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LANSING, MI – Faith Fellowship Baptist Church was not closed on Christmas Day 2018. Our doors were open to share a Christmas lunch with the community. The menu included turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, ham, string beans and rolls. The desserts were a generous selection of cakes and pies. There was a warm atmosphere set by Christmas decorations, music in the background, and the singing of Christmas carols. Although everyone showed up looking for a natural feeding, they received a spiritual feeding as well. One gentleman in particular, Glen, is a living example of that. He had lost faith in God several years ago. Growing up he was abused by family members, and felt that God could not be a God of love to allow what happen to him. Glen was enjoying his meal when he asked the question, why the church opened its doors on Christmas to feed the community. Pastor Stan replied, “Because of the love of God.” We wanted to make sure no one is left out of the celebration of God’s greatest love gift to mankind. Glen responded by saying, “How do you know God loves people?” At that moment, Pastor Stan sat down and struck up a conversation with Glen. He began to talk about the reality of the miracle birth of Jesus, and explained how much God loves mankind. God was not satisfied with how sin had brought separation between God and one of his greatest creations. Glen continued to listen more intensely and asked if God would ever forgive someone who left Him. Stan explained to Glen that God is always standing with his arms wide open to receive his children. Angels are rejoicing when one makes a decision to turn back to God. Glen then asked if the church had any old bibles around where he could began reading again. Pastor Stan replied, “we don’t have any old bibles”, and Glen’s head dropped. Then Pastor Stan said, “But we have brand new bibles, and let us give you one as a Christmas present.” Glen’s face lit up with delight. At the end of the meal, Pastor Stan gave Glen a bible and additional food to take home. Glen left feeling loved and cared for. Today He is being discipled by Pastor Stan and has a renewed hope in our great God. Everyone enjoyed the warm, festive atmosphere set by the background music and the singing of Christmas carols. Our community had gathered for a meal, and it was truly the feeling of a home style Christmas. The love and light of Christ shone into the lives of the people there that afternoon. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joy Gleason is an Office Assistant with Faith Fellowship Baptist Church, Lansing, Michigan. #FEBRUARY19

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Our combined experiences in working with hundreds of churches suggest the confusion is massive, and not just among churchgoers but among pastors and church leaders. A March 2018 Barna survey revealed disturbing evidence: 51 percent of Christians in North America don’t recognize or know of the Great Commission. More alarming, of the 49 percent who say they do (when given five Scripture verses, one of which is the actual passage of Matthew 28) only 37 percent could actually identify it! We believe that if you were to do a quick survey of church leaders and mission-minded people in your church, asking them just a couple of basic questions about the Great Commission, you’d get many different and often conflicting answers. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:18–20, which we know as the Great Commission, to make disciples of all the nations. Now don’t think nation states, like Germany or Brazil. Think people groups with distinct languages and cultures. The Great Commission, according to Jesus, isn’t just about doing good works in his name—it’s not even about making disciples—but about making disciples of all the nations. “Today, our ever-broadening definition of missions has led to the idea that every follower of Christ is a missionary.” The priority, then, of our Great Commission task isn’t to just win as many people to Jesus as possible. It’s not simply to do acts of kindness and mercy in his name. It’s to plant the gospel in every nation, tribe, and tongue. Historically, this priority shaped the church’s missions practice and understanding, but today any good deed or altruistic, evangelistic work is often considered missions. Sharing the gospel with your neighbor who has never heard a clear presentation of the gospel (but could if you’d just cross the street), feeding empty bellies, caring for the homeless and for widows and orphans in places where churches already exist are all important ministries and shouldn’t be neglected, but are they really missions? Today, our ever-broadening definition of missions has led to the idea that every follower of Christ is a missionary. Unpacking Terms Does the Bible provide a clear definition for missions given the word isn’t even in the Bible? Can we expect the Bible to tell us what it means? Eckhard Schnabel is considered one of the world’s leading experts on missions in the New Testament and author of two 1,000-page volumes on early Christian mission, as well as the 500-page work Paul the Missionary (IVP Academic, 2008). He decisively writes, “The argument that the word mission does not occur in the New Testament is incorrect. The Latin verb mittere corresponds to the Greek verb apostellein, which occurs 136 times in the New Testament (97 times in the Gospels, used both for Jesus having been ‘sent’ by God and for the Twelve being ‘sent’ by Jesus).” Keeping Schnabel’s observations in mind, let’s take a closer look. Missio Dei translates as “mission of God” and is used to signify all that God does in the world and all that he is doing to accomplish his objective, the complete exaltation of the fame of his name: “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Ps. 46:10 ESV). Mission has a secular meaning; it often refers to either an underlying purpose (as in the term “mission statement”) or a specific campaign or objective (as in a military or diplomatic mission). But it is also used to define the scope of all that God has given his church to accomplish within the missio Dei. It may include all that God has called the church to do in the world. Missional—the most modern of the four terms—is an adjective used primarily to distinguish the ministry of the church that happens beyond its four walls, as opposed to caring for its own. Some churches now use the term missional where they may have previously used mission or missions. This term has also been co-opted to describe a specific, progressive style of church that is intentionally outreach-oriented (a missional church or a missional community). Missions may be used as a synonym, perhaps a clunky or outdated one, for any of the terms above, and our British brothers and sisters are among those who prefer the more graceful term “mission” without necessarily a switch in meaning between the two. But missions also has a narrower meaning. It’s used to refer to the work of the church in reaching across cultural, religious, ethnic and geographic barriers to advance the work of making disciples of all nations. Missiologist Gary Corwin, in an article “MissionS: Why the ‘S’ Is Still Important,” compares these four terms along with another one: “In addition, establishing churches among those people groups and communities where Christ is least known has been distinguished over the last several decades as what frontier missions is all about.” Despite the overlapping meanings, explains Corwin, each has an important, particular emphasis, and when they’re properly understood, each serves a useful purpose. The problem arises when the terms are used interchangeably and these unique emphases are lost. As Corwin writes, “To say, for example, that either the