A PUBLICATION OF ARIZONA SOUTHERN BAPTISTS

July-September 2021 Vol. 25 No. 3

CELEBRATING COMMUNITY DAVID JOHNSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ARIZONA SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION The purpose of Portraits is to support the mission of Arizona Southern Baptists: Working together to make disciples of all peoples in Arizona and around the world.

Published quarterly by the Connecting Point Arizona Southern Baptist Convention, 12801 N. 28th Dr., Ste. 1 Phoenix, AZ 85029. Internet: www.azsbc.org For information, call 602-843-1030 We need community! or 800-687-2431. Portraits is supported by Arizona Southern ou never know how much community It is important for churches to find ways to Baptist churches through their Cooperative Program giving. means until you need it. build that sense of community among their Additional funding comes from Y My wife and I discovered that firsthand members. Whether it is small groups or a church advertising and subscriptions. when we lost our son, Jeremiah, over 10 years ago. that is small enough to be one group, we must EDITOR It seemed people came out of the woodwork to find ways to create that kind of connection. It Elizabeth Young do things we needed without us even knowing it, is not just so the church will be stronger as an PORTRAITS TEAM Dallas Bivins much less asking! organization but for the well-being of every Gateway Seminary We experienced it again recently when my person who is a part of it. Lainee Pegelow wife went through a major health crisis. People Community enables us to grow together, work Christian Challenge, Flagstaff Michelle Clements brought food, gave us equipment we needed to together, get through things together and serve Arizona Baptist Children’s Services care for her at home and stepped up to help us together. We need community! Monty Patton North American Mission Board out with things we didn’t even know we would David Johnson need. We often say that we don’t know how Josue Castro people survive without a church family. Keith Durham Eddy Pearson While our community extends beyond our Arizona Southern Baptist Convention immediate family and church, our church family DESIGN is our community. They are the first ones we Whiten Design turn to when we need prayer, have something to SUBSCRIPTIONS: Portraits is sent at no charge to the homes of Arizona celebrate or have news to share. They are the ones Southern Baptists and to all Arizona we weep with when they weep and rejoice with Southern Baptist churches. Additional copies are available on a subscription when they rejoice. basis for $10.00 per year. Subscriptions for those living out of We know them well enough to know who can state are $10.00 per year. To subscribe, do what and feel comfortable enough to call when call 602-843-1030 or 800-687-2431. we need something. We know what is going on CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please respond in writing by sending the in their families well enough to ask how they mailing label from this issue and the new address to Portraits, 12801 N. 28th Dr., are doing and pray for them by name. They are Ste. 1, Phoenix, AZ 85029 or email the ones we missed seeing the most during the the old and new addresses to Portraits@ azsbc.org. pandemic. Advertising: For display advertising Do you have community like that? rates or to place a classified ad, email [email protected] or call One of the things I think is missing most 602-843-1030. Email written classified in the church today is community. If church ads to [email protected] or mail to Portraits, 12801 N. 28th Dr., is just where you go to worship, you are Ste. 1, Phoenix, AZ 85029. Presence of advertising in this missing out! publication does not necessarily represent endorsement by the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention.

ON THE COVER: Debra Wolfrey, an adjunct professor at the Arizona Campus of Gateway Seminary and a two-time Gateway graduate, knows the value of the seminary community. Photo by Nancy Patton Like Arizona Southern Baptists on Facebook Follow AZBaptists on Twitter Follow azbaptists on Instagram 2 | Portraits C BUILDING COMMUNITY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

BY NOAH JAEGER

hristian Challenge “COVID kicked us off campus,” says Caitlyn has been reaching Marchbanks. “Campus ministry has been rough.” college students at However, the Marchbankses have witnessed Glendale Community powerful community and transformation within College for a number the last year between their campus ministry at of years, despite GCC and their regional large group meeting, various trials. For the Collective, which meets at First Southern Baptist last year, Andrew and Church at Sahuaro Ranch in Glendale, the Caitlyn Marchbanks, partnering church for GCC Challenge. campus missionaries Cat Glendale Community College, faced the College students participate in worship on a special college-led challenge of a lifetime: building a collegiate Sunday at First Southern Baptist Church at Sahuaro Ranch community in the midst of COVID-19. in Glendale. C Portraits | 3 One student leader, Tyrel Milam, experienced the vast Due to the strong community at GCC Challenge, Milam difference between secular community on his campus did not have to rely on his choir for community. Later in and the community at Challenge with whom he served. the year, Milam eventually saw choir as his mission field “I am also involved in choir at Glendale Community and assisted in leading a choir student to Christ. College, and I hear consistently from my peers about Another student, who attended Grand Canyon how this last year completely destroyed the choir’s sense University, struggled with spiritual community on her of community,” Milam says. “Glendale Challenge has campus before starting to attend the Collective evening been a blessing in that we have made a large effort to gatherings. ensure that we stay connected and involved in students’ She was frustrated as she realized many of those lives.” she spent time with at GCU who called themselves Christians were not following God. “She was met with a disconnect,” Caitlyn Marchbanks says. However, at Collective she found a quite different community of Christians — ones who followed God and encouraged her to grow in her faith. As she pressed into her community at Collective, a burden grew for her lost friends at GCU. “It was incredible to see over the last year and a half how God grew that burden of hers, and to watch her come to the conviction, ‘My friends need the gospel,’” Andrew Marchbanks says. “It’s been really cool to see how every time she has a spiritual conversation with one of them, she asks us to be praying for them.” Another GCC Challenge student leader who was reserved and lacking passion began seeing a spiritual Students pray together at Collective, the regional large group meeting for awakening in his life. Christian Challenge held at First Southern Baptist Church at Sahuaro He began taking the mission of God seriously Ranch in Glendale. Top of page, Andrew and Caitlyn Marchbanks are and taking old high school classmates on gospel Challenge campus missionaries at GCC. appointments, a scheduled time to discuss the gospel. At 4 | Portraits multiple points in student leadership meetings, he even community at GCC Challenge and Collective continued spoke up about the importance of evangelism in their through the school year. discipleship. “You could see the Holy Spirit transforming his heart,” Noah Jaeger, a freelance writer and photographer, is a Andrew says. member of Mercy Hill Church in Phoenix and serves on “This was a kid who was quiet and did not show a lot the Christian Challenge staff at Arizona State University’s of emotion. So, this [spiritual awakening], coming from Downtown Phoenix campus. him, is really cool,” Caitlyn says. Volunteer campus missionaries partnered with the GCC Challenge ministry because of the incredible NEXT STEPS community it provided. • Pray for Christian Challenge at Glendale Community “I value having a community that is willing to have College, as well as Christian Challenge ministries across the deep spiritual discussions, and live life together,” says state. Powerful prayers are the greatest support you can offer their ministry. Adam Smalley, worship leader for Collective and • Are you located in the Glendale area and want to volunteer campus missionary at Arizona Christian contribute to the mission at GCC in practical ways? Email University. “I know growing up for me, I didn’t have a Andrew, [email protected], or Caitlyn, caitlyn@ challengeaz.com, and ask how you can participate in God’s whole lot of that, so finding that as a young adult really kingdom work at this college. helped me grow my faith stronger.” • Do you know students headed off to an Arizona college GCC Challenge witnessed God’s power throughout or university this fall? Encourage them to seek out the Christian Challenge chapter on their campus. Find out the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the difficulties and more at challengeaz.com. frustrations students and campus missionaries faced,

