]'|siil[ · 2014. 3. 6. · ]'|siil[december i999 volume 4ó, no.12 articles 4 the flood...

]'|SIil[VOLUME 4ó, NO. 12DECEMBER I999

ARTICLES

4 The Flood of the CenturyHurricane Floyd rolled across North Carolinaleaving thousands homeless and destroyingchurches.

ó My Best Christmas in AfricaThey were fresh from the States and unpre-pared for a l00o Christmas Day.

COLUMNS3 The SecretarySpeaks

Timeless Tluths

18 The Department Pages

22 Green Tlee Btble StudyA Profile of the Millennial Christian

23 Especially for Young PreachersSet Goals

24 Youth Update25 Ïìop Shelf3l Briefcase

Don't Waste This Trouble

Project MessiahWhat the Christmas story would be if a publicrelations firm had evaluated the original plans.

The Chrlstmas SlngerAn unfinished CtuisEnas story told 27 yean later.

1999 lndex

NEWS12 Flee Wlll Baptlst Newsfront

North Carolina FloodKentucky State AssociationLewis Williams DiesOklahoma Church Turns 50Degree Awarded PosthumouslyOrganist Serves from WheelchairMexican National Association

15 Currently

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26

Edltor-ln-chlef: Dr. Melvin WorthingtonEdltor: Jack WilliamsEdttorlal Asslstant: Marilyn hitchardClrculatlon¡ Dari GoodfellowPrlnted by: Randall House Publications

Contact (ISSN 0573-7796), publishedmonthly by the National Associationof Flee Will Baptists, 5233 Mt. View

Road, Antioch, TN 37013-2306. Ad-dress all conespondence and sub-scriptions to Fost Ofïice Box 5002, An-tioch, TN 3701 l-5002. Phone 615/731-6812.

Annual subscription rates: Individ-ual-$12 per year, Church FamiþPlan-$l2 per year, Church BundlePlan-$l2 þer year. Feriodical post-

age paid atAntioch, TN and addition-aI offices.

Copyright privileges, reserved @1999. Member of the EvangelicalPress Association. Pomøsren: Sendaddress changes to Covrecr, P O. Box5002, Antioch, TN 3701 l-5002.

usPs 130-660

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Timeless Truthshe approaching millenniumcauses some to predict disas-ters while others scoffand saythere is no need to fear. The

Y2K proponents insist that we cån ex-pect catastrophic problems with com-puters. Fea¡ runs rampant in the com-mercial and churchworld. Some havegiven up hope.

But remember that the sovereignGod who created the universe and allits inhabitants is stillon the tt¡rone anddirects the affairs of men Nothing es-capes His penetrating gaze. He knowscompletely all the past, present andpotential events which will take place.

Prior to the birth of Jesus, manyfeared that there was no hope. Theworld was in chaos. But at just theright time, God intervened in humanhistory and sent His Son.

Believers have the Lord's promisettnt He will come again. At just the fthttime, God will intervene in human history by sending His Son the secondtime. Our hope is not in this world butin the Godwho made all things.

This special time of the year pro-vides an opportunity for believers togive glory to God for timeless truths.

God's GospelOne timeless tn¡th is the gospel,

the good news. The gospel is a re-uealed message that came fromGod. Faul declared that he did not re-ceive it from man but from God.

The gospel is a redemptiue mes-sage. Those who believe the gospelbecome children of God.

The gospel is areconciling message.Ttuough the gospel sinful man can bereconciled to a hoþ God, and a hoþGod can be reconciled to sinful n¡an

God's GraceAnother timeless tnttr is God's gnce.

God's means of sauing sinful human

beings is by grace through faith. Pauldeclares, 'For by grace are ye savedtluough faith; and that not of yourselves:it is tt¡e gift of God: Not of worlcs, lestany man shotdd boasf' (Eph. 2:&9).

God's means for schooling believ-ers is grace. The development of be-lievers is done by grace. Grace bringsus into right relationship with God,then teaches and trains us to livesoberly, righteously and godly and tolook for that blessed hope.

God's means for sbe nghen@ believ-en is gnce. Paul recognized ftis tnttl,'l\nd he said unto me, ltdygnce is suffi-cient for ttrce: for my shergttr is nadeperfect in wealiness" (ll Cor. l2:9a).

God's means îor sanctifying be-lievers is grace. This tn¡th is affirmedby Paul to Titus, "Who gave himselffor us, that he might redeem us fromall iniquity and puriff unto himself apeculiar people, zealous of goodworks" Clitus 2:14).

God's means for effective seruiceis grace. The grace of God is sufli-cient, enabling believers to do whatthe Lord asks them to do. Faul de-clares, "But by the grace of God I amwhat I am" (lCor. l5:l0a).

God's GospelierGod tses human beings to accom-

plish His purpose. The Church hasbeen give the responsibility to preachthe gospel to every creature. This time

The Secretary's Schedule

December 1999

et loodoßftlp (onhreno

E Exea¡livo &mmiltæ frlæling

l0-ll Eduolionol Tosk torc llæting

less bruth is affirmed inActs I :8. In orderto accomplish His purpose on ea¡lfUGod converts, calls and commissionsmen to do His biddir¡g. We are to praythat ttrc Lord of the harvest will thrustlaborers into the harvestfields.

God's GuidelinesGod's Word provides the necessary

guidelines for believers. The Biblegives directives for life and labor for thebeliever. God's inspired handbook provides for every facet of the believer'slife. To disregard or disobey God'sWord brings serious consequences.

When there is no word from God,people cast offall reslraint. The Bibleprovides guidelines which enable usto live holy, honest and healthylives-lives that honor the Lord.

God's GuaranteeAnother timeless tuth is lhat notl¡

ing we do ficr tfie Lord will be foryottenWe give ourseþes to Himand His ser-vice knowing that fr.¡ll compensationwill come. Paul declared, u. . . ûilas.much as ye know that your labor is not¡n ra¡n in the Lord' (l Cor. l5:58b).

God's GiftThe final timeless tr¡th is wt¡at we

are rcminded of each Clnisúnas sea-son-ttrc bidtr of the Lord Jesu ChristAs Lord He is qx Master.As Jens he isowMedíatq. As Chisthe is theMesst-

4/r God's gift of His Son is an unspeak-able, urdeserved anC unique g¡fL

John declares, "For God so lovedthe world, that he gave his only be-gotten Son, that whosoever believethin him should not perish, but haveeverlasting life" (John 3:16). r

lilelvin Woilhlngton

December 1999, Contact 3

A postor lells whot it wos like to experience the North Carolinq flood of 1999.

The Flood of the Centuryunicane Dennis lingered offthe coast of North Carolinafor nearly two weeks in earlySeptember. Although thewind damage was slight,

continual rains saturated the groundwith 13 inches of water. On the heelsof Dennis, Hunicane Floyd hit eastemNorth Carolina with high winds and atorential downpour that dumPedover 20 more inches of rain in lessthan 24 hours. Rain from the two hur-ricanes combined to trigger the worstflooding in recorded historyin eastemNorth Ca¡olina. A local television sta-tion refened to the disaster as "TheFlood of the Century."

On the day after Hunicane Floyd,the enormity of the natural disasterthat struck eastem North Carolina be-gan to emerge. Flood waters washedout bridges and roads, divided coun-ties, cut off cities and towns and hin-dered relief efforts. Såter treatrnentplants flooded and for several weekscontaminated water had to be boiled.

Overwhelrned and desperate floodvictims who thoughl "l can't believethis is happening to me," filled RedCross shelters needing food, water,shelter and clothing.

Because the flood water rose soquickly and in areas where it had nev-er flooded before, many who choseto remain in their homes had to berescued from their rooftops by heli-copters. A famiþ from our church wasstmnded in their home for nearly twoweeks, surviving on stored food andwater and using a generator.

Daily news reports of power out-ages, a rising death toll, closed roads,military-enforced curfews, contami-nated water, crowded Red Crosscenters, military vehicles on citystreets and non-stop flights overheadby helicopters searching for victimsand delivering relief supplies tostranded families, gave eastern NorthCarolina the feel of a war zone.

In Greenville, the Ta¡ River rose tounprecedented heights, topping by

4 Contoct. December 1999

ByJeff Gaskins

hfte/s (hopel FWB Church in Greenville repoded 5250,000 in domoge.

five feet the 10O-year flood mark set in1919. Flood waters consumed housesand apartments along its banks, en-gulfed the city's electric substationand water treatrnent plant and swal-lowed the airport.

The swollen Neuse River andContentnea Creek forced thousandsfrom their homes in several counties.Flooding covered city sewage treat-ment plants and animal waste dis-posal lagoons. Millions of turkeys,chickens, cows and hogs drownedand floated in the flood waters.

Murþ, foul-smelling, contaminat-ed water buried 40,000 homes andbusinesses and over 50,000 vehicles.In addition, more than 50 people losttheir lives in the flood waters, most ofthem drowning when their vehicleswere swept off flooded roads.

Because eastem North Carolna ishome to manyFfee Will Baptist church-es, itwas inevitable thatFleeWill Baptistfamilies would be affected by the flood.A meeting of pastors from the floodravaged areas revealed the grim de-tails. Nearly 150 FYee Will Baptist fami-

lies received major damage to theirhomes or businesses. Many of themlost everything they owned, leavingtheir homes during the nightwith onlytheir lives and the clothes they wore.

The three hardest hit churcheswere Belvoir FWB Church in Green-ville (Phil Ange, pastor), Grifton FWBChurch in Grifton ('ränMitchell, pastor)and Mt. Catuary FWB Chu¡ch in Hook-erton (FYed Carraway, pastor). Sixty-eight families in those tfuee churchesreceived major damage or total de-sÍuction of their homes or businesses.Beþoir Church alone had 36 familieswith flood damage.

After the water receded, I got myfirst look at damage to the homes ofmembers of Trinity FWB Church inGreenville where I pastor. One mem-ber, a widow, lived on the north sideof Tar River where most of the flood-ing in Pitt County occurred. I walkedinto her house and was totally unpre-pared for the devastation. Everythingin the house was ruined and thestench created by mildew and con-

taminated water was overwhelming.Floors buckled, fumiture and appli-

ances were beyond repair, and pic-tu¡es and personal items were de-stroyed. The thought of lost familyheirlooms, family pictures and itemsshe had saved that were her hus-band's overwhelmed me. For the firsttime since the flood occt¡rred twoweeks earlier, my heart broke and Iwept uncontrollably as I thoughtabout what she and others wouldface in comirtg months.

In addition, an assessment of flood-ing to church properties revealed dam-age totaling over $l million hdrer'sChapel FWB Church in Greenville,pastored by Lorerøa Stox, sustainedover $250,000 damage. Flood watenentered both the sanchraryandanew-þ<ompleted family life center. Be-cause of the floodirE, the Parker'sChapel congregation shared the facili-ties of two other Ffee Will Baptistchurches for several weeks.

'l?rbemacle F'WB Chu¡ch in Kinstorupastored by Jim Maddox, receiveddamage that totally destroyed thebuilding. Preliminary estimates set thebill at $600,000 to replace what waslost. Ttuee other churches, Communi-ty Fl//B Church in Chinquapu\ FaithFIA/B Church in Goldsboroand Mt Cal-vary FWB Church in Hookerton all sr¡f-fered flood damage with combineddamage estimates that totaled neady$200,000.

As news of the disaster spread

across the nation and to the rest of theFYee Will Baptist famiþ, relief effortswere organized to help sister chu¡chessuffering ftom the flood. Vr'äter, cloth-ing, food, cleaning supplies and fumi-hre poured into eastem North Caroli-na. Daiþ, I received calls from Flee WillBaptist pastors asking what cor-rld theydo and wtat could they send.

Our church and others served asclearing houses for supplies for needyFlee Will Baptist families. Money alsobegan to flow into the North Carolinapromotional office as Jim Marcum,ourpromotional director, led efforts to

inform Flee Will Baptists about theneeds of hurting families.

Speåking forall the churches affect-edbythe flood, we saythankyou toallwhogenerousþcontibuted to the divaster relief fr.¡nd and brought much-needed relief items. Most Ftee WillBaptist families and churches did nothave flood insuance and those tlatdid still incuned significant financiallosses. Flee Will Baptist families depended upon tlrcir local dturclu stateand denominatiornl family for heþsince very few were heþd by govem-menüal assistance.

Please continue toprayforthe pastors, churches and FYee Will Baptistfamilies recoveúng from the flood.Ftee Will Baptist pastors and mem-bers have displayed great courage,determination and foditude duing adiffict¡It time. By the time this a¡ticle ispublished, many families will still nothave retumed to their homes.

Finally, continue to pray for a spir-itual awakening to occur in eastemNorth Carolina. Several FTee WillBaptist churches, although hit hardby the flood, saw people saved as aresult of the disaster. Because of thedisaster, many people have beenopen to the gospel. Opportunities forwitnessing and ministry are nuner-ous. I

AB0UT THE WRITER: Dr. Jeff Goskns polors Trinily

Fræ Will Boplil fturdr in Gresnville, North Corolino.

tlood waler lorrhed tl¡e bottom of the window¡ ol lefl loned home ln G¡esnvllle.

