support over 179retired ministers.  I know that God is blessing their church immensely.  To read about their continued love and outreach through GuideStone's Mission:Dignity, thrills my heart.  I pray you will all look up that ministry on line and read what you can do to support it, and how it may benefit someone you know who is struggling.  Thank you GuideStone.  Thank you, Sagemont.  Thank you everyone who finds this ministry one worth supporting.  selahV

WHAT YOU CAN DO

WHO YOU CAN HELP

WHAT FOLKS SAY ABOUT THIS MINISTRY

  

MOTHER COMES TO JESUS AS SON PREACHES

I don't know many things as wonderful as having a loved one come to know Jesus.  It's thrilling when our children, and grandchildren give their lives to Him.  We pray for them and guide them and dedicate ourselves to helping them grow as Christians.  But there is something extra-special when a child grows up, prays for a lost parent, and that parent comes to Jesus.  It was during a revival that my mother-in-law came to Jesus at the invitation her son gave as he pastored our third church.  She was baptized along with several others by my husband, her son, a few days later.

That was years ago.  Some have argued lately that evangelism is dying in our Southern Baptist churches.  Some are saying that simply sharing the Gospel in conventional church settings is a thing of the past.  Many say Gospel tracts are useless and door to door evangelism is obsolete.  Many of our leaders are suggesting we need a resurgence of the Great Commission for our churches and convention.  Others are saying we just need to share Jesus, whenever and wherever we can.  We just need to "do it".  I just finished reading a praiseworthy article written by Keith Collier in the CAMPUS NEWS that delivered to me a message which described just that.  It brought back those joyfilled memories of my mother-in-law coming to Jesus so long ago.  It also reinforced what many are still saying in churches across the land.  Just share Jesus; just do it.  What an accounting it is of victory in Jesus.  An absolute MUST read.  selahV

DAVID BRUMBELOW LAUNCHES A BLOG

Many folks in the Southern Baptist blogworld already know David.  He hasn't had his own blog but has been reading blogs and commenting since 2006.  I must confess, I've been egging him on to open his own blog for quite some time, now.  He's posted several guest posts for SBC Encounters and has written a few spots on other SBC blogs.  Lately, David is probably best known for his strong stand for abstaining from alcoholic beverages.  Besides his commentary on various issues within churchlife, David has also authored a book:  THE WIT AND WISDOM OF PASTOR JOE BRUMBELOW.  This delightful book is chocked full of slices of life anecdotes which David wrote about his father, Joe.  One chapter is written by David's mother.  David inherited his dad's sense of humor and one can often find his dry humor reflected in his comments throughout blogland.

David doesn't beat around the bush with anything.  He states his position and squares off with anyone who wishes to engage in dialogue.   That may be because he comes from a family with 2  brothers who are also pastors.  He's familiar with debates.  Can you imagine them at the supper table at Thanksgiving? 

David's blog is appropriately named, GULF COAST PASTOR.  David was among the many who weathered the hurricanes that wiped out the entire penisula off the coast of Texas last year.  Though he was a tad further inland, he knows firsthand how to minister to the hurting, the desparate, and the broken.  His church was central in helping folks during the recovery process in his little community.  So if you want to know how to minister to those folk, give him a shout-out.  I'm sure he'll respond.  He's got his contact info on his blog.

Ya know; a blogpost never tells the entire story about an individual.  It can't.  And even a blog itself is limited in painting the image of a man who loves the Lord with all His heart and cares for the lost as well as God's people.  In years to come, I pray we all gather around David's blog a bit and get to know another brother in Christ.  It shall be interesting, I'm sure.  selahV 

BAPTISM OF LINDA POTTS, by David Brumbelow

Baptism is a solemn occasion when a believer publicly demonstrates their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Baptism can also be humorous:

Pastor Joe Brumbelow ministered to a unique couple named Robert and Linda Potts. He was blind; she had no legs. He would push her wheelchair; she would give him directions. They had a wonderful sense of humor. Robert would say, “Let’s go hear a movie.”

Joe won them to the Lord; they became candidates for baptism. Baptism was a real victory for Linda. Besides, and perhaps because of her handicap, she had a great fear of water.

