SANCTITY AFFIRMING WORTH AND DIGNITY OF LIFE

Marilyn’s Story: An Abortion Averted ALSO INSIDE: JANUARY 2021 New COVID Vaccines Raise Hopes JANUARY 2O21 THE COURIER EDITOR & PRESIDENT | James Rudy Gray VOL. 153, NO. 1 Published once a month by The Baptist Courier MANAGING EDITOR | Todd Deaton GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Candace Rathbone BUSINESS MANAGER | Chris Holliday BOOK PUBLISHING | Butch Blume (ISSN: O7446985 , PUB: 42260) EDITORIAL ASSISTANT | Denise Huffman EDITOR EMERITUS | Don Kirkland 100 Manly Street, Greenville, SC 29601. Periodicals CIRCULATION MANAGER | Carolyn Rainey postage paid at Greenville, SC and other locations.

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2 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER Editor’s Note: Carolina Pregnancy Center is one of the and brainwaves, based on the dates she had given me. oldest and largest pro-life help centers in South Carolina. All By the end of our conversation, she was convinced services are free, including ultrasound, counseling, help for that she could not go through with an abortion, but she fathers, maternity clothes, baby clothes, diapers, and more. didn’t know how her boyfriend would feel — and she was For the past 30 years, CPC has followed its theme of being honest enough to tell me that even though she did not think “committed to the truth” and providing hope to women in a she could go through with it, his opinion would definitely crisis pregnancy. Their objective is not just to help clients, but influence her final decision. to share the gospel of Christ with people. “We want people It was at this point that I asked her if she thought Roger to leave here with more life than when they came here,” said would come in and talk. She didn’t know, but she would ask. Alexia Newman, director. Then I asked if I could pray with her. This is when she really The following account is written by Newman. began to sob. Even though it was emotional for both of us, it was also very comforting. I think she released it all to the Lord at that point, and I felt good about things as she drove away. MARILYN WAS 19 WHEN SHE CAME TO THE Early the next morning, Marilyn called, and she and her Carolina Pregnancy Center. She was such a beautiful girl, so boyfriend wanted to come in as soon as possible. Of course, well spoken. Seemingly confident. She was just beginning her we told them to come on. second semester of college and was looking forward to a fun Roger was really determined to convince Marilyn that summer, working as a lifeguard at a camp. We had an instant abortion was the best decision for them. And he was good. I connection. could see the conflict going on in Marilyn. I knew that unless The conversation became less upbeat as we began to the Holy Spirit intervened, this baby would be lost. talk about the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy. She As I began to talk to Roger, I asked him about his quickly told me that even though she was a Christian, if spiritual life. He was quick to tell me about when he became her test was positive, she and her boyfriend had already a Christian, but with his head hung down, he told me how discussed it and for them abortion would be the best option. he had abandoned his faith for his own way. It was just the She was quick to tell me that she really didn’t believe she was opening for which I had prayed. I had a perfect set up to talk pregnant, but that she was just nervous because this was her about the forgiveness and restoration of the Lord. It was first sexual experience. clear that neither one of them understood the concept of When I came back into the room with the positive test, grace. All they knew were rules and legalism. Marilyn fell apart. She broke down, and anyone in our office It was such a beautiful sight when the lights came on for could hear her sobs. For the next few minutes, I became both of them, after an hour of conversation. The Holy Spirit the comforter while she cried. I just kept telling her that she penetrated their hearts, and they were broken by their sin. But would be okay. She would not have to walk this alone. they were also relieved. The things they feared — telling their When she got it together, we began to talk about why families, and Marilyn telling her church family — seemed easier she felt like abortion was the only option. She told me about to handle. There was so much they did not understand, but the plans she had for her future. At this point in her life, those they somehow were convinced that they could trust the Lord. plans did not include a baby. The discussion then moved to her Fast forward to 10 years later, and while it was a very boyfriend. He also had plans that did not include a baby at difficult journey in the beginning, they are married and this time. So we talked about these obstacles and how they have one other child. They are very involved in their church could be overcome. We also talked about fetal development and praising the Lord for this unplanned pregnancy that and the scientific fact that her baby already had a heartbeat ultimately brought them back to Him. n

www.baptistcourier.com • 3 ABORTION PROVIDERS BUCKLING UNDER COVID-19 ECONOMIC STRAINS BY DIANA CHANDLER

INDEPENDENT ABORTION CLINICS THAT combine to provide nearly 60 percent of abortions in the U.S. are struggling to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from an abortion advocacy group. The development should be celebrated, according to a Southern Baptist ethicist. But Elizabeth Graham, vice president of operations and life initiatives for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, encouraged Christians to continue to advocate for life even if abortion clinics close. “Every time a life is rescued from abortion is cause for celebration by Christians. But that shouldn’t be limited to those of us who are pro-life. Instead, it should be for everyone,” Graham said. “To do that, though, we must continue to foster a culture of life that protects the preborn and cares for the vulnerable in every situation. “If we accomplish that, there won’t be a need for a single abortion facility, because each of us will finally see the inherent value and dignity of every individual human life made in the image of God.” The Abortion Care Network, an abortion advocacy independent clinics closed just this year during the added group, did not report the actual number of abortions financial constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to performed in independent clinics in any specific year, only the report, nearly 340 independent clinics remained in the a percentage. But the Guttmacher Institute reported that U.S. as of November, compared to 510 in 2015 when the group about 862,320 abortions were performed in clinics of all began tracking the data. More than 40 independent clinics kinds offering abortions in the U.S. in 2017, the latest year of have closed in the past two years. available statistics. Planned Parenthood clinics perform 37 “The pandemic has hit us hard financially,” the report percent of abortions in the U.S., hospitals perform 3 percent quoted Mercedes Sanchez, a director of Cedar River Clinics and private physicians’ offices perform 1 percent, according in Washington state, as saying. “Our huge concern was to the group. risk mitigation, so we made efforts to limit the number of people in the clinic and cut our appointments so we could stagger and distance patients. Like many clinics, the majority of our revenue comes from patient services, so cutting our Planned Parenthood and schedule affected our financial health greatly. It feels like we are figuring out what the future holds on a month-to-month basis, and this is going to impact us financially for a long time. its affiliates performed Our future isn’t certain.” Planned Parenthood and its affiliates performed 345,672 345,672 abortions in 2O18. abortions in 2018, according to Planned Parenthood’s 2019 annual report. More than 600 Planned Parenthood and affiliated health clinics operate in the U.S., Planned “The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic Parenthood said in its report, but did not say how many of crisis have put a truly unprecedented strain on independent the clinics offer abortions. abortion clinics in the U.S.,” the Abortion Care Network Independent abortion clinics still operate in at least 37 report said. “Although independent abortion care providers states and Washington, D.C., the ACN said. States without represent about 25 percent of the facilities offering abortion ACN-member clinics are Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, care, they provide 58 percent of all abortion procedures Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, nationwide.” South Dakota, Utah, Vermont and Wyoming. n Without the financial support of the Planned Parenthood network, which qualifies for various grants, at least 14 Diana Chandler is senior writer for Baptist Press.