PARTNERS ON THE JOURNEY Good news, hope and care ast year turned out very differently Resource Centers ministry to distribute than any of us expected. At 177,359 food boxes, which is nearly LABCS, we entered 2020 with great 30,000 more than the previous year. I was anticipation as we planned to celebrate regularly at our mobile food distribution our 60th birthday throughout the year. site near our Tucson headquarters and But within just a few months, everything saw how grateful the people were for the changed. extra help. They were beyond thankful. BY STEVE HANNA As the coronavirus spread and the I am very proud of our team and how Arizona Baptist Children’s response grew, each of us had to adapt they handle the challenges we face and Services & Family Ministries and reprioritize. For ABCS and our team, continue to love well those we serve. I am Executive director and it was a year that demanded flexibility blessed by them. president and perseverance as we remained open ABCS is also blessed by supporters like throughout the pandemic to continue you. Despite the fear and uncertainty are grateful that ABCS remains Christ- to provide essential services. We felt the surrounding the pandemic, charitable centered. tension all year long of trying to balance gifts to ABCS increased in 2020 thanks to Our call is to share the good news caring for our staff and volunteers while your generosity and concern for hurting of Christ with those in need of hope also providing for the families we serve. children and families. Your support and care. Last year, 58 people chose to You can read more in our 2020 Annual through the Cooperative Program make Jesus their Lord because of their Report at abcs.org/financialintegrity enabled us to remain open without relationship with us. In just the first few about how ABCS responded to growing cutting back services. months of this year, another 14 people needs during the pandemic and all that As always, we are incredibly grateful have made decisions to follow Christ. God did through the ministry. for God’s provision and protection No one is ever too far from God to be One highlight is how we were able over this ministry. We were still able forgiven and redeemed by Jesus. That’s to quickly ramp up our Community to celebrate 60 years in ministry and what motivates us to continue. Portraits | 5 THROUGH CHRIST-LIKE COMMUNITY

BY JAMIE MITCHELL

6 | Portraits s Christians, we know God created us for community. He is a communal God within Himself, and He has called us to pursue community both with Him and others — healthy community that builds up one another and provides a safe place to grow in Him. We’re called to image God to one another, however, because of sin, we often hurt instead of build up. And sometimes those who are supposed to provide healthy community for us fail to do so — in small ways and in detrimental ways. Often, the young women who come to live in the Arms of Love Home have histories of fractured and unstable community. They’ve been part of the foster care system and are now aging out to be “on their own.” The Astatistics are staggering related to homelessness, incarceration and other struggles for teens who age out of foster care without support. “General patterns and statistics, however, are nothing compared to Christ and the healing He can accomplish, by His Spirit, through Christ-centered community,” says Danica Koestner, Arms of Love Home resident assistant. This is exactly why Arizona Baptist Children’s Services & Family Ministries established the Arms of Love Home in Phoenix — a safe and loving home for women ages 18 to 21 who are aging out of foster care — a place where they can be cared for and mentored in a healthy community as they transition into adulthood and independent living. Before the first group of women moved into the home during the spring of 2020, the house was renovated in a serious community effort. “I was blown away by how God used community to care for the widow and orphan as the Bible calls us to,” says Koestner, who lives in the home alongside these young women. A resident and mentor prepare a meal at the Arms of Love Home. “So many individuals, churches and organizations Opposite page, young women living in the Arms of Love Home came together to install a new AC unit, paint, put in are cared for and mentored in a healthy community in the Arms baseboards, install fans and various other projects. of Love Home. Group photo by Nate Bowman It was so neat to see people who may not have traditionally served in foster care using their gifts to serve foster youth in this way.” The home was renovated with the goal for it to be a reminder to the young women who live there of how lavishly God loves them and desires to give them good gifts.

Portraits | 7 “The Arms of Love Home staff wanted it to be a home, accountable to their word and champion one another’s not just a house — a space serving as a reminder of goals. For maybe the first time in their lives, they are God’s care for them,” Koestner says. experiencing these types of normal, communal things in With the help of numerous volunteers, the young a healthy way. women who live in the Arms of Love Home are Perhaps unlike their childhood years, these women mentored and cared for as they grow in spiritual, are now surrounded by community to celebrate both the physical, mental and emotional health. They focus on big moments (graduations, birthdays and job interviews) personal goals and learn life skills — from budgeting, and small moments in life (grocery shopping, hiking or finances and car maintenance to cooking and nutrition. studying for a test), thanks to a committed community of They engage in Bible study together, make dinner and volunteers. play board games. Transitioning into adulthood is a tumultuous time They learn how to have hard conversations, address for everyone, even for those who have had stable conflict, communicate their needs, hold someone upbringings. So, imagine how important it is for these young women to be surrounded by people they can depend on to be there whenever they need anything, large or small. “I’ve never felt supported like this,” says one of the residents. “I’ve never had people show up like this for me before.” The women see the value of community firsthand. “We are hurt by people, but we can also be healed by people,” Koestner says. “God often uses His people — the church — to usher in that healing. In past relationships, these ladies were often abused, broken or abandoned, but also in relationship can they be healed, whole and restored. This ultimately happens in Christ, Members of several churches, including Black Mountain Baptist but we can serve as conduits of that healing.” Church in Cave Creek, work on renovating the Arms of Love Home. Another resident recently shared as she was preparing Top of page, Danica Koestner (far left), resident assistant, is joined to move out of the home: “I have come to realize how by members of Young Life and a resident on move-in week at the important it is to have a community. Each person I’ve Arms of Love Home.