Hurlone tloyd destroyed lhe home¡ of le0 Shorl ond Edn Wndom, and Dot Wndom, hl¡ mothe¡'


A home missionory lools bock ot his first Chd$mos os o foreign missionory

My Best Christmasi in Africa

ach Ch¡istmas season my fam-ily celebrated in Côte d'lvoireleft its special memories in myheart, but in reminiscing over

I ¡þ6ss years of missionary ser-vice, I think our first Christmas inAfrica wins the prize.

The calendarsaid itwas Ctuistmas,yet nothing around me resembled theprevious Cluistrnases in my life. In-stead of winter's chilþ blasts and amuch dreamed of white Chrisfnas,thick clouds of dust had blown in ftom

6 Contact, December 1999

By Norman Richards

ttrc Sahel Desert, making breathingand seeing difficull

The thermometer hovered at100 or so degrees in the daytime.Thanks to a brief spell of harmat-tan weather, the temperaturecooled to the mid-S0s at night.

No brightly colored decorationsadomed the huts and simple mudbrick homes of the funi people amongwhomwe'd settled nine months eadi-er. Thevillagerswere notrushing to thelocal boutique to do last minute gift

shopping.No, they

wouldbehappy if famiþ ñ-nances weresufficient tobuy cloth inthe market fora tailor-made

outfit or to buvmeat for the Cluisrnas Day meal.

My family and a Lebanese family(merchants) were the only foreigners

living among the African tribes in ourregion. In the short time that we'dbeen in Côte d'lvoire, we'd leamedquicldy that our every action was ofpublic interest.

In spite of this, Bessie and I decidedto maintain some American culhrreand customs in our home, for our ownemotional needs and for our children'sbenefit.

So, this was our first Christmas inAfrica, and we wanted a Christmast¡ee. Unfortunately, there were noevergreen trees, and we had broughtfew Christmas decorations from theStates. What could we possibly usefor a tree?

Bessie rummaged through boxesleft by other missionaries and founda smallartificial tree and ornaments.Maybe it wouldn't have been impres-sive by American standards, but itsure looked good to us when we fin-ished decorating and putting our fewgifts from the States under it.

As Christmas drew near, I realizedhow few people really understoodthe true meaning of Christmas.Itwasjust one of many holidays celebratedin Côte d'lvoire.

A t¡uck driver told me when I ques-tioned him, "Pastor, I don't knowwhywe celebrate Christrnas. I just know itis a time to eat, drink, dance and havea good time."

My heart was challenged anew tothe mission forwhich God had calledus here. Whatever sacrifices we hadmade in leaving our families andhomeland and in struggling to leamnew languages, customs and cultures

would be worth itif we couldwinanddisciple the African people for Jesus.

On Christmas Eve day severalyoung men from the church went in-to the forest and cut palm branches.They braided these into neat archesand placed them around the doorsand windows of our church. Thenthey searched around the missionstation and village for fresh flowers toadd to the arches.

I was impressed! Not only werethe decorations pretty and added afestive air to the church, but theywere also typically African.

Shortþ before nine o'cloclç abovethe noisy clamor of the village night life,the church bell gonged several times.This was the undentood signal thatchu¡ch services wor.dd soon begin. Thir-ty minutes or more later, chwch mem-bers and others filled the pews andcrowed around the back of the churctl

I glanced around me, fascinatedby the scene before me. Two kero-sene lanterns dimly lit the interior ofthe building, and it seemed that I waslooking out into a sea of eyes.

I do not recall every detail of thatCtristrnas Eve service. We spent a lotof time singing familia¡ carols whichhad been translated into FYench andAgni, as well as other favorite songs.The young people presented a playact-ed out with all their natural acting skills.

For me the highlight of the nightcame about midnight when we allleft the church and marched throughthe village carrying lanterns and car-oling in several different languages.God's presence was very real as we

canied the message of His love out-side the church doors.

Early Cfuistrnas moming we gath-ered back at church for more sharing,singing and hearing the Christmas sto-ry from God's Word. Afterwards, wegathered at old Feter's house for acontinental breaKast consisting of hotchocolate, strong black coffee tamedby adding lots of sugar and milk,French bread, butter and jelþ.

Yes, that fìrst Christmas in Africawas special to me. It reminded methat Christrnas is not necessarily giftgiving and fancy decorations, Ameri-can style. It is staying focused on Je-sus, the One who left His heavenlythrone to be born in a lowly mangeron earth, who suffered and died toredeem us from our sins. It is the joyof sharing Him, the true meaning ofChristmas, with those who have nev-er heard. r

ABOUT THE WRITER' Reverend l,lormon Richords

po$ors New Hope Free Will Boplist Mision in Slidell,

Louisiono. He ond his wife Bessie served 28 yeors in

West Africo before heolth problems required ftol they

return 1o the Uniled Slotes.

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Whol the (hristmos storywould be if u publicrelotions firm hodevuluoted the originolplons.

ood moming, Sir. I'm fromthe Hoople, Brewer, Stoner,Bradley and WannamakerAgency. I'm here about yourProject Messiah which we've

been asked to critiqueLet me make sure I underctand wtnt

you plan to do in hoject Messiah. Youintend to sendaSavior, asyou call him,to a relativeþ unknown group of people who have a reputation for beingunnrly, rebellious and chauvinistic. TheAssyrians, the Medes and Fersians, theBabylonians, the Greeks and the Romans all had trouble keeping thatgroup down.

They have been looking for a Messi-alr-an anointed one-to deliver themfrom their most recent conquerer forcenturies, I gather.

You propose sending this Messiahas a baby into a pitifully poor familywitha shady reputation because of a toosoon pregnancy. You propose to an-nounce the birth of this deliverer todirt-poor shepherds out in the boonies.Then you want to send in some star-gaørrg foreigners from somewhere tothe East who don't worship the samewaythe Jews do.

After that, there's nothing for nearly30 years. He grows up in a Nck town,leaming how to cutwood and peg it together. Then this Messiah leaves homeand starts teaching in all the backwatertowns of northem Israel.

He teaches about humility, love,about being tnnsformed inside, aboutrecstablishing community with oth-ers. But not once does he badmouththe Romans or try to make conüact


with the underground opposition or tryto organize an atmy to overthrow theoccupying power. Then finalþ he'skilled on trumped up charges andburied in a bonowed tomb.

Problems Wilh ...Frankþ, Sir, we've found a few things

that you may want to look at careñ.il1y.

As the plan now stands, you've gotmaþe a five percent chance of suc-cess. Please let me explain.

The Porents

First, the girl you propose as theMessiah's mother. She's too young,too poorand has no education. She'llnever do . . . . I beg your pardon?

OÌ¡ I'm su¡e she has a good hearlbut this gld win be resporxible for bain-ing the fuh¡e leader, the fuh¡e delivererofhis people. How can anyone so poorand so badþeducatedprepare him?

We need an older woman to givean aura of dignity to the man. This girl

will live under the cloud of pregnan-cyoutside maniage. Itwill be a mira-cle if she is not stoned to death be-fore the baby is born. Do you realizethe danger you'd be putting her in?

The Messiah will need the best ed-ucation he can get, so he'll need arich family that can provide his needs.

Yes, I understand that this Mary is adevoted, spiritual teenager, but youknow how teenagers arH.tp one day,down the ne:{. Areyousure it'swise toentrust the future delivererto someonelike that? Who's to say she won't giveup on religion by the time she's 20?

Then there's the man who is to behis earthly father. (l won't mention allthe potential difficulties you can ex-pect with this heavenly father-earthlyfatherbusiness.) We thinkthe man-Joseph is the name, I believe-is apoor choice. Like the girl, he's uned-ucated. He comes from a no-wherevillage and works as a carpenter.

I don't think this is the image youwant to project. Who ever heard of aconquering leader from a carpenter'sfamily? How can a carpenter instill inhis "son" the spirit of accomplishinggreat deeds, the spirit of excellence,the spirit of leadersNp?

This Joseph is a hick. The Messiahmust be a man of action, a man whotakes charge, not a humble craftsman.Can this man give him ttrc role modelto lead a nation?

Here's averystrict manwho discov-ers that his wife-tobe is pregnant. Nowyou'll talk to him in a dream, and e:<-

pect him to go against everything he'sever thought of as right just because ofthat dream, and marry his fiancé eventhough she's pregrnnt and not by him.

You expect him to swallowthe ideattnt she hasn't been unfaithfr.¡l and thatshe became pregnant supemah.ralþ.Doesn't that make him just a bit unsta-ble psychologically? I mean, if he's thatsusceptible to suggestions, what kindof nonsense might he lead the boy in-to later? I'll be honest, it looks to us likeyou've picked a couple of losers.

The Bírth

Now, about the birth:You want themother-tobe in her ninth month ofpregnancy to travel several days on adonkey, sleep on the ground, eat whatshe can find or br¡y (and that cant bemuch because they're so poor). Then

she and this Joseph anÌve in a townwhere theyknowno one, during a timewhen there are morevisitors thansincethe whole Roman army marchedthrough, so they'll have no place to stay.

And ttre Messiatt-the most impor-tant person in the Jewish prayers fordeliverance, the one everybody pinstheir hopes on-is to be bom in a cavethat serves as a stable for animals inthe winter? His parents are alone andscared. No midwife in attendance. lt'scold, and they have only the thin blan-kets they put on the donkey's back tocushion Mary's ride. This is no way topresent a savior to the people.

You'll kill this Messiah's chancesbefore he starts. Here's the greatestleader the Jews will have ever knownbeing bom in the dirt and filth andstench of a stable. No one will believehe's who he's proclaimed to be.

The Announcement

And that's another thing: The an-nouncement will be made to someshepherds watching their sheep atnight out on the plains. You're sendingthe biggest choir of angels since cre-ation to serenade shepherds and en-trust them with the announcementthat the Messiah is bom. I'll have tosay the PR. department really talkedto me about this little exercise.

Has no one ever erplained the gate-keeper theory to you?

Well, it goes like this: There are cer-tain people who determine whetherother people accept or reject an idea.Because of their position, the respectpeople have for them, their money,whatever, if they accept something,other people are free to accept it. Ifthey reject it, no one else in their com-munity can accept it, either.

Noq Sir, these shepherds are notthe community gatekeepers. Nobodylooks up to them as people with su-peúor knowledge or as someone toimitate. Myword, these fellows prob-ably don't even own the sheep.They're hired laborers. No one whoowned that many sheep would sleepout in the cold.

So you're entrusting this ertremeþimportant announcement to peoplewho a¡en't influential and have nofriends in high places. Flankþ, it's awaste of angels. Nothing long-termwillcome of it.

lhe tore,ignerc

Then after informing the sheP-herds, you plan to send foreigners toconfirm the story forpity's sake. TheMessiah is sent to save ftts peoPle,but the first people of anY conse-guence who recognize him are for-eignerc. That's a sure way to createproblems with the locals, Sir, espe-cially with local religious leaders.Bring in outsiders who don'tworshipthe same way as the Jews and havethem worship the Messiah? It's thekiss of death from a PR. standpoint.

The lï-YearWaitNow, as I understand il except for

one brief episode when the child is 12,

you plan to wait another 30 years be-fore the Messiah busts on the scene . . .

well, busts is a little strong. Let's say,

meanders on the scene. And when hedoes, he's mild, gentle, kind. He talksabout being a servant, about giving toothers, about forgiving one another.

Let me tell you, Sir, you don't es-tablish kingdoms by serving people.You do it by knocking a few heads to-gether. This Messiah iust shows him-self weak, pitifully weak.

The Support Base

Another problem we see is thathe's got to have support. He needsconnections with the right kind ofpeople for money to hire an army anddefeat the Romans. He needs a net-work of informants so he can strikeeffectively. If I understand your planconectly, it looks like he will choosesome riff-raff to travel with him.

You phn to hing into his intimategroup uneducated fishermer\ azealo[ ahrncoat ta:< collector, alorg with otherassorted nobodies. Sure, some of themcan mend a net, but they cant carry ona conversation in properHebrew, muchles lead a fight for freedom from oppressors. If they don't kill one anotherwithin ayear, I'll be supised.

Suggested Chonges

We ttrinkyou should consider chang-ing your plan significantþ. We proposethat ttre Messiah be bom into a well-known familywith parents who havethe education necessary to bring himup righr A family which could intro

December 1999, Contact I

duce him to important people andheþ him develop political contacts.

At his birth, there's no need to wastethe angelic choir on hired shepherds.We suggest that you send the choir tothe Temple in Jerusalem where you'dreach more people and get some ofthe religious leaders as well. We thinkyou should send angels to inform theimportant people of the region aboutthe birth.

Naturally, we'll want to put a big an-nouncement in all the undergroundnewspapers to make sure the mes-sage gets out.

Instead of having foreign religiousdignitaries worship him, we suggest adelegation headed by the High Priest,or at the very least a group from the lo-cal synagogue. This would permit us tobeginwork through the established re-ligious organization to get him recog-nized and respected.

