Today’s From the States features items from:
Illinois Baptist (via Ferguson, Mo.)
Baptist Message (Louisiana)
California Southern Baptist
In Ferguson, new
ministry follows riots
By Kayla Rinker
FERGUSON, Mo. (Illinois Baptist) — The plywood nailed to the windows of homes and businesses reminded Stoney Shaw of living near the threat of hurricanes when he was younger.
“People would brace themselves for the storm that was coming,” said Shaw, senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Ferguson. “That’s exactly what is happening here; a devastating storm. But praise God things seem to be winding down and there is a lot of rebuilding going on, which is what we’ve been praying for.”
Despite the rioting and arson surrounding the grand jury’s Nov. 24 decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown, Shaw said there are glimpses of hope among the ashes.
“On that very same plywood, artists have drawn pictures of encouragement and hope,” he said. “We are the real Ferguson people, black and white. As a whole we are not the ones marching and picketing, we are the ones getting looted and broken into. There are a lot of other narratives, but the reality is that this is a terrible tragedy and it does not have our best interest in mind.”
But because of that reality, it leaves Ferguson-area churches with a unique opportunity to minister to a broken and hurting community. Shaw said FBC is engaged with the city to promote positive changes.
For example, when the district closed a nearby school because of the impending threat of rioting, FBC opened its facilities to provide meals, tutors, and a safe place for the kids to be during the day. The City of Ferguson has also used FBC’s fellowship hall for their “Talk-Back” meetings for people to express their grievances and appeals for change to the mayor and city leaders.
“It’s exciting to be a practical part of the solution to a very complicated situation,” Shaw said. “I’ve said it before but we were at Ground Zero before it was Ground Zero. These are scary times and we are living in the shadow of that. God has called Christian people and churches in Ferguson to go and do what needs to be done together, in order to recover our fine city for Him.”
Sean Boone is pastor of New Beginning Christian Fellowship, an SBC church plant in nearby Hazelwood, Mo. “What I’m seeing and hearing is more about believers being white or black before being Christian,” Boone said. “As believers we must step back and ask are we rendering grace to both sides? Are we looking at everything through the lenses of U.S. citizens or (as) citizens of the body of Christ?”
He said only when believers answer these questions honestly can Biblical and fair solutions for all people be found.
“If we only rely on a system born out of the flesh of sinful man, we will constantly get flawed results,” Boone said. “One side or the other will always feel disenfranchised. Right not we are witnessing an expression of a group of people feeling hopeless. The church needs to address the reason for this hopelessness … which is sin.”
Shaw believes there are legitimate issues and injustices regarding the treatment and the voice of the majority of Ferguson residents. He said that more than anything, this tragedy has shined a light on those problems.
For starters, the African American subgroup in Ferguson makes up 70% of the city’s total population, but there is only one African American member of the city council. Shaw said the city needs to push for everyone to register to vote.
“We are blessed to have some neat African American ladies in our church who have started taking young adults in the 18 to 30 age range and teaching them the basics of our democratic republic,” Shaw said. “We have a nation of people who don’t know how it works. When only 10% of the majority 70% of the population is registered to vote in a city, it’s bad. People start to feel like they aren’t included and can’t change anything, which leads to looting and burning.”
And that idea of feeling included is what lays heavy on Shaw’s heart because he knows where it needs to begin: within the body of Christ. Though pastors and churches have come together to pray for one another in light of recent events, Shaw says that trend needs to continue.
“It sends a wonderful message that we are united as one body of believers,” Shaw said. “We need to get back to really associating with each other and that may require churches, whether predominately white or black, get out of their comfort zones: team up, serve together, go on mission together, fellowship together and even periodically do a pastor swap.”
“We are only racially divided if we want to be,” Shaw said. “We need to be living like Christ throughout this crisis.”
–30–
This article appeared in the Illinois Baptist (ibsa.org/illinoisbaptist), newsjournal of the Illinois Baptist State Association. Kayla Rinker is a reporter living in southwest Missouri.
