sept/oct 2008 fellowship! magazine
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
September/OctOber 2008 Serving Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission
CBFfellowship! Cooperative baptiSt fellowShip | www.thefellowShip.info
Female Pastors Julie pennington-russell, pastor of first baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., is one of the most well-known female pastors in baptist life. but she is among more than 100 women currently serving as pastor or co-pastor of Cbf partner churches. See pages 6-12 to learn more about these pastors.
Fred
rik b
raue
r pho
to
2 | f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal answers one of the most often asked questions in this litany of identity.
• WeareaFELLOWSHIPofBaptistChristiansandchurcheswithavisionforbeingthepresenceofChristintheworld.
• WeareaNATIONAL NETWORKofBaptiststhatresourcesandconnectsChristiansandchurchesastheydiscoverandfulfilltheirGod-givenmission.
• WeareaMISSIONS ORGANIZATIONthatserveslocalcongregationsastheymakedisciples,sendandsupportmissionaries,startnewchurchesandministeramongthemostneglectedpeopleintheworld.
• WeareaPARTNERSHIPforBaptiststocollaborateinplanning,fundingandprayingfortheglobalmissionofthechurch.
• WeareaFAMILYofBaptiststhatgathersnationally,aswellasinstatesandregions,forannualassemblies.
• WeareanASSOCIATION OF CHURCHESthatprovidesretirementbenefitsforclergy.
• WeareanECCLESIAL BODYthatsupportstheologicaleducationandthedevelopmentofcongregationalleaders.
• WeareaRELIEF AGENCYthatrespondstodisastersandengagesintransformationalcommunitydevelopment.
• WeareaFAITH GROUPthatendorseschaplains,pastoralcounselorsandministersinspecializedsettings.
• WeareaMEMBER BODYoftheBaptistWorldAlliance,BaptistJointCommitteeforReligiousLibertyandChristianChurchesTogetherintheUSA.
• WeareaPRESENCE AND VOICEwithintheChristiancommunityadvocatingforsocialjusticeandhumanrights.
• WeareaMOVEMENT AND MINISTRYofrenewalwithintheBaptistfamily.
Daniel Vestal, CBF Executive Coordinator
vol. 18, no. 5executive coordinator • Daniel Vestal
cOOrDinatOr, FellOwShip aDVancement • ben mcDade
editor • lance wallace
managing editor • patricia heys
associate editor • carla wynn Davis
Phone • (770) 220-1600
Fax • (770) 220-1685
e-mail • [email protected]
Web site • www.thefellowship.info
fellowship! is published 7 times a year in Sept./Oct., Special i (Oct.), nov./Dec., Jan./Feb., mar./apr., may/June, July/aug. by the cooperative baptist Fellowship, inc., 3001 mercer University Dr., atlanta, Ga 30341-4115. periodicals postage paid at atlanta, Ga, and additional mailing offices. USpS #015-625
pOStmaSter: Send address changes to “fellowship!” newsletter, cooperative baptist Fellowship, p.O. box 450329, atlanta, Ga 31145-0329
What is Cooperative Baptist Fellowship?
6-12 female pastors: learn about the women leading cbF partner churches
14 Join the conversation: cbF’s interactive web tools
15 Church Spotlight: First baptist of waukegen, ill.
16-18 Cbf helps migrants struggling to survive in north africa
f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8 | 3
Contents
cbF
phot
oJe
nnife
r bar
tlett
phot
o
CarlaWynnDavisservesasacommunicationsassistantspecialistatCBF.Throughstories,photos,videos,brochuresandWebcontent,shehelpstotellthestoriesofCBFministries.Specifically,shewrotethematerialforthe2008-2009CBFOfferingforGlobalMissionspromotion
campaignandproducedtheDVD,producedtheTogetherforHopeDVD,servedasamemberoftheGeneralAssemblySteeringCommitteeanddesignedthelogofortheMemphismeeting,andrecentlyproducedthe“CBFResponds”disasterresponseDVDandregularlyreportsontheFellowship’sdisasterresponseefforts.SheresidesinRaleigh,N.C.,wheresheisbasedwhennottravelingaroundtheworldcoveringthemulti-facetedministryofFellowshipBaptists.
Hometown:Beaufort,S.C.Education:UniversityofSouthCarolinainColumbia,S.C.;
MercerUniversity’sMcAfeeSchoolofTheologyinAtlanta,Ga.Interesting fact:ShefirstbecameinvolvedwithCBFin
college,whensheservedinLosAngelesaspartoftheFellow-ship’sStudent.Goprogramforcollegestudents.
“StoriesarewhatkeepthisFellowshipaliveandvibrant.Theygiveeachofushopethatwhatwedotogetherreallydoesmatterandreallydoeschangelives.I’veseenfirsthandthedifferenceCBFministrymakes.I’veinterviewedpeoplewhoaresograte-ful—someevenspeechless—thatagroupofChristianscaredenoughtohelp.TheirstoriesareanencouragementtomethattogetherweareallbeingthepresenceofChristintheworld.”
[email protected](800)352-8741.
meet Carla Wynn Davis
Fellowship People
Jim Pope
Chaplaincyisahigh-stressministry,retiredNavychaplainJamesA.Popebelieves.Andchaplainsthemselvesoften
needaminister.“Thesemenandwomenhaveaspecialministrybecauseit
is365daysperyear,24hoursaday,particularlywhentheyaredeployed.Theydon’tgetadayoff,”saidPope,whorecentlybe-ganworkingpart-timewiththeFellowship.
Poperelatestomilitaryorganizationsandreviewsapplica-tionsforendorsement.Heregularlycontactsmilitarychaplainsandtheirfamilies.Militaryregulationsrequirechaplainstobe
endorsedbyarecognizedfaithgroup,suchastheFellowship.
CBFalsobenefitsfromitsendorserrole.“[Chaplaincyis]avitallyimportantpartofthemilitarycomponentthatgivesCBFvisibilityallovertheworld,”Popesaid.“Thebest,mostimportantwayCBFispromotedbymilitarychaplainsisthroughtheirministrywithmili-tarypersonnelandtheirfamilies.Theyhaveanopportunitytoredefine‘Baptist’forthousandsofyoungpeople.It’sanotherlegtotheCBFmission.”
Helen Ruchti
In1959,afour-linepoemforastorecontestlandedHelenRuchtiandherpastor-husbandatriptoRome,Italy.God
usedthatexperiencetocallthepairtomissionservice.Duringtheir25-yearministry,theyestablishedaBaptistchurchinthecity’sheart,andHelenservedastheEuropean(nowInternational)BaptistConvention’sfirstfemalepresident.
