CBFfellowship! Cooperativebaptistfellowship|www.thefellowship.info

Celebration of religious liberty to highlight 2007 General Assembly

The first Assembly to be held in Washington, D.C., this year’s event also marks the first time the Assembly will gather with another Bap-tist body — American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA).

“Every Assembly is unique and inspiring, but I believe this one is a kind of ‘cutting edge’ gathering that will stretch and strengthen this Fellowship,” said CBF Coordinator Daniel Vestal.

The Assembly’s hallmark event is Friday evening’s com-bined worship service with

ABCUSA, which will hold its biennial meeting June 29-July 2. Progressive National Baptist Convention and the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention will also be involved in the wor-ship service, which will recog-

nize joint efforts in hurricane relief, sending mission-aries and starting churches.

Other wor-ship sessions will include presenta-tions from Vestal, Baptist World Alliance president David Coffey, Fellowship mod-erator Emmanuel McCall, musical artist-in-resident Kate Campbell, and Rob Nash in his first address to the As-sembly as CBF Global Missions coordinator.

More than 50 workshops and approximately 20 auxiliary events offer additional opportunities for learning and fellowship, including annual gatherings of CBF-related

organizations and partner schools.“I always find joy and energy

from gathering each year in our General Assembly,” Vestal said. “My vision of what it means to be a Christian is always expanded and my experience of being a Baptist is enriched. I find that I am challenged,

informed and encouraged every time we gather as a CBF family.”

By Carla Wynn, CBF Communications

For more information on the

Assembly see pages 6-8 or go to

www.thefellowship.info.

Under the theme “Free to be the presence

of Christ,” the 2007 Cooperative Baptist

Fellowship General Assembly will convene

June 28-29 in Washington, D.C., to celebrate, learn and

fellowship with like-minded Baptists.

iN A FOCUS group of residents in downtown Winston-Salem, N.C.,

participants described the city by listing historic buildings and high-profile events.

“It was very telling that churches were not mentioned,” said David Hughes, pastor of First Baptist Church. “That was a wake-up call for us. If we want to become more vital to the people who live, work and play in downtown Winston-Salem, we’re going to have to be more communicative through methods such as e-mail and the Internet. We’re going to have to be far more intentional and cre-ative in the way we reach out to our community.”

First Baptist is one of 13 Cooperative Baptist Fellow-ship partner churches that has been awarded an “It’s Time” Missional Ministry Grant. The

Winston-Salem congregation used funds from its $6,500 grant to conduct a survey of residents and determine how the church

might reach out to its down-town community.

Church leaders learned that the church’s gym — the

only one downtown — and the daycare center are two of the greatest points of potential con-tact with the public. This infor-

mation, along with other findings from the survey, will be used as a basis for a two-to-three year strategic plan which will serve as the road map for First Baptist as it attempts to be a missional force in downtown Win-ston-Salem.

The “It’s Time” Missional Ministry Grants were devel-oped by the Fellowship to resource local congregations as they complete the “It’s Time: A Journey Toward Missional Faithfulness” study and seek to determine how God is calling them to

ministry. The Fellowship was awarded a $1.5 million grant from Christ Is Our Salvation Foundation, and half the funds

support the “It’s Time” grants. “The ‘It’s Time’ grants are

natural results of going deeper into the missional journey,” said Bo Prosser, the Fellowship’s coordinator for congregational life. “After a congregation im-merses itself in study, prayer, and spiritual conversations, the urge to get involved locally becomes more and more of a calling. The congregations who have done the study at its deep-est levels are starting on life changing paths of mission and ministry. God is doing extraor-dinary things through these churches.”

In Dalton, Ga., First Baptist Church created Back to the Book, a program that provided basic school supplies to thou-sands of children. First Baptist Church of Aiken, S.C., used grant funds to provide scholar-ships to at-risk preschoolers.

Northeast Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga., developed minis-tries for senior adults and single parents. And at Central Baptist Church Bearden in Knoxville, Tenn., the congregation is us-ing grant funds to turn a vacant church building into a missional training center.

First Baptist Church of Blue-grass, Iowa, is the most recent church to be awarded an “It’s Time” grant. The grant will help support the Hope Enrichment Center, an outreach ministry of First Baptist, which provides mental health services to the community through faith-based counseling.

By Patricia Heys, CBF Communications

For more on the Fellowship’s

Missional Ministry Grants, go to

pages 4-5.

CBF resources missional churches with ‘it’s Time’ grants

insidethisissue...

• Pages 6-7 — General Assembly poster for your church

• Page 11 — Volunteer Spotlight: Helping kids in China

• Page 10 — Chaplain provides care in corporate setting

• Page 2 — Daniel Vestal: The Baptist Witness

April/MAy 2007

phot

o co

urte

sy W

ashi

ngto

n, D

.C.,

Conv

entio

n &

Tour

ism

Cor

pora

tion

inwinston-salem,n.C.,firstbaptistChurchistakingstepstoreachouttothedowntowncommunitylocatedatitsdoorstep.

Bria

n le

on p

hoto

2 f e l l o w s h i p ! A p r i l / M A y 2 0 0 7 Inside CBF

Vol. 17, No. 2Coordinator • daniel VestalCoordinator, Fellowship adVanCement • Ben mcdadeeditor • lance wallacemanaging editor • patricia heysassoCiate editor • Carla wynnphone • (770) 220-1600Fax • (770) 220-1685e-mail • fellowship@thefellowship.infoweB site • www.thefellowship.info

fellowship! is published 6 times a year in sept./oct., special i (oct.), nov./dec., Feb./mar., apr./may, special ii (July) 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

CBF leaders participate in national Christian event

Leaders from the Fellowship met with leaders from 35 churches and organizations at the annual meeting of Christian Churches Together (CCT) in Pasadena, Calif. The 2007 meeting focused on evangelism and poverty.

“CCT is the broadest ecumenical experiment ever attempted in this country,” said Fellowship Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal. “It represents a desire for Christian unity that doesn’t compromise the integrity of any of the participating bodies, but creates a way for us as Christians to draw closer to one another in Christ and explore ways for us to share a common witness to the nation.”

Carter, Clinton meet with Baptist leaders

Leaders of 40 Baptist organizations, including CBF, convened in January and announced plans for a Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant Jan. 30–Feb. 1, 2008, in Atlanta. Joining in the meeting were former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

“This has been what may turn out to be one of the most historic events, at least in the history of Baptists in this country, and perhaps Christianity,” Carter said. “We believe it will bear fruits.”

Plans for the celebration, which is expected to draw more than 20,000 Baptists, grew out of the North American Baptist Covenant, a document signed by Baptist leaders at The Carter Center in 2005.

