Moore Activity Center

Just south of Cincinnati, two exits off the Ohio River, in downtown Covington, KY sits an amazing ministry that is reaching out to its community with the Gospel. The Moore Activity Center (MAC), directed by North American Mission Board self-funded Missionary Amy Wilhelmus, opened its doors in 2004 as an outreach of Southside Baptist Church. Although they continue to work closely with the church, they are now a separate entity.

MAC’s goal is to find the needs in their community and meet those needs as possible. Amy says they attempt to “meet the people where they are and hopefully that will open the door to share Christ.”

Each week regularly scheduled activities reach out to all ages. Those include:

One-on-One Tutoring for children in grades K-6 with adult/child relationship building
An inner-city Adult Bible Club with a meal, Bible study, and crafts
“Fill My Cup” Women’s Bible Group
Bible Study for children and youth. Since most have no other connection with church, this Bible Study is considered to be their “church time.” A meal is served, there is singing, prayer, a craft, gym time, and Bible focus.

The MAC offers community fellowships from time to time for anyone, any age where they look for ways to bring people together just to interact with one another. These events have included such things as “Minute to Win It” games and a Hawaiian Luau.

MAC’s summer programs include:

“Fun in the Son,” a Backyard Bible Club type event where they go out into the community and meet people on their own turf.
A “24-Hour Day Camp” which is a one-day, overnight camp at a local church and done on a shoestring budget. The camp, for grades 1-6, focuses on helping kids to understand what God wants to do in their own lives.
“Simply Dinner” meets every Tuesday in the summer as a time just to feed the kids. Local churches adopt a night to provide the meal and fellowship with the kids.

“Big Give Aways” are held three times each year.

Back-to-School – 150 to 200 children and youth in grades K-12 receive gym shoes, socks, school supplies, hygiene items, and haircuts.
Thanksgiving – Includes worship, singing, and a meal to take home and prepare.
Christmas – Includes worship, singing, a meal to take home to prepare, and toys & clothes for children 12 and under.

Interesting in a mission trip to the Moore Activity Center? They would love to have teams come in and take a week of “Fun in the Son”, provide construction help, or assist with other outreach. Amy will work with your gifts and talents to use them to the fullest.

Please pray about partnering with Amy and the MAC. Pray for financial needs, for volunteers to come and help meet needs & share Christ, and for them to be a source of light in their community. Also pray for a strong leader to come serve alongside Amy.

If interested in learning more or in volunteering with this ministry contact Amy at 859-261-2300, macmissions@aol.com, or on Facebook at Moore Activity Center (Covington, KY).

Obligated!

God used a simple cobbler in the 1780s to birth what we now call the modern missions movement. William Carey developed a God-given passion for the glory of God among the nations. When others were telling him he need not go to the heathen with the gospel, Carey said otherwise. When others said that if God desires to save the heathens He will do so without our help, Carey said that the very means that God has chosen to save sinners is through the proclamation of the gospel by sinners who have been saved.

In his book An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians, to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens, Carey wrote:

“Our Lord Jesus Christ, a little before his departure, commissioned his apostles to Go, and teach all nations; or, as another evangelist expresses it, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. This commission was as extensive as possible, and laid them under obligation to disperse themselves into every country of the habitable globe, and preach to all the inhabitants, without exception, or limitation. . . . It seems as if many thought the commission was sufficiently put in execution by what the apostles and others have done; that we have enough to do to attend to the salvation of our own countrymen; and that, if God intends the salvation of the heathen, he will some way or other bring them to the gospel, or the gospel to them. It is thus that multitudes sit at their ease,
and give themselves no concern about the far greater part of their fellow-sinners, who to this day, are lost in ignorance and idolatry” (quoted from When Missions Shapes the Mission, 2).

Our obligation, therefore, is from the Lord. We may not sit idle and do nothing. Nor may we be content and spiritualize our participation in the Great Commission as if it is fulfilled because we are seeking to reach people where we live. The GC is not like a childhood love letter with optional check boxes of “yes,” “no,” or “maybe.” The GC is all-encompassing. We are to reach our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the nations with the gospel. In fact, we are obligated to do so.

