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Archives For November 30, 1999

The nations at our doorstep

Meredith Flynn —  September 17, 2012

HEARTLAND | Illinois Mission Offering

Editor’s note: The devotional below is Day 2 of the Illinois Mission Offering and Season of Prayer, which many churches across Illinois will focus on Sept. 16-23. Sign up to receive more devotionals like the one below at IBSA.org, and watch the video below for the full story.

There are two million international people who now call Illinois home. That’s 14% of our population, making the state sixth in the nation in the number of foreign-born residents. IBSA outreach to immigrants includes ministries on college campuses, where 34,000 students have come to the U.S. to study, many from countries where Christian faith is not openly practiced.

Feng Yu, a Ph.D student at Southern Illinois University, came to faith through Baptist Campus Ministry and a local congregation in Carbondale. And many of IBSA’s church plants are especially for unreached ethnic peoples who have gathered in our cities. In Chicago alone, Baptist congregations worship in more than 20 languages.

We can reach the world as these new believers in turn share their newfound faith with their families back home. As pastor Phil Nelson said, “God is bringing the nations to our doorstep; if we’re going to reach the nations, we’ve got great opportunity right here.”

Read: Ephesians 2:12-22

Pray for changed lives of international people through IBSA’s campus ministries, church planters, and churches hosting English as Second Language (ESL) classes.

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A lamp in the dark

Meredith Flynn —  September 10, 2012

HEARTLAND | Esther Eggley

You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. (2 Samuel 22:29, NIV)

One year, my parents, sister and I took a camping trip traveling through the Southwest. Our first night in the Rocky Mountains, we pitched our tent in a small campground. The restrooms were on the other side of a small wooded area. And the cloud cover made for an extremely dark night.

Some time late in the night, my Dad and I decided to make a trip to the restrooms. We carried a flashlight, taking the longer route on the paved road to avoid meeting up with any unknown critters in the woods.

On our return trip, I heard a voice speaking in a loud whisper coming from the woods. It was calling my name. I couldn’t see anyone, and I didn’t recognize the voice. My heart started beating fast. I knew my dad was startled too, because he stopped suddenly and aimed the light into the woods. As the light came around, we saw a figure robed in white, beckoning me. When the light revealed the whole being, there stood my mother in her white housecoat. She had decided to meet us at the restrooms but didn’t want to wake the camp by calling my name too loudly. My father was quick to point out how unwise it was to be traipsing through the woods in the mountains in the middle of the night with a flashlight, but even worse, without one.

Life sometimes makes my heart race. Confronting unknown voices, obstacles and situations is frightening. When I remember that as I study God’s Word, He turns my darkness into light through understanding.

Let this be our prayer: Thank you God, that you have not hidden yourself from us. You sent your son so we could see you. You gave us the Bible to reveal the things we need in our walk with You.

Esther Eggley serves on IBSA’s Church Planting team.

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‘A reason to sing’

Meredith Flynn —  August 27, 2012

HEARTLAND | Meredith Flynn

Does the world seem a little more broken these days? Words are uglier, crimes are, if possible, more senseless, and things just seem darker. Of course, there’s hope, and an answer, and we know exactly where it comes from. Christ is the only redemptive factor in a broken world. But when we as Christians are dulled by what we see and hear, how can we communicate the hope Jesus brings to those who desperately need to know it? Check out this song by worship duo All Sons & Daughters, and reflect on the reasons He’s given you to sing.

Video courtesy of All Sons & Daughters and Integrity Music.

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Yard work is terrible, but God is good

Meredith Flynn —  August 20, 2012

HEARTLAND | Meredith Flynn

Just when I thought I’d gotten them all…

Do household chores ever teach you lessons? Mine do. Especially the ones I don’t do very often or very well, and as a newlywed and new homeowner, that’s almost everything.

For instance, I just spent two years hours weeding the yard. A summer’s worth of busy weekends coupled with Central Illinois’ desert-like conditions have left us living on a brown, scratchy rectangle of something that used to be grass, I think. Nothing has grown for months – except weeds. Tall, scraggly, thorny and thriving. I told myself I’d spend an hour pulling as many as I could.