Afterretirement,RuchtitaughtItalianatShorterCollegeinRome,Ga.“WhenteachingatShorter,Ihadtheopportunitytoinfluenceyoungpeoplejustbyteachingthemandloving
them,”shesaid.Writingprovidesherwithanopportunity
toinfluenceothersformissions.Herjournalentriesfromthepast40yearswererecentlypublishedas“LaBellaVita:DailyInspirationfromItaly.”
“Iaskedmyself:‘HowcanIusemyexperi-ence?’IfeltthatthroughmywritingsIcouldtouchpeoplewiththegospel.Ihopethiswillencourageolderpeopletowritetheirmemories,”shesaid.
Preston Clegg
TheFellowship’speerlearninggroupsprovidecommunity,comfortandlearningopportunitiesforCBFministers,
accordingtoPrestonClegg,pastorofSpringCreekBaptistChurchinOklahomaCity,Okla.
Introducedtotheconceptnearlytwoyearsago,Cleggsaid,“Ourgroupgivesasenseofcommunity,providesconfidentialityandgivesasenseoflearningfromthosewhohavebeenthereanddonethat.Icanlearnfromthosewhohavefacedthestrugglesofchurchwork.I’mlearningfromgoodpractitioners.”
ThefactthattherearefewCBFpartnerchurchesinOklahomamakesthegroup“soimportant,”headded.“Itpromotestheideaofpracticeandreflection,andgivesaconstantsenseofreevaluatingandreflectingonthebigquestions.Ithinkit’sgoodtostepbackandre-flectonthebigquestions.
“Thegrouphasbeeninvaluable.Thereissomuchcomfortintalkingwithpeople…whoarewiseenoughtoshowyouthepitfallsofministryandhelpyouavoidthem.Theyarethefriendsforthejourney.”
Jim and Norma Reagan
JimandNormaReaganwereFellowship-typepeoplebeforeCBFactuallyformed,andtheyhaveattendednearlyevery
GeneralAssemblysincetheorganization’sinception.JimparticipatedinmeetingspriortoCBF’sbirth,andboth
attendedtheformationofCBFinAtlantain1991.TheReagansfeelthecommissioningserviceforthenewfieldpersonnelisthehighlightoftheAssembly.
MembersatTallwoodBaptistChurch,theReagansseethe2009GeneralAssemblymeetingintheirhometownofHouston,Texas,asanopportunityforotherstolearnabout
CBF.“Weareeagerformoreyoungadultstoattend.Wetalkaboutit[everyGeneralAssembly]beforewegoandwhenwecomeback,”Normasaid.
“Wehopealargegroupofpeoplefromourchurchwillparticipate[in2009].SomehavelittleknowledgeofCBF.Itwillbeanopportunityforthemtoseetherealthing,”theysaid.
helen ruchti
preston Clegg
Jim and norma reagan
4 | f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8
Jim pope
“We believed in education.
Billy always felt one of his main
ministries was to educate young
people. So, when he died, I
thought a good way to remember
him and his love for young people
was to start this fund.”
Mae Ora Johnson CapshawEllisville, Miss.
WhyI give...
TheJohnsonFamilyEndowmentwasestablishedbyMaeOraJohnsonCapshawafterherfirst
husband,Billy,diedofcancerin1991.Thefund,whichprovidesassistanceto
studentsseekingtheologicaleducation,wasthefirstfundestablishedthroughtheCBFFoundation.Itsproceedshavehelpedmanystudentscompletetheir
theologicaleducation.BillyJohnsonhadbeenaBaptistpastor
inMississippiandAlabamafor40yearswhenhediedatage58.Theendowmentwasinitiallybegunwithinsuranceproceedsandgiftsgiveninhismemory,andCapshawsaidsheadds“alittlebiteachyear.”
Aretiredschoolteacher,Capshaw,75,nowlivesinEllisville,Miss.TheJohnson
Endowmenttotalsabout$20,000,withabout$1,000eachyearavailableforscholarships.
“ThemoneywehavegivenisnotsomuchawaytohonorBillyasawaytoextendhisministry,”shesaid.“Maybesomedayitwillworkuptowhereitwillbevaluableenoughtobearealhelptoyoungpeople.”
eric
rob
erts
pho
to
f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8 | 5
Give | to lean more about establishing or contributing to a fund through the cbF Foundation, call (800) 352-8741 or e-mail [email protected]. thank you for giving to cbF. Your gifts make a difference in the lives of people around the world.
6 | f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8
Despitetherebukeatayoungage,Gr-undset,26,continuedtopursuehercalling.SheisnowoneoftheCooperativeBaptistFellowship’sministryresidents,servingtwoyearsintheteachingcongre-gationofCal-varyBaptistChurchinWashington,D.C.
“Mycallinghasevolvedasaclearlydefinedcalltothepastorate,andIdonotquestionthatIheardthevoiceofGodatage10,”saidGrundset,agraduateofBaylorUniversity’sTruettTheologicalSeminary,aFellowshippartner.“IbelievethatIamcalledtowalkalongsidepeopleinthedeep-estmomentsofpainandmostexuberantmomentsofhope.Ilovetopreachandwanttoserveaspastorinasettingwhereallofthosepiecesofmycallingcometogether.”
AtCalvaryBaptist,Grundsetismentoredbythechurch’spastor,AmyButler,whoisoneofmorethan100womenservingaspas-tororco-pastorofCBFpartnerchurches.AccordingtotheStateofWomeninBaptistLifeReportproducedbyBaptistWomeninMinistry,approximatelyfivepercentofpas-torsatCBFpartnerchurchesarewomen.
Inmanyreligiouscommunities,thislowpercentageofwomeninthepastorateisoftencalledthe“stainedglassceiling,”referringtothebarriersandstereotypesfemaleclergymust
overcometoreachhigherlevelsofleadership.“IsincerelybelievethatitisGod’swill
formorechurchestocallgiftedandSpirit-ledwomenaspastorsandformoreofthesewomentobeinthepastoralministry,”saidCBFExecutiveCoordinatorDanielVestal.“Jesusadmonishedus‘topraytheLordoftheharvesttosendforthlaborers.’WeneedaspiritualawakeningamongBaptiststhatwouldhelpthem‘see’thepromiseand
possibilitythatGodhasgivenuswithmorewomenineffectivepastoralleadership.”
Beingfewinnumber,thehiringofafemalepastoroftenattractsattentioninBaptistlifeandlocalcommunities.WhenJuliePennington-Russellwascalledaspas-torofFirstBaptistChurchinDecatur,Ga.,lastyear,articlesranintheAtlantaJournalConstitution,AtlantaMagazineandnu-merousreligiousmedia.Similarpublicity
W henshewas10yearsold,LeahGrundset’spastor
askedherwhatshewantedtobewhenshegrewup.
WhenGrundsettoldhimshewantedtobeapastor,
hesaid,“OhLeah,Godwouldnevercallyoutobeapastor.Godonly
callsmen.Don’tbelievethatyouheardGodspeakingtoyou.”