**********
La. churches prepare for
approaching economic boom
By Brian Blackwell
LAKE CHARLES, La. (Baptist Message) — The pending construction of a liquefied natural gas facility, a gas to liquid plant as well as other clean energy related projects has Lake Charles and the surrounding area on the verge of an unprecedented economic boom that could pump billons of dollars into the economy and create more than 50,000 jobs over the next seven years
While Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana government leaders make preparations to handle this upcoming surge, Southwest Louisiana Baptist churches and leaders are also hard at work as they prepare for the tremendous ministry opportunities that lie ahead.
Bright future ahead
In the coming years, the city of Lake Charles and surrounding area could see as much as an $86 billion impact on the economy, sparking a growth of 5.7 percent, according to George Swift, president and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance in Lake Charles. Such facilities include liquefied natural gas facilities, gas to liquid plants and other new clean energy projects.
With the possibility of 30,000 temporary jobs and 20,000 permanent jobs over the next five to seven years, Swift said that provides a tremendous opportunity for church attendees and members.
“Marketing efforts should be undertaken to make newcomers to the region aware of the various churches by location, denomination, and type of services including language diversity,” he continued. “Just as businesses will have opportunities to increase sales, area churches have an opportunity to increase and fulfill their mission with the newcomers.”
To accommodate the additional people that may work as few as a couple of years, an employee village is planned. Expected to be complete this year, the complex called Pelican Lodge will feature living quarters, businesses, recreation facility and a chapel.
Rent that is to be determined includes three meals and transportation to and from work sites.
The $70 million complex located off Louisiana Highway 397 and one mile south of Interstate 10 will hold up to 4,000 workers at one time. The complex will span across 200 acres of Port of Lake Charles property.
A design to reach thousands for Christ
Sammy Pate, project manager for Greenfield Logistic Solutions of Louisiana, LLC who is handling the project, has worked alongside Bruce Baker, director of missions for Carey Baptist Association, on the design of the chapel. The plan is to enlist churches to lead ministries such as Bible studies, counseling and serving as a listening ear to the residents of the village.
“These guys need someone to talk to when they are away from their families,” Baker said. “Even if it’s just offering a place for the men to play dominoes, that’s a big deal. Knowing someone is there to care and pray for them is a big deal. And that in turn may make the men better workers.”
Pate hopes the chapel will offer the men an encouraging place of rest and refuel.
“I have been to places where I feel so lonely and want a word of encouragement,” Pate said. “It is at those moments that the men, some who may go months without seeing their family, have a greater chance of being receptive to the gospel.”
Baker said that Pelican Lodge presents an opportunity for the business and Christian community to all come together. Out of the village could come compassion and non-profit ministries that will serve Lake Charles’ residents in need.
“As Sammy and I have connected more and more it’s clear Greenfield and others in the biz enterprise they have an interest in investing in them as well,” he said. “One thing we have talked about is going to businesses and churches and developing partnerships. There are a lot of Christian business men who have more than money to give.
“The more we talk and meet it is clear there are more opportunities,” he continued. “To be salt and light we have to go out. I have met a lot of business owners who want to give back in more ways than writing a check.”
Many times, churches send their members on mission trips to other parts of the United States and world. But this is an opportunity to welcome the world to Lake Charles, Baker said.
“God is about to send people here,” Baker said. “God’s an extravagant God who can accomplish His purposes in any way He wants to.
“This will impact people for years to come,” he continued. “It will be presenting the gospel but also giving a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. When you do that it always bears fruit and never comes back empty.”
First Westlake property sale
One church already reaping the benefit from the impending economic boom is First Baptist Church of Westlake, which finalized the sale of its property to Sasol energy and chemical company on Dec. 12.
Sasol plans to build a transit route on the property as part of an $8 billion ethane cracker and derivatives complex. The ethane cracker will produce 1.5 million tons of ethylene annually.
Pastor Wayne McEntire said the church plans to relocate not far from its current location. First Westlake already owns the land where it plans to build the new facility on a 19-acre tract of land adjacent to the Westlake Golf Course. The property was purchased in 1998.
