converge point - spring 2014

spring 2014 | point n 1

2 n point | spring 2014

from the

president

Editor Bob Putman

dEsignEr, Production ManagEr

Pam Nelsen

contributing EditorFran Anderson

Point (issn/1546-3257) is published quarterly (with a special edition in

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VoluME 6 n nuMbEr 3

This was the first thing that entered my mind when I read the theme of this issue of Point magazine. I have enjoyed visiting our mis-sionaries and ministry partners in countries all over the world. It’s exciting to see God at work among the nations. I am often less ex- cited about trying exotic foods. Those who know me think of me as a picky eater. I prefer to use the term “discerning.” In my recent trip to Mexico City I was in-vited to taste a couple of local delicacies: worms harvested from a particular kind of cactus and ant eggs. I followed the example of our host by spreading the ant eggs on a tortilla and then sprinkling the worms on top. How did it taste? Not anything like chicken. It had a flavor all its own. I think of the Bible verse that invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” I hope you will do this when you read this issue about the flavor of international missions. Every culture has its unique customs, values and worldview. I find it amazing to see how the Lord works through his “sent ones” to raise up his church in unique ways in very different places. We are so blessed to send and support missionaries who joyfully set aside all that is familiar to spend their lives in communities where they take Jesus into other people’s worlds. I am also grateful for the leadership of Ivan Veldhuizen, the executive director of Converge International Ministries. Ivan and his team are refocusing and maximizing our Converge efforts to multiply church planting movements globally — especially among the least-reached nations. It’s our shared passion that the peoples of the world might experience God’s goodness and exalt his glory through the good news of Jesus Christ. Psalm 113 declares, “Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.” It’s all about his glory manifested in diverse ways everywhere the sun rises and sets. So, how about some worm-and-ant egg tacos? Anyone?

Jerry Sheveland President Converge Worldwide (bgc)

mat

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tep

he

ns

The flavor of missions? How about ant eggs and cactus worms?


inside features 4 6 seismic shifts

by iVan VEldhuizEn

12 State of the world by rogEr PEtErson

14 Singing them into the kingdom by saMya johnson

extras 18 Amin’s long way home

20 Because of the resurrection

22 Connection n 694 baptized in one weekend

n Doguiles return to the Philippines

n Tacloban school back in business

n 353 participate in Network Gatherings

n New books from Converge authors

n Who leads MIBConference?

4

14

20on the coverfood. Music. Values. art. Worldviews. literature. there’s much to enjoy in god’s world of variegated cultures. reaching these cultures requires some major shifts in how we take the gospel to the world.

How to reach usn to add/remove your name

from our mailing list, call 800.323.4215, M-f, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Est

n Email us at [email protected]

@convergeww

converge Worldwide

convergeworldwide.org


6 seismic shifts

M


6 seismic shifts

MMissions has experienced seismic shifts in recent years. The world’s needs have changed, our understandings have matured, spiritual climates have been altered and global Christianity has expanded. The Christian center is no longer the United States, missions can no longer be done the same way with much effectiveness and we Americans need to humbly embrace an attitude of servanthood on the global scene of missions. Converge Worldwide has experienced six primary shifts in missions, each requiring a prayerful and godly response in the pursuit of being world-class Christians. Converge International Ministries is determined to embrace the changing missions landscape and leverage it for God-honoring kingdom influence. The trends mentioned on the following pages are generalizations. Converge churches and individuals are heroically blazing the trail in this new day of global realities.

The world of missions has changed radically. Our International Ministries executive director describes six shifts and Converge’s response.