Coordinating Council approves $16.48 million budget

The CBF Coordinating Council approved the recommended $16.48 million budget for 2007-2008 at its February meeting. The Council also

approved two changes to the bylaws. The first change involves the recognition of the newly-created CBF Midwest region, and the second amends the process for appointing members of the Council on Endorsement for chaplains and pastoral counselors. The budget and bylaw change must be voted on by the General Assembly in June.

Web-based service to assist with job placement

CBF has launched Leader Connect-CBF, a Web-based, résumé-matching service that will help churches find prospective ministers and ministers find places of service. On the Web site, candidates can complete a profile and submit a résumé, and churches can submit position descriptions. Leader Connect-CBF will match qualified candidates with open positions, but CBF staff will continue to review all information submitted. To learn more about Leader Connect, go to www.

thefellowship.info/involved/network/Placement.icm.

CBF of Oklahoma acquires new space

Through a gift from one of its support-ers, CBF of Oklahoma is purchasing a building on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. This building will be home to CBFO, as well as His Nets and Main-stream Baptist of Oklahoma. The building will continue to function as an outreach center for students, meeting place for a new church start and other related activities.

Chaplains endorsed by CBF

The following chaplains and pastoral counselors were endorsed at the February meeting of the CBF Council on Endorsement: Dale Cross, Atlanta, Ga.; Carl Hart, Conyers, Ga.; Rosemary Barfield, Louisville, Ky.; Renate Kruklis, Tucker, Ga.; Amanda Ducksworth, Atlanta, Ga.; Larry Lawhon, Winchester,

Va.; Cal McIver, Sacramento, Calif.; Rommel Moye, West Palm Beach, Fla.; Gary Sparks, Tyler, Texas; Michael Ferguson, Calypso, N.C.; Justin Murphy, Shelby, N.C.; John Halbrook, New York, N.Y.; Caby Byrne, Memphis, Tenn.; Gretchen Watson, Frank- fort, Ky.

April 13-14northCentralregionCbf2007springGeneralassembly

Speedway Baptist Church, indianapolis, ind.info: northcentralcbf.com

April 16“GrowingGenerousChurches,GrowingGenerousChristians”

religious life Center, Mercer University, Macon, Ga.

info: www.centerforbaptiststudies.org/conferences/index.htm.

April 20-21Cbfofarkansas2007springConference

pulaski Heights Baptist Church, little rock, Ark.info: www.cbfar.org

alabamaCbf2007GeneralassemblyBirmingham, Ala.info: www.alabamacbf.org

Kentuckybaptistfellowship2007Generalassembly

Winchester, Ky.info: www.kybf.org

April 21tennesseeCbf2007Generalassembly

Signal Mountain Baptist Church, Signal Mtn, Tenn.

info: www.Tncbf.org

April 27-28CbfofMissouri2007Generalassembly

First Baptist Church, lee’s Summit, Mo.info: www.cbfmo.org

April 27-28CbfofsC2007Generalassembly

First Baptist Church, Clemson, S.C.info: www.cbfofsc.org

MAy 4-5baptistfellowshipofthenortheast2007Generalassembly

Sabattus, Maineinfo: www.thefellowship.info/inside%20CBF/

NE.icm

MAy 10-11emergingChurchConference

yates Baptist Church, Durham, N.C.info: www.cbfnc.org

MAy 21 - 25festivalofhomiletics,transformationalpreaching

Nashville, Tenn.info: www.festivalofhomiletics.com

JUNE 28-292007CbfGeneralassembly

Washington, D.C.info: www.thefellowship.info/involved/events/

generalassembly.icm

JUly 29 - AUG 3CbfbootCampforChurchstarts

Truett Seminary at Baylor University, Waco, Texas

info: dking@thefellowship.info

Billy

How

ard

phot

o

JimmyCarterspeakstobaptistleadersinatlanta.

fellowship Roundup

C o o p E r A T i v E B A p T i S T F E l l o W S H i p

Words from the coordinatorBy CBF Executive

Coordinator Daniel Vestal

The Baptist WitnessBAPTISTS ARE A minority within the Body of Christ, but we are a significant minority. For 400 years we have fulfilled an important role of witness, dissent and ministry. Ours is a noble tradition shaped by people of faith in Jesus Christ.

Our evangelical fervor has concentrated on helping people to Christ. However, we have often acted as if we were the only authentic Christians. We have often lived in isolation from other believers with little interest in ecumenical efforts. Our real passion was growing our own church and denomination.

One of the encouraging signs among missional Baptists is a desire to be authentic disciples of Christ, above all else. I see a genuine yearning for Christian spirituality, community and mission.

However, we should not minimize the commitment to the convictions that make us Baptist. Now more than ever, we need to be unapologetic about our identity. We hold convictions, although not exclusively of freedom, autonomy and the voluntary principle.

It was easier for Baptists to advocate for religious freedom when we were a minority in this country. Now that we are part of the religious establishment, it is more difficult to be as fierce in our advocacy. I am disturbed when I listen to the struggles of Muslims in the U.S. Where are the Baptist voices championing the rights of Muslims? Where are the Baptists befriending this religious minority?

And why are Baptists silent in the midst of a loud drum beat from the religious right calling for prayer in public schools, the display of the Ten Commandments on government property and school vouchers for Christian education?

Why are so many Baptist congregations buying into the phenomenon where the pastor is more like a CEO than a shepherd and the church is more like a corporation than a fellowship? What happened to the believer’s church or congregational polity?

So I do not want to relinquish the centrality of our Christian commitment or our convictions as Baptists. I realize that in Glory there will not be any denominational distinctions between us, but we are not in Glory yet. We are on earth. So for now, I am not willing to give up my identity as a Christian or as a Baptist.

Upcoming Events

3f e l l o w s h i p ! A p r i l / M A y 2 0 0 7Inside CBF

• • • • • •

Dennis Fowlerin 2004, Dennis Fowler participated in a poverty

simulation exercise in Waco, Texas, where he spent a

weekend living on the streets. When he returned home

to Kansas City, Mo., he was determined to make a differ-

ence in his own community.

Fowler, along with other members of Holmeswood

Baptist Church, started the Adopt-a-Block program.

Almost every Saturday, six to 10 church members

walk a few blocks from the church to Holmes Gardens,

a low-income community of 48 duplexes.

“We’re not Bible beaters when we visit the residents,” Fowler said. “in fact, it’s

usually the residents that bring up the issue of God and their faith. We just try to

develop relationships and identify needs.”

And when needs arise, the church helps residents find jobs or pays the

occasional utility bill. Holmeswood has also reached out to its neighbors through

a neighborhood clean-up and block party.

