March 19, 2015 | Helping Georgia Baptists Share the Good News

The Christian Index
March 19, 2015 | Helping Georgia Baptists Share the Good News | www.christianindex.org
By J. Gerald Harris
Editor
The debt on the
Georgia Baptist Missions
and Ministry Center has
been paid in full. The
$25 million gift to retire
the debt came from the
Georgia Baptist Health
Care Ministry Foundation
(GBHCMF).
Will Bacon, president and CEO of the
Foundation, made the
announcement during
the regularly-scheduled
Executive Committee
meeting on March 10.
This act of generosity and grace on the part
of the GBHCMF is the
answer to many prayers and
nothing short of a modern
day miracle. It seems that
we easily identify God with
miracles of salvation and
healing. But financial miracles and supernatural debt
cancellation sounds carnal
to some, and yet there are
many such examples in the
Bible.
For example:
➤ Those who labored
with Nehemiah to rebuild
the walls of Jerusalem
received debt cancellation
(Neh. 5:1-2).
➤ Onesimus, a debtridden slave, saw his debt
cancelled (Phil. 18-19).
➤ A widow received
wisdom from the Lord and
her debt was cancelled (II
Kings 4:1-7).
Executive Director J.
Robert White regarded
the gift as a wonderful,
heaven-wrought miracle
DEBT FREE!
and was filled with a heart
of gratitude and jubilation when he announced
the news to the Executive
Committee and staff of
the GBC on March 10.
Plan first surfaced Jan. 15
Bacon told Executive
Committee members and
gathered staff that he
presented the idea to his
Board of Directors at their
meeting on Jan. 15, stating, “I have been waiting
for the right time to broach
this subject of granting
enough money to the GBC
for them to pay off the
debt on this building.
“Like a pregnancy, the
idea had been in utero
for some time, in gestation. Frank Upchurch (late
president and CEO of the
Foundation) and our staff
had many conversations
about the subject.
“When I heard that the
GBC was about to reassess
itself, I thought that now
is the time. I think our
well-executed assistance
can be a major impetus for
the revival that can sweep
through the halls of this
building and into the GBC
churches these state missionaries serve so well.”
Bacon went on to
explain, “When Georgia
Baptist Health Care
Ministry Foundation
became classified as a supporting organization of
the GBC for the express
purpose of increasing
access to health care,
The Baptist Missions and
Ministry Center was dedicated on Sept. 12, 2006 in a
special meeting of the GBC
Executive Committee. The
$42-million project – $23
million for the building, $10
million for the land, and $9
million for technological innovations – sits on a 43-acre
tract on Sugarloaf Parkway in
the heart of Gwinnett County.
The ribbon cutting ceremony
featured comments by thenGov. Sonny Perdue, a member
of First Baptist Church of
Woodstock. JOHN SWAIN/Special
GBC Executive
Director J. Robert
White rejoices at
the news that the
Georgia Baptist
Health Care Ministry
Foundation has paid
off the $25 million
debt on the Baptist
Missions and
Ministry Center. The
payment relieves
the state convention
of an annual $1.6
million debt obligation. JOE WESTBURY/
Index
Frank Upchurch understood that we would
become a ‘hospital without walls.’ The GBC has
helped fulfill our mission
as a hospital, a health care
system, and now a health
care foundation.”
Foundation transitioned
with $125 million,
peaked at $160 million
“If you review the history of our funds,” Bacon
continued, “we started
granting funds in 2005.
We began with $125 million. The market crash of
2008 decreased our corpus
by $28 million. Year-todate we have granted
approximately $36 million.
“We still have about
$160 million in principal.
If we grant the GBC $25
million, we will still have
$135 million.
“I think it is the right
time for an unconditional
gift to the GBC. This
generosity will give them
the freedom to reassess, in
order to quickly unfetter
their ministry and move
all of us to a much needed
revival.”
The Board of Directors
of the GBHCMF followed
Bacon’s leadership and
gave their unanimous support to giving the funds
to retire the debt on the
Missions and Ministry
Center.
Gift retires debt
White exclaimed, “I
have been celebrating the
payment of this debt with
incredible joy since the
Georgia Baptist Health
Care Ministry Foundation
paid nearly $25 million
to free us of this financial
obligation. It still seems
surreal.
“I am so grateful to Dr.
Will Bacon; Rex Mobley,
vice president and chief
operating officer; and Tom
Duvall, convention attorney, who demonstrated
from the beginning their
enthusiastic commitment
to make it happen.
“I am also indebted
to the Foundation board
for their unanimous support and for fine men
like Frank Upchurch and
Leland Strange, a deacon
at First Baptist Duluth
and former member of the
board, who engaged in
conversations about this
possibility.
“This is something that
God has done. From the
earliest decisions made
as a board, on our knees
in prayer, to transition
from a hospital system
to a health care ministry
foundation, God knew
that not only would these
investment funds be used
to give over $36 million
in grants thus far, but also
continued on page 3
2
Ringgold students
combine Bible study
and Mission Georgia
Reagan Christol performs a magic show for children. Christol and other students from Burning Bush Baptist Church
in Ringgold are part of 5 Stones, a student group dedicated to reaching its community for the Gospel. The group
bases its focus through 5 Smooth Stones, a list of priorities utilized by the Georgia Baptist Convention for Mission
Georgia. BURNING BUSH BC/Special
By Scott Barkley
[email protected]
RINGGOLD — At the
beginning of the school year
Reagan Christol, a member of
Burning Bush Baptist Church,
was looking for a way to inject
new life into a student Bible
study at Heritage High School,
where she’s a sophomore.
At the time Billy Christol,
her father and associate pastor
of students at the church, was
leading a Bible study based on
reaching Georgia through five
distinct priorities known as the 5
Smooth Stones – spiritual renewal, Kingdom generosity, church
revitalization, church planting,
and authentic evangelism.
“I usually lead the student
Bible study but couldn’t this
year, so they decided to take
it on,” said Billy. In discussing
options for a study group, his
daughter became curious about
the 5 Smooth Stones. “They
adapted [those priorities] for a
youth group setting. For example, instead of church revitalization they focused on small group
revitalization.”
‘Just do it’
“A few others and I decided
we wanted to get to know the
word on a deeper level,” said
Reagan. “We wanted something that wasn’t just a Bible
study but involved missions;
let’s take what teens can do
and just do it.”
Jasmine Wiggins helps a child with homework.
BURNING BUSH BC/Special
The “stone” of Authentic
Evangelism has become the
group’s theme. Each Tuesday
the group meets during lunch
and spends 30 minutes having
Bible study with occasional testimonies and even live music.
Time outside the school is
for missions, with the group’s
first outreach being creating care
packages for firefighters. Soon,
though, a tragedy called for the
group’s action when a student
at Heritage Middle School died
suddenly.
Jake Frogge tapes positive words and messages at Heritage Middle School
near Ringgold. The messages were meant to help students distraught over
a peer who had recently died suddenly. BURNING BUSH BC/Special
In response, the group that
calls itself “5 Stones” decided to
leave sticky notes
with positive messages on all 1,100
How a student group is using
lockers at the
5 Smooth Stones
school as well as
for Mission Georgia
on teachers’ rooms
and the main office
To re-energize a Bible study, students
window looking
at Heritage High School in Ringgold sketched out
out into the halla plan using the 5 Smooth Stones.
way. It took about
two hours to post
Spiritual Renewal
the approximately
➤ Discipleship (mentoring, small groups, etc.)
1,500 notes,
➤ Study Scripture
Reagan estimated.
The group
Kingdom Generosity
also has become
➤ Teach what stewardship is (money, time, work)
involved with
➤ Help build stewardship opportunities
helping children
through East Ridge
Church Revitalization
Cares, a local min➤ Help churches grow
istry. “These chil➤ Equip pastors with student labor
dren live in a local
[extended stay]
Church Planting
hotel. We help
➤ Create new ministry opportunities
them with their
➤ Help grow current ministries
homework and do
activities and sports
Authentic Evangelism
with them. They
➤ Make His name known
get to know us as
➤ Mission opportunities
we build relationships with them,”
said Reagan.
As one would expect, living
in a hotel isn’t the best learning situation for children. So,
homework is a big need for the
children. Recently a Valentine’s
Party included a magic show by
Reagan.
“We’re the only group of
high schoolers among the volunteers that work with the kids,”
she said. “They like to hear
we’re coming and seeing people
care for them. They don’t consider us strangers.”
A creative breath
Incorporating the precepts
of the 5 Smooth Stones into
the group was “smart, logical,
and easily adaptable,” said Billy
Christol.
“Over this school year they’ve
thrived,” he added. “Not only
have they grown spiritually and
numerically, but they’ve also
brought a fresh and creative
breath to ministry in a stale
Bible study.
“All of this is just the tip
of the iceberg. God is doing a
really neat work here.”
March 19, 2015
3
DEBT
FREE!
Will Bacon, president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Baptist Health Care
Ministry Foundation, tells a crowded Executive Committee meeting – along with staff
who were invited to attend the announcement – that the ministry has retired the debt
on the building. JOE WESTBURY/Index
continued from page 1
funds would pay the Missions
and Ministry Center debt in
full.”
Gift ‘will bless our
ministry for years to come’
“We had a plan to pay the
debt and we were faithful to
that plan, but God had a better
plan!” White proclaimed. “I am
overwhelmed with joy. The payment of the Convention’s debt
creates all kinds of mental energy
as we contemplate how this will
bless our ministry for years to
come.”
White cited some notable
facts about the relationship
between the Convention and
the health care ministry. He
explained, “Since 1970, Georgia
Baptists have invested more than
$32 million in the health care
ministry. This is equivalent to
approximately $70 million in
today’s dollars.