Joy Yee, pastor of nineteenth avenue baptist Church, was the first female senior pastor to serve as moderator of the fellowship.
cbF
phot
o
Called to lead Female pastors break barriers, serve churches
learn TolearnmoreabouthowtheFellowshipandpartnerchurchessupportwomenpastors,gotowww.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.
“My calling has evolved as a clearly defined call to the pastorate, and I do not question that I heard the voice of God at age 10.”— Leah Grundset
surroundedherwhenshebecamepastorofNineteenthAvenueBaptistChurchinSanFrancisco,Calif.,andCalvaryBaptistChurchinWaco,Texas,earlierinhercareer.
“Thisroledoesn’tfeelallthatuniquetome,”saidPennington-Russell.“Thatbeingsaid,Itryalwaystochoosetoseesituationsasopportunitiesratherthanburdensorob-stacles.Whenpeopleforonereasonoran-otherwanttoshineaspotlightonme,itgivesmeachancetopointtoGodinsomewaysthatImightnototherwisebeabletodo.”
TheFellowshipwasfounded,inpart,aroundissuesofgenderequality.Sinceitbegan,CBFhasencouragedthecallingofwomeninministryandintentionallyincludedwomeninpositionsofleadership—includingcoordinatingcouncil,moderatorandnationalstaff.
In2005,JoyYee,whosucceededPen-nington-RussellaspastorofNineteenthAvenueBaptistChurch,becamethefirstfemaleseniorpastortoserveasmoderatoroftheFellowship.
“Femalepastorscontinuetofaceexternalandinternalchallenges,”saidYee.“Externally,churchesneedtobeeducatedandexposedtowomeninleadershipandspecificallypastoralleadership.Internally,womenwhoarecalledtopastorneedtodevelopself-confidence,auniquepastoralvoice,especiallyifthatstyledoesnotmatchthebold,charismaticstyleof[traditional]leadership.”
TheFellowshipaddressesthechallengesfemaleclergyfaceinanumberofways,includingpartneringwithseminariesthatencouragethecallofwomentoministry.AccordingtotheStateofWomeninBaptistLife,38percentofstudentsatCBFpart-nerseminariesarefemale.Inthe2007-08schoolyear,theFellowshipprovided35ofits81scholarshipstofemalestudents.
CBFalsoencouragesandassistspartnerchurchesinbeingopentoGod’sdirectionincallingwomenaspastors.TheFellow-ship’sreferenceandreferralserviceconnects
congregationswithquali-fiedfemalecandidates,andCBFstaffmembersareavailabletoconsultwithchurchesdur-ingthehiringprocess.Seepages11-12foradditionalCBFresources.
“FromourbeginningCBFhascel-ebratedGod’scallandgift-ingforeverybelieverinChrist,”saidVestal.“Wehaveaffirmedtheministryroleofwomenaswellasmen,laityaswellasclergy.Thisisrootedinourcon-victionthatallarecreatedintheimageofGod,thatChristdiedforall,andthattheHolySpiritisgiventoallwhobelieve.Ourcommit-menttowomenincongregationalleadershipatalllevelsisoutofourcommitmenttoscripturewithChristbeingtheinterpretativekey.”
By Patricia Heys, CBF Communications
f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8 | 7learn TolearnmoreabouthowtheFellowshipandpartnerchurchessupportwomenpastors,gotowww.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.
The photos above represent female pastors who responded to a request for photos and chose to be featured in this issue of fellowship! This does not reflect all female pastors serving at CBF partner churches.
From top to bottom, first row: Connie Stinson, Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, Silver Springs, Md.; Cheryl Moore Adamson, Palmetto Missionary Baptist Church, S.C.; Vallerie King, Emmaus Baptist Church, Providence Forge, Va.;
Second row: Mary Beth Caffey, Pathway Community Church, Lewiston, Me.; Maureen Freshour, Chevy Chase Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.; Brenda Lynn Kneece, New Hope Christian Fellowship, West Columbia, S.C.;
Emily Roberts, Neverfail Community Church, Sparta Tenn.; Nancy Rock Poti, Trinity Church, Richmond, Va.;
Third row: Michelle Kimlick, Bruington Baptist Church, Bruington, Va.; Mimi Walker, Druid Hills Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga.; Wendy Joyner, Fellowship Baptist Church, Americus, Ga.; Ruth Cuellar, Iglesia Bautista, El Buen, Newnan, Ga.; Virginia Taylor, Lystra Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, N.C.;
Fourth row: Kathy Shereda, High Hills Baptist Church, Jarratt, Va.; Susan Joyce, Antioch Baptist Church, Enfield, N.C.; Katrina Brooks, North Broad Baptist Church, Rome, Ga.; Robin Norsworthy, University Baptist Church, Montevallo, Ala.
8 | f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8
learn TolearnabouttheministryandcallingsofotherfemalepastorsatCBFpartnerchurches,gotowww.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.
Kelli Barron-AgricolafbC Spring branchhouston, texas
a graduate of baylor University’s truett theological Seminary, a Fellowship partner, barron-agricola and her husband, corey, have served as co-pastors of First baptist for more than four years.
“Upon entering the pastorate my husband and i braced ourselves for the criticism that would inevitably follow a baptist female in the South. however, for the most part, the criticism did not come. although we have faced a handful of challenges to my call in the pulpit, the criticism has been minimal and the support overwhelming. i am continually inspired by the older generation of faithful baptist women, who have served the lord and the church throughout their lives and who are thrilled to find a woman in the pulpit.”
Amy Butler Calvary baptist Churchwashington, D.C.
amy butler has served as pastor of calvary baptist church for five years. She earned her seminary degree from international baptist theological Seminary, a Fellowship partner.
“i love that i almost always have the element of surprise. nobody expects me to be the pastor, so often people are able to separate me from their preconceived ideas of what a pastor is and get real pretty quickly. when people know i am the pastor, many times it indicates to them that things here at calvary might be a little different than they thought. at calvary, we lovingly refer to this phenomenon as ‘the freak show factor’ — many people are curious about our congregation because our pastor is a woman. when they come to worship with us they quickly learn we’re a pretty normal church.”
4Je
nnife
r bar
tlett
phot
o
phot
o co
urte
sy a
my
butle
r
5
6
f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8 | 9learn TolearnabouttheministryandcallingsofotherfemalepastorsatCBFpartnerchurches,gotowww.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.
Traci Bunn Powerswesthaven baptist Churchportsmouth, va.
traci bunn powers said that she felt a call to ministry at age 12. powers, a graduate of campbell University Divinity School, a Fellowship partner, now serves with her husband as co-pastor of westhaven baptist.
