Get documents about "5 YEARS OF FAITH
Document Sample
April 2003
News & Information for Ministry from LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
5 YEARS OF FAITH
Bobby Welch reflects on past 5 years,
looks ahead to where FAITH can go
CHURCH PLANTING
IN WISCONSIN
Not for the faint of heart
ON-LINE BIBLE
REFERENCE
Help is just a click away
CAMP RIDGECREST
75 years of ministry, fun
PHOTO BY KENT HARVILLE
From my heart to yours
What if Annie Armstrong had e-mail?
M ost Southern Baptists know Annie Armstrong as a name attached to the
annual offering collected during Easter in support of missionaries
commissioned by the North American Mission Board. Few know of the Annie
Armstrong who made sure Southern Baptists not only knew of the deep spiritual
needs around the world, but did something about it.
Armstrong, or “Miss Annie” as she often was called, didn’t receive Jesus as
Savior until she was 19, but once she made that commitment she determined to
KENT HARVILLE
make His name known among the nations. She is best known for receiving Lottie
Moon’s now famous letter from China during the late 1800s asking for workers
to come to the spiritually famished country. Moon asked, “How many million
more souls are to pass into eternity without having heard the name of Jesus?”
James T. Draper Jr.
President, LifeWay Christian Armstrong (1850-1938) took the question to heart and determined that more
Resources of the Southern
Baptist Convention
people would hear the name of Jesus because Southern Baptists went as
missionaries, prayed for missionaries and the people of the world and gave to the
missions effort. She copied Moon’s letters and sent them across the country so
churches had a first-hand account of how God was moving in China.
But she also wrote many of her own letters–18,000 in 1893 alone. Her letters
were filled with conviction that more could and should be done in our missions
effort. It was Armstrong who led Southern Baptist women to found Woman’s
Missionary Union (WMU) in 1888. WMU is now the largest Protestant
organization for women in the world, with a membership of approximately one
million. WMU also was the first and remains the largest body of organized laity
in the Southern Baptist Convention.
It took big dreams by a determined individual in a day of difficult
communications and limited resources to mobilize Southern Baptists. By
comparison we are people of great wealth and instantaneous communications. I’d
have to believe that if Armstrong were alive today she’d still believe more could
and should be done to support our missions effort. As Southern Baptists, we
must take up her challenge to reach the world for Christ.
This year’s goal for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American
Missions is $53 million, $3.53 for each of the 15 million Southern Baptists.
What if we gave $100 a person? Think about the millions of people who come to
this continent from around the world every year and are waiting for someone to
share with them the gospel. Think about all the people born and raised in this
country who are hidden in the anonymity of urban sprawl or isolated in the
sparsely populated areas of frontier states like Wyoming and Idaho. Think about
the people who live next door to you who need to hear the gospel.
As you consider how you’ll support the North American Mission Board
LifeWay@Heart is a periodic through prayer and giving, challenge yourself to be as committed to the
e-mail message from LifeWay spiritually needy in our country as Annie Armstrong would be. She’d be
President James T. Draper Jr., overwhelmed by the opportunities we have to make a difference.
addressing trends and ministry
ideas. To subscribe to the And think what she could have done for missions with e-mail.
LifeWay@Heart mailing list, go to
http://www.lifeway.com/form_ In His love,
heart.asp. On the form, type in
your e-mail address and name and
then click on the “Subscribe”
button and send.
Contents
From my heart to yours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Bobby Welch on FAITH’s first 5 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
FAITH works in tiny church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Is your church ready for a disaster? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
On-line Bible reference site makes research faster .10
Wisconsin ministry takes deep commitment . . . . . . .12
Layman’s 30 years of prison ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
LifeWay • 24 FAITH • 4
75 years of camping . . . . . . .17
Church planting • 12
Tips for grief ministry . . . . . .20
LifeWay Canada is reality . .22
LifeWay doing OK . . . . . . . . .24
This & That . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
New releases . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
75 years of ministry • 17 On-line Bible reference • 10
April 2003 • Volume 49 • Number 3
Facts & Trends will assist pastors, church staff and denominational Terri Lackey, Chris Turner, writers; Kent Harville, visuals specialist;
leaders in their roles of ministry by informing them about LifeWay Rob Phillips, director, communications department.
resources and how they relate to current issues in Christian ministry. Send change of address notice to: Facts & Trends Address Change,
Permission is granted to reprint material in Facts & Trends for addi- LifeWay Christian Resources, MSN 192, One LifeWay Plaza,
tional distribution. Please credit Facts & Trends. Nashville, TN 37234; call (615) 251-3698; or e-mail
Facts & Trends is published 10 times each year by LifeWay Christ- facts&trends@lifeway.com.
ian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, One LifeWay
Plaza, MSN 192, Nashville, TN 37234. E-mail LifeWay at:
info@lifeway.com or Facts & Trends at: facts&trends@lifeway.com
with comments. Facts & Trends can be found online at
http://www.lifeway.com/facts.asp.
Polly House, editor; Katie Shull, graphic designer; Shirley Richard-
son, assistant editor; Brandy Campbell, Mandy Crow, Sara Horn,
Bobby Welch flies a
million miles to tell
others about FAITH
Bobby Welch, pastor of First Baptist Church,
Daytona Beach, Fla., prays for the pastors
attending the National FAITH Institute. Facts & Trends
PHOTO BY KENT HARVILLE
4
FAITH
“If you are looking for a certain kind of people, who look a certain
kind of way, who drive a certain kind of car, you might not want to
do what we’ve done here at Daytona Beach. But if you want to just
cast out your net and catch any one who comes in, this will work.”
— Bobby Welch
ter of us being able to do that.”
I t takes some degree of trust for
anyone to fly these days, but
for Bobby Welch, a million-miler
Welch and Doug Williams
began developing what became
with Delta Sky Miles, it really FAITH more than 21 years ago
takes FAITH. at First Baptist. Williams, who
Welch is pastor of First Baptist now serves as a FAITH consul-
Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., tant with LifeWay, was on staff
and is the heart and soul behind with Welch at First Baptist for 17
the FAITH Sunday School Evan- years.
gelism Strategy. “We started with pure EE
Welch is willing to do all the (Evangelism Explosion) for sever-
travel to spread the news about al years, then said this won’t get
FAITH because, he said, he it,” Welch said. “Then we started
knows without a doubt that cannibalizing that and baptizing
FAITH works. it and got to what we called ES,
“There was never a day in my which is the essence of FAITH.
life I didn’t know that FAITH That was when we changed the
would work,” he said. “It’s complete outline and started
worked for 21 years and 42 se- over.” The result was the book,
mesters here at my church.” “Evangelism Through the Sun-
day School: A Journey of
FAITH is a strategy that com-
FAITH,” published by LifeWay
bines evangelism and Sunday
in 1997. That set the stage for all
school. It originated at First Bap-
the succeeding FAITH resources.
tist, Daytona Beach, and was in-
troduced to Southern Baptists Welch said that Williams is still
five years ago by LifeWay Christ- heavily involved in FAITH train-
ian Resources. ing: “He stays on the road all the
time. I think he has done some
In FAITH, teams of three peo-
70-odd clinics. He knows that
ple go visit people and share their
book by heart. He is a (FAITH)
PHOTOS BY KENT HARVILLE
faith with them. Visits can be
mechanic.”
evangelical in nature or may be
ministry visits to other church Welch said his friendship with
members. Williams has been one of the
“greatest blessings of my life. It
Welch called the past five years
about killed me when he left and
an “overwhelming blessing. We
retired to Alabama. It’s to Life-
have the potential to do twice as Above: Bill Page, pastor of Crittenden (Ky.) Baptist
Way’s credit that they brought Church takes notes during a clinic session.
much. I know we can train twice
him on as a consultant.” Below: LifeWay’s Shelby Smith, left, introduces
as many churches. It’s just a mat-
Craig Walker during the celebration time.
April 2003
5
Worldwide FAITH clinics
have been held in:
• Germany, New Zealand, Ecuador,
Venezuela, Japan, Brazil and Singa-
pore
Five-Year FAITH
Clinic Statistics
• Clinics held — 351
PHOTO BY KENT HARVILLE
• Time the gospel was
presented — 18,100
• Professions of faith — 4,181
• Prospects discovered — 3,581
Elden Cerveny, of Gulfview Grace Brethren Church in Port Richey, Fla., reports on his
Number of churches FAITH team’s visit to LifeWay’s James Walker during the celebration time at the National
involved in FAITH: FAITH Institute in Daytona Beach, Fla.
1998 — 1,428
1999 — 3,356 The act of going out and he said. “Well, I say just throw
2000 — 5,079 knocking on doors is key to those books in the road!”