• • • • • •

Tracie GrayAt Willow Meadows Baptist Church in Houston,

Texas, Tracie Gray serves as the worship and the arts

pastor. She facilitates the creative arts ministries of the

church, including music, drama, visual arts and poetry.

“it has been said that music is an expression of the

soul,” Gray said. “Willow Meadows believes that the

creation of art is also an expression of the soul. When

a believer expresses him or herself through artistic

means, it is worthy to be shared in the community of

faith. Allowing space for creative expression in worship

hopefully gives more people the opportunity to encounter the mystery of God.”

Gray’s love of the arts began when she started playing the piano at age five.

Today, Gray encourages church members to use art in creative ways — such as

participating in the Houston Art Car parade, which features art on cars, bicycles,

motorcycles and roller skates.

• • • • • •

Beth Foggin January 2008, approximately 20,000 Baptists

from 40 organizations are expected to gather in

Atlanta for the Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant,

an event led by former president Jimmy Carter.

Beth Fogg, a member of Second Baptist Church,

richmond, va., represents the Cooperative Baptist

Fellowship on the event’s planning committee. Fogg

has previously served as a member of the CBF

Coordinating Council, president of the Baptist General

Association of virginia and moderator of the richmond

Baptist Association.

“i have a passion for inclusiveness with the Baptist family,” Fogg said. “That’s

why i’m excited about this gathering — it’s a visible and tangible step toward

inclusiveness with the broader Baptist family. That’s one reason that i participate

in CBF — because i feel we need to recognize all the pieces of our family whether

we agree with them or not.”

• • • • • •

Leslie and Matt RosencransShortly after getting married, Truett

Seminary graduates leslie and Matt

rosencrans both began serving at Seventh

and James Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.

The rosencranses are part of a growing

phenomenon of married couples working

alongside each other at CBF partner

churches around the country.

“Sharing ministry is absolutely wonderful

and absolutely challenging at the same

time,” said the rosencranses, who have sought the advice of other couples who

serve together.

For now the benefits of working together outweigh the challenges, and the

rosencranses said they are blessed to work in a church where people take time

to care for them. Both leslie, who works as the congregational life minister, and

Matt, who works as the youth and college minister, are doing exactly the kind of

ministry they’ve dreamed about.

Fellowship People

Dennisfowler

tracieGray

bethfogg

Mattandleslierosencrans

victoria Whatley is an associate at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Church Benefits Board (CBB). The CBB offers retirement, death, disability and medical benefits to ministers, missionaries and lay employees of CBF partner churches and related organizations. Whatley helps clients understand the services of the CBB, provides financial management to clients and maintains the CBB Web site.

Hometown: villavicencio, Colombia

Education: County College of Morris in randolph, N.J., and AT&T School of Business

Experience: Whatley worked at AT&T and Global Crossing operations in finance and marketing for 15 years.

Interesting Fact: in 1992-93, she attended the Tour Dupont with her father Mario Garces, who coached Colombia’s national cycling team. She had the opportunity to meet Tour de France champions Greg leMond and lance Armstrong.

“The Church Benefits Board is integral part to the ministry of CBF,” said Whatley. “At CBB we provide the best quality service to all our members, answering their concerns on medical, disability, life term insurance and retirement plans as they think about the end of their working years or by helping them to review their investment possibilities. We work very hard to make sure all our member’s applications are processed in an efficient and timely manner and all issues are resolved to our member’s satisfaction.”

Contact Whatley at vwhatley@churchbenefits.org or (770) 220-1638 or (800) 352 8741.

meet Victoria Whatley

A Look Backn 12 years ago

Cecil Sherman, the Fellowship’s first coordinator, retired after leading CBF for four years.

n 8 years agoWake Forest University Divinity School, a CBF partner school, was started in

Winston-Salem, N.C.

n 4 years agoCBF became a member of the Baptist World Alliance.

w w w . t h e f e l l o w s h i p . i n f o

AS ONE of the Fellowship’s 10 teaching congregations, FBC Austin participates in the Initia-

tive for Ministerial Excellence ministry resi-dency program, which provides seminary graduates with the opportunity to serve in CBF partner churches for two years.

Ann Pittman, a graduate of Truett Seminary, has served as FBC Austin’s ministry resident since 2005. Ministering in the eclectic capital of Texas, Pittman works as the full-time minister to university students but also takes on a variety of ministerial responsibilities, including the creation of a contemplative worship service to meet the creative and artistic needs of church members and the Austin community.

“Ann has birthed an energetic, growing young adult ministry that we had little success starting prior to her time. She has energized a college program that had fallen on hard times,” said Roger Paynter,

pastor of the 160-year-old downtown church. “She has been a breath of fresh air to our staff, our leadership and our entire church. She has advocated for a younger perspective time and again, has taught us much about the emerging church and has learned from us that even old, downtown churches can be surprisingly open and feisty in return.”

By Courtney Hodges, CBF Communications

First Baptist Church, Austin, Texas

spotlightChurch

Carla

Wyn

n ph

oto

annpittmanhelpedhostCbf’sannualCurrentretreatatfirstbaptistChurchaustin.

C o o p E r A T i v E B A p T i S T F E l l o W S H i p

4 f e l l o w s h i p ! A p r i l / M A y 2 0 0 7

MISSIONAL is an adjective that describes the way in which churches do all activities, rather than identifying one particular activity. To be missional is to align all of the ministry, function and activities of the church around

the mission of God in the world.A church that seeks to be missional asks, “What is God wanting us to be, become

and do to continue the ministry of Christ within our present community and

global context?” Instead of focusing on denominational templates and traditional programming, each church discerns God’s will. Church members play an active role in activities such as missions, pastoral care and education, and the church refocuses itself on participating in God’s mission.

For more information and resources on the missional church movement, visit www.thefellowship.info/resources/for_your_church/missional_church/home.icm.

firstbaptistChurch,Knoxville,tenn.

At FBC Knoxville, the church’s

ministry to first-generation Latinos

expanded from English classes to a

Latino Vacation Bible School, to a

revival, to a Spanish-speaking Sunday

school and finally, to a Latino church

start.

With the mission of providing a

spiritual home for Latino Christians,

FBC Knoxville used its $15,000 grant

to help fund these ministries and start

a new church. Bi-vocational pastor

Victor Perez and his wife are leading

the Latino church.

“[The Perez’s] faith, God’s timing,

and the needs of the Latino people

came together and have produced new

believers and transformed lives,” said

FBC Knoxville pastor Bill Shiell. “They

have taught us how to do evangelism

in a healthy, meaningful way and how

to serve ‘the stranger and alien in your

midst.’ CBF’s ‘It’s Time’ grant made

everything possible, and we could

not have done it without the financial

resources and prayers of the people.”

parkavenuebaptistChurch,atlanta,Ga.