“in many cases, people just need to experience a woman pastor. lack of experience tends to reaffirm previously held notions and opinions on the topic. i have had church members tell me ‘i did not vote for you when the vote was taken, but i would vote for you now.’ they just needed a chance to see it, hear and experience it. when the myths are dispelled, people are able to see that i am a just a person who has been equipped and called by God to be a pastor — and i happen to be female.”
Melissa Roysdonprovidence baptist ChurchCookeville, tenn.
Growing up, melissa roysdon’s parents never told her there were things she couldn’t do because she was a girl. and, she said she knew from a young age that she was called to ministry. after serving as an associate pastor and co-pastor at providence baptist, she is now the con-gregation’s pastor.
“Once i followed that calling to seminary, many of the same people who taught me of lottie moon and annie armstrong were turning their backs. after seminary and ordination, i found that the world that had nurtured me was now a dry well. i began teaching in the local school system and felt like moses, aaron and miriam must have felt wandering in the desert. my journey hasn’t been the typical one, but i find that women are in many ways finding it to be a new path rather than a worn path that they are following.”
Sarah Jackson Sheltonbaptist Church of the Covenantbirmingham, ala.
Sarah Jackson Shelton has served as pastor of baptist church of the covenant for six years, having previously served as the congre-gation’s interim.
“my hope for the future is that i will no longer have to be the token woman. i was recently asked to serve on a panel where the minis-ters would represent either a woman as pastor, a pastor who had experienced conflict, and a pastor with more than five year tenure. i knew which role i was supposed to accept, but could not resist asking, ‘which one am i supposed to talk about? i qualify for them all.’ how wonderful will it be when we can have men talk about the experience of having a female pastor and the females can talk about their good, long tenure of service!”
3
caro
line
Davis
pho
to
phot
o co
urte
sy m
elis
sa r
oysd
on
phot
o co
urte
sy t
raci
bun
n po
wer
s
5
10 | f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8
AndreaDellingerJoneswantedtogetnervous.Afterall,itwasherfirsttimeapplyingforaseniorpastorposition—and
shejusthopedbeingyoungandfemalewouldn’tmattertoMillbrookBaptistChurch.Buttryasshemighttoheightenherworries,everythingkeptgoingsmoothly—thefirstmeeting,theinterview,thetrialsermon.
Italljustseemedtoowonderful—sowonderfulthatJonesandherhusband,Brent,hadtroublebelievingherdreamjobcouldactuallycometobe.
“Wejustcouldn’tbelievethiswouldpossiblyworkout,”Jonessaid.
Theideaofbecomingapastorthissoon—onlysixyearsoutofseminary—seemedlikeanimpossibledream,notbecauseshedidn’thavetheministerialskillsbutbecausefewwomenseemedtolandthosepositions.ButforMillbrook,acongregationinRaleigh,N.C.,lookingforayoungpastortohelpbridgeanagegap,Joneswasanidealcandidate.
Theseven-personpastorsearchcommittee,whichhadbeenlookingforapastorformorethanayear,wasimpressedbyJones’résumé,experienceandabilitytorelatetoallages.
“Therewasnotanareainthechurchthatshehadnotbeenactivelyinvolvedin,”saidsearchcommitteememberEvangelineWard.
Thoughshehadnotservedasaseniorpastor,Joneshadbeentheonlyfull-timestaffmemberathertwopreviouschurchesforaperiodoftime,givinghervitalpasto-ralexperience.WhileservingatChestnutGroveBaptistChurchinEarlysville,Va.,shebaptized17people,performedmorethanadozenbabydedicationsandledwor-ship,communion,weddingsandfunerals.
WhenBrentfinishedhisPh.D.course-workatnearbyUniversityofVirginiaandtheyopenedthemselvestomoving,shebeganlookingforanotherassociatepas-torposition.Buteachtimeshewasheavilyconsideredforaposition,she’dthink:“I
candothisjob,andIcandowellatit,butitwouldcomedownto[knowing]Iwasn’tbaptizingandsomeoftheother[pastoral]thingsIre-allylovedoing,”shesaid.
Solastfall—atthepeakofherjob-searchingfrustra-tion—herhusbandidenti-fiedthesnag:whatJonesre-allywantedwastobeapas-torandnoneoftheassociatepositionswouldeverfeellikeagreatmatch.Withthisnewdirection,theyturnedtotheInternetandlookedforchurchesacceptingrésumésforseniorpastor.
“Wesentrésumésto33churches—everyonewecouldfind,”shesaid.“Brentwouldsay,‘Itonlytakesone.Weonlyneedonetobein-terestedinyou.’”
Severalexpressedinter-est,butMillbrookcalledinearlyDecemberandturnedouttobetheoneJoneshad
Long search delivers ideal match as N.C. church calls its first female senior pastor
carla
wyn
n Da
vis p
hoto
s
andrea Dellinger Jones, left, greets church attendees after Sunday worship at Millbook baptist Church.
Give YourgiftstotheFellowshipsupportthecallingofall—womenandmen.Togive,gotowww.thefellowship.info/give.
beenwaitingfor.BylateFebruaryshewasinRaleighforatrialsermonandstartedservingasthechurch’spastorinApril.
“Thecongregationthinkswemadetherightdecision.Ihearthatallthetime,”saidsearchcommitteememberDonHinton.
WhenthechurchvotedtocallJones,itjoinedasmallpercentageofFellowshipBaptistpartnerchurchesledbyafemaleseniorpastor.Accordingtothesearchcommittee,hir-ingJoneswasn’tastatementaboutwomeninministryoramoveofaffirmativeaction.Genderwasn’tanissueatall.Shewassimplythebestcandidateforthejob—thoughevenJoneswondered,lateraskingcommitteememberswhytheydecidedtocallayoungfemalepastor.
“Young—thatwasveryintentional.Now,female?Westartedlookingtoeachother,”Wardrecalled.“‘We’veneverhadthediscussion,’”shetoldJones.“‘We’veneveractuallytalkedabout[gender].You’rethefirstonethat’sbroughtitup.’”
Encouragedbyherexperiencewith
Millbrook,Jonesishopefulthatmorechurchesarebecomingopentothepros-pectofequallyconsideringfemaleandmalepastoralcandidates.
“Ifthisworkedoutsowellforme,Ijusthavetobelievethatthingswillcontinuetoprogressinapositivewayforwomeninministry,”Jonessaid.
OntheSundaymorningthatMillbrookvotedtocallJonesaspas-tor,shereturnedtothesanctuaryafterthevote.Everyonestood;everyoneclapped.Assheaddressedthecongregation,JonesthoughtaboutSarah,wholaughsinGenesiswhenGodtellshershewillhaveababydespiteherage.Indisbelief,Sarahresponds:“Isanythingtoowonder-fulfortheLord?”