He should have the best educa-tion possible. He'll also need trainingin horsemanship, fencing, self-de-fense and military strategy and plan-ning. If he's to deliver his people, hecan't do it walking around in sandals,teaching in synagogues.

He'll need to stafi early developinghis network of contacts with opposi-tion political leaders and religious lead-ers. He'll need to work on finding people to help finance his activities andbuild an army.

All this information is contained inour folder, "Project Messiah, Plan 8."

Designer's Response

Thank you for your work. But yousee, My thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are yottr ways My ways. As theheavens are higher than the earth, soare My ways higher than your waysand My thoughts than your thoughts.

You consider My plan foolishness,but you need to understand that Myfoolishness is wiser than your greatestwisdom, and Myweakness is strongerthan your greatest strength. In fact, Iwill destroy the "wisdom" of the wiseand will frust¡ate the "intelligence" ofthe intelligent.

So, when the fulness of time willhave come, I'll send the Messiah.That is, I Myself will take on humanform and become a man in evervway except for sin.

I will come so that men and wom-

l0 Contact, December 1999

en from every nation can have life,eternal life, abundant life. I will de-stroy the works of Satan who hasheld them in bondage to sin and hascaused their loss.

Political conquerors will come andgo. Today ifs the Romans, next it willbe someone else. Being conqueredby a political power doesn't causeetemal loss; being a slave to sin does.Messiah's life will be poured out forthe forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness ofsins will be preached in His nameamong all nations.

He will indeed deliver His people . . .

not from the Romans, but from sin. . .

redemption through his blood, the for-giveness of sins, in accordance withthe riches of My grace which I willlav-ish on those who trust Me.

The Rebuttol

But, Sir, the people are erpecting aphysical kingdom; you're talking abouta spiritual kingdom. They expect a de-livererto rid them of the Romans, whileyou taìk about getting rid of sin and itspower in their lives. They want pros-perity, but you're preaching commiþmentand faith. Theywant to see a newnag nyrng over the walls of Jerusalem,and you talk about faith in a heavenlyreward, payrng no attention to presentpolitical and physical conditions.

Sir, please remember that the firstru-le of successful politics is to give thepeople wtat they want Heþ them reachtheir expectations. The program youpropose doesn't meet the people's ex-pectations at all. In fact, it goes againstwhat theywant.

It won't fly, Sir. You're not respond-ing to their expressed desires and feltneeds. They want a kingdom of theirown right here and right now. You can'tsucceed if you follow your originalplan.

Finol Response

My kingdom is not of this world.Were it of this world, My followerswould fight with physical weapons.No, the combat is not between fleshand blood, but between spiritualforces in heavenly realms.

And I shall conquer. Messiah, Jesus,shall desboy the worla of Satan andshall be oralted to the highestplace andreceive a rìa¡ne tlnt is above every

na¡ne. At His name every knee willbow in Heaven and on earth and underthe earth, and every tongue will confessthatJesus Cfuist is Lord, to Myglory.

The Reconsiderotion

That sounds very much like some-thing I read in the conclusion of theoriginal plan. Oh, yes, here it is:

"Messiah will be in the world, andthough the wodd was made throughhim, the world will not recognize him.He will come to ttnt which was his own,but his own will not receive him. Yet toall who do receive him, to those r¡vhobelieve inhis name, hewill give the rightto become children of God . . . .

"The Word will become flesh andmake his dwelling among men. Theywill see his glory the glory of the One andOnþ, wtro comes from the Fatherfullofgrace and truth. For I love the world somuch that I am giving my one and on-ly Son, that whoever believes in himshall not perish but have etemal life."

So it is true, then. It is more impor-tant that people get forgiveness fortheir sins than that they achieve politi-cal freedom. Messiah will come, andin the act of dflng-which everybodywill interpret as losing-he will makethat pardon possible. You are going todo it, aren't you? You know, it's crary,but it just might work. In fact, I'm be-ginning to think you may succeed.

Listen, uh, I want to be a part ofthat. Count me in, would you? r

ABOUTTHE WRITER: Roberl Bryon is o Free V'/ill Bop-

fif foreign missionory lo Côte d'lvoire, V'lest Africo.

This oíirle wos odopted lrom o sermon he preoched

in 1995 ond 199ó.

27 yearc lateù

By David Reece

n a trip to Nashville for aLeadership Conference, Ipassed through my hometown in East Tennessee to vis-it with my T$year-old moth-

er. I had a church member with me,andwe spent the nightwith Mom.

Duing the evening conversation asMom showed him around the home,she began telling about the 22-month-old child Marian and I lost to a virtuaþunknown heart disease. Her death wasdifficult for the entire famiþ, and, as youwould e:rpect, exremely hard on mywÍfe and me. That was 27 yean ago.

As the story urfolded, I realized thatpart of the event was being told in myhearing for the first time. Mom told ofthe cilld who sang and went throughthe motions of each little childhoodsong several times during her painfulnightof death. Thatwasn'tnew to me,and foryears I had cherished preciousmemory of my l¡tt¡e singer.

Altfrough it is still ha¡d to believe, at22 months she sang song aftersong andtalked as a childwor:ldwhowas mucholder. Nevertheless, I listened, and Mombegan to describe events that tookplace after the death that mywife and Iwerenevertold.

I was in the hospital for minorsurgery when the baby developedpneumonia and began to seriousþ de-hydrate. Her body, already weakenedby the difïicult heartproblem, began toIose ground, and soon death became

out of the hospital and brought to theside of myyoung wife, expecting doc-tors to somehow bring us good newsof improvement and possible recov-ery. Instead, we were informed thatseveral injections of water were nec-essary for her survival.

The dangerwas that tt¡e heart couldnot take the tauma. I remember thewalk to the end of the hall and theprayer from my hean ûrat God's willwould be done, only to be pulled backto this world by the doctor announcinghe needed to talk to both parents.

Mom remembered these deta¡lsand communicated them well. Thenext day we viewed the tiny body asa family and broken-heartedly turnedand walked out to the car to returnhome.

Mom and Dad went back for onemore moment with their grandchild.Here was the part that mywife and Inever knew. As they retumed to thecasket, two nurses were found wait-ing and weeping over our little baby.They apologized for intruding but ex-plained that they just had to comeand see this child. Mom asked themwhy, and the answer was God's giftto Marian and me for this Christmas.

It seems that as the last momentsof our child's life escaped, she wassinging. As the life itself left the littleframe of a body, hervoice was usher-ing out the song upon her heart. In the

The doctor was over- Ewhelmed by this witness as Iwere his nurses. The song dy- ting in her throat must have !

been completed in the pres-ence of the Lord. God's qiftt" O

words of the nurse who spoke tomy mother, "The song died inher throat."

me and my family this -.-Christmas is á remindêrthat Iin life and in death there is aresponsibility to glorify andworship and praise our Fä-ther and his dear Son. May I,as well, praise Him to theend, to the very last breath.

AB0UTTHE WRITER: Reverend Dovid

Reece postors Heriloge Free Will Boptist

Churrh in Frederickburg, Virginio, He is

moderolor of the Morylond Stote

Assoriolion of Free Will Boplisls.

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Mexican Association Meets in MonterreyMo¡nsRREY, MX-The Mexico Na-tional Association met July 30-August I in El Uro campgroundnear Monteney, Mexico. Approx-imately 400 ministers, delegatesand visitors were present. Dr.Melvin and Anne Worthingtonrepresented the FWB NationalAssociation. Tlymon Messer andRichard Adams represented theHome Missions Department.Jimmy and Janie Aldridge repre-sented Foreign Missions.

At a luncheon meeting hostedby Home Missions director Tly-mon Messer, Dr. Thomas Marber-

rywas presented as the president

of the Seminary of the Cross. Dr.Marberryspoke to the group, ask-ing their continued support in thework of the Seminary.

Messer also presented JamesMunsey wittr a plaque for 12 yearsof service as coordinator. He em-phasized ttnt Munsey would stillbe active in Mexico in his new roleas Representative for Hispanic De-velopment.

In the business session moder-ated by Javier Gallegos, delegateselected a new slate of officers:

President Gonzalo MedinaSecretary: Fermin SanchezTfeasurer: Jose Rendon

Lazaro de la Rosa remainedas Executive Secretary.

Delegates also approved arecommendation by the Execu-tive Committee tÌnt properties inSabinas Hidalgo, Pueblo Nuevo, EI

Canelito, Cavazos in Reynosa andSan Gregorio be tumed over to theMerican govemrnent, since theyare presently abandoned with noregular seruices. A proposal tohost the Intemational FellowsNPof FïVB Churches was rejected,citing lack of suflicient funds.

The 40th session of the asso-ciation well be held in Altamira,Tamaulipas, July 28-30, 2000.

Oklahoma Church Celebrates 50 YearsTW¡t¡ OAKs, OK-Fiftyyears after Lowery FWB Churchorganized in 1949 with 26 charter members, some 300people gathered on September 5 as tfrc congregationcelebrated a half-century of sewice. Fastor Doug Careyled the day-long activities.

The special day honored six former paston: E. B.

Condit, Bemeil Rogers, Ronnie Smallen, Fancis Berka,Robert Sharryand TroyMcClary. The chtuch also hon-ored tt¡ree dnrter members still active in the congrega-tion: Russell Þrguson, Clifford Bakerand Sharcn Eagleton

Ptlor Doug Corey (t) ond fomer polors Roberl Shary, Bernell Rogen,

tmnds Berfto, E.B. Condll.

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Govemor Flank Keating issued a special proclama'tion commerating the 50th anniversary. A special cita'tion from the Oldahoma legislah-ue was delivered per-sonally by Senator Rick LittlefÌeld and RepresentativeLarryAdair.

Oklahoma executive director Emest Harrison, Jr.,

brought greetings from the Oklahoma State Associa-tion of Free Will Baptists.

The keynote message was preached by Dr. WtyneMcDaniel, pastor of Fint FWB Church in Sylacauga, Al'abama.

After special music and a buffet lunch, a multi'me'dia presentation detailed the church's first 50 yearswith pictures, slides and stories.

The church conducts two Sundaymoming services,aver¿ìges 225 for worship and 165 for Sunday School.Operating on a $150,000 annual budgeÇ the congrega'tion gives l0 percent of its income to the state Cooper'ative Plan, in addition to supporting missions and Hills-dale FWB College.

Fastor Carey said that he attributes the church'sgrowth to the fact that members love one another,reach out to witrress for Ctuist, are friendly to visitorsand emphasize attracting young people and families.

Georgia Minister, LewisWilliams, DiesColeum, GA-Reverend James Lewis Williams, aFree Will Baptist minister for 39 years, died August14. He was 65. Rev. Williams was a bivocational pas-

tor for most of his ministry, working as a butcher, amilkman, a bookkeeper and other jobs to undergirdhis pastoral income.

Williams spenthis entire ministryinGeorgia, his firstpastorates at Macedonia FWB Church in Miller Countyand Cedar Springs FWB Chu¡ch in Earþ County.

After a pastorate at New Salem FWB Church inMiller County, he worked full-time as promotionalsecretary for the Georgia State FWB Mission Board.From there, he accepted his first full-time pastorateat Mount Gilead FWB Church in Brinson where helabored 17 years until deteriorating health forcedhim from full-time work.

He continued to serve as interim pastor for sever-al churches in Southeast Georgia.

Georgia pastor Matthew Pinson said, "BrotherLewis was a peacemaker. He knew how to help peo-ple resolve conflict."

Williams was converted at age 10, and soon hadto quit school to work and help his family after his fa'ther died.

Organist Ministers FromWheelchair

Enwrru, TN-For morethan 30 years, the or-ganist at CanahChapel FWB Chu¡chin Erwin has servedfromawheelchair, ac-cording to FastorTom-

IË* -ITÐ my Street. Diagnosedwith Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy at an earþ age,stanley sneed was not e)çected to live long.

After surprising the medical community with hiswill to live, Stanley was converted at age 12. He wasconfined to a wheelchair by age 14.

Fastor Street said, "God gave Stanley a wonderfr¡lgift for music. Playing the organ was natural for him,and for over 30 years he has been an inspiration to all."

In order for Stanley to get to Canah Chapel for ser'vices, his father must make eight lifts before rollingStanley into the church sanctuary.

Fastor Street said, "Süanley is very faithful and canplay any song that is requested. He never complainsand has a wonderfrrl outlook on life. Through prayersand loving support from family and friends, God hasblessed and used Stanley throughout his life."

Street concluded, "lf you come to Canah Chapel,you will see Stanley on the left as you come into thechurch. He is truly a profile in courage."

i'îli;$

Pastor Receives SontsDiploma Posthumously

Bible (ollege presldenl Tom lll¡lone pre¡snls dlplomo lo l. Bennie lume¡,

ftf¡5¡-¡y¡r r n, TN-During graduation exercises at FTee

Will Baptist Bible College last May, South Carolina pas'tor, Reverend I. Berrnie Tumer received his son's diplema posthumousty. Twenty-six'year'old Jason Tumerdied þril 5, 1998, after a twoyear battle with cancer.

Jason had completed all academic requirementsfor the Bachelor of Science degree and ma¡ched withhis graduating class in 1996, but he did not receive his

diploma because he lacked l0 hours of summer in-temship.

