See EEK ‘s SBC meeting 2005 Offering for Maryland/ A missional aproach roadtrip scrapbook Delaware Missions Special Insert to ministry Page 5 Page 8-9 Page 13 TM July 2005 Download this issue online: BaptistBaptistLIFELIFE www.yourbcmd.org/BLJul05 Newsjournal of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware 2005 Wrap-up: Southern Baptists focus on evangelism By Michael Foust SBC Meeting NASHVILLE, Tenn. Summary Edition (BP) — Under the banner of “Everyone Can,” Southern Baptists June 22 launched an ambitious effort to baptize one million people in a year, cap- ping an annual meeting that also saw an end to the Disney boycott, a special recognition of Billy Graham and an ad- dress via satellite from Presi- dent Bush. It was the fi rst time since 1914 that the meeting was held in Nashville, Tenn., with the largest number of messengers since 2000. The 11,641 regis- tered messengers were the most since 11,918 registered for the meeting in Orlando, Fla., fi ve years ago. Although messengers dealt with a handful of con- tentious issues during the CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED CHANGE SERVICE 10255 Old Columbia Road 10255 Baptist Columbia, Maryland 21046-1716 Columbia, June 21-22 meeting – such as As fireworks ignite by center stage and balloons drift down from above, Bobby Welch, president of the approval of the corporate the Southern Baptist Convention, presents the “Everyone Can Kingdom Challenge” launch to close model known as sole member- the SBC annual meeting in the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tenn. LIFE ship for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary – the Christian music group, Cast- teaued baptismal statistics in On Tuesday, Welch deliv- emphasis was on evangelism. ing Crowns. Over the course recent years. ered a presidential address The nearly week-long of the weekend and week, Referring to the conserva- that will be remembered for convergence on Nashville be- there were more than 2,500 tive resurgence, he added: “It’s years to come. He held up gan with a record 10,000-plus recorded professions of faith now time for us to build on several fl attened dead frogs he volunteers doing door-to-door in Christ. what’s been accomplished.” found on the road in front of evangelism as part of Cross- SBC President Bobby After Draper spoke, music his house. A concrete truck, he over Nashville on Saturday Welch, who was re-elected to artist Ricky Skaggs blew a sho- said, killed all of them. and ended with a message a second one-year term, has far, or ram’s horn, signaling the “You know where I found from LifeWay Christian Re- dubbed the one-year emphasis beginning of the evangelism these little dead frogs? Follow- sources President James T. on evangelism the “Everyone emphasis. ing this big dead frog,” Welch Draper, Jr. during Wednesday Can Kingdom Challenge.” “We are going to go out said, holding up an even bigger evening’s fi nale, complete “The only thing we can there and we are going to at- frog to laughter. with fi reworks, confetti, a do down here that we cannot tack the gates of hell ... for the balloon drop and a perfor- do in heaven is win the lost,” sake of souls,” Welch shouted continued on page five mance from the contemporary Draper said, pointing to pla- to applause. Hands to work, Hearts to serve: The theme for the 2005 Offering for Maryland and Delaware Missions Compiled by Iris White through their actions of mercy BaptistLIFE Associate Editor and charity. The opportunities are varied and as unique as COLUMBIA, Md. — “How our different communities.” much we care is measured not (Excerpt from David Lee’s state by what we say, but by what missions letter) we do. We have the opportu- The 2005 Maryland and nity as Maryland/Delaware Delaware Missions Offering Baptists to put feet on our car- emphasis is the week of Sept. ing. John was right. We don’t 11-18 with a goal of $240,000. show love by words or speech. The theme of “Hands to work, We demonstrate love in ‘deed Hearts to serve” is based upon and truth’ (1 John 3:18). We Gal. 6:9-10, “Let us not become live in a time of unprecedented weary in doing good, for at the opportunity. We live in an area proper time we will reap a harvest ripe for the sharing of Christ’s if we do not give up. Therefore, done by God in our hearts containing: feature stories, ser- love. Let’s busy ourselves in as we have opportunity, let us do that leads us to action and it is mon, children’s sermon, teach- expanding His Kingdom. good to all people.” our hope that the actions