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Focusing on the Landscape…
Across Utah and Idaho The end of summer has come, and we are in the last part of the fall colors in the
mountains, yet it seems as though summer will not let up in Utah this year. It is like a
picture of what 2020 has been since the middle of March. The last half of the summer
has been a time I experienced personal loss in my mom, a friend, pastor, and several
noted ministry colleagues. I have wondered what else might happen that might reflect
what 2020 has been.
The officers and Order of Business Committee, in planning our 56th annual meeting of
the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention, have had to consider the impacts on
having or not having a meeting due to COVID-19 in Salt Lake County that has seen a
much higher number of COVID cases and restrictions.
We have rescheduled or canceled other meetings, plus moved meetings and
conferences to Zoom such as our Executive Board meetings this year. We pushed out
many resources lightning fast this spring and early summer. Now many are facing
exhaustion from this pace and catching up to new ministry situations to continue to
share the gospel and disciple the saved. Pastors have had to learn to preach and teach
online, figure out how minister to those who are not able to come back during this
pandemic, and how many they can have in a worship service to social distance.
The officers asked me to bring a brief report and message of encouragement at our
annual meeting. As I have reflected and been praying through this whole pandemic,
my desire was to see God continue to do amazing things in his kingdom. As always
God has not disappointed. In our theme for the annual meeting, that is gathering at
First Baptist Church, West Valley City on October 30th, “Count it all Joy” reflects what
has been in my heart. I have a bit of a different view that allows me to see a bigger
picture across our two state region and then a national and international view from
meetings I participate in through the year as your representation to where our joint
Cooperative Program supports mission work.
In the past five weeks, four of our churches have experienced multiple baptism
UISBC Cooperative Program Giving Report
August 2020
Cooperative Program giving
$74,187.74
Cooperative Program budget
$61,673.42
Over/Under CP budget
+$12,514.32
State Missions Offering given
$4,657.08
January-August 2020
Cooperative Program giving
$522,619.80
Cooperative Program budget
$493,387.38
Over/Under CP budget
+$29,232.44 (+5.9%)
State Missions Offering
$48,009.45
State Missions Offering 2020 Goal
$95,000
UISBC eNews SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
Count it all Joy cont. on page 2
services; one had five baptized during a family camp, another baptized six
the last Sunday in a park through the summer, another celebrated nine
baptisms in a cold river, and another celebrated three baptisms and three
others join their church one Sunday. During a worldwide pandemic we are
seeing churches who had never done a service online start and continue
sharing the gospel online and have guests attend their church each Sunday
who first watched their services online. One pastor shared on a Sunday
where 40 of their members were out of town, they still had their average
attendance of 100 with 60 of those being new since the start of COVID. My
son has made friends around the world and has had several view our
cowboy church services online from the Holy Land. I told a ministry
colleague from another kingdom-minded ministry if you had told me our
churches would get the gospel into all the homes across Idaho and Utah I
would have said it would take a miracle. Well, God is opening doors that we
would have knocked on but never would have opened to us or locked gates
we couldn’t get through, but COVID not only opened all those doors but
opened all the doors with the internet around the world to our preaching
and teaching the gospel. Our little church was averaging 30. The middle of
March went to over 400 views a week of our worship service. We had a
family join us last evening for worship that found our services online. God
is continuing to do amazing things during this trying time.
We look forward to seeing you at the Pastors’ Conference and Annual Meeting!
Rob Lee
Annual Meeting News New Affiliations
Two churches have been approved for affiliation with the state convention
by the Credentials Committee and Executive Board. We will welcome
them officially at the annual meeting on Friday, October 30 at First
Baptist Church, West Valley City.
Redeemer Baptist Church, Grangeville - Pastor Matthew Claridge
Riverside Baptist Church, Emmett - Pastor Hugh Orr
Constitutional changes
The Constitution Committee has been reviewing the Constitution and
Bylaws of the state convention. With the challenges of COVID and the
possibility of having to do meetings online or special meetings, in
consultation with the State Convention legal counsel Gary McKean, they
are recommending changes. The committee is chaired by Pastor Brandon
Boone. Recommended changes have been sent out to all of our pastors
including a letter explaining the changes from Chairman Brandon Boone.
Registration
All messengers and guests, please register online on the state convention
website. This is critical for us to be able to social distance during the
annual meeting and to make proper preparations for everyone. Due to
COVID-19, we will not be having exhibits this year and many of the
reports will be via video. We will also not have congregational singing but
will have three messages and two theme interpretations/devotionals
during the service. We will be broadcasting the entire meeting this year
for those who are not able to attend. You will be able to eat in designated
places in the building and remain social distanced. We will have no
congregating in the building. We will still have a great time of being
together as a convention of churches!