Park Avenue, a church that

“restarted” three years ago after

years of decline, is using its $25,000

grant from the Fellowship to bolster

Lydia’s House, a ministry through

which the church hosts youth mission

teams serving throughout Atlanta.

Last summer, the church hosted 500

teenagers during seven weeks of

mission camps. The grant has enabled

Park Avenue to convert one floor of its

educational building into comfortable

housing for visiting mission teams and

CBF Global Missions field personnel.

“We didn’t have a lot of money or

people, but we did have a lot of space,

so that’s where we really began to focus

our efforts,” said pastor Tony Lankford.

“‘It’s Time’ helped us see outside the

bounds of the church, and because of

the grant, we will be able to not only

impact the church, but the city of

Atlanta and the world.”

CommonGroundbaptistChurch,sanantonio,texas

For Common Ground, being a

missional church means reaching

out to a community often overlooked

by local churches — San Antonio’s

young artists. With $10,000 from

the CBF Missional Ministry grant,

the church promotes and hosts Last

Saturday, a celebration of the creative

arts that features local artists and

musicians. The monthly event includes

an art gallery, readings, music and

discussions.

“The grant will help us participate

in the artistic community and engage

the culture, and if we do that, we hope

to earn the right to have a conversation

with them about faith,” said pastor

Barry Bridges.

What is a missional church?ph

oto

cour

tesy

of F

BC K

noxv

ille

KatieGugliotta,amemberoffbCKnoxville,leadskidsinacraftprojectatthechurch’sChristmasbrunch,whichprovidedmorethan800peoplewithameal,musicandnewshoesandessentialclothing.

phot

o co

urte

sy o

f Sea

n Ba

ncro

ft

artistZachJewellpreparesadisplayatCommonGround.

phot

o co

urte

sy o

f par

k Av

enue

JeremiahMyershelpsrenovatelydia’shouse.

Missional Ministry Grants

w w w . t h e f e l l o w s h i p . i n f o

Missional Ministry Grants 5f e l l o w s h i p ! A p r i l / M A y 2 0 0 7

Step 1participate in “it’s Time:

A Journey Toward Missional Faithfulness.”

The eight-week study focuses on Christians and churches living purposeful lives as the presence of Christ in the world. The study includes sermons, small-group studies and personal devotional material.

To order “it’s Time” go to, www.thefellowship.info/TheCBFStore.

Step 2Discuss and develop intentional missional activities

that extend your church’s missional journey beyond its own community.

Step 3Submit a proposal for a Missional Ministry Grant

through the Fellowship’s Web site.To submit a proposal, go to www.thefellowship.

info/ItsTime/TheMissionalChurch/grant.icm.

northhavenbaptistChurch,norman,okla.

Newly founded NorthHaven

Baptist Church is determined to

begin a missional journey from the

start. The congregation will send

approximately 5,200 mosquito nets to

Ghana in June — the same month its

church facility is scheduled to open.

“We want to show that we’re not

just here to minister to ourselves,”

said church member T Thomas, who

is also the state’s CBF coordinator.

“We’re here to minister to our

community. And our community is a

global community.”

Partnering with His Nets, a non-

profit agency founded by Thomas,

the church will send members to

Ghana to distribute the nets. Thomas

said the nets, which cost $6 each, are

a simple but vital step in protecting

families from malaria and other

insect-related diseases. The effort is

sponsored through a $15,000 “It’s

Time” grant and other donations.

firstbaptistChurch,frankfort,Ky.

Participating in “It’s Time”

confirmed First Baptist’s belief that

being a missional church is a full-

time commitment for every member.

Using a $5,000 “It’s Time” grant and

donations, the church has developed a

multi-faceted approach to ministry in

its community and nearby counties.

The church supports the Emma

Quire Mission Center, which fed

2,600 persons last year through its

food pantry program and housed 27

groups doing mission work in the area.

First Baptist also hosts clothes closet

ministries and the Mission Frankfort

Clinic, which helps uninsured

people with medical, dental and

pharmaceutical needs. In 2006, the

clinic served more than 600 patients

and gave away more than $150,000 of

medicine.

“Worship and missions are not

about ourselves, but others, and

our desire is to serve persons in our

community who do not know Christ,”

said pastor David Hinson.

KirkwoodbaptistChurch,st.louis,Mo.

Twelve Kirkwood Baptist members

spent a week this fall helping with

construction projects, visiting

churches and hosting children’s events

in Vrsac, Serbia. The mission trip,

sponsored through a $15,000 “It’s

Time” grant, is part of an effort to

connect with the estimated 60,000

Serbians living in the St. Louis, Mo.,

area.

“There’s this contagious enthusiasm

for the people who went on the trip,

and they’re sharing it with the rest

of us,” said pastor Scott Stearman.

“It’s served as a kind of spark for the

church.”

Kirkwood Baptist has established a

food pantry for Serbian residents and

a weekly service held in their language.

The congregation is also working with

a church planter to establish a Serbian-

language church in the Kirkwood area.

fredericksburgbaptistChurch,fredericksburg,va.

In a city recently divided by violent

school rivalries, Fredericksburg Baptist

has searched for ways to unite young

people. Through a new program called

Faith and Sports Together (FAST),

made possible by a $25,000 “It’s Time”

grant, the church uses sports as an

agent for positive change.

At the Bragg Hill Center, located

in a low-income, high-crime

area five miles from the church,

Fredericksburg Baptist facilitates a

variety of recreational activities for

everyone from preschoolers to senior

adults. This fall, more than 500 people

from all over the city participated

in the FAST program, including

approximately 100 refugees. Many

of the refugees have now enrolled

in Fredericksburg Baptist’s English

classes — one of the many ways FAST

has allowed the church to connect

with and minister to people beyond

recreation.

“It’s just opened doors right and

left,” said pastor Larry Haun. “We

can’t get out of the way of the doors

opening.”

phot

o co

urte

sy o

f Fre

deric

ksbu

rg B

aptis

t

Youthfromdifferentpartsofthecityparticipateinthefastprogram.

phot

o co

urte

sy o

f Kirk

woo

d Ba

ptis

t

aKirkwoodbaptistChurchmemberhelpedwithconstructioninserbia.

phot

o co

urte

sy o

f FBC

Fra

nkfo

rt

YouthatfbCfrankfortheldafooddrivetofillthepantry.

phot

o co

urte

sy o

f T T

hom

as

tthomasmetwitheldersinGhanatodistributemosquitonets.

Apply for a Missional Ministry Grant

2007 General Assembly Cooperative Baptist Fellowship June 28-29June 29, combined eveningworship with American Baptist Churches USA Washington,D.C., ConventionCenter

WorkshopsCBF HIV/AIDS Network and the Missional Church Bono and Billy Graham: Ministering to all without losing meThe New Baptist Covenant Explained: The Carter InitiativeThe New Global Mission: Local Congregations and Mission

in the 21st CenturyProsperity Gospel: Revisiting Stewardship or Selling

Indulgences?