Before he was able to complete Ns intemship, Ja'son was diagnosed with cancer. Converted at age sixand ordaineð to preach at 21, he served as minister ofyouth and music at Fellowship FWB Church in Man'ning, South Carolina, where his father pastored.

ln Aprit 1999, Reverend Tumer was notified byhesident Tom Malone that the FWBBC Boa¡d ofTrustees and faculty had voted to present Jason'sdiploma posthumously.

'Reverônd Tumer isâ Tentmaker home missionary

who retired from his insurance job in 1998.

Kentueky Re-Elects Tlm HallBetsy Lawn, I(Y-Delegates to Kenhrcky's 60th annualstate association elected ModeratorTim Hall to his fifthtenr¡ according to Promotiornl Secretary Jim PattonReverend Hall paston First FWB Cht¡rch in Oruensboro.

The June 18-19 state association met at BetsyLayne FWB Church. Some 200 people registered forthe event, including 40 ministers and l8 deacons.

Fastor Jimmy Price of Katy Fliend FTVB Church inhestonsburg and Foreign Missions Department direc'torJames Forlines preached during worship services.

Delegates passed a resolution opposing gamblingin the state.

The 2000 state association will meet at First FWBChurch in Glasgow at a time to be determined.

Hurricane Damages North Carolina Churches and HomesGoLosnoRo, NC--Surging flood wa-ters from Hunicane Floyd dam-aged six Free Will Baptist church-es in eastem North Carolina thispast September, and destroyedthe homes of more than 100 FYee

Will Baptist families, according tohomotional Director Jim Marcum.At press time, local pastors expect-ed more reports of damagedchurches and homes as riverscrested and flood waters receded.

A group of 12 North Carolinapastors met with Executive Secre-tary MeMn Worthington and JimMa¡cum in Goldsboro on Septem-ber 29 to assess the extent of flooddamage and devise a strategy to as-sist families and churches caught inthe hunicane's path.

Reverend Marcum said, "Thedamage is not limited to ourchurches and the homes of our people, which is badenough. Many of our people lost their vehicles as well,some their businesses, others their jobs."

The committee of pastors that met with Ma¡cumrecommended a threedimensional focus to equitablydistribute frmds given to the North Carolina FWB Dis-aster Relief fund. First, all funds will be distributed on apercentâge basis-7S%o for families, 250/ofor chu¡ches.

Second, the local pastor, with the aid of his boardor committee, will be responsible for distributionamong his people.

Third, the committee targeted the three greatestneed areas: Money for homeless and jobless fami-lies, items for personal hygiene and cleaning sup-plies because of the extensive contamination.

The six churches affected reported damage rang-ing from $50,000 to the day care center at Faith FWBChurch in Goldsboro to $250,000 damage at Parker'sChapel FWB Church in Greenville, Tabernacle FWBChurch in Kinston experienced more than $700,000damage after flood waters shifted the building fromits foundation. Only one church had flood insurance,First FWB Church in Washington.

Community FWB Church in Chinquapin reported$90,000 damage, and Mt. Calvary FWB Church inHookerton reported $75,000 damage.

Sixteen churches reported families with homes de-sfoyed. The most deeply affected were Belvoir FWBChurch with 36 families displaced, Grifton FWBChurch-l8 families, h¡ker's Chapel FWB Church-19 families, Mt. Calvary FWB Church-l4 families.

Promotional Director Jim Ma¡cum said, 'At least$126,000 came inbyOctober 15 from Flee Will Baptistsacross the country to assist the s[icken churches."

Marcum prepared a two-page news release detail-ing the extent of flood damage to churches and homes.

The release, along with a cover letter from ExecutiveSecretary MeMn Worthington, was mailed denomina-tion-wide on October 7 to all pastors and state leadersrequesting assistance for the North Carolina churches.

Earþ in the clean up process, Pastor Mike Gladsonof First FWB Church in Washington, told the Contactstaff, "The insurance adjustor was here on Mondayregarding the damage from Hunicane Dennis. OnWednesday, Hunicane Floyd hit town."

By September 23, Reverend Marcum had anangedfor four churches to serve as drop-off points for food,water, clothing and toiletries. Trinity FWB Church inGreenville, Bethel FWB Church in Kinston, SherwoodForest FWB Church in New Bem and Union ChapelFWB Church in Chocowinity opened their doors tostockpile emergency supplies for the relief effort.

Through Marcum's untiring efforts, every NorthCarolina pastor was contacted and asked to take aspecial disaster relief fund offering on October 3 .

Local and state officials expect the rebuildingprocess to be years in duration. North Carolina's secre-tary of health a¡rd human services said, "Nothing sincethe CMI rúår has been as destructive to families here."

Those who wish to assist in the hurricane reliefmay send funds to:

Reverend Jim Morcum, Promolionql DirectorThe North Corolìno FIIIB Promotionol OffìceP O. Box ó7Goldsboro, NC 27533-00ó7

Make checks payable to: North Cørollna FIYB Dß-astø Rellef Ffund,

Jim Ma¡cum may be contacted via e-mail [email protected] or by phone at 919-7344010.

Poslors meet lo os¡ess hunlcqne domoge: (1.) lorenro Slox, Jlm fllorcum, fred Conowoy, Geruld Fowle[

Von fllllchell, ftlelvin Worlhinglon, Glenwood Kennedy, Jím filoddox, Archle Rqlliff, Donn Pqlriclç Jeff

Gsskins, Phll Ange.

-

IllnHrl'lrrY

Fellowship t'WB Church in Bryan,TX, reports seven baptisms and 10 newmembers. Pastor Levan Hubbardpreaches to 170 each Sunday.

Pastor Davld Malone baptized sev-en converts at Peace FWB Church inGranite City,IL.

There's a major remodeling projectunderwayat HarmonyFWB Church inWest Flankfort, IL. The effort includesnew pews, carpet and light fixtures inthe sanctuary plus work on the walls.Kenneth Edwards pastors.

A new ministry outreach at LlbertyFWB Church in Cottonwood, CA,takes men out of the jail annex andbrings them on property to work. Sev-eral men have been saved, and sixjoined the church. Pastor DanStelgman says the congregation aver-ages 55 in attendance.

Over the past 12 months, teens atFatth FWB Church in Goldsboro, NC,have led more than 250 people toChrist, according to Chrlstlan Powell,youth pastor. Pastor Dann Paflck saidthat 55 new students enrolled in thechurch's school, Faith Cfuistian Acade-my.

What a wonderful problem arose atBakervllle FIVB Church in Bonnle, IL.Because of growth, members had tomove the choir seats to make room formore congregational seating. PastorRussell lVolfe says that the SundaySchool rooms are overcrowded also.

Attendance at Buncombe FWBChurch in Cathage, TX, has jumpedfrom 15 to 60 in the three years sincePastorAllen Moore anived in town.

Twenty-seven teens attended a teenopen-gyrn night at Bethel FWB Churchin South Roxana, IL Pastor Blll Crankreports three conversions and sixrededications.

Evangelist Bob Shockey spent amonth at Ozark FWB Church inOzark, AR, to train an evangelisticteam among the members. The 13-week training program sets out to trainworkers who then train others. PastorRlck Ketchum says that the door-to-

door application of the lessons has al-ready resulted in six conversions andtwo rededications.

Nobody believed it coutd be doneexcept the 62 children who did it. Theyoungsters brought 17,434 pennies,plus offerings for a $400 VBS gift forhome missionary Jon Cannon. PastorJim Boggs declared the fìve-day VBSat OakValleyFIVB Church in Geff, IL,a success.

Members raised more than $1,200for the building program at RescueFWB Church in lVhitttngton, lL. PastorRandy Jones said the group fìnishedtheir new addition and will soon com-plete a fellowship hall.

The VBS Committee at TecumsehFWB Church in Tecumseh, MI, decid-ed to write their own material this year,according to Pastor Davld Mingus. Thematerial focused on baptism, commu-nion and feet washing. It worked. Pas-tor Mingus reports 1l conversions thatweek and five baptisms.

Twelve teens joined Blue PolntFWB Church in Clsne,IL, one Sundaymorning. Ernte Lewls pastors.

Ten Mlle FIVB Church in MadlsonHelghts, MI, celebrated 50years of ser-vice this fall. The church organized in1949 with 22 charter members. SteveThrasher pastors.

Pastor Mark Stapleton reports sixbaptisms and four new members atMount Hope FIVB Church in llheel-ersburg, OH.

For the first time in its existence,Coalton FWB Church in Coalton, OH,has a full-time pastor. That title belongsto Pastor Emil Cartee who baptizednine converts.

Pastor Blll Pltts reports 15 conver-sions at Greater Columbus FWBChurch in Columbus, OH.

Sprlngfleld FWB Church inSprlngfleld, OH, reports tfuee conver-sions, two rededications, two baptismsand four new members. VernalFatrchlld pastors.

Members of Flrst FIVB Church inAustlntown, OH, raised more than

$17,000 to retire the mortgage in July,then bumed the mortgage in Augustwith 234 people watching. PastorBruce Beal reports four conversionsand four new members. The summerVBS raised $940 for Home MissionaryTom Jones' land fund. The children atVBS also brought 300 cans of food forthe local rescue mission.

The 60-member congregation atBeech Grove Fl{B Church in llll-mington, OH, gave a $10,000 gift toHome Missionary Chris Fannin's ac-count. Fannin is a missionary to fuertoRico. John Blount pastors.

Cornerstone FWB Church inÀçhevllle, OH, paid off their 30-yearmortgage in seven and one-half years.Roger Tillis pastors.

Members of Samantha FWBChurch in Leesburg, OH, purchased25 acres 13 months ago and paid offthe mortgage in August. Fastor l{lleyPerkins baptized six converts.

Pastor Mlke Nabors reports fiveconversions, five baptisms and threenew members at Flnst Dayton FWBChurch in Dayton, OH.

Bring your hard-hat to MansfreldFWB Church in Mansñeld, OH. PastorFred Crank and the congregationcompleted four new Sunday Schoolrooms, a new roof, two porches, andpurchased new padded pews and car-pet.

The largest Ctuistian school in met-ropolitan Tulsa is operated by ReJolceFWB Church. The Rejoice CtuistianSchool enrolled 420 students. LeonardPlrtle pastors the Owasso, OIÇ con-gregation. r

December 1999, Contact l5

nn+ ]Ù-llear lllanrrtÇ$j¿ 4 fa1iness

nn+ lli|hlma¡e on0h¡loowShæl

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Kno* someonewho deserues ajournalism tscholarship íEach year the EvangelicalPress Association awa¡dsseveral scholarships todesenring students. Theymust be 3rd or 4th yearundergrads when theyreceive the grant andplanning on a career inprint journalism. Applica-tions for the 2000-2001academic year must bereceived by March 1,2O0O.For an application write:The Erangellcal PressAs¡oclatlon314 Do,ner RoadChqrlotte$dlle, V A 22901fa¡<: 804 973 27lO7 4 463 .27 2@compu serve. com

September 1999

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WOMEN NATIONATTY ACTIVE FOR CHRIST

WNAC-A Centurv in ReuiewBy Moriorie Workmon

I 900 Posto/s report from Glennville, Georgio, mentions he received 55.95

from fte sisters.

l90l ylo (hrisli,the fic study book published by fte Fræwill Boptist Fe-

mole Missionory Society.

I 904 Plon of work os outlined by the Womon's Missionory Society odopt-

ed by the Generol Conference.

1905 Horse Bmnch MB Church, Turbeville, South Corolino, orgonizes firsl

Lodies'Aid Society.

I 90ó &nsd Conference osumes lndio r,rnrkfrom WomontMisionory lxiety.

1 907 Cofe/s Chopel in Noshville, Tennessee, oqonizes lodief Aid Sociely.

l9ll Geneml Conference foreign work unifed wift úe Americon Boplist

toreign Mission Sociely.

I 91 2 Minr:ûm fiom tlre $uthuæstem 6nwntion of Fræ li\lill Boptisls in Toos qorß

[4n lizie Mddons orgonilng WonrentMislonorysocietiæ or Lodiæ Ajds.

I 9l 3 Mr. Jewel (ompbell reports todief Aid Societies orgonized in North-

eo$Missouri.

I 918 tjz¡e MrÂdoms ond her husbond fict træ Will Boplisls 1o corry gospel

ouNde United Stotes ofter the l9l ì muger.

1920 kæ Boplist women responsible lor five properlies ond buildings in

lndio.

l92l tæ Will Bopti* unmen lme irdmfiV, (me t0 ogreflìsrl wilh ilp ftneimn

Bopti* Mis'on kiety ond trordr furds to.A¡nerion Bopli$ Wonrent Sxiely.

1922 &nerol Conference (tost) minules lists firæ nomes for women's groups:

Womont Home Mision, Womon's l¡/orlç ond l¡dies Aid $delies.

192ó Generol Conference publishes o (onlitut¡on ond byJows recom-

mended by North Corolino women.

I 927 Ïhe uomen publish 1,000 bookler rryift fiose constitutions ond byloun.

l92B Texos women use fte nome "Womon's Auxiliory" fol their reports.