Upon hearing the word “obligated” people often first react with reserve or inward rebellion. The thought goes something like this: “No one is going to tell me what I must do!” Yet, the word obligated is a beautiful word when understood in the context of Paul’s use in Romans 1:14. You see, Paul, as one who had received the grace of God, felt obligated to share with others the same hope given to Him in Jesus. He could not fathom a world in which all peoples did not have equal access to the life-transforming gospel of Jesus.

For the Jews, he was willing to be cut off from the life-giving gospel of Christ, so that they might hear and believe (Rom 9:1-5). As for the non-Jews, he could not imagine not saturating the nations with the gospel of Jesus (Acts 26:17-18). Further, Paul understood the GC to be binding on his life because the command came from God himself. The authority behind our obligation to send the gospel and to embrace all peoples for the gospel is not man made; it’s divinely given. As Jesus made it so clear from a mountainside, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18). The authority of the GC resides in the giver of the Commission. His authority has not changed; therefore, our obligation to His command still stands.

Ten Ways the Church Can Respond in Times of Disaster

What is a disaster?

A disaster is any occurrence that causes suffering and creates human needs that cannot be alleviated without help. Disasters can occur at any moment and in any place.

Here are ten ways that your church can minister, if disaster strikes your community:

Pray for those affected. God can do far more than any of us to bring comfort to the hurting.
Create a phone list of the vulnerable in your church and make contact with shut-ins, elderly, disabled, those suffering with chronic health issues, and single mothers.
Train and mobilize volunteers to provide care at the church for children, elderly, sick, and/or the disabled.
Provide bilingual interpreters to assist those who speak another language.
Open the church to receive and distribute donated goods and bulk items for those affected, such as bedding, food, clean-up supplies, and household items.
Offer logistical support to trained disaster relief teams by allowing them to be housed and fed at your church.
Develop and organize clean-up or repair crews, such as chainsaw, debris removal, flood relief, and roof-tarping teams. Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief provides training in these areas.
Participate in rebuild efforts.
Encourage church members to become trained as Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers. Training and preparation always makes us more effective in response and ministry.
In most cases, the best way to help is through monetary donations. Financial gifts allow us to meet the specific needs of those who are hurting. They also provide the right resources at the right times, assist in long-term recovery efforts, and stimulate the local economy in the affected area. I know many people feel as if giving money is not personal. But, always remember, helping should be about meeting the needs of victims, and not fulfilling our desire to feel good about ourselves. If you choose to collect supplies, be sure that you have contacted someone on the ground to insure that you gather items that are genuinely needed and wanted. Do not create more problems by sending unwanted and unneeded supplies. As someone who has worked in many disasters, monetary donations, through reputable groups, make the most difference in helping people.

“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Show the Value of Your Association

I had the privilege this week to consult with two different associations concerning future direction. One has a new Director of Missions (DOM) and the other is seeking the Lord for a DOM. Although both are in different places, however, each meeting involved discussion around the importance of value and how the association benefits the church. It was determined that the association must demonstrate value to the churches if it is going to expect participation and support from them. Likewise, the churches must demonstrate participation and support if they are going to receive value from the association.

There is a systematic process in the business world called “value engineering”. It is an attempt to improve the value of goods, products or services by using an “examination of function”. Value is defined as “the ratio of performance or function to cost”. Value can be increased by improving the performance or lowering the cost. In most cases, the practice identifies and removes unnecessary expenses, thereby increasing the value for the customer. Value engineering a service or product in the business world may boil down to dollars and cents that prove helpful to the bottom line. But what does it look like if applied to the local Baptist association?

An association must determine its value and how it will benefit member churches. One helpful way to do that is through an assessment and strategy review process. The review process should be followed by strategy development that allows member churches to determine the future direction and value of the association based on the needs of churches in their particular context.