missio Dei and the mission of the church is synonymous, or that the mission of the church is all that one needs to focus on or be concerned about, runs the very real risk of simply defining everything as mission.” Great Commission Focus We’re unapologetic and ardent activists for a narrow, Great Commission-focused definition of missions that will keep the church on the path of making disciples of all nations. Maintaining a narrow definition of missions will be a more useful tool for the church in fulfilling her mission, and the overall thrust of Scripture readily supports this emphasis. “Maintaining a narrow definition of missions will be a more useful tool for the church in fulfilling her mission, and the overall thrust of Scripture readily supports this emphasis.” To cross the barriers that missions requires, we must bring significant focus and special emphasis in the church to making disciples resulting in churches. Without this regular and specific emphasis on “making disciples of the nations,” the needs and outreach of the local church will always, quite naturally, receive the greatest attention of our efforts, while the voices of those with no access become a distant memory until next year’s “Missions Sunday.” A sound, biblical missions definition is crucial to the future of the evangelical church. Defining missions in our relativistic, pluralistic era requires that we be committed to walk the path of God’s redemptive mission, culminating in the collective worship of the Lamb by all nations, peoples, tribes, and tongues. That is the bedrock path of missions to which we, his bride, are called. No matter what process we use to define and carry out missions activity, this is the path our boots must travel if we hope to clear the fog of great confusion about missions and obey Jesus’s Great Commission imperative. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Matthew Ellison is president of Sixteen:Fifteen and Denny Spitters is vice president of church partnership at Pioneers. They co-authored the book When Everything Is Missions. #FEBRUARY19

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC – Africans call their home “the Motherland.” Its wild, unfettered nature is rich with wildlife and music and colors, its cities with tradition and history. But despite the strength of African pride, natural disasters, economic hardship, and wars have oppressed the people. So Mama Africa nurses her babies on tales of the Western Utopia where money is free and life is easy. From the lap, little boys grow up hearing that to be a good son and “make something of yourself,” they must set out from home, get to the shores of Europe, become successful, make money to send home, and change the future of the family. Proof that it’s possible comes from social media posts of others who brag of their success. It seems easy. I joined a group of photographers, documentarians, and videographers to follow the African’s journey from the Mediterranean to Malta, to the shores of Sicily, through Rome, and to the French border. What we found were men and women who had believed the hype and risked it all to find out that Europe wasn’t what they thought—men and women living in the shadows of beauty, but with all beauty stripped from their lives. These sojourners lived in cramped shelters or tents, unable to find work. They are resented by the locals, malnourished, lonely, and terribly disillusioned. For them, the Mediterranean isn’t a sparkly place to play, but a dark, churning grave that has claimed many thousands of their brothers. The amazing food and gelato on every street corner doesn’t offer a smorgasbord of calories and decadence but a meal they can’t afford to enjoy. The ruins aren’t a beautiful historical site but a marketplace to sell kitschy knick knacks to tourists. Each sale is one more Euro to put toward a meal or a place to sleep. In the Baobab refugee camp, an unofficial haven for migrants and refugees in Rome run by volunteers, migrants gather from all over Africa. Though their skins are different shades of brown and black and their accents reveal various backgrounds, their stories are the same. They left home thinking that Europe would welcome them and that they would be heroes and legends in their hometowns. They had no idea what lay ahead. The Impossible Journey The Sahara Desert, or the Great Desert as it’s known in Africa, stretches all over North Africa—from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. Sub-Saharan Africans dreaming of a better life in Europe must first accomplish the daunting task of crossing this dry, arid expanse the size of the continental US. The journey means thousands of miles of desert where exhaustion, hunger, thirst, and death are daily threats. Sojourners travel with the ever-constant fear of traffickers who roam the desert like pirates on the high seas, looking to imprison, rob, kill, or extort. Those who make it to Libya are greeted with violence, prison time, and medieval conditions. One woman we met described being in an underground prison for a year—no light, no privacy, no choice. When these men and women finally make it to the Mediterranean, they are faced with another vast expanse that wants to eat them alive. Crammed onto inflatable dinghies, or rickety wooden boats, they set out on a temperamental sea with no guide and no supplies. These boats are packed past capacity, the dinghies deflated to fit the larger number. This leg of the journey claimed more and 1,500 lives in 2018 alone. When migrants reach the shores of Europe, they find closed borders. Africans who have already traveled hundreds of miles have no food, no money, no place to live, no visas or passports. The only thing given is ugly sneers from locals who don’t want them. These migrants said if they had it to do over again, they’d never come. This isn’t their dream come true; it is a nightmare. The Migrants’ Message Mumuni*, a Ghanaian, lives at the Baobab refugee camp. He has small rations of food provided by volunteers and a place to pitch a tent, but nothing else. He has accomplished little in his two years away from home. He can’t work legally and is forced to beg and steal until he can manage to get documents. “I think if I come to Europe, I will go to school, get a job. I’m coming here to have good situation. But instead, I’m in the streets suffering. The situation here is crazy. I didn’t think I would have this kind of life,” he said. Mumuni’s journey was from Ghana to Libya, where he and a thousand others paid more than $700 USD for passage across the sea. As his overcrowded boat made it to deep waters, it sank. He swam back to shore and was immediately put in prison. He had to start over, paying again for another attempt to cross the sea. Today his message to people back home is that the journey is not worth it. “They should not go the Libya way. It’s the desert and the sea. You can achieve nothing. Ghana is better than Italy,” he said. A Nigerian man at Baobab also went through Libya to make it to the dreamland of Europe. He left home with a group of twenty-eight people, and only eight survived the trip. The other twenty died in the desert, in prison in Libya, or in the Mediterranean. He also warned other countrymen of believing the social media distortions. “Don’t come; it’s not easy. If you come to Europe, you are going to suffer. There is no job in Europe. You get what you don’t expect,” he said. Missing Mama Their stories reminded me of our own American heroes who risked it all to “settle” the West. They weren’t satisfied with the life they’d known and were willing to take a chance. But our heroes didn’t have to qualify or get permission to pursue their dreams. If they had the courage to try and the luck to survive, the world was their oyster. For many Africans, their brave, new world is already occupied, so there isn’t freedom to settle just anywhere. Passports and papers are needed to open up the oyster. Migrants often find that fact surprising—thinking if they just make the journey, the dream will come true. Even for those who have refugee status, life isn’t much better. There are a few provisions given, but without documentation, refugees aren’t allowed to work, or profit, or emigrate. They are left living in a camp—in a world of limbo and broken dreams. They miss their home, their family, their Mama. *Name changed EDITOR'S NOTE: The Baobab refugee camp in Rome was shut down by Italian government officials in November 2018, three months after the author of this article and her media team visited the camp. Continue to pray for the refugees affected by the shutdown. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Karen Pearce is a writer for IMB living in Prague. She has dedicated much of the past three years to researching and writing about the global refugee situation. #FEBRUARY19