Auxiliary EventsBountiful Feast: Spiritual Formation DinnerThe Minister and Politics: How to Be Prophetic

Without Being PartisanFreedom from Hunger and PovertyCompanions in Christ Training

Go to www.thefellowship.info for a complete list of workshopsand auxiliary events.

phot

os c

ourte

sy W

ashi

ngto

n, D

.C.,

Conv

entio

n &

Tour

ism

Cor

pora

tion

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship(800) 352-8741 www.thefellowship.info

CBF Coordinator Daniel Vestal

CBF Global Missions Coordinator Rob Nash

Worship Leader Susan Deal

CBF ModeratorEmmanuel McCall

Artist in Residence Kate Campbell

Baptist World Alliance President David Coffey

This Year’s Featured Assembly Presenters

ThereisnochargetoattendtheGeneralAssembly.Register and reserve your hotel room at www.thefellowship.info

See the sites in our nation’s capital

8 f e l l o w s h i p ! A p r i l / M A y 2 0 0 7 General Assembly

C o o p E r A T i v E B A p T i S T F E l l o W S H i p

Dear Friends,

American Baptists are awaiting with great anticipation our joint

meeting in Washington, D.C., this summer. We share so much with

Fellowship Baptists in our commitment to Christ, our dependence

upon scripture, our love of our Baptist heritage of freedom and our

dedication to mission.

Our joint meeting will be a wonderful time to celebrate our

growing missional connections, highlighted by our joint efforts

in response to Hurricane Katrina. Our joy will be increased as

delegations from the Progressive National Baptist Convention and

the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention also join us.

As we gather, our aim is to lift high the cross of Christ and to

celebrate the common witness we share in anticipation of the greater

things God has yet to do through us. We believe “the future is as

bright as the promises of God.”

Since this will also be the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the

founding of the Northern Baptist Convention at Calvary Baptist

Church in Washington, D.C., we want to extend a warm welcome to

as many of you who can stay over to be with us on Saturday, June 30,

as we celebrate our Centennial. We will be blessed by your presence.

As your brother in Christ, I find it personally satisfying that

we can come together for such an historic gathering in Washington,

D.C. I extend my heartfelt invitation to you to be a part of it.

Yours in Christ,

A. Roy MedleyGeneral SecretaryAmerican Baptist Churches USA

June27,2007

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Companions in ChristCost: $90 May 15; $100 after May 15 Register: www.upperroom.org/companions/

eventsone.asp

10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. BTSR event on Re-Shaping WorshipCost: $70Register: scminfo@btsr.edu

1:00 - 4:00 p.m. The Minister and Politics: How to Be

Prophetic Without Being PartisanConference featuring Tony Campolo, Melissa

Rogers, Jim Wallis and Greg BoydContact: jetrull@grandecom.net

5:30 – 8 p.m. Bountiful Feast Spiritual Formation

DinnerCost: $35 Deadline: June 1

Register: (770) 220-1648 or www.thefellowship.info/involved/events

June28,2007

8:00 – 10:15 a.m. Freedom from Hunger and PovertyCongress members, Capitol Hill staff,

religious leaders are set to address anti-poverty advocacy.

Contact: (205) 989-8160, jderrick@thefellowship.info

12:15 – 2:00 p.m. Campbell University Divinity School

Luncheon Cost: $20 per person. Deadline: June 18 Contact: (800) 334-4111 ext. 1847,

duke@campbell.edu

2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Whitsitt Society: Ministry to Victims of

Global Sex TradeContact: (205) 726-2633,

fhhumphr@samford.edu

5:15 – 6:45 p.m. ABP and First Freedoms Project Joint

BanquetCost: TBA Contact: (800) 340-6626, ext. 5;

beth@abpnews.com

5:15 – 7:00 p.m. Mercer University McAfee School of

Theology DinnerCost: TBAContact: (678) 547-6420,

Lim_s@mercer.edu

9:00 – 11:00 p.m. Baylor University School of Social Work

Centennial CelebrationContact: (254) 710-1199,

Jeanie_Fitzpatrick@baylor.edu

June29,2007

7:00 a.m.Baptist World Alliance BreakfastCost: $20Register: (703) 790-8980, ext. 153,

carolina@bwanet.org

7:00 a.m. CBF Foundation Fellowship Heritage

Society BreakfastRegister: (770) 619-1200,

ssaffer@thefellowship.info

8:00 – 11:30 a.m.Chaplaincy & Pastoral Counseling Joint

Training Event (ABCUSA and CBF)Register: (770) 220-1645;

bgreer@thefellowship.info

9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Ministers on the Move: Meet CBF Reference

& Referral staffContact: (770) 220-1600,

cstrickland@thefellowship.info

Noon MMBB and CBB Members LuncheonCost: Complimentary for CBB membersRegister: (770) 220-1621,

gskeen@thefellowship.info

12:15 – 1:45 p.m. Baptist Joint Committee for Religious

LibertyCost: TBARegister: (202) 544-4226,

klansing@BJConline.org

12:15 – 1:45 pm George W. Truett Theological Seminary

LuncheonCost: TBAContact: (979) 234-2571,

thacker76@gmail.com

12:15 – 1:50 p.m. Children’s Ministry Network LuncheonCost: TBARegister: (919) 787-3740,

childmin@tbcraleigh.com

11:45 – 1:45 p.m. Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors

LuncheonCost: TBAContact: (770) 220-1617,

bgreer@thefellowship.info

5:00 – 6:45 p.m. Wake Forest University School of DivinityCost: TBA Contact: (336) 758-4837, stokeslw@wfnl.edu

Volunteer in Washingtonindividuals and churches interested in volunteering at General Assembly should contact David rodgers at derogers47@verizon.net. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available.

Auxiliary EventsIf “cost” is not listed beside an event, the event is free. Registration may still be required.

General Assembly 2007 ScheduleJune27 Auxiliary Events

June289:00 a.m. Workshops10:30 a.m. General Session I12:15 p.m. Lunch & Auxiliary Events2:00 p.m. Workshops3:45 p.m. State/Regional Meetings5:15 p.m. Dinner & Auxiliary Events7:00 p.m. General Session II

June299:00 a.m. Workshops12:15 p.m. Lunch & Auxiliary Events2:00 p.m. General Session III3:30 p.m. Workshops5:00 p.m. Dinner & Auxiliary Events7:00 p.m. Combined Worship with ABCUSA

June30 Auxiliary Events

Hotel information for General AssemblyFor online Assembly pre-registration and hotel information and reservations, go to www.thefellowship.info/involved/events/generalassembly.icm or call the CBF resource Center at (800) 352-8741.