I 929 Mrs. Agnes trozie/s bookl4 Stewordshþ ond llirions,begun.

I 931 lftrs. tonnie Pohton reports o book of progmms oronged for opening

devolionoh.

I 932 Eosl Noshville Lodiæ' Aid sends o resolulion to Generol Conference

unonimously endorsing on educolion work in Noshville.

I 935 l¡tiss loum Belle Bornord goes 1o lndio.

I 939 The firt notionol dedomotion conle$ held before the enlire Nolionol

Associotion.

1940 First WNAC monuol opproved ot the WNAI meeling in Pointsville,

l(entucky.

I 94.l Oklohomo Womon's Auiliory ShÌe Convenlíon orgonizes.

I 944 Co-l¡borer Fund oilginotes ideo of 50,000 peoph giving Sl o month

ro WNAC.

I 94i Mrs. lluey Gower elected os fid [xecutive Seaelory-Treosurcr ond

worla from her home.

1 949 Votes to send offedng to Â4rs. Â,lobel Willey h buy sewing morhine.

1950 Mrs. A¡no Frozis dstd bffuliw $selory-Trørurø ond poid S5Unro.

I 95.l Â4onuols developed for both GTA's ond YPA's..l952

WNAC gets its fir$ (srfiol off(e---{ mm ot Fm Will Bopli$ Bible Collqe.

1953 Mrs. Glodp Sloon $eps in os Executive Seaetory-Treosurer. Wl'lAC

purchoses o4on for Free ltfill Boptist Bible College.

I 955 Votes to occeü 51,000 proied t0 send equipment for mission work

in lndio./Mrs. Helen Sonders becomes youth choimon.

l8 Contact, December 1999

195ó Mrs. Eunice Edwords bsomes first full-fime bcolive Seaelury-Treosurer.

1957 Memoriol Student loon Fund estoblished.

I 958 Adopts proiect of roising money lo provide residences in Jopon.

I 959 Adopls røolulion to roise 51 2,000 to build o mision slolion in l¡lexico.

l9ó0 Membuship reoches its highest wih 1ó,745 membes.

196l fLr"lhoborernogozine begins os o quoderly publicotion.

l9ó2 Missionory Provision 0oset estoblished. Membenhip drops h ó,397

ofter withdrowol of North Corolino churches.

I 9ó3 Mrs. 0eo Purell elected Executive Secrelory-Treosurer.

I 9ó4 WNAC youth work moves b he Nolionol Assotiolion ond 0rurch Troining

Service.

I 9ó5 Emphosis month estoblished to receive speciol offerings for support of

nolionol office.

I 9óó tirst Fellowship Dinner held ot convenlion in little Roclç fukonsos.

l9ó7 Sludy committee oppointed lo study WNAC's entire plon of woft.

I 971 Convenlion odopts chonges proposed by the 1 9ó7 study committee.

1972 Creolive Wdling (onle$ begins. WNAC loons historicol collection to

TWBBC'sWelch l.¡bmry.

1973 Dues increosed from 75c to Sl.1975 [velyn Jones hired os fint bookkeeper.

1 977 Cloro Piciillli elected president for the foudh consecutive term.

I 979 Lorene Miley becomes editor of Coloborer nogozine.

I 980 First Notionol Retreot meels ot Pigeon Forgg Tennesee.

I 981 Nolionol Student Fund estoblished b help troin young people in for-

eign work.

I 982 tsmildo Domods Gonzolez from Ponomo receives funds from Nofion-

ol Student Fund.

1983 Coyo Roymond fiom Hoiti receives S1,000 to ottend MBBC.

1984122 women submit 413 entries lo (reolive Wdting Conle$.

I 985 WNAC (elebrotes 50 yeor, Dr. Mory R. Wisehorl ossumes [xeculive

Secretory-Treosurel position.

I 98ó tunice [dwords Loon Fund for fturches Abrood estoblished with gool

of S50,000.

1987 Ctloboret becomes bimonthly mogozine.

1990 Study CommiÌtee oppoinled þ evoluoþ Womon's Auxiliory,

I 991 Moves into fie new office building ot 5233 Mt Viery Rood, Atrtioc[ Il'|.

1992 Ïhe Nolionol Women's Auxiliory of Brozil hold first relrcol wiñ 74

women oltending.

1993 Nome chonged to Women NolionollyAclive for &dst

1994 Â4embership dues inaeoæ to Sl0.

I 995 tir$ Western Retreot meets ot Glodelo, llew Àllexico.

I 996 Votes 10 publish moteriols for young girls þges 9-l 2) ond þn women.

I 997 Dr. Mory Ruth Wisehort onnounces relirement.

1998 Moriorie Workmon elected Executive Seaetory-Treosurer. 0qon Fund

estoblished for MBBC College in honor of Dr. Mory R. tfliæhort.

1999 The Foreign Student Scholonhip Fund ond the filemodol Student

loon tund berome The Oeo Pursell Foreign Student Scholorship ond

The Dr. Mory Ruth Wisehort loon Fund. r

,r,;i,ì,;ii;i';r ,': ¡r tii.:l: ,il i ;ì

i.'.i 'i1..'l ,'i

BOARD OT RETIREMENT

Preparing for RetirementBy Dovid Brown

We go through many transitions in our life-time. The average person moves seven timesin their lifetime. They change jobs perhaps asmany as 10 times, One of the most momen-tous transitions we go through is making thetransition to retirement. Perhaps it would bebeneficial to review the timetable for makingpreparations for this transition.

Board of RetirementYou need to notify the Board of Retirement

90 days before you want your first settlementcheck. It is advisable to contact us six monthsbefore you plan to retire and ask for a projec-tion of various settlement choices.

By law we must allow 30 days to elapse be-tween the day we receive your completed set-tlement form and when the first check is is-sued. Apparently, this law allows someone tochange their mind and make a different settle-ment decision. Settlement checks are alwayssent on the first of the month.

Socictl Se curity (www,sso. goD)The Social Security Administration advises

you to contact them a minimum of 90 days be-fore you plan to retire---€arlierwould be better.You should also ask for a Personal Earningsand Benefit Estimate Statement (PEBES) atleast six months before you retire. Since min-isters are self-employed for Social Security taxpurposes, this statement should be checkedcarefully against your records for accuracy.

Your Social Securily benefit will be based onyour five best earning years. The form will listyour earnings history. It also lists your full re-tirement age. Full retirement for anyone bornafter 1937 is not 65. See the chart below:

Year of Birth Full Retlrement

1956 óó yeors 4 months1957 óó yeors ó months'1958 óó yeors I months1959 óó yeors I0 monthsl9ó0 ond loter 67 yeors

Your retirement benefit may be altered bywhen you choose to start receiving benefits. Re-

tiring at age 62 will reduce your benefit to 70-80%o

of what you would have received at full retire-ment. You are also benefitted by delaying your re-tirement. Anyone who delays his retirement toage 70 can receive a bonus of 24330/o added totheir full retirement benefìt.

Starting in October 1999, the Social SecurityAdminist¡ation will be mailing a PEBES state-ment to all workers over age 25 every year threemonths before your birthdaY.

M edic are (uww. medic ore, gou )When and if you should contact Medicare de-

pends on your Social Security retirement stahls. Ifyou are already receiving Social Security benefitsat age 65, you will automatically be enrolled inMedica¡e. Those who delay Social Security re-

tirement but wish to enroll in Medicare shouldstart the eruollment process six months beforetheir 65th birthday.

You should also consider Medicare supplemen-tal insu¡ance. Medicare does not pay fìlr all med-ical costs. You may also be limited as to r¡¡hich hos.pitals and doctors you use, since some hospitalsand doctors do not accept Medicare limits.

Medicare supplemental insurance is offeredby many insurance companies, and there arenine different levels. Each level of increasedcoverage is offered with higher premiums. Be'gin shopping for Medicare supplemental insur-ance six months to one year before yourMedicare takes effect, Long-term care insur-ance should also be considered, althoughmany may not be able to afford the premiumsfor this insurance. I

1937 ond beforer 9381 9391940194119421943-19541 955

ó5 yeorsó5 yeors 2 monlhsó5 yeors 4 monlhsó5 yeors ó monthsó5 yeors 8 monlhsó5 yeors l0 monthsóó yeorsóó yeors 2 months


.ilir,,;ili:i'l¡;i,i',:'

t0REtGN f'JllssloNs

An Awesome God!By Mambo Jean-Luc

As vice president of the Na-tional Youth organization inCôte cl'lvoire, it was my re-sponsibility to arrive early inBouna, where we were to havean evangelistic campaign. I

had to check to see that theorganization for the campaignwas all in order.

Running LateI was to leave Abidjan on

the eight o'clock bus fromTreichville. I was a few min-utes late in arriving and foundthat the bus had already left. Igrabbed a taxi hoping to catchthe bus at another stop intown (Adjame) before heading

Mambo Jean-Luc, youth leader in Côted'luoíre, experienced God's aweso¡nepower to protect His serDants.

ried a package of gospeltracts, rny ID card and moneyfor the campaign (over $275).My other hancl held a veryheavy suitcase.

I had barely left the taxiwhen some of the young rob-bers surrouncled me. Theysaid they wanted to "help"me get to the bus before itdeparted. I tried to thankthem saying I already had myticket, but they refused toleave me. They demandedthat I give them money. Thesidewalks were covered inwater so we were locked be-tween huge buses and carsstalled in traffic due to the

upcountry. Just as the taxi arrived inAdjame, I saw the bus heading into the busstation. It was threatening rain with thewind blowing very strongly.

The taxi was forced to stop at a stoplightcìue to heavy traffic. We waited 15 minutesin the same spot, unable to move forward. I

was afraid the bus would load all passen-gers present and leave without me, using anexit away from the taxi.

Insecurtty ReignedIt started to rain very hard. Everything

was in chaos with people running every-where, horns honking and traffic at a stand-still. It was getting dark. This area of town isknown for having many groups of teen-agerobbers. Insecurity reigned both inside andoutside my taxi.

It was time to make a decision. Should Ijust give up and abandon this mission?Since others were counting on me and I hadalready paid for the bus ticket, should I getout of the taxi, in the rain, with the youngrobbers around and attempt to reach thebus? I decided to move ahead. I paid thetaxi driver and got out.

My arms were loaded. In one hand I car-

rain. Tension was mounting between meand the "helpers." They were going to usethe chaos and rain to rob me!

I Cried Unto the LordI heard one of the young men say, "lf you

don't give us money, we'll stab you." I didn'twant them to know where or how muchmoney I had, fearing they'd take it all. Whatshould I do? I thought, "l'm going to missthe bus, get drenched in the rain, and for allmy efforts, get robbed and stabbed." I

couldn't run. I couldn't even put my bag-gage down to defend myself. I cried unto theLord!

One robber asked me what was inside thepackage. The Lord gave me a calm spirit as Iexplained: "l am a Christian. The packagecontains gospel tracts . . . ." I intended tosay more, but upon hearing the word"CHRISTIAN" the aggressors retreated asthough someone had pushed them back,saying, "Let's get out of here." Suddenlythey were gone and I was alone.

I managed to catch the bus and continueto the destination for the evangelistic cam-paign where the hand of the Lord was veryevident.r

Don't allow Y2K to frighten you out of obeying the Lord in giving to get themessage to those who have not heard.


MASTER'S MEN

Gardeníng Tips for ChrístmasBy Tom Dooley, Generol Direclor

It was the day after Cluistrnas in the middle ofthe aftemoon, and allof the females in our fami-ly (Grandma, my wife Angela, my daughter Lau-ra) had made their way to the after-Clristrnassales. Bored and wanting something to do, I de-cided to take a sentimentaì joumey of the homesthat I had lived in as I grew up in Springfield, Ohio.Not wanting to go alone, I asked my two sons iftheywould be interested in going on a search lormilkshakes.

After luring them into the car, we headed to-ward the dairy bar nearest my planned fìrst stop.Our favorite flavors selected, I drove slowþ toward Ashley Drive and to the house where I spentmost of my junior high and high school days.

The atrnosphere in our car was pulsating withenthusiasm, so lventured out into the country toa little village called Tremont and showed theboys where I lived when I was in the fìrst throughthird grades. That big old house means a lot tome. It was there that I prayed and asked Jesus tocome into my heart when I was eight years old.

The next stop took us to Ballentine Pike. Thiswas my favorite house. My parents had thishouse built when I was in the fourth grade. I don'tthink I was ever in the house until it was com-pleted and we were moving in. I couldn'tbelievewhat I saw. It seemed so huge! I'll never forgetthinking that we had to be rich now, because wehad carpet in our kitchen and in ou¡ bath¡oom. I

couldn't wait to see the place.We finally arrived. I pulled into the driveway

next door. I looked at the house that I thoughtwas so magnificent and, frankly, I was disap-pointed. I had not lived there since I was in theeighth grade. It looked run down. It looked old.It looked like it hadn't been maintained verywell. Deterioration was taking its toll.

The scene reminded me of a similar circum-stance that Solomon speaks about in Proverbs24:30-34.