By Ivan veldhuIzen

Rob tRubia


From reaching

the lost to reaching the least-reached

1 It has been almost 2000 years since Jesus commanded us to “make disciples of all ethne” [ethnic groups]. Nearly half the people groups in the world still have not had an opportunity to accept Jesus — 6615 of them. These groups are totally unreached, and they won’t be unless a missionary from outside their culture goes to them and tells them. But even among many supposedly reached groups, huge numbers of individuals still need to hear the good news of Jesus. These are what we call the least-reached peoples. Has Christ’s church been distracted, somewhat unfocused in getting this done? Something tells me we can do better. Scripture clearly reveals God’s plan that all peoples of the world are to know him. Psalm 67:5 (nasb) declares, “Let the peoples praise You, O God. Let all the peoples praise You!” Revelation 7:9 (rsv) places us in the future presence of God, as “a great multitude which no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” are engaged together in uninhibited worship. Our goal is always to see an established and growing indigenous church take responsibility for fulfilling the Great Commission within its own people group. This process is often aided at the start by outside missionaries who learn language and culture to effectively sow the seeds for future growth. We desperately need more missionaries — career, term and short-term — for the thousands of yet- unreached people groups. We must be passionate and persistent in our resolve to accomplish this task. We must be focused and wise in our mission engagements, making sure the least-reached peoples of the world are no longer overlooked. The irony is that so many of these unreached groups are now ripe for harvest. When we bring the gospel to them, we see amazing harvests. In Converge International Ministries, we partner with The Timothy Initiative to plant thousands of churches among the unreached and least-reached peoples of the world. Led by our director of Global Church Multiplication, David Nelms, in the first half of 2014 we are helping to start 2000 churches from Pakistan to Bhutan. By implementing an Acts-type strategy of mentoring and multiplication, we are seeing an incredible harvest among the least-reached peoples of Asia. And for the first time ever, it is possible for every Converge church to be a part of planting churches among those who have never heard of Jesus.

GoLDen hiLLs CommunitY ChuRCh


Addition is always needed to begin movements. Jesus added disciples in the early days of his ministry. In the first church, “…the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47, nasb). For years, missionaries needed to focus on addition because multiplication was not possible on so many newly engaged fields. We still have numerous missionaries who live an incarnational ministry — to be like Jesus in cross-cultural settings, gathering a few disciples in order to eventually begin a strategy of multiplication. These are to be applauded, supported, prayed for and celebrated. Unfortunately, often their support is withdrawn because there is so little fruit. At times, addition is desperately needed. Our International Ministries goal, however, is to “pursue multiplication in all places and ways possible.” Multiplication is producing 100-fold (10 x 10) rather than 10-fold. Paul stated to Timothy, “What you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). Our missionaries are charged with implementing strategies of multiplication when- ever and however they can. Our high priority is raising up indigenous leaders among least-reached peoples. They will do the work of ministry in their contexts much better than a Westerner could. Our multiplication strategies are producing hundreds of equipped leaders in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Multiplication is one of God’s best methods for impact and scope of transformation.

From addition

to multiplication

2 Start a church for $300a $300 one-time investment will plant an indigenous-led, self-sustaining church among the least-reached. for more information on how to partner with us in this exciting new initiative, go to im.convergeworldwide.org or write us at [email protected].

CaRoL JahnKe


From home-office

led to church-driven

3 Converge Worldwide missions is no longer identified by what happens through the home office and career missionaries to impact the world, but also by what happens through our districts and churches. With modern technology and access to information of all kinds, the world has become “flat.” A church wanting to engage in missions 20 years ago needed an agency to assist them. Today, within 15 minutes a leader can locate a dozen options for places and partners in some kind of missions endeavor. This new reality is a potential blessing, unless it leads to fragmentation and non-collaboration in missions. Without the necessary checks and balances, unhealthy — even destructive — mission activities can take place. For example, in some short-term missions trips there may be a tendency to think that “going” matters more than accomplishing something of kingdom value — that the cross-cultural experience of the team somehow makes up for the lack of sound missiological strat-egies. I pray the Lord of the harvest will strengthen each of our 1180 Converge churches to be wise, God-honoring, effective, collaborative and a value-added entity in all our missionary endeavors. Converge International Ministries is ready to resource Converge churches for excellence in mis-sions. This includes everything from helping churches determine intentional God-honoring missions policies to helping connect and collaborate missions efforts among like-minded churches.

