WELCOME HOME TO BRUSHY CREEK

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF BRUSHY CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH TAYLORS

SEPTEMBER 2011

theCREEKSIDE

TAKE NOTE...

Taste of Heaven

Mark your calendars now for September 25! That is mission Sunday and you don’t want to miss

our third annual Taste of Heaven. This has become a favorite of young and old. You will definitely

want to be there! Keep an eye out for more details.

Live at BCBC

Our Sunday morning services are now streaming live on the internet. This means everyone around

the world will be able to see Ralph’s sermons and worship with us. Unlike our current audio

sermons at BrushyCreek.org, this live-streaming will feature audio and video. Our stationary

cameras will be aimed at the stage, not the pews. Anyone who is on stage for various reasons, might

be seen in the live-streaming. We just didn’t want anyone caught nodding off in the choir loft...not

that they would.

THE COOPERATIVE PROGRAM IS A GREAT PLAN FOR ACCOM-PLISHING THE KINGDOM’S WORK, but it won’t survive much longer if there is not a renewed emphasis placed on educating our people as to how it works. So, I hope you will study this article carefully. Here’s a little bit of information about how our church fits into the grand scheme of things from a Southern Baptist perspective.

For openers, we are members of three groups, of which, all our associations are completely voluntary. We belong to the Greenville Baptist Association (there are about 100 churches in the GBA, all located here in Greenville County). We are also a part of the South Carolina Baptist Convention (the SCBC is comprised of about 2100 Baptist churches from within our state). Finally, we are part of the Southern Baptist Convention (comprised of 42,000 churches from all over America with a membership of over 16,000,000 people).

This year Brushy Creek will contribute $200,000 to the CP. From across our state churches will jointly contribute about $29,400,000 to the CP. The “state convention” meeting in November of each year votes on a budget as to how to allocate those funds. The state convention meets annually in November for two days and is comprised of messengers from the 2100 different churches. Churches are allowed up to 25 messengers based on their size and level of giving. 

Each year they produce a budget that determines basically two things: 1. What portion of the CP gifts will be sent to the SBC for distribution. 2. How to spend that which is kept here in SC.

The funds are split today, with 41% or $12,054,000 going to the SBC and 59% or $17,346,000 going to the SCBC. Each year both the state and national convention put together a budget that is approved by the conven-tion for spending those monies.

Here is a look at the SCBC Budget for 2011:

Executive Board Ministries 9,187,297WMU 667,583Baptist Courier 505,680Baptist Foundation 235,200Connie Maxwell 1,014,300Ministries of Aging 1,202,460Anderson University 1,370,040N. Greenville University 1,370,040Charleston S. University 1,793,400

The Executive Board Ministries include the operation of White Oak, Camp McCall, Camp La Vida, our disaster relief ministries and a host of services that help strengthen the local church technically and spiritually. One of their primary responsibilities has been to plant new churches and to do all in their power to help revitalize struggling, plateaued or declining churches. 

41% of your CP gifts are likewise sent to Nashville, the headquarters of the SBC. They, too, annually have a budget approved by messengers to their convention meeting in various cities across the US, which is held annually during the month of June. It, too, is a two day convention, attended by messengers from its member churches. Churches are allowed up to ten messen-gers to this convention, based on membership and gifts given.  

Here is a look at the budget they approved in 2010:

IMB (International Mission Board) 6,027,000NAMB (N. American Mission Board) 2,747,107Seminaries 2,642,237Library/Archives 28,930SBC Operating 409,836Religious Liberties & Ethics 198,891

The money going to the seminaries is divided, based upon enrollment, between Southwestern (Fort Worth, TX), Southern (Louisville, Ky), Southeastern (Wake Forest, NC), New Orleans, Midwestern Seminary (Kansas City, Mo.) and Golden Gate (San Francisco). The Religious Liberties and Ethics Committee basically endeavors to lead the way for Southern Baptists regarding social issues. They lobby Washington over a variety of moral, social, and administrative issues facing the church today.

I hope this mini-lesson on Southern Baptist life helps you to understand the work of your denomination a little better. I hope it also serves to show you why our CP is so important. By cooperating with other Baptist churches across the country we are able to impact lots of ministry opportunities. If we were to try to place missionaries on the field ourselves we might be able to place two or three, perhaps even four. They, however, would be ill equipped, poorly trained, and terribly detached. By participating with churches nation-wide in this effort we are able to field a network of about 10,000 missionaries at home and abroad, who are able to be placed more strategically and safely around the world. On behalf of all our missionaries, seminaries, universities and benevolent ministries, thank you for your CP gifts.

theCreekside | SEPTEMBER 20112

The Cooperative Program RALPH CARTER // Pastor

Less Than Four Months Away ROBBIE SOX // Minister of Music

“I WONDER WHAT I’LL GET FOR CHRISTMAS?” With all the decorations and bright lights, the scrumptious candies and cookies, and no school, this is the burning question most kids have in the days leading up to Christmas. Join us as we celebrate the real meaning of Christmas and why we worship the Christ-child today! For the Glory of the King will remind us all of the importance and significance of Christmas and encourage a spirit of worship in our hearts!