4 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER ANSWERING GOD’S CALL TO ADOPT

BY DIANA CHANDLER BY AUDREY BROOKS

I’VE LONG THOUGHT ADOPTION WAS A process of finding Christopher so amazing … I certainly don’t beautiful picture of the gospel — that it showed the love have space for all of them here. There was the moment when of Jesus in a unique and profound way. I thought the call to our oldest son (about 7 at the time) told us that he definitely adopt was among the most significant people could respond wanted a brother, not another sister, and he wanted him to. And I was happy to watch other people fulfill it. to be a “different skin brother.” There was the time when I never thought it would be me. Chris and I spent a day fasting and praying apart from one I’m not sure why, exactly. Maybe because no one in my another and came back together realizing we were going to family had done it. Maybe because when I pictured my life, do domestic adoption, not international like we’d assumed. that just wasn’t a part of the narrative I imagined. Whatever There was the day when Chris told me he wanted to give the the reason, I didn’t expect it. Which, of course, is how the child his name, to make him a junior. best stories begin. There were lots I had recently given birth to our third child and was in of moments when that season of sleepless frustration when our 6-year-old had we needed money wet the bed, our 4-year-old was screaming from timeout for a home study after drawing on the walls with a Sharpie, and the newborn or an application had an explosive diaper. We were all crying. Except my or an attorney or husband, Chris. He wasn’t crying. an agency — and it He was resolved: “We’re done. We’re officially maxed came just in time. out.” It was one of many moments of parenting that felt like My favorite of those we were operating outside of our capacity in almost every was when a group area. So that was it. Three kids. End scene. of college students Fast forward about six months. I was rocking the littlest whom we loved (and late one night and looking at her, sweet and sleeping, who were all pretty and wondered to the Lord, “Is this my last baby? Are we broke) came into our really done?” And in that quiet nursery, in a way I’ve only house with a paper experienced a handful of times in my years of following grocery sack full of Jesus, I sensed the Lord almost audibly tell me, “You’ll cash and checks and have another, but it will not come from your womb.” It was coins — more than The Brooks family profound in a way that had me hold it in my heart and simply $2,000 — to help bring ponder it. I didn’t speak of it for several more months to him home. anyone. It was amazing. It was also the most difficult thing I’ve The thought eventually became paramount to all my ever chosen to do. We got a phone call on Jan. 30, about a other thoughts, and I knew it was time to tell Chris how I felt. year after starting the process, from an agency out of state I was nervous in a way I’d never been in sharing my heart telling us we had a match. A birth mother had chosen us, and with him. What would I do if he didn’t feel the same way? the child would be born in late March. We were ecstatic. We How would we manage not being on the same page about got the nursery ready and made a travel plan for when we something so consequential? would go pick up our son. “I don’t think our family is complete. I think we’re On March 30, we got a call that the baby had been supposed to have a fourth child.” I told him I didn’t want him born, but we needed to hold off on coming down. The next to respond, just to think and pray about it for a day or so. morning it was confirmed that the birth mother had changed The next morning, in our kitchen while the kids were eating her mind and decided to keep the baby. It was so surreal. On breakfast and being loud and dropping cereal all over the the one hand, how could I be disappointed that a mother floor, he looked at me and said, “I love you, and I love our life, chose to parent her child? I knew what it was like to give birth and if you feel like we’re supposed to have another, I’m in. and look at a baby I’d carried in my body for months, loving But I really think we should adopt.” I teared up and told him that baby in a way I hadn’t realized I was capable of. But on about that night months earlier when the Lord had spoken the other hand, I thought that was going to be my baby. to me in the nursery. And from that moment, the two of us were on a mission to bring our son home. There are so many little intricate stories that make the Answering... CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

www.baptistcourier.com • 5 Answering... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

And now all I had was an empty nursery. church. It was loud. When my phone rang, I shut myself in That scenario would happen in one form or another the laundry room so I could hear who was on the other end. three more times. Later that same year, when we learned “Mrs. Brooks, your son is here. This is it. It’s happening.” yet another child we’d planned for would not be ours, Chris It was Jan. 30. A year to the day from the first call of the called the agency and told them not to contact us again first child. unless the time period had already elapsed for the birth But this one was him. Christopher Michael Brooks Jr. mother to change her mind. We would pick him up on a Our son. moment’s notice. But we could not endure this level of And when we saw him, when we held him and smelled disappointment again if it could be helped. him and kissed his tiny face, all was right in the world. And life went on. And we had days of joy and days of Every doubt and fear and trial and heartbreak was so wondering if our child would ever be home, if he would ever unbelievably worth the experience of us being his mom and sleep in the empty nursery that had been ready for so long. If dad. Forever. n our family would ever be complete. It was a chaotic Wednesday afternoon, trying to get Audrey Brooks lives with her family near Nashville, where she reading and fast math homework done before we went to works with Angie Smith Ministries. ERLC PLANS 1O ULTRASOUND DONATIONS

THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST ETHICS & ministry is to take away a primary tool of a culture of human Religious Liberty Commission has announced it will donate disposability, and that is the invisibility of the vulnerable.” a record 10 ultrasound machines to pregnancy resource The announcement of 10 placements in six months is centers in the next six months. the first of many initiatives the ERLC has planned to bring The ERLC will make the donations to gospel-focused, attention to the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade pro-life centers across the United States through its Psalm decision that legalized abortion throughout the country 139 Project, which helps purchase sonogram technology and and hopefully to prepare churches for a post-Roe culture, fund the training of staff members to operate the machines. according to the ERLC’s news release. Since 2004, the ministry — which is funded by These placements “are just the beginning of the steps contributions from donors — has helped place ultrasound the ERLC is taking to stand for life on the road to ROE50. equipment for centers in 16 states. Last year the ERLC has … By partnering with generous supporters, we are able placed machines at centers in Las Cruces, N.M.; Tallahassee, to play a part in protecting the lives of preborn children by Fla.; and Rock Hill, S.C. supporting these centers that, in turn, support women in The announcement marks a dramatic increase in the need,” said Elizabeth Graham, the ERLC’s vice president of number of machines typically placed through Psalm 139 operations and life initiatives, in the release. and is made possible by a commitment from an individual In the last 16 years, the Psalm 139 Project has helped donor who desires to remain anonymous, according to the provide ultrasound equipment for centers in Alabama, ERLC. The commission will announce the recipients of the Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, ultrasound machines at later dates. Previously, the most Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, machines placed through Psalm 139 in a year was five. Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. n Ultrasound technology has proven to be a vital tool for pregnancy resource centers in their ministry to abortion- minded women. The sonogram images of their unborn children have helped many women choose to give birth. ERLC President Russell Moore called the initiative “one of the most exciting developments I have seen in a long, long time.” “With this new development, we are able to take our ministry of partnering with pregnancy resource centers to help preborn children and their mothers to a warp speed,” he said. “We pray for the day when such ministries are not needed — when every human life is protected and valued. But, until then, one of the most important aspects of pro-life

