LIFETM BaptistBaptist Newsjournal of the Baptist ConventionLIFE of Maryland and Delaware November 2003 Former Maryland Terrapin serves at Saddleback Church By Shannon Baker BaptistLIFE Correspondent LAKE FOREST, Calif.—It was 1982. Ronald Reagan was president, the communications giant AT&T was forced into de- centralization and the poison- ing of a batch of Tylenol pain- killers killed seven people and altered the way many products are packaged in the United States. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial debuted in the box offi ce. Glen Kreun was also inter- viewing at the almost three- see pages 6–7 for our year old Saddleback Church in Lottie Moon Offering Lake Forest, Calif. special feature! The then 42-year-old re- tired Navy man had earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Maryland and had been baptized at First Church, Laurel, Md., under Frank Perry’s pastorate, and had recently earned a master of religious education degree from Golden Gate Seminary. He was already settling Glen Kreun, Saddleback Church, (left) and Stan Beall, pastor (right), launched the campaign, “40 into a comfortable position Baptist CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED CHANGE SERVICE Maryland 21046-1716 Columbia, Old Columbia Road 10255 Days of Purpose,” at First Church, Laurel, on Oct. 11. The campaign is revolutionizing churches of all as minister of education and denominations across the nation. administration at the well- Purpose-Driven Growth LIFE established Vallejo Church in nothing, but they were excited dance each weekend and over northern California when he about their faith. They had a 190 full-time and 50 part-time Now in the second season received a call to visit the Or- real love for Jesus.” staff members. Recognized of its “40 Days of Purpose” ange County church. There, at There were less than 300 as the fastest growing Bap- campaign, Saddleback Church a backyard barbeque at Rick people attending the church tist church in American his- baptized 671 new believers, Warren’s house, he was smitten when Kreun came on board to tory, Saddleback is the church added 1,200 new members and by the church’s young believ- start a Sunday school program behind the Purpose-Driven increased its average atten- ers. and to handle the church’s ad- movement inspired by War- dance by 2,000 in just 40 days “It was like an orphanage,” ministration. ren’s best-selling books, The last fall. the now-Saddleback executive Now, 20 years later, there Purpose-Driven Church and The continued on page eleven pastor remembers. “They knew are over 18,000 people in atten- Purpose-Driven Life. New churches change the landscape of Maryland/Delaware eternally By Joyce Jackson Jackson explains current small groups, launching again “Church planters are our scouts BaptistLIFE Correspondent approaches to church planting. and again in multiple settings. to an emerging world. They “Not all churches get started In these situations it is often can see and perceive things COLUMBIA, Md.—Grow- the same way. Some congrega- hard to determine when ‘the that many of us would never ing at a rate never before seen tions hold services the fi rst launch’ actually takes place,” notice or understand. They are in the Baptist Convention of Sunday the planter is on the Jackson said. our delta force, our navy seals. Maryland/Delaware, church fi eld, even if the new church Jackson noted that by They go where many of us dare starts take place in new and di- has only a handful of commit- tailoring these different ap- not tread and do things that verse locations to reach people ted people at that time. These proaches, from the beach, to they are especially trained to untouched by the gospel. tend to grow slowly, but steadi- the cities and mountains a do. There is no question that Currently, 72 new works ly, in the coming months. wide range of people are being church planters are penetrating meet in various stages of “Other congregations culti- reached. New church starts the vast pool of lost and un- growth, from home Bible vate relationships among their currently minister to students, churched people in Maryland/ studies to dynamic worship core families in small groups or Koreans, Korean Deaf, Libe- Delaware in a way unseen in services. The challenge to fi nd home Bible studies for up to a rians, Filipinos, Vietnamese, recent years.” meeting locations results in un- year before they hold a ‘Grand Latinos, Urdu, Pakistani, “Here again is the key,” Lee usual solutions such as a tour Opening’ or ‘Launch Day.’ The Congolese and multi-cultural said. “Existing congregations, ship, mall, theater, school and entire community is invited to populations. investing both human and baseball stadium. this day–a fi rst public worship A few of these young fi nancial resources, success- Church planting consul- service, if you will–in which churches are already reproduc- fully reach out through their tant, David Jackson, stresses typically a large crowd gath- ing new congregations. Some ministries to the lost. At the the importance of church ers. In subsequent weeks, the of the church plant offspring same time, they give birth to starts. “New churches are our crowd will drop back in size as are within our region with one congregations who witness and Columbia, MD Columbia, past and our future. Behind their identity takes shape. Once in New York City. Others are minister, who then give birth U.S. Postage U.S. Permit #350 Permit Non-profit each existing church stands a defi ned the ministry grows international, Jackson said. to new congregations who wit- PAID pioneer, a witness to the work steadily,” he said. David Lee, executive di- ness and minister, all the while that is our inheritance. These “A third approach, more rector of BCM/D, discusses expanding our circle of witness pioneers forge a legacy and a common these days, focuses the crucial role of churches and infl uence in this area and challenge to reach our region on small groups. These congre- partnering with planters to throughout the world!” for Christ.” gations grow by reproducing reach this region for Christ. continued on page ten Enough already! s of this writing, more Every long-standing so- that state. Delaware has pro- (202) 224-4654 than half a million ciety has defi ned marriage tected marriage by prohibiting Rep. Roscoe Bartlett Americans have signed as between one man and one same-sex “marriage.” Mary- (R-6th District) (202) 225-2721 Aa petition to Congress that woman. Studies of previous land, on the other hand, has Rep. Benjamin Cardin they believe marriage should civilizations show that when not fully protected marriage (D-3rd District) (202) 225-4016 be only between a man and a a society deviates from this through DOMA laws. Specifi - Rep. Elijah Cummings woman. I realize that this defi - norm, it begins to deteriorate cally, Maryland needs to clarify (D-7th District) (202) 225-4741 nition of marriage is not news and decline as a civilization. the issue of recognizing same- Rep. Wayne Gilchrest to most of you. It’s just that Even the fi ve major world re- sex “marriages” performed out (R-1st District) (202) 225-5311 Bob Simpson the world is on the verge of ligions all recognize and pro- of state. I would encourage you Rep. Steny Hoyer BaptistLIFE Editor, going stark raving mad. Why mote the natural, heterosexual to contact your state represen- (D-5th District) (202) 225-4131 BCM/D Director of is it necessary to undermine orientation of marriage. They tatives and urge them to sup- Rep. C. A. Ruppersberger Communications the most fundamental build- include Buddhism, Islam, Juda- port and pass DOMA legisla- (D-2nd District) (202) 225-3061 ing block of every society: the ism, Hinduism and, of course, tion at every opportunity. Rep. C. Van Hollen family unit? The fact that we Christianity. I am not usually prone (D-8th District) (202) 225-5341 even have to have this dis- The possibility that a liber- to call you to specifi c action. Rep. Albert Wynn cussion just blows my mind. al court somewhere will legal- Normally, I like to make you (D-4th District) (202) 225-8699 I don’t know about you, but ize gay “marriage” has led pro- think, encourage your spirit I am at the point of saying family lawmakers to introduce and provide a perspective that Delaware: “Enough, already!” the Federal Marriage Amend- you might fi nd helpful. In this Senator Joseph Biden (D) Marriage was not our idea. ment (FMA) which would de- case, however, I am asking you (202) 224-5042 It is not even an American fi ne marriage as solely between to call your Congressional Senator Thomas Carper (D) invention. It was the fi rst in- one man and one woman. The delegation and let them know (202) 224-2441 stitution ordained by God. He Federal Marriage Amendment that “Enough is enough!” Tell Representative Michael Castle (R) created man and woman and needs the approval of two- them to support and pass the (202) 225-4165 blessed their union. Jesus fur- thirds of the House and Senate Federal Marriage Amendment ther underscored the ultimate before each state gets a chance and any and all future legisla- Another way to help is to importance of marriage being to vote on it. tion that would defend the visit the CitizenLink website, between one man and one At the state level, a “de- traditional defi nition of mar- www.citizenlink.org, and click woman. In Matthew 19:6, Jesus fense of marriage act” (DOMA) riage. You may contact your on the “Help Save Marriage!” said, “Haven’t you read the scrip- law is one that defi nes mar- Congressional delegation from link at the right side of the tures? They record that from the riage as a legally sanctioned the list below: page.