Practices will begin Sunday night, September 11 from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

We also have a special event planned for Saturday, December 3. We will be performing some of our songs with the children of “Christ Central Ministries” in Joanna, SC. More details to follow!

theCreekside | SEPTEMBER 2011 3

Japan: The Nation of the Cross?十字架の国、日本 JIM RUSSELL // Rescue Minister

KEN JOSEPH, FOUNDER OF THE KEIKYO INSTITUTE, SHARES SOME LITTLE KNOWN HISTORY OF JAPAN. He states that in 1597, after a terrible earthquake in Kyoto, the Buddhist priests demanded payment to bury the dead. But the Christians did it for free. This blew away the idea of the Japanese that they had to pay to please God. Many turned to faith in Jesus. In fact, it is estimated that 3 million of the 15 million population of Japan turned to Christ by the 1600s.

As a result, persecution broke out against Christians in Japan. But the leader in Sendai opened up his prefecture to be a safe haven for Christians. Many flocked to the area. As a result, many who live in Sendai today are well aware that they have Christian ancestors.

Now fast forward to March 11, 2011. A 9.1 super earthquake hit Sendai and the NE coast of Japan, resulting in the worst tsunami on record. It is estimated that 25,000 either died or are still unaccounted for. And every village, town, and city on 270 miles of coastline has been destroyed.

As a result, again many Christians are flooding to Japan to aid in their relief efforts. While our team from Brushy Creek was there in July, there were other teams staying at the same location from Texas, California, and Korea.

The Brushy Creek team took part in food distribution in temporary housing compounds, dug out muck from stopped up street drains, and removed mold from underneath a house that was deemed “savable.” As we were digging out a street drain, the village leader in a town of hundreds of homes which had only two left, asked us, “Why have you come all this way to help us?” It was a perfect opportunity for us to tell him that we had come to show the love of Jesus Christ to the Japanese.

It is our prayer that efforts by our team and others, small as they may seem, will result in some “Holy Spirit led gossip” about the Christians who came to help the Japanese, and did it for free.

It's Simple. DAVID KAY // Associate Pastor

Pray for Our Missionaries. ANGELA CARTER // College Minister and Director of Missions

WE ALL NEED SIMPLICITY. I want to encourage you to do something that I believe will help us reach people in our city for Christ. With all of the churches that exist it is surprising that the majority of people right here in Greenville are un-churched. Ok, here it is. I want to encourage you to INVITE PEOPLE TO CHURCH. We have told ourselves that people are not interested, and we assume they will say no. Sometimes they may, but there will be many times people will surprise you and say, Yes! If you are willing to take this challenge, I want you to remember three important pieces of information:

1. GOD IS AT WORK! People all around us are hurting and looking for answers. Often people are just waiting for someone to offer help. Just think of how many people you know who came to church initially because they were hurting and needed support. After getting involved and spending time around God’s word and His people, they now understand what it means to follow Christ.

2. TRY IT BEFORE YOU CRITICIZE IT! I recently visited a church where approximately 25% of the attendance on Sundays is guests. The reason for this huge number is they believe in inviting people. This church used the weekend services to reach lost people.

3. THERE ARE EFFECTIVE AND INEFFECTIVE WAYS TO INVITE PEOPLE TO CHURCH! Ineffective way- “I would like to invite to our church sometime. Effective way- “Would you come to our church with me on September 18 at the 9:15 service?” When we ask people to come on a specific date and specific time, they are four times more likely to attend.

Come on, is this simple or what? Let me know how this is going.

LUKE & ERIN TURNER in Orlando, FL Pray for us (and the ministry) as we handle questions and concerns related to Campus Crusade for Christ’s name change. - Pray for our girls, Kate (5) and Ella (3), as they start school. - Pray for Luke as he trains a new traveling assistant (Logan) for the CCC president. Praises: Our biennial staff conference in Colorado went very well and many commented how the Lord was glorified throughout. - For safe travels as we’ve been on the road all summer.

JENNIFER SIMS in North Africa/Middle East Pray for new teachers and students who are settling into life here. - Pray that the school year would have a positive beginning for all and that there would be an abun-dance of students to follow Him this year. - Pray for my health, that I will continue to improve and have energy for the start of the school year. - Pray that the girls of Yetesfa Birrhan would be drawn to truth. Praises: For a full staff at the start of the school year and the safe return of staff and students.