FENTON, MI – I have noticed that in our nation and in our state in particular, that competitive sports play an integral part in our lives and loves. This year’s season of football will soon be ending but not the ongoing talk, reruns, debates and controversies. With 24 hour a day sports broadcasting, it never ends. One can be entertained by and involved in football 365 days a year. There is another sport among us that takes on those same characteristics. It’s not basketball, baseball, hockey, volleyball or any other sport that requires some sort of ball or object to be bounced, kicked, passed, hit, or caught. This sport requires an unbelievable amount of stamina, agility, finesse, concentration, skill, focus, determination and a pile of thick skin and intestinal fortitude. This sport can be brutal at times and in other instances, extremely fulfilling. I’ve seen the players and spectators alike, cry like babies and then in a matter of moments jump, shout, cheer and make a complete fool of themselves in expressing their joy and admiration for those in the field of play. One of the unusual quirks about this particular sport is that the players don’t normally wear uniforms, but the spectators and pep squads do. It is not unusual to see fans wearing their team’s colors, caps and T-shirts at any time or any place. Some carry placards and will stand in public places proclaiming the superiority of their preferred combatant. I have seen many decorate their homes and vehicles to express one’s allegiance. As game day approaches, the cheers and chants for the key players can be heard in all places, formats and by almost anyone. Obsession would be a good word to describe those involved. Possession, as in demonic, is possibly applicable to some, and everyone gets involved. Toddlers to Grandmothers all have a part. New born babies adorned with team colors and players names can be found on social media quite readily. Almost no one is uninvolved or untouched by this sport in some way. But the biggest concern I have about this particular sporting event is the high rate of injury that occurs among the players and especially among the spectators. That’s right the spectators. Of course, we have all heard how that some rugby and soccer games in Europe have resulted in the severe bodily injury to fans. Well, this sport does far more damage than has been caused by those riotous fans of foreign fields. Those kinds of injuries usually heal within a matter of weeks or a few months, but the injuries and the damage caused by this sport can last for a lifetime. These injuries can cause love to be lost, families to be destroyed and entire communities ripped apart. Marriages have failed and lifetime friends have ceased to speak to one another. Respect has been trashed and characters have been assassinated just so someone could win. The broken souls and crushed hearts that are the result of previous games still litter the streets, roads and woodlands of our towns, cities and states. Some people are forced to move to a different geographic location in order to try to heal the deep gaping wounds they have received. Others carry the competition of the game back to their homes and neighborhoods, only to create division, animosity and anger. It amazes me that some individuals and groups can’t seem to keep it in perspective. This is a game. It won’t last forever. Seasons come and go but people and relationships last. The key players will come and go, and most will not even recall their names a few years later. Politics! The bloodiest sport of all. Some will win and others loose. One crowd will cheer while the other will cry. Is the outcome of the game important? Yes! Absolutely. But people, relationships, character, reputations and treating others with dignity and respect is far more important. One day we will stand before the Father and He will not be the least bit concerned with how you voted, but I can guarantee that how you treated your fellow man on this earth will be of keen interest to Him. I have said on many occasions that politics should not and cannot direct or determine our Biblical and Doctrinal convictions, but that our Biblical and Doctrinal convictions should direct and determine our politics. There cannot be some dialectic and duplicitous life concerning Christianity and politics. Worldly governments will come and go, but the Government of God will not! When we get to heaven all the games will be over. Time will have run out, and there will be no overtimes, no chances to run again, no instant replays or recounts. Winning will be of no consequence, but how you played will be judged and will affect your eternity. Politics! What a game. Play by the rules. (HIS RULES!) ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tim Patterson is Executive Director/Treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Elected unanimously in May of 2015, Patterson formerly served for 9 years as pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. He also served as trustee chair and national mobilizer for the North American Mission Board. #FEBRUARY19

FENTON, MI – As the church enters a growth-phase, ultimatums may start. Growth-changes bring friction, conflict, and sometimes result in ultimatums. Menacing statements are heard: “Pastor, if you do that then you will have to find a new church.” Or “Brother, I guess you no longer need my tithe if you are going to do that.” Or “Preacher, you seem to be more interested in the newer people than those who called you to be pastor here.” A friend of mine, who came to know the Lord under one of my previous ministries, was surprised to discover his newly purchased home was near a new church where I had become pastor. Let’s say his name is Tom. He visited the new church with his family, and informed everyone that he was thankful for my previous ministry. Being a businessman and running his own company, Tom thought he was doing the right thing endorsing me as a good pastor, and openly expressed our longtime friendship. There was another man, long embedded in the new church even before I came as Pastor, who we will call Rick. Rick saw Tom’s endorsement and friendship of me as a threat. Tom’s visits with his family at the new church fell-off. He came to play a pick-up basketball game at the church building. As the game progressed, I saw that Tom and Rick were guarding one another and interacting in-between plays. I thought it was a good sign. I was wrong. After the game was over and before we shut-down the gym, Tom slid-up to me and whispered, “Hey, I hate to do this, but I think my family and I are going to look for another church closer to home. This one’s too far. We love you and we are grateful for all that you’ve done for us.” I took his statement at face-value, we guy-hugged and I wished him well. Six-months