CaRoL JahnKe


From missions

there to missions here

4 The people of the world are scattered everywhere — the diaspora has happened. For almost as long as missions existed, there was a need to go to where “they” are. But in recent years the world has come to us. Members of unreached people groups may live right across the street or work in a cubicle in your office. Seven percent of the world’s population lives outside their country of origin. God has placed the people of the world in front of us. This beautiful, impactful reality demands an obedient and courageous response by Christ-followers. Perhaps, instead of immediately traveling on a short-term missions trip, good missiology and wise stewardship might compel us to first influence those we can consistently engage with in our com-munities. The glamour of “going” needs to be paired with an obedient lifestyle of being salt and light to the lost nations among us. In Converge International Ministries, we have recruited a diaspora missiologist (John Baxter) for our leadership team to be sure we are aware of and are effectively engaging in this diaspora move-ment. We are seeking to better mobilize the majority world (non-Westerners) in strategic mission endeavors, sending internationals into places our traditional missionaries can rarely go. Our mis-sionary training now includes their living among a people group here before we send them across the ocean. We also stand by to assist our districts and churches to succeed in reaching the nations that are now living among us.

JoeL KoRKKi


From isolation

to collaboration

5 For generations, denominations and mission organizations formed ministry agendas in isolation, which carried out their efforts in solitude. The motif of missions past was sometimes more com-petitive than collaborative. But a beautiful trend is emerging. A kingdom mind-set has permeated the Christian church at large. We have finally learned that doing things together is better than going solo. As a result, mission agencies are sharing information, strategizing regional efforts and sup-porting each other in prayerful and practical ways. International Ministries has 17 major global partners and uncounted regional partners working with us to effectively carry out the Great Commission. One of our eight ministry-shaping values states that “We are partnership-driven.” We value working in relationships with individuals, churches or groups who are like-minded in strategy and theology. As varying members of Christ’s body, we are better together than alone. This includes working with local Christians, churches and mission agencies on our fields, as well as collaborating closely with districts and churches throughout the United States.

Rob tRubia


From mission

stalwarts to mission samplers

6 In days past mission stalwarts lived, ate and breathed missions. Many of these didn’t go over-seas, but they learned about the world, connected with those called to go and supported them fastidiously in prayer, finances and encouragement. A small remnant of that generation remains. No, they didn’t have everything right and, on occasion, they were a little blind to the errors of mis-sions and the humanness of missionaries. But they had one thing the church now sorely misses: the relentless commitment to take the gospel to the nations of the world. Some have observed that the Western church in the United States has moved to an age of mission samplers — heavy on creative missions and low on outcomes, hopping on board with the latest trendy initiatives, failing to delineate between a real missions outreach trip versus a cross-cultural experience, with missiology and mission engagement determined by a few minutes of Internet searches. We are often fuzzy about what missions should be — making disciples. We’ve too often let the urgency of peoples’ plights overshadow the importance of peoples’ eternal destination. We need courageous, committed leaders to champion collaborative churches that will embrace the mantle in this new day of missions. We need those who will do missions with the zeal of past stal-warts and the wisdom of a current missiology. A great task remains for us in this modern era of mis-sions. Converge churches have a tremendous opportunity for God-honoring global impact as we return to the biblical case for missions, collaborate to find synergy in our efforts and elevate global impact over people’s wishes to be “hands-on.” There’s nothing wrong with hands-on missions as long as they aren’t the driving motivators in what we do and how we do it. The command to make disciples of all nations is far too important to be held hostage by a modern era of samplers who desperately need stalwart leaders. Converge International Ministries is poised to help lead a movement of cutting-edge, effective, biblically sound mission initiatives so that every nation, tribe, people and language can offer their praise to God for the gift of his Son. n

Ivan Veldhuizen is executive director of Converge International Ministries.

CRiCK poRieR


As of one second past midnight on March 1, 2014, what was the state of world religion? How many people could count themselves Christian? How many non-Christians shared the planet? How many people groups could we count as reached? Which are the least-evangelized countries? We’ve crunched the data to provide a few broad-brush answers.

83.4% Afghanistan

82.4% Western Sahara

77.6% Bhutan

76.3% Maldives

75.1% Mayotte

74.9% Mauritania

70.4% Comoros

70.2% Yemen

68.9% Morocco

67.9% Turkmenistan Roger Peterson is director of Converge Worldwide International Ministries Partnerships and president/publisher of STEM International Mission Maker Magazine.

Sources: Dr. Todd Johnson and Peter Crossing, Center for the Study of Global Christianity, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Mass.; World Christian Trends (Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library); WorldChristianDatabase.org.