And for a few minutes, it went well. I felt hearty and worthwhile, like a real Midwesterner working her land. But it all went south when I looked around and realized it looked the same as it had 20 minutes ago. I quickly spiraled into this cycle: see a weed (“this is bad”), bend down to pull it (“this is really bad”), somewhat successfully get it out of the ground (“well, OK, that was a good one), see the next one (“this is bad”).

I went on like that for a few minutes before an even more dangerous thought crept into my head: How did we ever let it get this bad?

You know where I’m going with this. I knew it right there in the yard. My morning of manual labor runs pretty parallel to my spiritual life (and maybe yours too). We see something we don’t like, try to get rid of it, have some success in overcoming it, right before we see the next thing. And all the while, the question haunts us: How did it get this bad? Without me even knowing it? It might be one nagging sin, or a mindset, or a bad habit. But, when looked at through the lens of trying to extinguish it forever, it can be enough to send us running indoors.

And I thought about it plenty of times that morning, just turning in my work gloves and moving on to the next, hopefully easier, task. What kept me there was that God was talking. Not audibly, but the lesson was clear, and here’s what He was saying: I’m here, I’m here, I’m here. Not necessarily to help you weed the yard, but as you see things in your life that shouldn’t be there, I’m here. And as you work on removing those things, I’m here. On the good days and the bad ones too. And when you see the next thing we need to work on, I’m here.

Sanctification isn’t done in an hour, as much as I wish it could be. But God is a patient and present gardener, much more patient and present than I’ll ever be. He sticks with His task of transforming us, and even lets us have a part in it. What area is He showing you that needs some work? And how is He sustaining you in the process?

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Two Americans in Paris

Meredith Flynn —  August 9, 2012

COMMENTARY | Serena Butler

There are certain things in life that bring comfort to us during times of trouble. Hugs, a cup of hot chocolate, a smile from a friend, knowing someone is praying for you – those are just a few of the things that come to mind. Recently I found comfort from something I never expected.

I was finishing up a mission trip to the Olympics in London when something went wrong. Our team had decided to end our trip with a day in Paris. We boarded the train and headed into Paris to see whatever time would allow. Crowded subways to us to Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and a boat ride on the Seine. Then we headed back to the subway that would take us back to the train back to London. When we got off the subway, one of our team members discovered that her wallet, which contained her passport, credit cards, and money, was missing. (We assume she was the victim of a pick pocket.)

Without a passport, you can’t leave France. So, the rest of the team boarded the train to London, leaving two of us behind. We made phone calls to the States, filed a police report, and found a hotel. This all happened on Friday evening, and the US Embassy wouldn’t open until Monday morning at 8:30 am. So we found ourselves in Paris, with a lot of time to get all our papers in order for our visit to the Embassy.

We arrived at the gate at 7:20 am Monday morning to find 13 people ahead of us in line. We later learned that they were most likely French citizens applying for Visas to the US. At about 7:30 they opened the gate and we stood in line to go through security. As soon as I showed my US Passport we were put into a different line that put us ahead of everyone else. We were the first admitted to the Embassy and were sitting inside by 7:35, being smiled at by portraits of President Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

Now comes the surprisingly comforting moment: I’ve heard others say this, but this morning I experienced for myself the peace and comfort that comes from knowing you are on American soil in a foreign country. I don’t think you fully understand it until you have experienced it. I felt a little bit of home and, most importantly, I felt safe. There were at least 13 other Americans there who had lost passports over the weekend and we spoke to them, joined together by the same circumstances.

As I sat waiting, I thought this might be something like the feeling we will have when we found ourselves ushered into heaven. Instead of the President, Jesus will be smiling at us. Instead of a portrait, He will be standing right in front of us. Instead of showing a passport, they will see our names in the Lamb’s Book of Life and they will point us to the open door. We will not have metal detectors or scanners to walk through, but will be greeted with open arms.

After a lifetime on earth, a place that is not our eternal home, we will finally feel at rest and at home, safely in the land of our heavenly citizenship.

Serena Butler blogged here about her adventures in London, and also will be featured in the August 13 issue of the Illinois Baptist. Sign up for your free subscription at IBSA.org/IllinoisBaptist.