9f e l l o w s h i p ! A p r i l / M A y 2 0 0 7

w w w . t h e f e l l o w s h i p . i n f o

Jason, along with his wife Angel, serve as CBF Global Missions field personnel and directors of Touching Miami with Love (TML) ministry.

“The folks that we work with and have the privilege of being in relationship with are the inner city poor,” said Jason. “They are folks that have been forgotten, have been looked over and have struggled for many years.”

The church represents a partnership between TML and Central Baptist, which has ministered to the Miami homeless community for 40 years.

In addition to the Sunday chapel service, TML offers a clothing exchange and movie nights for the homeless. TML also hosts an annual neighborhood festival, social service referrals, parenting classes and day and summer camps for inner city children and youth.

“We get the opportunity to love on people that usually aren’t considered loveable,” said Angel. “In the past many of the homeless we work with have been neglected and pushed out of churches. We offer a place every Sunday morning that folks, in whatever way they come, are welcome to worship.”

“Probably what I enjoy the most is relationships with homeless guys,” said Jason. “I like to be there for them, no matter where they are, what they’re doing, to just be real to them, especially guys that are dealing with addiction. And I am willing to be there when they are ready for change, to walk alongside them, and when they do choose to work on these things to be there for them.”

TML relies heavily on partnerships with churches, as well as gifts to CBF. Partner churches like Central Baptist, The Baptist Church of Beaufort in Beaufort, S.C., and Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., enable TML to be the presence of Christ to addicts, homeless,

single mothers and inner-city children and youth in the Overtown community of Miami.

The Baptist Church of Beaufort established an intentional, covenantal relationship with TML four years ago, which involves prayer, financial support and volunteers.

“A lot of our folks have had powerful moments of spiritual transformation as we have worked with TML,” said The Baptist Church of Beaufort’s associate pastor Eric Spivey. “Whether it is through the homeless ministry or working with the children in day camps, as we have partnered together people in our church have grown and moved into missionary lifestyles.”

The Baptist Church of Beaufort’s missionary house hosted single moms from Miami. The Miami mothers were offered child care, tours of Beaufort and were pampered with manicures and pedicures.

“The experience created this incred-ible bond between our folks and these inner city folks in Miami,” said Spivey. “It’s no longer just a single mom in Miami, but it’s about relationship and names. Our mission’s partner-ship became this powerful experience of relationship.”

“Working in the inner city is an effort that you don’t tread in lightly,” Jason said. “It’s an effort that’s a long-term commitment. We really want folks to come and partner with us in that process, but that takes more than one trip. What we want to see

is developing relationships with churches that want to walk alongside us in this journey.”

By Courtney Hodges, CBF Communications

CBF churches help to transform lives in Miami through long-term partnerships

Each Sunday in Miami approximately 75 homeless men and

women gather for worship in the chapel at Central Baptist Church.

Before the service, attendees shower and change from worn clothes to fresh

garments. Jason Pittman preaches while people continue to groom, brushing

tangled hair and drying freshly cleaned faces. After the service more than 200

homeless men and women gather for a meal provided by Central Baptist.

angelpittmanworkswithchildrenatoneofthecampsattouchingMiamiwithlove.

TMl

phot

o

amongtheservicestMlofferstohomelesspeopleisamealonsundaysafterworship.

Touching Miami with Lovelearn – in 1994, Butch and Nell Green were appointed to serve as the first CBF Global Missions field

personnel with TMl. Angel and Jason pittman joined the TMl staff in August 2005. Keri Gage, a CBF AsyouGo

affiliate, serves as TMl’s assistant director.

learn more about the pittmans and other field personnel in CBF’s missions education resources. To order,

call (888) 801-4223 or go to www.missionseducation.org.

serve – TMl needs volunteers to serve as teachers, van drivers, guest preachers, musicians, baby sitters

and tax advisers. To learn about volunteer opportunities visit www.touchingmiamiwithlove.org. For opportunities

on how you can partner or volunteer with other CBF field personnel around the world, contact Karen Gilbert at

kgilbert@thefellowship.info or (800) 352-8741.

praY – pray that more churches will partner with TMl. pray for the volunteers and staff as they minister to

the overtown community.

Give – The CBF offering for Global Missions is the primary funding mechanism for CBF Global Missions

work. Support the ministry of field personnel around the world by giving to the CBF offering for Global Missions.

To give, go to www.thefellowship.info/involved/give.

News

TMl

phot

o

10 f e l l o w s h i p ! A p r i l / M A y 2 0 0 7 News

C o o p E r A T i v E B A p T i S T F E l l o W S H i p

Tyson Foods employs 126 chaplains who provide services to more than 85,000 team members at 252 locations in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship endorsed chaplain Alan Tyson, director of chaplain services at Tyson Foods finds that the corporate setting offers a unique method of being the presence of Christ. (Tyson is in no relation to the company’s founders.)

“One of the unique aspects of workplace chaplaincy is the incredible opportunity to get to know and minister to people that have no pastor and seldom darken the doors of a church,” Tyson said. “It is an opportunity to help Christians overcome the Sunday to Monday gap.”

Tyson, who entered corporate chaplaincy in 1993 with Hudson Foods Inc. in Rogers, Ark., also served as a chaplain with the United States Army and worked at a Christian counseling center.

George Pickle, the Fellowship’s associate coordinator for chaplaincy,

believes an effective corporate chaplain greatly impacts the life of a company, as well as the lives of those the company employs.

“Research has shown that when a corporation has a chaplain who is a presence in the system, there is less conflict among employees, less sick time and more productivity,” Pickle said. “A chaplain

serves with a focus of genuine care in life’s celebrations, crises and everyday experiences.”

One of Tyson’s chaplains recently encountered a situation with a team member who gave birth to a still-born child. When chaplain Larry Petton received word, he immediately went to the hospital to pray with the young couple, who did not have a local pastor of their own. Chaplain Petton was asked to conduct the child’s funeral.

Tyson Foods, which has employed chaplains since 1999, hires chaplains to

minister to all employees, regardless of faith or status within the company.

Tyson said that it is important for cor-porate chaplains to have some knowledge of the business world, enabling the chap-lains to underscore to the employees the value they bring to the company.

learn – For more information on Fellow-

ship endorsement or to learn how you can be a

part of supporting chaplains, contact pickle at

(800) 352-8741 or gpickle@thefellowship.info.

By contributing writer Ashley Grizzle, Atlanta, Ga.

Tyson Foods Inc., in Glen Allen, Va., invests in its team each day to

achieve the highest level of quality and production possible. In the

process, the company sets an example for others to follow.