“IwasgoingtotellyouIwasjustbub-blingoverwithlaughter,butIcan’tbecauseI’mcrying,”shetoldthecongregation.“It’sjusttoowonderful.”
By Carla Wynn Davis, CBF Communications
f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8 | 11
Resourcesreference and referralthe Fellowship’s reference and referral ministry provides resources for female ministers and pastors looking for new places of service. leaderconnect cbF, an online résumé-matching service, also helps churches and pastors connect. to learn more, contact clarissa Strickland at [email protected] or (800) 352-8741. For more on leaderconnect cbF, go to www.thefellowship.info/LeaderConnect.
residency programcbF’s ministerial residency program provides recent male and female seminary graduates with the opportunity to serve two years in a teaching congregation. this experience allows residents to hone their ministry skills and encourages practices for long-term health in pastoral ministry. For more information, contact Steve Graham at (800) 352-8741 or [email protected].
Seminary scholarshipsStudents at the Fellowship’s partner seminaries are eligible to apply for scholarships, which cover tuition, books and expenses to attend General assembly. in 2007-08, more than 30 scholarships were awarded to female students. to learn more about these scholarships, contact a partner seminary directly and ask about becoming a cbF leadership scholar.
peer learning Groupspeer learning groups meet monthly to provide ministers with opportunities for worship, spiritual growth, study, discussion of ministry-related issues and fellowship. currently, there are 71 peer learning groups across the country, many that include female pastors. if you are interested in becoming part of or starting a peer learning group, contact Steve Graham at [email protected] or (800) 352-8741.
Speakers’ bureaucbF’s face2face speakers’ bureau schedules speakers at partner churches. cbF staff members are available to talk with congregations and search committees about the process of calling a female pastor. contact the speaker’s bureau at [email protected] or (800) 352-8741.
to learn about additional resources, go to www.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.
Tips for women seeking a pastoratebased on her journey to the pastorate, Jones offered advice for other women hoping to become a pastor.
1. Get a ministry coach: a coach can help with strategy on how to best handle ministry situations. this person can be a sounding board for ideas, an encourager and can also help with networking and updating a résumé.
2. Go back to school: consider working toward a Doctor in ministry (D.min.) degree. another degree sets candidates apart in the pastoral search process.
3. take every opportunity to learn: attend educational retreats, seminars and lectures that enhance ministry skills and make you a better pastoral candidate.
4. look for pastoral experience: if you currently serve in a church, ask the senior pastor if you can experience some pastoral responsibilities. perhaps he or she will allow you occasionally to preach, serve communion, baptize or more.
5. Use job-matching resources: cbF’s leaderconnect will send résumés to churches looking for ministerial positions. many seminaries provide a similar service.
Give YourgiftstotheFellowshipsupportthecallingofall—womenandmen.Togive,gotowww.thefellowship.info/give.
andrea Dellinger Jones
By Clarissa Strickland
In recent years, cbF partner churches have
made great strides in empowering women in
ministry. we create a climate in which young
women feel God’s call upon their lives and catch
a vision of ministry. they occupy almost half the
seats in the classrooms of partner seminaries. we
call them to associate staff ministry positions and
ordain them to ministry. they live among us, love
us and serve us in so many ways. and yet, when it
comes to calling a woman as senior pastor, many
of our churches say they are not quite ready.
in doing so, we create barriers for women to
exercise their calling in christ Jesus. Jesus spent
his ministry breaking down barriers. here are
some suggestions to help churches do the same:
Invite women to preach1 take advantage of opportunities to invite
women into the pulpit. For people who have
never been exposed to a woman preaching, the idea of
a woman pastor is probably a foreign concept. hearing
a woman preach may help open a congregation’s mind
to who God has called to the pastorate.
when your pastor is scheduled to be away,
consider asking a woman from your congregation,
a local seminary or neighbor church to preach
on that Sunday. (You can even call the cbF office
for referrals.) also, make plans to participate with
other baptist churches in the annual martha Stearns
marshall Day of preaching. this event is held the
first Sunday in February and is sponsored by baptist
women in ministry, a cbF partner.
Study examples of female pastoral leadership 2 another way to help change the gender
stereotype of pastors is to highlight
examples from scripture, history and the present day
where women serve as religious leaders. Study biblical
examples, such as
mary the mother of
James and Joseph,
mary magdalene,
Joanna and Susanna,
who were involved with
Jesus’ ministry.
learn about
women from history
who paved the way
as pastors — martha
Stearns marshall, a
powerful preacher
during the late 18th
century, or addie
Davis, the first
Southern baptist
woman ordained to pastoral ministry. also, read
about current women pastors in this issue of
fellowship! or online at www.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.
Engage in prayerful discussion3 referring to women pastors, Daniel
Vestal said recently, “myths need to be
exploded. half truths need to be refuted. the bible
needs to be understood. history needs to be read.
Fear needs to be replaced with comfort and joy.
much of this could be accomplished through study,
reflection and conversation.”
as a congregation or in small groups, take time
to engage in honest discussions and prayerful
discernment. Openly address concerns, myths,
stereotypes and questions that members might
have related to female pastors. invite guest
speakers with knowledge about the subject to lead
church members in conversation.
Encourage the calling of all people 4 be intentional about discussing and
celebrating the different ways people
are called to ministry. provide church members,
especially young people, with the time and
opportunity to discern how God might be calling
them to serve. Support those “called” women in your
congregation as they move through the rigors of
earning a seminary education and seeking a place
of service in congregational life. Offer them regular
congregational and personal prayer support, as well
as financial support during their years of theological
education. write notes of encouragement to them.
when they have occasion to be back in their home
churches, offer them an opportunity to preach
when possible.
Conduct a gender- blind pastor search 5 when your church arrives at the
point of searching for a pastor, set
up procedures that allow the search committee
and congregation to assess candidates without
gender bias. as résumés are received, transfer
the information to forms which do not use names
or gender-specific pronouns. compare candidate
qualifications without respect to gender.
be open to God’s leadership — wherever it
might take you in a pastor search.
for encouraging your church to be open to calling a woman as pastor
Clarissa Strickland serves as the fellowship’s networking specialist, providing reference and referral resources to
churches and ministers. Contact Strickland at [email protected] or (800) 352-8741.
for more ideas and a list of resources, go to www.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.
at the Cbf General assembly, Cathy anderson, minister to children at first baptist Church of Marietta, Ga., and her daughter, Gracie, wear shirts reading, “this is what a preacher looks like.” the shirts were produced by baptist women in Ministry.