Part of any review or assessment process is the asking of “hard questions” that cause us to examine how and why, we do what we do. I encourage you to ask the following questions about your association. Then, determine with the DOM to lead your association in providing great value to each of its member churches as they simultaneously provide participation and support.

If members of the churches were asked to list why is the association important – how would they answer?
Are we connecting churches in order to reach the world, OR are we connecting churches in order to support denominational activities and ministries?
Is the association’s goal Kingdom impact or self-preservation?
Is there a different associational structure that would streamline our work and function more efficiently?
Is my association shaping the future or reacting and adapting to it?
Am I willing to embrace deep change that will help the association to be most effective?
What will my role be as I seek to add value and relevance to my local association?

Despite the Cold, the Work Goes On!!

This morning I sit in my home office looking out at the beautiful sunrise and thankful that I do not have to get out in this frigid 1̊ weather. I pray for those who do not have this same privilege. Many are out working in this artic cold so that my electricity, water and heat stay on and I can enjoy these comforts. Still others have little or no heat, no electricity, frozen and/or burst water pipes, and many are even homeless. I pray for them and thank God for those men and women that are out on the front lines serving so that they too can have shelters to go to and can be warm and fed. I also thank God for the many ministries across Kentucky that provide warm meals, blankets, coats, etc. to those who are in need.

I love winter. Nothing excites me more or shows the beauty of God’s creation to me more than a freshly fallen snow. But, then again, most of the time I have the privilege of seeing it from my window. Of the eight days I had to be out this month I am thankful that the roads were cleared and I had no problem traveling.

Lots has been accomplished during this cold January. Two new missionaries have been approved to serve as Kentucky Mission Support Catalysts, orientation and commissioning services are being planned for 12 new Kentucky missionaries during the Kentucky WMU Annual Meeting in April, an On Mission Expo is in the planning stages for Fall 2014, interSEED Missionary Prayer Calendars (www.kybaptist.org/interseed) have been updated through April, new mission opportunities have been posted on the website (www.kybpaptist.org/go) and promoted across the state, and a new potential community outreach program is been discussed. I have had the privilege of meeting with several missionaries and with a lady seeking where God may be calling her to serve. Several of these “meetings” would not have been possible were it not for the telephone and conferencing capabilities.

The weather has been bad but the work goes on. Thank God for technology that allows me to set up office wherever I am and still get the message out and the work accomplished. Be on the lookout for some of these exciting mission events and opportunities coming up throughout 2014. Please contact us for information on the many ways YOU can be involved in missions across the Commonwealth.

To Infinity and Beyond

“To infinity and beyond” are the famous words of Buzz Lightyear, space ranger from the Intergalactic Alliance stationed in the Gamma Quadrant of Sector 4. His sole objective was to protect the universe from evil Emperor Zurg. Wow, I guess I have watched Toy Story one too many times (insert parent card at this point!). Let me introduce myself. I am Doug Williams, the husband to Cathy for the last 17 plus years, the father of 3 children (soon to be 4 as we await to bring home our daughter from Africa), as well as the new missions strategist for the KBC. I recently resigned pastoring Bullitt Lick Baptist Church, where I served the past 11 years, to join the staff at the KBC. I love the church God called me to pastor. I love pastoring. So, why leave the pastorate for denominational work? Well, I think Buzz Lightyear can help me explain a bit of my decision process.

The movie Toy Story highlights two primary characters named Woody, the rugged cowboy and Buzz Lightyear, the space ranger. Their relationship is less than ideal because they view each other as rivals instead of as partners. It’s not until they both find themselves in the grasp a toy-torturing-kid named Sid that they realize that they can accomplish more collectively than they can separately. In short, Woody and Buzz work together to free a host of toys held hostage by Sid.