Top 10 least-evangelized countries (by percent who have never heard the gospel)

State of the world2014 the new realitieSBY ROGER PETERSON


As of one second past midnight on March 1, 2014, what was the state of world religion? How many people could count themselves Christian? How many non-Christians shared the planet? How many people groups could we count as reached? Which are the least-evangelized countries? We’ve crunched the data to provide a few broad-brush answers.

Roger Peterson is director of Converge Worldwide International Ministries Partnerships and president/publisher of STEM International Mission Maker Magazine.

Sources: Dr. Todd Johnson and Peter Crossing, Center for the Study of Global Christianity, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Mass.; World Christian Trends (Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library); WorldChristianDatabase.org.

Reached 13,000

Unreached 14,000

Unreached people groups have no viable indig-enous church, meaning they don’t have sufficient resources to theoretically evangelize their own people without major cross-cultural missionary assistance. Reached people groups have their own viable indigenous church, meaning they have sufficient resources to theoretically evangelize their own people.

People groups

Christian 2,387,806,467

Non-Christian 4,847,769,457

“Christian” includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, independent, unaffiliated

Each circle represents complete global population

Christian/Non-Christian population

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

1914 1964 2014

56.7% of all Christians are non-white

August 1980

non-white

white

53.5% of earth’s residents live in cities

1914 1964 2014

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

October 2006

urban

rural

33%

67%

48%

52%


“Allah is greater! Hurry to prayer!” Five times a day this chant reverberates from the top of the minarets wherever Islam is found. Muslims have responded to this prayer call since the dawn of Islam in the 7th century. But in the past few decades a new song has been heard in the world of Islam — one which is mesmerizing Muslims, stealing their hearts and revolutionizing their lives. For 14 centuries Islam tried to suffocate Christian worship by oppressing the church, si-lencing its bells and crippling the worshipers’ gifts and resources. In the past decade, through the Internet and satellite broadcasting, Muslims are listening to Christian music in their own language for the first time. This music is played with familiar instruments and Middle Eastern tunes which put them at ease.

Mahmood, the Iraqi refugee My husband Mike, a Converge missionary since 2005, has used music to spread the gospel among the Arabic-speaking people groups for the past 35 years. He recorded his first album back in 1979, when a tape recorder was a luxury only a few in the Arab world could afford. As the years passed, Mike’s music, and that of a few other pioneers in this field, became one of the primary tools of evangelism. Shortwave Christian Arabic radio stations began to cover the Islamic region. For the first time Muslims could listen to a dif-ferent kind of music — which speaks about God’s love for people. Mahmood is an Iraqi refugee who emigrated with his family to Holland. One day he found himself attending a Christian Arabic conference. A group of Christian Arabs had helped his family adjust in his new country for several months. Eventually they invited him and his family to spend four days in a nice place, away from the refugee camp, where he would hear about Jesus Christ. He could not resist saying yes. He hoped the change of scenery and the good meals would bring some happiness to the hearts of his wife and

Singing them into the kingdom By SaMya JohnSon


children. But to make sure none of the Christian practices affected him or his family, he took his heavy Quran with him and carried it under his arm all day long. Mike led worship at the conference and noticed this scared, heavily bearded man when he entered the first meeting. Mike continued to notice Mahmood the following days. During worship, Mahmood would sometimes clap and try to follow the words. At first he kept the Quran under his arm in every meeting. But after two days Mike noticed the Quran was not there. The man was less stressed, less afraid, and he began to enjoy the singing. During that conference, more than 25 of the Muslim refugees believed in Christ, the Son of God, and invited him to be their Lord. Although Mahmood has not yet made the decision to follow Jesus, he is much closer to knowing the true Living God than before this conference.