"l went by the field of the slothfirl, and by thevineyard of the man void of understanding; And,lo, it was all grown over with thoms, and nettleshad covered the face thereof. and the stone wallthereof was broken down. Then I saw. and con-sidered it well: I looked upon it, and received in-struction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a littlefolding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy povertycome as one that travelleth; and thy want as an

armed man."Solomon looked upon this scene and "re-

ceived instruction." The term "instruction" Iiter-ally means "correction." The garden and vine-yard taught him a lesson that was life changing.

When Solomon saw that garden, he saw hisown spiritual life. He saw his soul. He recog-nized that his life was overgrown with weeds.He had become slothful in his relationship toGod. He had stopped taking God seriously.

Why does Solomon share this with us?

CautionSolomonwants us to take caution. Anyone of

us can end up like that garden. Spiritual deterioration comes when we are neglectful. We mustnot allow the weeds of sin to ovetrun our life.

ConsequenceSolomon wants us to understand the conse-

quence, We can become spiritualpaupers. TheLord wants us to be rich in His love, His joy, Hispeace, His might and His promises. When weneglect our spiritua-l development, it alwaysmakes us weak. The walls of defense cmmble,and we are an easy target for the devil.

CureSolomon wants us to see the cure. Avoiding

spiritual deterioration will involve diligent ac-tion on our part. We should start by ridding our-selves of any weeds of disobedience that havegrown in our hearts and lives. If we will confessand forsake our sin, we can be assured of theLord's forgiveness and cleansing.

After we have properly prepared our heaß,we should concentrate on developing our rela-tionship with the Lord. This means that we mustspend time alone with God in prayer and in thestudy of God's Word. It also means being faitttfttlto attend and participate in the chr-uch. As weconsistently work the soil of our souls in prayer,

and plant seed of God's Word in our hearts, wewill begin to see the fruitful results of a changedlife and a vibrant witness for ou¡ Savior. r

December 1999, Contact 2l

t n rril rfl rr flrHrt silr ilv

A Profile of the Millenníal Christianhe thinks in terms of what is right andholy (w. 23-24;see also Rom. l2:2).

. . . speaks truthfully to othersØ:25)

Though he lives in an age when ly-ing and deceit are cultural nolrns,the believer is known for his honesty.He willnotbetraythe truthwhich haschanged his life (4:21).

. , . feels deeply about the ríghtthíngs (4:26)

I don't think this verse commandsthe new man to be angry so much asit gives him counsel about what to dowhen he is angry. Godþ people do feela sense of outrage when evil appears,though.

. . . reconciles quickly wíth thosewho disagree (4:2&27)

Harboring resentment gives theadversary a foot in the door.

, , , liues contentedly uíth uhztGod prouÌdes (4:2Ba)

Paul reminds us in I Timothy 6;6that true gain comes through godli-ness with contentment. A covetouslifestyle is detrimental, not profitable.

. . . works diligently to do goodthings (4:2Bb)

. . . giues freely to those withneeds (4:2Bc)

The person renewed throughChrist delights in giving to meetneeds. He is an investor, not merely

've never been here before;neitherhaveyou. This kind oft¡ansition has happened onlyone time since the ascension

of Jesus and the birth of the Church:acalendar turn-over to a year contiain-ingthree zeros. None of the church fa-thers, not Luther or Calvin, not evenPaul himself witnessed that. Greatleaders such as Napoleon and Wash-ington never experienced a millennialchange. Shakespeare, Da Vinci, Goethe,Newton-they were not around forsuch a shift, either.

To mark the occasion, the pastmonths have witnessed an unprece-dented issue of all sorts of lists: thegreatest works of art tlrc greatest minds,the most significant events of the sec-ond millennium, and on and on. At therisk of sounding redundant on top ofthis bandwagon, here'smy list.

Actually it comes from Paul, in thecontext of his second reference tothe "new man" in Ephesians 4:24.He provides a profile of the Christian,listing and describing a dozen quali-ties of believers in the next or anyother millennium. What will thechild of God look like in the comingage? The answer is simple, Paul says;he or she will look the same as al-ways, modeling these 12 traits.

The "neu) peßon ln Chrlst"., ,

. . . thinks dífferentlv about theworld (4:22-24)

Faul notes in 4:17-18 that the Gen-tiles live "in the dark." That is, unbe-lievers think and reason withoutknowledge of the truth. In contrast,the Cfuistian disciple's mind is in tunewith the life of God, "renewed" in that

a consumer.

. . . speaks graciously to thosewho listen (4:29)

In a day when crass, "rotten" (theidea behind the word "corrupt"here) talk is the norm, the Christian'swords "edify" and "minister grace."

. . . yields willingly to the HolySpírit

The book of Ephesians revealsPaul's special interest in the Holy Spir-it (see l:13-14; 2:18; 3:5, 16; 4:3; 5:9,18; 6:18). Here he reminds us thatwhen we act l¡ke the "old man" andIive the way we did before our re-newal in Christ, we "grieve" the Spirit.Conversely, we please Him when we"put on the new man" (v 24).

. . . acts kindly toutord fellowbelíeuers (4:31-32c)

Bitterness, rage, clamor (quarrel-ing), slander and malice have noplace in God's family. Instead, kind-ness should characterize our rela-tionships with each other.

. , , forgiues readily those whooffend Ø:32b)

This kind, "tenderhearted" spiritwill prompt us to follow Christ's ex-ample of forgiveness.

. . . reflects godly chorocter (5:l)When "righteousness and true

holiness" shape our personalities,we are "followers of God," His "dearchildren" walking with Him into thethird millennium. r

Gometl Reid

22 Contact. December 1999

[$prilflLLY rflfl Y0ilt'lfi pRrfl[t]rRS

ff-

Set Goalsetting personal goals is essen-tial for accomplishing any-thing worldwide. Goals give asense of direction and pur-

pose, promote daily enthusiasm, facili-tate effective operation, reduce wast-ing time and accomplish farmore thanwould be achieved without goals.Goals act as a measuring stick to deter-mine what we are accomplishing.Without goals we have activity but of-ten little productivity. Just being busy isnot necessarily rewarding at the end ofthe day,

Weekly GoalsOn Sunday evening or Monday

morning, make a list of everyone youwant to callby telephone during theweek. List those you want to visit.Record the names of those you wantto write. Write down in your plannerthe sermons you must preach, theitems for the bulletin and the churchresponsibilities.

Record everything in that plannerthat must be accomplished. Markeach item off as it is done. This willgive you a sense of accomplishmentand reveal what still must be done. Ifa goal is not achieved, shift it to thenext day or week. Be determined tocheck it off just as soon as possible.

Yearly GoalsInclude in this list the sermon plans.

For example, you may want to preachthrough a certain book of the Bible onSunday moming, another book or top-ic on Sunday evening, and yet anothersubject matter on Wednesday even-ing. By determining the direction ofyour preaching you will spend fa¡ lesstime "looking for sermons" and farmore time in preparation.

Just because you have set preach-ing goals does not mean that youcan't deviate a Sundav or two and

preach on another subject. Also,good yearly goals include listing thebooks you want to read, a Bible read-ing schedule, the article you want towrite for a magazine, a vacation youwant to enjoy, etc.

Financial goals are good-theamount of the tithe and the schedulefor placing money in a savings ac-count. Physical goals are excellent,such as the weight that needs to belost or gained, the lowering or raisingof the cholesterol-all these, plusmore, should be written down at thebeginning of the year. Set goals andaccomplish more!

Fíue-Year GoalsSetting goals for the church is valu-

able for the productive pastor. Recordthose goals inyourprayerbook. Do notreveal them to the congregation. Pray.Work toward achieving those goals.Set monetary goals, such as newpews, a paved parking lot, a parsonageor housing allowance, landscaping ofthe church grounds, etc. Pray daiþ forfive years and watch the Lord meetthese needs during those 60 months.

Spiritual goals are appropriate, too.Record in your prayer book the namesof those you want to make decisionsfor Christ. Beside chu¡ch members'narres, state a goal, such as "over-coming a temper," "stop smoking,""become a soul winner," "be willing toteach a Sunday School class." fut acheck and a date beside the names ofthose who achieve spiritual growth.Again, do not sha¡e with the congrega-tion your goals.

Life GoalsWhere do you want to be spiritual-

lybyage 30? Howmanyverses doyouwant to memorize? How much dailytjme do you want to spend in prayer?Visit a mission field? Write a book?

Dennis Wiggs

Outline the entire Bible? Hundreds ofgoals are out there, young preacher.

Be sure to write down these goalsin your planning book or prayer jour-nal. The faith-plans will be a daily re-minder. You will never hit anv ofthem unless you aim.

End-of-Lífe Goals

How much do you want to have ininvestments by age 65? Social Securi-ty may not provide an adequate lifestyle. The best time to begin workingon goals for the sunset years isnow-today, young preacher!

Saving five dolla¡s a week is betterthan nothing.Making even small con-tributions regularþ to the Board of Re-tirement will be far more productive atthe end of yourministry than if you ne-glect to particþte in this excellentplan

Goals Are PersonalNo one will set the goals for us. The

young preacher probably will not beaccountable to anyone for his goal-setting and goal-achieving. All of thisis a personal matter. Goals demandprayer. "Lord, what do you want meto do today? Tomorrow? This year?The next few years?" Surely the Lordhas specifìc and productive plans forour lives. Discover His will. Make aplan. "Aim toward the mark for theprize . . . ." You'll be glad you did. r

You moy reoch Dennis Wiggs otdenn iswiggs@olwoys-onl ine. comor visit his church website otwww.rulhschopel.com.


FIE

Make plans nour for Youth D"y 2OOOI Use this opportuniþ to spot-light youn young people and showcase their abilities and service toütie Lård. ihere ane numerous !üays to involve them in your SundaySchool, hlorship Service, or some other church-related program.

Consider allowÍng your young people üo speal( üg1ch, share I t-1sti-

ward

Ioot( fon Yout"h Day ldeas tn the

mony, pray, usher, sling, õn actiñ youn senvice on February 6üh. Yourpartic'þation in_ Yo_uühÐ"y 2OOO is just arrotheo tlgp in trainingour Younq people for ühe lace ahew*å Thr;'do"ll

is just another step in trainingad of them - as thev Pness To-- as tliey Pness To-

24 Contact, December |.999

ãiÍfr ì[ln sty Dttættonl

ï[p stlttt

Cluistians have really benefitted fromthese political activities. He states, "lfwe were honest we would admit thatthe Republican Patty has benefittedfar more from the support of Christiancoalitions than Ctuistians have gainedfrom the Republican Party."

Many Ctuistian activists have ". . .

come away empty-handed after yearsof political promises that never werehonored."

According to Dr. Lutze¡ some be-lievers have become so involved inpolitical, social and economic caus-es that they have neglected to preachthe gospel. He explains, ". . . forsomeChristians, lower taxes, a strong na-tional defense, a rollback of govern-ment regulations, and a balancedbudget amendment are more Press-ing issues than whether their neigh-bors and friends will spend eternitywith God or be lost forever."

This author emphasizes that thebasic responsibility of the church is topreach the gospel and lead men andwomen to personal faith in Ctuist. Heargues that 'We must bring the crossout of our churches and carry it to ahurting world. Our task is not to saveAmerica, but to save Americans by liv-ing the gospel."

American politics is nrled by the bal-lot box. A basic tenet of the Americanpolitical system is that the majoritynrles, It is doubtfr¡l that Cfuistians will

ever be able to produce a voting ma-jority in this country.

Those who take the gospel of JesusCfuist seriousþwill always be a minor-ity of ttre voting population. Cfuistiarsmust, then, ioin with others in order tohave any hope of bdnging about realpolitical change. This may bring victoryin some cases, but at what Price?

Lutzer does not argue that Ctuis-tians shot¡ld abandon the political are-na entireþ. There are political andmoral issues facing our society uponwhich the church must take a stand.The church should, however, recog-nize tÌre limitations of politicalactivism.

That which the world realþ needsfrom Ctuistians is notpolitical activism,but the message of the cross of JesusCtuist. Onþ the cross of Ctuist cantransform the hearts and minds of menand women. No amount of political ac'tivism can make people believen.

I don't always agree with Lutzer onthe details, but I agree totally with hisbasic approach. This book is a realitycheck for American Cfuistians as wemove into a new millennium. Thechurch has only a limited amount oftime, energy, money and influence. Itshould use them as wiseþ as Possi-ble. It should concentrate its efforts onbringing people to personal faith in Je-sus Cfuist. It should become involvedin political causes only when ab'solutely necessary. r

Whv The Cross Can DoWhat Polttics Can'tBy Enrinfl lutrer(Eugene,0R¡ Horvel House Publishen, 1999, popeúocþ 188 pp., 59.991.

ince 1980 Dr. ErwinW Lutzerhas served as pastor of theMoody Church in Chicago. Heis a nationally known author,

pastor and radio preacher. He is alsothe author of several previous books.

The author's thesis is a simple one.He argues that CtuistÍans should cer-tainþ do what they can to improve society, but they should recognize thatthe gospel is a much more Powerfulforce than any type of social or politicalactivism.