2001 — 6,247 FAITH. Safety and fear issues, The road is something Welch
2002 — 6,834 gated communities and knows well. He is constantly
apartment complexes traveling, spreading the word
with no solicitation about FAITH and being an en-
policies present ob- courager to those learning
stacles to unan- about it.
nounced visits, but Each year LifeWay hosts four
according to National FAITH Institutes, as
CE G Welch, that isn’t
LE B RAT I N well as clinics at local churches,
the problem some where pastors and church mem-
people seem to bers can come to be trained in
think. the FAITH Sunday School
“It’s such a tragedy Evangelism Strategy. Welch at-
that there is this flow of tends all four national institutes
information saying to religious every year and about 10 of the
circles that knocking on doors clinics. On top of that, he does
won’t work,” Welch said. other speaking engagements
“FAITH flies in the face of that LifeWay arranges for him.
that. It does work. We are Then, he also speaks at all the
swimming against the tide awareness (informational) meet-
against pollsters who say visita- ings.
tion won’t work. “I average about three states a
“You keep reading all those week,” he said. He’s among the
books that say this won’t work,”
Facts & Trends
6
FAITH
FAITH Institute, Daytona Beach
Results from January 30, 2003
• Visits attempted — 1,249
• Visits completed — 543
• Time the gospel was
presented — 233
• Professions of faith — 79
• Enrolled in Sunday
PHOTO BY KENT HARVILLE
school — 53
• Prospects discovered — 294
Spanish language
Por Fe FAITH Institute,
Daytona Beach
David Fleming at First Baptist, Daytona Beach, baptized Simon Mollema during the
National FAITH Institute Jan. 27-31. Mollema and his wife, Alice, were brought into the Results from January 30, 2003
church through FAITH. (Six teams visited)
• Visits attempted — 20
few people in the country who God has blessed this church be-
• Visits completed — 16
are million milers with Delta cause of this.”
Airlines. • Time the gospel was
Welch attributes the church’s
presented — 12
How does Welch manage to willingness to let him do what
be pastor of a growing church he needs to do with FAITH to • Professions of faith — 9
and be so involved with the fact that most everyone at • Prospects discovered — 50
FAITH on the national level? First Baptist has a FAITH con-
He answers simply, “This is nection.
the work the Lord has given me “It would be hard to be in
to do.” His church understands this church and not have your
this. life affected in
To find out more, call some way by
“As surely as the toll-free FAITH
we send 16 FAITH,” he
information line at said. “It’s hard to
missionary (877) 324-8498 or go to
teams out over- www.lifeway.com/faith. not see how
seas from this FAITH has af-
church, they see me going out fected your kids,
to the mission field,” Welch your husband, someone you
said. “Without this church see- work with, someone you like,
ing this as a Kingdom work, I’d somebody you know, somebody
have had to have made a very you’re dating. There are so
hard choice long ago. I’d have many tentacles that are so wide-
had to make the choice be- spread. It would be hard not to
tween the church and this, but be appreciative of how God has
I didn’t have to do that. I think used it.”
April 2003
7
FAITH
Georgia church with 5 members
saw success, growth with FAITH
A Georgia church with five members Bible School] in the summer. They are
has seen success and more than 400 per- ready to start their fourth semester of
cent growth using the FAITH Sunday FAITH.”
School Evangelism Strategy. Owensby said his intention as interim
Bethel Baptist Church in West was to take them through FAITH and get
Point, Ga., was about to “lock its them ready, then to lead them to call a
doors” two years ago with just new pastor -- one who was already
five members left, said Tom FAITH trained or at least ready to go
Owensby, a vocational evangelist through the training.
from LaGrange, Ga. As the church grew and became more
“I got a call from the director stable, they were ready to call a pastor.
PHOTO BY KENT HARVILLE
of missions asking if I would be They called Kenneth Cole -- who was
willing to come in for about six trained in FAITH -- as pastor. He is there
months and see if I could help,” now, still leading the church in FAITH.
he said. “I’m in evangelism full “People try to say that FAITH won’t
time and hadn’t served as an in- work in little churches, but that’s just not
Tom Owensby, a
terim pastor before, but I said I true,” said Owensby. “It will work any-
vocational evangelist would see what I could do.” where a pastor will lead and the people
from LaGrange, Ga. Owensby, who had gone through will follow.
FAITH Sunday school evangelism train- “FAITH is a tremendous ministry. You
ing, decided he had nothing to lose by can’t beat it. FAITH gives the pastor a
trying FAITH at Bethel. tool to put in the hands of laypeople to
“There were three ladies at the church help them boldly and courageously go out
who were determined the church was not and share their faith,” he said.
going to close and they agreed to go Owensby, who is now serving as interim
through the FAITH training,” he said. at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Butler,
“I led them through the 16 weeks and Ga., and about 400 other people attend-
they were faithful. Once a week I would ed the National FAITH Institute in Day-
take two of the ladies and my wife would tona Beach, Fla., Jan. 27-31, sponsored by
go with the other one,” Owensby said. LifeWay.
“The ladies were a little shy, but they FAITH is a strategy that combines evan-
went out every week. We were quite a site gelism and Sunday school. It originated at
walking down the busy highway with cars First Baptist, Daytona Beach, and was in-
whooshing by us doing those FAITH sur- troduced to Southern Baptists five years
veys.” ago by LifeWay.
But they visited, shared, took FAITH To learn more, contact Owensby at
opinion polls and the church began to motivational@mindspring.com. To find
grow. out more about the FAITH Sunday
Now, more than a year later, Bethel School Evangelism Strategy, go to
Baptist Church runs between 40 and 50 www.lifeway.com/faith, or call the toll-free
in church, Owensby said. “Now they have FAITH information line at (877) 324-
a choir and ushers. They are financially 8498.
sound. They have youth and children’s
programs going. They do VBS [Vacation
Facts & Trends
8
Church
Administration
Are you ready for disaster?
These 10 tips can help your church be
prepared in the event of an emergency
By Brooks Faulkner
I f a major tragedy or act of violence occurred in your community, would your church be prepared to re-
spond? Could you mobilize quickly to respond to the needs? Here are a few practical suggestions for
putting together a thorough, practical response to a major emergency in your community.
1. Mobilize a team that will be responsible for contacting
appropriate federal, state and local authorities.
This team should have no more than five people. Team members
should carry these phone numbers with them at all times.
2. Appoint one person to contact your senator or representative to
request guidance in obtaining federal assistance.
3. Appoint one person to contact local ministerial association lead-
ers, who in turn will contact appropriate ministers, chaplains and
counselors competent and willing to serve in an emergency.
4. Make plans within your church or in conjunction with other area
churches for possible disaster relief assistance.
Several years ago when forest fires were raging near LifeWay’s Glo-
rieta Conference Center near Santa Fe, N.M., Glorieta took care of
more than 200 families. This required the provision of basic needs
such as beds, food and children’s games.
5. Prepare identification badges in advance to help team members
identify who should have immediate access to a disaster scene.
6. Determine counseling areas in advance.
7. Prepare a communications response that includes hospitals
and first responder medical teams and list the contact people
ahead of time.
The fewer people in the communications link, the quicker
the response.
8. Identify fire department, rescue units and other local emergency
units.
9. Set up a command post to coordinate communication and allot
resources for the emergency.
10. Make listening a priority; advice is cheap.
Encouragement should be honest. Hope is the basic need. Reality
will be ballistic. Calm is needed.
Brooks Faulkner is a senior pastoral ministry specialist in LifeWay’s pas-
toral ministries department.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BAPTIST PRESS
April 2003
9
Bible helps are just a click away
Russ Mitchell, a senior Christian
studies major at Union University
in Jackson, Tenn., found the Bible
Reference Library beneficial and
time saving. "The translation
comparisons and reference dictio-
naries speed my preparation time
for classes and my work with
weekend ministry teams.”