6 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER THE PREACHER’S DAUGHTER BY ROBERT JACKSON

“PAMELA” CAME INTO MY OFFICE AT 16 the lost were saved, the sick were healed, and families weeks pregnant. Her boyfriend, a heavy beer drinker and were restored. During this time, we saw numerous answers a member of a motorcycle gang, browbeat her for several to prayer, including salvations (my brother, for one) and months to obtain an abortion. She was a waitress at a restored marriages. restaurant, barely surviving financially. Her father was a For about six weeks, we prayed for my patient. I even Baptist preacher and, although he was very disappointed told her 50 people at my church were praying for her to in her, he encouraged her to do the right thing, which make the right decision. The women especially prayed, with was to keep the baby. Her father promised to support her “groaning too deep for words,” on behalf of this mom and financially. He encouraged her to break the ties with her for her unborn child. Nevertheless, she felt compelled to go boyfriend, whom he considered to be unworthy of her to Atlanta for an abortion. affection. She was too far along to obtain an abortion at the Well, you already know the end of the story. I have no local abortion clinic and realized that to obtain a late-term doubt God heard the prayers of 50-plus prayer warriors, abortion she would have to go to Atlanta. the prayers of the women at the CPC, my prayers, and her I met with Pamela every week for about four weeks for father’s prayers on behalf of that precious unborn child. counseling and prayer. I also referred her to the local crisis Her bladder infection didn’t occur by accident. It occurred pregnancy center, where she received additional counseling as a direct result of divine intervention brought on by and prayer. It was evident she wanted an abortion about intercessory prayer! Jesus said, “And all things you ask in as much as a bear wanted to put his paw into a bear trap, prayer, believing, you shall receive” (Matthew 21:22). Either because she had grown up believing abortion was murder. that is true, or it is not. Either we believe that, or we don’t. Yet she desperately wanted to keep her relationship with The effectiveness of intercessory prayer hangs on the her boyfriend. She was afraid if she did not abort the baby veracity of that statement and the faith of the intercessor. she would lose him. I shared with her the very real statistic We chose to believe, God intervened, and that little baby that most unmarried relationships break up after abortions, survived. terrifying her even more. Many years later when Pamela’s daughter was 19 years Despite the counseling and the praying, Pamela broke old, Pamela brought her to see me for a minor illness. When my heart one Friday afternoon when she notified me of her I walked in the exam room, I saw the daughter dressed in decision to travel to Atlanta for an abortion on Saturday Gothic dress; her hair was jet black, she wore the blackest morning. She and I had become very close during our eyeliner, black lipstick, and black fingernail polish. She looked sessions. We had prayed together and discussed the issue like she had fallen face first into a fishing tackle box because on multiple occasions. I prayed for her repeatedly over every part of her face was pierced with metal objects, even the weekend. her tongue. More than this, she had a terrible attitude To my surprise, she called on Monday to say she was toward her mother, but she was alive. She was alive! still pregnant. With delight, I asked her what happened. She I could tell the mother was extremely proud of her responded, “I went to the Atlanta abortion clinic, but when I daughter, who was actually quite an attractive young lady checked in, I had a fever. Upon examination, they found I had despite the Gothic attire and metal accoutrements. I really a urinary tract infection. They gave me an antibiotic and told never was quite sure why she actually brought her daughter me to return in two weeks. While driving back from Atlanta, to my office, because an exam revealed minor symptoms that I prayed and decided to keep my baby.” She also decided the could have been diagnosed and managed at home. I suspect boyfriend was not worth the life of her unborn child, and she she wanted to show off her very attractive daughter and to wanted me to deliver the baby. A couple of months later, I allow me to see the product of all my praying and counseling. delivered her newborn baby girl without any complications Understand clearly: The measure of the culture is not and had the privilege of caring for her little girl for a couple what we do with the rich, powerful, or famous, but what of years; then I lost contact with them for a while. we do with the weakest, poorest, and most infirm among At the same time Pamela pondered the fate of her us. The challenge for us is to hold up a high standard and pregnancy, I shared her situation with my Wednesday night to become the champions of the weak, the infirm, and the prayer group at my church (anonymously, of course). Now, handicapped. Our challenge is to come alongside of them you have to understand the 50 to 70 folks gathered at Rock and to be their voices, their advocates. n Hill Baptist Church in Inman during the 1990s were not your average Wednesday night crowd. Those folks were real Robert Jackson, a member of First Baptist Church, Boiling prayer warriors. They got on their knees every Wednesday Springs, is a family practice doctor in Chesnee. His book, “The night, took hold of the horns of the altar, prayed for lost Family Doctor Speaks: The Truth About Life,” is available at people by name, and told God they wouldn’t let go until jacksonfamilyministry.com.

www.baptistcourier.com • 7 NEW COVID VACCINES RAISE HOPES

BY RUDY GRAY, Editor

WITH APPROXIMATELY 3OO,OOO COVID-19 Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of deaths in 2020, the news of vaccines that can protect people Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said COVID-19 is “possibly from the virus brings hope to millions of people across the most unusual virus any of us have ever dealt with.” the nation and around the world. The largest and most He reported that 40 percent of people have the virus comprehensive vaccination deployment in the history of the without any symptoms, while 80 percent of those who have United States began Dec. 14. symptoms are mild to moderate and require no medical First to receive FDA approval was drug giant Pfizer and intervention. However, 20 to 25 percent are “devastated its partner BioNTech, followed a few days later by Moderna by it.” Inc. Both vaccines require one shot, followed by a second He predicted that the country could be back to near shot three weeks later. Officials were hopeful the two normal by fall of 2021, if 75 to 80 percent of the population companies could provide more than 20 million doses by the is vaccinated. In a poll conducted by the Associated Press- end of 2020. NORC Center for Public Health Research, only about half of A third company, Johnson and Johnson, hopes to be Americans indicated they wanted to be vaccinated. approved by the FDA and begin distributing its one-shot Even after being vaccinated, healthcare leaders are vaccine by February. AstraZeneca is also producing a vaccine, stressing that practices such as social distancing, frequent which could be approved in the first quarter of 2021. hand washing and wearing masks should continue. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster tweeted, “We are After frontline medical workers and those at risk are witnessing American ingenuity at its finest” as the state vaccinated, Fauci was hopeful that people with no underlying began distribution of the Pfizer vaccine. South Carolina was conditions would be able to get the vaccine around April. A expected to receive 300,000 or more doses of the vaccine by medical doctor who was one of the first to be vaccinated said the end of 2020. he did not feel like he got a vaccine but a shot of hope. n