Ctuistians should, in his view, workto oppose abortion, pomography andother social evils. They should join withpeople of other faiths orwithpeople ofno religious faith to combat thesemoral evils.

Immediately after these comments,he writes, "But let us not replace theprimary mission of the church withthese kinds of political or moral pur-suits. Gains brought about ttuough leg-islationwill always be minimal."

There is no doubt that Clristians inthe United States have become muchmore active in the political a¡ena in re-cent years. Cfuistians have formed or-ganized political groups to lobbyforleg-islation and support specific politicalcandidates. Many have identified them-seÌves with the Republican parly andhave supported Republican candidatesforlocal, state and national ofÏices.

The author questions whether

Aeaì ew lt¿? Co n$ar'cncoDeoán6ø ò-z

Knøo t fua É,t4,all' *Jo asa *Jotcl- /rlotÁoítta, naonQssca


Thomos Moúerry

lndexVolume 46

Jqnuqry r December 1999

lndex: Articles, outhors, columns ond Newsfronl items ore qrronged in three seporote divi-

they oppeor. The oulhors' division is olphobelized qccording to losl nomes.

islries, notionol ministries ond olher.

Key tosions.

AABß ond Chrisl's Love, Doniel Phillips

Abonion' A 0eor ond Present Donger, Julie A. ftrhtensonAll in Aaord: Ailonto 1999, Thomos Morberry

BBest Job in Town, The, Mike Mounts

Eible ond Chunh History The, Poul Honison

GChollenge of o Bí-Vocolionol Polorole, The, Rondy Bryont

Chrisliont Doily Pilorities, A, Dennh E. Hensley

Chrhlmos Singer, The, Dovid Reece

Oímb Aboord!, Steve Foison

0osel Concerns, (orol Reid

Contenfment-An Ongoing Struggle, Joon Mortin

Convention Housing Form

Convention Pre-Regislrolion Form

DDown Proyer, The, Yvonne Hompton

Doy the Fother Stood by the Son, The, Jeff Crobtree

Deoling Wilh Distroclions, Melbo Hibbord

Deor Mork, Toni Elliott

FFocts About ftonge, Dovid Brown

Feet Woshing-Some Do, Some Don't, Lorry Hompton

Flood of the (entury The, Jeff Goskins

Art¡clesFebruoryS

Jonuory l2September,4

Augu$,8

Morch,l0

August, ó

Ocober, 14

December,ll

Jul¡ l0MoY' 8

November, lóApril, l5; Moy, l3; June, l7

April, 13; Moy, ll; June, 15

April,9

April, S

November, l0Jonuory 4

November, l4Morch, S

December,4

oGeorgio 0n My Mind, Jock Willioms

Go Aheod . . . Plon Aheod!, Jock Willioms

God of Surprises, The, Mory R. Wisehqrt

'Gol Plqns for Eoster?", Joqnne Less

Grief Shored, A, Richord Kennedy

HHomosexuolity ond the fturrh, Shown K. Hortzog

How to Toke o fturrh to fte Next Level, Donn Potrick

How to Reoch Those Who Ridicule fte Bible, Jeffrey L. (otkrell

I"l l,ïos o Sronger," Gordon Sebolion

lllogicol Foilh, Roy Meritt

KKnocked Out of My Comfort Zone, Stonley K. Konopinski

tLootion Dogs Don't Speok English, Doug Lonce

Loy Minhlry Revolufion, The, Eddy Holl ond Gory Morsch

Leg Up, A, Dorrell Stroin

Lessons from Liillelon, Lewis Compbell

Look, No Honds!, Mork Elliott

ñtMonners Motter, (orol Reid

Morco| Rirhord P Kennedy

Morrioge Godt Woy, Steve Ashby

Meon, the Sorry the Good, The, Genny Woddell

MoY' 4

Morch,14

fitoy, l0Jonuory 7

Julx ló

Februory ó

July, ó

Jul¡ l4

Februory 14

April,4

April, ó

June,4

0ctober,4

Morch,4

Jul¡ IJonuory 5

Morch, ó

November, 12

November, S

Februory l3


Morol Eorthquokes, Dovid Sutlon

My Be$ Christmos in Africo, Normon Rkhords

NNolionol Convenlion Progrom.l999

lndex

No Woll Too High, Deon Jones

NYC Progrom

oOpen Door, The, Freddy W. Dutlon

PPosing fte Torth, Suzonne Frunks

Preorher, Run for Your Life!, Roberl J. Morgon

Profile of o Poslor, Joonne Les

Proiecl Messioh, Roberl Bryon

Purpose of the Churth, V'/ode Jernigon

Put fte Loymen to Work, Poul Kennedy

RRociol Preference, Kerry Gondy

Reoping the Whirlwind, Ted Lozicki

Redefining fie Minislry Ken Riggs

0ctober, 12

December, ó

June, ó

December,2ó

Seplember, l7June, l0

0cober, l0

Seplember, l5August,4

August, 15

December, S

April, l00clober,8

Morth,lóJonuory l4Jonuory I

sSix Times to Coll the Postor, Ronníe Adkins

Smoll Church with o Big Heorl, A, Eloine Monlooft Porker

Somebody ftonged the Rules!, RusellWright

Somelimes Angels Dress Like. . ., Corol Reid

Somewhere ln Belween, Vern Gunnels

T38 Yeors with Home Mhsions, J. Mork Vondivoil

This is Not Your Fofter's Deoton, Thurmon Pote

Two Fomil¡ The, Rebeao Deel

UUnderslonding Lifet Lessons, Joonno Felts

wWe Survíved the F-5!, Tomi Coldwell

l¡tlhol I Whh l'd Known Before I Quit, Dole Skiles

WNAC Convention Progrom

YYour Church Needs o Con$itulion,Joel E. Hompton

Augur, l0August, 14

November,4

Jul¡ l8[4orch, 13

November, ó

Odober, ó

Februory 4

Februory l0

Jul¡ 4August, ì2

June, l3

July, l2

Adkins, Ronnie

Ashby, Steve

Brown, Dovid

Bryon, Robert

Bryonl, Rondy

Coldwell, Tomi

Compbell, Lewh

Chdstenson, Julie A.

Cockrell, Jeffrey [.Crobtreg Jeff

Deel, Rebeao

Dutlon, Freddy W

Elliott, Mork

Elliott, Toni

Fohon, Sleve

Felts, Joonno

Fronks, Suzonne

Gond¡ Kerry

Augul, l0November, S

November,l4

December, S

August, ó

Jul¡ 4Julx I

Jonuory l2Jul¡ l4April, S

Februory 4

0cober, l0

Jonuory 5

Jonuory 4

July, l0Februory l0

Seplember, l5

Morch,ló

Augul,4October,4

Augusl, S

PAugust, 14

0clober, ó

Jul¡ ó

Februory IR

December, I IMorch, ó; Moy,8; July, l8

December, ó

Jonuory Is

Februory 14

Âugust, 12

Morch,4

0cober, 12

vNovember, ó

wFebruory 13

Morch, l4; Moy,4

Mo¡ l0November,4

A

Blt

D K

o

AuthorsGoskins, Jeff

Gunneh, Vern

Holl, Eddy

Hompton, Joel E.

Hompton, Lorry

Homplon, Yvonne

Horrison, Poul

Horfzog, Shown K.

Hensley, Dennis E.

Hibbord, Melbo

Jernigon, Wode

Jones, Deon

Kennedy, Poul

Kennedy, Rirhord P

Konopinski, Stonley K.

Lonce, Doug

Lozi*i, Ted

Less, Joonne

Morberry Thomos

Morlin, Joon

Menitl, Roy

December,4

Morch,lS

October,4

Jul¡ l2Morch, S

Apdl,9Monh, l0

Februory ó

0clober, l4November, ì0

Apdl,l0September, l7

0ctober,8

July, ló; November, l2April, ó

June,4

Jonuory l4Jonuory 7¡ Augul, l5

September,4

November,ló

April,4

Morgon, Robert J.

Monch, Gory

Mounls, Mike

Porker, Eloine Montooth

Pote, Thulmon

Potrkk, Donn

Phillips, Doniel

Reece, Dovid

Reid, Corol

Richords, Normon

Riggs, Ken

Sebolion, Gordon

Skiles, Dqle

Stroin, Donell

Sutlon, Dovid

Vondivorl, J. Mork

Woddell, Genny

Willioms, Jock

Wisehoil, Mory R.

Wright, Rusell

fll


BriefcoseRifles, Glue ond Lomp Shodes

Why Preorhers Don't Trust Loymen

Compulers Killed Here

The Problem With Jesus

Deor Mom ...Shorl Cut

Mirocle in Room 2205

The Solchmo Pdnciple

The Theology of Midnight

The Secret World of Men

The Perfed Home Missionory

Don't $losle This Trouble

Editoriqls

Jonuory 3lFebruory3l

ftlorch,3lApril,3lIt{oy,3l

June, SlJul¡ 3l

August,3l

Seplember,3l

0cober,3l

November, Sl

December,3l

SecretoryBock to Busines

lïhen We Worship

0pporlunity, 0bligotion, 0bedience

Greolest in the Group

Â{oney ilotlers

An Administrolor

All in Aaord

Moking o Minisler

Business... Blesings... Benefits

Poy it Off!

Educotionol Tosk Force Estobl¡shed

Timeless Truths

SpeoksJonuory 3

Februory 3

Morch,3

April,3Mo¡ 3

June,3

Jul¡ 3

Âugust,3

Sepßmber,3

Oclober,3

November,3

December, S

Green Tree Bible StudyJu$ Coll Him Foiftful

Semper Fi-'Alwoys Foithful'

Greot ls His Foiùfulness

Blown Awoy by His Foithfulnos

A Heolthy Dose of (ommilment

A Profile of Commilmenl (PoÍ l)

A Profile of Commitment (Port ll)The'Newf'ls Good

A'Newo Solufion To An Old Problem

The Mirocle of o New Creolion

A New Mon for úe l'lew Millennium

A Profile of the Millenniol Chrislion

Especiolly for YoungPlons for fte New Yeor

loving Your Volentine

Toxes

Should You (ondud o Rodio BroodroilShould I Estoblish o Chrhfion School?

The Young Preochert Appeoronce

The Seven Ws for o Young Preocher

ilinisteriol Ethia

Hospitol Vhitolion ll

When You Move lo o New Poslorote,0,

DOY

Set Gooh

Columns

Jonuory 2ó

Februory 25

Morch,2ó

April,2óMoy,25

June,2B

July,28

August,2ó

September,2S

Ocober,25

November,2T

December,22

PreochersJonuory,2T

Februory 2ó

Morch,27

April,27

Moy,27

June,29

July,29

. Augusl,27

September,29

0ctober,2ó

November,2S

December,2S

Beyond rhe G're: The Aurobioglffi';l,ij,t, nu,*Mobel Boiley Willey wift Mory Ruth Wisehorl

'l & 2 Thessolonionf in the NIV Applicolion Commenlory

Mirhoel ltl. Holmes, ediled by Terry Muck

The Rich Single Life, Andrew Former

Wilnessíng to Un¡hurched Fomily Members, L/e D. Muller

The New Toleronce, Josh McDowell ond Bob Hosleiler

DefeoÍng Dorwinhm by Opening Minds, Phillip E. Johnson

The Poul Quesl' The Renewed Seorch For The Jew 0f Torsus,

Ben Witherington lllA Theology As Big As The C¡ty, Roy Bokke

The Lord of Bellovisto, Dovid Miller

I & 2 Timothy/Tilus in fte NIV Applicotion Commentory

WolterL. Liefeld

Why The Cross Con Do Whot Politic Con't, Erwin W. Lut¿er

Jonuory 29

Februory 28

Morch,29

April,29Moy,28

June,30

August,30

September,30

Ocober,28

November, S0

December,25


Deporlmenl PogesForeign Missions

Deod, Yet They 5peok, Genevieve Woddell

Building in Côte d'lvoire, Donell Nichoh

End of o Seorch in Jopon, Sondro Bishop os edited by Jonice Bonk

Winners to Losers, Losen to Winners, Amber Hollond

Arls l:8 Proying, Don Robirds

An Awesome God!, Mombo Jeon-Luc

Mosler's MenMoy llfe Sewe You?, Tom Dooley

Do You flove A furnote Room| Tom Dooley

Strotegies of o Godly Leoder, Tom Dooley

Whot Molerl Men (on Do For Your (hurch, Tom Dooley

Strotegies for Slorling 0 Molort Llen Ministry Tom Dooley

Gordening Tips for Chrislmos, Tom Dooley

Boord of RetiremenlWhol Delermines fie Dividends Poid| D. Roy Lewis

Why Adopt o Housing/Porsonoge Extlusion?, D. Roy Lewis

Time lo Chongel, Williom ìfl. Evons

Aduol Eornings vs. Net Eornings, Dovid Brown

Preporing for Reliremenl, Dovid Brown

Rondoll HouseSundoy School Prompts Church Groúh, Ahon Loveless

Whot Growing $urthes Hove in Common, Ahon Loveless

Knowing lhe Good ond Bod of Growing fturches, Alton Loveles

Growing Churches Ptepore for Horvest, Alton Loveless

ftonges for Which the fturch Must Prepore, Allon Loveless

Growing ond Non-Growing fturchesl Ahon Loveles

Women Nolionqlly Active forWomont Window on úe World, Moriorie ftlorkmon

Womont Window on lhe lVorld, Moriorie Workmon

Womon's Window on the t¡Torld, Moriorie Wotkmon

Womon's Window on lhe Woild, Moriorie Workmon

Womon's Window on the World, Moriorie Workmon

WNAC-A Cenlury in Review, Moriorie Workmon

Februory 2lApril,25

June,2ó

Augul,240cober,2l

December,2l

Februory 23

April,23

June,24

0ctober,23

Derember,l9

Jonuory 23

Morch,22

Moy,24

July,26

Seplember,25

November,23

ChrislFebruory 22

Aptil,22

Junø,27

AugusÎ,25

0cober,22

December,lS

Februory 24

April,24

June,25

AugusÎ,23

Ocober,24

Derember,20

Free Will Boplist FoundotionA Fresh Stort, Fronk Giunlo

Finonciol Dilemmos of o Spouset Deoft, Fronk Giunlo

120/o or 5Yz0/0, Which ls Best?, Williom W. Evons

Whot Does the Foundotion Offer You?, Williom lT. Evons

Whol Will Hoppen lo Your Estote?, l¡Tilliom Evons

0n the Move lo o New Compus' A Relocolion Compoign Updote,

Roy Horris

Reoffirming Our Aareditolion, Jomes H, Cox, Jr., Ph.D.