‘Amal found herself singing’ Amal, a Syrian veiled refugee woman, reached Beirut, Lebanon, with her son and his family after traveling for days on dangerous roads. In Beirut she knew her children and grandchildren would be safe. People from a nearby church were so caring, providing mattresses, food and medicine. One day Amal heard there would be a guest singer, brother Mike, at this church. She brought her daughter-in-law to see what a singer might sing about in church. To her amazement, and for the first time in her life, she watched as this singer played his Ude (a pear-shaped, stringed instrument also called an Oud) and sang about God, his love and faithfulness. She learned that singing to God is an act of worship and thanksgiving to him and that when she claps she isn’t applauding the performance, but God — as an expression of how much we love him. Amal found herself singing with the crowd, clapping and feeling happy. With tears in her eyes she prayed with Mike, believing this God is the one who brought her and her family to this church to bring her hope. In spring 2013, Mike held evangelism weekends in several American and Canadian churches. He had invited a powerful preacher (Dr. S.) from Egypt to accompany him. Dr. S. tells the story of what happened in one of these events: “As usual, brother Mike started the evening by leading worship for almost an hour. The Spirit of the Lord was present in a powerful way that night. It was almost time for me to take the pulpit when a hand tapped on my shoulder. It was a young Egyptian woman, crying. She whispered in my ear that she needed to speak to me, now. I asked her if this could wait till after the meeting, but she said, ‘No. It is urgent.’ “I went into one of the small side rooms and prepared to listen. The woman said, ‘I have been listening to what the singer is saying, and the words are piercing my heart. I can’t wait any more. I want to pray and confess my sins to Jesus Christ.’ Right there and then I led this soul to the Lord. I later told brother Mike that during my 15 years in ministry I had not seen someone come to the Lord before I even gave the message. Praise be to the Lord who speaks to the lost through worship.”

An explosion of Christian Arabic worship An explosion of Christian Arabic worship occurred in the past decade. Former Muslims from Sudan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and many other Islamic countries began using their music gifts to cre-ate new songs filled with the message of eternal hope to their people. At least ten Christian Arabic Satellite TV channels play these songs 365 days a year. Yes, there is a new song heard throughout the Islamic world. It’s the song of the victorious Risen Lord, the only One who can give eternal salvation to every Arab who accepts him. Christian Arabic gospel musicians truly are singing the lost into the kingdom of God. n

Mike and Samya Johnson are Converge workers among Muslim peoples. They teach church members how to relate to Muslim neighbors and respond to the influence of Islam upon American society.

Arabic pastor speaks out“i give god all the glory for using brother Mike in praise and worship. Every time we minister together, i watch the impact of christian music on the people. the presence of god can almost be touched. the tears, the joy, the repen-tance can all be seen on the faces as we sing.” — Raif A., senior pastor

Eastern Christian Church, N.J.


At Bethel,excellence meAns something more.It’s about developing new skills and using our God-given talents to accomplish incredible things together—in the classroom, in our careers, and in the world.

Undergrad | Adult Undergrad | Graduate | Seminary | www.bethel.edu


AAmin Jalalzadeh walked into my office, seemingly out of the blue. He intro-duced himself and then boldly asked, “What is the difference between this church and Lutherans?” As we talked, it became obvious God was guiding him toward faith in Christ. Amin grew up in Shiraz, Iran, in a conservative Muslim home. When he was 9, he began to question Islam. He wanted to know why he had to learn Arabic when his native language was Persian. His curiosity was fueled by two aunts, who also began exploring other religions at the same time. They included Amin in their journey of discovery. Amin began reading the Quran in Persian, which led to further questioning. When he was 14 he began interacting on the Internet with others who were questioning Islam. His father was not pleased. About this time his two aunts discovered Christianity. They began watching Christian TV broadcasts by satellite. They shared what they were discovering with Amin, and he began exploring Christianity for himself. When Amin was 17, his father told him to stop listening to Christian broadcasts. If he was going to continue to explore Christianity, he would have to move out of the house. He took a huge step and moved in with his aunts. Amin’s aunts tried to attend church but were prohibited by the authorities because they were officially Muslim. Denied access to an established church, they started attending house churches. Periodically they would host the house church, and Amin would attend.