12 | f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8
rod
reilly
pho
to
ThissummerauniqueCBF-sponsoredmissionsprojecttook13undergraduateandgraduatestudentsaroundtheworldtoseehowCBFfieldpersonnelareworkingtoreachthe
UnitedNations’MillenniumDevelopmentGoals(MDGs).SponsoredbytheFellowship’sStudent.Gomissionsprogram,thetripincludedtraveltoRomania,Ethiopia,Uganda,Haiti,MexicoandNewYorkCity.Astheyreturnhome,thestudentswilltaketheexperienceandknowledgetheygainedfromthetriptodevelopprojectsontheircampusesthatpromotetheMDGs.
Participants included: Carson Foushee, Mary Beth Gilbert, Jacob Kendall, Emily Morrow, Nina Peppers, Caitlin Sandley, Jacob Smith, Fran Stafford, Rosie Stafford, Caleb Tankersly, Karen Taylor, Meredith Wilkinson and Jennifer Wilmore. Read about their experience at www.thefellowship.info/blog.
Save the date Make Houston your stop for July 4th Don’t make those normal July 4th plans before considering the 19th annual Cbf General assembly, set for July 2-3, 2009, in houston, texas. while you’re at the assembly for exciting fellowship, inspiring worship, practical ministry workshops and much more, you’ll be amid downtown houston with its restaurants, entertainment venues and shops — plus an easy public transportation system to get you from place to place. Catch a houston astros game, a concert, or quarter horse racing. visit a museum, the aquarium, or the Galleria — the seventh largest mall in the United States. whatever your interest, you’ll find something exciting in houston, including the freedom over texas festival on July 4th. with live concerts and the state’s largest fireworks display choreographed to music, you’ll be glad you spent the holiday weekend in texas. for more information go to www.thefellowship.info/assembly.
f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8 | 13
Students take global tour of U.N. MDGs
phot
o co
urte
sy o
f Gre
at h
oust
on c
onve
ntio
n an
d Vi
sito
rs b
urea
u
Try these online toolsForum
a forum is like a message board, where you can post and respond to threads. in a thread, you can share a ministry idea, ask a question, direct others to relevant resources and more. anyone can reply to your thread, and you and others can communicate about the topic. You can also reply to threads started by others. So whether you start a thread or just respond to what others share, a meaningful conversation about ministry can occur. You can also subscribe to the forum so you receive notification when new threads and responses are posted. Visit www.thefellowship.info/Forums to begin sharing.
Wikia wiki is software that allows you to create, edit and link web pages. while wikis are used in every sector from
education to business, the most famous wiki is wikipedia. the cbF wiki is an online work and information place for the ministries and work of cbF, cbF churches and
Fellowship people. it’s a place where the cbF community can collaborate and share ideas — work together and educate each other. Do you need a place to develop and collaborate on a project with a group of people and don’t feel like sending emails with every revision or change? You can use the cbF wiki. Do you want to hold a discussion about topics dealing with ministry you’re doing? Use the cbF wiki. Do you want to share resources with people interested in the same ministries as you? Use the cbF wiki.
Visit www.thefellowship.info/wiki to learn more about how to use the cbF wiki and to join the online community.
Blog through cbF’s blog, you can read and respond to issues that matter. read
what other Fellowship baptists have to say about missions and ministry, being baptist, what a changing world means for ministry, other tough issues and more. You can start your own post and also leave comments on other posts. Visit www.thefellowship.info/blog to join the conversation.
FacebookFacebook is a large social networking site, where you can start your own profile
and connect with friends, interests and more. to create an account, visit www.facebook.com. be sure to join the more than 800 other Fellowship baptists in the group “cooperative baptist Fellowship,” which is located at www.thefellowship.info/facebook.
Videos and PhotosJust because you can’t travel around the world to see ministries firsthand doesn’t
mean you can’t see them in action through photos and videos. cbF has more than 30 ministry videos online and will continue adding more. Visit www.thefellowship.info/video to watch ministry in action.
photos also tell the cbF story. through Flickr, you see photos, watch slideshows, download images to your computer and more. Visit www.thefellowship.info/photo to browse cbF’s photo library.
all online tools are easily found on the cbF home page — www.thefellowship.info — in the right column under “Join the conversation.”
14 | f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8
Join the conversationNew Web tools introduce interactive element to CBF ministry
WiththeuseofseveralWeb-basedtools,missionsandministryis
becomingmoreinteractivethanever.ManyFellowshipBaptistshaveexpertiseandexperiencewithspecifictypesofministries.Theyknowwhatworksandwhatdoesn’t.TherearealsomanyFellowshipBaptistsinterestedinstartingministriesorimprovingexistingministries.Withnewonlinetools,FellowshipBaptistscaninteract—sharingideas,askingquestions,andhelpingotherstakethebeststepforwardintheirministries.It’sanewwaytoconnectwith,learnfrom,andhelpotherindividualsandchurchesastheybecomepartofGod’smissionintheworld.
Sincemanypeoplehavespecificministryinterests,CBFhasfocusedonsevencommunitiesofmissionalpractice.Thesecommunitiescategorizemanyofthenewonlinefeatures,allowingyoutoconnectwithpeoplewhohavesimilarministryinterests.Thecommunitiesare:
• Educationandeconomicdevelopment
• Medicalministries
• Justiceandpeacemaking
• Churchstartsandfaithsharing
• Ministrytointernationals
• Disasterrelief
• Povertyandtransformation
Visitwww.thefellowship.info/missions/communities.
Serve
f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r | 15
IndividualsWhetherit’sashort-termmissionim-
mersionexperience,two-yearcommitmentoralifetimeofservice,CBFprovidesop-portunitiesforyoutofollowyourcalling.
FellowshipBaptistsinterestedinservingasCBFfieldpersonnelarerequiredtoparticipateina10-weekonlinecohort,thefirstpartofathree-partapplicationprocess.ThecohortsallowcandidatestolearnaboutCBFGlobalMissionsandhearfirst-persontestimonialsfromcurrentfieldpersonnelandstaffthroughonlinediscussion,videoandaudiostreams.The
nextcohortbeginsinSeptember.Learnmoreatwww.thefellowship.info/serve.
FellowshipBaptistsinterestedinservingthroughshort-termexperiences—whetherintheUnitedStatesoroverseas—canlearnabouthowtheirpassionandskillscanchangethelivesofpeoplearoundtheworld.Learnmorebycontactingengage@thefellowship.info.
CollegeandgraduatestudentsinterestedinservingforasummerorsemesterhavetheopportunitytoexploretheircallingthroughCBF’sStudent.Goprogram.Learnmorebycontactingstudent.go@thefellowship.info.
ChurchesAsyourchurchplansitsmissions
emphasisandexperiencesforthecomingyear,CBFcanconnectyourchurchwithpotentialdestinationsforshort-termmissionsinvolvement—eitherthroughtheministryofCBFfieldpersonnelorpartnerorganizations.CBFstaffcanworkwithyourcongregationtodiscernthemissionsprojectsthatbestfitsspecificskillsets,numberofteammembersandfunds.Forinformation,[email protected](800)352-8741.
learn | Stay up to date on the latest Fellowship news, resources, events and ministries. the Fellowship weekly e-newsletter is distributed every tuesday. You can also subscribe to words from the coordinator, Daniel Vestal’s online column, or churchworks, an e-newletter that provides minister and lay leaders with ideas and resources for ministry.
to subscribe, go to www.thefellowship.info/subscribe.