“In 1922, when the hospital was about to fold, the
Convention was asked to take
over the hospital ministry, which
we did. The investment funds
of the Health Care Ministry
Foundation had grown to $160
million when the decision was
made to pay the debt of the
Missions and Ministry Center.
Funds will be replenished
in about five years
“Those funds will be back to
$160 million in about five years.
The gift will not interfere with
the giving of health care grants
that will continue equivalent to
the value of grants being made
in recent years.”
The early retirement of the
Missions and Ministry Center
debt should elicit joy from all
Georgia Baptists, because this
property becomes one of the
Convention’s greatest material
assets.
That joy was in no short supply at the meeting where the gift
was announced.
“I have no doubt that
Heaven will record a direct and
eternal connection between the
payoff of our building debt and
the Kingdom work of Georgia
Baptists in beating back the
darkness of lostness in our
state,” exclaimed Foundation
Trustee and First Baptist Church
of Helen Pastor Jim Holmes.
“Wow! What a great day!
Wayne Bray, pastor of Beulah
Baptist Church in Douglasville
and chairman of the Executive
Committee’s Administration
Committee, stated, “I believe
that God is preparing us for an
unprecedented spiritual awakening in Georgia. The debt retirement will allow us to refocus our
finances and attention completely on the mission we have before
us, maximizing God’s money for
God’s work across the street and
around the world.”
Executive Committee mem-
“God’s provisions
are in the promises
of God. Our hope
is in Him! Though
His people God
did provide!”
Keith Pisani, pastor
Pine Lake Baptist Church, Stone Mountain
ber Keith Pisani, pastor of Pine
Lake Baptist Church in Stone
Mountain, exclaimed, “The
announcement today thrilled my
soul. I thought, ‘This is a cartwheel moment for the GBC.’
“God’s provisions are in the
promises of God. Our hope is in
Him! Through His people God
did provide!
“If you have a vision, God
will make provision. Sometimes
we live by the motto: ‘If only’
when God has said, ‘It is already
done!’
“Over the years, what the
GBC saves in debt payments can
be used to strengthen alreadyeffective ministries flowing
from our Missions and Ministry
Center. God’s promised provision allows the GBC to be debt
free. His JehovahJireh gift of grace
provides for greater
ministries. Praise
God! He never
leaves us empty.
Always He gives us
more than we could
ever ask or think.”
Executive
Committee
approved relocation
16 years ago
Sixteen years
ago the Executive
Committee of the
J. Robert White, left, Music Ministries State Missionary Jon Duncan, Executive
GBC approved a
Committee Chairman Bryan Alexander, and Will Bacon join the chapel crowd
motion to authorize the
singing “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” and “To God Be the Glory.” Alexander
executive director to
is pastor of Sweetwater Baptist Church in Douglasville. JOE WESTBURY/Index
appoint a Baptist Center
Study Committee to
constructed and the ribbon cutMinistry Center.
determine the feasibility
ting ceremony for the building
Now that the debt has been
of relocating the Convention’s
was held on Sept. 12, 2006.
paid even more resources can be
operations from their location
channeled to Mission Georgia
The building with its Christian
on Flowers Road in Atlanta to a
and the work of assisting our
symbolism, exquisite paintings
new site.
in the Old Testament and New
pastors and strengthening our
At the Convention’s 2000
Testament lobbies, and towering churches. This is a “hallelujah”
annual meeting, based on the
55-foot cross is a witness to the
day for Georgia Baptists!
committee’s preliminary findChrist-honoring
ministries
that
ings and report, the committee
go forth from the Missions and
An accompanying video to
was authorized to review potential sites for relocation and to
proceed with the acquisition of
property should desirable property be located.
Convention voted
four times to approve
On May 9, 2001 the committee, chaired by Pastor Frank
Cox of North Metro First
Baptist Church in Lawrenceville,
felt led by the Lord to consider
the property where the building is currently located on
Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. In
July 2001, a recommendation
from the committee and the
Administration Committee was
approved to relocate the Baptist
Center to Sugarloaf Parkway
and authorization was given to
begin acquisition of the needed
parcels.
So, after a series of four votes
by the Convention over a period
of five years the building was
Moments
Encourage your church to use one of the following Mission
Georgia Moments before the morning worship offering is collected, as part of a Sunday School opening comment, or in a Small
Group or WMU meeting. Each entry is not time-sensitive and
can be used on any Sunday of the year.
March 22
Disaster Relief teams trained by state missionaries respond to
crises not only in Georgia, but across our nation and as far away
as the Philippines. In 2013, Disaster Relief trained 920 people
statewide, raising the number of credentialed volunteers to 2,234.
March 29
Your Mission Georgia gifts have a vibrant
life in the cyber world as well as the physical
world. A total of 700 leaders were trained
in Sunday School leadership through online
training at a cost of $5 per person.
4
Editorial
T
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX
A perspective on politics
EDITORIAL
Second, political camnal class with the possible
here was a time
paigns are often low-down,
exception of Congress.”
when I thought I
mud-slinging, name-calling
I am fully aware of the
wanted to go into
sideshows with lots of fury,
politics. I was in high school fact that there are many
but not much substance.
good and godly men and
at the time and fascinated
But that is nothing new.
women who serve us in the
by the good things Dwight
When William McKinley was
halls of government, but in
David Eisenhower did durrunning for presispite of their integing his administration as
dent his opponent
rity and influence
president.
said he had “the
politics generally
Eisenhower was the one
backbone of a chocappears to be more
who oversaw the ceaseolate éclair.” When
about kickbacks
fire of the Korean War.
Winfield Scott ran
from large businessHe kept up the pressure
for president he was
es, persuasive lobon the Soviet Union durcalled “the Peacock
byists, labor unions,
ing the Cold War, made
attorneys, and those J. Gerald Harris of American politics,
nuclear weapons a higher
all fuss and feathers
of their ilk in order
defense priority, launched
Editor
and fireworks.”
to achieve re-electhe National Aeronautics
Furthermore, political
tion and then pay them off
and Space Administration
language often demonizes
with favorable legislation,
(NASA), began the
the political opponent rather
regulations, pork, appointInterstate Highway System,
signed civil rights legislation ments, access, and whatever than engage in significant
debates on policy or proin 1957 and 1960 to protect other means of payback are
posed legislation.
the right to vote by African- requested.
Margaret Thatcher said,
Furthermore, George
Americans, and established
“I always cheer up immensethe U.S. policy of defending Orwell stated, “Political
ly if an attack is particularly
language … is designed to
Taiwan from Chinese commake lies sound truthful and wounding because I think,
munist aggression in the
‘Well, if they attack
1955 Formosa
one personally, it
Resolution.
Those with the truth or strong means they have not
President
Eisenhower did
moral values must concede to a single political arguleft.’”
many other good
error for compromise to occur. ment
Third, it appears
things, but he also
that the whole political
pushed to have
system is trending toward
murder respectable, and to
the phrase “under God”
a progressive, liberal, or
give an appearance of solidinserted into the Pledge
socialistic philosophy. In
ity to pure wind.”
of Allegiance and signed a
politics vices are legalized
First, I realize I could
law officially declaring “In
incrementally and insidiousnever go into politics
God We Trust” to be the
ly. If you look at the liberalbecause I don’t like comnation’s official motto, also
ization of the laws concernpromise, especially when
mandating that the phrase
ing alcohol sales you will see
it comes to values and
be printed on all American
a very interesting history.
principles. Few things
paper currency.
In the beginning there were
in politics are black and
Much has changed since
many restrictions on the
white. Everything seems to
the administration of our
sale of alcohol, but with the
be “fifty shades of grey.”
34th president, who was
Compromise means conces- passing of time a greater
elected to his first term by
variety of alcoholic beveragsions.
a landslide over 63 years
The definition of compro- es have become available in
ago. Politics today seems to
a greater number of venues
mise means that we give up
be disturbingly marked by
at more hours per week to a
part of what we believe in
compromise, arm-twisting,
wider age group.
order to make another perbackroom deals, duplicity,
The same is true in many
son happy. Those with the
and corruption.
truth or strong moral values cases with gambling. At
Years ago Mark Twain
first the lottery is legalized,
must concede to error for
said, “America is a nation
then horse racing and after
compromise to occur.
without a distinct crimiEstablished 1822 | Volume 194, Number 6 | Visit our website at www.christianindex.org
The Christian Index
Helping Georgia Baptists Share the Good News
Dr. J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Donna Ward, Editor’s Assistant/Advertising Coordinator
Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Lonette Godwin, Circulation Coordinator
Mary Moore, Design Editor
Board of Directors: Janet Jones–Chair, Dan Rosser–Vice-Chairman, Kimberley Humphries–Secretary, J. Robert White–Treasurer,
Phil Bray, Danny Cochran, Lane Collins, Paul Garrison, Darey Kittle and Richard Walker.
Official Publication of Baptist Convention of State of Georgia. Editorial Department (770) 936-5590; Fax (770) 936-5595.
General email address: [email protected].
The Christian Index subscribes to Baptist Press and Religion News Services for news and other information.
Advertising rates are available upon request. Advertising in The Christian Index does not necessarily imply editorial endorsement.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX (ISSN-0362-0832) is published bi-weekly for the annual subscription rate of $12 by the The Christian Index at
6405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097-4092. Periodicals postage paid at Duluth, GA, and additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Christian Index, 6405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA, 30097-4092.
that casinos on riverboats or
Indian reservations and ultimately casinos everywhere
with slot machines even
located in grocery stores
and drug stores.