PETE & CARRA SELENT in Greensboro, NC Pray that God would bless Pete in his new role and bless our team through the transition. - Pray that God would give us wisdom and the capacity to handle the mixture of student leaders, volunteers, and staff without losing the critical elements of what makes up a Cru movement (winning the lost, building their faith, and sending them out to reach others). Praises: God is raising up volunteers (3 actually) for the Triad campuses! - Pete has been asked to lead the Triad Team.

JOSH SMITH in Clarkson, GA Pray that I protect and cherish my time alone with the Father, getting alone with Him often as Jesus did. - Pray God would use time in jail to break and humble my friend Andrew and draw him to Himself. - Pray that God would save and raise up different ethnic group leaders for us to disciple. Praises: Thank God for recent opportunities to have spiritual conversations with two African men. - Praise for God’s peace in the transition to living in Clarkston.

JOSH & KRISTEN HEPNER in Serbia Pray for the team and the family members of an 18-year-old football player who was hit by a car and killed on the way to practice. - Pray that God would give Josh opportunities to witness and minister to the team through this tragedy. - Join me in praying for the Dover family. They found out their 5-year-old son Josiah has lymphoma. They all love the Lord and will find strength and peace in him. They serve in Macedonia but have gone to the states to figure out how to proceed with this news. Praises: Camp went really well and there were lots of decisions for Christ. - Our crate from the states arrived.theCreekside | SEPTEMBER 20114

Collide Gameday BENJI LADD // High School Pastor

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOLERS AND COLLEGE KIDS: If you missed last month’s Collide, make sure you don’t miss this one! Be at the church, in the youth room on September 11. Tailgate party starts at 5:30 p.m. Come dressed in your school’s colors!

What a Summer! JEREMIAH OLIVER // Middle School Pastor

WOW! ANOTHER BUSY SUMMER HAS COME AND GONE! Praise the Lord for the many wonderful things He has done in and through the lives of our students this summer. We have been involved in service projects, Bible studies, outreach and evangelism, summer confer-ences, Pastors’ camp, and many other fun and exciting activities designed to build fellowship, and spiritually strengthen our middle school students. Throughout the summer, students have given their lives to Jesus, others have made commitments to follow Him more closely, and some have even felt the Lord’s leading into voca-tional ministry! Our living Savior desires to change lives, and I am privileged to see the Holy Spirit working in the lives of Middle school students. Thank you for your support and prayers that have played a crucial role in another successful summer!

REMINDER: Just because another busy summer has come and gone, does not mean that our work is over! In fact, with another school year underway, it means that we are just getting started again! I am excited to welcome our new 6th graders into the group, and my heart is somewhat heavy to say goodbye to our rising 9th graders. However, as the family of God, we will continue to do the work that He has set out for us to do in our community and around the world: RESCUE, GROW, and SERVE! This will continue to be our mission as a youth ministry as we move forward in another school year. Please stay involved this year through our Greenhouse classes, Sunday school and worship, Life Hurts God Heals, and the various fellowship and ministry opportunities that are offered here at BCBC. Let’s grow together as we strive to learn God’s living Word and share His love with a lost and dying world. We are always looking for good volunteers in our program, so please do not hesitate to contact us so you can join our team and get involved in one of the most exciting ministries at BCBC! God bless you and I look forward to ministering to your students this 2011–2012 school year.

theCreekside | SEPTEMBER 2011 5

GIRL’S NIGHT OUT

Girl’s Night Out will be held on Sunday, October 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The guest speaker is Martha Gillen and praise and worship will be led by Dana Stout and Praise Team. Dessert and beverages will be served. Tickets are $5 and free child care is provided. Registration will run from September 5 – 25 in the breezeway and online at BrushyCreek.org. For more information contact Libby Massey at 292-1363 or massey1970@charter.net.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY FOLLOW-UP

On Saturday, July 30, the Living Fragrance Women’s Ministry hosted its 2nd annual Christmas in July event, benefiting Operation Christmas Child. We were blessed to have almost 90 women in attendance. Nearly $700 was collected toward shipping shoeboxes, and countless toys, toiletries, and clothing items were donated to be assembled into shoe-boxes for Christmas 2011. Women attending the event were inspired by the speaker’s message, as she described her experience receiving a shoebox as a young child in Belarus and the impact of including a personal letter in a shoebox. Several commitments were made: one recommitted her life to Jesus, two committed to read their Bibles every day for one year, and others committed to make more shoeboxes or write letters to include in the shoeboxes. Praise the Lord!