“There is a lot of excitement and anticipation in regard to the opportunity before us to increase the effectiveness of our ministry to the community,” McEntire said. “We are grateful that provision has been made for us to continue to utilize the current facility as steps are being made to move. The agreement allows us to salvage any of the material property that can be removed before demolition in around two years from now.”
The church first approached Sasol about purchasing their property at 501 Sulphur Avenue in February. Negotiations continued through November, when the church unanimously approved an offer.
Though a final design is not yet complete, the church plans to build a facility at its future location with a large atrium and attractive learning areas for children and youth. The church also is considering using the frame of its existing gymnasium to reconstruct a similar building at the new location.
“Sasol is allowing us to utilize our current facility for up to two years while we build,” McEntire said. “Therefore, there is no definitive date for a last service and we do not plan to need an interim location. The Vision Team has looked at First Baptist Church of Orange as a pattern we would like to emulate for our construction, with a few modifications. But, there is no date as of now for construction to begin. We feel confident that we can be in a new facility within the allotted two years.”
Churches eager for the harvest
From the onset, Baker said churches in the 65-member Carey Baptist Association have come on board with anticipation of the harvest ahead.
East Ridge Baptist Church is one of those and is the church closest to Pelican Lodge. The church with an average worship attendance of 125 is located on Highway 397 and is a little more than a mile from the site of the employee village.
Originally located in an area where demographics were changing in Lake Charles, the congregation opted in October 2010 to move to the outskirts of town and to its present location. At the time, most of the surrounding land was mainly grasslands.
“People ask us all the time why we moved out here,” said Alan Weishampel, pastor of East Ridge Baptist. “And they have a valid point. All they saw were cows and fields.
“We did it because God told us to,” he said. “It was God in His infinite wisdom leading us here for a bright future.”
In the coming months and years ahead, more homes and businesses will transform the area around the church from mostly farmland to a majority of structures. Weishampel sees that sharing the gospel with the thousands who will live in the area, whether temporary or permanent, is not an option and now is the time to prepare and pray.
“We will look for as many ways as we possibly can to intentionally bring Jesus into their lives,” Weishampel said. “Our prayer is as they accept Christ, they will go back to their homes and families and share the Lord with them. Who knows what the Lord will do with that.
“Our vision is getting larger as God is revealing it to us,” he continued. “We not only have the opportunity but the duty to bring Christ to the new residents, some who will come from other countries. This is our Jerusalem and Judea. It’s not an option. We have got to reach these people for Christ.”
Building on that, Randy Edwards said his congregation is looking forward to seeing the mission field come to Lake Charles.
“This church is very mission-minded, going on mission trips all over the state and world, as well as doing some things in the community,” said Edwards, pastor of Sale Street Baptist. “But what’s going to happen is thrilling because we are now seeing God move the mission field to our back door. We’ll have the opportunity to reach a broad spectrum of the population and we want to make sure we are ready for it.”
Sale Street is already making preparations to accommodate the influx of new residents in the area.
In addition to developing new ministries such as job skills training and outreach to apartment communities, the church is in the process of renovating its existing facilities.
That will include replacing the existing fellowship hall with one that is larger and can accommodate a variety of activities for its members. Other improvements include renovating and upgrading its children’s facility, replacing ceilings and the sound system in the worship center and adding additional classroom space and a welcome center.
“We’ve also developed a much stronger discipleship program for the past three years, which is allowing us a place to disciple new believers that may come into the church,” Edwards said. “This church had a great vision years ago to move out to an area that has grown quite a bit. We now have to continue that vision as we reach our neighbors that will come in over the next few years.”
Moreover, Steve James, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, said reaching ethnic populations such as Hispanics will be important, as he expects many of those moving into the area over the next few years to be Hispanic.
James said that having new Hispanic church plants such as the one that meets at Trinity Baptist will be important. Started in January 2013, Iglesia Hispana de Lake Charles has an average attendance of 85 and meet every Sunday at 10:45 a.m. for services.
He added that Trinity Baptist over the next few years will explore how it can expand to other venues to its north, east and west parts of the area.