For example, gambling
was legalized in Nevada
the Roe v. Wade decision,
but for the most part we
protest in vain.
Similarly, to our shame
it is more likely that we
will see pari-mutuel betting
legalized before the lottery
is banished in Georgia. And
… political language often demonizes
the political opponent rather than
engage in significant debates
on policy or proposed legislation.
after the Great Depression
in order to lift the state out
of hard times. Today Las
Vegas is the gambling and
entertainment capital of
the world, but with all the
lights, casinos, and nightclubs, organized crime is
also flourishing in Nevada’s
largest city.
Additionally, medical
marijuana typically leads
to recreational marijuana.
Currently, the Georgia
legislature is considering a
measure to legalize medical marijuana. Bill Bennett,
former U.S. Secretary of
Education and director of
the Office of National Drug
Control Policy, has written a
book, Going to Pot, in which
he sounds the alarm on the
use of marijuana.
Bennett makes a compelling case for the harms of
the increased availability of
marijuana through legalization. He claims it endangers
our society, particularly our
youth. The scientificallybased book declares the
truth about marijuana. He
reveals that it is addictive,
causes lung damage, brain
damage, impairs one’s ability to learn, and can lead to
a loss of IQ points.
Mike Griffin, Georgia
Baptists’ public affairs representative under the Gold
Dome, has stated that the
legalization of medical marijuana is just one political
expression of the camel getting his nose under the tent.
This well-known metaphor
suggests that the legalization
of the particular bill may
well open the door to the
future passage of recreational marijuana legislation.
It is also interesting and
disturbing that once liberal
social legislation or Supreme
Court decisions are passed
they are almost never
reversed. For more than 40
years pro-lifers have been
crusading for a reversal of
it is extremely likely that the
days of prohibition are gone
forever. One of the reasons
is because it appears that
those whom we elect to represent us often betray us.
It seems that the world
is always annexing more
and more territory that was
once friendly ground to
the church and the cause of
Christ. We have obviously
lost our Christian consensus
in America.
What are we to do in
view of current losses?
Press on! The first century
Christians lived in an environment that was extremely
hostile.
For us, as for the disciples, there is no real reason
to fear. Jesus has delivered
us from our sins on the
cross. Because of that, we
will one day live with Him
in an environment free of
sin and sorrow and hatred.
Until then, He has promised
that His Word will be our
life-support system in the
hostile environment of this
world.
Jesus said to His Father,
“I do not pray that You
should take them out of the
world, but that You should
keep them from the evil
one.”
As Christians, we are in
the world, but the world
should not be in us ...
there’s a big difference! One
writer said that, “A boat in
the sea can get along very
well. It’s when the sea is
in the boat that you’ve got
problems!”
Let’s keep in mind the
hostile environment that
surrounds us, and not allow
the sinful influences of the
world to seep into our lives.
God has not demanded that
we be successful, but He
certainly expects us to be
vigilant and faithful.
WWW.CHRISTIANINDEX.ORG
eorgia Baptists have
been amazingly blessed
by the Georgia Baptist Health
Care Ministry Foundation as
the foundation has paid the
entire balance of the remaining debt on the Missions and
Ministry Center. The balance
remaining was nearly $25 million.
We are deeply indebted to
Dr. Will Bacon, president and
chief executive officer of the
foundation, Rex Mobley who
serves as vice president and
chief operating officer, to Tom
Duvall, our legal counsel, and
to the board of the foundation,
which voted unanimously to
make the gift.
When Frank Upchurch was
president and CEO of the foundation, he and I had several
conversations about how the
foundation might assist with the
remaining debt. We anticipated
a day when we might be able to
see something done to bless the
convention. Leland Strange, a
deacon at First Baptist Duluth
and a very fine businessman,
was involved in early discussions regarding this possibility
and more recently advanced
the conversation during his last
year of service on
the Health Care
Foundation Board.
At the encouragement of Will
Bacon, as he and I
met in my office,
we began to have
serious conversations about what would be
involved in bringing all of the
necessary pieces together to pay
the debt. The Georgia Baptist
Foundation, which holds the
investment funds, was involved
heavily in the process, which
took several weeks.
Two loans were involved, a
short-term loan with BB&T,
and a long-term loan at
SunTrust Bank. We are grateful for the way these two banks
serviced our loans and for their
energetic assistance as we paid
the loans off. The elimination
Christians in America are – or
should be – deeply concerned
over the kidnapping and torturing of our brother and sister
Christians around the world by
ISIS and other Islamic terrorist
groups.
The question is, how are
American Christians responding
to the cries of these tortured
sisters and brothers? Sure, our
pastors condemn such atrocities
from the pulpit, but it doesn’t
seem to get beyond the church
walls. But if we make a united
effort, would our voices be
heard? It appears that we might
be about to find out.
Just this week our Southern
A couple of important factors made this a logical move
for the foundation. The Internal
Revenue Service designation
for the foundation is a “supporting organization”
of the Georgia Baptist
Convention. The gift is in
keeping with that designation. Further, the convention has given millions of
dollars to the hospital, the
health care system, and
the foundation through
the years.
A study revealed that in May
of 1922 the Georgia Baptist
Hospital asked the convention to take over the hospital
to keep it from failing. It was
on hard times and the convention received the hospital and
began providing support to
this ministry that not only kept
the hospital alive, but helped it
to thrive. Since 1970, Georgia
Baptists have provided support
to the hospital through the
convention budget and special
gifts of more than $32 million.
The Georgia Baptist Convention
has never received a single gift
of this magnitude and we are
deeply grateful...
Forum
Our SBC hears the call
of the debt occurred two weeks
ago and the good news was
shared with the Georgia Baptist
Executive Committee at its
March 10 meeting.
God has blessed the Health
Care Ministry Foundation
remarkably since the transition was made from operating
hospitals to the foundation.
When the gift was made by the
foundation, the funds under
investment had reached $160
million. In five years the funds
used to pay the Missions and
Ministry Center debt should
be completely restored. In the
interim, the foundation will be
able to continue to give grants
of similar value to those previously given.
About the Forum Letters from our readers do not
Baptist Convention president,
along with the support of 16
past SBC presidents, sent an
open letter to President Obama.
Speaking for 15.7 million members, and responding to the cries
of tortured Christians around
the world, the letter said in part,
“we humbly call upon you to
use the influence and power of
your distinguished office to take
the necessary actions now in this
urgent hour to bring an end to
these human atrocities.”
Thank you President Ronnie
Floyd and past presidents for
this bold effort. May God bless
the SBC.
Rita Boyett
Baxley
necessarily reflect the views of Index editors, directors, or the Georgia
Baptist Convention. This forum is provided as an outlet for Georgia
Baptists to express their opinions on a variety of subjects. All letters
intended for publication should be clearly marked for “The Index
Forum.” Letters should be concise and reflect Christian dignity and
courtesy. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for space and
Index style.
5
OPEN DOOR
G
March 19, 2015
J. Robert White
Executive Director GBC
In today’s dollars, those gifts
would exceed $70 million.
The Georgia Baptist
Convention has never received
a single gift of this magnitude
and we are deeply grateful to
the Georgia Baptist Health Care
Ministry Foundation for what
they have done. Most of all, we
are grateful to God for blessing
the foundation so that this gift
might be possible. “To God
Be the Glory, Great Things He
Has Done!”
Send letters to:
The Index Forum
C/o The Christian Index 6405
Sugarloaf Parkway Duluth, GA
30097-4092
FAX (770) 936-5595
Email: [email protected].
Waiting on someday
By Evelyn Bagley
We’ve all been guilty of waiting for someday.
I often think – someday, I
will finish that project I started
or take that trip I’ve always
dreamed about taking. Someday,
I’ll plant more flowers, use the
good china for dinner, write
that letter I’ve been meaning to
send. For me, someday is a pleasant thought, a wish, a hope.
For the children at Georgia
Bagley
Baptist Children’sEvelyn
Homes,
someday has an entirely different meaning. In today’s world
many of our children are suffering unspeakable horrors. They
are enduring things no
child should have to
handle. These children
have suffered abuse,
unplanned pregnancies,
human trafficking, and
domestic violence in
the home. In the midst of their
crisis, each one is hoping that
someday things will get better.
For them, someday is the
hope they desperately grasp
onto in their darkest hour.
Last year, Georgia Baptist
Children’s Homes helped hundreds of children and their families find their “someday.” We
opened our hearts and doors
to children from all walks of
life. We provided a safe haven
for young girls who had been
victimized through human trafficking.
Recent statistics show that 1
out of 3 children will be lured
into prostitution within 48
hours of being on the street.
We helped scared teen moms
nurture their pregnancies and
prepare for a new life with their
babies. We provided a fantastic
summer camp experience for
kids with developmental disabilities; ministering not only to the
kids, but their families as well.
This year, we also began a
ally.
Jesus said, “Whatever you
do to the least of these, you do
unto me” (Matt. 25:40).
As we minister to these precious children, we must remember that we are the hands and
feet of Jesus. We are carrying
out His commandment to minister to all those in need.
Will you help us? You can
make a difference by praying
daily for the children and staff;
participating in an associational
truck loading to stock our pantries; volunteering; organizing
a mission trip or work day;
and participating in Children’s
Home Offering Day on
Sunday, May 10. We have
all been called to serve.
Someday begins today.
Someday begins with
you!
Evelyn Bagley serves as
board chair of Georgia Baptist
Children’s Homes & Family
Ministries, Inc.
For them, someday is the
hope they desperately grasp
onto in their darkest hour.
family care program that helps
mothers and their children coming out of domestic violence
and/or homelessness. Each
campus has social workers and
counselors on-site to minister
to these young people and their
families in their time of need.