First Baptist Church, Waukegan, Ill.SpotlightChurch
BlessedAboveMeasureministry(BAM),achemicaldependencyrecoveryhomeformen,was
startedlastyearwiththehelpofFirstBap-tistChurchinWaukegan,Ill.,andtheCo-operativeBaptistFellowship.
Thechurchbeganthinkingaboutacommunityministrywhenseveralnearbybuildingscameupforsale.JorgeZayas-bazan,pastoratFirstBaptistChurch,saidthebuildings’proximitytothechurchseemedanidealministryopportunity,butthechurchlackedthefinancestomovefor-ward.ButamanwhohadpurchasedoneofthenearbyhousescametoworshipatFBC.Hisplanwastostartahomeformenrecov-eringfromchemicaldependency.
“Atthesametime,wewerecompletingtheFellowship’s‘It’sTime’studyandwereseekingGod’swillinregardstoaministrytoimpactourcommunity,”saidZayasbazan,
whoalsoservesascoordinatorforNorthCentralRegionCBF.“Oneeasilyidentifiablestrongholdinourcommunityistheproblemofalcoholismanddrugaddiction,andourchurchalreadyhostedthelargestNarcot-icsAnonymousmeetinginthecounty.TheopportunitypresentedbyBAMHousewasaclearanswertoprayer.”
FBCreceivedaCBFmissionalministrygrantof$15,000forfacilityimprovementsthatwouldqualifyBAMHousetobelicensedbythestate,therebymakingitpossibleforstateagenciestoreferclients.TheFellowshipmakessuchgrantstochurchesthatcompletethe“It’sTime”studyandwanttodevelopministriesthatimpacttheircommunities.
Inashorttime,windowswerereplaced,equipmentpurchased,repairsmade,re-modelingandpaintingdone,inspectionspassed.StatelicensurewasgrantedinJune,andnowBAMHousecanaccommodateuptoeightmen.MuchofthelaborfortherenovationswasprovidedbyTrinityBaptistChurchinRaleigh,N.C.,whichsentan82-memberteamtohelp.
“Wehavealwaysbeenamissionalchurch,”Zayasbazansaid.“Butwewerelookingforsomethingthatwecouldfocuson,onethingthatwecouldputourenergyinto.WhenwelistenedtoGod,wefoundtheBAMHouse.”
BAMHouseisoneofonlythreefaith-based,state-licensedrecoveryhomesin
thenorthChicagoarea,Zayasbazansaid.Itfocusesonthespiritualandbehavioraldevel-opmentofitsclientsandhelpsthembecomemoreresponsibleandproductivemembersofsociety.AmongtheservicesofferedatBAMHousearesubstanceabusecounseling,spiri-tualcounselingandBiblestudy,vocationalandemploymentresources,12-steprecoverymeetingsandpersonalfinanceeducation.
ItisalsoaplacewherethemenfindaChristiancommunity.Theyareinvolvedwithserviceprojectsthroughouttheweek,andoftenworkalongsidechurchmembersinaministrythathelpselderlyandpeoplewithdisabilitieswithyardworkandhomerepairsanddeliversdonatedfurnituretothepoor.
“IntheshorthistoryofBAMHousewehavealreadybaptizedtworesidentsandhadonecommithislifetoChristianmin-istry,”Zayasbazansaid.“Noteverystoryendsinsuccess,buttherehavealreadybeenseveralmenwhowerehomelessandwith-outhope,whofoundjobsandpermanenthousing,reconciledwiththeirchildrenand,mostimportant,foundpurposeinChrist.”
By contributing writer Sue H. Poss, Greenville, S.C.
learn | To learn more about the missional ministry grant,
contact Rick Bennett at (800) 352-8741. To order
“It’s Time,” call The CBF Store at (888) 801-4223.
baM house director Kevin Means, right, works with members of trinity baptist Church, raleigh, n.C., to renovate the house.
phot
o co
urte
sy o
f Fbc
wau
kega
n
Church locator
Spotlightresource
Is your church looking to partner with other congregations in your area or in a different part of the country? Do you want people
looking for a cbF church in your area to be able to find your church? the Find-a-church tool on the cbF web site can be the key to finding partners in ministry or allowing them to find you.
the Find-a-church page displays cbF part-ner churches on an interactive map and lists a church’s address, phone number and web site. with more than 2,000 people using the tool every month, this online resource is one of the most visited pages on the cbF web site.
to list your church, send an e-mail request-ing placement on the cbF Find-a-church to [email protected]. the information will be added in our database, and within 72 hours, you should be on the site.
if you have any questions about this resource, contact Joel mclendon at [email protected] or (800) 352-8741.
16 | f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t. / O c t. 2 0 0 8
f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8 | 17
Hope journey
CBF helps migrantsstruggling to survive
in North AfricaEditor’s notE: due to global security concerns, names and specific locations of some CBF field personnel will not be publicized.
It’sachillymorning,butJean*hasstillarrivedearly.Helikestobeatthechurchtogreetthefirstperson,whocanarrivewellbeforethesuncreepsabovetheNorthAfricanskyline.
By8a.m.,thechurchcourtyardisfullofmigrantsfromacrossAfrica.Manyarecold,hungryorsick.Andthat’swhythey’vecome—toseeifthisCooperativeBaptistFellowship-supportedministrythathashelpedmorethan5,000migrantscanhelpthem,too.
Limitedresourcesmeanonlythefirst50peoplecanbehelpedtoday.ThoseluckyonestakearelievedseatinthechurchandmeetJames*andRuth*,wholeadthemigrantassistanceministry.
Eachpersonisheretotelltheirstory—apainfulaccountofsurvivalthatJamesandRuthknowalltoowell.FormigrantssuchasJean,thestorybeginsintheirhomecountry.DesperatetoescapepovertyandcivilwarinCongo,JeanflednorthwithdreamsofreachingEurope.There,hecouldfindajobandsendmoneyhometosupporthisfamily.
Butgranddreamsfadedquickly.CrossingtheSaharaDesertmeantsurvivingbanditsandhumantraffickers.Rapeiscommon.Foodisscarce.Theheatisbrutal.ButJeanislucky;hesurvived—oneinthreedon’t.
for the
cbF
phot
o
18 | f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8
YetonceinNorthAfrica,JeanwasunabletocrossintoEurope.Manytry—eitherbysmallboatorfakeimmigrationpapers—andmanyarearrested,ordishonesttransporterstaketheirmoneyandleavewithoutthem.