“My vision is to see where we can expand,” James said. “We are not trying to overlap into someone else’s existing work but pick up a ministry that isn’t there. We can’t sit back and let the people come to us, but we have to go to them.”
Looking ahead to the construction of Pelican Lodge and the impact churches will have in the midst of the growth and economic boom for years to come, Pate is optimistic.
“We serve an extravagant God who has His hand on the future,” Pate said. “If we can be a part of it to reach one person with the gospel, it will be worth it.
“We have a great opportunity, a field ripe for the harvest,” he continued. “For with this purpose God can do great things. We can offer Christ as a solution to the world’s problems.”
–30–
This article appeared in the Baptist Message (baptistmessage.com), newsjournal of the Lousiana Baptist Convention. Brian Blackwell is a staff writer for the Baptist Message.
**********
Native American leaders visit
California to discuss partnership
FRESNO, Calif. (California Southern Baptist) — Three Native American leaders from North Carolina and Oklahoma recently visited California as the first step in developing a partnership to help with church planting in the Golden State.
Gary Hawkins, president of the Fellowship of Native American Christians based in Oklahoma, and Charles Locklear and Chris Hunt of Morning Star Ministries in North Carolina, recently met Fermín A. Whittaker, California Southern Baptist Convention executive director, at a national Southern Baptist gathering of Native Americans. As a result, the men decided to travel to California to explore the possibility of a partnership.
During their three-day visit, they met with Whittaker and Howard Burkhart, CSBC church planting catalyst, to get an accurate picture of the current status of Native American work and to look for ways of partnering to start churches on and near the many reservations throughout the state.
The group also participated in a Skype call with Pastor Ethan Lawton on the Hoopa reservation in far northern California. Lawton recently graduated from college and moved to Hoopa. The church has grown from four to 16 people; he has started a swim team for the reservation high school and serves as its coach; and he started a Bible study on campus reaching more than 30 high school students.
Lawton shared with the men his vision and plans to establish new churches on neighboring reservations.
The second day was spent in Tuolumne County meeting with Kevin Gold, pastor of Tuolumne City Baptist Church, and another church leader. They made introductions on the local reservation of the Tuolumne Band of Mi-Wuk Indians, and were introduced to the tribal vice chief, tribal secretary and resident tribal historian and cultural expert. The morning was spent exchanging gifts and stories, along with a special visit in the tribal Round House, the tribal holy and ceremonial place.
As a result, a relationship has been initiated.
The group also met with CSBC staff in Fresno to discuss ministry possibilities.
California has a Native American population of 750,000, about half of whom are full Native American. This makes Native Americans the fifth largest ethnic group in California after Anglos, Hispanics, African-Americans and Filipinos. Additionally, there are 115 federally recognized tribes in California. Riverside is home to Sherman Indian High School, which draws students from several states.
While a few Native American people attend multi-ethnic churches, most do not attend any church; some are connected to the tribal and cultural religion. Among California Southern Baptists there are four Native American churches and two outreach Bible studies.
Partnership plans are now being made for mission teams, Christian Native American music groups and performers, and other ways to help start new churches and reach people for Christ.
For more information, updates or to join in the work, contact Howard Burkhart at [email protected], 707-746-8782; or the CSBC church starting group at 559-229-9533, ext. 263, [email protected].
–30–
This article appeared in the California Southern Baptist (csbc.com/csb), newsjournal of the California Southern Baptist Convention.
**********
EDITOR’S NOTE: From the States, published each Tuesday by Baptist Press, relays news and feature stories from state Baptist papers and other publications on initiatives by Baptist churches, associations and state conventions in evangelism, church planting and Great Commission outreach, including partnership missions. Reports about churches, associations and state conventions responding to the International Mission Board’s call to embrace the world’s 3,800 unengaged, unreached people groups also are included in From the States, along with reports about church, associational and state convention initiatives in conjunction with the North American Mission Board’s call to Southern Baptist churches to broaden their efforts in starting new churches and satellite campuses. The items appear in Baptist Press as originally published.