That brings me back to my decision to join the staff at the KBC. What if 2,400+ churches took serious the command of our Lord to make disciples of all nations? What if our KBC churches concluded that we can do more collectively than we can separately? What if all across our Commonwealth we were resolved to lay aside our minimal differences and unite around our common command to take the gospel to the ends of the earth for the glory of God and the spread of His name? What if we realized that our state and world is held hostage by the Evil One, and the only hope of freedom is the gospel of Jesus? What if God were to use this state convention by beginning a sweet gospel movement of His Spirit throughout this state, across this country, and around the world? I believe He can do that here, there, and beyond. Jesus told his early followers that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

I am delighted to join the KBC in order to help churches develop strategies to take the gospel across the street, throughout the country and around the world. If Buzz Lightyear were a missions strategist, he might say it this way: “For the glory of God and the good of His people, let’s unite together Kentucky Baptists to take the gospel to ‘infinity and beyond.’” My question for you is: Will you join me in this global cause to take the gospel to infinity and beyond for God’s great fame and glory?

Remembering the Persecuted

Many Christians put their life on the line every day across the globe. As you read this today, Christians continue to be persecuted for their faith in over 40 countries around the world. In many of these lands, it is illegal to own a Bible, share your faith publicly, or teach your children about Jesus. These believers often face harassment, arrest, torture, and death for the sake of Christ. This continued persecution should not surprise us, as the Scriptures teach, “In fact, all those who want to live a Godly life in Jesus Christ will be persecuted.”

As we enter 2014, organizations that work with the persecuted Church are predicting a turbulent year for many Christians across the globe. Consider these facts:

In North Korea, bowing your head in prayer, possessing a Bible, or making contact with a known Christian is punished harshly. Christians are sentenced to concentration camps, often without a trial, as they are labeled as foreign spies.
In Central Asia, persecution is on the rise in predominantly Muslim countries that have a history of communism. In Kazakhstan, unregistered churches are not allowed to meet, and in Tajikistan, Christian parents are not allowed to take their children to church.
In Nigeria, extremist Muslim groups have bombed churches and claimed responsibility for killing Christians, as they seek to establish an Islamic state during this election season.
In Syria, Christians are being driven from their homes, women are being raped, and churches are being robbed during this time of violent civil war.

What can we do as fellow believers:

Do not forget our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, who are suffering for their faith.
Pray for those being persecuted across the globe. Pray for political stability in many nations. Pray for safety and provisions for those suffering for our Lord. Pray for the church to grow in the midst of persecution, and give thanks that the church is flourishing in many of these persecuted lands. Pray that God will open the hearts of Muslims, Hindus and Atheistic Communists to the Gospel, and that He will reveal Himself to those who are lost. Pray that believers will have courage, boldness, and strength to live out their faith in difficult and dangerous lands. Pray for our missionaries and their families serving in dark places.
Make your voice heard by contacting our representatives in government to remind them of the plight of persecuted Christians around the world.
Give to the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, or Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief so that resources such as food, water, shelter, medicines, and other vital needs can be provided to refugees, in disaster areas, and in community development. These funds provide us with countless opportunities to minister to persecuted believers and bring the hope of the Gospel to those without Christ.

In the midst of these turbulent days, be encouraged by the words of our Risen Lord, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will suffer in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)

Faithfulness

The holidays are over, 2013 is history, and we are now a few days into 2014. The New Year normally finds us reflecting back over the year just ended and looking ahead with new resolutions, goals, and plans. We vow to be a better person, to do better. We may even commit before the Lord to be a better Christian, to be more consistent in Bible study, prayer, witnessing, and/or other areas of our lives in the year ahead.

I always look forward to beginning the year with new studies in the Word and this year was no exception. I actually began two new studies and am amazed at the common theme running through both of them – that of faithfulness.

One of the studies looked at Ruth and Boaz. In Ruth 2:5, upon seeing Ruth in the field, Boaz asked, “Whose young woman is this?” Boaz noticed that there was something different about Ruth. In fact, he had even heard about her faithfulness to her mother-in-law and all she had done for Naomi. This reminds me of Acts 4:13 (one of my favorite scriptures) where the crowd took note of Peter and John that they “had been with Jesus.” In the coming year may I be faithful to spend time with Him and may it point others to Him. May I too, like Ruth, be faithful to minister to the needs of my family, my co-workers, and all those around me.