8 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER NIH DIRECTOR: COVID-19 VACCINES SAFE, EFFECTIVE AND ETHICAL BY TOM STRODE

THE UNPRECEDENTED PACE OF skeptical about a vaccine. A November Gallup poll showed 58 developing vaccines for COVID-19 has not jeopardized percent of adults said they would get the vaccine if it were their effectiveness or safety for Americans, the director of currently available at no cost. the National Institutes of Health said in a December Collins said of the Pfizer and Moderna trials: “[W]e were webinar hosted by the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious delighted, thrilled, amazed to see that it looked like the Liberty Commission. effectiveness [of both] was about 95 percent. That is so much Francis Collins, NIH’s director since 2009, answered better than what you could expect to see with a new illness questions from ERLC President Russell Moore about vaccines of this sort. for the deadly disease, while two candidates awaited “And the safety looks really good as well.” potential approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration So far, the evidence shows the “side effects seem to be for emergency use. pretty similar to what you get with other vaccines, and there “I want to assure you as a scientist, as a physician, as don’t seem to be any unexpected longer-term issues,” Collins a researcher who has been in the middle of all of this since said. The trials have lasted for at least two months, a time January, we have done nothing to compromise in even the period in which any problem is normally recognized, he said. smallest way the safety or the efficacy standards for these A follower of Christ, Collins said, “Here’s a great vaccines,” said Collins, a noted physician-geneticist. opportunity for Christians to say, ‘Let’s really look at the “What we’ve done is to figure out how to get rid of some truth of the situation and evaluate what the evidence of the dead time. It normally takes eight years to develop demonstrates for and against the idea that this is something I a vaccine,” he said, instead of the 10 months the current want to take advantage of myself.’” candidates have required. “But the rigor involved, if anything, For now, the risk “looks minimal,” and there is “a pretty has been escalated to an even higher level than has been good balance of benefits and risks that you’d want to engage applied to vaccines before.” in and probably take advantage of yourself and roll up your Pfizer and Moderna have submitted applications to the sleeve,” he said. FDA following trials that included 43,000 volunteers for the Collins explained that each vaccine requires two doses, former company and 30,000 for the latter. In the past, 4,000 or injections, about a month apart. The first recipients of the or 5,000 participants have been involved in vaccine trials, vaccine will be higher-risk Americans, such as health-care Collins said. workers and the elderly in nursing homes and assisted living “So if the FDA in their conclusions in just a couple of facilities, he said. weeks say these are safe and effective, that’s because In response to a question from Moore, Collins explained the data say they are safe and effective,” he told webinar a cell line derived from an elective abortion in 1972 is used participants. Collins and other public health officials are seeking to help persuade a large portion of the American public that is NIH... CONTINUED ON PAGE 1O

Screenshots of ERLC President Russell Moore (left) and Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, during a December webinar.

www.baptistcourier.com • 9 NIH... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 often in biotechnology but is not used in the production of others, not themselves, Collins said. “That sounds like a the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Christian action if I’ve ever heard one.” The cell line is part of the preparation of the vaccine Most churches should have virtual services, not in-person candidates produced by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca ones, Collins recommended. After corporate worship, “you just that are now in Phase 3 trials. can’t get a bunch of Christians not to hug each other and not to That cell line “is sometimes used just as a lab bench want to shake hands with the pastor as they go out the door, experiment to make sure that everything is working the way and maybe have a conversation that’s a whole lot closer than it’s supposed to,” he said. six feet away — and that’s where the trouble happens,” he said. Rejecting a vaccine and waiting on herd immunity is not Based on the current pace, Collins predicted every an appropriate option, Collins told Moore. American should have the opportunity to receive the vaccine “If we were to adopt that strategy, we potentially would by early summer, and the economy can get back on its feet. eventually get to herd immunity, but there would be millions “But there are a lot of steps between now and then. And, of us no longer around,” he said. “That is too high a price for of course, it will go better if we don’t have our healthcare us to bear if we don’t have to. That’s not a Christian answer if system utterly devastated by the ongoing pandemic that we we love our neighbor.” could have potentially turned around by all of us (following While Americans await a vaccine, Collins said, “We need health guidelines).” to be just absolutely, rigorously adherent to things that we Collins served as director of NIH’s National Human know work, but they don’t work unless everybody actually Genome Research Institute for 15 years before becoming sticks to them faithfully without exception.” NIH director in 2009. NIH is the world’s largest supporter of A mask is not “a political statement” but “a life-saving biomedical research. n medical device. Think about it that way,” he said. People should remember wearing a mask is primarily to protect Tom Strode is Washington bureau chief for Baptist Press.

CLAMP NAMED SCBC STRATEGIC OFFICER

LEE CLAMP, STATE an incredible team dedicated to helping pastors and staff evangelism director, began new duties advance. It is a privilege to wake up every day on mission to as chief strategic officer of the South help our churches fulfill the Great Commission.” Carolina Baptist Convention Jan. 1. Clamp writes “Outside the Walls,” a monthly column in “Lee Clamp’s passion for reaching The Baptist Courier, and has been published in Baptist Press. lost people, coupled with his gift in He has been a contributing author for “Unite: Connecting strategic thinking and planning, made Generations, Evangelism Takes Heart,” and author of him the obvious choice to become “Close Encounters,” a book about sharing Jesus with family our chief strategic officer,” said SCBC and friends. Lee Clamp Executive Director-Treasurer Gary He has served as Camp McCall and Summersalt camp Hollingsworth. pastor and has spoken in conferences around the country. “During these challenging times, we felt continuity among He also was president of the National State Directors of our leadership team was critical,” Hollingsworth added. “Lee Evangelism fellowship. will lead well to help advance the gospel, beginning here in Clamp holds a chemical engineering degree from South Carolina and ultimately around the globe.” Clemson University and a Master of Divinity from Clamp has served as the leader of the state convention’s Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He will begin evangelism team for nine years. Previously, he served in local doctoral studies this summer at Southeastern Baptist church ministry for 17 years in both revitalizing churches and Theological Seminary. church plants. He and his wife, Leisa, an elementary school assistant “I am both humbled and honored to serve South Carolina principal, have three teenaged sons — Caden, Connor and Baptists as chief strategic officer,” Clamp said. “I believe in Corder. They also consider Rokeem, 28, who was a student of our staff at the South Carolina Baptist Convention. We have Leisa’s and an athlete whom Lee coached, as a son. n