later during a random visit to Tom’s business, he asked how the church was doing. He went on to say, “I didn’t want to tell you this, but something happened at the basketball game that convinced me joining the church would be a mistake. Tom continued, “As I grabbed my gear that night after the game, Rick came up to me and said, “If you think you’re going to come into our church and take-over with Pastor Tony, you’re wrong! It’s not going to happen.” Tom saw the shock on my face. When euphoria from a growth-phase is peppered with ultimatums from others, oftentimes all someone tastes is the “pepper.” The euphoria is smothered. Worse yet, the person leading the growth-change becomes jumpy looking for the next ultimatum lurking in the heart of someone who is not happy. When a growth phase is blocked by ultimatum-driven opposition, three radically different conclusions are reached. Those who threaten ultimatums erect a statue of victory and repeat to themselves the phrase, “Ultimatums work well. I am in control.” Those who initiated the growth phase, only to surrender to the ultimatums, put up red-flags of defeat and whisper warnings, “No longer take risks toward growth unless the ultimatum-user agrees.” The largest group, the unknowing group of people who were led toward growth-change and then abandoned only to return to the past, plant a forest of question marks. They ask one another with puzzled and hopeless expressions, “Why is our church (or class, or group) not growing or developing when others grow?” So how do leaders overcome the 1-2% ultimatum-driven threats and lovingly lead people toward growth? They do it through transparency in four-steps. When someone threatens the primary leader’s direction with ultimatums, the leader should share those ultimatums with the leadership surrounding him or her in one corporate meeting. Too many leaders keep menacing ultimatums to themselves causing them to freeze progress. The primary leader should persuade his or her circle of leadership to extend a joint invitation to the ultimatum-maker to meet with them for an open dialogue. The primary leader would be wise to allow a trusted person, other than himself, to moderate the meeting. The opposition should explain why he or she believes the direction is unwise. The primary leader should explain why he or she believes the direction is wise. Questions toward the two should be allowed. After the two parties have expressed themselves, each individual in the circle of leadership should state their support or opposition to the changes. The balance of support and of opposition will be clearly seen. The future direction can be solidified, canceled, or changed together rather than capitulate to a menace. With transparency the power of an ultimatum subsides and love prevails. Ephesians 4:2-3 reminds us, “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace,” (NLT). ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tony Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe. #FEBRUARY19

FENTON, MI – The 1967 Chevelle had been sitting at the end of the driveway for a long time. Today, it’s considered a classic, but back then, it was just an old car. Nobody drove it. I was in high school, had my license, and wanted a car of my own. Mom said I could drive the Chevelle if I could get it running. As a result, it was the car I drove to take Shar on our first date. I walked her to the car, opened the door for her to get in, and closed it when she was seated. Then I popped open the hood, unscrewed the lid to the air filter, put a screwdriver into the throat of the carburetor, got in the car, and turned the key. It’s the only way the car would start! Then I reversed the process and off we went. Those were the days. I had some good times in that car. It gave me freedom I had never known. I could go further, faster. It was a hot afternoon in Michigan, the kind of hot when sweat drips off your face even when you’re just sitting. Our house didn’t have air conditioning, and there was no place to escape the heat. It was hot everywhere - the perfect day for a swim. My two brothers, ages 12 and 2, jumped in the Chevelle and we took off to the lake for a swim. Perhaps you can identify with me. I’ve never been one to walk steadily into cold water. I like to go slow and get accustomed to the water, especially as it gets to the mid-section. There was no doing that at this lake. There was a sharp drop off to deep water just a few feet from shore. My 12-year-old brother and I were challenging each other to be the first to jump into the deep water as we splashed each other. I turned to check on my two-year old brother. He was supposed to be playing on the land behind us, but he was nowhere to be seen. Instinctively, I looked into the water and my worst fear was confirmed. His head was under the water and he was sinking in the deep part where the lake dropped off. In that moment, I forgot about everything else and lunged into the deep to pull my brother to safety. He wasn’t breathing and I had no idea how to revive a drowning victim. This was long before cell phones and there was no way to call for help. We were too far away to get in the car and drive to get help quickly. I remember carrying him in my arms out of the water and quickly laid on the ground and started pushing on his chest and stomach. My heart was sinking as the seconds passed. There was no response. Then I lifted him up, bent him over my arm and hit him on the back with my hand. Every second felt like an eternity, even though it was all happening so fast. I’ve never been so scared. My brother’s life was hanging in the balance. Would he live? Was he going to die? My mind was racing; What do I do next? Why didn’t he just stay on the bank like I told him? One minute we were laughing and having a good time. The next - he was hanging unresponsively over my arm. I was afraid, confused, angry, and in disbelief all at the same time. I definitely went further, faster that hot Michigan afternoon. I was learning just how quickly life can turn, how fragile it is, and how powerless I am when life literally hangs in the balance. I think back to that moment on the lake from time to time, especially when I see people hurting each other. Relationships are complicated and breakable. They bring great joy and meaning to our lives. They’re also messy and can be difficult. Whatever is happening, it sure feels different when someone you love is hanging breathless over your arm. I know how this story ended. How about you? Do you know what will come of your life once its over? Do you worry about not having a relationship with the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ? Do you know? ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mike Durbin is the State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before joining the state convention staff, Mike served as Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions in Metro Detroit since 2007. He also has served as a pastor and bi-vocational pastor in Michigan, as well as International Missionary to Brazil. #FEBRUARY19