We make sure that we care for
them physically, emotionally,
and most importantly, spiritu-
6
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX
Taylor Echols:
‘silent assassin,’ ‘steadfast ambassador’
You would be surprised.
He is a smart point
guard, and he helps the
other point guards get
better.”
By J. Gerald Harris
Editor
ATHENS —
University of Georgia
basketball coach Mark
Fox referred to him as
“the Silent Assassin.”
‘An incredible blessing’
That is a rather unusual
Echols started the
moniker for a quiet,
last home game against
unassuming, gentlethe nation’s number
manly scholar-athlete,
one ranked Kentucky
but that is apparently
Wildcats. In reflecthow the coach sees his
ing on that game, the
senior guard, Taylor
soft-spoken senior point
Echols.
guard stated, “Playing
Prior to the last
against the undefeated
home game Fox was
Wildcats on Senior
assessing the quality
Night was my biggest
and character of his
thrill as a part of the
seniors and said of
UGA basketball team.
Echols, “Taylor is the
Even though we did not
quiet assassin. He is
finish the game with a
very quiet. He seldom
win, I was extremely
speaks. He is a very
proud of the way our
soft-spoken young
guys played and comUGA basketball senior Taylor Echols, standing with his
man, but a terrific
peted.
mother, Kim, and father, Lee, began his career as a
shooter. He has made
“That was one of the
walk-on during his sophomore season, later earning
a lot of big baskets for
most
exciting games in
a full scholarship and contributing via his long-range
us and helped us win
Stegeman
Coliseum that
shooting. KIM ECHOLS/Special
games.
I have ever experienced,
“How often do you
and I have been going to
find a walk-on that
games there for most of
When Taylor finally got the
comes to the try-outs, then is
my
21
years.
able to get on the floor and help call and found out the UGA
“Being a part of the UGA
basketball team had space for
your team win? That is exactly
men’s
basketball team has been
another walk-on, he joined six
what he has done.”
an
incredible
blessing, an experiother competitors for the spot
Echols was a two-time
ence
that
I
will
carry with me
but he alone made the cut as a
All-region player at Eagles
the
rest
of
my
life.
I am thankful
sophomore.
Landing Christian Academy in
to
the
coaches,
who
have investEchols recalled, “The coaches
McDonough, where he scored
ed
so
much
in
me
and
all of my
brought me in for a meeting and
over 1,000 points in his career.
teammates,
and
I
am
extremely
told me how it would be and
The Bulldogs did not have an
how the experience would be. It thankful for God’s will being
open roster spot his freshman
done in my life.”
year and did not hold
Going into the SEC
walk-on tryouts.
tournament Echols had
logged almost 2½ hours of
At work every day
playing time this season,
Echols was determost of his points coming
mined not to let his
from beyond the 3-point
dream of playing colarc.
lege basketball die. He
In the semifinal SEC
Taylor Echols
diligently worked out
tournament game against
and played basketball
Arkansas, Echols came off
was definitely an awesome feelin the gym every day. He made
the
bench
to give the Bulldogs
ing when they told me I made
the Georgia basketball team as
10
points.
The Atlanta Journal
it.”
a walk-on sophomore and won
Constitution
reported, “The
During that first year on the
a full athletic scholarship last
Bulldogs
continued
to fight
team Echols stated, “I would say
summer at the beginning of his
valiantly
with
players
like Kenny
my main job was to try to make
senior year.
everyone on the team work as
Prior to his sophomore year
hard as they could. My job was
Echols had the opportunity to
to help prepare the starters to
have former UGA basketball
excel in the games.”
All-American James Banks coach
Starting center Nemi Djurisic
and mentor him in preparation
stated in the The Red and
for his walk-on opportunity.
Black, UGA’s student newsBanks said, “He had a great
paper, “I don’t know how
attitude. I threw a lot of stuff
[Echols] finds the energy everyat him and he handled it very
day to be so humble. He is very
well. He got better because he
grateful about the opportunity
worked and if you have a pasto be with us and around us
sion and work at it, then you get
everyday. He is a very humble
better at it everyday.”
young man and a great shooter.
“No one can fully embody the
love of God like Jesus Christ,
but I ask the Lord every day to
help me love like he does.”
“He is a very soft-spoken young man, but a terrific shooter,” says UGA
head coach Mark Fox, left, of Taylor Echols. KIM ECHOLS/Special
Paul Geno and Echols playing
more minutes than usual.
“It was Echols’ third 3 of the
game that brought Georgia to
within 56-47 with four minutes
to play and put a brief scare into
the Razorbacks.”
On Sunday the Georgia
basketball team found out that
as a tenth seed in the NCAA
Tournament they would play
Michigan State on Friday, March
20 in Charlotte in the East
Regionals.
Taylor Echols is a talented
athlete, but his qualities extend
far beyond the basketball arenas
of the Southeastern Conference
and the frenzy of March
Madness.
He is an unashamed Christian
who explained, “I am thankful
that I was presented with the
Gospel throughout my childhood, but I did not understand
or accept its truth until I was
in the fifth grade. Previously,
during the same year, my parents decided to place my sister
and me in a private Christian
school, Eagles Landing Christian
Academy.
“The ideas of Bible class and
weekly chapel meetings were
completely foreign to me, but I
enjoyed the break in the monotonous school day. During one of
continued on page 9
WWW.CHRISTIANINDEX.ORG
March 19, 2015
7
Northside thrives under Foster’s leadership
By J. Gerald Harris
Editor
VALDOSTA — Those who
have known Robby Foster for
a while knew that Northside
Baptist Church in Valdosta
would come alive and thrive
under his leadership.
In October 2012 Northside
called Marcus Merritt, Georgia
Baptist Convention state missionary, to be the interim pastor.
Merritt made the long trek from
Carrollton to Valdosta every
weekend for ten months. He
stated, “I have never had a more
difficult or rewarding interim
than Northside, but I saw God
working in the lives of those
wonderful people.
“When they called Robby
and Laura Foster I knew that
their best days were yet ahead of
them. I am so grateful that I got
to witness it all firsthand.”
Foster observed, “When I
arrived here at Northside the
body was hurting and needed
healing. Numerically, the church
was in decline and people were
leaving. It was like a hemorrhage was occurring and no
one was sure how to stop it.
Financially, we were way behind
in our budget and things looked
extremely challenging.
“Marcus Merritt came in
during the interim and was able
to begin the healing process in
a remarkable way. He was able
to help the leadership teams to
regain their focus and did a marvelous job of getting the church
ready to welcome a new pastor.”
Priorities
“Every Sunday we come to church expecting to see God work,” says one member of Northside Baptist Church in
Valdosta. In the 18 months since Robby Foster became pastor, 245 people have joined the church, including 100 for
baptism. NORTHSIDE/Special
“We worked to promote
unity in the body of Christ and
secured the lay leadership to
assist us in accomplishing that
objective. Laura and I made ourselves available to join in with
members and classes for dinners
and special events to enhance
the fellowship aspect of the
church. I have determined that
I have only two spiritual gifts:
preaching and ‘hanging out.’
“Amazingly and enthusiasti-
“We decided to place a strong
emphasis on worship and
preaching the Word.”
Foster quickly began to plan
his work and
work his plan.
He explained,
Robby Foster, pastor
“We decided to
Northside Baptist Church, Valdosta
place a strong
emphasis on
worship and preaching the
cally the people have responded
Word. There was also a major
with their whole hearts. It has
emphasis made on the imporbeen an incredible experience to
tance of the Sunday School. We
behold.”
also made outreach a priority.
Jammie Stalvey, a Northside
“My wife, Laura, and I posimember and lay leader, comtioned ourselves at the main
mented, “Every Sunday we
entrance of the Sunday School
come to church expecting to
on Sunday morning so that we
see God work. The spirit in our
could greet the people as they
church now is positive, hopeful,
walked through the door.
and enthusiastic. The theme in
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“Serving Churches Since 1985”
our Sunday School class is ‘come
Northside exceeded its
and see’ and ‘come and serve
2014 budget by $133,000
Jesus.’
and increased its Cooperative
“Most of us
would agree that
the Holy Spirit has
been moving in a
mighty way. He
gives God all the
glory; but we are
not missing the fact
Jammie Stalvey, Northside member
that Pastor Foster
is a great leader.
I think God has been preparProgram giving by $13,133.
ing him and our congregation
Money allocated to the Valdosta
for this special time. Robby has
Baptist Association increased by
a vision for our church, and
$4,539.
he leads by example and with
Under Foster’s leadership a
enthusiasm.
food pantry ministry has been
“Our pastor expects the staff
initiated and the church now
to live lives of holiness and in
ministers to 53 families a week;
this day we all need to be able to during the course of this minispoint our children to examples
try four individuals have come
of godly living.
to faith in Christ.
“As for the pastor’s messages
– we worship in anticipation of
Leading by example
what biblical truth he will share
Foster
next and when he finishes we
is quick to
look at our watches and wonder
give credit to
where the time went.”
his staff and
praised not
Seeing the increase
only Dinn,
In the 18 months since
but Brittney
Foster became the pastor, 245
Rabens,
Barbara
people have united with the
preschool
church including 100 for bapdirector; Josh
tism. The worship attendance
Johnson,
has grown to an average of 673
student pastor (and former stuand the Sunday School has aver- dent pastor Jason Hubbard);
aged 465 under the leadership
Stephanie Harrison, children’s
of Clayton Dinn, pastor of evan- director; and Michael Sapp, worgelism and education.
ship pastor, for their faithful ser-
vice and thriving ministries.