8 | Portraits engage in and encourage healthy relationships with others. The Arms of Love home is a place that celebrates community, indeed!

Jamie Mitchell, a freelance writer living in Phoenix, is a member of First Southern Baptist Church, Scottsdale. NEXT STEPS • Give a tangible gift. From helping with house/landscaping projects, to preparing welcome baskets for new residents, to funding an experience for all the girls to do together, Members of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sun City and CalvaryPHX there are numerous ways to bless these women in a work on renovations at the Arms of Love Home. They were among a tangible way. Email Danica Koestner at dkoestner@abcs. number of churches that worked on the home. org if you have an idea or want suggestions. • Mentor or teach. If you are a female and interested in met has given me the opportunity to see God’s hand long-term relational mentoring or a more occasional in my life. I continue to grow and learn new ways of life-skill teaching opportunity, email Danica Koestner to learn the best way to get connected. becoming independent! I’m so ready for what God has • Go bowling. Visit abcsfostercare.com/bowling to learn for me in this next season.” about attending the Arms of Love Home’s annual bowling A community effort brought this home into being. The fundraiser in October. young women who live there are experiencing, maybe • Stay connected. Visit abcsfostercare.com/housing/ to sign for the first time, what healthy, Christ-like community up for their regular e-newsletter where you can stay up to date on stories of what God is doing through this ministry is like. And they are being launched into the world and additional opportunities to bless these young women. surrounded by a new community of support, ready to

7 ministries 1 mission providing hope & care to hurting

& Family Ministries providing hope & care children and families through Christ-centered ministries

abcs.org | (800) 678-0648 |

Portraits | 9 F

10 | Portraits COMMUNITY THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

BY DEBRA WOLFREY | PHOTOS BY NANCY PATTON

or the second time, I find myself teaching where I learned. I began my teaching career at a middle school, traveling the same halls I walked as a junior high school girl. Today, I am an adjunct professor at the Arizona Campus of Gateway Seminary, the same seminary from which I Debra Wolfrey, second from right and opposite page, visits with earned Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. students in her Life Span Development course at Gateway Seminary. Experiencing both sides of education in the same location has allowed me to garner a unique understanding become more creative in approaches to sharing the gospel of community. in our cultural contexts. It was community that attracted me to become a A friend once introduced me as a professor at the Gateway student. As a woman and as an associate minister, “cemetery,” teasing that I worked at a place lacking life, I needed a place where I could belong and learn more relevance and change. The similarity between a cemetery about the Bible and ministry. Now, my students represent and our seminary stops at the sounds of the two words. diverse age spans, ethnicities and ministry angles. Gateway Seminary is a community of friends dreaming Like me, you can belong even if you are outside the dreams and preparing to be the very best for the most “usual” mold. Professors interested in mentoring will teach important job any of us will ever have — working in God’s you as you discover the details of God’s call. kingdom. We make lifelong friends who speak truth to one Integral to community is discovering that you share another. Fcommonality amid diversity. Gateway students are eager to More than 50% of Arizona churches have leaders who learn in humility. You don’t know what you don’t know! were trained at Gateway’s Arizona Campus. These leaders We experience the truth of iron sharpening iron. As we know each other as trusted colleagues. We have learned challenge each other, we grow stronger in our beliefs and together, forming a bond that is deep and long lasting. their expression. As we expose ourselves to new ways, we A Gateway value is to bring a seminary opportunity Portraits | 11 small cadre of online students on a screen as I taught a room full of students. Volunteer or paid tech support helped me track my online students as I taught so I could keep the teaching methodology activity based. Community provides a place where one feels belonging. Much like returning home after a long trip, finding that community can bring relief, peace and joy. All of that is to be found among the Gateway Seminary community.

Debra Wolfrey holds Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Gateway Seminary and is an adjunct professor at Gateway’s Arizona Campus. Nancy Patton, a freelance photographer living in Peoria, is a member of Mountain Ridge Baptist Church, Glendale.

Debra Wolfrey (second from left), an adjunct professor at Gateway Seminary’s Arizona Campus, says community attracted her to the seminary as a student. NEXT STEPS closer to every ministry leader. I have traveled to Payson, Tucson, • Take a class at Gateway Seminary. There’s a community Lake Havasu City and Sierra Vista to teach my classes. waiting for you. I teach at individual churches also. If you can form a cohort of • Encourage your church to send untrained leaders to 10 students, Dallas Bivins, Gateway’s Arizona Campus director, Gateway. will send a professor to your church. • Gather 10 learners and host a class at your church. • Volunteer as tech support for a class. I have taught my courses as a typical biweekly evening class • Bring dinner to an evening class as an encouragement. or as weekend intensives. During 2020, I learned to Zoom the • For any of these steps, call Dallas Bivins or Valine Lim at learning experience. 602-843-8544. This past semester, I tackled dual-platform learning with a

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12 | Portraits Portraits | 13 CHURCH’S STREET MINISTRY CONNECTS WITH THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY BY IRENE A. HARKLEROAD

very Friday evening, the empty parking lot of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Phoenix comes alive. Kids and adults hold up “Jesus Loves You,” “Free Food” and “Honk for Jesus” signs on the corner of Van Buren and 20th Drive, inviting everyone to join the excitement. There is fresh homemade pozole, snacks, cold drinks and music. But the night is about Jesus — how He feeds the body and the spirit. It’s about the prayer of the righteous for the souls of the lost. Since September 2020, members of Centro Cristiano de Alabanza y Adoracion in Phoenix have come here to offer food, encouragement and prayer to the homeless. At first, they ministered on the sidewalk Ethen moved to the parking lot with the priest’s permission. A small group of families provides the food and organizes the events. They have a rhythm. They laugh, smile and pray over the people who come for comfort.

14 | Portraits Members of Centro Cristiano de Alabanza y Adoracion in Phoenix share food and drinks and offer to pray with homeless people who stop by the parking lot of a Catholic church on a Friday night.