U & I Praying Together
Pastorless Churches
• Sevier Valley Baptist Church, Richfield, David
Payne, Interim
• First Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant, interims
Don Carter and Perry Causey
• Salt Lake Chinese Baptist Church
• Stites Baptist Church
• Central Valley Baptist Church, Cascade
• First Baptist Church, Orofino
• Crossroads Church, Rose Lake
• Cowboy churches in Eastern Idaho; Christ’s
Country Cowboy Church, Pocatello Cowboy
Church, and Teton Valley Cowboy Church
• Layton Hills Baptist Church
Welcome New Pastors
• First Baptist Church, Roy, Rev. David Mark
• Fillmore Baptist Church, Fillmore, Rev. Todd
Scott
• First Baptist Church, Moab, Pastor David
Sturgeon
Prayer & Praises
• Prayers and praise as Disaster Relief Director Russ Hohmann recovers from neck surgery.
• Prayers for David Howell and family as they grieve his mother’s home going.
• Prayers for Rob Rowbottom’s family and friends as they grieve Rob’s home-going to the Lord.
• Prayers for Christina Beckwith and family as they grieve Jon’s home-going.
• Prayers for James Thompson and family as they grieve his dad going home to the Lord.
• Pray for Mike Ellis, church planter, New Life Ontario, as he grieves loss of his dad and his father-in-law’s recovery from heart surgery August 18.
• Pray for our nation for justice, peace, and coming together seeking God’s guidance as we heal and the upcoming elections.
• Pray for our churches as they continue to deal with COVID-19 impacting their members and church schedule.
• Pray for our upcoming Annual Meeting and Pastors’ Conference at First Baptist Church of West Valley, Utah on October 29-30.
• Pray for the Utah-Idaho SBC Women’s Network’s Thrive Thursday being held online the first Thursday of every month. November’s speaker is Beth Ann Williams.
Count it all Joy cont...
Southern Baptists, think carefully about your ways Since the end of February 2020, I have carried a deep and increasing burden about the following things:
• The divisiveness and ongoing strife within our Southern Baptist family, resulting in turmoil and confusion.
• The ongoing attraction to lesser issues at the expense of our cooperative work to fulfill the Great Commission.
• The division and strife among evangelicals in the United States. Many Southern Baptists and evangelicals would rather live in the downstream of cultural disagreements and infighting between themselves than provide spiritual leadership to a nation that desperately needs it.
• The angry, cruel, ungodly, and carnal statements by Christians and even some Christian leaders via social media, articles, or comments in the media. These create suspicion and greater fear rather than faith and hope.
• The tragic state in America over racial matters and the growing and ongoing violent uprisings, which have fueled greater anger, hate-filled rhetoric, rebellion to authority, increasing lawlessness, and the loss of human life.
• The sadness and fear that has reigned since March, when the COVID-19 global pandemic began to shut down the entire country. And as America is now re-entering life with our schools, universities, workplaces, churches, and social gatherings, we are still fighting about who is doing it right and who is doing it wrong – even now, we’re arguing about treatments and prevention measures. This leads to a greater distrust of one another. God help us all.
• Our nation remains in a political divide and distrust unlike anything we have ever witnessed in our lifetime.
As this evil is being unleashed violently in our nation in every way imaginable, it is undeniable that God’s people must take notice now as never before. That is why I believe God pressed within me a deep conviction that I must do something in this great hour of desperation. Therefore, I did only what I knew I could do; I entered 40 days of praying and fasting for these matters that were such a heavy burden upon me. As I walked through these 40 days of praying and fasting, I was living on His Word and His promises, and experiencing His powerful presence through it all; and yes, our God sustained me to see, and saw me through these days. I am grateful to my dear wife of 43 years, Jeana, as she prayed and fasted with me in the initial two weeks and then cared for me so I might seek the Lord wholly in the remaining days of this spiritual journey. I wanted so much to hear what the Spirit was saying to me through God’s Word each day. Our gracious God gave some special words on days 37 and 38 of the fast. These words were declared by our God four times in the book of Haggai. This statement is given only in Haggai 1:5 and 1:7, when the Lord of Armies says: “Think carefully about your ways.” As God spoke these words to prepare His people for a great
Well-known Utah Baptist Leaves Legacy of ‘Pure Joy’
By Art Toalston
“I ain’t never going to make it to heaven,” a gruff biker named Rusty told Rob Rowbottom.
“Why?” Rowbottom inquired that night during a two-day ride in Utah to which Rusty had been invited.
“There isn’t one of the Ten Commandments I ain’t busted,” Rusty replied.
Rusty recounted the conversation during a memorial service September 13 for Rowbottom, one of Utah’s most well-known Baptists, who died September 6 after a sudden, weeklong illness at age seventy.
Rowbottom tenderly pointed Rusty to a man in the Bible named Paul who had led in the killing of Christians before his life was redeemed in an encounter with Christ.
“I got to thinking about that,” Rusty said, “and I realized that if God can do something like that . . . I could go ‘home.’”
To heaven.
To an eternal home, Rowbottom assured, as he led the biker in surrendering his life to Christ.
“I didn’t have to be cold and mean and hateful,” Rusty said. “I could breathe, I could feel good about myself, and help people.”
Rowbottom “was just awesome,” Rusty added. “You could look in his eyes and you could see it, you could see he lived it.”