The Northside pastor added,
“Our ministerial team leads by
example and involvement in
their various areas of service, but
we also have a wonderful congregation. The church body is
working together in unity. They
are growing by studying God’s
Word together, witnessing, and
working really hard to get new
members integrated into the life
of the church.”
Barbara Tucker summed up
the spirit and miracles taking
place at Northside by explaining,
“We were a flock in dire need of
a true shepherd when Dr. Robby
Foster was sent to us.
“One of his references
described him as a genuine shepherd who loves his sheep, spends
time among them, and nurtures
and cares for them – a shepherd
who smells like sheep. And,
oh, how that has proven to be
true. He loves his flock here at
Northside.
“Pastor Robby is a gifted
preacher of the Word. He has an
animated and winsome delivery,
appealing to all ages. His intelligent mind, thorough study, and
preparation and reliance on the
Holy Spirit for guidance
are pivotal in his success
as a preacher.
“The congregational
culture has changed
to reflect the divinely
inspired vision that we
have received from our
pastor. Praise be to God,
who has been faithful
in hearing our prayers and has
blessed us with a pastor who
loves us, challenges us, and leads
us by his consistent and godly
example of service.”
After months of prayerful
planning and high anticipation, NBC recently held an
evangelistic crusade in the
community. Evangelist Rick
Coram of Jacksonville, FL and
James Dollar, worship pastor
at Clermont Baptist Church in
north Georgia, led the meetings
“Amazingly and enthusiastically
the people have responded with
their whole hearts. It has been an
incredible experience to behold.”
“The congregational culture has
changed to reflect the divinely
inspired vision that we have
received from our pastor.”
For new and archived articles
visit us at our website
www. christianindex. org
Tucker, Northside member
held Feb. 22-25. Crowds averaged 500 at each service with a
total of 71 decisions (49 for salvation made) and 40 baptisms,
most of these for membership at
NBC.
We know that good marriages
are made in heaven. It is apparent that the spiritual marriage
between Northside and Robby
Foster was conceived in heaven
8
People & Places
Deaths
Herman Williams, 73, of
Alpharetta died Oct. 1 from
brain cancer.
A native of Eastman, Williams
was baptized, ordained, and
married at Pleasant Hill Baptist
Church in Cadwell. He would
graduate from Brewton-Parker
College, Georgia College,
Southern Seminary, and Luther
Rice Seminary in preparation for
serving as pastor of churches in
Kentucky and Georgia.
In Georgia, he served on staff
at Brewton-Parker College and
in association missions for the
Georgia Baptist Convention for
Classified Ads
Employment-Churches
EMPLOYMENT
CHURCHES
Ball Ground First Baptist Church is
seeking a full-time Pastor. We are
a small traditional church with an
average of 50 people in regular
attendance. SBC seminary and pastoral
experience preferred. Please submit
resumes to Ball Ground FBC, Pastor
Search Committee, PO Box 328, Ball
Ground, GA 30107 or pastorsearch@
ballgroundfbc.org.
Byron Baptist Church in Byron, GA is
seeking a part-time (15-20 hours),
Music Minister gifted to lead a
multigenerational congregation in a
blended worship service. Please send
resume to bbcmusicministersearch@
gmail.com.
Calvary Baptist Church in Dawson, GA is
looking for a PT Youth Minister to build
a youth program. Experience preferred
but not necessary. (229) 460-3301.
Fortified Hills Baptist Church of Dallas,
GA, is seeking a full-time Senior Pastor.
Seminary and pastoral experience
preferred. Please include a brief
testimony, statement of faith, and
ministry philosophy in your resume.
Send cover letter and resume to
[email protected].
First Baptist Church of Lakeland is
seeking a full-time Pastor. Send
resume to: FBC, Lakeland, PO Box
427, Lakeland, GA 31635 or email to
[email protected].
Little Horse Creek Baptist Church,
Sylvania, GA is seeking a Pastor.
Please send resumes to our email
address littlehorse creekbaptistchurch@
gmail.com. Call (912)863-7731 for an
opportunity to speak with our Pastor
Search Committee.
Lizella Baptist Church is seeking
a vibrant, energetic, enthusiastic
full-time Children’s Pastor who is
passionate about seeing kids and
their families changed by the Gospel.
Interested candidates will find a full
job description with instructions for
applying on the staff page at www.
lizellabaptist.com.
Neel Road Baptist Church of Salisbury,
NC has completed its Intentional
Interim Pastorate Program and is now
looking for a full-ime Senior Pastor.
NRBC is a Christ-centered, spirit-filled,
Bible-believing church dedicated to
sharing God’s love by joyfully reaching,
teaching, and serving all people. We
are searching for the right pastor to
lead and participate in this vision.
We are looking for candidates with a
ten years. His last pastorate was
Waleska First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife,
Sandra; a son, Charles Mathew
Williams; and sister, Nevo Lane,
of Dublin.
Honors
On Feb. 21 Bayvale Baptist
Church in Augusta celebrated
the ten-year anniversary of
Charlie DeLoach as pastor.
Ordinations
Bruce Igou and Chris
O’Quinn were recently ordained
as deacons for Zoar Baptist
Church in Baxley.
‘Since you asked …’
What’s
Happening
Isle of Hope Baptist Church
in Savannah will have its Annual
Sprint Time Revival March
20-21 at 7 p.m. and March 22 at
6 p.m. Kenny Grant will be the
guest pastor.
Rocky Ridge Baptist
Church in Bowen Association
will have revival services March
22-25 with evangelist Daniel
Jones. Sunday morning services
will be at 11 a.m. and nightly
services beginning at 7 p.m.
The Christian Index welcomes classified advertisements. Rates: $33 for 5 lines of copy;
additional lines $6.60 per line. $33 minimum payment. Advance payment is required
for first-time, non-church advertisers and all out-of-state advertisers.
Deadline is 14 days prior to publication date.
Ads are accepted by mail, email [email protected], or fax (770) 936-5595.
four-year undergraduate degree and
seminary degree and 5 years of senior
pastor experience in the Southern
Baptist tradition. Salary range is from
$50-55K. Please send resumes to
[email protected] or mail to 135
Neel Road, Salisbury NC 28147.
Union Baptist Church, Hull, GA is
seeking a part-time Minister of Music
and a part-time Minister of Youth and
Children. Resumes can be sent to 2900
Hwy 106 S., Hull, GA 30646 or office@
unionbaptistchurch.us. The office can
be reached at (706) 789-2378.
New Lebanon Baptist Church of
Newnan, GA is a small but growing
Southern Baptist church seeking a
Pastor who has a shepherd’s heart
and a servant’s spirit that is willing
to join an active church in many
ongoing ministries. Please include
your testimony, statement of faith,
and ministry philosophy in your
resume. Resumes may be mailed to:
New Lebanon Baptist Church Search
Committee, 1674 Wagers Mill Road,
Newnan, GA 30263. Or email to:
[email protected].
Wilkesboro Baptist Church in
Wilkesboro NC is seeking a Senior
Pastor. We are a missions-minded
church supporting the Southern
Baptist Convention and the Baptist
State Convention of NC. We are a 733
resident-member congregation offering
a contemporary and a traditional
worship service each Sunday. We
have a full-time staff of 6 and a parttime staff of 17 including a vibrant
preschool. Applicants must have a
master’s degree from an accredited
seminary/divinity school and 5-10
years pastoral experience in a multiple
staff church. Applicants must 1) be an
effective communicator of well-prepared
biblical sermons 2) be a gifted teacher
of spiritual truths 3) possess effective
leadership and strong interpersonal
skills 4) be a skilled caregiver in
pastoral ministries and 5) have a strong
commitment to missions, discipleship,
evangelism, and Christian education.
Compensation commensurate with
education and experience. Send
cover letter and resume by March
31 to pastorsearchcommitte @
wilkesborobaptist.org or to Pastor
Search Committee Wilkesboro Baptist
Church, PO Box 294, Wilkesboro NC
28697. Visit www.wilkesborobaptist.org.
Music director needed for small Southern Baptist church in Thomasville. Duties include leading adult and children’s
choir programs and all musical worship
related activities. A strong background
in music desired along with the ability
to manage and inspire others to excel
in praising God in song. Call (229) 4036222 to set-up an interview for this
part-time position.
First Baptist Church of Rincon, GA is
seeking resumes for Senior Pastor.
Strong pastoral experience and
Southern Baptist seminary preferred.
FBCR is a 1,500-member church
in a fast-growing, family-oriented
community. Please submit resumes to
[email protected] or FBC
Rincon, 201 East 6th Street, Rincon, GA
31326, Attn. Pastor Search Committee.
First Baptist Church of Rochelle is
seeking a full-time Senior Pastor. We
are a Southern Baptist church looking
for a senior pastor with at least five
years of experience who has a desire
and calling to lead a rural community
church. Southern Baptist seminary
training is preferred. Please send
resumes to Pastor Search Committee,
First Baptist Church of Rochelle, PO Box
566, Rochelle, GA 31079 or email to
[email protected].
Twin City First Baptist Church is looking
for God’s man to lead and grow our
active, small-town, and mission-minded
church. He must have a shepherd’s
heart and a servant’s spirit and preach
from the Word of God. Please submit
your detailed resume electronically
to: [email protected] or by mail
to: First Baptist Church, Pastor Search
Committee, PO Box 298, Twin City, GA
30471.
FOR SALE For Sale
1997 Dodge 3500 Ram Maxi 15
passenger van SLT. Clean, good
condition, regularly serviced, 119,000
miles. One owner - Calvary Baptist
Church, Jesup, GA. Asking price
$4,600.00. Call Church office (912) 4272366 or Mike Gordon (912) 294-1605.