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Farewell London

Meredith Flynn —  August 3, 2012

OLYMPICS | Serena Butler

We’ve wrapped up our week of ministry at these Olympics, and will head to Paris on Friday for some sightseeing. (We’re also taking Olympic pins and some More Than Gold booklets that explain the Gospel, because you never know who we’ll run into).

Our last few days in London have been really full. We continued to work in the Kings Cross coffee house and Southfields TV Lounge, and we also saw a little of the city (Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Big Ben). We even caught some Olympic action – half our group watched the U.S. women’s volleyball team (indoor) beat China in straight sets. The rest of us cheered on the U.S. women’s basketball team as they took on Turkey, and won 89-58.

We looked across the court and could see the men’s team there to support the women. So, yes, I was in the same building as Lebron James.  On our way out of the Olympic Park we saw a retired NBA player, and Ian and Mari-Sue had their picture taken with him. (But you’ll have to ask them who it was – I’m not as up on that as I should be).

On Thursday, our last ministry day, I saw something really interesting at the Southfields TV Lounge: One of the gamemakers (people who are working at the Olympic venues) had picked up an Evangicube (a witnessing resource) and was showing it to a young boy who was there with his mother. He went through the Gospel with the little guy. One of our team members had brought the Evangicube from home and now the story was being passed on through the locals who are working the Games.

There are many more stories to tell about our time here. We have made new friends and also now have a home church in London. If I am ever back, I know where to worship. Thanks to you all for praying for us – we’ll see you soon!

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Pray with us for new friends in London

Meredith Flynn —  August 2, 2012

OLYMPICS | Serena Butler

Our long train commute has been a blessing; we’ve had so many opportunities to meet Olympics volunteers and visitors, and people who actually live in London.

On the Tube ride home after a long day Tuesday, I sat down in my seat as the train started to move. When I looked up, three of our team members were already talking to the people sitting next to them. All of them had the opportunity to share the Gospel. Mari-Sue spoke with a lady who missed her stop because they were deep in conversation. Here are a few of the new friends we’ve met during our commutes and days at the ministry centers:

  • Geraldine, a Londoner I talked to on the Tube. We talked about the Olympics and she asked who we were working with. I was able to give her one of our pins and explain the colors and go through the Gospel with her. She was very receptive to hearing about it and loved the pin. She told me that she was raised Catholic but is not in church anymore; then, she changed the subject. She got even quieter and we rode a few stops in silence. As she was getting off at her stop, she leaned over and grabbed my arm and said, “Will you please pray for me?” Then she stepped off the train. I wanted to get off with her, but had no way to communicate with my team what I was doing, so I stayed on, but told Geraldine I would pray for her. She smiled and waved to me as the doors closed. We prayed for her later during our prayer time.
  • Igor graciously took a group photo of us at the airport in Chicago. He’s from Russia but has lived in the U.S. for a long time. He asked if we were some sort of sports team. I told him that we were a mission team going to work at the Olympics. I also told him that I had been to Russia in May. When I told him we had worked with Baptist churches there, he was surprised to learn that there were Baptist churches in Russia. He grew up in a village in the north where there was no church at all. I was able to share a little bit with him about God and the hope He offers. I hope that brief conversation will plant a seed so that he wants to learn more about the Gospel.
  • Anya is working at the Sand Volleyball venue and her boyfriend was one of the drummers in the Opening Ceremonies. She was baptized as a baby, but isn’t in church at all now. We gave her a pin and a booklet, which she quickly started asking questions about. As the conversation got deeper, she wanted to change the subject, so we talked about her schooling at the university and what she wants to do with her life. I pray that she will read the booklet and that the Spirit will work on her heart.

Please pray with us for these and others we’ll meet during our time in London, that God will give us boldness to start conversations about Him.

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The Briefing: Defending marriage in Illinois, church giving still declining, ‘Choose2’ in the spotlight

Meredith Flynn —  July 10, 2012

THE BRIEFING | Meredith Flynn

Illinois marriage law gets court defender
A Chicago-based legal organization will work to uphold Illinois’ definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman.

The Thomas More Society was granted intervenor status by a state judge last week, meaning they will oppose the lawsuits brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal on behalf of 25 gay and lesbian couples who were not allowed to marry in Cook County.