2000s, people from the church were ministering to between 200 and 300 homeless people a week. “We even baptized a few in the streets,” Borja says. “Since the change, Hispanic people stopped coming for this service. Today, most of the people on the streets speak English, even the Hispanic people.” In addition to Friday evenings at St. Matthew Catholic Church, these same volunteers from the church distribute hundreds of food boxes donated by Shamrock Foods. Borja is encouraging his congregation to create a second group to relieve some of the suffering of the growing homeless population in the area between 7th Avenue and I-17. “There are a lot of people sleeping behind the freeway,” he says. “We want to go to those places. We can do a little more. I hope we can do better.” They pass bowls of soup to the lonely like they were feeding their own children. Some of those “children” stay for most of the Irene A. Harkleroad, a freelance writer living in Carefree, evening, resting in that love as the prayers continue for them and is a member of Black Mountain Baptist Church, Cave the others who join them. Some come back week after week. Creek. Early on, curious neighbors began checking out the activity on the corner and have recently begun donating money toward refreshments for the following weeks. Drivers occasionally pull over and contribute to the cause. NEXT STEPS Though most of the people who come to this place for help • Pray that God will open a door for ministry through your do not speak Spanish and many of those praying do not speak church. English, the power of prayer is obvious. Faces soften. Sad eyes • Speak to your pastor or other church leaders about known brighten. The Holy Spirit moves. And the darkness is pushed back needs in your community. for an evening. • Gather with another person or group to pray together and “We’ve been doing this in different places for a long, long time,” exchange ideas for ministry. They could be as simple as delivering a meal; providing diapers, formula or clothes says Pastor Enrique Borja. “We went to the homeless on Grant, for a new baby; picking up a prescription for a shut-in or Lincoln and Jackson streets.” helping an older adult with yard maintenance. Before the political climate changed for Latinos in the early

Portraits | 15 ARIZONA PASTORS FIND COMMUNITY IN FACEBOOK GROUP BY RIK DANIELSEN

ho understands the hopes and dreams or the hurts and disappointments of a Southern Baptist pastor in Arizona better than another Southern Baptist pastor in Arizona? In 2017 Brian Bowman, pastor of Valley Life Church Tramonto in Phoenix, realized there was no place for Southern Baptist pastors and ministers across Arizona to be transparent and real, to share both their hurts and their victories, so he started a private page on Facebook called “Arizona Southern Baptist Pastors and WMinisters.” This is a private group, and one must ask to join. Those who Ed Eddingfield, pastor of First Southern, Tucson, finds the Arizona are in ministry in Arizona Southern Baptist churches are allowed Southern Baptists Pastors and Ministers Facebook group to be a to join and see what others post. Bowman makes it clear that place he can get help and advice from his peers. Opposite page, Brian self-promotion and spam are not allowed on the page. Bowman, pastor of Valley Life Church Tramonto in Phoenix, started We all have experienced the changes to church life and ministry the Facebook group. Photo by Whitney Stotler. that have taken place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Churches have closed, reopened and closed again. produce livestream videos of services and sermons for members Ed Eddingfield, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of who are living in quarantine and isolation. He says it is also a place Tucson, found the Arizona Southern Baptist Pastors and Ministers to get solid biblical advice from his peers during these challenging group to be a place pastors could get help navigating the need to times. 16 | Portraits Resources have been exchanged on the page, too. One were able to share about numerous people who gave their lives church had chairs to give away, and another pastor needed help to Christ and those who followed Christ in believer’s baptism on developing a policy for staff sabbaticals. Easter Sunday. Eddingfield says one of the things that has helped him this last Chad Murrell says he would encourage pastors and ministers to year was learning from others how to navigate the legal and moral get involved with this page. He, too, says it is a place where you can ramifications of dealing with COVID-19. He appreciates the fact ask like-minded pastors for resources such as counselors, books that the men in this group understand the biblical mandate to and referrals. Personally, he enjoys the encouragement he receives protect the people God has called them to serve. from this group. Chip Short, pastor of First Baptist Church of Fort Mojave, says he likes this group because it is made up of like-minded people Rik Danielsen is a former Arizona pastor and retired who have the same calling with whom he can strategize, joke and director of missions for Yavapai Baptist Association. bellyache. Chad Murrell, lead pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Scottsdale, finds this page to be a place where he can ask for prayer and bounce ideas off other pastors. He knows this is a closed group where he and others can be honest. NEXT STEPS Brian Bowman says his favorite thread on the page was one he started right after Easter. He posted: “Well fellas, we wanna hear it! • If you are a pastor or minister in an Arizona Southern Baptist church and not a member of the private Facebook All the good stuff that happened. Don’t hold back. You’re among group, search for “Arizona Southern Baptist Pastors and friends. We wanna know if it was record attendance! If the Holy Ministers” and ask to join. You will be asked a few simple Spirit was powerful as people sang! If the sermon was one of your questions and then given permission to join. best-ever! Don’t worry about sounding like you’re bragging, we • Pray for the Arizona Southern Baptist pastors and know Jesus builds his church.” ministers in our state as they navigate these challenging times. Ask God to bring them encouragement and There were 62 responses to that post. Several pastors gave glory support. to God for the highest attendance they had ever had. Several Portraits | 17 WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP PARENTS AND TEACHERS BY JOHANNA WILLETT 18 | Portraits or the Education Coalition, serving teachers and parents during a pandemic looks like supplying both paper and microphones to classrooms in transition. Above and opposite page, at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, the Education Coalition, The initiative is an outreach of CityView an outreach of CityView Church and CalvaryPHX, gave away hundreds of student virtual Church in Glendale and CalvaryPHX. learning kits and parent packs. Below, Jeannine Denny (left) and Andrea Worth (right) have Since August 2020, the two churches have brought their churches together to serve the schools in their community. worked together to help parents, students, teachers and schools navigate education and know what your needs are and what during the COVID-19 pandemic. your vision is. How can we partner with “Overall, the Education Coalition you?’” is about supporting families where CityView, a smaller church, works they are in that moment,” says Andrea specifically with three schools. Worth, Calvary’s outreach director and a CalvaryPHX is developing a relationship co-founder of the Education Coalition. with its seventh. Worth worked with friends Jeannine Phil Garitson, the principal at Cholla Denny, the outreach director at CityView Middle School, has worked with Worth Church and a former preschool and Calvary for years. Now, when he needs teacher, and Dawn Suddock, who has a something, he calls Worth. This past year background in early childhood education, has been particularly challenging, he says. to create an initiative that could meet “Our teachers have needed a lot of specific needs caused by COVID-19. emotional support, and it’s been hard for Those evolved over the school year them, and they’re ready for this year to be from virtual learning kits and support in the books,” Garitson says. groups for parents juggling their children’s Support from Calvary varied — at-home learning to school supplies and sometimes, it was encouraging notes for encouragement for teachers when schools teachers or a balloon garland created for reopened. The coalition also offered kits 8th-grade promotion. And other times it stocked with notes of encouragement, was a coffee truck in the school parking lot stuffed animals and other items for kids for weary teachers, Garitson says. grieving a loss or struggling with anxiety. “It makes (the teachers) feel valued, Coalition comes in — they meet needs. The Education Coalition grew out because we very often don’t have the “There are 10 days left of the school of existing relationships Calvary and resources to do something like bring a year, and teachers are still requesting CityView already had with nearby schools. coffee truck to our parking lot,” he says. things,” Denny says. “All it really took was Worth says, “We have this model of “This year has been particularly hard one teacher at one school putting up a going in and talking to a principal and because the fundraising we [normally] need, we supplied it and word got out.” saying, ‘Hi, we’re here with no agenda. We did, we weren’t able to do.” The partnership between the churches just want to love on you and support you And that’s where the Education has given the coalition more resources.