Needed
NEEDED
Pilgrim Ministries is in need of
a 15-passenger bus or van for
transportation for the men in our
ministry. We are a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit discipleship ministry helping
men gain freedom from the bondage
of drug/alcohol addiction through a
relationship with our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. Please contact Director
Andy Pilgrim at (706) 490-4613 or
[email protected] if you
have any questions or need additional
information.
Question: How do we pro- and caregiver #2? Such legal
tect society against those who assaults on these time-honored
would extend the special stafamily terms seem inevitable if
tus of marriage to homosex“same-sex” marriage becomes
ual, lesbian, or polygamous
equal with heterosexual marrelationships?
riage.
Answer: The issue of
I propose that as Americans
whether Americans should
we declare heterosexual marapprove “same-sex” marriage as the only relationriage continues to be a
ship in our society that
heated topic, and the
is to be defined by its
U.S. Supreme Court
sexual nature and that
justices will finally settle
it will continue to be
the debate of samedefined as a legal relasex across the nation
tionship between one
by hearing arguments
man and one woman
in April – with cases
consummated by sexual
from Michigan, Ohio,
intercourse.
Richard Land
Kentucky, and Tennessee
If two men or two
– and releasing a ruling by
women are living together in
the end of their term in June.
a relationship and they want
President Obama has “evolved” to ask the state legislature in
on the issue to the place where
their state to grant some of the
he supports “same-sex” marspecial legal privileges accorded
riage, making no distinction
marriage to their relationship
between the
the state legistime-honored
lature should
institution
respond in
of marriage
the following
as being
fashion: “We
between one
will consider
man and one
your request,
woman and
but the sexual
a relationship
nature of your
between two
relationship
people of the
will be irrelsame sex.
evant to our
The issue
discussions
emerged
because marduring the
riage is the
2012 election cycle in a debate
only relationship in our society
in the U.S. senatorial contest
that is defined by its sexual
in Virginia between George
nature. Why should other peoAllen (R) and Tim Kaine (D).
ple who are living in committed
Former Governor Kaine, when
relationships that do not involve
asked about the issue, couched
sexual activity be discriminated
his answer in terms of civil
against or left out?”
rights and equality, stating “that
In other words, the state legrelationships should be treated
islature would not discriminate
equally.”
against two maiden or widowed
Marriage has been defined in sisters who were living together
Western civilization for at least
or a mother and a devoted
two millennia now as being
son or daughter who were
a sexual relationship between
living together in a platonic
one man and one woman.
relationship. Why should such
Christianity has defined it so
households and relationships
historically, most often coube left behind when legal privipling it with life-long permaleges and recognition are being
nence and monogamy. As an
passed out just because they are
Evangelical Christian, I certainly not in a sexual relationship?
embrace that definition.
If the people’s elected repHowever, how do we deal
resentatives in the various states
with those who would choose
were to undertake such legto extend some of the legal
islation, it would certainly do
privileges our society has
much to protect marriage as the
accorded marriage to same-sex
unique institution that it is in
relationships without shatterour society, while according all
ing the definition of marriage
other relationships that equality
or discriminating against people that former Governor Kaine so
outside the heterosexual definidesires.
tion of marriage? How do we
protect society against those
This column was written
who would extend the special
by Richard Land, president of
status of marriage to homoSouthern Evangelical Seminary,
sexual, lesbian, or polygamous
in Charlotte, NC, and former
relationships? How do we propresident of the Ethics and
tect time-honored titles, like
Religious Liberty Commission of
“husband” and “wife,” from
the Southern Baptist Convention.
being attacked as homophobic
It originally appeared in The
or sexist terms to be replaced
Christian Post and has been
by spouse #1 and spouse #2 or
edited for use in The Christian
“Mom” and “Dad” from being
Index.
reduced legally to caregiver #1
How do we protect
time-honored titles,
like “husband” and
“wife,” from being
attacked as homophobic or sexist
terms to be replaced
by spouse #1 and
spouse #2 …
Devotionals
Daily Devotions
Friday, March 20
Numbers 30:1-31:54
Luke 4:1-30
Psalm 63:1-11
Proverbs 11:20-21
Saturday, March 21
Numbers 32:1-33:39
Luke 4:31-5:11
Psalm 64:1-10
Proverbs 11:22
Sunday, March 22
Numbers 33:40-35:34
Luke 5:12-28
Psalm 65:1-13
Proverbs 11:23
Monday, March 23
Numbers 36:1-Dt. 1:46
Luke 5:29-6:11
Psalm 66:1-20
Proverbs 11:24-26
Tuesday, March 24
Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
Luke 6:12-38
Psalm 67:1-7
Proverbs 11:27
March 19, 2015
Wednesday, March 25
Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28
Monday, March 30
Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23
Luke 8:40-9:6
Psalm 71:1-24
Proverbs 12:5-7
Thursday, March 26
Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25
Luke 7:11-35
Psalm 68:19-35
Proverbs 11:29-31
Tuesday, March 31
Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20
Luke 9:7-27
Psalm 72:1-20
Proverbs 12:8-9
Friday, March 27
Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20
Luke 7:36-8:3
Psalm 69:1-18
Proverbs 12:1
Wednesday, April 1
Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20
Luke 9:28-50
Psalm 73:1-28
Proverbs 12:10
Saturday, March 28
Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22
Luke 8:4-21
Psalm 69:19-36
Proverbs 12:2-3
Thursday, April 2
Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30
Luke 9:51-10:12
Psalm 74:1-23
Proverbs 12:11
Sunday, March 29
Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32
Luke 8:22-39
Psalm 70:1-5
Proverbs 12:4
Birthdays
March
20 – Cindy Fruitticher,
Youth Ministry;
Mary Lafferty, Camp
Pinnacle
21 – Barbara Curnutt, retiree;
Joyce Micheletti, retiree
24 – Kyle Helgeland, GBCC-Toccoa
25 – Frank Bowden, BCM
Columbus;
Karen Ivester, GBCC-Toccoa
27 – Evelyn Duncan, retiree;
Debbie Norris, Church
Financial Services
28 – Jerry Baker, Intercultural
Ministries;
Harriet Clardy, retiree;
Lacey Graham, Media
Strategy;
W. Howard Bell, retiree
29 – Maria Brannen, Discipleship
Ministries;
30 – Clarence Drummond, retiree
April
1 – Byron Freeman, Support
Services;
Lee Roy Hall, Jr., retiree
‘silent assassin,’ ‘steadfast ambassador’
named R.V. Brown came to
speak to us. He was a very powerful speaker, especially for a
group of elementary and middle
school students, but I still cannot remember what he preached
on that day.
“What I do remember is the
one question that he asked us at
the end of his talk: ‘If you were
to die today, where would you
go?’ This was not a question I
had pondered before, but on
this day it struck me in a new
light. God was calling me to give
my life to Him. I finally understood and believed that Jesus
Christ is the only means of salvation from a life of sin.
“From that day forward, God
used the teachers at ELCA and
mentors around me, including my friends, to mold my life
PLAN OF
SALVATION
Becoming a Christian
n To become a Christian a person
must first realize that he or she
is “lost” – totally estranged from
God, separated from God by a
sinful nature. Locate a Bible, the
history of God’s relationship with
humankind, and read from the
chapter titled Romans. Romans
3:23: For all have sinned and
come short of the glory of God.
n A person alone cannot
reconcile the lost relationship
between himself or herself and
God. To provide a remedy, God
sent his only Son, Jesus, to live
the perfect life God demands.
Romans 6:23: For the wages
of sin is death; but the gift of
God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
n Although humanity through
sin has separated itself from
God, the sacrifice of Jesus
on the cross bridged that
gap. Romans 5:8: But God
commendeth his love toward
us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.
Taylor Echols:
continued from page 6
9
and teach me what it means to
live for Him. It was during my
junior year of high school that I
finally made my public declaration of faith through baptism.
Living testimony
“My desire is to live out
my faith by sharing the love of
Christ. No one can fully embody
the love of God like Jesus Christ,
but I ask the Lord every day to
help me love like he does.
I often find it hard to set aside
interior motives and legalistic
thinking to truly love everyone
as God’s own creation, but true
faith is exemplified in love.
“Every day I have the opportunity to be a living testimony
of the Gospel of Christ to my
teammates, the coaches, and
everyone affiliated with the basketball team. Being part of the
team has also provided me with
several opportunities to share
my faith with a group of middle
school students as well as some
of my peers.”
When asked what lessons
he has learned as a player on
UGA’s basketball team, Echols
explained, “I think one of the
most impactful lessons I have
learned is that worldly acceptance is extremely conditional,
but the love of God is unconditional. That truth has provided
me a great comfort during my
basketball career.”
Taylor Echols may be a
“silent assassin” on the basketball court, but he is a “steadfast
ambassador” from the court of
the King of kings.
All that God asks is that a
man or woman repent of his or
her sins, turn from them and
accept the sacrifice Christ made
on the cross for those sins.
Romans 10:9: That if thou shalt
confess with thy mouth the Lord
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be
saved.
n
n God
promises in the Bible that
anyone who accepts Jesus as
Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13: For whosoever
shall call upon the name of
the Lord shall be saved.
The way we call upon Him
is through prayer.
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that
I am a sinner. I also know that
You died on the cross for
my sins and that You were
raised up from the dead.
I turn from self and sin and trust
You to be my Savior and Lord.
Please forgive me of my sins.
Take control of my life and
help me to be the person
that you want me to be.