Malaysia, Australia and Minnesota In 2009, Amin traveled to Malaysia to learn English. God provided a Christian teacher, who con-tinued to share about Jesus with Amin. His interest in Christianity grew, but because Malaysia is also a Muslim country, he didn’t act on his growing desire. Upon returning to Iran, he became more involved with the house church that met in his aunts’ home. God continued to prepare his heart. Amin took another step forward when he made the decision to study abroad. He wanted to study in Australia, but it was too expense. He had no desire to study in the U.S., but when Australia didn’t materialize, he changed his mind. He applied to Minnesota State University, Mankato, and arrived for the 2012 spring semester. During orientation, he attended the international student welcome dinner at Bethel Baptist Church. Overwhelmed by adjusting to a new environment, he didn’t return. During summer break, he returned to Iran. He become more involved with the house church and continued to explore Christianity. Upon his return to the U.S. and the university, he attended another international student welcome dinner at Bethel. This time he was prepared to take things a step farther.

Life-altering conversations The Monday following the dinner, he walked into the church and asked to talk with the pastor. He returned the next day, and we talked about Bethel Baptist and Christianity. He asked if he could come back and talk some more. So began an ongoing relationship. Early in November, Amin told me he was ready to be baptized and commit his life to Jesus. I was surprised. I carefully explained

what it means to become a follower of Jesus. He declared, “I am ready.” We prayed together that day, and Amin began his new journey. On November 11, 2012, he was baptized. Amin called his aunts to tell them the good news, but they did not answer the phone. He became concerned. He called his mother to check on them. She told him they were fine, and it was just a problem with the phone. Several days later he was able to connect with them through Skype. He discovered they had been arrested for being part of a house church. They told him they had received a sum-mons to court, and one had been issued for him as well. Amin was accused of being the leader of the house church. On December 24, 2012, a second summons was issued for Amin, accusing him of being an American spy and of trying to influence young people to convert to Christianity. Amin and I continue to meet weekly. God has guided him on an amazing journey. Although it is unsafe for him to return to Iran, he is on his way “home.” n

David Banfield is pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Mankato, Minn., and a Converge Worldwide overseer board member.

Amin’s long way homeFor some, the path to faith is straight and short. For this Iranian emigrant, God led him on a multination journey, full of twists and turns.

By davId BanfIeld

amin (l.) continues to meet weekly with pastor david (r.).


Because of the

resurrectionWhat would the resurrection have meant for Jesus and his followers?

By Mark StrauSS

PPlacing Jesus in his first-century Jewish context suggests two key answers to this question. The beginning of the last days and the final resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection went hand in hand with his preaching of the kingdom of God. The arrival of God’s kingdom meant the last days had begun and God was about to intervene in human history to judge the righteous and the wicked. If Jesus viewed his death as inaugurating the new covenant and the age of salvation, his resur-rection must be viewed as the beginning of the end-times resurrection of the people of God. This was not just the restoration of physical life but also glorification to a new mode of existence — the beginning of immortal, imperishable resurrection life (1 Cor. 15:50-56). As Paul puts it, Jesus is “the firstborn from the dead” (Col. 1:18). His resurrection assures believers that they too will be raised in glorified bodies, shining “like the stars forever and ever” (Dan. 12:3). The defeat of Satan, sin and death. As the inaugurator of the kingdom, Jesus brings God’s sal-vation. The resurrection confirms that Jesus’ victory does not relate merely to temporal enemies but to the evil spiritual forces of the world. Jesus’ exorcisms confirm that he viewed his ministry as a conflict with Satan and the forces of evil. The nature of this battle is illuminated by Jesus’ other actions: his claim to forgive sins, to heal the sick and to raise the dead. Jesus was battling not only Satan but also the power of sin, disease and death. When we place these conflicts in the context of Jesus’ preaching of the kingdom of God, a coherent picture emerges. Jesus understood his death as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of his people, reversing the ef-fects of the fall, defeating Satan (whose tempting of Eve resulted in the fall) and restoring creation to its rightful relationship with God. In short, Jesus was restoring God’s reign over creation. The resurrection demonstrated victory over death and marked the beginning of the end-times resurrec-tion of the righteous. To arrive at these extraordinary conclusions, we need not look centuries forward to the devel-oped Christology of a later age, but straight into the prophetic worldview of Jesus and his con-temporaries, a worldview shaped by the restoration theology of Isaiah and the prophets. Isaiah predicted the coming age of salvation, a new exodus accomplished through the Davidic Messiah and the sacrificial ministry of the Servant of the Lord. Endowed with the Spirit of God, the Messiah would make atonement for the sins of his people, ushering in the eschatological year of the Lord’s favor, when the lame would walk, the blind would see, the dead would rise. Death would be swal-lowed up in victory, and God would create a new heaven and a new earth.1