Portraits | 19 “We knew the need was too big for just one of our churches to do it on their own,” Denny says. “Our churches are in close proximity, and a lot of our community is involved in both. So, we knew between both communities we could rally people.” They’ve also seen the community respond by sharing prayer requests and asking for service details. Denny says CityView has seen a handful of families come to church for special services. “It’s hard in a pandemic not to grow apathetic,” Worth says. “But God has worked through it enough for us to see fruit. I get emails from teachers saying, ‘Thank you for doing this. You have no idea how seen I feel, and how much this has impacted me.’ And that’s the goal, that at the end of the day, they know they are loved, and there is hope because somebody loves us.”

Johanna Willett, a freelance writer living in Tucson, is a member of Mountain View Baptist Church, Tucson. NEXT STEPS • As schools gear up later this summer, look for a nearby school your church can build a relationship with and ask the principal how you can help. • Partner with another church to serve your shared community. You can find other Southern Baptist churches in your city at azsbc.org/find-a-church. • To learn more about the Education Coalition, visit The Education Coalition, an outreach of CityView Church and edcoinitiative.com. CalvaryPHX, helps with a teacher appreciation lunch at a school.

20 | Portraits Zona Camp, students’ lives ‘Restored’ By Johanna Willett David Trenbeath and Raquel Williams hen Allena Fugatt learned her (from left to right), youth group couldn’t make the from Arizona Wannual trek to Zona Camp in Baptist Children’s 2020, it was one of many disappointments Services & Family caused by COVID-19. Ministries, listen “COVID was already ruining so much to students during stuff, and Zona was one of the things I a breakout session always looked forward to,” said Allena, who on sexual purity at just graduated from high school. “If you Zona Camp. Below, don’t have Zona, it’s not a summer at all.” students participate Thankfully, summer 2021 is in full in worship. Photos by swing. Zona Camp is back. Lainee Pegelow and From June 1-5, about 360 students and Victoria White leaders gathered in Glorieta, New Mexico, for Zona Camp 2021 — just in time for students had more options during free Allena to celebrate her senior year at the time, including zip-lining, rock climbing camp that has influenced her walk with and swimming in a lake decked out with Jesus since middle school. giant slides and obstacle courses. “I feel like once I went into my youth The location, plus a hunger for nor- group and Zona, something clicked and malcy, attracted new churches, said Aaron I started understanding more and more Petre, who co-directed this Zona with about Jesus,” said Allena, who goes to Joshua Tompkins. Last year, instead of the Happy Valley Baptist Church in Glendale. traditional camp experience, churches had That’s the power of Zona — a week of the option to host their own DIY camps worship and Bible study, combined with with “Zona in a Box” resource kits. community, inside jokes and adventure. At Glorieta this year, 17 students made “We weren’t made to sit here on screens first-time decisions to follow Christ, 13 and be alone,” said Joel Mucklow, a recommitted their lives to Him, eight graduated senior from First Southern responded to a call to ministry and more Baptist Church at Sahuaro Ranch in than 40 received prayer. Glendale. “So being able to see people “There’s just something about Zona face to face, to eat together, to sleep in the that brings decisions out of kids,” said same room and talk all night when you’re Petre, pastor of Enchanted Hills Baptist supposed to be sleeping, to do fun rec Church in Tucson. “They know it’s a safe activities together and learn about God place. And, you know, they worship here That life change is what compelled the together — community is so huge.” more than they will at home. ... There’s a Zona team onward, even as they faced Zona’s relocation to Glorieta meant freedom to be themselves.” significant obstacles while planning camp, including late changes to the location, speaker, band and camp director, plus pandemic complications such as mask requirements. Despite it all, Zona Camp was DeVaughn “Restored” — the theme for camp this Cunningham, from year. CalvaryPHX, leads a Allena’s sister Mackenzie Fugatt got breakout called “The to see restoration firsthand as a member Gospel: A Remedy of the Zona Crew, a group of 20 college to Racism” during students who served at Zona. During a Zona University time post-worship response time, Mackenzie at camp. About 360 led someone to Christ for the first time. students and leaders “That moment was probably the highest attended Zona Camp moment in my life,” Mackenzie said. “That June 1-5 in Glorieta New Mexico. See Zona on page 22