10 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER www.baptistcourier.com • 11 AMERICANS’ MENTAL HEALTH OUTLOOK DROPS, BUT NOT FOR CHURCH ATTENDEES

BY SCOTT BARKLEY

A RECENT GALLUP STUDY REVEALS A another contributor to stress. In response to the pandemic, connection between regular church attendance and a governments in Nevada and California, for instance, have positive self-evaluation of one’s mental health. levied what religious liberty advocates claim is an unbalanced The study focused on 76 percent of its respondents application of the law regarding churches and other classifying their current mental health as excellent or good. establishments such as casinos. That, plus the myriad of Since the poll’s inception in 2001, that answer had stayed in complexities COVID has brought to pastors and churches, the 81-89 percent range. This year marked a 9-point drop has led to a growing concern for the state of mental health from 2019 and the lowest point in the study’s history for that among ministers. category. The stress can affect marriages as well, said Tate Cockrell, Demographic breakdowns of the study show the largest associate professor of counseling and director of D.Min. decrease among those who seldom or never attend religious Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. services. The only group of respondents who reported “COVID has revealed many of the marital dysfunctions a better mental health outlook were those who attend couples were able to cover up when they were working and religious services weekly. busy, not forced to be That stems from around each other,” he having a personal said. relationship with Christ, MOST AMERICANS CONSIDER “Crisis in your overall said Ian Jones, associate THEIR MENTAL HEALTH life reveals the strength of dean of the Division of your marriage [as well as] Counseling at New Orleans Excellent Good Fair Poor strengths and weaknesses Baptist Theological in your relationships. Seminary. Jones was quick 34% 42% 18% 5% COVID has peeled back the to point out, though, that glossy veneer and revealed this pertains to those how many of them are not consistently growing in strong. Now, when people their faith and maintaining contact with other Christians. are having to make life decisions day in and day out, it creates “We have hope in what are normally hopeless stress. I thought my marriage counseling would drop off situations,” he said. “Research shows that Christians are during this time, but I’ve never been busier.” going to be more hopeful and less depressed, but it’s those Jones said the isolation brought about by the pandemic who have an active faith and active conversations with God.” has exacerbated mental health issues for some. He cited “the enormity of problems” that have “Genesis 1-3 is clear in that we were built to relate to accumulated in 2020 and said they have had an effect on one another,” he said. “Our health is determined by our people’s mental health and brought a lot of “firsts,” himself relationship with God and our relationship to our neighbor.” included. When Christians don’t gather together, it becomes “It’s not just COVID,” Jones said. “Here in the South, difficult to carry each other’s burdens. “Unfortunately, that we’ve had 30 named storms and six hurricanes come our can have lasting effects,” he said. way. Three have hammered Louisiana. The most recent one, Scripture gives numerous examples regarding God’s Zeta, moved the fastest. I was standing out in the middle of work even in stressful situations. Psalm 42 is an exhortation that one … never had done that before.” to hope in God when one’s soul is cast down. Psalm 73 is a Most Americans still consider their mental health as lament over the perceived success of the wicked, but at the excellent (34 percent) or good (42 percent) instead of fair (18 end is a reminder about having the right focus: “It is good to percent) or poor (5 percent). However, another Gallup study be near God … the Lord God my refuge” (v. 28). released in May said that American adults who characterize “Christians have a hope,” Jones said. “Keeping the cause their life as “thriving” had dropped to 46.4 percent, matching of your joy is the key.” n the low point of November 2008 during the Great Recession. For Christians, a growing marginalization of churches is Scott Barkley is national correspondent for Baptist Press.

12 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER www.baptistcourier.com • 13 Allen Street

Short Allen Street

Brawley Street

Proposed site for SPARTANBURG FIRST BUILDING Bridgeway Village TINY HOUSES TO SOLVE BIG PROBLEM BY TODD DEATON, Managing Editor

SOME HOMELESS WOMEN MAY HAVE A “The percentage of the population that’s female and place of their own soon as First Baptist Church of Spartanburg homeless is growing, while most of the resources seem to begins constructing a small village of tiny houses. be targeted at men,” Wise noted. “Let’s see if we can do After seeing some similar villages on television and something about that,” he urged, emphasizing that “God elsewhere, Steve Wise, missions minister at First Baptist, cares about everyone.” posed the idea: “Building small, transitional houses could be For the past 18 months, The Bridge has been pulling something our church could do to help one of the various its resources together, getting design plans, and lining up populations that its community ministry serves. architects, engineers, contractors, and donors. Madison “Our church has been serving the homeless on Sunday Biggerstaff, a member at First Baptist, Spartanburg, is the mornings through a ministry we call ‘Refuge,’ which offers project’s director. A VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America), showers, breakfast and Bible study,” Wise said. “So they’ve she will work on-site through the United Way of Piedmont, always been on our heart.” coordinating other community resources. The church’s ministry center, The Bridge at Green Street, A village of about 20 tiny houses is planned on about an is located in one of the spotlight neighborhoods where a acre of property adjacent to The Bridge. The single-bedroom partnership is forming between government, for-profit, houses will range in size from about 190 to 230 square feet. nonprofit, and faith-based organizations in an effort to try to At least three more will have two bedrooms. The expected transform a whole neighborhood, Wise said. The North Side cost for each unit will be approximately $30,000. Development Group approached Spartanburg First about “But the plan,” Wise said, “is that these houses would be expanding its ministry among the homeless. temporary shelter, not permanent housing. The ladies would be in our tiny houses and in a ministry program that will help them repair some of the broken parts of their lives that put them in their particular situation.” “The percentage of the Of course, the church’s ministry will also offer healing for their brokenness with God, Wise said. “We really believe that’s the number one thing that’s going to be their population that’s female transformational spark,” he added. “So we’ll have a pretty extensive mentoring program that has Bible study and and homeless is growing.” discipleship elements. “There’s a need for job training to provide the opportunity to increase income-earning potential,” he — Steve Wise, missions minister at added, noting that a 20,000-square-foot community building — where residents can learn job skills, build relationships First Baptist Church, Spartanburg with others, share meals, and attend Bible studies — is also

14 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER in the works. we’ll need lots of volunteers on-site to do the construction The goal is that one day the women will be able to move work. It’s really a ‘community build’ kind of effort.” into larger, more permanent housing. “Hopefully, the home Spartanburg First also would like to see other churches run would be for them to buy their first home, or they would be involved. One fairly easy way, he said, is for churches be in a rental situation. We want to help them get their to send volunteers to help build a house or several houses lives back in order, so they can be productive, contributing together. citizens.” “And, certainly, churches can pray,” he added. “The Construction is projected to begin this summer, pending thing that we most want to see happen is for the Lord to be approval by city zoning and planning officials. “We’ll have glorified — and for our city, our county, and our state to all the licensed professionals for plumbing and wiring and those take notice of what happened and to know that it happened things that are necessary to meet city codes,” Wise said. “But because of Jesus.” n

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The Bridge at Green Green Street Street

Allen Street

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Steve Wise, missions minister, and Madison Biggerstaff point out the land Artist's rendering of “BridgeWay Village” depicting the location where near “The Bridge” ministry center where 20 tiny houses are planned. each of the tiny houses will be constructed, pending approval by city planners.