“Itriedmybesttoleavethisplace,toleavethiscontinent,”Jeansaid.
Today,eachofthe50gatheredwilltellsimi-larstories,whichnotonlyincludetheharrowingtrans-SaharajourneybutalsodiscriminationinNorthAfrica,wheremosthavenolegalstatus.
Manylandlordswon’trenttothem,andtheoneswhodochargedouble.Theycan’tgetjobsandfewhavemoney,so15peoplemightsleepinasingleroom.Worseyet—becausethegovernmentdoesn’trecognizethemaslegalresidents—manymigrantsareharassed,someevenabusedorbeaten.
Brigitt*,originallyfromSierraLeone,saidlifeisverydifficult.It’slikelivinginaprison,aprisonwheresomepeoplethinkit’stolerabletothrowrocksatherwhenshe’swalkinginherneighborhood.
“Thesimplefactofbeinglabeledillegaldoesn’tgivesomeonetherighttohurtyou,”Jamessaid.“These[mi-grants]arejustsovulnerable.Theyhavenorights.”
Atanypoint,migrantscanbearrestedanddeported:takeninthenighttothedesert,wheretheyaredroppedwithoutfood,waterormuchchancetosurvive.Thepracticeexcludesnoone,notevenpregnantwomenorchildren.
Amidsomuchfearandpain,thisministrycanbringsuchhope.Inthechurchbalcony,
Ruth—anurse—listenstosymptomsandmakesnotesofwhoneedsmedication.Manylocalclinicswon’ttreatthem,sothe$1,000worthofmedicinetheministrybuyseachmonthistheonlyaccesssomehaveto
antibioticsandotherdrugs.It’salsotheonlyplacetheycangetdentalcareoreyeglasses.
Downstairs,Jamesandotherssitonachurchpew,
listeningempathicallytostoriesandmakingnotesofwaystohelp.OnemanleavesthechurchwithaBible;anotherwithacoat.Ofthenearly700coatsand1,750blanketstheministrydolesouteachwinter,onegoestoayoungmothercuddlingherwide-eyedinfantinanewblanket.
partner with ministriesFor information on partnering with this north african ministry, send an e-mail to [email protected].
above: at a clandes-tine church service in a cramped apartment, african migrants raise hands and voices in worship.
right: a Cbf-supported ministry helps more than 140 migrants each week with basic needs.
each year thousands of sub-Saharan africans flee poverty and violence by migrating north. lucky to survive the desert journey, many get stuck — unable to reach europe and unable to return home. in a region where many have no legal status, this Cbf-supported ministry is the only assistance some migrants receive.
cbF
phot
os
f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8 | 19
“We’remeetingspiritualandphysicalneedsjustlikeJesus,”Ruthsaid.
GiftstoCBF’sOfferingforGlobalMissionshelpfundtheministry,andmorecontributionsmeanmorecanbehelpedwithemergencyhousing,foodandotherbasicneeds.WiththousandsestimatedenroutetoNorthAfrica,themassmigrationshowsnosignsofslowing.
“Africaisrichinresources,butthepovertyiskillingus,”Brigittsaid.“Wehavetocomeheretofindabetterlife.”
Whilenotthelucrativesuccessthesemigrantsdreamedof,theministryhasprovidedstart-upfundsformorethan460income-generatingproj-ects.Omarrepairsshoesandpurchasedmaterialswiththefunding.Now,asheprovidesforsomeofhisfamily’sneeds,hefeelsasenseofhopethathecantakebackcontrolofhislife.
Long-term,thesolutiontothismigrationcrisisliesincountriesovercomingthedisease,violenceandpovertythatpushpeopletoflee.Scholarshipsprovide38Africancollegestu-dentswiththeopportunitytolearnskillsthatcanfurtherdeveloptheirhomelands.
“Iftheircountrywasdeveloped,[mi-grants]wouldn’twanttoleave,”Jamessaid.“Noonewantstoleavetheircountry.”
Butuntilthathap-pens,therearethou-sandsmoreacrossAfricawonderinghowviolence,povertyand
diseasecouldmakelifeanyworse.AndsotheydreamofEuropeandabetterlife—andwillcontinuetocomenorth.
By CBF Communications
online — Go to www.thefellowship.info/give. For questions regarding online giving, contact [email protected].
Mail — Use the contribution envelope included in this issue and make your check payable to cbF.
phone — call cbF toll-free at (800) 352-8741.
Cooperative Baptist FellowshipP.O. Box 450329 • Atlanta, Georgia 31145-0329www.thefellowship.info(800) 352-8741
Ralph and Tammy Stocks
RalphandTammyStocksserveasCooperativeBaptistFellow-shipfieldpersonnelinHungary,
ministeringtotheRomanypeople.Background:TheStockswerecom-
missionedasCBFfieldpersonnelin1994.AnativeofNorthCarolina,Ralphtaughthighschoolfor10yearsbeforeservingwiththeFellowship.Tammy,aMissourinative,workedasanursefornineyears.
Ministry:AstheStocksministeramongtheRomany,theylookforuniquewaystosharethegospelandencourageRomanytoworkamongtheirownpeople.
“Eachdayisunique,”Tammysaid.“OnedayRalphmaybeloadingupthecartotakeonegroupfromonevillagetoencourageanothergroupofRomainadifferentvillage.Wemaybetakinggroceriesorclothestofamilieswehave
heardofthatareingreatneed.RalphmaybegoingtoameetingoftheRomaMissionsCommitteeoftheHungarianBaptistUnion.Wemaybemeetingwithpastorstoplanevangelisticoutreaches,backyardBibleclubsorRomaconferences.”
Distinguishedbytheirdarkhairandcomplexion,RomaareaminorityinHungaryandoftenexperiencediscrimination.Mostliveinpoverty,andtheiropportunitiesforemploymentandeducationarelimited.
“OurdreamistoencourageandnurtureyoungRomaChristianmenandwomenwhowillministeramongtheirpeoplesothatwearenolongerneeded,”Tammysaid.“Wehopetoseethegospelbeingspreadwithouthindrance.WealsohopetoseeotherEuropeansaccepting
theRomanypeopleandworkingtoreachouttotheminspiteofthedeeplyingrainedprejudicesoprevalent.”
a new Communityin October, adults using the new Affect magazine will be studying the work of ralph and tammy Stocks among the
roma Gypsies in hungary. adults will learn how the Stocks utilize the gifts and energy of short-term workers to enhance
their ministry and create community among some of the most despised members of their society. adults will be
challenged to examine their communities and reach out to those who are unloved around them. For more information
about the new Affect magazine for adults, visit www.missionseducation.org.
Spotlightfield personnel
cbF
phot
oralph and tammy Stocks