Portraits | 21 Lives changed at ZonaMEN Retreat By Charles W. Short

onaMEN changed the lives of men for eternity. The event was held April 30-May 2 at Lost Canyon Z Men attending the outside of Williams. During the first night, speaker Bob ZonaMEN Retreat Reccord felt the prompting of the Holy enjoy some down Spirit to abandon his outline and move time during the April straight to a gospel presentation. When 30-May 2 event at finished, 27 or more men were standing Lost Canyon outside at the front proclaiming publicly Jesus as of Williams. About Lord. 200 men from 18 Only the Lord knows how many of these churches attended. were first-time decisions, but most of them Photo by David appeared to be so. There were additional Olbert decisions for Christ as men consulted Finally, ZonaMEN strengthened hurts behind them and get excited about with each other during cabin time or churches by strengthening the men who serving Jesus. spoke with Reccord after the meeting. serve those congregations. The event was Under the guidance of the staff of the ZonaMEN also changed the lives of planned and set up for this purpose, camp, they handled cooking and serving the families of these men. At the end strengthening the men both through the meals, as well as operating the coffee of the second service, a significantly spiritual growth and through team- shop and store. The men attending the larger group of men was standing at the building. event gave a love offering to assist their front, committing to heal the broken The transformational portion of the ministry and show their gratitude for the relationships in their lives. event is driven home in the portion of the humble service of this group of saints. Reccord had illustrated this need by event called “cabin time.” This is a time Next year’s event is scheduled for the starting the sermon with a collection when the men gather to reflect after each weekend before Mother’s Day, April of river rocks spread around the stage. session. Leaders were trained in advance 29-May 1. The coalition planning the He described them as hurts we have to make the most of this opportunity with retreat will be led by Zach Papuga from encountered in our past — a father’s their groups. CalvaryPHX. Details will be announced discipline taken as rejection or a harsh ZonaMEN was attended by about soon. ZonaMEN is designed to strengthen word from a spouse remembered and 200 men from 18 churches around the churches by strengthening the men in magnified over time. state. This is the fifth such event, and them. He then gathered each of these stones the first one after being canceled in 2020 into a knapsack and carried it for 30-plus because of COVID-19. The camp was minutes through the sermon. When still implementing a number of safety he extended the invitation, asking men measures, but many who attended agreed More stories online if they would like to rid themselves of they were greatly blessed. See these at azsbc.org/portraits/: that weight, he tossed it across the stage, As has been the case since the inception • Propel: Christian Challenge students allowing the loud thump to echo in of the event, the servers for the weekend prepare to lead everyone’s thoughts, before inviting men were from Set Free, Needles. This church • Larry Loper is the new director to come forward. is full of people who have put their past of missions for Cochise Baptist Association, and Rik Danielsen has retired as director of evangelism/ missions for Yavapai Association. Zona from page 21 ------• Obituaries of retired Yuma pastor moment when it was just me and that girl first time as a 7th-grader, Allena said. The and director of missions Charles and her just being so full of courage to tell legacy of Zona continues — even after a Tyson; Jamal Bishara, founding me, a stranger, all of her problems, and year of obstacles. pastor of First Arabic Baptist me being able to share what God has been “We came up with the theme for Church, Phoenix; retired Phoenix doing in my life, it’s so hard to explain. restoration because we were thinking pastor Randall Pyfrom; Tom You could feel the love, and it made me so about where our teenagers were at in Holland, retired Arizona minister happy to see someone finally see God like regard to COVID,” Tompkins said. “So we and former AZSBC staff member; that.” started thinking about things that were Wade Carlisle, associate pastor of Like her sister, Mackenzie attended broken because of what COVID had done. First Baptist Church, Holbrook, and Zona as a student from middle school ... So it’s not just that God was restoring his father, Jack, a leader in Desert through her senior year. And this year, Zona Camp but that God can restore so Pines Association. their younger sister attended Zona for the much more than that in our lives.”

22 | Portraits Gateway holds ’20 and ’21 graduation By Warnesia Casey

ine students graduated in the commencement ceremony of NGateway Seminary held May 29 at CalvaryPHX in Phoenix. In addition, three others who earned degrees in 2020 — when commencement was not held due to the pandemic — returned to walk across the stage this year. Dallas Bivins, director of Gateway’s Arizona Campus presided over the ceremony. Jeff Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary, conferred the degrees and gave a charge to the graduating class. The degrees and their recipients (2020 graduates noted with an asterisk) were: — Doctor of Ministry: James Alden Brown, whose project was “Evangelism Methods and Processes Within Army Gateway Arizona Campus faculty and 2021 graduates are joined by 2020 graduates who Special Forces During Deployments,” and chose to participate in the 2021 commencement ceremony. David Gainey, whose project was “A Plan for Equipping Parents At Oasis” Debra Wolfrey, adjunct professor at the in establishing the Arizona Campus. The — Master of Divinity: Michael Grigsby Arizona Campus, presented the 2021 Dan recipient of this award is selected by the — Master of Theological Studies: David & Harriet Stringer Award to Leslie Martin. faculty of the Arizona Campus. Buiten, Terrance Charles Ellman Sr.*, This award recognizes a graduate who has Iorg urged the graduates to find John David Filoteo, Joshua Hogue, Darrell persevered through significant personal people who will faithfully pray for them, Ingram*, Dillon Le, Erik Maness*, Leslie hardship to pursue his or her seminary to surround and support their future Martin and Laura Parisi Thomas education. Dan Stringer was a former ministries. They will not yield kingdom — Master of Global Engagement: executive director of the Arizona Southern fruit if not for the faithful prayers of those Gregory Paul Salyer II. Baptist Convention and was instrumental around them, he said. Josh Hogue, executive pastor at First Southern Baptist Church of Scottsdale, said, “Graduating this year and being New SBC able to walk with the 2020 class was a President perfect celebration of accomplishment Former Arizona and overcoming difficulty for many of us. Southern Baptist My graduation ended a 14-year journey pastor Ed Litton is of my seminary education from start to the new Southern finish. I am grateful that God allowed me Baptist Convention the opportunity to finish my degree at president. He Gateway Seminary’s Arizona Campus.” was elected June 2020 graduate Michael Grigsby, North 16 in Nashville, Phoenix Baptist Church Flagstaff campus Tennessee. pastor, said, “Having the opportunity Litton, pastor to walk with the class of 2021 was an of Redemption incredible capstone on my studies here Church in at Gateway. I am excited to see what the Saraland, Alabama, Lord is going to do with this education planted Mountain and the sacrifice of my family — View Baptist especially my wife, Alicia — and friends Church in Tucson to make it happen.” and previously Scott Gourley, a 2019 doctor of served as a home ministry graduate from Gateway, gave missionary in the the invocation. David Johnson, executive AZSBC evangelism director of the Arizona Southern Baptist office. (BP) Photo Convention and a Gateway adjunct professor, gave the benediction.