From Military to Ministry The retired sergeant major—the Army’s highest enlisted rank—sparked a similar sense of amazement at First Baptist Church in West Valley City, twelve miles southwest of Salt Lake City, and in numerous churches across the state. He did the same in the Christian Motorcyclists Association, serving as the area rep and Cowboy Gospel Night leader, and at the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake, where Utah Governor Gary Herbert joined him on stage to sing at the annual Thanksgiving dinner in recent years.
Rob Lee, executive director of the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention, said Rowbottom “exemplified the hundreds of pastors and lay pastors that go the second, third,
Rowbottom cont. on page 4 Southern Baptists cont. on page 5
and fourth mile.”
“We’ll miss the pure joy he brought not just to our lives but to anyone he met,” Lee said at the memorial service. “He had a pure joy of loving the church family and loving those in the community around those churches.
“Everyone loved the pure joy he brought in leading singing about Jesus,” Lee continued, whether his guitar and rich voice were heard at a motorcycle rally, a cowboy church, or an Easter sunrise service, and “in his preaching and teaching about Jesus and the pure joy He can bring to anyone. Jesus is that true joy.”
Reflecting Rowbottom’s personal motto that “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet,” Lee stated: “Even when your Harley breaks down on that favorite ride that you have planned all year . . . consider it pure joy, [Rob] would say, because it’s a chance to make a new friend at the repair shop.”
Rowbottom was serving as a volunteer “support pastor” to Carl Young at First Baptist West Valley City at the time of his death. He had been pastor of the former Road to Freedom Biker Mission; a bivocational pastor in Mt. Pleasant; a transitional interim pastor in Duchesne; and a pulpit guest in numerous Utah churches.
He was ordained to the ministry in 1996 at Millcreek Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, moving to Utah to be closer to his two daughters and son after twenty-two years
in the Army. He had served in Germany, where he was part of Baptist churches in Heidelberg and Augsburg, and at the Pentagon and had taught at the Army Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas.
A St. Louis native, Rowbottom made a profession of faith in Christ around the age of eleven at a Baptist church he attended thanks to transportation provided by his brother, Al.
‘His Life Spoke It All’ Young, who had ministered with Rowbottom for three years, said the funeral would be the most difficult he had ever preached.
“In a lost man’s funeral, you honor the dead, you comfort the hurting, and you glorify Christ. And you can do that with a good Christian, somebody who lived out the faith.
“But a man like Rob . . . everybody knew he was a man of honor, a man of courage, a man who lived out his convictions until his death. What do you say? His life spoke it all—the way he evangelized, the way he preached, the way he taught.”
Rowbottom’s last message, on August 20, focused on the apostle Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 2:1–11 to be “like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (New King James Version) to reflect the humility and servanthood of Christ.
“The humble person is . . . going to allow
Christ to use what he is and has for the glory of God for the good of others,” he said in a weekly Facebook Live “Pastors’ Talk” with Young that began with the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year.
“God calls you the way you are,” Rowbottom added. “God is going to make the changes necessary in your life; He’s going to build you and use those attributes He’s already given you.”
On Thursday, September 3, the church’s Facebook page stated there would be no Pastors’ Talk that night. “Please keep Pastor Rob in your prayers as he is battling an illness right now,” the post stated. Three days later, Rowbottom died in the early morning hours at a local hospital. A test for COVID-19 came back negative.
Two Friends on Facebook Young was reticent about the Facebook Live sessions, but Rowbottom suggested they chat just as they had each Monday morning at the Hidden Peaks coffee shop—as two friends, talking amid moments of lightheartedness and laughter about their lives and their families, especially his children and grandchildren, alongside the church and the Bible.
In their video sessions, Young said, “You’ll catch me looking at Rob [with] a look of total amazement at his understanding of theological issues, and yet he had the ability to make it understandable and applicable to people’s lives.
“He’d always say, ‘You got the seminary
Rowbottom cont...
Honor cont. on page 5
What does diversity in missions look like? What are the long-term implications of urbanization? What is the state of the U.S. church? How does Gen Z think about missions? God’s mission never changes. John’s vision, revealed in Revelation 7:9, remains our vision—a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet our world and the people who inhabit it are changing every day. What are the implications of these changes on our collective work toward the Great Commission? At IMB, we believe every church has a role to play in reaching every nation with the gospel. That means every follower of Jesus must consider their role in light of the realities we face today. Let’s talk about the future of missions. Please join Dr. Paul Chitwood, President of the IMB, Da-vid Kinnaman, President of Barna, and a panel of experts on October 29th at 7pm EDT for a 2-hour virtual event:
Gain a deeper understanding of the global, cultural and spiritual realities shaping and impacting missions
Receive practical tools and actionable takeaways for you and your church to be part of fulfilling the Revelation 7:9 vision
Be inspired to pray, give, go and send so that lives can be transformed
The Future of Missions
and new work among them in their days, I believe He is also preparing us for a great and new work for the days ahead. These resounding words of God need to be heard by all of us: “Think carefully about your ways.” I personally experienced a deep conviction
by the Spirit that led me into a time of personal repentance. Therefore, I share these words with you today in humility and with brokenness: Southern Baptists, think carefully about your ways. Evangelicals, think carefully about your
ways. America, think carefully about your ways. Perhaps in the days ahead, I will share more with you. Now is the time to lead, Ronnie Floyd
training’ [at Gateway Seminary], but I would literally look at him and think, ‘Man, God’s really using you right now.’ . . . You can’t learn the stuff that Rob had in seminary. You’ve got to learn that in life.”