Corporate setting offers chaplains unique opportunities to be presence of Christ

WHILE traveling in Iraq near the Syrian border, CBF-endorsed chaplain

and Navy Lieut. Alan Rogers was asked to baptize a Marine Corps corporal in the Euphrates River.

“He courageously made a public proclamation of his faith in front of his squad as they crouched in the bushes on the riverbank, providing security for us,” Rogers said. “When he emerged from the water, I said, ‘God bless you my

brother.’ He replied, ‘God bless you too, Chaps. Now let’s get out of here before we get shot!’”

Stationed in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, Rogers’ duties include planning and implementing religious ministry functions. Rogers leads worship and memorial services, routinely going into the battlefield. He accompanies Marines and soldiers on patrols, in convoys and shares conversations and meals.

“In this context, it’s perhaps the most religiously pluralistic ministry setting anywhere,” Rogers said. “I am the ‘Chaps’

not only for the Baptist, Protes-tant or Christian Marine or Sailor, but equally serve those of many faith groups who are afforded the same religious freedoms they serve here to defend. In my opinion, it is a microcosm of the best of the religious liberty of America, and I am blessed to serve these who are truly among America’s best,

brightest and most dedicated guardians of freedom.”

By contributing writer Bob Perkins Jr., Atlanta, Ga.

alantyson,right,talkswithtysonteammemberpattyrichardson.

Alan RogersspotlightChaplain

alanrogers,left,leadsaworshipserviceiniraq.

phot

o co

urte

sy o

f Ala

n ro

gers

Phot

o co

urte

sy W

ashi

ngto

n, D

.C.,

Conv

entio

n &

Tour

ism

Cor

pora

tion

APril/MAy 2007Serving Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission

CBFfellowship! Cooperative baptiSt fellowShip | www.thefellowShip.info

CelebrateFreedom

‘It’s Time’ grants spark creative ministries Pages 4-5

fellowship baptists will gather

in washington, D.C., in June for

the 2007 General assembly.

Pull-out poster on pages 6-8.

Order fellowship!To order multiple copies of fellowship! to be sent to your church, e-mail contact@thefellowship.info or call (770) 220-1639.

phot

o co

urte

sy o

f Ala

n Ty

son

By the Numbers: Chaplains Total number of chaplains

and pastoral counselors endorsed by CBF

Corporate chaplains endorsed

Hospital chaplains endorsed

Military chaplains endorsed

Correction facility chaplains endorsed

Hospice chaplains endorsed

556

7

14

25999

64

WHEN early intervention-ist Suzann Fenton made her fourth trip to China in

2006, she planned to spend most of her time assessing and encouraging teachers at Angel House, a rehabilitation center for children with cerebral palsy. But once again, Fenton found herself taking part in a miracle moment with a child.

Three-year-old Lin needed help

mastering her gross and fine motor skills, and her teachers had begun working with her on techniques to grasp and maneuver a spoon. As Fenton was observing Lin’s therapy, she noticed that the spoon Lin was trying to use was too big and the bowl was too high. With a smaller spoon and shallow bowl in place, Fenton prepared to practice with Lin.

“The next thing I knew, Lin could do the process by herself, putting the spoon to her mouth,” said Fenton, a member of Berea Baptist Church, Berea, Ky. “She did it for 30 minutes. You don’t normally see something

that dramatic happen that quickly — I’ve maybe seen that happen 10-15 times in my 19-year career. I got real emotional, real teary-eyed. When a child accomplishes a major outcome, it’s so exciting.”

Fenton has been a valuable asset to Angel House, helping to create the early intervention program. She became connected with the center through Brenda Lisenby, one of CBF’s representatives in China, who works with Angel House and facilitates opportunities for CBF volunteers like Fenton.

By contributing writer Laurie Entrekin, Atlanta, Ga.

For information on volunteer opportunities,

contact volunteer@thefellowship.info.

11f e l l o w s h i p ! A p r i l / M A y 2 0 0 7News

w w w . t h e f e l l o w s h i p . i n f o

Jay

paul

pho

to

CbfvolunteersuzannfentonworkswithachildatangelhouseinChina.

While Roberts, pastor at Kathwood Baptist Church in Columbia, S.C, has found solace and support in family and friends, he also found support through another group — participants in a recent Fellowship-sponsored spiritual formation retreat for pastors.

Through the retreat — held at the Ignatius House, a Jesuit retreat center in Atlanta — the pastors explored spiritual practices, including several periods

of intentional silence and prayer. The participants also took part in worship services, small-group conversations, healing service and periods of relaxation and fellowship.

For Roberts, the retreat helped him address the challenge of being a pastor while still healing physically and emotionally.

“Connecting the dots between my mom’s death and my 11-day coma is the jungle

that I still have to hack through every day,” he said. “While most of my physical pain is manageable now, the pain in my soul is still real. The retreat provided me a safe place to be a pastor in need of pastoral care from all people, other pastors.”

Roberts said he learned much about his faith and ministry during the retreat.

“I learned that faith is more than a popular church word, but rather it is a place to enter,” he said. “I also learned that this job is challenging for everyone, not just me. And without faith, and listening in the silence, it’s almost impossible.”

The retreat was led by Rick Bennett and Bo Prosser of the Fellowship and Gary Furr, pastor of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.

“I am thankful for CBF, who has given ministers permission to be less concerned about task management and more focused on traditions of contemplation and introspection,” he said. “This retreat was deep calling to deep, and thankfully, I was able to hear. And now, I want more.”

Another retreat for pastors is slated for Sept. 24-26, along with retreats for church staff members on May 2-4; Jan. 14-16, 2008; and April 21-23, 2008.

learn – For more information on the

Fellowship’s spiritual formation retreats, visit

www.thefellowship.info/involved/events/

sfevents1.icm.

By contributing writer Melanie Kieve, Alabaster, Ala.

Pastors find renewal at Fellowship retreats

Suzann Fenton

spotlightvolunteer

Over the past year, pastor Kevin Roberts experienced a near fatal

bicycle accident and the unexpected death of his mother. Long

accustomed to caring for sick and grieving people, he suddenly found himself

in need of care.

Current: Let Justice Roll MORE THAN 100 young leaders from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship gathered a few blocks from the Texas state capital to discuss issues of social justice.

Current, the Fellowship’s network for young leaders, hosted its eighth annual retreat at First Baptist Church, Austin, Texas. The retreat’s theme was “Let Justice Roll,” and workshops and worship focused on social justice.

A variety of workshops were offered each day tailored toward the ways churches, ministers and religious leaders can become involved in aspects of social justice in their communities. Attendees also had opportunities for fellowship, networking and exploring Austin.