LifeWay’s on-line Bible Reference Library
http://bible.lifeway.com/crossmain.asp
PHOTO BY JIM VENEMAN
Facts & Trends
10
Technology
By Brandy Campbell quality Bible reference materials. viewing any verse in any transla-
The online reference library is yet tion, users can simply click a but-
B ible study can be a daunting
task. Maybe you’re a new
Christian, and the sheer magni-
another way LifeWay continues to
provide biblical solutions for life
ton to reveal a window filled with
cross references to other places in
tude of the Scriptures is intimi- online.” the books in the library where the
dating. Or maybe you’ve been a Powered by Epiphany software, particular passage being viewed is
churchgoer for years, but know the site contains the American mentioned or referred to. Imagine
little beyond what you learned on Standard Version, Holman Chris- how much time it would take a
the felt board in Sunday school. tian Standard Bible, King James person to go to a bookshelf, select
But what if, in a matter of min- Version, New American Standard each book and search that book
utes, you could take a Bible char- Bible, New King James Version for a reference to the passage they
acter, King David for example, and Young’s Literal Translation of are researching.”
and learn in what books he ap- the Bible. Designers of the site wanted to
pears (17 in the Old Testament, “LifeWay’s on-line Bible refer- make the library comprehensive
nine in the new), what his name ence library is a fully integrated, enough for preachers doing re-
means (Hebrew for “beloved”), Web-based application that makes search for sermons or Sunday
what he looked like (red-hair, it unbelievably easy for anyone school teachers preparing lessons,
beautiful eyes and fair skin), and with Internet access to search and while also making it a tool that
in short, the story of his life (harp study a rich library of Bible trans- laypeople will feel comfortable
playing, giant slaying, prophecy lations and Bible reference books using in daily Bible study.
fulfilling, war winning man after for free,” said Kendall. In the eight months that the
God’s own heart!). In addition to the six transla- reference library has been up and
With LifeWay’s on-line Bible tions of the Bible, the library also running, pastors, Sunday school
reference library, all that informa- contains abridged and unabridged leaders and laypeople have already
tion and more is just a mouse versions of Matthew Henry’s clas- expressed their satisfaction with
click away. The feature, which sic commentary notes, two devo- the tool.
can be found on LifeWay.com in tionals, three Bible dictionaries, Elizabeth Holden, a member of
the tools area, was added to the Strong’s concordance, Thomp- MacNeill Baptist Church in On-
site in conjunction with Beth son’s chain referencing and a cross tario, Canada, first used the li-
Moore’s online Bible study, “Be- referenced list of Bible prophecies brary for the “Believing God”
lieving God.” Since then, approx- linked to the passages that show study.
imately 410,000 users have visited their fulfillments. There are tools “I found this to be an excellent
the library, viewing more than for word study, which allows Bible study tool, especially for
five million pages. those without Greek or Hebrew looking up the meanings of the
“LifeWay’s vision statement training to understand the roots Greek words,” she said. “I have
clearly outlines the intent to pro- of words and subtle differences had no training in Greek, but
vide biblical solutions for life,” between the original language and that helped me to understand the
said Craig Kendall, manager of the English language. Users can words better, and allowed God to
LifeWay’s Web development choose to read books page by speak to my heart during the
team. “It wasn’t even a stretch to page, or perform word searches study. It was easier to have some-
realize the electronic application and cross-references. thing online that I could go to in
of that vision should include of- “One of the reasons we refer to looking up the references to
fering an online Bible library the library as fully integrated, is Scripture verses, rather than flip-
which provides the world with ac- the built-in and automatic cross ping through my Bible.”
cess to Bible translations and referencing,” said Kendall. “When
April 2003
11
This Macedonian call
led Texas workers
to Wisconsin ministry
Calvary Baptist Church pastor Dave Wedekind left a ministry
in Texas to begin new work in Wisconsin. He and his wife,
Jeanne, said they knew God was leading them north.
PHOTO BY KENT HARVILLE
Facts & Trends
12
Church
planting
By Rob Phillips plants go, according to Hansen, be- sin. The Minnesota-Wisconsin
cause Calvary immediately offered Baptist Convention and the North
I t was Dave Wedekind’s Mace-
donian call. The minister of mis-
sions at Birchman Baptist Church
a full slate of services – Sunday
school, discipleship training and
American Mission Board also pro-
vide funding and training. “Calvary
in Fort Worth, Texas, listened in- worship – and because Calvary had is blessed with a broad base of fi-
tently one Sunday as Dennis no sponsors. But it had a congrega- nancial and spiritual support,” said
Hansen, director of missions for tion in which nearly every member Hansen. “That’s key in a pioneer
the Bay Lakes Baptist Association had church-planting experience – mission area like this.”
in Wisconsin, challenged the Birch- including chairman of deacons Born in northern Illinois and
man congregation to “cross over … Robert Phillips, who helped start southern Wisconsin, respectively,
and help!” the first Southern Baptist church in Dave and Jeanne Wedekind under-
“It was a clear call from God,” northeastern Wisconsin nearly 50 stand the cultural challenges that
said Wedekind, who with his wife, years ago. face Southern Baptists in Wiscon-
Jeanne, had surrendered to the Support eventually came from a sin – a strong Catholic base, skepti-
ministry only a short time before. variety of sources, most notably cism of anything “southern,” and a
“We knew God was leading us Highland Crest Baptist Church in stubborn insistence that being a
north.” Green Bay, which became Calvary’s Christian is based on what you do,
To DePere, Wis., to be precise, sponsor and whose pas-
where the Wedekinds helped plant tor, Jim Downs, provid-
Calvary Baptist Church in 2001, ed mentoring and sup-
and where today they use LifeWay port. He and Wedekind
resources to reach out to a popula- continue to meet once a
tion of mostly northern European month. “Dave has a
descent, steeped in religious tradi- strong sense of call to be
tion but resistant to the gospel. here,” Downs said. “And
he has a committed wife.
In fact, the Minnesota-Wisconsin
Both of them are spiritu-
Baptist Convention, just 50 years
ally mature, and they’re
old, is still a pioneer mission area
self-starters. They know
with barely 150 Southern Baptist
what needs to be done,
churches. In Minnesota there are
and they do it.”
1,411 people for every Southern
Baptist, the highest ratio in the Financial support also
country, and staggering when com- comes from Birchman
pared to the 6-1 ratio in Alabama. Baptist, the Wedekinds’
“This is not missions for the faint former church, and from
PHOTO BY KENT HARVILLE
of heart,” said Bay Lakes’ Hansen. First Baptist Church of
Lake Jackson, Texas,
The Wedekinds and 15 others left
through a partnership
another Southern Baptist church in
program with the Baptist
Green Bay to plant Calvary Baptist
General Convention of
in June 2001. They began meeting
Texas, which supports
in the home of member Iris Buck- Jeanne Wedekind, right, visits with Pearl Sutton, who has come
dozens of churches in
ner, where they would stay for nine
Minnesota and Wiscon- from Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband to work alongside
months. It was unique as church the Wedekinds at Calvary.
April 2003
13
• Volunteer opportunities. Mrs.
Wedekind pitches in at a local hospital,
and Dave serves as chaplain for the De-
Pere police and fire departments.
• Backyard Bible Clubs. LifeWay’s Back-
yard Bible Club curriculum is simple and
affordable. Calvary’s clubs have resulted in
17 decisions for Christ in two years –
PHOTO BY KENT HARVILLE
equal to one decision for every charter
member of the church.
• Community involvement. Last year,
Wedekind went to the Green Bay Plan-
ning Commission and asked if there were
people in the com-
Sunday school at Calvary
involves a lot of discussion.
“We’re not a big congregation, but we munity his church
Deacon Robert Phillips, upper understand that every life touches other could help. Home
center, has been a teacher for renovation and fix-up
many years. lives in a variety of ways each day.” projects resulted. The
— Dave Wedekind Wedekinds posted
not what you believe. As a result, South- signs as volunteer
ern Baptist churches in northeastern Wis- crews from Texas came to help: “This is a
consin average just 60 members – and partnership between Calvary Baptist
even that’s up from 20 members a decade Church and Birchman Baptist Church of
ago. Fort Worth, Texas,” raising the awareness
People don’t flock to Southern Baptist of Calvary’s outreach.
churches here, and that’s fine with the • Advertising. The Wedekinds placed a
Wedekinds. “God’s call to us is to win the large ad in the Yellow Pages – a big expen-
lost and disciple them,” Mrs. Wedekind diture for this small community church.
said. “It’s not so much getting them into And the church partnered with Gospel
your church, but going out and meeting Publishing to produce a bi-monthly evan-
them where they live.” This is where the gelistic newsletter to 3,500 homes in the
Wedekinds thrive and Calvary’s people church’s neighborhood. The newsletters
follow their lead. Specifically, the mem- feature information about Calvary as well
bers of Calvary use: as easy-to-read articles about faith in
• FAITH opinion polls. “LifeWay’s Christ.
FAITH training is a wonderful way to “We place a real emphasis on everybody
share Christ with our community, and the doing their part,” Wedekind said. “We’re
opinion surveys associated with FAITH not a big congregation, but we under-
give us a good opportunity to introduce stand that every life touches other lives in
ourselves to the community,” Mrs. a variety of ways each day.”
Wedekind said.