And Rowbottom had leadership skills that were God-given, Young said, noting his ability “to influence and change lives by using God’s Word and loving people and encouraging them, meeting them right where they’re at.”
Young recounted a visit to a Navajo reservation in Arizona for a revival when Rowbottom indicated to the tribal elder that Young was the pastor. But the elder, sensing Rowbottom to be a special man of honor and courage, gave him a seat of honor that night.
“It may seem to be small thing, but in native country, that is huge,” said Young, himself a Native American.
Rowbottom’s wide reach into the community contributed to a key facet of First Baptist West Valley City’s growth: “We didn’t go looking for it, but God started bringing us people that needed funeral services,” Young said. “We just showed them the love of Jesus,” yielding contacts that have led to a number of baptisms.
The first funeral, which packed the auditorium of the eighty-member church, was for a gang member who had been shot and killed. The second, a woman who was murdered. The third, a Mormon’s Christian brother who was out of favor with the local Mormon congregation. And the fourth, a Christian woman from American Samoa afflicted by cancer who hadn’t been going to church.
Motorcycles and Ministry Rowbottom’s involvement with the Christian Motorcyclists Association stemmed from his father’s ownership of a motorcycle—and getting one of his own around the age of twenty.
“He led hundreds of people to the Lord,” said Bob Stringham, CMA’s state coordinator for Utah.
“Yes, hundreds” in the twenty-plus years he has known Rowbottom, he said.
“Rob has been the kind of a guy that, by serving others, they became willing to listen and ask questions about Jesus, God,
salvation, what the Bible means. And Rob very lovingly shared that with them.”
And when someone asked about a church to attend, “Rob would always recommend one where he knew the pastoral staff and the congregation were open to people who had made mistakes in their lives and would be loving toward them.
“He was a person that was, I believe, created by God to live that Jesus lifestyle of service,” Stringham said. “It was never about Rob. It was always about Jesus and what people could benefit from by accepting Him as their Lord and Savior.”
Among Rowbottom’s CMA initiatives: ministry stations along Interstate 80 at milepost 50 going east and west during an annual two-day benefit ride for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He
secured the Utah Department of Transportation’s cooperation in aiding bikers needing gasoline, medical supplies, blankets or clothing from any unexpected circumstances.
At the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake, Rowbottom led chapel services on the first Monday of each month with a team including Debbie Chidester, executive assistant at the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention, and others from First Baptist West Valley City.
In addition to his Thanksgiving and monthly messages and music, Rowbottom had served on the Rescue Mission’s board of directors; provided one-on-one mentoring to men in the inpatient recovery program; and helped a number of them venture out on CMA motorcycle rides.
He was one of the most popular chapel providers, said Chris Croswhite, the Rescue Mission’s executive director. “He was approachable. He was non-judgmental. The style of music and the fun he had on stage was inviting for the men and women, for them to engage with him personally and with his music and his Bible message.”
Rowbottom is survived by two daughters, Anita and Sarah; a son, Stephen; their mother, Paula Lediard; and five grandchildren.
Art Toalston is a writer based in Nashville. BP reports on missions, ministry and witness advanced through the Cooperative Program and on news related to Southern Baptists’ concerns nationally and globally.
Honor cont...
Southern Baptists cont...
IMB trustees appoint 80
new missionaries, approve
2020-21 budget By Leslie Peacock Caldwell
International Mission Board trustees unanimously approved the appointment of 80 full-time, fully funded personnel during their Sept. 29-30 meeting. The new missionaries will be sent to eight of IMB’s nine global affinities. A virtual Sending Celebration in November will publicly recognize the new field personnel and their appointments.
This was the second trustee meeting of 2020 held virtually, due to continued caution surrounding the spread of COVID-19. January’s meeting was held in person in Riverside, California.
The plenary session on Sept. 30 included greetings from Ray Gentry, president/CEO of the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders, who expressed his commitment to partnership with IMB. During the meeting, trustees approved a balanced budget of $255.3 million. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 Southern Baptist Convention, no new trustees were approved, and IMB’s trustee board will remain the same for the coming year.
Another recommendation unanimously approved was a Resolution of Appreciation for three missionaries who died this year in active service. A time of prayer for their families and work to the reach the nations followed the presentation of the recommendation.
Dr. Seth Polk, trustee chairman and senior pastor of Cross Lanes Baptist Church, Cross Lanes, West Virginia, presided over the meeting. He emphasized the faithfulness of God and churches’ commitment to kingdom purposes.
“I am amazed by and grateful for the sacrificial generosity of our Southern Baptist family of churches,” Polk said. “Covid-19 could have been accompanied by catastrophic financial impact on our work. While we have real challenges ahead, the people of God have remained steadfast in support of the missionary heart of our collective efforts.”
In his plenary address, IMB President Paul Chitwood listed challenges that the IMB has faced in its 175-year history and remarked that COVID-19 certainly wasn’t the first unforeseen circumstance through which the IMB has endured.