Save me now and save me
forever. Thank You, Lord,
for hearing my prayer
and saving my soul.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
n Baptists
believe that a
person who accepts Christ
as Savior will want to follow
Him as Lord and be baptized
by immersion and join the
fellowship of a local church
of like-minded believers.
Bible Study
Death is common to all of us.
“And inasmuch as it is appointed
for men to die once and after
this comes judgment,” (Heb.
9:27 NAS). Man fights death; it
is a fearsome enemy. We seek to
prolong life, search for fountains
of youth, and some will even
attempt to cheat death by having their bodies frozen to await
some future day when they can
be thawed to discover that cures
have been found to extend their
life.
Death is the result of original
sin – “Therefore, just as through
one man sin entered into the
world, and death through sin,”
(Rom. 5:12 NAS). When Adam
sinned by disobeying God death
came, “for the wages of sin is
death” (Rom. 6:23 NAS).
This death came in three
forms. First, physical death
became a part of life. Second,
man died spiritually, “And you
were dead in your trespasses
and sins,” (Eph. 2:1 NAS).
Thirdly, eternal death, Hell,
became the eternal destination
of those who die physically with
their sin debt unpaid. It has
been said, “that if you have been
born once when you will die
twice, physically, and eternally,
but if you have been born again,
spiritually, you only die once,
physically, and have eternal life.”
Jesus had lived the sinless life
that is impossible for us to live.
His death was the price of our
redemption. He had no sin of
His own to pay for, yet He took
on the sin penalty of the world
that we might have eternal life.
He willingly fulfilled the purpose
of His incarnation that we might
be saved.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX
mock crown and began ridiculfollowers, “… I am with you
ing Him as King of the Jews.
always, even to the end of the
This was an attempt to humiliate age” (Matt. 28:20 NAS), He
Him and to teach a lesson to any knew the pain of being forsaken.
in the crowd that there was no
You can trust His promise that
king but Caesar.
you will never be alone following
Little could they have realized Him.
that on a future day they
Jesus: A Death
will bow knees and profess Him as Lord: “…
Like No Other
that at the name of Jesus
Matthew 27:28-31,
every knee should bow…”
45-50, 54
(Phil. 2:9 NAS). Jesus
knew what must hapBible Studies for Life, March 29
pen; He endured their
John O. Yarbrough
mocking, not merely
Assoc. professor of Christian Studies
the physical pain of the
Truett-McConnell College
crown of thorns, but the
pain of their rejection.
He was enduring this for
Even when everyone else turns
them and for all of us. Yet, He
away from you, He is there.
was rejected and is still rejected
As a child, did you ever stand
by many today. His love comin a dark room after the power
had gone off and fear had
engulfed you and heard the
strong voice of your father say,
“It’s OK, I am right here”?
In His only moment of darkness Jesus did not hear those
pelled Him to endure.
words, but because He endured
Have you ever experienced
the pain and experienced an
rejected love? If you have, you
undeserved death, He can say to
know it hurts. Have you ever
you as a follower, in your darkest
been on the blunt end of mockmoment, “It’s OK, I am right
ing and bullying? Have you ever
here!”
been guilty of being the bully?
How will you respond? Will
Acknowledged as God’s Son
you be more like Jesus or more
Matthew 27:54
like those railing in causing the
When Jesus died the veil in
pain?
the temple was split as if the
hand of God reached from the
Forsaken by God
windows of heaven and proMatthew 27:45-50
claimed an age was over. The
Wow! The darkness surround- true “Day of Atonement” had
ed the cross where the “light of
come and access to the Father
the world” was covered by the
sins of all humanity. Sin cannot
coexist with God. Jesus experienced that darkness for the first
time in all eternity and cries out,
not from the pain of the cross,
but from the pain of sin and the
darkness of the absence of the
Father.
When Jesus promised His
BIBLE STUDY
10
Our fear can lead to
faith when we see our
sins and see God’s love.
Mocked (and bullied)
Matthew 27:28-31
Can you imagine them laughing at Jesus? They put the robe
of a King on Him. They made a
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was now available only through
the Son, Jesus.
The earth He had created
shook, rocks split, and graves
opened. Some of the dead
were raised at the death of
Jesus. The resurrected saints
entered Jerusalem and
appeared to many!
Now brother, that
should get your attention. It did get the
attention of a certain
centurion and group
of guards.
This Roman execution squad was a hardened group of soldiers.
It is highly unlikely
that this was their first crucifixion. Our text says, “When they
saw these things.” This was not
normal activity.
Two things happened very
quickly; first, they became
“frightened.” This is scary stuff!
I mean, dead people coming
to town (burials were always
outside the city) is scary. These
aren’t “the walking dead”; they
were dead, but were now alive.
However, these hard-to-scare
solders were shaken. Perhaps
there greatest fear was over what
they had done to Jesus.
The second thing that happened was their fear was followed by their acknowledgement, “Truly this was the Son of
God.” Even these Romans had
to acknowledge Jesus.
Our fear can lead to faith
when we see our sins and see
God’s love. As a nine-year-old
boy I feared going to hell. My
Mom and Dad told me I did
not have to fear because Jesus
paid for my sin and if I turned
from sin and received His gift
of redemption I would go to
heaven one day to live with Him
forever. I confessed Him as my
Lord and Savior and know that
one day I will spend eternity in
Heaven.
Some will say fear is not a
good reason for coming to faith
in Jesus. All I can say is that it
worked for me.
This week:
Walk – Reflect on the suffering of Jesus.
Run – Recognize the suffering you may have experienced as
a follower of Jesus. Compare it
to what He experienced for you.
Soar – Find someone going
through a fearful time or someone being bullied and stand
with them, encourage them.
ANSWERS
Bible CROSSWORD
from page 11
©2010 Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Bible Study
Empty tomb to resurrection
Matthew 28:1-7
Most of us have experienced
the death of loved one. We know
something of the grief. However,
can you imagine the grief that
the followers of Jesus were experiencing following His death?
They had not only experienced
the loss of a loved one, they had
great expectations in their following of Jesus.
Many of them had left everything to follow Him. Most of
them were expecting him to rule
over Israel and establish the longawaited Kingdom. Even though
Bible Crossword
Jesus had told them what would
This news was almost too
happen, they could not compregood to believe. They had to
see it with their own eyes. Jesus
hend the events that were about
knew they needed to see Him
to unfold.
as well as the empty tomb. He
Perhaps the Jewish religious
leaders believed something would appeared to the women as they
happen when they remember that ran to report to the disciples
while Jesus was alive He
had said, “After three days
Jesus: Resurrected
I am to rise again” (Matt.
Like No Other
27:63). They asked Pilate
Matthew 28:1-10
to put guards at the grave
to keep the disciples from
Bible Studies for Life, April 5
stealing the body.
Around the death and
John O. Yarbrough
resurrection of Jesus there
Assoc.
professor of Christian Studies
was a lot of shaking going
Truett-McConnell College
on. The earth shook at
the death and resurrection of Jesus. An angel descended their discovery. He greeted them
in the shaking and rolled back
with, “Do not be afraid.”
the stone that had been sealed.
Fear, joy, excitement, and
The guards shook with fear and
confusion were rushing through
were scared stiff. When God is at them. Jesus gave them instrucwork there are usually one of two tions concerning where He
responses, or both; one is fear
would meet the disciples. I am
the other is joy.
sure they wanted to stay with
When the women arrived at
Jesus and go tell the good news
the tomb, the messenger of God
at the same time.
greeted them with those angelic
Have you ever been there;
words, “Do not be afraid.” They
wanting to stay in the Word and
were about to hear the greatest
worship, but knowing that you
news in all eternity, “He is not
were told to go and tell?
here, for He has risen, just as He
said. Come, see the place where
Eyewitness verification
He was lying” (Matt. 28:6).
Matthew 28:8-10
I am confident the stone was
Today, as in that day, there
not rolled away for Jesus to get
are those who cannot accept
out of the tomb, but for the
the resurrection. They attempt
women and later the disciples to
to explain it away on medical
get in.
grounds or as an act of con-
BIBLE STUDY
How do we begin to discuss
in the restrictions of this space
the singular most important
event in all history: the resurrection of Jesus? Paul tells us in 1
Corinthians 15 that our “faith is
worthless” if Jesus is not raised
from the dead.
The resurrection of Jesus
defeats one of humanities greatest fears: death. According to
the National Institute of Mental
Health, 68% of people fear death.
The resurrection of Jesus from
the grave is defining in that it
validates and vindicates everything in His life and every word
of the Bible. Religious leaders
come and die. Their graves are
scattered over the earth; they are
still in them. However, there is
only one that is empty – the one
Jesus borrowed for three days.
March 19, 2015
11
spiracy by His followers. The
Jewish leaders launched a coverup as soon as the guard told
them what had happened. They
would pay the guard to blame it
on the tomb being raided by the
disciples and stealing the body
of Jesus. They even
went so far as to say
they would handle
the governor and
keep the guard out of
trouble.
There are still
those today who
attempt to explain
the resurrection as a
robbery. However,
their stories fall flat
against the stories of the eyewitnesses who had encountered the
risen Jesus before His ascension.
Neither does Scripture nor history record that any of the disciples were ever arrested for grave
robbing.
Yes, they were arrested from
time to time for preaching, but
never grave robbing. Why not?
Because the charges wouldn’t
hold-up.
If the guards were there
to insure that a grave robbery
wouldn’t take place, why were
they not disciplined and dishonored for their failure?
Some have attempted to
explain the resurrection as a
“spiritual” event that was not a
physical resurrection. They have
to deny Scripture to make their
point. The resurrected Jesus ate,
challenged doubters to touch
Him, and appeared to many
during His 40 day extension on
earth to defy the doubters.