Facts & Trends
14
Church
planting
LifeWay products essential
to church planting efforts
D ave and Jeanne Wedekind of Calvary Bap-
tist Church, DePere, Wis., say LifeWay
Christian Resources is an indispensable partner
Calvary also took a step of faith in 2002 when it in church planting. Their LifeWay essentials
purchased a building in downtown DePere. The one- are:
time grocery store and meat market was being used by
another church, which closed its doors. Calvary’s small • The Family Bible Series for Sunday school.
membership was able to put down $35,000 – nearly “These are wonderful lessons,” Wedekind said,
all of it from its own church members. Birchman Bap- “and they provide a consistent, biblically sound
tist then provided additional funds for remodeling and curriculum for all ages.”
sent work crews to DePere. • www.lifeway.com. The Wedekinds order
Despite its small number, the church thinks big on church materials online, get ministry helps and
missions, pledging six percent of its budget to the Bay find out what’s new. They also used LifeWay
Lakes Baptist Association and 11 percent to the Coop- Link to develop Calvary’s own Web site.
erative Program. “Look what God has done for us,” • Undated Backyard Bible Club materials.
Wedekind said. “We have to keep investing where “These are simple to understand and easy to
God is working, and we can’t let ourselves get com- use,” says Mrs. Wedekind, “and they don’t cost
fortable.” a lot of money. We have hosted Backyard Bible
Looking toward the next year, Calvary wants to help Clubs in several neighborhoods – and in a park
start four other churches in northeastern Wisconsin. just down the street from our building.”
But, there is still work to do today. Right now, Cal- • Discipleship materials. Evening discipleship
vary’s members are in discussions with a startup con- classes at Calvary have featured “Experiencing
gregation of Hmong God” and “Sharing Jesus without Fear.” “It’s so
believers and working important that our people be grounded bibli-
with Hansen to enable cally and be challenged to grow in their walk
the southeast Asian be- with the Lord,” explained Wedekind, who
lievers to meet in their currently is leading Calvary members through
facilities. The effort fits a study of “The Baptist Faith & Message,”
their mission-minded published by LifeWay.
vision. • LifeWay music and drama materials.
“Our goal for this “We’re a small church that until recently
building,” Mrs. didn’t even have a piano,” Mrs. Wedekind
Wedekind said, “is for said, “but music and drama are such impor-
it to be used to God’s tant ways to involve our people in worship,
glory every day of the and the LifeWay materials allow us to use
week.” CDs and audio tapes to enhance our live
music capabilities.”
Dennis Hansen, director of • Free stuff. “LifeWay helped us get started
missions for the Bay Lakes by allowing us order our first quarter of mate-
Baptist Association, said mis- rials at no charge,” Mrs. Wedekind said.
sions in Wisconsin is not for
the faint of heart with its ratio
“What a blessing!”
of more than 1,000 people for
every Southern Baptist.
PHOTO BY KENT HARVILLE
April 2003
15
Prison
Ministry
Layman celebrates 30 years of teaching
LifeWay curriculum to prison inmates
liberation – forgiveness and redemp-
S unday afternoons in Packerland
are normally spent glued to the
television set or shoehorned into the
tion through faith in Jesus Christ.
“The biggest challenge is over-
hallowed confines of Lambeau coming the belief that God can’t –
Field, where boisterous cheeseheads or won’t – forgive them for what
venerate one of professional foot- they’ve done,” says Phillips. “It takes
ball’s most storied teams. But for time, patience and sharing the
more than 30 years, Robert Phillips Word of God without compromise.
has preferred another venue: the Unfortunately, so many inmates are
Green Bay Correctional Institution. exposed to watered down religion,
Phillips has spent every Sunday af- designed to make them feel good
ternoon since the Vince Lombardi about themselves, rather than the
era in this maximum security raw truth of Scripture that leads to
prison, teaching the Bible. Scores of redemption – and that’s what they
inmates have been won to Christ. really need.”
Dozens more are on the waiting list Phillips is prohibited from bring-
to get into his class. One inmate ing literature into the prison, except
softly calls him “a legend around for his Bible, but he always teaches
here.” The 79-year-old layman just the same LifeWay curriculum he
calls himself “fortunate to be serving uses to lead his Sunday school class
the Lord.” at church. He’s currently using the
Calvary deacon Robert Phillips, left, has been
going to prison every Sunday for more than 30 Phillips, a deacon at Calvary Bap- Family Bible Study series.
years to minister to inmates. Prison chaplain tist Church in DePere, Wis., got his The questions come hard and fast
Mike Donovan, center, and pastor Dave first exposure to prison life in the – about capital punishment, for-
Wedekind lend support to Phillips’ work. late 1960s while servicing the facili- giveness, baptism, eternal security,
ty’s heating and air conditioning judgment and a host of other doc-
systems. He struck up a friendship trinal issues. Phillips encourages,
with the chaplain, who was having prods, challenges and corrects, al-
trouble answering inmates’ ques- ways careful to build up his fellow
tions about non-Catholic doctrinal believers in their faith.
issues. The chaplain invited Phillips No one in class today was there
to help him, and he did so well the 30 years ago, when Phillips began.
chaplain turned the class over to Most have been transferred to other
him. He’s been teaching ever since. institutions. Some have died in
The inmates come into the class- prison; others have been released.
“Some of these men room single file, 15 in all – convict- Follow-up is difficult because the
ed murderers, child molesters, state shares little information about
will never see freedom, armed robbers – all of them now its inmates. “Some of these men will
professing faith in Christ. They never see freedom,” says Phillips,
but they are determined greet Phillips with a handshake, an “but they are determined to be used
to be used by God embrace and a warm, “Brother by God wherever they are.”
Bob.” While the afternoon sun may That’s what brings Phillips back
wherever they are.” stream through the barred windows, every week, and keeps the waiting
— Phillips reminding them they are captives, list long.
Phillips’ message is always one of
Facts & Trends
16
Ministry
Milestone
Camp Ridgecrest celebrates
75 years of ministry and fun
By Mandy Crow
I n 1929 when most of the country was
dealing with the onset of the Great De-
pression, Southern Baptists had reason to
celebrate! That was the year they banded
together to offer a new, and different,
kind of ministry – Camp Ridgecrest.
The camp celebrates its 75th summer
this year with a little pomp and circum-
stance, including an anniversary celebra-
PHOTO BY POLLY HOUSE
tion weekend in late July, sponsored by
Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends.
More than 200 alumni are expected to at-
tend.
“Camp Ridgecrest began operating in
1929 as a two-week trial session,” said “I was at the 50th and 60th anniversary Strong friendships are formed
Ron Springs, camp director. “It was so celebrations, and I remember just listen- at Camp Ridgecrest among the
successful that they immediately began ing to all the memories and experiences campers. This group of guys
planning for the 1930 season. Many of others share,” he said. “These folks were from the Sioux tribe spent days
our camp families have made Camp the doctors, lawyers, teachers, ministers together hiking and camping
Ridgecrest a family tradition, with second on mountain trails. These
and others who were shaping our genera- young men follow thousands of
and third generations now attending.” tions. I remember thinking what an awe- others who look back at their
That tradition is also true for Springs, some privilege it was to be a part of a camp experience as pivotal in
who began working at the camp as a place where God was molding the lives of their Christian growth.
counselor 27 years ago. He spent his first not only present generations, but those to
summer at Camp Ridgecrest in Cabin 1, come. I’m praying that God will allow me
leading a group of boys that included to be a part of the 100th celebration.”
Brad Johnson, now starting quarterback Trey Davis, a former camper and staffer,
for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this year’s now attending Wake Forest Divinity
Superbowl champions. “He was a seven- School, describes the 75th anniversary as a
year-old in Cabin 1, where I was the “big deal.”
counselor,” Springs recalled.
“My grandfather was a camper there in
“It’s great for me to see campers attend- the 1930s and ‘40s, and my father was a
ing camp now whose fathers or mothers staffer in the 70s,” he said. “It’s the only
were campers at our camps when I first place that each of the past three genera-
started here,” Springs said. “We have even tions of my family has spent meaningful
had campers whose grandparents were time. As I grow older and more removed
campers or on staff in the past.” from my parents, it’s so reassuring to have
Chris Shirley, associate pastor at Wedg- things that we can share. Ridgecrest fits
wood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, with who I am. It helps define me.”
Texas, a former camper, staffer and associ- According to Springs, Camp Ridgecrest
ate director of the camp, knows the im- for Boys and its sister camp, Camp Cre-
portance of the milestone anniversary. stridge for Girls, are designed to provide
April 2003
17
children, and what a tremendous respon-
sibility we have to share Christ’s love with
each child that attends.”
Springs sees Camp Ridgecrest’s responsi-
bility to share the gospel, along with its
“Our goal is to show our campers that you can live a dedication to fun, extending far into the
future.
Christian life and have fun at the same time.” “Kids are rushed around all year long in
— Ron Springs, Camp Director today’s world, and rarely have time to just
campers ages 7 to 16 with a safe and fun- be kids,” he said. “Camp Ridgecrest and
filled atmosphere that glorifies Christ. Camp Crestridge offer campers the op-
“Our goal is to show our campers that portunity to just have fun and be a kid,
you can live a Christian life and have fun without the stresses of school, home and a
at the same time,” Springs said. “Our staff busy schedule. While our program is
members are Christian role models for the structured and we have many activities
boys and girls that attend.” going on, we feel we offer a non-stressful,
fun, exciting atmosphere.”