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www.baptistcourier.com • 15 16 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER www.baptistcourier.com • 17 IMB MISSIONARY FAMILIES: ‘THANK YOU, SOUTHERN BAPTISTS,’ FOR GENEROSITY

EVERY DAY IS APPROPRIATE TO SAY Colombia. This year, because of your generosity, we were “thank you” to Southern Baptists who give generously so able to build relationships with national partners, share the that the gospel spreads to all nations. gospel, teach the Bible and even begin a new church!” This year, missionaries, like everyone else, have met As leaders of the IMB’s 2020 Olympics ministries unique challenges caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic. in Japan, missionaries Daniel and Tara Rice faced great In March 2020, IMB missionary Reid Karr’s church was uncertainty this year. unable to meet as the Italian government had restricted “We are deeply grateful for your prayer and financial gatherings. A baptism planned at Karr’s church took place support of the IMB and our ministry efforts,” the Rices said. in a bathtub and was shown online to the rejoicing church. “As you undoubtedly have heard, the Tokyo Olympics have Because of Southern Baptists’ giving, Karr and his family been postponed until summer 2021 due to the current global have been able to stay in Rome and continue ministry. health crisis. We see this postponement as a blessing and “I would like to take this occasion to thank our many an opportunity given to us by the Lord, not only to minister faithful Southern Baptists who continue to give faithfully to our neighbors in this unique time in history but also to to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” Karr said. “You fine-tune our ministry plans and to steward even more will never know the full extent to which your generosity is wisely the generous gifts we have received. Thank you for having on the kingdom of God in many places around the your continued prayers and support as we utilize this special world. It is times like these that remind us of the importance opportunity to reach Japanese unbelievers and to encourage of what Southern Baptists are doing around the world as Japanese believers!” n they work alongside their partners and the local church to see the gospel spread and transform hearts and lives.” By IMB staff. This year’s Week of Prayer for International In the midst of a citywide shutdown, David and Sarah Missions in the Southern Baptist Convention was Nov. 30- McNeill looked for new opportunities to spread the hope of Dec. 6, focusing on Revelation 7:9 (“I saw a great multitude Christ in their apartment building. Their children wrote notes from every nation and all tribes”). The theme undergirds the with Bible verses to neighbors, leaving colorful pictures and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. small treats at every door. The offering, in tandem with Cooperative Program gifts from “We cannot adequately express our thankfulness for Southern Baptist churches, supports international workers the support we receive through the Lottie Moon Christmas in seeking to fulfill the Great Commission. Gifts to the Lottie Offering,” the McNeills said. “Because of the sacrifice Moon offering are received through local Southern Baptist and generous giving of Southern Baptists, our family has churches or online at IMB.org/lmco. This year’s goal is received all we need to serve as missionaries in Bogota, $175 million.

In March 2020, IMB missionary Reid Karr’s church in Italy was unable to meet due to COVID-19 Daniel and Tara Rice will continue their restrictions. A baptism planned at Karr’s church preparations for the Tokyo Olympics — now being David and Sarah McNeill are thankful to took place in a bathtub and was shown online to held in 2021 — because of giving to the Lottie Moon Southern Baptists for the opportunity to raise their the rejoicing church. Christmas Offering. family and serve in Colombia.

18 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER FLORIDA BAPTIST CATALYST ADDRESSES GROWING HUNGER CRISIS BY DIANA CHANDLER

RISING FOOD INSECURITY IN THE UNITED States amid the COVID-19 pandemic is no surprise to Jeffery Singletary. On his latest Feeding the Five Thousand Crusade to the Caribbean, the Florida Baptist leader sensed that the hunger he’s fought there since 2017 was headed to the U.S. “The Lord had just laid on my heart about 2020,” said Singletary, a Florida Baptist Convention regional catalyst. “I didn’t know the context of this [the pandemic], but it was in my spirit that we’re on the precipice of a national crisis.” More than 50 million Americans are expected to go hungry this year amid the pandemic, National Geographic reported in December, based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the nonprofit Feeding America. The predicted 50.4 million for 2020 is up from 35.2 million in 2019, and includes 17 million children. A 2020 nationwide food insecurity rate of 16 percent is anticipated to be 23 percent among children. Cars line up for USDA food boxes at First Baptist Church in Orlando, In South Carolina, many food banks across the state Fla. (Submitted photo) are experiencing food shortages as the numbers of those needing assistance has increased and the coronavirus has to 75 trucks full of food a week, distributing $28 million worth had an impact on the supply chains for local grocery stores of food within six months. as well as the meat and poultry industries, according to news “I just began to reach out to the church of Jesus Christ,” reports. Since the outbreak, some grocery stores have had Singletary said, and the food distribution program energized issues keeping shelves stocked, and little has been left over congregations that were suffering during the pandemic’s to donate to pantries. shutdown. As Southern Baptist churches work with the USDA and “From Pensacola to Key West, we began to see an various nonprofit groups to address hunger, Singletary has incredible movement of churches being at the apex of their used his contacts through the Florida Baptist Convention, community. If you would come to their campus, you would the Huddle Touch sports ministry he founded, and the Black see (food distribution) lines for hours — people coming, and Southern Baptist Denominational Servants Network he leads churches loving on their neighbors, ministering to them.” to mobilize help for the needy. More than 8.5 million food boxes have been distributed When the pandemic began in March, Singletary said he in Florida alone, and another 1.5 million in Georgia, Kentucky, was already praying for a plan. He asked the Lord to open the Carolinas, Virginia and the Virgin Islands, Singletary said opportunities for food distribution across the state. of the distribution network he helped mobilize from Florida. Florida government leaders first contacted the Florida Churches have recorded between 1,500 and 2,000 decisions Baptist Convention in March to distribute snack boxes to for Christ in the process. Baptist churches. Later that month, Singletary received “It’s been a tremendous blessing to pastors and to the word that a Georgia philanthropist was donating $3 million churches that have been able to serve their community in to help farmers mobilize their goods, as regular commercial ways that had not been open,” Singletary said. avenues were stymied by the pandemic. Singletary initially “This hunger crisis is different than anything we’ve agreed to distribute 2,000 food boxes a day in central Florida, experienced before in my lifetime,” he said. “Normally but he said the scope changed within weeks as the program when we have food giveaways, the predictable are in the morphed into the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box lines. These lines have been unpredictable. People today are program. hurting who’ve never hurt before. People today who are in Singletary mobilized a network of 2,800 food distribution lines have never been in line before, from Lexus to Mercedes sites among Florida Baptist churches, 2,000 sites through (drivers), you name it. … It spans the gamut, of the stories the Huddle Touch network and others through the Black people in line crying … that they have to be here.” n Southern Baptist Denominational Servants Network. Through Farmers to Families, Singletary helped distribute 50 Diana Chandler is senior writer at Baptist Press.