Still, others have said Jesus
really was not dead on the cross
and that the cool, damp grave
revived him and He awoke to
escape. This becomes laughable. The stone, the seal, and the
guard were to insure His body
would not be stolen. He would
have to have rolled the stone,
defeated the guards, and run for
the hills all after He had been
beaten and crucified.
The truth is that the miracle
of the resurrection is a miracle of
God that can only be explained
by His omnipotence. His victory
over death insures that those who
follow Him as Lord and Savior
can face death as a doorway to
their destiny of eternal life.
This Week:
Walk – How do you know
that Jesus is raised from the
dead? Write your response so you
could share the fact of the resurrection with a seeker.
Run – Write why you believe
the resurrection is essential for
our salvation.
Soar – Ask God to give you
the opportunity to share with
a doubter the reason and evidence for the resurrection. Study
Romans 10:9-10 and be ready
when He opens the door to share
the truth.
43. Radio receiver
46. Joshua did this with 12 stones
in the Jordan (Josh. 4:9)
48. Vehicle
51. It became a boil on man and
beast (Ex. 9:10)
53. Barnabas said this to God’s call
56. Morning beverage
57. School (abbr.)
58. “Paul and Barnabas waxed ___”
(Acts 13:46)
60. Mil. branch
61. Vehicle-accommodating ship
62. Horsefly
64. “All that are ___ off”
(Acts 2:39)
65. CA university
66. They “___ their hands on”
Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:3)
68. Jewish opposition was Barnabas
and Paul’s ___ to preach to the
Gentiles
70. “By what law? of works?___:
but by the law of faith”
(Rom. 3:27)
©2010 Barbour Publishing, Inc. PO Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio, 44683
Answers on page 12 (upside down)
ACROSS
1. Barnabas treated people with this
4. “Like ___ that find no pasture”
(Lam. 1:6)
9. Jostle
14. Slithery fish
15. God set ___ Barnabas for His
work (Acts 13:2)
16. Theologians do this to Bible
phrases
17. ___ Maria
18. Barnabas laid this at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:37)
19. Paul and Barnabas discussed
these with the apostolic council
(Acts 15.20)
20. “Unworthy of everlasting ___”
(Acts 13:46)
22. Braces oneself
24. Barnabas was not one of those
25. Prime Meridian clock reading
27. ___ a small world!
29. “Barnabas…___ go as far as
Antioch” (Acts 11:22)
32. Barnabas took this to Christians
in Judea (Acts 11:29-30)
35. Spy org.
36. After a stoning, Paul went here
with Barnabas (Acts 14:20)
38. North Pole workshop workers
40. “Hold up my goings…that my
footsteps ___ not” (Ps. 17:5)
42. 24 Across had too much of this
44. “I will perform the ___ which
I sware” (Gen. 26:3)
45. Barnabas ___ Mark when Paul
refuses (Acts 15:39)
47. Rebekah’s husband (Gen. 24:67)
49. “I am ready…to ___ at
Jerusalem” (Acts 21:13)
50. Grand Turk
52. The disciples did this, then
ordained Barnabas as a missionary (Acts 13:3)
54. Farm org.
55. Before (prefix)
56. What Saul hoped to do to David
with his javelin (1 Sam. 18:11)
59. Barnabas went to one in Antioch
(Acts 11:26)
63. Paul’s former name
67. In a tilted position
69. Athenian lawmaker and poet
71. Campus ministry org.
72. “Ye are of more ___ than many
sparrows” (Matt. 10:31)
73. The Colosseum in Rome was one
74. ___ Baba
75. Because of Barnabas, “much
people was ___ unto the Lord”
(Acts 11:24)
76. Old ___ (stubbornly old-fashioned person)
77. Hip
DOWN
1. Greenish blue
2. Barnabas’ tribe (Acts 4:36)
3. Notation in music
4. Noah’s son (Gen. 5:32)
5. Those who named Barnabas
(Acts 4:36)
6. Jeremiah’s preaching, to a scorner
7. Mid-Eden feature
8. Eye infection
9. Barnabas took one to Antioch
(Acts 15:30)
10. Bearer of barley loves and fish
(John 6:9)
11. James and John, e.g.
(Matt. 4:21) (abbr.)
12. Capital of Norway
13. Wild ___
21. Self
23. Ananias and Sapphira told one
(Acts 5:3, 8)
26. Wet dirt
28. What a foolish man would fill
with grain (Luke 12:16-20)
29. A man chosen along with
Barnabas (Acts 15:22)
30. 17-syllable poem
31. Run off
32. Summary
33. Jesus did this to those wanting
to make Him king (John 6:15)
34. Manna would be this if kept overnight (Ex. 16:20)
35. Kansas City winter hours
37. Vehicle
39. Mourners showed Peter garments
Dorcas had made “while ___
was with them” (Acts 9:39)
41. You can’t serve God and this
12
Telling the Cooperative Program Story
Marketplace ministry
built on
prayer and stones
Stacey Williams puts a person’s
name and the date of their request
on a stone. When God answers the
prayer, he documents that date and
places the stone in the Joshua Jar.
JIM BURTON/Special
Riverbed stones cover a portion of Stacey Williams’ workplace desk. Each stone represents a prayer
request for which he intercedes. Once God answers a prayer, Williams places that stone in a Joshua
Jar as a reminder of the power of prayer. JIM BURTON/Special
By Jim Burton
DALTON — When Stacey
Williams’ supervisor randomly
asked him last October to
call on a business client in
Chattanooga, he met a miracle.
In June, the business owner
had called Williams and requested prayer for Jeff, a 34-year-old
with a heart condition who had
developed meningitis in the hospital. The young man was facing
death last summer, and Williams
had not heard the outcome.
He walked into the owner’s
office where one other person
was sitting, and asked about Jeff.
“Stacey, meet Jeff,” the
owner said. “This is his first day
back on the job.”
Back at Signature Hospitality
Carpets where he does inside
sales to strategic accounts,
Williams put Jeff’s stone in a
Joshua Jar. God had answered
another prayer.
The stone had Jeff’s name
and the date of the request.
That stone rested among about
40 on Williams’ desk representing people with marriage,
health, job, housing, leadership,
and emotional issues. And some
are very personal.
When Williams’ son Patrick
was born, he failed the hospital’s
hearing tests. They took him
home with the understanding
that their son would be deaf.
So they wrote the request on a
rock and prayed. Four months
later, after multiple tests by different medical specialists, Patrick
passed an audiology test. He was
fine, and another stone went
into a Joshua Jar.
Inspired by Scripture
Williams and his family attend
Holly Creek Baptist Church
in Dalton where he serves as a
deacon, volunteers through the
Brotherhood, and teaches a couple’s Sunday School class. About
eight years ago, he was teaching
on Joshua 4:19-24 where God
told Joshua to set up 12 stones
at Gilgal as a reminder of what
He had done for Israel. That led
to an idea.
“We are all forgetful,”
Williams said. “We need visual
reminders of what God has done
in our life.”
He purchased a thick decorative jar and got some stones.
“I’m going to put a prayer
request on a rock, put it on my
desk at work, and leave the rock
at the base of the jar,” Williams
resolved. “When God answers
the request, I will place it in the
jar.”
His work desk was soon full
of rocks with other people’s
prayer requests. Then God
started answering prayers. In
the eight years,
Williams estimates
that he has shared
his testimony with
about 400 people.
Filled Joshua Jars adorn the workplace desk of
While the stones on
his desk draw inqui- Stacey Williams. Each rock placed in a Joshua Jar
represents an answered prayer. JIM BURTON/Special
ries from visitors,
his clients across the
country also make
prayer requests.
Williams to grow the ministry
“It has become a ministry
by selling Joshua Jar kits, which
across the states,” he said.
he does for $20. More than 640
are now in use as far away as
Marketplace ministry
Spain.
Williams changed jobs last
Williams keeps a Joshua Jar
May and didn’t bring a Joshua
at home where his wife and
Jar to his new office until June.
four children also participate.
Once others learned about the
Children’s groups at church
Joshua Jar, Williams said that
have them, too.
it united believers in the work“We’re teaching our kids
place. Within a month, he had
through the Joshua Jar as well,”
shared his story with about 40
he said.
people. Within ten weeks, God
Few Christian men establish
had filled two Joshua Jars.
a proactive ministry in their
“I’ve always wondered how
workplace. Clearly, Williams is
do you talk about Christ in the
an exception. Bob Bagley serves
workplace; how do you bring it
North Georgia and Murray
up?” Williams said. “Having this County Baptist associations
Joshua Jar has made it easy to
as their associational missiontalk about your faith. Your faith
ary and has been in vocational
just naturally comes up.”
ministry more than 50 years.
He uses oversized river rocks
He attends Holly Creek Baptist
from a vendor in Cartersville,
Church with Williams and sees
and hand selects each one. He
how the Cooperative Program
looks for different sizes and col(CP) has helped to nurture
ors. Big rocks are for big needs.
and train Williams, a life-long
Friends in Dalton urged
Southern Baptist, to be on mis-
sion.
Between his pastors who
received seminary and collegiate training with CP funds
and training support from the
Georgia Baptist Convention
for Sunday School, Deacon
Ministries, and Men’s Ministries,
CP has been a common
denominator in William’s spiritual development, according to
Bagley.
“Stacy Williams is genuinely
committed to share his faith
whether it be at home, at work,
or at leisure,” Bagley said. “He
doesn’t meet a stranger and is
comfortable in any setting.”
And that’s a commitment
worth remembering.
Jim Burton is a photojournalist living in Cumming. For more
information about the Joshua
Jars, visit www.joshuajars.com.
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