The question was, “How do we baptize Linda?” First, she had no legs. Second, she was full-figured. She knew that baptism was not necessary for salvation, but if at all possible, she wanted to be obedient to this command of our Lord. Baptists, of course, believe in believer’s baptism by immersion.

Brother Joe chose two deacons to assist. They placed Linda in a metal lawn chair and carried her up the steps, then down the steps into the baptistry. They set her in the water. Joe began to try to lower her into the water. They expected the problem would be that she would sink, so they were ready to hold her up; instead she floated like a cork. Joe tried to ease her under the water. Then he tried again, still without success. When part of her went under, another part popped up. At one point in frustration he placed his hand on her stomach and tried to shove her down. She involuntarily let out a loud, “Whooo.”

Joe Brumbelow later said, “I may not have gotten her under all at once, but I did get her all wet.”

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. -Romans 6:4

-David R. Brumbelow, from the book, The Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow, Hannibal Books, 2005; p. 31-32. The above baptism happened in the early 1970s at Doverside Baptist Church, 619 Berry Road, Houston, Texas.

DR. BRAD REYNOLDS IS BLOGGING AGAIN!

Brad just posted an announcement that he was going to be blogging again!  Brad was an engaging force within our community of SBC bloggers a couple years back.   Drop by his site, GUARDIAN MINISTRIES, and let him know you are excited about the news!  I sure am.  selahV

EARTH DAY...Should be Every Day, by David Brumbelow

I plant trees all the time. I do a lot of planting, growing, and grafting fruit trees. I grow and root a lot of antique roses and a little of everything else. Have two pecan trees and two pear trees that I grafted last year that are now growing again. The citrus trees have been blooming like crazy; so have the pomegranates and persimmons.  I practice earth day on a regular basis.  Here are a few principles I follow and thoughts about Earth Day April 22nd: 

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." -Genesis 1:1

"The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein." -Psalm 24:1

1. Christians should be concerned about the environment.

It is the creation of our Heavenly Father. Support reasonable measures to decrease pollution and enhance the environment. Don’t litter. Enjoy nature & the outdoors. Plant a garden, a tree. Plant to provide food and shelter for wildlife. Learn about and enjoy God’s creation.

2. We are to have dominion over it.

Genesis 1:28

That doesn’t mean to trash it - but to use its resources wisely. Farming, ranching, logging, hunting, fishing, trapping can be reasonable ways to use the resources God gave us.

Drilling and using the oil God gave us is a reasonable use of the earth’s resources. If you drive an automobile, apparently you agree as well. If you disagree, I expect to see you riding a bicycle J .

3. Be honest, truthful about the environment.

Many of the radical environmentalists are deceptive and untruthful about environmental issues. Knowledge, opinions, weather cycles change.  For example:

On the first Earth Day in 1970 - people were protesting against Global Cooling. When I was in grade school we were taught Global Cooling. For several years now they have used the same evidence to teach Global Warming. Now they are beginning to speak of Climate Change. That seems to be a winner - the climate will change, and weather cycles come and go.

Once they protested against nuclear power - now they’re for it.

Environmentalists were for plastic grocery bags, now they’re against them.

There is a growing concern about Ethanol increasing the cost of food for the poor and actually hurting the environment.

Let’s be honest about the facts. Let’s be reasonable about environmental laws.

4. Worship the Creator, not the creation.

"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." -Romans 1:25; HCSB 

Be careful.  Worshipping the creation is idolatry.  Never confuse worshipping the Creator with worshipping the creation.

5. Most important, tell people about the Creator. John 3:16

No matter how well we take care of this world, we are all going to leave it some day. We must be prepared for the life to come.  Earth Day opens the lines for us to share how the Creator can recreate the life in any individual who accepts His Son as Lord and Savior.

-David R. Brumbelow

, April 18, AD 2009.

CHANGES I'VE SEEN IN BAPTIST CHURCHES, by David Brumbelow

1. Men standing just outside the front door smoking.

2. Every family either having roast or homemade fried chicken when they get home from church. Hence the old joke that if the preacher preached too long, the roasts in the ovens would burn.