ROSCOMMON, MI – Greetings from Bambi Lake! We are well into our new year of retreats and camps and thus far it has been amazing! We are looking forward to a spectacular year. For the February article I was asked to write about “love”. This is a somewhat daunting task because I don’t want to just write something cliche’ or mawkish, so here goes. It is no secret that “self-love” is the sin problem of our culture. It is and always has been since Adam and Eve were relieved of their garden duties. The unfortunate news is I believe “self-love” is the number one sin problem in the church. Now, when I say church I am pinpointing those of us who claim to “love” Jesus, and have a personal relationship with Him. We of all people should understand and do our best to avoid the destructiveness of “self-love”. When the divorce rate inside the church is as high or higher than outside the church, there is a fundamental, core problem. The sin of “self-love” is poisoning our soul and making us spiritually weak and relationally detached from the “lover of our soul” - Jesus. Not only does “self-love” disable our ability to love God but it also handicaps our capacity to love others. The “others” being spouses, friends, enemies, neighbors. We love ourselves more than the heart of God. “Love” is supposed to be the one quality that sets us apart from the lost world. It should be the singular attribute describing our lives. It should refine us and define us. Love is the aroma others should smell when they are around us. This lifestyle of “love” is possible. In 1 John 4:8 we are told “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love”. Since God is Love then what the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus makes perfect sense. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” A lifestyle of “love” is possible when we - like children - choose to imitate our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus. The more we look to our Savior and discover Him in scripture the more we will be like Him. As our personal relationship with Him deepens so will our imitation of His character. As Christians, we are to imitate God’s character, actions and behavior towards us as a standard of how we treat others and live out the Christian life. When we imitate Christ, we become the truest, most real and authentic “us” because we become the person God intended us to be. The culture is continuously demanding our attention by deceiving us with promises of prosperity, power, self-confidence, success, promotion and recognition - “self-love”. Christ calls us to be like Him - “Love” - to all those we encounter, even to those we would rather avoid. We the church, must look like Christ. We must look like “Love”. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mick Schatz serves on the staff of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. He is the State Director of Spiritual Enrichment and Retreats and lives at Bambi Lake. #FEBRUARY19

MONROE, MI – The minister says he’s not retiring. Rather, he and his wife will be helping small churches. The Rev. Roy Southerland, senior pastor at Monroe Missionary Baptist Church since 2000, is leaving his post May 31. The Rev. Tim Iocoangeli will take over as pastor June 1. Pastor Iocoangeli is currently the church’s pastor of discipleship and family. Last month, church members selected him for the pastor role. A search has begun to find a successor. Pastor Southerland said the time was right to change leaders at the large church, where 600 to 700 worshippers attend services. “Now it’s time for a new, younger guy to take the reins. I sensed for a long time that God was calling me to get the church situated for this change. Pastor Tim is a good choice. He grew up in the church, left to pastor and came back about four years ago to serve with us,” he said. Pastor Southerland has lived in the county since 1992 and is known throughout the community, even by people who don’t attend the church. He and his wife, Carrie, will continue to live in the area and they aren’t exactly retiring. “I felt like God was calling us to a different area of ministry. We’re going to be support for small churches and be evangelists,” he said. “My main goal is working to encourage struggling pastors and churches. I’ll be available to assist.” Although he’s not certain what his specific duties will be, he expects some travel. “I’m staying in the area and going to do all from here. I anticipate it will be quite a bit of travel as God opens up doors. I’ve had requests already,” he said. Pastor Southerland has a bachelor’s degree in religious studies, biblical studies and church education from Mid-Continent Baptist Bible College, Mayfield, Ky. He was ordained Sept. 28, 1986, in Tennessee and served churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. He arrived in Monroe County in 1992 to be pastor at Dundee Baptist Church. In 1997, he was named associate pastor and minister of youth/education at Monroe Missionary Baptist. That same year, the church, which began in 1937, moved from Wadsworth St. to its much larger current location on S. Dixie Hwy. In September, 2000, he was installed as Monroe Missionary Baptist’s 10th pastor. He succeeded longtime pastor Dr. Damon Patterson, who retired. Pastor Southerland is most proud of the church’s strong emphasis on mission work. Today, church members serve as missionaries in the Middle East, Africa, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, India and in St. Joseph, Mich. After 21 years at Monroe Missionary Baptist, Pastor Southerland will most miss ministering to families, both at the church and in the community. “I’ve enjoyed serving the people and seeing families changed and encouraged,” he said. He never expected he’d stay at one church so long. “The average (stay of a pastor) is less than two years. Monroe’s just a great church, has a great vision, good people to work with. The community itself is very open to the ministry,” said Pastor Southerland. “I’m grateful I had the opportunity to spend 21 years doing my best with the church.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Suzanne Wisler writes for The Monroe News. This article was taken from The Monroe News in Monroe, MI. #JANUARY19

Church pews may be full of teenagers, but a new study says college students might be a much rarer sight on Sunday mornings. Two-thirds (66 percent) of American young adults who attended a Protestant church regularly for at least a year as a teenager say they also dropped out for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. Thirty-four percent say they continued to attend twice a month or more. While the 66 percent may be troubling for many church leaders, the numbers may appear more hopeful when compared to a 2007 study from LifeWay Research. Previously, 70 percent of 18- to 22-year-olds left church for at least one year. “The good news for Christian leaders is that churches don’t seem to be losing more students than they were 10 years ago. However, the difference in the dropout rate now and then is not large enough statistically to say it has actually improved,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. “The reality is that Protestant churches continue to see the new generation walk away as young adults. Regardless of any external factors, the Protestant church is slowly shrinking from within.” When They Drop Out The dropout rate for young adults accelerates with age, the study found. While 69 percent say they were attending at age 17, that fell to 58 percent at age 18 and 40 percent at age 19. Once they reach their 20s, around 1 in 3 say they were attending church regularly. “Overall Protestant churches see many teenagers attending regularly only for a season. Many families just don’t attend that often,” said McConnell. “As those teenagers reach their late teen years, even those with a history of regular church attendance are pulled away as they get increased independence, a driver’s license, or a job. The question becomes: will they become like older adults who have all those things and still attend or will students choose to stay away longer than a year.” Ben Trueblood, director of student ministry at LifeWay, said those numbers speak to the issue at hand. “We are seeing teenagers drop out of the church as they make the transition out of high school and student ministry,” he said. “This moment of transition is often too late to act for churches.” Why They Drop Out Virtually all of those who dropped out (96 percent) listed a change in their life situation as a