Portraits | 23 Bowman: New Send Phoenix missionary By Elizabeth Young for planting churches. The Send Network that church plant that if the planting merely organizes that work.” family doesn’t for whatever reason work rian Bowman, lead pastor of Valley Church planting is “the function of a out, the sending church is still committed Life Church Tramonto in north healthy church,” Bowman said. “I really to planting the church. BPhoenix, began serving as the do believe that, for too long, we have not “We have a long way to go to create North American Mission Board’s Send turned the key on existing churches to that kind of buy-in on the part of sending City missionary for Phoenix May 1. see if we can get them to do what they churches, but that’s what I want to see While taking on this role with NAMB’s were created to do. These churches were happen.” Send Network, which focuses on church created to make disciples and to plant When asked how people can pray for planting, he is continuing as pastor of more churches. Until we recognize that’s Phoenix, Bowman said for a long time his Valley Life. what they were built for and let them do answer was, “Pray for leaders.” Now, his “I’m really thankful for a church that their job, we are hindering them from answer is more specific. embraces our responsibility in the state fulfilling one of their purposes.” “Pray that God raises up workers from to champion church planting,” Bowman Having served as a church planter inside of Phoenix to make disciples and said. “In the past that has meant sending and as pastor of a sending church — a plant churches, to train church planters members, leaders and generous givers church that sends out a church planter — and to identify church planting teams to make new church plants, and now it Bowman has a dream as he casts vision from within these sending churches who means allowing me to divide my time.” for Phoenix. will guide the next church plants,” he said. In his new role, Bowman will champion “My dream is for sending churches to Bowman joins a team of men focused church planting in metropolitan Phoenix, care so much about the church planting on church planting in Arizona. Monty one of NAMB’s 32 Send Cities. families that even if the church plant Patton is Send Network Arizona director, “It’s very important to me that only does not ultimately pan out, that planting concentrating on all of the state outside churches plant churches,” he said. “No family knows they still have a church they of metro Phoenix. Tommy Thomas, Jesse denominational organization can, or belong to,” he said. “[My dream is also] for Powell, Louis Spears and Fernando Amaro even should, take on the responsibility the sending church to care so much about serve as NAMB church planting catalysts. WORKING TOGETHER Top 25 in Arizona Mission Offering Top 25 Per Capita in Arizona Mission Offering Arizona Southern First Baptist, Fountain Hills 13,474.31 The Shepherd’s Gate, Sun City 100.80 Baptist churches Twenty Second St., Tucson 12,971.84 Burton, Show Low 94.14 gave $222,621.77 Calvary, Lake Havasu City 12,100.00 Twin Butte, Phoenix 79.63 First Southern, Scottsdale 10,930.00 First Baptist, Alpine 71.43 to the 2020 Mountain View, Tucson 10,500.00 Twenty Second St., Tucson 65.51 Arizona Mission Laveen, Laveen 10,416.70 First Baptist, Fountain Hills 62.96 Offering. A total of Cross Church, Surprise 10,000.00 Bouse, Bouse 51.53 104 churches First, Sun City 8,125.00 Tucson Chinese, Tucson 50.00 Burton, Show Low 7,625.00 Emmanuel, Sun City 46.72 gave to the First, Sun Cit y West 5,301.00 First Southern, Duncan 42.68 offering to support Tucson Chinese, Tucson 5,000.00 First Baptist, Sun City 42.32 the Helping CalvaryPHX, Phoenix 5,000.00 Mountain View, Tucson 37.23 Churches in Crisis Grand Community, Surprise 4,590.00 First Southern, Camp Verde 36.98 Village Meadows, Sierra Vista 3,797.00 First Sout hern, Scottsdale 36.68 Fund. Green Valley, Green Valley 3,720.00 Crossroads, Thatcher 35.80 Brown Road, Mesa 3,517.00 First Southern, Willcox 32.35 Crossroads, Thatcher 3,400.53 First Southern, Chino Valley 31.57 Love, Phoenix 3,218.04 Love, Phoenix 29.25 Twin Butte, Phoenix 3,185.00 Laveen, Laveen 29.18 First Southern, Chino Valley 3,156.74 Morningside, Yuma 29.13 Tucson Mountain, Tucson 3,117.50 First, Sun City West 28.05 Royal Palms, Phoenix 3,107.08 Sunnyside, Flagstaff 25.53 Rincon, Tucson 2,765.93 First Southern, Miami 25.50 Emman uel, Sun City 2,710.00 Wilderness, Vernon 22.14 First Southern, Phoenix 2,595.00 Arcadia Gospel, Phoenix 21.19

24 | Portraits TURNER AND THE TWOS urner loves to ponder … to T“sit a spell” and think about when they are doggie things! So, today our dog upset or have was pondering how many eyes he questions. had … “My job as a I know, sounds crazy! police sergeant By Lori Pruit How many eyes? Two! And helps me to be a Illustration by Edsel Arnold how many ears? Two! How many better pastor. And dirt-covered nostrils … yep, two! He my job as a pastor helps me to even had two feet … no wait, that’s four … sigh! be a better police sergeant.” Anyway, you get the idea! Still puzzled, which was somewhat normal for During all this pondering, Sgt. Mike our adorable Labrador, Turner went back to his Blevins of the Sahuarita Police Force pondering. gave out a whistle. “Two eyes, two ears, two badges, two jobs — “Come on Turner, it’s time to head the Lord certainly has a hankering for ‘twos’!” home and then to church.” You see, our Pulling up to his house, Mike opened the car pet had been invited to spend the day door for Turner. Running into the house, our pup with Sergeant Blevins. saw something very important! Yep … YELLOW! Climbing into the squad car, Turner And I bet you thought I had forgotten? noticed Mike had two badges. One Well, our crazy dog skidded to a stop right in looked very official … “Sergeant front of tons of yellow sticky notes on the wall. Blevins.” The other badge, hanging “Do you like all my VERY important reminder on the car mirror, said “Pastor notes, Turner?” Blevins.” Pushing closer, Turner saw two sticky notes ALL Why two badges? about him! HELP MAKE YOUR OWN Noticing the puzzled look, STICKY NOTE WALL. “GET TURNER” TURNER Pastor Blevins explained, “Turner, “A YELLOW TENNIS BALL.” FIND HIS BALL Jot down names I have two jobs. I wear my Oh boy! You really do care, Mike … Turner’s yellow ball to pray for or sergeant’s badge because I work TWO big notes just for Turner! people to help! on the police force. I have many has rolled away things to do here, but it all comes and is hiding in the pages of the down to helping people. I help when they are hurt TIP OF THE TALE TURNER'S magazine. or frightened. I try to take good care of them. Mike Blevins is a bivocational pastor. “But sometimes I wear a different badge that says “Bi” means two! Can you Pastor. As the pastor of Grace Fellowship in Vail, I Pray for those who work doubly hard find it? tell people about God’s love. I point them to Jesus while serving Jesus! Think small!