www.baptistcourier.com • 19 ECHO HILLS TRANSITIONS FROM DISSOLUTION TO LEGACY BY RUDY GRAY, Editor

THE TERM “RISE OF THE PHOENIX” IS USED as a symbol of rebirth from the ashes of the past or something new developing from something that no longer exists. In Greer, the rise of the Phoenix may be taking place as a church is dissolved, and the local association takes possession of the property for future ministry. Echo Hills Baptist Church was served by a bivocational pastor, Fred Brown, for 26 years. When he first came to the church, average attendance was 45 to 50. In recent years, attendance at the church had dwindled to about 10 to 12 and was even less in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Something needed to happen. Brown, 76, was ready to Left to right: Three Rivers Association Director of Missions Randy retire and had encouraged the church to find a new pastor Bradley with Rev. and Mrs. Fred Brown. for the past three or four years, but they did not act on his idea. The church was an older congregation. Brown said, “We Brown liked the idea and presented it to his church. A had more people over 80 than under 80. We did have three meeting with Bradley was arranged, where he shared the people under 70.” idea of a legacy ministry. He turned to Three Rivers Association Director of The church voted unanimously to deed the property to Missions Randy Bradley for advice. The two discussed how the association. On Dec. 8, the property and assets were the church could create a legacy by giving the property and legally transferred to Three Rivers Association. Brown said he assets to the association, which, in turn, would see that the “was kind of disappointed but also relieved.” facilities were used for ministry. On Dec. 6, a motorcycle ministry used the property and “I told him the way the congregation could leave a legacy had 35 in attendance. for future ministry would be to transfer the property and Bradley noted, “It is important for churches in the South assets to our association. We could administrate the property Carolina Baptist Convention to leave a legacy.” He believes and see that it would be used for kingdom work,” Bradley said. church closings will increase in the coming years. n NEVADA RESTRICTIONS RULING APPLAUDED

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ADVOCATES corporate worship violates its First Amendment right to the applauded a federal appeals court decision in December free exercise of religion. that blocked enforcement of Nevada’s pandemic-related The Ninth Circuit Court “got this case right,” said Russell restrictions because they treat various secular events and Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious businesses “significantly better” than worship gatherings. Liberty Commission. “Government cannot single out and A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals treat churches differently from other gatherings simply — generally considered the most liberal of the federal because they are houses of worship,” Moore said. “That is appellate courts — unanimously granted a preliminary out of step with the First Amendment and our long American injunction against the state for attendance limits on houses history of free exercise.” of worship that are stricter than those imposed on such The Ninth Circuit action is the latest in a series of decisions secular entities as casinos, bowling alleys, retail stores and in response to challenges by churches and other religious restaurants. In returning the case to a federal judge, the bodies of state and local directives intended to protect public panel said Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley, the church that health. Some of those restrictions have treated churches brought the lawsuit, had shown it likely would succeed unequally in comparison to many businesses, the ERLC and in its claim that Gov. Steve Sisolak’s limit of 50 people for other religious freedom advocates have pointed out. n

20 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER NEVADA RESTRICTIONS RULING APPLAUDED

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IMB MISSIONARIES, STAFF GIVE MORE THAN $8OO,OOO TO LOTTIE MOON OFFERING

IMB MISSIONARIES AND STAFF PLEDGED The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering supports more $802,700 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering through an than 3,500 IMB missionaries and their 2,880 children. This internal campaign that began Sept. 23 and ended Nov. 30. year’s goal is $175 million in celebration of IMB’s 175 years of “Our IMB missionaries around the world, and our uninterrupted witness among the nations. stateside support staff, wanted to lead by example as we A $175 million offering would be the largest LMCO asked Southern Baptists to give more generously than ever offering ever received by the IMB. These funds will help move before to get the gospel to the nations. And I’m proud to say the organization toward its 2025 target of commissioning an that is happening!” said IMB President Paul Chitwood. additional 500 fully funded missionaries. n

LOUISIANA COLLEGE PRESIDENT’S PIANO ALBUM TO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS

HE DOESN’T CONSIDER HIMSELF TALENTED, Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. An accomplished but, nonetheless, Rick Brewer, a former South Carolina pianist, he served as deacon at Summerville Baptist Church Baptist, is lending his piano talents toward funding while at CSU. scholarships at Louisiana College. “I’ve been thinking about this for some time,” said Brewer became president of the Louisiana Baptist school Brewer. That time for thinking was amplified during the COVID in 2015, and proceeds from the sales of his recently released shutdown earlier this year. With no school in session, Brewer second recording, simply titled “Christmas,” will go toward played more often on the six-foot Kawai grand piano in his the college’s general scholarship fund. living room. Previously, Brewer served in various capacities at His son Jason, a Nashville musician, did the post- Charleston Southern University, including more recently as production and engineering work for “Christmas, which is vice president for student affairs and athletics. He earned available at the Louisiana College bookstore and streaming on bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Charleston Southern and a Apple Music and Spotify. n

24 STUDENTS WITH TIES TO STATE RECEIVE SOUTHEASTERN DEGREES

TWENTY-FOUR STUDENTS WITH TIES TO Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies — Caroline Batson South Carolina participated in fall graduation exercises at Lanford, Spartanburg. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership — Andrew George N.C. While unable to hold in-person graduation activities, the Hendricks, Greenville. graduates celebrated virtually on Dec. 11. The students and Master of Divinity with Advanced Standing — Brandon their degrees are: Matthew Helms, Lancaster. Master of Divinity with Christian Ministry — Ashley College at Southeastern Marivittori Gorman, Irmo; John Wesley Mabry, Spartanburg; Associate of Divinity in Biblical Studies — John Alan Cole Bryant Strickland, Greenwood; Jonathan Duane Hyatt, Harveston, Rock Hill. Taylors. Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies — Charles W. White V, Master of Divinity with International Church Planting — James Island. Jeremy Hunter Simmons, Columbia. Master of Divinity with Missiology — Lee Brooks Salisbury, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Greenwood; Caleb Michael Douglas Melton, Charleston; Master of Arts in Christian Studies — DeCharles Antwon Caleb Samuel Sprinkle, Fort Mill. Burgess, Lake City; Carson Glenn Steen, Lancaster; Ernest Doctor of Ministry — John F. Huckaby, Woodruff; Stephen Rashad White II, Charleston; Robert Earl Coker Jr., Sumter; Michael Pack, Greenville; William Brandon Sandifer, West John Douglas Henschen, Clemson; Benjamin Taggert Columbia. Wolverton, Columbia. Doctor of Education — Charles Andrew McCallum, Master of Arts in Christian Marriage, Family, and Individual Summerville. n Counseling — Leigh Anne Fisher, Sumter.