Approximately 1,200 campers partici-
pate in the camps each summer, most For Davis, those exciting days at Camp
from the Southeast. Almost 40 percent of Ridgecrest won’t be soon forgotten. Be-
the campers come from Florida. Campers sides attributing his ability to interact and
attend two-, four-, six- or eight-week ses- work well with other people to his experi-
sions and participate in a variety of activi- ences at the summer camp, Davis also de-
ties, including horseback riding, archery, cided to ask Christ into his life while at
soccer, swimming, canoeing, weight lift- Camp Ridgecrest.
ing, rock climbing, mountain biking, bas- “Ridgecrest is where I decided formally
ketball, softball, tennis and other sports. to become a Christian, when I was a
While sports and fun may be part of the camper in cabin nine,” he said. “It had
Camp Ridgecrest agenda, Springs said the been a pretty shaky summer for me, but
staff ’s foremost goal throughout the years the words of the staff were so alive and so
has been to share the gospel. real that I felt them inside me for the first
time. … In an age when families move
“One striking moment for me in the around a lot and don’t have ties to a com-
last few years was when a camper from munity or a church beyond the nuclear
1930s came up to camp to look around,” family, it’s nice to have a place like that.”
he said. “He had not been to camp since
then, and shared with me how much And that’s sure to go down in the histo-
camp had meant in his life. ry books.
“We went into the Lake Lodge, where
all the camp pictures from the various For more information about Camp
years hang, and he found the one he was Ridgecrest and Camp Crestridge, go to
in. After 60-plus years, he still remem- www.ridgecrestcamps.com, or contact
bered the name of his counselor. It was an Camp Director Ron Springs at
amazing moment, and one that reminded ron.springs@lifeway.com.
me what an impression we make on these
Facts & Trends
18
Pastoral
Ministry
Protect yourself during grief ministry
These tips can help pastors minister to people who are grieving
By Dallas Speight • Do I tend to ignore or spiritual- may vary from loss to loss.
ize the losses in my life or those in
M inistry to people who are
grieving is not unusual for
the pastor. It seems to come with
my immediate family?
• Do I allow myself and members
Be aware that grief is cyclical.
Unlike many experiences in life,
the territory. Although it is a part grief is cyclical and not linear. Be-
of my family to grieve their losses?
of the pastor’s work, it is often spir- cause of this process it is not un-
Failure to cope with loss issues in common to experience a repetition
itually and emotionally demanding one’s life can become obstacles to
and draining. of emotions within the period of
healthy functioning and a compas- healing. For example, some may ex-
Many are familiar with the stages sionate heart with caring for others. perience a variety of emotions more
of grief and the process of healing, than once. These include anger,
but seldom take into account the Be aware of the
relationship to the loss. sadness and depression during the
important work of taking care of time of healing. It is important to
self in the process of this important In my opinion, the most helpful
theory regarding loss has to do with give yourself the necessary time to
ministry. grow through these varied experi-
Here are suggestions for pastors the intensity and the relationship to
the loss. In other words, you may ences during the grief process.
when ministering to someone expe-
riencing grief. experience the loss of a family Be patient with yourself.
member, yet feel little sadness. It You, as a pastor, have a great and
Be aware of grief issues could be that you had little emo- awesome ministry in helping others
in your own life and ministry. tional investment in this relation- in times of their grief. However, the
Death is far too often the image ship besides the fact that you were most effective caregivers are those
that one considers when thinking related. who have walked similar paths and
about grief; however, there are ad- On the other hand, a close pastor understand first hand the pain of
ditional grief issues in our lives. friend may die and you find your- the loss, but also the victory that
Some issues you might also consid- self emotionally distraught. In the comes in healing.
er: relocating from one ministry lo- latter situation, you may experience May the words of the Apostle
cation to another; adjusting to new a greater level of sadness and de- Paul serve as a reminder to you and
schools and friends; loss of close spair than when a family member those you are called to serve, “We
friendships; loss of a family pet and passed. For the pastor friend has do not want you to be uninformed,
loss of a dream. Take time to think been just that; he has been one brothers, concerning those who are
about the losses within your family. who “stuck closer than a brother.” asleep, so that you will not grieve
Be aware of unresolved grief issues He has also been one with whom like the rest, who have no hope.” I
in your life and ministry. you had traveled the path of min- Thessalonians 4:13 (HCSB®)
istry together since seminary days.
There are a significant number of You will miss the brief visits togeth-
losses that each family will face er on the telephone and the occa- Dallas Speight
from time to time. Additionally, sional humorous e-mail. Thus, it is is LeaderCare
there are unresolved losses that can important to remember that you retreat counselor
create difficulties. Though it might and I will experience a number of in LifeWay’s
seem like a minor loss, little losses losses, but with significantly differ- pastoral ministries
often add up and cause distress in ent levels of relationship. Because department.
all our lives. Take inventory by ask- of those relationships the level of He can be reached
ing yourself the following ques- our grief and the period of healing at dallas.speight
tions: @lifeway.com.
Facts & Trends
19
At last …
LifeWay products affordable
to our Canadian neighbors
By Brandy Campbell issues have been pricing, convenience and
“HomeLife” magazine from www.life- prompt delivery. Up to now when
way.com: $1.22. Estimated shipping and churches ordered a church resource from
handling from Nashville to Canada: our customer service department, they
$7.10. International handling fee: $5.00. had to pay in U.S. dollars, wait for the
Estimated sales tax: $0.11. Estimated product to clear customs and pay high
total: $13.43, or shipping costs associ-
$20.54 Canadian. ated with small or-
Who would be ders.”
willing to pay more However, LifeWay
than 10 times the wasn’t ready to give
original amount for up, and neither was
a magazine, no Canada. So, after re-
matter how good it is? What about one searching possibili-
that more than likely will arrive well past ties, it was determined that the most ef-
its publication date? Until recently, Cana- fective, cost-efficient way to supply
dians had few options when ordering LifeWay products to Canada was to find a
products from LifeWay church resources. Canadian distributor.
Without a local distributor, customers Enter R.G. Mitchell Family Books, Inc.,
were forced to pay high tariffs and ship- a supplier of Christian and inspirational
ping charges for items that often took products to the Canadian market for
weeks to arrive after being tied up in nearly 70 years. Although R.G.
customs. Mitchell, located in Toronto, Ontario,
“For several years we have looked for had been partnering for several years
a solution to the problem of provid- with LifeWay International, and with
ing good service to our Canadian Broadman & Holman, the publishing
customers,” said Jim Cook, manag- arm of LifeWay, they were not yet
er of international sales at LifeWay distributing other LifeWay materials,
Christian Resources. “The main including dated Sunday school items.
Toronto, Ontario skyline
Facts & Trends
20
LifeWay Canada
“R.G. Mitchell was chosen for “We have about 190 Southern Benson went on to explain that al-
several reasons," said Steve Blount, Baptist churches in the Canadian though LifeWay is a stellar represen-
director, knowledge and channel convention,” said Cook. “This part- tative of Christian resources in the
management at LifeWay. “First, like nership will enable them, plus thou- United States, the presence in Cana-
us, they are a business that exists for sands of other churches, to have our da has not been as large because of
the purpose of ministry. Their LifeWay resources available to them, the difficulties in distribution.
prayer has always been that the as a support to their ministries.” “We feel the timing is perfect to
products they distribute will touch Warren Benson, director of suppli- spread the recognition of LifeWay
people throughout Canada and er development at R.G. Mitchell, Canada,” said Benson. “We are ex-
leave an indelible imprint of God’s was equally excited about the part- cited to be able to bring respectable,
love on their lives. nership with LifeWay. quality resources to the Canadian
“Working with R.G. Mitchell will “The strength of our two organi- market.”
allow us to have higher customer zations working together will cer- LifeWay Christian Resources has
satisfaction in Canada than at any tainly be superior to trying to work continued to offer support to Life-
time in the past decade,” added separately,” said Benson. “LifeWay Way Canada, sending experts to
Blount. “Greater use of our re- Canada will undoubtedly help us Ontario, as well as hosting R.G.
sources will impact kingdom growth from a pricing standpoint, and our Mitchell representatives at LifeWay’s
and ministry expansion in Canada.” customers will not have to do men- headquarters in Nashville, Tenn.,
R.G. Mitchell will operate a new tal gymnastics when placing orders. where they were able to learn about
unit under the banner of LifeWay “More importantly, it is a tremen- LifeWay products and go through
Canada, Cook said. As LifeWay’s dous support to be able to work customer service training.
exclusive representative in Canada, with a strong partner who has the “It is not often that LifeWay gets
it has hired telephone customer ser- same vision,” continued Benson. the opportunity to partner with an-
vice representatives and consultants “We are not only expanding prod- other company whose core values
who will be representing all of Life- ucts, but also transferring a business mirror so closely those that we have
Way’s church resources products to model, including systems, computer at LifeWay,” said Cook. “We believe
the Canadian churches and individ- issues and logistics. The only word we’ve found one in R.G. Mitchell.”
uals. to describe what is going on is awe-
some!”