Another area of faithfulness is in waiting on the Lord and not running ahead. In the coming year I desire be faithful in my service. May I allow Him to lead in my life and work and not move ahead with my own ideas and plans.

Above all, I see His faithfulness. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV). What great hope and encouragement as we move into 2014. Thank you, God, for Your faithfulness. May I never forget or take it for granted.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Get Trained

As America watched footage of the devastation in Moore, Oklahoma and the incredible loss in the flooding that swept across Colorado, many people were moved to pack up and be a part of the recovery efforts. As a State Disaster Relief Director, I often get calls from spontaneous volunteers wanting to serve, and it troubles me that I am unable to use these well-meaning individuals. The most frequent reason that I cannot deploy these good-hearted folks is that they are untrained. Most of our work in Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief can be done by any individual who is in reasonable good health, is willing to work, has a heart for their neighbor, and loves Jesus. However, training is vital, because it allows us to respond in the most effective way.

I am always surprised by those who devalue training in Christian ministry. Would we make an appointment with a physician, who woke up one morning and decided to be a doctor with no training? Would we take our car for repairs to a neighbor who has no training as a mechanic? Of course not. Therefore, why do we think that training is not important to do ministry effectively? We are representing the King of Kings as we respond to help in times of disaster. This should inspire us to be trained, so that we can respond in the most positive and useful manner.

Disaster Relief training prepares volunteers to serve by:

Giving an understanding of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief work and history.
Laying a Biblical foundation for compassion ministries.
Sharing important information about disasters and relief work.
Teaching them to understand the right way to deploy in times of disaster.
Instilling empathy for victims, so that our compassion offers genuine help.
Providing responders with tools that will enable us to listen to hurting people.
Allowing them to discover where their gifts and abilities can be best utilized in a disaster response.
Instructing helpers on good safety practices in disaster areas.
Focusing our ministry in a way that shares the hope of our Lord.

It is great to have a heart moved by compassion and to have a desire to serve, but it is far better to be prepared to go in the most effective way. After all, it is not about you. It is about providing genuine help to the hurting. For your sake, for your neighbor’s sake, and for your Lord’s sake, get trained.

Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief will offer trainings in Hopkinsville (January), Louisville (February), Richmond (March), Pikeville (April), and Glasgow (September) in 2014.

For more information on training opportunities and to register for training events for 2014, go to: http://www.kybaptist.org/events/category/disaster-relief-3/upcoming/

What to Give Someone Who Has Everything

Christmas is a very special time of the year. I love the music, lights and decorations, time with family, baked goodies and gift giving. I really enjoy giving special gifts to those I love. But not just any gift, the perfect one. The one that is just what they needed or really wanted. But what do you give to the person who has everything?

Several years ago, my parents announced that they would no longer receive gifts from us at Christmas because they “had everything they needed”. Rather than give them a Christmas gift, they requested that we give to a ministry or charity in their honor. A meaningful tradition was begun that continues today. We have given animals for farmers in Haiti, transportation for pastors in Africa, shelter for the homeless in the US, and job training for the poor in eastern KY. Although these are good gifts that bless others and honor my parents, we consider the most important gift each year to be the one we give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. If you’re not familiar with this offering, it is collected by the SBC International Mission Board in December for the support of more than 4,850 missionaries sharing the Gospel in countries all over the world. Every single penny given goes directly toward the support and equipping of the missionaries because necessary administrative costs are covered by other means.

The missionaries supported by the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering are committed to giving themselves totally and selflessly toward reaching unengaged and unreached people groups who have nothing, because they don’t have Jesus, who is “everything”. So, if you’re struggling with what to get the person who has everything, why not give a gift in their honor to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. That way, instead of giving an unneeded gift to someone who has everything, you’re giving the gift of “everything” to someone who has nothing. For more information, visit www.imb.org/offering.

Kentucky and Beyond

Christ followers, under the power of the Holy Spirit, will tell everyone about Him. (Acts 1:8)