Monthly Archives: November 2016

How Easily We Forget

“I try to fit you in the wall inside my mind.  I try to keep you safely in between the lines.  I try to put you in the box that I’ve designed.  I try to pull you down so we are eye to eye.

doug-williams-adoption-picWhen did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world?  I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world.  How could I make you so small, when you’re the one who holds it all?  When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world?

Just a whisper of your voice can tame the seas.  So who am I to try and take the lead.  Still I run ahead and think I’m strong enough.  When you’re the one who made me from the dust.”

These lyrics are from the song “King of the World” by Natalie Grant.   They are a reminder of what is all too familiar to us all.  We easily forget!  In the business of life’s circumstances, we often forget who is King over our circumstances.

My family has been in an adoption process for over four years.  We are nearing the end, but recently were told that the end would not come until after the first of the year.  How easily we forget that God is King over all things, even adoption processes.

A week ago, out of the blue, we received word that we must prepare to travel and meet our daughter.  The past several days have been a whirlwind of preparation and emotion.  This long journey is nearing the end.  There were days we (by we, I mean me) wondered if this day would ever come. There were moments that we (by we, I mean me) doubted.

Oh, how easily we forget that God is King of the world.  In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, the Psalmist reminds us to be still and know that He is God (Ps 46:10).  When all around us seemingly unravels, the Psalmist is not telling us to run or even panic.  In fact, he says, “Be still.”  The only thing we should do in those times is be still and know that God is King.

I have been reminded once again (not for the last time I am sure) that God is King of the world.  We travel this week to meet our daughter and then bring her home.  I am sure there will be challenges in this final process, but I pray we will remember that God is King of the world.  So, Doug, remember God has “always been the king of the world” and He always will be.

by Doug Williams

Living Prepared: Disaster Relief Ministry

0919121217bSouthern Baptists have a long history of demonstrating compassion to those affected by crisis and loss.  In 1984, God moved the hearts of Kentucky Baptists to organize a state disaster relief ministry.  From that humble beginning, God has raised up 46 mobile disaster relief units, and trained thousands of volunteers to respond.

Disasters are nothing new.  Noah teaches us in Genesis 6 the importance of being prepared.  We should also let this lesson remind us of the urgency to share the Good News of God’s salvation with this generation.

Today, disasters happen every day across our globe, and Kentucky is not immune.  Kentucky averages a flood event every six days, and witnesses, on average, twenty-five tornado sightings per year.

I praise God for the trained volunteers who have answered the call of God to minister to the least of these, when tragedies strike.  Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were there after 9-11 in New York and following Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast.  They have ministered to war torn refugees in Iraq and earthquake survivors in Haiti.  This past year, they served flood victims in South Carolina, tornado victims in western Kentucky, and victims of famine in Lesotho.

Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief has answered the call to go wherever needed and to do whatever it takes for Christ’s sake.

One of the best ways to be used by God is to be trained, so that you can respond correctly and effectively.  Here are the upcoming opportunities to get connected to the ministry of Disaster Relief:

2017 Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief Trainings:

January 14, 2017 at Severns Valley Baptist Church in Elizabethtown (Central KY)

February 4, 2017 at Big Creek Baptist Church in Hazard (Eastern KY)

March 4, 2017 at Zion’s Cause Baptist Church in Benton (Western KY)

April 8, 2017 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Independence (Northern KY)

September 16, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Richmond (Central KY)

Find out more about this Kingdom ministry and register for trainings at www.kybaptist.org/dr.

Steps to SENDing

I had the privilege to be in a church recently that has made a deliberate effort to become a sending church.  They take seriously the commandment we’ve been given to go and make disciples of all people.  It was so exciting to see the progress they were making toward that Biblical goal as they develop a sending culture within their church. They recognize that their church has a responsibility to send members out on mission trips (locally and globally), church planting efforts, disaster relief responses and local community ministry projects.  Living as “sent” people has brought intentionality to their “going” that God desires for His church.  They don’t just go on mission, but are sent on mission by their church.  steps-to-a-sending-culture

The culture of a church will greatly influence whether or not it becomes a sending church. Culture is the personality of the church. Culture, more that vision or strategy – is a powerful factor in the church. Therefore, it’s possible that the personality or culture of a church will need an adjustment in order for it to become a sending church.  Here are some steps toward development of a sending culture, that in turn, will produce a sending church.