Photos by Carla Wynn

Cooperative Baptist Fellowshipp.o.box450329•atlanta,Georgia31145-0329www.thefellowship.info(800)352-8741

ARV

ILLE

AN

D S

HEI

LA E

AR

L, C

BF

Glo

bal M

issio

ns fi

eld

pers

onne

l, ha

ve

serv

ed w

ith th

e Fe

llow

ship

sinc

e 19

94 a

mon

g th

e D

iasp

ora

Alb

ania

ns.

Backgroun

d: A

rvill

e an

d Sh

elia

Ear

l met

at

Nor

thsi

de B

aptis

t Chu

rch

in L

ongv

iew,

Te

xas.

Prio

r to

begi

nnin

g th

eir s

ervi

ce a

s C

BF G

loba

l Miss

ions

fiel

d pe

rson

nel,

the

Earls

serv

ed

in B

urki

na F

aso,

Wes

t A

fric

a fo

r 12

year

sMinistry:

In 2

000,

the

Earls

wor

ked

with

Mus

lim,

Cat

holic

, Ort

hodo

x an

d Pr

otes

tant

lead

ers i

n th

e fo

rmat

ion

of Th

e St

ock-

holm

Acc

ords

, a d

ocum

ent

that

add

ress

es th

e ne

ed to

en

d et

hnic

cle

ansi

ng a

nd

brin

g ab

out r

econ

cilia

tion

in th

e Ba

lkan

cou

ntri

es.

“I b

elie

ve th

at th

e sc

ript

ure

teac

hes u

s tha

t rec

onci

liatio

n is

a

maj

or fa

ctor

in u

nder

stan

ding

wha

t it m

eans

to

be

rela

ted

to G

od,”

said

Arv

ille.

“Bec

ause

w

e be

com

e re

conc

iled

to G

od w

e al

so n

eed

to b

e re

conc

iled

to e

ach

othe

r — o

ne c

an’t

be se

para

ted

from

the

othe

r. Re

conc

iliat

ion

does

n’t h

appe

n on

a la

rge

scal

e —

it h

appe

ns

pers

on to

per

son

and

in sm

all g

roup

s, w

hich

is

how

we

dire

ct o

ur m

inist

ry ra

ther

than

tr

ying

to re

conc

ile th

e w

hole

nat

ion.

”

Cur

rent

ly, t

he E

arls

resi

de in

Sko

pje,

M

aced

onia

. Arv

ille

wor

ks to

reco

ncile

eth

nic

grou

ps a

mon

g A

lban

ians

, Mac

edon

ians

, Tu

rks a

nd th

e Ro

man

y G

ypsi

es. Th

roug

h fe

llow

ship

, Arv

ille

faci

litat

es c

omm

unic

atio

n ab

out d

ivis

ive

issue

s, he

lpin

g pe

ople

un

ders

tand

one

ano

ther

and

seek

re

conc

iliat

ion.

Th

e fo

cus o

f She

lia’s

min

istry

is th

e “F

utur

e of

th

e Fa

mily

” kin

derg

arte

n.

She

part

ners

with

a lo

cal

resi

dent

and

Kat

hy S

mith

, on

e of

CBF

’s G

loba

l Mis

-si

on fi

eld

pers

onne

l, to

run

the

scho

ol, w

hich

offe

rs a

fr

ee e

duca

tion

to c

hild

ren

in n

eed

and

clas

ses f

or

thei

r par

ents

. “I

n th

e beg

inni

ng w

e no-

ticed

that

the p

aren

ts, es

pe-

cial

ly th

e wom

en, h

ad li

ttle

soci

al co

ntac

t with

each

oth

er an

d th

e out

side

wor

ld,”

said

She

lia. “

We a

re in

the f

ourt

h ye

ar

of th

e kin

derg

arte

n, an

d w

omen

are p

roac

tive

abou

t mee

ting

toge

ther

. They

hav

e lea

rned

to

trus

t us,

and

we t

hink

that

’s th

e bas

is fo

r rec

on-

cilia

tion.

Tru

st is

the m

ost i

mpo

rtan

t elem

ent,

and

it se

ems t

hat t

hey

are m

ore a

ble t

o tr

ust

God

agai

n w

hen

they

trus

t us a

nd o

ne an

othe

r.”

By C

ourt

ney

Hod

ges,

CBF

Com

mun

icat

ions

Arv

ille

and

Shei

la E

arl

0610

p010

Co

op

Er

AT

ivE

BA

pT

iST

FE

ll

oW

SH

ip

ww

w.t

hef

ello

wsh

ip.i

nfo

arvi

llea

nds

heila

ear

l

CBF Global Missions photo

Mis

sion

Mag

azin

ew

ithM

ore

lear

n m

ore

abou

t the

Ear

ls! F

eatu

red

in th

e M

aye

di-

tion

ofA

ffect

, the

Ear

ls’ s

tory

con

tinue

s, w

ith a

focu

s on

“St

rivin

g to

war

ds U

nder

stan

ding

.” Th

e CB

F m

issi

ons

educ

atio

n re

sour

ce fo

r ad

ults

, Affe

ct te

lls th

e st

orie

s of

CB

F Gl

obal

Mis

sion

s pe

rson

nel i

n a

full-c

olor

, fo

ur-p

age

mon

thly

publ

icat

ion

with

lead

er’s

guid

e. l

earn

mor

e fro

m w

ww.m

issio

nsed

ucat

ion.

org

or (8

88) 8

01-4

223.

re-o

rder

Affe

ctit’s

tim

e to

rene

w y

our

orde

rs fo

r Affe

ct a

s w

ell a

s ch

il-dr

en a

nd y

outh

reso

urce

s Fo

rm, S

park

and

Ignit

e. C

all

(800

) 801

-422

3 or

go

to w

ww.m

issio

nsed

ucat

ion.

org.

spo

tligh

tfi

eld

per

sonn

el

photo courtesy Washington, D.C., Convention & Tourism Corporation

Apri

l/M

Ay 2

007

serv

ing

Chr

istia

nsa

ndc

hurc

hes

ast

hey

disc

over

and

ful

fillt

heir

God

-giv

enm

issi

on

CB

Ffe

llow

ship

!

Co

op

erat

ive

ba

pti

st

fell

ow

sh

ip

| w

ww

.th

efel

low

sh

ip.in

fo

Cel

ebra

teF

reed

om

‘it’s

Tim

e’ gr

ants

spar

k cr

eati

ve m

inis

trie

s Pa

ges 4

-5

fello

wsh

ipb

aptis

tsw

illg

athe

rin

was

hing

ton,

D.C

.,in

Jun

efo

rth

e20

07G

ener

ala

ssem

bly.

Pul

l-out

pos

ter

on p

ages

6-8

.