While the modern scholar might be appalled at this amalgamation of diverse traditions, we must remember that Jesus himself read Isaiah as a unity. He read it not only as a literary unity but also as a theological unity, a roadmap to God’s purpose and plan for all creation. He could not have read it otherwise in the first-century world in which he lived. n

Taken from Four Portraits, One Jesus, by Mark L. Strauss. Copyright © 2007 by Mark L. Strauss. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com. Mark Strauss is professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary San Diego.

1See Isa. 2:1-4; 11:1-16; 25:8; 26:19; 29:18-19; 35:5-6; 52:13-53:12; 61:1-2; 65:17-18.


The offer and sale of certificates is limited to persons who are, prior to receipt of the Offering Circular, members of, contributors to, participants in or affiliates of Converge Worldwide (BGC) including any program, activity or organiza-tion which constitutes a part of Converge Worldwide (BGC), its district conferences, or its member churches or other persons who are beneficiaries or successors in interest to such persons (“Investors”). n This shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such an offer, solicitation or sale is not authorized. The offering is made solely by the OFFERING CIRCULAR. The of-fering involves certain risks, which are more fully disclosed in the Offering Circular under the heading “Risk Factors.” These investments are not FDIC or SIPC insured. n In the event the Fund exercises its right to redeem a Certificate prior to maturity and upon 60 days notice to the holder thereof, payment of the outstanding principal and interest will be made to the holder to the date of redemption, rather than to the Certificate’s maturity date.

In 2014 the Converge Cornerstone Fund is celebrating 60 years of ministry. Since its inception in 1954, the Fund has grown to more than $200 million in total assets and financed almost 800 churches. Today it serves nearly 3000 investors.

We offer: n Loans n Demand Investments n Roth IRAs n Term Investments n Traditional IRAs n Capital Campaign Services

The mission of the Cornerstone Fund is to assist Converge churches by providing financial resources and services that enable them to expand their ministries, and to offer our Converge constituency a competitive rate on investments.

Join the celebration!

To learn more about the Cornerstone Fund visit: cornerstonetoday.org email: [email protected] call: 877.228.8810

Investment OptionsFixed-Rate Certificates MInIMuM TerM raTe InvesTMenT

6-month 1.125% $100 1.250% $100,000 1.375% $250,0001-year 1.250% $100 1.375% $100,000 1.500% $250,0002-year 1.500% $100 1.625% $100,000 1.750% $250,0003-year 3.125% $100 3.125% $100,000 3.125% $250,0004-year 1.875% $100 2.000% $100,000 2.125% $250,0005-year 2.250% $100 2.375% $30,000 2.500% $100,000 2.625% $250,000

Demand Certificates MInIMuM raTe InvesTMenT

1.000% $100

Church Savings Certificates MInIMuM raTe InvesTMenT

1.125% $5,000

IRAs MInIMuM raTe InvesTMenT

2.750% $10 2.875% $100,000+

rates subject to change without notice.

3-year 3.125% $100 3.125% $100,000 3.125% $250,000BO

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numbers

converge

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$200mconverge cornerstone fund assets as of january 21, on the way to a goal of $500 million. “thanks to each of you for your hard work,” wrote converge president jerry sheveland to cf staff.

number of people baptized february 8-9 on the six campuses of Eagle brook church, centerville, Minn.

Tacloban school back in businessConverge missionary Paul Varberg reported that Bethel International School in Tacloban, Philippines, reopened January 27 and 163 of 288 students were back in their classes. By February 2 new roofs had been installed on all school buildings. More work remains on other campus buildings damaged by Typhoon Haiyan, and textbooks and library books need to be replaced. “On behalf of the students of Bethel International School, I want to thank all of you who gave generously and sacrificially to help rebuild and reopen our school.” The Varbergs started bis to train future lead-ers of the Waray people group.