reason for their dropping out. Fewer say it was related to the church or pastor (73 percent); religious, ethical or political beliefs (70 percent); or the student ministry (63 percent). The five most frequently chosen specific reasons for dropping out were: moving to college and no longer attending (34 percent); church members seeming judgmental or hypocritical (32 percent); no longer feeling connected to people in their church (29 percent); disagreeing with the church’s stance on political or social issues (25 percent); and work responsibilities (24 percent). Almost half (47 percent) of those who dropped out and attended college say moving to college played a role in their no longer attending church for at least a year. “Most of the reasons young adults leave the church reflect shifting personal priorities and changes in their own habits,” said McConnell. “Even when churches have faithfully communicated their beliefs through words and actions, not every teenager who attends embraces or prioritizes those beliefs.” Among all those who dropped out, 29 percent say they planned on taking a break from church once they graduated high school. Seven in 10 (71 percent) say their leaving wasn’t an intentional decision. “For the most part, people aren’t leaving the church out of bitterness, the influence of college atheists, or a renunciation of their faith,” said Trueblood. “What the research tells us may be even more concerning for Protestant churches: there was nothing about the church experience or faith foundation of those teenagers that caused them to seek out a connection to a local church once they entered a new phase of life. The time they spent with activity in church was simply replaced by something else.” Where Are They Now Not all teenagers leave church as a young adult. A third (34 percent) say they consistently attended twice a month or more through the age of 22. Those who stayed saw the church as an important part of their entire life. When asked why they stayed in church, more than half say the church was a vital part of their relationship with God (56 percent) and that they wanted the church to help guide their decisions in everyday life (54 percent). Around 4 in 10 (43 percent) say they wanted to follow the example of a parent or other family member. Similar numbers say they continued to attend because church activities were a big part of their life (39 percent), they felt church was helping them become a better person (39 percent), or they were committed to the purpose and work of the church (37 percent). Among all young adults who attended church regularly at least one year as a teenager, almost half (45 percent) currently attend at least twice a month, including more than a quarter (27 percent) who attend once a week or more. Another 8 percent say they attend once a month, while 25 percent say they attend a few times a year. Twenty-two percent of those who attended regularly at least one year as a teenager now say they do not currently attend at all. Among those who dropped out for at least a year, 31 percent are currently attending twice or month or more. “On some level, we can be encouraged that some return,” said Trueblood, “while at the same time, we should recognize that when someone drops out in these years there is a 69 percent chance they will stay gone.” He advised churches to begin by working to lower the number who leave in the first place. “There are steps we can begin taking with those currently in student ministry that will keep them connected from the beginning of these years.” Trueblood also asserted churches should have a strategic focus on individuals during those traditional college years. “In many places this is a forgotten, under-resourced ministry area,” he said. “Focus is placed on children, students, and then not again until someone enters the ‘young family’ stage. This needs to change.” Among those who attended a Protestant church as teenager, 7 in 10 say they’re Protestant now. Another 10 percent identify as Catholic. Few say they are agnostic (4 percent) or atheist (3 percent). “While some young adults who leave church are rejecting their childhood faith, most are choosing to keep many of the beliefs they had, but with a smaller dose of church,” said McConnell. For more information on the study, visit LifeWayRearch.com or view the complete report. A graphic video of the information is available at LifeWay’s YouTube page. Methodology: A demographically balanced online panel was used for interviewing American adults between the ages of 23 and 30 years old. The study was sponsored by LifeWay Students. The survey was conducted September 15 – October 13, 2017. Slight weights were used to balance gender, ethnicity, education, and region. The sample was screened to only include those who attended a Protestant church regularly (twice a month or more) for at least a year in high school. The completed sample is 2,002 surveys. The sample provides 95 percent confidence that the sampling error from the online panel does not exceed plus or minus 2.4 percent. This margin of error accounts for the effect of weighting. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups. Comparisons are made to a LifeWay Research online survey of 1,023 young adults ages 18-30 in April-May 2007. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aaron Earls is a writer for LifeWay Christian Resources #JANUARY19

FENTON, MI – At the 61st Annual Convention Meeting of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM) on November 9th, 2018, at Grace Church in Jackson Michigan, it was voted by the church messengers to grant the BSCM Executive Board the ability to sell the BSCM Ministry Building in Fenton, MI. The officers of the State Convention along with the State staff thought it best to respond in writing to the questions that they have been receiving during personal conversations. As always, we are better as a Convention as we clearly communicate with one another while pursuing God’s desires. Below are some of the frequently asked questions that we received along with the responses given by the BSCM Officers (President Scott Blanchard, 1st VP Roy Henry, 2nd VP Ed Emmerling, Past President Jerome Taylor and the BSCM Executive Leadership Team). 1. Where will the BSCM staff work if we sell the building? Jerome Taylor – Our BSCM staff are exceptional in their understanding that their labors are in the field. They do work that requires miles of travel to meet in the cities, suburbs, and rural communities of the state of Michigan. They also travel around the U.S. to connect with ministry leaders in order to recruit kingdom laborers to our state. As such, the use of a home-based office with the ability to stay mobile is the direction that seems most effective. The staff however do realize the need of a physical strategic location with a smaller footprint. In seeking such…the options for this type of location include: Partnership with an active local church that has a physical facility with space to accommodate additional office work. Leasing a communal office space to be a central meeting place as needed. Taking on the responsibility of a non-active church facility that is smaller than our current building and more cost effective. Tim Patterson – When the Convention in full session voted on the building sale issue that did not mean that the building in Fenton would be sold, only that the state board was given the opportunity to sell the building if the sale met the criteria that had been previously considered. Roy Henry – The BSCM staff has multiple options for work locations, should we find a buyer for the building who would pay the expected amount. Working from home is a very viable option for our staff (especially since they spend so much time in the field already), and the plan is to have a smaller