“How has the IMB survived, and why do I think we are beginning to thrive, even in the midst of a global pandemic?” Chitwood asked. “Because Southern Baptists have not stopped believing in nor lost sight of the vision God has given us of a vast multitude from every nation, all tribes, peoples, and languages standing before the throne and before the Lamb. IMB is more focused on that vision than perhaps at any time in our recent history.”
Chitwood reported that he remains optimistic about IMB’s future because of several factors, including the quality of the team in the Richmond home office, nearly 1,000 candidates who are in the application process to be missionaries, and the ways current missionaries are embracing initiatives “designed to equip and empower them to make contact and build relationships with all 47,000 Southern Baptist churches over the next two years,” he said.
“Many of our missionaries have worked hard to stay connected with churches, but IMB has not effectively trained and
10 Ways to Advance Missions Discipleship During a Pandemic
by WMU Communications
Whether your church is gathering in-person or scattered, WMU has a myriad of ways to still experience missions discipleship. From personal spiritual growth to virtual meetings to family-focused missions, here are just 10 opportunities to be a part of God’s mission and be inspired as you see how God is at work.
1. Subscribe to On the Journey Conversations with Sandy Wisdom-Martin, a podcast. Sponsored by the Christian Women’s Leadership Center, these podcasts are very engaging conversations with some of the most committed Christ followers of our generation. These conversations will fuel your passion to go deeper with Him in your personal journey of faith. A new episode releases each Wednesday and each ranges between 15-30 minutes. Invite your friends to listen as well and discuss the episode with them; they will thank you! This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.
2. Encourage a woman in your church with a subscription to Missions Mosaic. An annual print subscription is $22.99, a digital subscription is $20.99, or get both versions for just $24.99. That’s only about 6 cents a day for a year’s worth of inspiration through missions stories, insightful articles, prayer prompts and devotions offered in this monthly publication.
3. Gift curated boxes of books to send to those isolated in senior care facilities, hospice centers, hospitals and seniors sheltering in place. Each box contains titles from three categories: Bible studies, Christian living, and Christian fiction. All curated books are new and free. The only associated costs are for shipping and handling. To gift a box, simply go to honor62.com, select a box size, indicate where to ship it, and provide payment information.
4. Gift a few friends the book Relentless and have a weekly virtual Bible study. While many are feeling weary and ready to give up, Relentless offers a scriptural reflection, as author Taylor Field revisits the stories of Scripture’s most persistent and grittiest people. Field, who is also a missionary and pastor, shares a new perspective on familiar stories to inspire courage in the discouraged, develop grit in the fainthearted, and demonstrate how our God brings hope to those who relentlessly hold fast to Him.
5. Give a gift to the Vision Fund to support the ministry of WMU. National WMU is supported primarily through the sales of magazines and products, but there has been a decline in sales as many churches are not meeting due to COVID-19. Your donation to the Vision Fund will help advance our ministry of making disciples of Jesus who live on mission as we seek to continue our current level of kingdom impact in every state and 39 countries and also reach out in new spheres of ministry. Simply mail a check payable to the WMU Foundation, 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242, designated for the Vision Fund; or give online at wmufoundation.com/vision.
6. Take an online mini-course to learn more about WMU’s Compassion Ministries such as WorldCrafts; Pure Water, Pure Love; and Christian Women’s Job
Mission resources cont. on page 7 IMB cont. on page 7
equipped them, and there are literally thousands upon thousands of our churches that never hear from our missionaries,” said Chitwood. “We have worked across the organization to create a connecting strategy to remedy that. And I believe it will prove to be a Great Commission gamechanger as Southern Baptists have the opportunity to more deeply connect to their workers and the work around the world.”
Chitwood and Price Jett, IMB’s treasurer and vice president of logistics, finance, travel and technology, introduced the 2020-21 proposed budget, both reporting that the recent financial recovery that God has provided for IMB is another reason for optimism about the organization’s future.
“Today is the last day of the fiscal year, and I can confidently state that Southern Baptists’ giving has exceeded our budget” Chitwood reported. “Factoring in our investment earnings, we believe that we will end the year more than 5% ahead in revenue. We praise God for what He has done. And, on behalf of 3,620 missionaries, their 2,880 children, and our stateside staff and their families, we say thank you to Southern Baptists for your generosity and your love for the lost around the world.”
Jett added, “By the grace of God, and the consistent, generous giving of Southern Baptist Churches through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®, we are pleased to present for the trustees’ approval a balanced budget of $255.3 million.”
Chitwood closed his address with the following updates:
IMB’s Send Relief partnership with the North American Mission Board is up and running as the avenue for Southern Baptists to meet needs at home and around the world.
An online Sending Celebration has been planned in partnership with the Alabama Baptist Convention on Wednesday, Nov.
18, at 7:30 p.m. EST, to be streamed on IMB’s Facebook and Vimeo pages.
IMB trustees currently plan to conduct their February 2021 board meeting in person.
At the conclusion of his address, Chitwood reminded trustees of the “154,937 people who will die today, lost, and spend eternity separated from God in hell.”