  1. Preach sermons about missions – tell them of the church’s responsibility to send and our responsibility to go.
  2. Expect it. Share with leaders, members and visitors that everyone is commanded to go and we’ll help you to be obedient.
  3. Repent of your failure to send and go as the Bible commands, if you’ve not been doing so.
  4. Communicate impact – share and celebrate missionary achievements, spiritual decisions and answers to prayer.
  5. Skype with a missionary, or invite them to come and speak during the service.
  6. Pray for missionaries and ministry needs – share specific needs.
  7. Offer many different kinds of opportunities for people to use their gifts, talents and skills in missions and ministry (mission trips, local projects, long term service, etc).
  8. Give scholarships to financially enable people to go.
  9. Provide missions education opportunities for children and adults – small groups, Sunday School, online, etc.
  10. Plan and implement a missions fair to introduce members to missionaries and missions opportunities.
  11. Encourage giving to missions and share how the offerings are used.
  12. Commission individuals and groups going out on mission.
  13. Adopt a missionary – develop relationship, provide support, give updates on their work, invite them to come, partner with them in the work, send teams.

It’s All Worth It

KY InAsMuch Logo

This past summer the Lord laid on the hearts of a couple of ladies at Pine Hill Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, KY to have a free clothing give away. They shared this idea with others in the congregation and plans were soon being made for their first ever Operation InAsMuch Day, a one-day blitz by the church in the community.

For months, they gathered and sorted clothing. Adults, children, and youth all pitched in to help. Although it was hard work, and took lots of hours, it was a great time as they worked together to prepare for this project. Many times they stopped to “model” some of the clothing and found a few pieces to set aside for ourselves.

Everything pic-1was ready to go. On Saturday, October 15th, the big day came. The clothing was sorted, the workers were in place, and the doors set to open at 10:00 AM at this small, rural, 60-member church. They had never done anything like this before and did not really know what to expect. The church is five miles out of town. The event had been advertised in the local newspaper, on the radio, and at the 5 county schools, but they could not help but wonder if anyone would show up.

But, were they ever in for a surprise! At 8:50 AM the first cars began rolling in to the parking lot and, from that point on, they kept coming, and coming, and coming, until 1:00 PM, when the event was scheduled to end. An estimated 250 people showed up for this free clothing give-away. People came from all across the county, and from 4 adjoining counties.
People were “shopping,” men of the church were grilling hot dogs, and ladies were in the kitchen preparing chips, drinks, and cookies. Other church members were mingling with the crowd, talking to people, making them feel welcome, inviting them back to church, and witnessing where the opportunity presented itself.

The church was blown away by the response. But, the “guests” were blown away as well. Many of them wanted to pay for the hot dogs and commented that they had never been to a place where everything was free.

Nobody seemed to be in any big hurry. The folks “shopped,” ate, and some just sat around visiting and enjoying the day.

The “guests” were invited to register for a couple of grocery gift cards. On the registration cards 11 people indicated they would be interested in a call or visit from the church. Three persons have already visited the church as a result of the clothing give-away and the church is still following up with others.

Nineteen members of the church showed up on the day of the event to work, but a total of 40, ranging in age from four to eighty-two, had actually helped in some way. One member said, “I’m not sure who received the bigger blessing from the event, our community or our church members who absolutely loved seeing our hard work pay off.” Another lady said, “To me it was a very humbling experience. Most of all, what got me was when several asked when would we be doing another one.” One of the most interesting comments came from a teenager that had worked so hard. He simply said, “It’s all worth it.”

And, yes, plans are being made for a similar event in the Spring of 2017.