New Compuler Trock Avoiloble, Jeff Runion

Heriloge Scholorships: Remembering fie Foififul, Berl Tippett

Relootion Plon'0n The Move", Roy Honh

Treosurer's Tips on Poying for College, Tom Sos

Home MissionsWhot Should We Do?, Trymon Meser

A Forelosle 0f Heoven, ldo Lewis

Response to lhe SÍolegy Forum, Trymon Messer

The Volley Churrh in Utoh, Bill Phillips

Memory of o Lifetime, Terry AulinBeniomin Rondoll Doy, Dovid Crowe

Free Will Boprisr Bible College

Jonuory 25

Monh,24

July,24

Seplember,2T

November,25

Jonuory 24

Morrh,23

Moy,22

July,27

September,2ó

November,24

Jonuory 22

Morch,25

Moy,23

July,25

5ephmber,24

November,2ó

NewsfrontNotionql

Februory lóJuly, l9

Augu$, lóAugust, l7

April,l9September,2ì

0clober, ì8April,lT; Moy, l9

Jonuory l8August 20

November,20

April,l9Jonuory 15

Februory l7

MinislriesLeodenhip Conference Set for December

Locol Church Delegote (ord

Moss ftoir Recording Sel for Atlonlo

Mosler's Men Mirocle

Medio Commission Lounches Promotionol Proiect

Missionory Ken Eoglelon, Sr., Dies

Need to moke o quitk coll to the Notionol 0ffices?

Nominoting (ommittee Requels Nominees

Polor, Missions Executive io Chollenge FWBB( Groduotes

Rondoll House Awords Employee Service

Rondoll House to Provide Free Sponish Monuok

Symposium to Meet ol Hilkdole

220 Attend Bible College lïelcome Doys

WNAC Lotol Delegote Cord

November,20

April, l2; Moy, ì9; June,9

April, l8; Moy,l8

June,20

Mo¡ 15

November,lS

July,22

0ctober, lóApril,'19

Jonuory l9September, l9

Ocober, l5Jul¡ l9

Arkonsos Polor lo Speok ol FWBBC

Ailenl¡on P0st0ß: 1999 Yeorbooks Moiled

Bible College Honors Dr. ond Mrs. Pidrilli

Bible College Srudenls Elec Officers

Bible College To Offer lnformolion Technology Trock

Bible College Trustees (onsidering Nome ftongoColifornio Sleering Commiltee Meets

Disrounl Air Fores 1o Nolionol Convention Avoiloble

5l Aflend Theology Symposium

Free t{ill Boptist Bible (ollege Groduotes ó4

Free ltlill Boplisl Bible College Enrolls 333

FWB Foundotion Delivers Endowment Gifis

lnlernolionol Fellowship Meets in Uruguoy

Leodership Conference Foruses on Vision April, l2; Mo¡ 19, June,9


Ministers LoityJonuory l9Jonuory l9

December,l3

Bloir, Beryl

Bowmon, Jr., Victor Cliflon

Compbell, Cecil

Coson, Monce

Eoglebn, Kenneth P

Edwords, John

Erickson, Meryl

[40y, 17

November,l9

0cober, 15

Jonuory l7November, l8

June,20

Mo¡ 15

Jul¡ l9June, l9April, l7June, l9

Jonuory l8December,l3

Buller, R. M.

Frith,lomes

Sneed, Stonley

Gibson, Norwood

Greenwood, Hermon

Hidde, Robed L.

Ponish, Lomor

Shockey, Bob

Willioms, Lewh

(olifornio

Bokerfisld, Firsl FItlB fturch

Georgio

Glennville, Glennville FWB fturch

Missouri

Pork Hilh, First FWB Church

Churches0klohomo

Twin Ooks, Lowery FWB ftunh December, 12

Normon, Firsl FlllB Church Augul, 19

Tennessee

Fronklin, Fronklin FWB fturrh Februory 15

Noshville, (ross fimbers FWB fturdr Jonuory ló

Texos

Hohom 0ty, Friendship FWB fturrh July,22

Virgínio

Glen Allen, Glen Allen FWB fturch Monh,lS

Mo¿ 15

[toy, ló

November, l9

StolesAlobomo

Arizono

Arkonsos

Atlontic Conodo

Colifornio

Florido

Georgio

lllinois

Februory l5June,2l

October, lóOcober, 17

Augusl, l9Âugusl, l8

Februory lóJunq 2l

lndiono

Konsos

Kentucþ

Louisiono

Michigon

Misshsippi

Mhsouri

l{ew llexko

0cober, l8September,2l

December, 13

June,2l

Augul, 17

Februory lóSeplember,20

Augusl, ló

North Corolino

0hio

0klohomo

South Corolino

Tennessee

Texos

Virginio

WelVirginio

Sephmber,l9

Seplember,20

Jonuory lóJunø,22

Februory ìó0cober, 17

0cober, 17

Sepbmber,20

Other

Colifornio ftrislion College Nomes llolley President

Colifornio ftrilion (ollege President Resigns

(CC Enrollmsnt ol 7ó

Chrhlion School to 0pen ln Kenlucky

Fomily ilinistries Completes New Shelter

Hilhdole College Enrolk o Reord 298

Hilhdole l¡undres Adult Degræ Prqrom

Hunione Domoges llorth Corolino fturdres ond Homes

lnslrumenlol Ensemble h Perform ot Convenlion ilorh, l8; April, l8; Moy, 18

Oklohomo Tornodo Deslroys 38 Homes

Polor Rereives Son's Diplomo Posthumously

Preoching to Highlight Southeslern's (omp Meeling '99

Rohrson lo Speok ot Southæstern

Ron Scott l'lomed Soulheostern Groduolíon Speoker

Soulheolern (ollege Rsro¡vor $2.4 ft4íllion Gift

Soutfieotern Enrolh 152

Soufteolern Sels Get Arquointed Dop

Southæslern Sels Àlhsion¡ Conlerenc

Ihomos Àlorberry to Leod Seminory

August, l8Jonuory 17

November, l9June,tliloy,ló

November, 18

ilorch,17Decmber,14

July,20

Detember,lS

l¡lorch, 19

September,2l

l{oy,.l7

September,2l

Novsmbel,20

Moró,170cober, 17

Augusl, l9ftlexkon Associotion MæÎs in llonleney

1999 Stote As¡ociotion ltleelings

Deomber,l2

ilordr,20

RememberFree Will Baptist Bible College's

' Ø"rr/ rÍ eK"t-rr,a* a//"/)/,na¿a/

V/rr,t;úr't "Ø*;r*Goah $350,000

&r;* e"rr',"r*ttø,


-

Bnrrr[fl$r

Don't Waste Thís Troubleunicane Floyd flooded 19,000square miles of eastem NorthCarolina in mid-September.The deaths, the billions in

properly loss, the uruelieved miseryfrom the big storm hammered the OldNorth State without mercy sweepingaway ineplaceable pieces of historyand the peace of mind that a genera-tionhad come to e)eectas theirpartoftheAmerican dream.

In Floyd's aftermattr as polluted floodwaters tÌueatened to push through theirfront door, members of Feace F'WBChurch inWilson met to pray. The Sun-day service was packed with peoplewhose homes floated in snake-infestedwaters, wtrose lives would never be thesame again, but whose faith provedtougher than the largest huricane toever hit the U.S. mair¡land.

Music direclor Rusty Russell anohis famiþ had been without electrici-ty for three days with no relief in sightwhen he asked for prayer requestsfrom the worshipers. Their mutualsorrow and sense of loss brought thepeople close together.

One prayer request led to anotheruntil Rusty was heard to pray, "Oh,Lord, don't let us waste this trouble."

What he meant, of cotuse, was forGod's people to use the occasion of Hur-dcane Floyd's desþuction to demonshate Cfuistian love and generosity amidthe staggering material losses and in-conveniences. A hungry, hturting wortdwaited outside, overwhelrned by grief,adrift in the swid¡ng waters.

God spole of cdæs üke this whenHe asked the prophet Jeremiah, ". . .

howwilt thou do in the swelling of Jor-dan?" (Jer. l2:5). Tmes of personaland national uncertainty require ourbest. Every man must answer thequestion, u. . . how will I do when theflood of events washes away all that Ihold dear and all I trust?"

When the first flood came. Noah

floated above it because he hadmade preparations. Some 2,500 yearslaterwhen the Red Sea threatened todrown Israel's exodus to freedom,Moses parted the waters and made adry road tfuough it. That's how thingsalways work in crises: Some riseabove it, some make a way through it,others crumble.

Iough times cqll ror resotve. Thepressure of circumstances sweepsmany aside in life, and they get lostsomewhere in the undertow, neverto surface again. Others take to trou-ble with the unerring instincts of asalmon headed home.

Onon Welles made a startling ob-servation about men and their stnry-gles: "ln lta$ for 30 years under theBorgias they had warfare, terror, mur-der, bloodshed-they produced Mich-elangelo, Leona¡do da Mnci and theRenaissance. In Switzerland they hadbrotherþ love, 500 years of democracyand peace, and what did they produce? The cuckoo clock!"

[iHs trcubles do teach us. Some-times they position us to do a greaterwork. That happened to a youngwoman who found herself at the ulti-mate crossroad when to remain silentwould condemn tÌrousands to certaindeath, but to speak up would con-demn herself.

She was advised bya trusted rela-tive at her moment of decision, ". . .

thou art come to the kingdom forsuch a time as this" (Esth. 4:14).

To Esther's credit, she fasted andprayed and made the hard choicewith words that reverberate downthrough history. She would do whatwas right, and ". . . if I perish, I per-ish." For what it's worth, Esther didnot perish. She changed her mindand then changed her world.

The diffelence betweer vicrimsand victors is more one of attitude than

circumstances. For instance, when firevirhnlly destroyed Thomas Edison'sNew Jersey factory in 1914, much ofhis life's work went up in smoke andflames that December night. He was67 years old.

But the no<t moming, Edison lookedat the ruins and said, "There is greatvalue in disaster. All our mistakes arebumed up. Thank God we can starta¡ìew"

Three weeks after the fire, Edisondelivered to the world the firstphonograph.

Mory Wolker hondled her troublein another time and in another way.She lived in a cultu¡e that made it ille-gal for her to leam to read. But Marywas a Ctuistian and wanted to readher Bible.

She was bom a slave in 1847 in Ham-ilton County, Tennessee. She workedin tt¡e fields as a child carrying water toother slaves and picked cotton whenshe was older. After the Civil Vå¡ andemancipation, she started a famiþ.

At age 98, Mary was troubled be-cause she still did not know how toread her Bible. She began leaming toread at 98, got her schooling certificateat 115 and died in 1969 at the remark-able age of l2l years. It took Marynearlya lifetime, but she conquered il-literacy and prejudice. Before herdeath, she could read God's promises.

"0h, [ord, don't let us waste thistrouble." Today, it's North Carolinastruggling in flood waters. Yesterday, itwas Oklahoma digging out aftera tor-nado ripped Oklahoma City.'lìomor-row, it may be your town or mine.

Wherever the no<t problem hits,perhaps the Good Lord will send an-otherRustyRussell to remind us all thatwe dare not waste this trouble . . . thisopportunity to start over again, to con-front social wrongs, to build somethingbetter than spiritual cuckoo clocks. r

JqckWlllom¡

December 1999, Contact 3l

PeriodicolPostoge

PoidlnrrnnrbljItrlLrP O. Box 5002Antioch, TN 3701 l -5002

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Tâking thelnto the

Timeless MessageNew Millennium

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