The couples say Illinois’ 1996 Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman) is unconstitutional, based on the state’s equal protection clause.

Soon after the lawsuits were filed, Peter Breen, executive director of the Thomas More Society, told World News Service the suits would not hold up in court under the constitutional arguments.

“Going around the will of the people is not the right way to change an institution that has thousands of years of history and is sound in its reasons for existing,” Breen said.

The society has filed a motion to dismiss the case, and oral arguments will be heard Sept. 27. Read the full story at BPnews.net.

Other news:

Presbyterian Church USA divided over same-sex marriage
By a very narrow margin, the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) voted to maintain its definition of marriage as “between a woman and a man,” rather than change it to “between two people.” Delegates to the denomination’s General Assembly voted 338-308 against the recommendation to change the definition. The PCUSA last year lifted its ban on partnered gay clergy. Read more at christianpost.com.

New books focus on Christianity and politics
As campaigns heat up in advance of the upcoming party conventions, at least two authors are addressing how Christians interact with the political scene. Wheaton College professor Amy Black just released “Honoring God in Red or Blue: Approaching Politics with Humility, Grace and Reason.” And pastor and culture writer Jonathan Merritt’s “A Faith of Our Own” focuses on a younger generation’s attempts to reconcile social justice with conservative views. Read an interview with Merritt about the book on pastorsedge.com.

Economy still affecting giving to churches
A recent Barna Group study found 41% of adults surveyed have reduced their giving to non-profit organizations in the last three months, and 11% have stopped giving altogether. That’s an increase from 4% of Americans who said they had stopped giving in 2008. Go to barna.org for the full story.

Purdue QB promotes ‘Choose2’
Caleb TerBush, a senior quarterback at Purdue University, is wearing a blue Choose2 wristband in advertisements for the team’s upcoming season. TerBush’s father Ken is the pastor of Elm Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in East Peoria, Ill. Choose2, a ministry of the Illinois Baptist State Association, asks participants to pick two family members or friends who don’t know Christ and pray for them twice a day. Read more about the initiative at IBSA.org.

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Why prayer is an essential part of missions

Meredith Flynn —  July 5, 2012

COMMENTARY | Jay Ingram

As a former Journeyman missionary with the International Mission Board, I’ve had numerous people ask me, “What do week-long mission trips actually accomplish?” Well, if they are preceded and followed up with a long-term strategic prayer partnership, then a lot!

As I traveled to preach the gospel in Asian villages for two years, I can testify that my most fruitful time on the mission field was when my stateside prayer advocates were specifically praying for me that day or week (and they did this for two years).

Oftentimes, we fail to see the essential-ness of prayer in our daily lives. Maybe that’s why we reserve prayer to a formality in the church parking lot before the bus leaves or the Sunday before the trip. But once the trip over, what will we do to further the ministry? The unfortunate reality is that many mission teams and churches do not continue to pray for the ministry or locale to which they sent a mission team.

That’s why I propose that churches, small groups, and even families form strategic prayer partnerships with the ministry or communities with whom they will serve this summer.  People of all ages can be a practical part of this kind of ministry.

At Delta Church in Springfield, we have formed a partnership with the IMB’s Celtic Languages Team based in Wales. Since many people in our congregation won’t be able to participate in a mission trip to Wales, they remain a vital component of the partnership since they will be praying for the Holy Spirit to draw people to salvation.

Here are a few ways people in our church, and any congregation with a strategic prayer partnership, can stay involved:

1. Many missionaries and ministries send email updates each month or have prayer calendars. This is a great way to pray for urgent requests and long-term needs.

2. Current technology allows churches to connect live with missionaries from all over the world using Skype and other software. Use this opportunity to pray as an entire church for the missionary in real time.

3. Make examples.  If your church has partnered with NAMB or IMB missionaries, use their personal stories to promote the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong Offerings. This will remind our churches that “real live” missionaries are using their offerings to preach the gospel all over the world and remind them to pray for these efforts.

Make strategic, focused prayer a vital element of your church’s missions projects and trips. Whether your mission team is traveling around the world or staying local, a prayer partnership will extend your efforts well beyond the summer.

Jay Ingram is a member of Delta Church in Springfield.

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