“That’s why the IMB exists,” he said. “Not for ourselves, but for them. They are why Christ has
left his Bride, the Church, here and not yet welcomed her into His eternal Kingdom. For, as the Scriptures state, He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Leslie Peacock Caldwell is senior editor for IMB.
The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® is a registered trademark of Woman’s Missionary Union.
Other IMB articles:
• IMB celebrates $159.5 million Lottie Moon Christmas Offering total, exceeds goal
• IMB, Barna Group discuss engagement of next generation in global missions
Corps/Christian Men’s Job Corps. Additional courses are also available on the church’s response to poverty, human trafficking and refugees. Visit ChristianLeaderLearning.com for more.
7. Advance your leadership skills with online, self-paced courses offered through the Christian Women’s Leadership Center. Three courses are available each month with 30 days to complete the course. Those available September 1-30 are Missional Living, Leadership Theory, and Leading with Integrity. Visit ChristianLeaderLearning.com to sign up.
8. Invest in the children in your church. Girls in Action will still want to connect this fall, and you can make it happen! Consider ordering each girl her own copy of GA World and deliver to her home in a gift bag along with a GA identity item and maybe a few other fun items you know she’ll love. Then conduct a virtual lesson on a platform such as Zoom, or consider meeting outside. She will remember the kindness you have modeled! Royal Ambassadors would also appreciate a gift bag and outdoor or virtual meetings. There are all kinds of RA patches your boys will enjoy earning and identity items they would appreciate. See these resources for Royal Ambassadors and more at
wmustore.com.
9. Teach children Biblical truths with Tell the Story: Bible Storying for Kids. An ideal resource for families or virtual Bible study sessions, this Bible storying kit contains a storying cloth developed by the International Mission Board; 40 Bible story sessions; and 60 different activities, games, craft ideas and memory verse activities to help kids understand God’s Word and apply it to their lives. Affirm their Bible knowledge with a Tell the Story Badge.
10. Help preschoolers understand that God loves them. Nurture preschoolers with story books such as One Little Child which shows them they can have a place in helping others as a part of God’s plan; Always Remember to Pray that teaches God wants His children to pray to Him in every situation in life; and Sometimes I Am Afraid which instills the truth that preschoolers can trust in God when they are fearful. Help them know wearing masks during this pandemic is also nothing to fear by sharing this video, “Don’t Fear the Mask.”
Additional free resources, including ideas for virtual lessons for preschoolers, children and students, are available at wmu.com/covid19.
Mission resources cont...
IMB cont...
IMB President Paul Chitwood greets the organization's trustees
from the IMB's Richmond, Va., home office studio during the
trustees' virtual meeting on Sept. 30. The meeting was moved from
in-person to virtual as a result of COVID-19. (IMB Photo)
First Person: Thoughts on (soul) winning with Bobby Bowden
By Dr. Paul Chitwood, IMB president
“Is winning everything?” I asked.
“No. But winning is important. If you don’t win, they fire you,” replied Coach Bowden.
Bobby Bowden coached football for more than 50 years. Over the course of 34 seasons as head coach of the Florida State Seminoles, his teams won twelve conference championships and two national championships. Coach Bowden knows about winning.
Like all coaches, he also knows about losing. And about getting fired. As athletic director at South Georgia College in the 1950s, Bowden was also head coach in three sports: football, men’s basketball and baseball. After a losing basketball season, Bowden the athletic director fired himself as the basketball coach!
What became clear during a recent Saturday afternoon I spent with Coach Bowden and his pastor was that, as he approaches his 91st birthday, winning football games isn’t what he likes to talk about. He’d rather talk about soul winning. Mark Richt and Bert Reynolds are two of the better known people who responded to the Lord after Bowden shared the gospel with them but it’s the former players who call on him these days to thank him for the spiritual impact he had on their lives that seem to bring Bowden the most joy.
“I always thought the university would tell me to stop sharing my faith with the players and taking them to church, but no one ever did,” he said with a smile.
I suppose someone at FSU was smart enough to know that the young men Bowden coached, more than half of whom he said had no father in their lives, needed to know about more than passing routes and blocking schemes. They needed to know about things that really matter in life. And for the ones who kept losing their friends back home to drugs and gangs, they needed to know about the only thing that matters in death: a personal relationship with Jesus. Coach was always sowing the seeds and time and time again, they took root.
The question I had really been looking forward to asking Coach Bowden was how he had managed to finish well. Whether as coaches, pastors, missionaries, husbands or fathers, far too many of us men seem bent on finding a way to not finish well. Coach Bowden has faced all of the temptations that fame and success can throw at a man but, by God’s grace, he’s been married to his wife, Ann, for 71 years, escaped moral failure, and is wildly admired, even by his critics.
The key to Bowden’s success? “I knew I had to stay focused on the Lord,” says Coach.
Jesus’ admonition to “seek first the Kingdom of God” was not lost on Bobby Bowden. Nor was the training he received in the Baptist church where he was raised.
Still a Baptist to this day, Coach Bowden spoke with great reverence about the missionaries I serve. Marveling at their commitment and sacrifice, he talked about them doing the most important work in the world. What amazed me was how much he’s like them: committed first to the Lord; determined to share the gospel whether or not people in authority approve and willing to suffer the consequences; and working hard to keep the platform the Lord gives them.