Hey Woman! Things You Need to Know from the Women’s Ministry of Brushy Creek

ATTENTION

KIDSYou’re Invited

WHO: All boys and girls in K5 through 5th gradeWHAT: Sunday School and Children’s ChurchWHEN: Every week at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.WHERE: 3rd floor of the Education BuildingWHY: Learn about the Bible, God and Jesus AND surround yourself with Christian friends.

Don’t miss out on all the fun! See you there!

Sept. 7 - Super Snack NightSept. 28 - Silly Hat Night Who will wear the funniest hat? Oct. 26 - Fall Festival Wear costumes...please NO scary costumesNov. 16 - AWANA Store and Operation Christmas Child Bring a shoe box filled with items

Jan. 11 - PJ Night Wear your PJ’sFeb. 8 - Chocolate Night Recite a Bible verse and get a piece of chocolateMar. 7–28 - Can and Coins for Harvest Hope Donate one can of food or give your loose change to help feed the needy

Apr. 25 - Measles Night Recite a Bible verse and see which leader gets the “bad” case of the measlesMay 9 - Last Night for Small Group and VersesMay 16 - AWANA Store Last night of AWANA

2011-2012 Calendar

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 1

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

DEACONS’ MEETING6:30 p.m.

MERRY MAKERS10:30 a.m.

MISSIONS DAY

MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST 8 a.m.

MOTHER/DAUGHTER OUTING SEPT 9-10

LABOR DAY HOLIDAY (OFFICE CLOSED)

MOTHER/DAUGHTER OUTING SEPT 9-10

EveryWeekSUNDAYS

8:00 a.m. Sunday School

*9:15 a.m. Sunday School/ Traditional Worship

*10:45 a.m. Sunday School/ Contemporary Worship

MONDAYS

*6:00 p.m. Celebrate Recovery

6:00 p.m. Life Hurts God Heals

*7:30 p.m. Creekside Orchestra Practice

WEDNESDAYS

5:00 p.m. Café at the Creek

*6:45 p.m. The Greenhouse

*8:10 p.m. Creekside Choir Practice

EveryMonthSENIOR ADULTS

MERRY MAKERS MEETINGSpecial guest will be Stephen Crouse.Tuesday, Sept 20 at 10:30 a.m.

MEN’S MINISTRY

MEN’S TESTIMONY BREAKFASTSunday, September 11 8 a.m.

2011 September

*Childcare Available

Staff DirectoryPastorRalph Carter864.238.0166 ralphc@brushycreek.org

Associate PastorDavid Kay864.234.9655 davidk@brushycreek.org

Rescue MinisterJim Russell864.270.8441jimr@brushycreek.org

Music MinisterRobbie Sox864.292.8322 robbies@brushycreek.org

College Minister and Director of MissionsAngela Carter864.325.3778 angelac@brushycreek.org

High School PastorBenji Ladd864.414.1195 benjil@brushycreek.org

Middle School PastorJeremiah Oliver864.915.3302 jeremiaho@brushycreek.org

Director of Adult Sunday SchoolBen Langner864.297.6066 cblangner@bellsouth.net

Director of Children’s MinistriesRebecca Oaks864.968.9826 oaksfamily5@charter.net

Director of PreschoolEleanor Bishop864.915.9669 eleanor0930@yahoo.com

Director of The GreenhouseKristen Belflower864.268.8696 kristen@thebelflowers.com

Director of Weekday PreschoolTina Stephens864.268.3945 brushycreekweekday@yahoo.com

Facilities ManagerMarshall Croy864.322.5500 marshallc@brushycreek.org

Church Office864.244.5075 staff@brushycreek.org

After Hours Emergency864.918.0616

MEN!! Please note breakfast is on SUNDAY this month!!

4999 Old Spartanburg Road

Taylors, South Carolina 29687

864.244.5075BrushyCreek.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non Profit Organ

U.S. Postage

PAID

Taylors, S.C.

Permit NO.14

3rd 10th 17th 24th 31st AVERAGE

Sunday School 781 912 859 825 863 848

Worship Services 989 1126 1067 1069 1094 1069

Attendance in July 2011

LOOKING AHEAD...

APPLICANTS FOR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

SEPTEMBER

Sept 5Labor Day Holiday - Office Closed

Sept 11Deacon Elections - AM services

Sept 25Taste of Heaven

OCTOBER

Oct 2Women’s Ministry Girls’ Night Out

Oct 9Former Alabama football player, Siran Stacy, in AM services

Oct 12The Greenhouse Session 2 begins

NOVEMBER

Nov 2Blood Drive

BY LETTER

Brian FewJessica FewAnnelise FewLaura Hicks

BY STATEMENT

Jo Gill

BY STATEMENT

Graceanna EllenburgHannah WilderRobert PinsonEmmaline FewGreyson Cook