April 2003
GETTY IMAGES
21
LifeWay holding ground despite sluggish economy
• The inclusion of Scripture from the
L ifeWay stands to see an in-
crease in overall revenue for
2003, Ted Warren, LifeWay’s
Holman Christian Standard Bible® into
all Sunday school curriculum by the fall
executive vice president and of 2003. The King James Version will
chief operating officer, told still be available in selected curriculum
trustees during their semian- lines.
nual meeting Feb. 10-11 in
B&H on schedule
Nashville.
with Holman CSB®
He added, however, that first
Ken Stephens, vice president of Broad-
quarter revenues were down
PHOTO BY KENT HARVILLE
man & Holman Publishing division, told
across the board within Life-
trustees the Holman Christian Standard
Way’s business units due to the
Bible® is progressing on schedule.
sluggish national economy.
“The entire Old Testament is all the
The international depart-
way through the third and final draft,
ment was especially hard hit,
and the final manuscript is due July 1,”
Ted Warren, LifeWay’s execu- said Warren, with revenues deeply affect-
tive vice president and chief
he said. “The completed Bible will be
ed by the continuing economic crises
operating officer, addresses available in April 2004.”
throughout many countries in South
LifeWay trustees during their
semiannual meeting.
America. Retail division reports
“Companies have been searching for strong holiday sales
years for ways to deal with the fluctua- Mark Scott, vice president of the Life-
tion in foreign economies and that is one Way Christian Stores division, reported
of the challenges we face as well,” War- that despite a national economic slow-
ren said. down, the stores achieved a solid perfor-
mance in the first quarter of 2003.
Trustees approve price increase
Christmas sales were strong in spite of
in Sunday school curriculum
the fact the holiday season was billed as
Trustees approved a recommendation one of the worst in 32 years for retailers.
to increase by as much as 3.7 percent the
The number of LifeWay stores has
price of all dated and undated Sunday
reached 115 with two more planned in
school curriculum, effective in the spring
2003.
of 2004. The actual price and percentage
increase, if any, will be determined dur- Corporate affairs highlights
ing budgeting this summer. conference centers, capital
Gene Mims, vice president of the resource development
church resources division, cited increased Mike Arrington, corporate affairs divi-
production costs and unit declines as the sion vice president, reported that a com-
reasons for a possible rate increase. mittee is continuing to study water avail-
Mims reported church resource divi- ability for a proposed land development
sion highlights of 2002, including: project at the LifeWay Glorieta Confer-
ence Center near Santa Fe, N.M.
• Vacation Bible School growth in sales
and impact. Attendance at both Ridgecrest and
Glorieta conference center should in-
• Success with a new Beth Moore In-
crease when renovations are completed,
ternet study, “Believing God.”
Arrington said. Improvements include
Facts & Trends
22
LifeWay
completion of year-round youth professions of faith. International department
facilities and multi-level meeting Carter said LifeWay is working forges partnerships
spaces at Glorieta. to alert churches and Southern in Brazil and Canada
Web use increases; first-time Baptist organizations about the Luis Aranguren, director of
visitors to Lifeway.com significant savings available LifeWay’s international depart-
on the rise through the newly named South- ment, said in 2002 his co-workers
ern Baptist Purchasing Alliance sponsored 549 leadership work-
Tim Vineyard, vice president of
(SBPA). shops that trained 57,428 pastors
the technology division, said
Formerly known as the Cooper- and leaders in 4,811 local church-
more than 7.6 million Web user
ative Purchasing Agreement, the es from 50 different denomina-
sessions were recorded in the first
SBPA utilizes SBC entities’ rela- tions. He said LifeWay now has
quarter of 2003, a growth of 156
tionships with several large com- publishing partnerships with two
percent from the previous quarter.
panies, including Microsoft, Dell countries, Brazil and Canada.
He said 350,000 of those were
first-time users of the newly re- and Toshiba, to provide high- Officers elected
designed lifeway.com site. quality software, hardware, equip-
Trustees re-elected George
ment, furniture and supplies to
LifeWay mission trips impact Iwahiro, a layman and retired
Southern Baptist churches and
lives around the world utility executive from Honolulu,
members at discounted rates.
as chairman. They also elected
Jim Carter, vice president of the Since its inception in 1998, the Roger Willmore, pastor of First
finance and business services divi- SBPA has saved Southern Baptist Baptist Church, Boaz, Ala., as
sion, reported 98 people partici- entities about $13 million, Carter vice chairman, and re-elected Tim
pated in nine LifeWay-sponsored said. Marrow, pastor of Taylor Ranch
evangelistic trips in 2002, result-
Baptist Church, Albuquerque,
ing in 18 church starts and 8,770
N.M., as recording secretary.
ad removed, intentionally left blank
This & That
briefs on a variety of subjects
Marriage Impact conferences
set for Glorieta, Ridgecrest
L ifeWay’s Glorieta Conference
Center near Santa Fe, N.M.,
and Ridgecrest Conference Center
near Asheville, N.C., will host Mar-
riage Impact 2003, an “extreme ad-
venture” that combines outdoor ad-
ventures with Bible study and
worship. About 250 couples are ex- PHOTO BY KENT HARVILLE
pected to attend the May 23-25 re-
treats.
“Marriage Impact
is designed to help
couples get out of
the rut of daily liv-
ing by combining Ministry Multipliers
high adventure Bob and Larue McDaniel, members of City Church in Oklahoma City, were among
with meaningful 109 people who attended the Ministry Multipliers conference sponsored by LifeWay
Clay Crosse
worship,” said Christian Resources’ church resources division Jan. 21-23, 2003.
Brian Daniel, na- The McDaniels and other conference participants represent the “best of the best” of peo-
tional sales and ple who, while not being LifeWay employees, lead LifeWay church resources division-
event planner for sponsored training events around the country, according to Tom McMinn, leader devel-
LifeWay confer- opment specialist in LifeWay’s church leadership training area.
ence centers. These ministry multipliers are an enlisted group of trained people from local churches
“In addition to with expertise in a specific ministry area. LifeWay has seen in them a passion to effec-
enjoying nationally tively model and communicate their particular area of interest.
known Christian NBC’s sitcom “Facts of Life,” and Ridgecrest event.
Jeff and Joy Earle speakers and musi- her husband, Steve, an associate For more information go to
cians, couples will pastor, will lead the Bible study www.lifeway.com and click on the
have opportunities portion of Marriage Impact at Glo- conference centers tab or e-mail
to spend time to- rieta. debbie.carter@lifeway.com.
gether enjoying Clay Crosse, 1995 Dove Award
outdoor activities Male Vocalist of the Year, will lead Art of LifeWay
that include rock praise and worship Friday night now in Cambodia
climbing, hiking, and Saturday at Glorieta.
rafting, rappelling, Clyde Kakiuchi, leadership devel-
Lisa Whelchel- tennis, volleyball At Ridgecrest, nationally known opment director for the Hawaii Pa-
Cauble and miniature husband and wife speakers Jeff and cific Baptist Convention, contacted
golf,” Daniel Joy Earle will combine humor, LifeWay when he learned about
added. music, drama and biblical teaching The Art of LifeWay, a new collec-
to help couples strengthen and en- tion of biblical illustrations based
Former actress rich their marriages.
Lisa Whelchel- on the life of Christ.
Cauble, best Steve Wiggins, former frontman Kakiuchi was about to leave on a
known for her role for the Grammy-nominated group mission trip for Cambodia, and he
as Blair Warner on Big Tent Revival, and now solo was anxious to take some of the il-
Steve Wiggins artist, will lead the music at the
Facts & Trends
24
This & That
briefs on a variety of subjects
lustrations with him. He got his Kakiuchi said he
wish. left pictures at vari-
Gary McClure, e-business mar- ous villages and one
keting manager, said with the help orphanage.
of the Lebanon warehouse, he was “The pastor at the
able to get three copies each of five orphanage was over-
prints to Kakiuchi before he left on whelmed and began
his mission trip. crying,” Kakiuchi
“If pictures speak a thousand wrote. “He couldn’t
words, then we are sitting on a gold stop thanking me.
mine,” Kakiuchi told McClure. In two villages, over
In a note to LifeWay President 50 people in each
James T. Draper Jr., Kakiuchi village invited Christ
thanked LifeWay: in their lives as Lord
and Savior. The har-
“On behalf of the Cambodian vest is ripe.”
people, I want to thank you for In December, church leaders in Cambodian villages used Art of
your gift of LifeWay art to churches McClure said,
in remote villages outside of “What a joy to see LifeWay prints as vivid illustrations of the nativity story.