Dot to Dot…start at #1 to find Mike’s car

Portraits | 25 ARIZONA SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION 93RD ANNUAL SESSION

FRIDAY CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH NOV. 12 LAKE HAVASU CITY 2021 AFTERNOON MORNING PASTORS BUSINESS CONFERENCE SESSION & WORSHIP

FOR ATTENDEES Thursday, November 11 OPTIONAL GETAWAY RESTORE YOUR SOUL DAY Hosted by Calvary Baptist Church Free recreational activities Followed by dinner and an evening of worship

Calvary will cover the cost of Wednesday night hotel*

* More details to come at azsbc.org/2021-annual-meeting/ and in upcoming biweekly AZSBC e-newsletters (subscribe at azsbc.link/NewsSignup) Use your mobile device to capture this QR code for more info.

26 | Portraits Do you have a story of statewide interest about how your Faith in Action church or a group in your church is ministering to others? ith the help of a giving challenge, one block west of 35th Avenue — at the Bouse Southern Baptist Church, western edge of Grand Canyon University WBouse, which has a weekly worship — was purchased for the church’s com- NEW PASTORS attendance of 45, gave more than 16 times munity ministries and to provide space , First Baptist its goal to the Annie Armstrong Easter for ministries that had used the church’s Richard Cunningham Offering for North American Missions. previous location, including Relentless Church, Casa Grande With an offering goal of $350, the church Church and Christian Challenge at Grand Mike Stallcup, Palominas, Hereford agreed to match from existing funds the Canyon University. total given by members. Currently, the church offices are housed “Believing that the amount would at the Georgia location and First Southern probably be around the same as previous meets there for Sunday morning worship, NEW CHURCH years, there was no concern for matching along with Primera Iglesia Bautista the offerings,” said Pastor Ted Finkbeiner. Hispana, a Spanish-speaking congregation PLANTERS “However, God gave us a surprise.” that is part of First Southern. Abraham Estrada Members contributed more than $2,850. Ultimately, a third purchased property, on , Tacna Hispanic “That means our total gifts to the Annie Rose Lane near 35th Avenue and Bethany Church, Tacna Armstrong Offering will be close to $6,000.” Home Road, will become the new church Ray Jones, Maricopa Finkbeiner said. “Be careful what you ask home. The property requires substantial Ricardo Felix for, as God might decide to challenge your remodeling and building permits have been , Iglesia Cristiana commitment!” delayed due to COVID-19. Conexion, Phoenix

ollowing a year of significant change, orth Phoenix Baptist Church, First Southern Baptist Church, Phoenix, celebrated being debt-free FPhoenix, celebrated its 100th anniversary Nwith a note burning by Pastor Noe Garcia during the Sunday morning service on during the morning service on Celebration March 28. Sunday, April 11. Although there are at least three Arizona Garcia said the church was debt free for Southern Baptist churches that are older, the first time in 46 years. North Phoenix CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING First Southern of Phoenix was the first broke ground for its present facilities in 1976. church established as a Southern Baptist “God has brought us an incredible Grand Community Baptist Church in Surprise is seeking the accompaniment CD trac for the choral collection The church in Arizona. The other churches miracle,” Garcia said. “Not only has the Church Triumphant, arranged by Russell Mauldin. If you have affiliated with Southern Baptists sometime church come together financially to help one and would be interested in selling or loaning it, please contact Russ Jakes at 623-695-5217 or [email protected]. after their founding. move forward, but someone approached Classified ads are $25 each for up to 30 words and $1.00 for each What grew from the beginning with 72 me and said, ‘I’d like to pay off the additional word, with a minimum charge of $25. Next available issue: members “has been nothing less than remainder of the debt for your church.’ … October-December 2021. Advertising deadline is September 10. Send written ads to Portraits, 12801 N. 28th Dr., Ste. 1, Phoenix, AZ 85029 or remarkable,” said David Johnson, Arizona We can burn the note, and we can give God email [email protected]. For further assistance, call 602-843-1030 Southern Baptist Convention executive the glory!” or 800-687-2431. director and former First Southern pastor, noting that “129 churches trace their inisterio Cristiano Nueva Esperanza, lineage to this church.” Tucson, held a family day at the However, this isn’t the end of the story, Mchurch May 1 to reach the community. The Johnson said, “because the door is open event included free food, inflatables, music, for a new chapter.” games and prizes. In the summer of 2019, Grand Canyon Three weeks later, a team from the University purchased the property of First church, including Pastor Sergio Garcia, Southern Baptist Church on Camelback painted the curbs around the parking lot Road and allowed the church to lease it of an elementary school. The church also back for one year. Last summer, the church collected supplies for the school. moved from the property it had occupied since 1972. ree of Life Church, Tucson, held a With the sale proceeds, First Southern community-wide family picnic at the purchased three church properties and Tchurch May 29 to engage the community invested a substantial amount, with the with the gospel. The event included free understanding that the earnings can be food, music, games and activities. used for missions and ministries upon Pastor Bill Allen said several Tucson approval of the church. churches — including 22nd Street Baptist One property, near Bethany Home Road Church, Authentic Life Church and and Central Avenue in Phoenix, was bought Second Mile — supported the event with for Myanmar Grace Church, a Burmese people and materials, such as speakers congregation that had been part of First and sound for music. Bounce houses from Southern. Catalina Association’s block party trailer A second property, on Georgia Avenue were also used.

Portraits | 27 Non—Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Arizona Southern Baptist Convention Phoenix, AZ 12801 N. 28th Dr., Ste. 1 Permit No. 437 Phoenix, AZ 85029

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