lead ing guides for children, youth “As a continuation of the The encouragement of to the changing of people’s and adults, prayer guide and Columbia, MD Columbia, U.S. Postage U.S. Permit #350 Permit 2004 State Missions Offering Paul in Galatians is to continue hearts. devotions. Non-profit PAID theme, ‘A Great Open Door,’ it to do good, without thought All churches will receive These and additional re- is now our calling to compas- to results, with assurance that a 2005 Offering promotion sources are also available at sionately share Christ to those there is future reward. packet, which includes: a letter www.yourbcmd.org/offering. in need. Across Maryland and The combination of heart from David Lee, theme post- See pages 8-9 for more infor- Delaware, there are stories and hands separates us from ers, bulletin inserts, Offering mation and useful bulletin of churches sharing Christ other groups. It is the work envelopes and a CD-ROM board materials. Four Super Bowls with three wins don’t mean a thing am a Washington Redskins retirements from the conven- Draper is retiring in Feb- stay on point for missions and fan. There I said it. (Now all tion or local church respon- ruary 2006 as president of evangelism. These are both the Ithe Baltimore Ravens’ fans sibilities. Here in Nashville, LifeWay Christian Resources. I hallmarks and the future of know where I stand). As a Red- heroes like Adrian Rogers, served on the staff of Draper’s who Southern Baptists are at skins fan, I was very interested Jerry Vines and Jimmy Draper, church in Del City, Okla., while their core. Even the Coopera- in an article that appeared re- among others, were recog- an undergraduate student at tive Program can still be a vital cently in USA TODAY. In the nized and honored for their Oklahoma Baptist University. force for impacting an entire interview, Redskins coach, and service and leadership to He preached at my ordination world. Yes, missions should be NFL Hall of Famer, Joe Gibbs Southern Baptists. All of these to the ministry. Currently he a hands-on experience for ev- Bob Simpson said, “I have to prove myself men have served as president is reaching out to the next gen- ery church member. But even if BaptistLIFE Editor, all over again. It’s at my feet. of the Southern Baptist Con- eration of leaders and pastors we all went on a mission trip, BCM/D Director of It’s my responsibility. The last vention as well as pastoring within the SBC to help bridge we would all come home. But Communications go-round buys me nothing.” some of the greatest churches the natural transition that will God is still calling career mis- This from a man who coached we have as Southern Baptists. ultimately come. sionaries who need our prayer in four Super Bowls and won Rogers preached for the What’s the point? The point and fi nancial support to go and three! pre-convention SBC Pastor’s is that we stand at threshold plant their lives. There has nev- As I write this, I am sitting Conference on Monday eve- of the greatest ministry op- er been a more effective vehicle in the Gaylord Entertainment ning. This “prince of preach- portunity we have ever had as for funding missionaries than Center in Nashville, Tenn., at- ers,” as he is lovingly known, Southern Baptists. The mantle the Cooperative Program. tending the 2005 Southern Bap- did his usual outstanding job. that we all knew would be Joe Gibbs is right. We must tist Convention. Over and over One of his points was that passed is, in fact, being handed focus on the task ahead. Pre- this year’s convention meeting Gideon, as an example of the off. Yes, the past was great. But vious victories are behind us has reminded me that we can- man of God, was a man of the future can be even greater! now. We are all here together not sit on our laurels while the vigilance. He warned that we It is now our time to meet the for such a time as this! Let’s clock of eternity ticks away. must never grow weary of awesome challenge. fi nd every way we can to work Many of my personal SBC confronting the enemy of our We must join hands and cooperatively. The time is heroes have announced their souls. hearts across generations to short! Tick, tick, tick… Sherry and I learn from the other side of ministry surrendered to full-time aftermath have introduced us Just short of panic, I re- There have been calls, ministry when I was six- to the “other side of ministry.” ceived a call from one of cards, fl owers, books and Iteen years old. That was 38 I will spare you the details, but the angels at Faith Church candy.