3. At least one family inviting the visiting preacher to join them at home for lunch.

4. Guitars not allowed in worship. “That’s what they play in night clubs.”

5. No kitchen in the church building. “Do you not have houses to eat and drink in?”

6. An outhouse behind the church building. The fancy churches had two outhouses.

7. No cards, dominoes, dice, or pool tables in the church. “We don’t gamble around here.”

8. A Gideon speaker once a year.

9. A TANE speaker once a year. (Texas Alcohol & Narcotics Education)

10. Pastor would never think of not wearing a coat, tie, and white dress shirt Sunday morning.

11. No mixed swimming ever, at a church function.

12. BYPU (Baptist Young People’s Training Union).

13. Spring and Fall Revivals.

14. Broadman Hymnal. “Turn over in your hymnal to page 323.”

15. Women would never think of wearing pants to church.

16. You can’t see the preacher because of the lady’s hat in front of you.

17. Mimeograph machine, stencils, stylus, and manual typewriter in the cutting-edge church office.

18. Beginners, Primaries, Juniors, Intermediates, Sunbeams.

19. Bible Drills. “Attention, Draw Swords, Nahum 1:3, Nahum 1:3, Charge!”

20. All the young preachers trying to preach like Billy Graham, R. G. Lee, W. A. Criswell, Vance Havner, Lester Roloff, or J. Harold Smith.

21. Flannel graph and filmstrip Bible Stories.

22. Roman Road, Tract Evangelism, Evangelism Explosion, Continuous Witness Training, Witness Involvement Now, Friendship Evangelism, Four Spiritual Laws, Steps to Peace With God, Concentric Circles of Concern, FAITH, Share Your Faith Without Fear. I like ‘em all.

23. Shared Leadership, Multiply by Dividing, Million More in ‘54 (a little before my time), Flake’s Formula, Every Baptist a Tither, Global-Local, Equipping Modules, Study Course Credit.

24. Foreign Mission Board, Home Mission Board, Annuity Board, Baptist Book Store.

25. Shout “Amen” (with a long “A”), “Praise the Lord,” “Glory;” but never clap your hands!

26. An old saint of God imploring the Lord to “lead, guide, and direct us,” and to “bless the gift and the giver.”

27. “When They Ring Those Golden Bells” and “My Saviour First Of All” sang at most every funeral; and none of that “canned music.”

Point being - change does happen, has happened, will continue to happen. Be patient, your change very likely will occur. Alas, before you know it, your innovative change will be left behind in the dust of other changes.  The old, old story of Jesus and His love, however, will continue to be proclaimed.

-David R. Brumbelow, April 13, AD 2009

A STONE OF REMEMBRANCE, by David Brumbelow

Ever follow the stories about 10 commandments and Scripture memorials? Sometimes Scripture monuments are allowed on government property, sometimes they‘re not.  But, put them on private property, and no one can require they be taken down. Many churches want these scripture memorials on state property, yet never go to the trouble of placing them on their own property.

Well, my small church decided to do something on our own. We talked about memorials and decided to place a small bronze Scripture plaque at the front of our church property by a sidewalk and parking lot. The plaque is 12” X 12”. It is set in concrete that is 16” X 16” and about 6 or 8 inches high. It extends into the ground about one foot. The concrete has reinforcement wire and some rebar. The top of the concrete is beveled so the edges are not so sharp. The bronze plaque had bolts on the back and was sunk into the concrete as the concrete was hardening. When the concrete is poured, tap the sides of the form to exclude air bubbles. We kept the concrete moist for several days leaving wet tow sacks (burlap bags) on top of it. When concrete is poured, the longer it initially stays moist, the stronger the concrete becomes.

Our memorial says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16, Northside Baptist Church, Highlands, Texas, AD 2007.” The year simply refers to the year in which the memorial was set up. “AD” is an abbreviation of the Latin term “Anno Domini,” meaning “In the year of our Lord.”

A bronze plaque should not be cleaned, other than a light brushing. The patina or weathered film that forms on it, protects it from further erosion. Never power wash it! Barring vandalism, it should last well over 100 years.

The memorial cost about $500 to construct. A church could vote to do this and then just receive special offerings until enough has been received. We may add another memorial or two in the future. Other good verses to include on a Scripture Memorial: John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-10; Isaiah 40:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Matthew 28:18-20...