footprint, physical office space that will be rented at a considerably lower rate than we are paying for maintenance on our current building. Pastor Tim, our Executive Director, would still be able to provide oversight and accountability for our staff who are working remotely. Scott Blanchard – When we sell the building, there will be several options in regards to where the staff will work during the week. One thing for sure - we do not want the staff to work remotely from their home or a local coffee shop. We do see the value for synergy and unity when staff are under the same roof. Ideally, we would like to stay within a 30-mile region of our current office location since most of our staff lives within the area and it has proven to be a central location for a majority of our churches. Some ideas for an office location (but we’re not limited to these) would be: one of our churches that has unused office space or rooms that could be converted into offices; or we find a good deal on a lease for 2,000 sq. feet or so. Pastor Tim Patterson – There are several options as to future space for office housing. There are smaller footprint office spaces for lease, rent or purchase in the Flint and Detroit area. There is also the possibility of utilizing excess space in some area churches. Many churches have offered their facilities to host our board meetings and any events that are planned. 2. What are the benefits to selling the building? Ed Emmerling – Anything we can do to put more resources into the Kingdom work in Michigan, I want to do. The invested income from the sale of the building will help us do that. I see us using the investments of the sale to carry out ministry in Michigan for decades to come. Pastor Tim Patterson – The benefits of selling the building would be to convert the value of the building into cash that could be invested in our foundation and the returns be used for ongoing and developing ministries. The Thomas Duke Company was asked to give us a current estimate value of the building and property and they said it would be $1,000,000 or more. Jerome Taylor – The cost of maintaining our current building which greatly surpasses our needs does not seem to be great stewardship. The building is currently worth around one million dollars as an asset but it costs more than $50,000 a year to maintain it. It also resides in a physical location that is somewhat distant from having a significant impact on a present community surrounding it. There could be an opportunity to make a greater kingdom impact should the physical location be in a greater populated area. Secondly, the value of the building, should it be sold with such a value, could provide for greater future work through our foundation. Tony Lynn – The sale of the property and building would provide a large body of funds that could be placed into investments through the state’s foundation. The interest from those investments would allow us to do more financially in ministry. The current property and building size exceeds the small team we have serving the state convention. We only need one-third of the space we are currently occupying. 3. Since the BSCM building is paid off, doesn’t it make sense to keep it? Jerome Taylor – The current value of the building as an asset against the cost of maintenance for the upkeep of the building seems to outweigh the benefit of keeping the physical location. Pastor Tim Patterson – At present, there are 25 office spaces and multiple support staff spaces. Currently, we only utilize 5 spaces on a daily basis and 3 spaces are used one day a week. The BSCM President and I will be putting together a blue-ribbon team of representatives from our churches to give guidance, counsel and insight with planning and any transition that may take place. Mike Durbin – Like many other MI Baptists, I volunteered during the construction of our current building. It has served us well, but in the not too distant future, the building will need new shingles, resurfacing of the parking lot, new carpet, and some updating. It’s a lot of building to maintain and update in light of our office needs. Tony Lynn – When we are able to allow strategy to drive ministry we gain as churches working together to reach Michigan with the Gospel of Christ. The ministry leaders spend a lot of time on the road training, gathering, and encouraging others throughout the state. Members of our churches are constrained with both spouses working and obligations to children’s schedules; therefore, we drive to meet with them. Very few people from our churches visit the offices during the year. Pastor Tim Patterson – our Executive Director said he did not want to sell the building if it did not clear at least $900,000.00 that in turn could be invested. “I do not believe it would be a wise choice to sell for less. The financial advantage would be too diminished.” 4. How will selling the building affect the work/ministry of the BSCM to the churches? Scott Blanchard – The staff will continue to work together on behalf of our churches. A “building" does not dictate the effectiveness of our team. In fact, the strong vision from Dr. Tim Patterson is leading our team to be more effective than it ever has been before. As we continue to see that vision, we will see the ministry of BSCM come through regardless of what building they are placed in.Roy Henry – I cannot see how the sale of the building would affect the work/ministry of the BSCM to the churches, since the vast majority of that ministry takes place in the field. Mike Durbin – Fenton is only one of the places we work. Pastor Tim, Tony and I are often away from the “office” as we serve Michigan Baptists and meet with partners. Ed Emmerling – Most of the work done by the BSCM staff is done in the field. I see this move as putting even more people in the field. That is the heart of our present-day state staff, wanting to be with people in the field. This will continue to have a positive effect on our state convention. Tim Patterson – The consideration for the sale of the building came from conversations among various board members and pastors. The value of the building was discussed as well as the cost of maintaining the facilities. Also, the size of the building in relation to the number of staff that presently use the building was discussed. Those conversations lead to the question being raised in an Executive Committee meeting. 5. Where will the Executive Committee and Board meet for their quarterly meetings? Roy Henry – Executive Committee and Board meetings can take place on a rotating basis around the state, hosted by our sister churches. This would enhance the relationship between our churches and the BSCM, while also periodically reducing the travel burdens our officers and board members often incur (time, fuel, wear and tear, etc.). With these meetings taking place around the state on a regular basis, these reduced burdens would encourage more participation of our churches on the Executive Board. Jerome Taylor – These meetings would also be strategically be placed in regional communities that provide the greatest connection point for these entities to convene. Some of these would meet in local church buildings. Scott Blanchard – One of the great benefits of not having a building will be allowing our Executive Committee and Board meet in various locations in our state. Our meetings can be held in just about any church that will allow us. It gives our churches the opportunity to serve our state convention as well. I believe Pastor Tim’s quote is a good summation, "I personally would like to stay right where we are. It would be so much easier to remain in these facilities, but I do not believe that I would be giving good leadership if we did not at least consider the options. We as a state convention must be good stewards of the assets that God has provided us. To have a property valued at one million dollars or more that is not being utilized to the fullest and that it’s worth could be realized in helping advance the Kingdom, is not something that should be ignored. If it sells, it sells. I have no driving agenda here. Together as a convention family we will walk through this process together. The outcome will be in our Father’s hands, and I will be happy with whatever that might be.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jamie Lynn is Executive Assistant to Tim Patterson, Executive Director-Treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. She serves in many capacities and is Tony Lynn’s wife. #JANUARY19