For Coach Bowden, winning wasn’t everything but it was important for maintaining the platform God gave him to do the most important thing: winning people to Jesus.
The lesson? As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” If it’s coaching football, coach to win. If it’s teaching school, teach so your students will learn. If you’re a doctor or nurse, care for your patients to make them well. But don’t forget that the reason the Lord has you on the sidelines, in the classroom, the hospital, or wherever you are, is to win something more important than a title game or teacher of the year. You’re there to win souls.
Northern Utah was hit with hurricane force winds on September 8, as a result there are many downed trees and damaged homes and property.
We here at UT/ID SLBA DR had an opportunity to serve one of neighbors directly to the south of Alta Canyon Baptist Church in Sandy, UT.
George and Peggy have lived in their home for 43 years and reminisced about the past as the team cleaned up the 42 year old pine tree that missed their home by 5 inches. They shared how they remembered planting the tree as a sapling and how it was so often in the background for family pictures, graduations, birthdays and the like. Peggy and George are not believers and not religious according to George. He and Peggy were very blessed by the kindness and love shone them. They appreciated the selfless acts of love and the company as we worked to remove the massive tree. As the day went on we were able to learn and laugh with them. When the work was done they readily accepted the gift of God’s Word, shared some time in prayer, and a new friendship is born. Please be praying for Peggy and George, for their salvation, along with their three daughters and their families too.
What an amazing blessing it is loving God and loving people by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Local DR in Action
Our Utah-Idaho SBC Disaster Relief team in
action in northern Utah last month.
Four Key Attitudes of Leaders Whose Churches Will Thrive in the Future
Thom S. Rainer – ChurchAnswers.com The topic of COVID or the pandemic often brings feelings of gloom and despair. Indeed, the year 2020 will be, in many ways, a year we will choose to forget. It has been difficult for many people and many organizations. But during this trying season, I have been devouring news and studies of churches and other organizations that are poised to move positively in the future. These organizations are not succumbing to the inevitability of life getting worse and organizational health deteriorating. They do not have their metaphorical heads in the sand. To the contrary, they are looking up and looking around to see the new paths and the new possibilities in this new reality. When I recently synthesized many of the articles and podcasts addressing these challenges positively, I saw a pattern. There were four attitudes among the leaders common to most all of them. I believe these four attitudes are emblematic of successful organizations of the near future.
“God is not done with us yet.” To be clear, the leaders of secular organizations were unlikely to articulate this attitude in the same way church leaders were. But all of the healthy organizations had attitudes of hope and possibility. Defeatism was a foreign concept to all of them.
“We are not waiting for things to return to
normal.” Any organization waiting for a pre-COVID normal is already in trouble. Any churches expecting patterns of attendance, giving, and ministry to be similar to 2019 are really up against a wall. There will not even be a new normal, because normal cannot be defined. These leaders are looking for indicators of a new reality and they are making pivots to these new realities.
“We will be more outwardly-focused than ever.” Too
many churches and other organizations got comfortable prior to 2020. The leaders of future-focused organizations are determined more than ever to reach beyond themselves. The churches and the organizations of the future cannot and must not be navel gazers.
“Major change is inevitable; we will embrace it.” The
healthy church or organization of the future cannot simply move from change-averse to change-receptive. They must proactively seek and move toward radical change. They cannot wait for change to come to the organization. These organizations must take faith-based risks like many have never known before. If the leaders of these organizations succumb to the whiners who lament, “We’ve never done it that way before,” the organization is doomed. Healthy organizations of the future will embrace change with wisdom and courage.
In many ways, we are indeed living in difficult and heartbreaking times. We cannot deny the reality of sickness, death, depression, and economic collapse COVID has brought to our world. But, in other ways, this season is a time of incredible opportunity. Many organizations are paralyzed with fear and think the best strategy is hoping life resumes its normalcy. That’s not going to happen. Such is the reason the leaders of healthy churches and organizations of the future will take these four attitudes and change the world. I can’t wait to see what it will look like.
Changed Lives, Gospel Advance, and Missionaries Mobilized
October is when we encourage all Southern Baptist churches and congregations to promote our Great Commission mission and ministries giving through the Cooperative Program. Giving through the Cooperative Program is the financial fuel that helps us take Good News to the whole world.
Since 1925 our Southern Baptist churches have given over $19.5 BILLION through our Cooperative Program in order to accomplish our statewide, national and international Great Commission work.
We are committed to promoting and propagating this story because it tells the bigger story of what God is doing through our Southern Baptist churches in your state, in America, and across the world. And at the bottom of this email are six new videos that share these powerful stories.
In order to tell this story in the most effective manner during October, please find a way to show your church at least one of these videos -- sharing the story of our Great Commission work together. Quite honestly, these videos are so strong you will easily see the value of using more than one, possibly even all of them.
From pastor to pastor, let me say it this way: If you want your financial support to go up in your own church this next year, tell stories like these.
This is why we cooperate together. This is why we are Southern Baptists. It is the Great Commission that motivates our people to give generously. Thank you for what your church is giving toward our cooperative work together.