Phnom Penh. It made a huge dif- how God can use
Framed and unframed prints can
ference in presenting the gospel by these beautiful illustrations to have
be purchased online at
using pictures. The children’s eyes such a dramatic, immediate impact.
www.lifeway.com/art.
were glued to the pictures as the And better yet, to bless people of a
Christmas story was being told.” third world country on the other
side of the globe.”
ad removed, intentionally left blank
April 2003
25
New For more information or to place an order, call (800) 458-2772, or visit us on the Web at www.lifeway.com.
just released from LifeWay Lifeway Christian Store customers can call (800) 233-1123, or go to www.lifewaystores.com.
Broadman & Holman enough of real-life to connect B&H product # 0-8054-2732- wider paths. Paperback, B&H
with every reader, but at the 5; “Bible Promises for Dad,” product # 0-8054-2699-X,
Trade Books same time deliver lessons of B&H product # 0-8054-2733- $12.99
faith and hope. Printed hard- 3; “Bible Promises for the
■ “A Heart Like His” cover, “Rest Stops for Busy Graduate,” B&H product # 0-
by Beth Moore Moms,” B&H product # 0- 8054-2741-4; “Bible Promises
This book, originally released 8054-2667-1; “Rest Stops for for My Teacher,” B&H prod-
in 1998 by B&H, has received Teachers,” B&H product # 0- uct # 0-8054-2734-1, $3.99
a new jacket 8054-2670-1, $12.99 each each
design. In this
in-depth look ■ “Worldwide Guide to ■ “Welcome to Fred”
at the life of Homeschooling, by Brad Whittington
David, Beth 2003-2004” In 1968 Mark arrives in
Moore draws by Brian Ray Fred, Texas, from Fort Worth
spiritual This book presents a via a brief stay in
insight and quick reference analy- Ohio. He has
understanding sis of the status of followed his
from a man homeschooling father who is
who slew a worldwide, with a pastor to a 100-
giant and saved a kingdom. focus on the United member church
Hardcover, B&H product # 0- States. Written for a in this simple
town of simple
■ “Volume 1,
8054-2035-5, $19.99 broad audience, this Parent/Teacher
book offers clearly dis- people. Mark
■ “Praying God's Word” tilled facts, statistics, must find who he Handbook: Teaching
by Beth Moore general information, is in this town Younger Children
A CBA best seller since its and personal profiles with which he Everything They Need
release in 2000, “Praying God's of homeschoolers. Paperback, seems to have so to Know About the
Word” is a topical prayer guide B&H product # 0-8054-2598- little in common. In this jour- Bible”
addressing 14 strongholds and 5, $10.99 ney he finds more than him-
self; he finds faith. Paperback, ■ “Volume 2,
what Scripture reveals about
■ “Bible Promises for B&H product # 0-8054-2555- Parent/Teacher
each issue. The book is now re-
released in a new, boxed leather Mom” 1, $12.99 Handbook: Teaching
edition and is perfect for gifts Younger Children
and/or presentations. Leather ■ “Bible Promises for ■ “The Next Roundup” Everything They Need
with ribbon marker, B&H Dad” (Fortunes of the Black to Know About Their
product # 0-8054- Hills, Book 6) Christian Heritage”
■ “Bible Promises for
2760-0, $19.97 by Stephen Bly by Edward Buchanan
the Graduate”
The saga of the Fortune fam- Growing out of a conviction
■ “Rest Stops for ■ “Bible ily doesn't come to a close but that we need to provide our
Busy Moms” Promises for instead turns another corner in children with a greater under-
■ “Rest Stops My Teacher” this final installment of standing of our Christian her-
These are new Stephen Bly's Western epic. As itage and the Bible, Edward
for Teachers” the weight of all the Fortune Buchanan has authored two
Bible promise books
by Susan Titus released just in time family tradition, histo- educational
Osborn for the annual spring ry and faith bears resources that are
Christian per- holidays and special down upon the next both educational-
spective, humor occasions. Each book generation of ly and biblically
and “been-there features up to 20 chap- Fortunes, some of sound. Paperback,
understanding” ters of topical verses, them bear the legacy “Volume 1,” B&H
come together in designed to encourage well and some fail product # 0-8054-
this pair of light- the reader directly miserably. Some trust 2711-2; “Volume
reading gift books. from God's Word. in God faithfully and 2,” B&H product
These stories and Paperback, “Bible others will wander # 0-8054-9397-2,
reflections capture Promises for Mom,” down the wilder and $14.99 each
Facts & Trends
26
For more information or to place an order, call (800) 458-2772, or visit us on the Web at www.lifeway.com. New
Lifeway Christian Store customers can call (800) 233-1123, or go to www.lifewaystores.com. just released from LifeWay
Broadman & Holman Broadman & Holman 8054-3956-0; “Walk through of Ancient Palestine Map,”
the Valley Bulletin,” B&H B&H product # 0-8054-3959-
Bible Products Church Supplies product # 0-8054-3947-1; 5; “Paul's Missionary Journeys
“Welcome Pew Card,” B&H Map,” B&H product # 0-
■ “UltraTrim New ■ “Father’s Day Church product # 0-8054-3926-9; 8054-3960-9; “Books of the
Testament with Psalms and Bulletins” “Welcome Hallelujah Pew Bible Chart,” B&H product
Proverbs” -- Designer “Father’s Day Leadership Card,” B&H product # 0- # 0-8054-3964-1; “Prophets &
Color Series Bulletin,” B&H product # 0- 8054-3930-7. Bulletins, Other Leaders Chart,” B&H
A perfect gift for Mother's 8054-3943-9; “Honor Our shrink-wrapped package of product # 0-8054-3963-3;
Day or graduation -- now the Fathers Bulletin,” B&H prod- 100, $7.50; Pew cards, shrink- “Modern States and the
Holman Christian Standard uct # 0-8054-3942-0, Shrink- wrapped package of 50, $4.99 Ancient Near East Map,”
Bible New wrapped package of B&H product # 0-8054-3962-
Testament with 100, $7.50 5; “Ministry of Jesus Map,”
Psalms and B&H product # 0-8054-3961-
Proverbs is available ■ “Special Occasion 7, $10.99 each
in three stylish col- Bulletins”
ors. This narrow “Graduation -- LifeWay Church
trim size is conve- Believe, Achieve,” Resources
nient and can be B&H product # 0-
carried anywhere. 8054-3940-4; “One
Nation Under God,”
■ “Intentional Influence:
It's about the size
and shape of a per- B&H product # 0- Investing Your Life
sonal checkbook. It fits easily 8054-3939-0; “No Greater Through Mentoring”
into any place where light- Love,” B&H product # 0- by Tim Elmore
weight portability is essential. 8054-3819-X; “Wedding, Your Encourage and equip college
Purple bonded leather, B&H Presence,” B&H product # 0- students to become Christian
product # 1-58640-041-X; 8054-3936-6; “His ■ “Attendance Charts” role models in a mentoring
Blue bonded leather, B&H Body Given for “Adam Names the relationship. This resource
product # 1-58640-039-8; Jade Us,” B&H prod- Animals,” B&H prod- deals with all aspects of men-
bonded leather, B&H product uct # 0-8054- uct # 0-8054-3957-9; toring-from defining what
# 1-58640-040-1, $12.99 each 3935-8; “Forever “Wonderfully Made,” mentoring is, recognizing
with the Lord,” B&H product # 0-8054- myths and stereotypes, match-
■ “Holman Old B&H product # 3948-X; “Bugs,” B&H ing mentors with mentees, the
Testament Commentary: 0-8054-3945-5; product # 0-8054-7579- rewards and challenges of men-
Genesis -- Volume 1” “Homecoming 6; “Creation,” B&H prod- toring, and more. “Intentional
Celebration,” uct # 0-8054-3949-8, Influence” is the third in a
by Kenneth O. Gangel and
B&H product $3.50 each series from this popular colle-
Stephen J. Bramer
# 0-8054-3946-3; giate speaker, all designed to
Genesis tells us clearly and ■ “Class Maps and Bible help develop Christian leaders
“Anniversary Celebration,”
simply who we are -- creatures Study Maps” on campus. May be used as
B&H product # 0-8054-3944-
made in the image of God who “Class Maps on Half- part of series or as stand-alone
7; “Church Dedication,” B&H
have disobeyed God and expe- Rounds,” B&H product # 0- study. Eight-sessions. LifeWay
product # 0-8054-3938-2;
rienced the consequences. In 8054-3924-2; “Class Maps on church resources # 0-6330-
“Woman's Day Proverbs,
this volume the authors Tripod,” B&H product # 0- 9940-6, $11.95
31:10,” B&H product # 0-
expound on the initiative God 8054-3925-0; “Bible Study
8054-3928-5; “Man of
took in bringing human beings Maps,” set of 8, B&H product Genevox Anthems
Integrity,” B&H product # 0-
back into a right relationship # 0-8054-3934-X. “Class
8054-3941-2. Shrink-wrapped
with Him. This commentary Maps,” set of 8 on half-rounds,
package of 100, $7.50
uses compelling illustrations $49.99; “Class Maps,” set of 8 ■ “By Faith”
and quotes, contains teaching ■ “General Worship on tripod, $92.99; “Bible Words and music by Kim Noblitt
plans and discussion starters Study Maps,” set of 8, $12.99 and Ed Kerr
and offers clear Bible exposi-
Bulletins and Pew
Cards” Arranged by Kim Noblitt and
tion and applications. Printed ■ “Wall Posters: Maps and Robert Elkins
hardcover, B&H product # 0- “The Good Shepherd
Bulletin,” B&H product # 0- Charts” In sound, it’s upbeat, rhyth-
8054-9461-8, $19.99 “Modern Political Division mic, and even a little Celtic. In
April 2003
27
New For more information or to place an order, call (800) 458-2772, or visit us on the Web at www.lifeway.com.