FENTON, MI – Applause filled Grace Church during the 2018 BSCM Annual meeting as Tim Patterson announced our new partnership with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). It’s something that the BSCM Executive Director and David Hardage (BGCT Executive Director) have been working on for three years. These two visionary leaders developed this partnership to punch holes in the darkness of both states. The Michigan/Texas Partnership will focus on 3 key areas: Church Revitalization, Church Starting, and Evangelizing Urban Centers. Tom Howe, representing Texas Baptists, was with us to kick off the partnership. During his report to the convention messengers, Tom challenged Michigan Baptists to help Texas Baptists meet the massive human needs on the border with Mexico. He set the tone by saying, “I’m going to let the politicians take care of the politics. I’m talking about the human need that we can meet to make a difference in people’s lives.” He shared that about 300 people make their way to the Texas border every day from Mexico and other countries. Many of these men, women and children arrive after a long, arduous journey, often without money and supplies that have long since been depleted. They need help with basic human needs. One of the many ways Texas Baptists demonstrate their compassion is by providing hygiene kits. Tom said, “It’s a way to love people in the name of Jesus.” We, churches of Michigan, can make these kits and send them to Texas for distribution. Below is a list of the items that go into make the Hygiene Kits. Please lead your church to collect these items, especially during the months of January and February. A mission team from Michigan will be leaving for McAllen, Texas February 28. Let’s help them help others in the name of Jesus by providing a truck load of hygiene kits to share! Let’s serve well alongside our Texas Partners to share the love of the Lord. Michigan Baptists, after you’ve collected and bagged the hygiene kits, bring them to the Baptist State Convention of Michigan Ministry Building at: 8420 Runyan Lake Road, Fenton, MI 48430. The hours are Monday – Thursday, 8am-4pm. We will ship the items to the River Ministry Hygiene Kit Project in Texas. That’s just one way Michigan Baptist churches can help our Texas Partners. January is the month of new beginnings. This year your church can be part of helping others beyond our state through the new BSCM partnership with Texas Baptists. Ask how your church can get involved. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mike Durbin is the State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before joining the state convention staff, Mike served as Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions in Metro Detroit since 2007. He also has served as a pastor and bi-vocational pastor in Michigan, as well as International Missionary to Brazil. #JANUARY19

FENTON, MI – Beginning a new year is always a thrilling time. The excitement of opening up a brand new calendar planner, (Yes, I still use one). There is nothing like it! Unsoiled and unfolded pages, fresh crisp paper, no coffee stains, no red penned scratched out appointments, and no arrow markings moving events to different dates. The awesomeness of a freshly printed task list. All those neatly organized lists and schedules with deadlines that seem so attainable. No pressures or worries, everything is perfect. Right?! The New Year also provides a fresh start and a chance to set new ministry goals. Careful planning and new ministry ideas are always the goal of the BSCM Women’s Ministry Team. Planning attractive and high quality ministry projects is the perfect way to keep our leadership team and you passionate about the ministries offered for you to participate in. We have planned 24 plus women’s ministry and WMU mission events for 2019. For an up to date list of events, visit the bscm.org website or follow us on FaceBook: BSCM Women’s Ministries & Missions – Michigan WMU. As a leader in your church, spend quality time with your team members, praying, planning, evaluating and sharing your ministry goals. Encourage your team to set personal goals as well as goals for the ministry. Brainstorm together on what it will take to reach these goals. Pray for God’s leading and follow. Organizing and preparing yourself for the New Year is just as important as for ministry. Assessing and setting personal goals are essential for individual growth. The first factor to consider is your personal Bible study time. How much time are you spending in God’s word? Set some Bible study goals now. Decide on a new study book or Bible reading plan. Find a friend who will meet with you to do a study. There are so many resources available and our women’s ministry team is available to assist you in finding fresh ideas that will work for you. Just email us at (wmu@bscm.org) or give us a call at the office. Consider goals related to reaching the community for Christ, and ministering to the needs that are found in your area. Ask yourself, who is available to come alongside of you to help reach these goals? We can help you find the resources needed to accomplish these great tasks. Consider leadership development. What tools and resources are needed to help each team members accomplish these goals? The BSCM Women’s Ministry is available to help with resources. Our team’s main goal this year is to focus on leadership development. We want to help the women in your church develop the skills and gifts that God has given them as leaders. There are resources available for women to study on their own as well as in groups. Developing their leadership skills, to refine or discover the gifts that God has given to be used in His Kingdom work, may unleash an untapped resource in your church. We can provide many avenues and pipelines to help you sharpen your leadership skills and become the ministry leader God intends for you to be. The Women’s Ministry has a network of women ready to support the ministries that you have envisioned to help the hurting in your community. As you assess the needs, share them with us. How can we come alongside to help you to reach your goals? Today, more than ever, people want to be involved in something that makes a difference. No longer are we content with just going to church and learning more, women want to be an active part in changing lives, ministering to people, making Christ visible and active in the world through them. Women’s Ministry is all about that – developing leaders, ministering to people, seeing lives changed, developing disciples that make a difference wherever they find themselves, and becoming the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Yes, 2019 is a new calendar and it’s ready to be filled with the best we have to offer Christ. Join us, let us come alongside of you, whatever the case, we are here to help. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sue Hodnett serves as women’s ministry leader for the BSCM as well as WMU Michigan Executive Director. She has dedicated her life to ministering to women in Michigan. #JANUARY19