A visiting little girl told me how much she liked the memorial. Some go out of their way to see it; others walk right by and never notice. If your church has a neighborhood sidewalk running through your property, who knows the number of people who may see it? It can be a witness to any who stop by, no matter the day or time. A Scripture Memorial is a way we can permanently testify to the community and even ourselves, concerning what we believe.

“When your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” -Joshua 4:6-7.

See also: Joshua 22:34; 24:26; Isaiah 19:19-20; 55:11.

David R. Brumbelow,

April 4, AD 2009 

PASTOR, HERSHAEL YORK'S PRAISE IN AN AGE OF DESPAIR AND FEAR

[In this climate of financial and, what-is-going-to-happen-to-me, fears, it is refreshing to read a testimony of one church's outpouring of generosity for furthering the Great Commission.  I stumbled upon (if one does not believe in God's sovereign leadership), a post written by Hershael York, pastor of Buck Run Baptist Church and professor at SBTS in Louisville.

As it happened, I was researching the four remaining bloggers in SBCVoices Blog Madness competition.  I was not familiar with any of the top contenders for the 313-dollar prize Tony Kummer is offering.  So I wanted to cast my vote wisely in favor of whom God would use in a mighty way with future blog-posts.  I had to go no further than the post I offer below as proof that God is using this man for His purposes, and his church for greater works in the Kingdom to come.  It was a joy, a blessing and an inspiration to read Pastor York's obviously humble insights and accounting of his church.  In these days, when some Southern Baptists feel we are declining, waning and dying in evangelical pursuit and Gospel relevance, it's uplifting to see another side...and get "the rest of the story" of a group of faithful saints who gather as Southern Baptists and fellowship as brothers and sisters.  Bro. York has kindly given me permission to reprint this here.  Read and enjoy. (and if ya get a minute, go vote for him in the Madness Competition.)]

Buck Run Baptist Church, the church I serve, is not a big church. We average just below 600 in worship attendance. Nor are we a wealthy church. The majority of our members work for the state of Kentucky or in some business that serves state government. We are as middle as middle class can get.

But Buck Run is a giving church that loves the Lord and desires to see His name proclaimed among all people. We have an exciting and effective ministry to single women through our oil-change ministry. By giving away free oil changes and servicing their cars, our Womens' Ministry builds relationships with single moms so we can help them with food, clothing, heating their homes, and getting them established in a relationship with Christ. We also meet lots of other needs. Just this fall we completely remodeled a home for a family of five that was living in the woods without any plumbing or even an outhouse. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of Buck Run members, that family now has reliable shelter, indoor plumbing, and a warm home. Additionally, Buck Run went on five mission trips on four continents last year, as well as several mission trips to Slidell, Louisiana, and one to Eastern Kentucky.

Missions is the heartbeat of Buck Run. In 2007 the Lottie Moon Offering was over $24,000, and when our Missions Committee set a goal of $25,000 this year, I knew it would be challenging in this economy. Still, we felt that God is most willing to do extraordinary things when He takes us beyond our own abilities, and for our congregation to give $25,000 over our regular budget offering would truly be the Lord's doing.

In the two weeks prior to our offering, I challenged everyone to give more to the Lottie Moon offering than they would spend on anyone. After all, if it's the Lord's birth we celebrate, it makes no sense to spend more on others than we do on him. In my own family, we chose not to swap gifts this year so we could give more to missions. On the Sunday before Christmas, each family walked to a manger in the front of our sanctuary and put their offering in it. I was moved to see senior saints as well as children, working adults and retirees, bank presidents and ex-cons, all recipients of God's grace, make their way to the manger and lay their offerings there.

When our church treasurer called me on Monday and gave me the news, I was stunned. Our Lottie Moon offering on Sunday alone was $33,737.57. All told, I believe our missions offering will surpass $35,000. Perhaps the best news is that there were not any extremely large checks, just lots of them. Nearly everyone gave something significant. Furthermore, when churches have special offerings, the regular budget offering usually suffers. Our budget requires about $23,000 a week, but the same week we received that great Lottie Moon offering, our budget offering was over $30,000. All told, God moved in the dear saints of Buck Run to give over $67,000 on that Sunday.

To God be the glory!  What a blessing to serve with people who desire that God's name be great among the nations.   Posted by Hershael W. York  

[Want to Vote in the Madness Competition, now?]