just released from LifeWay Lifeway Christian Store customers can call (800) 233-1123, or go to www.lifewaystores.com.
message, it’s truth! Based on sing, "Everything ■ “How Deep tracks, # 0-6330-8998-2,
Romans 10:17, this song from works together for the Father’s $19.98; Orchestration, # 0-
Kim Noblitt’s “You Saved Me” our good." Love for Us” 6330-8994-X, $54.95
proclaims that we are saved by SATB anthem, Words and music by
faith! # 0-6330-8985- ■ “Valley of the Shadow”
Stuart Townend
SATB anthem, # 0-6330- 0, $1.40; CD Words and music by Robbie
Arranged by J. Daniel
8987-7, $1.40; CD anthem anthem tracks, Hiner
Smith
tracks, # 0-6330-8982-6, # 0-6330-8981- This popular praise
Arranged by Russell Mauldin
$19.98; Orchestration, # 0- 8, $19.98; and worship hymn A haunting penny-whistle
6330-8984-2, $54.95 Orchestration, # beautifully expresses the introduction leads us into this
0-6330-8986-9, $54.95 sacrifice our Father made for truly poignant song. Written
■ “Cross for a Crown” by Robbie Hiner and recorded
us. Richly arranged for choir,
Words and music by Steve ■ “Freedom” by Old Time Gospel Quartet,
this selection from “Offerings
Amerson and Steve Wilkinson Words and music by Roger of Praise” will become one of “Valley of the
Arranged by Keith Christopher Bennett your favorites. Shadow”
With a dazzling sound and a Arranged by Russell Mauldin describes the
SATB anthem, # 0-6330- sheltering arms
cool, contemporary feel, this Celebrate our freedom in 8978-8, $1.40; CD anthem
song from Steve Amerson’s lat- Christ as you share this upbeat, of Jesus that
tracks, # 0-6330-8979-6, will enfold us
est recording shares the joy of energetic anthem, originally $19.98; Orchestration, # 0-
our redemption! Rhythm-dri- recorded by Legacy Five. as we pass
6330-8980-X, $54.95 through death
ven and full of excitement, "Freedom" reminds us that
“Cross for a Christ has loosed the shackles into eternity.
■ “If Anybody Knows” Colorful
Crown” is sure to of sin for those who believe!
Words and music by Geron Davis orchestration
be a favorite! Great for Easter or any time of
year. Arranged by Russell Mauldin adds richness
SSATB With a gentle, Southern to this message of the comfort
anthem, # 0- SSATB anthem, # 0-6330- gospel feel, this song from “So we find in our Lord. SSATB
6330-8997-4, 8989-3, $1.40; CD anthem Great a Salvation” shares the anthem, # 0-6330-8995-
$1.40; CD tracks, # 0-6330-8996-6, goodness of Jesus’ love and 8$1.40; CD anthem tracks,
anthem tracks, $19.98; Orchestration, # 0- grace. Originally recorded by # 0-6330-9003-4, $19.98;
# 0-6330-8992- 6330-8983-4, $54.95 the Talley Trio, “If Anybody Orchestration, # 0-6330-9004-
3, $19.98; Knows” encourages us to 2, $54.95
Orchestration, ■ “He’s Been There” remember God’s constant
# 0-6330-8993-1, $54.95 Words and music by Roger and faithfulness. ■ “You Saved Me”
Debbie Bennett Words and music by Kim Noblitt
■ “For Our Good” SATB with solo anthem, # 0-
Arranged by Camp Kirkland 6330-8975-3, $1.40; CD and Joel Engle
Words and music by Kim Noblitt With tremendous power and anthem tracks, # 0-6330-8976- Arranged by Kim Noblitt and
and Ed Kerr emotion, this brilliantly 1, $19.98; Orchestration, # 0- Robert Elkins
Arranged by Kim Noblitt and arranged anthem, originally 6330-8977-X, $54.95 “No more guilt and shame;
Robert Elkins recorded by Legacy Five, testi-
you took my sin away.” Sing
From Kim Noblitt’s “You fies of God’s unending faithful- ■ “O Wondrous Love” about the freedom redemption
Saved Me,” this beautiful ness. An excellent choice for Words and music by Steve and brings! The title song from
praise and worship song pro- your Sunday “special,” the
Vikki Cook Kim Noblitt’s worship collec-
vides comfort words of this song will
Arranged by Bruce Greer tion, this contemporary,
to believers as resound within the hearts
From the writers of “Before acoustic song arranged as solo
they remem- of all who hear it.
the Throne of God Above,” with choir is sure to have lis-
ber God’s SSATB anthem, # 0- teners on their feet in celebra-
promise in this masterful blend of poetry
6330-8990-7, $1.40; CD and music will fill your soul tion!
Romans anthem tracks, # 0-6330-
8:28. Invite with the joy and peace we find Solo with SATB anthem,
9001-8, $19.98; in our Savior’s love. It’s quiet,
the congrega- # 0-6330-8999-0, $1.40; CD
Orchestration, # 0-6330- majestic and beautiful. Don’t
tion to join anthem tracks, # 0-6330-8988-
8991-5, $54.95 miss it.
in on the 5, $19.98; Orchestration, # 0-
chorus and SATB anthem, # 0-6330- 6330-9000-X, $54.95
9002-6, $1.40; CD anthem
Facts & Trends
28
ad removed, intentionally left blank
Upcoming Events at
LifeWay Conference Centers
Facts & Trends is published by LifeWay
Christian Resources of the Southern
Baptist Convention, One LifeWay Plaza,
MSN 192, Nashville, TN 37234.
LifeWay Glorieta LifeWay Ridgecrest
Conference Center Conference Center
Located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Santa Fe, N.M. near Asheville, N.C.
Cross to the Other Side May 5-8 Butterfly Princess May 2-4
Marriage Impact May 23-25 Marriage Impact May 23-25
Glorieta Reservations Urban Student Week June 16-20
(800) 797-4222
Ridgecrest Reservations
(800) 588-7222
Each conference center offers a great
opportunity for churches to develop their own
customized staff or leadership training event.
www.lifeway.com/conferencecenters
LifeWay Church Leadership Training Center
For more information call (800) 254-2022.
• National Conference for Ministry Assistants. April Church. For additional information go to www.life-
23-26, 2003, Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four way.com/ev_ldr_nasbs.asp. $200.
Seasons, Joseph S. Koury Convention Center, National Collegiate Ministries Leadership Summit,
Greensboro, N.C. Empowered in His Service is the May 1-4, 2003. Sheraton Music City, Nashville.
theme for this year’s national conference. Hear top Designed with the heart of a collegiate leader in mind, it
national conference leaders cover a variety of topics will challenge, motivate and develop the ministry God has
designed to boost personal and spiritual development entrusted to you. The event is designed just for leaders, not
while increasing workplace skills. Conferences, for students. Speakers are Leonard Sweet, Voddie Baucham
both new and experienced ministry assistants, in- and Tim Elmore, with music by Kyle Matthews. Package
clude Setting up Youth Church Office, Ethics in the price includes three nights at the Sheraton Music City, four
U.S. POSTAGE
Nashville, TN
Organization
Permit No. 2
Non profit
Workplace, Church and Legal Issues, Financial Man- meals, program fee, conference materials and access to all
PAID
agement, Microsoft and Dealing with Conflict in the exhibits. $298 double occupancy or $436 single.