As a pastor or a layperson, take the time to watch these videos and then show them to your staff team, your church lay leadership team, your deacons, or your finance team. Then, show them to your congregation. I assure you, when you show these videos in your worship services, your people will be motivated, their hearts will be touched, and they will be encouraged to be generous with your church because of your church’s financial support through our cooperative work together. When we see changed lives, the gospel forwarded, and missionaries mobilized to the nations, we are excited! If you do not believe this, try it and I trust you will see it become a reality in your church.
By the way, would you and your church find a way to prioritize, elevate, and even accelerate your church’s giving through the Cooperative Program?
Yes, even in this uncertain time, we must tell others about Christ, reach the next generation, equip future leaders for ministry and missions, and mobilize missionaries across America and the entire world.
Giving through the Cooperative Program is the financial fuel that helps advance and accomplish our vision to reach every person for Jesus Christ in every town, every city, every state, and every nation.
In the midst of a global pandemic, the call to reach the world for Christ has to be greater than ever before. People need Jesus and people need Jesus now.
Here are seven newly produced videos. All share about our cooperative work together. Please share them in any way you desire. Help us tell this great story of what God is
Cooperative Program cont. on page 10
Laura’s toll includes 140 Louisiana Baptist churches By John Kyle, Louisiana Baptist director of communications ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — A little more than a week after slamming the Louisiana coast, it is obvious Hurricane Laura’s 140 miles per hour, Category 4, winds considered nothing sacred, including houses of worship. Numerous reports have shed light on the hundreds of thousands of Louisianans left without power and water. Power companies have indicated it may be weeks, or longer, before power is restored to certain areas. Likewise, many communities remain under a boil advisory and cars are lined up to receive bottled water and ice from the National Guard and various non-profit groups, including Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams. However, perhaps as devastating to the state is the destruction to houses of worship, which often are central to the lives of thousands in a community. According to John Hebert, director of missions and ministries for Louisiana Baptists, approximately 107 Louisiana Baptist churches have sustained damage from minor to catastrophic – and some may not open their doors again. “We’ve seen reports indicating as many as 140 churches sustained damage of some nature, but we’ve been able to address some of those needs which has brought the total down to 107,” Hebert explained. Louisiana Baptist state missions staff have spent most of the week since Hurricane Laura’s landfall in the state calling and visiting pastors and churches across the state trying to get an idea of the severity and scope of the damage. Steve Horn, executive director for Louisiana Baptists, has visited many of the affected areas to encourage local pastors and offer
them assistance. “Our calls and visits are showing 43 Louisiana Baptist pastors sustained damage to their homes in addition to their churches.” Horn said. “Unfortunately, it appears that around 10 of those may be a total loss. “Pastors are busy helping their members and assisting their communities while attempting to
address their own damage as well,” Horn observed. “To say they are stretched thin is an understatement at best.” Hebert said as reports come in they are prioritized according the severity of the damage. “Level 3 is for the buildings that have sustained the most damage,” Hebert said. “This includes roofs that are collapsed or missing, large holes in the roofs and extensive water damage resulting from those roof issues. “Level 2 reflects those with moderate damage including smaller holes in the roof, blown out windows and subsequent water damage. Level 1 is for those who have the least amount of damage,” continued Hebert. Current reports reflect 38 churches with Level 3 damages, 34 in the Level 2 category and 35 assigned to Level 1. “We are grateful for all of our state convention, national and local church partners that are assisting in the recovery effort,” Horn added. “While Laura has faded from the headlines, she remains front and center for those of us in Louisiana, and will for months to come.” For current disaster relief updates and needs, visit LouisianaBaptists.org/drupdates or check out Louisiana Baptists on Facebook.
doing.
Locking Arms to Tell His Story (4:59)
Better Together (1:00)
Being Soul Conscious (1:00)
What Jesus Told Us To Do (1:00)
I Am Not A Missionary (4:03)
Just Call My Name (2:26)
Seeing the Gospel Before Hearing the Gospel (2:26)
We will be adding more videos throughout October. You can find them all at SBC.net/CP.
Now is the time to lead,
Ronnie Floyd
Cooperative Program cont... Dear friend,
It's a difficult time to be a pastor or church leader. The COVID-19 pandemic has created many difficult decisions and challenges, and you are likely facing many questions and even pressure from those in your congregations and communities as you lead your church.
This year, the ERLC has worked to produce a wide range of helpful COVID-19 resources for pastors and churches. As we continue to work to equip our Southern Baptist churches, we've created a NEW COVID-19 Resource Page to provide all of these resources in one place.
We've also released a new series of videos from pastors around the country talking about how they are navigating the challenges of COVID-19. We hope these videos equip and encourage you to continue leading your church through this difficult season.
Here are a few of the other things you'll find on the new ERLC COVID-19 Resource Page:
Explainers on major COVID-19 issues
Important religious liberty updates
Encouraging stories from pastors and church leaders
Resources to help you lead your church
We pray that these resources will be a blessing to you and your church. As always, your Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is here to serve you.
Sincerely, Daniel Patterson, Executive Vice President, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
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