Doguiles begin new mission in PhilippinesCirilo and Dory Doguiles arrived in Cebu City, Philippines, January 29 to begin their new ministry. Cirilo will teach at Cebu Graduate School of Theology and serve as executive coach of Converge Philippines national leaders. Dory will work with Converge Philippines national women’s ministries leaders. Their five-year goals include seeing 70 new churches started, 70 Converge Philippines churches strengthened for effective ministry, 14 Starting & Strengthening Centers established and a School of Church Planting established through Baptist Theological College.

Converge pastor receives UN awardPastor Mullery Jean-Pierre, Beraca Baptist Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., on January 10 received The Exemplary Leadership Award from the Interna- tional Humanitarian Outreach in collaboration with the United Nations Permanent Mission of Haiti. Jean-Pierre received the award in recognition of his leadership in community development and post-earthquake reconstruction in Leogane, Haiti.

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New books from Converge authorsread online summaries of Frustrating God: How Open Theism Gets God All Wrong, by luis scott; Give First Priority to Jesus Christ, by jim and carole spickelmier, editors; The Hole in My Soul, by dwight Perry; and The Key to Deep Change: Experiencing Spiritual Trans- formation Through Facing Unfinished Business, by steve smith: cvrg.us:spring2014.

more online...

Who leads MIB Conference?dan and sarah carlson serve the Minnesota iowa baptist confer-ence, comprising about 250 converge churches and trout lake camp. dan is serving his second term as Mibc executive minister. sarah is a financial aid assistant at bethel university. serving, encouraging and working with pastors gets dan going every morning. in the carl-sons’ words, they are all about “loving god and loving others.” What matters most is healthy and thriving churches in which people are giving their lives to jesus christ and growing in a personal relationship with him. sarah grew up attending church with her family. she re- members, “committing and re- dedicating my life to jesus christ at evangelistic meetings held at the church in stromsburg, neb.” in the Elim church in chicago, at the age of 5, dan listened as his dad preached a message on the holy spirit. later, rev. carlson clearly explained the gospel to dan, who says, “i remember kneeling beside my bed and asking jesus into my life.” four young adult children grace dan and sarah’s family. all live in the twin cities. the carlsons are about relationships, rich and deep. Entertaining in their home is constant. sarah loves a good book, her garden, long walks and running a 5K race. dan asks members of each church to “reach out to your pastor, bless and pray for your pastor and then reach out to the people in your life, inviting them to worship and know your savior.”

By Donna Fagerstrom, staff writer

353 participate in Network Gatherings“We’re here to reclaim our dreams!” declared president Jerry Sheveland to more than 275 at-tendees in the opening session of Transform 2014 Network Gath- erings, January 19-22, at the Grand Hyatt, Tampa Bay, Fla. His message, based on Acts 2:14-22 and 36, was preceded by a rousing time of worship led by recording artist Alicia Williamson Garcia. Registrants continued to arrive on Monday, January 20, with total registration topping out at 353. They participated in their choice of 21 breakout groups and in a luncheon, during which they were moved by Dr. Michael Henderson’s tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. On Tuesday night Dr. Tony Evans eloquently preached on Matthew 16:18-19, focusing on each key word to declare, “The church was made for more than a one-hour weekend inspiration. It was made to legis-late from heaven.” Earlier in the day, during the International Ministries luncheon, IM staff member David Nelms described remarkable church planting initiatives among least-reached people groups. The confer-ence concluded with Eagle Brook Church pastor Bob Merritt’s message, “Five Ingredients to Transform a Church — moving from no growth to 20 percent annual growth.” Photos by NoBox Films


Baptist General Conference2002 S. Arlington Heights Rd.Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Mark batterson is lead pastor of National Community Church, with six locations in Wash-ington, D.C. He is the author of 10 New York Times best-selling books, including The Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase. He holds a doctor of ministry degree from Regent University.

jeffery johnson sr. is longtime pastor of Eastern Star Church, with three locations in In-dianapolis, Ind. Under his leadership esc has grown to more than 10,000 members, 130+ employees and 40 ministries. He has led multiple building campaigns, published five books — including Dialogue With My Sons — and served as assistant chaplain of the Indiana Pacers.

converge point - spring 2014

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