22 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER LORI SPIKES, BAPTIST NURSING FELLOWSHIP LEADER, DIES FROM COVID

LORI SPIKES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF She and her husband, Jim, served 20 years in Chile, where Baptist Nursing Fellowship, a ministry of national Woman’s she was a parish nursing volunteer, coordinator of volunteer Missionary Union, died Nov. 21 after being hospitalized with medical teams and administrative assistant. They also served COVID-19. with the American Peoples Diaspora in Europe and Canada for A graduate of Samford University, Spikes was a registered five years before returning to the United States in 2015. nurse for more than 40 years. She served as an International Spikes was chosen to lead WMU’s Baptist Nursing Mission Board Journeyman in Honduras from 1980 to 1982. Fellowship in 2018. n

SOUTHERN BAPTISTS CELEBRATE SENDING 79 NEW MISSIONARIES

THE INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD Ala., provided the pre-service music through a pre-recorded recently celebrated the appointment of 79 new missionaries conference call. in a virtual Sending Celebration streamed on Facebook and IMB President Paul Chitwood expressed his thankfulness through the IMB: Advance the Kingdom app. The missionaries, for Southern Baptists’ support for the IMB. “We are excited who were previously approved by IMB trustees, come from 21 that 79 new missionaries are being sent ...,” Chitwood said. states and will serve in eight of IMB’s nine affinities. “Thanks to your generosity through praying and giving, we The Sending Celebration was scheduled to be held at the are able to send and sustain these missionaries.” annual Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions meeting. Due to time constraints, 30 missionary testimonies Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the celebration was held were included in the Sending Celebration. Videos of all 79 virtually. The Alabama Singing Men and Women and the missionaries, grouped by affinity of service, are available for choir from Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, viewing at imb.org/send. n

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LEADERSHIP UPDATE ANTHONY DALE MCCOIG WAS TONY AND MARGARET THOMPSON, WITH THE installed as pastor of Enoree Baptist Church KATHY help of her Bible study group at First Baptist in Travelers Rest in October. With McCoig BOWMAN Church, Mauldin, made 565 jump ropes and 125 are (left) Steve Crouse of North Greenville were commissioned woven bracelets this year to be placed in the shoe- University, interim pastor; and (right) Randy recently by boxes for Operation Christmas Child of Samaritan’s Bradley, director of missions for Three Rivers Charleston Baptist Purse. Several of the women went to Boone on Baptist Association, who both participated in the Church to serve Dec. 15 to help pack the boxes for other countries. installation service. in a church replant effort. Tony led the student They also have made jump ropes for mission trips ministry there for 24 years, and Kathy was co- to Honduras, Guatemala, and Haiti. director of the children’s ministry for 13 years. They will be serving on a team of pastors and leaders in conjunction with the Charleston Baptist Association in replanting Remount Baptist Church in North Charleston. The new congregation will be known as Centerpoint Church at Remount. Charleston Baptist honored the Bowmans with a send-off reception on Dec. 16.

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www.baptistcourier.com • 23 OUTSIDE THE WALLS BY LEE CLAMP WHO ARE SOUTH CAROLINA BAPTISTS?

I WAS HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH MY in Asia who have never heard about Jesus? South Carolina 9-year-old son, Corder, about my new role as chief strategic Baptists sent me there. In fact, they send missionaries all over officer for the South Carolina Baptist Convention when he our state and the world to help people experience hope and posed the question. I thought of the complexity of the South have their lives transformed.” Carolina Baptist Convention, and its rich history. This year we “I want to be a South Carolina Baptist missionary,” he celebrate 200 years of ministry, and I wondered how I could said and went back to eating Lucky Charms. adequately convey to him who we are. South Carolina Baptists are seeking to give orphans “Do you know those people who come to your school families, eradicate poverty and injustice, and show up to and mentor your friends, like Henry, who need a little help serve in times of disaster. South Carolina Baptists are driven with their school work and an extra friend?” to see lives transformed. More than a billion dollars has been “Yes,” he said, leaning forward in his chair. given, countless hours of service, and hundreds of thousands “They are South Carolina Baptists.” of people have voluntarily worked together over the last 200 “Do you remember when Mimi, Pops, and Aunt Granny’s years with one mission in mind: saturate every life with the home got destroyed by a tornado this Easter and those men hope of the gospel, beginning in South Carolina. in yellow hats showed up and started cutting down trees for I believe that Jesus will transform every life who repents them?” I asked. and believes, even the ones who seem to be hopeless … like “You mean the men who prayed with them and gave you and me. Jesus believes you can help saturate every life. I them a Bible after working on their house?” he asked. believe in you, too. You are South Carolina Baptists! n “They are South Carolina Baptists.” “Remember when Daddy went to Japan and brought Lee Clamp is SCBC chief strategic officer. Find him on Facebook you back the calendar you use to pray every night for people (Lee Clamp) and Twitter (@leeclamp).

24 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER COMIC BELIEF BY CHARLES LOWERY THE BATTLEGROUND

IT IS ENCOURAGING TO HAVE A WIFE WHO IS anything, ask her. You may be surprised — and you may lose on your team instead of on your back when times get tough. your television remote. When Job had all of his problems, his wife supported him Life is a series of renewals. Now is a great time to make by saying, “Curse God and die.” How would you like to be your marriage a top priority. Don’t end up like the man who married to Mrs. Job? What happened to that relationship? I asked his wife what she wanted for Valentine’s. She replied, believe it is the same thing that happens in today’s marriages. “A divorce.” He shot back that he hadn’t planned on spending Couples assume that once they have children, if they invest that much. Make the effort necessary to convince your wife in their family, it is the same as making an investment in that she is number one in your life. I can assure you, it is not marriage. But it is not. buying a kitchen appliance. Many families are like Job’s. When the crisis hits, they One of my favorite stories is about the little boy who discover they no longer have a good relationship. When tugged his mom’s blouse in church and asked what the lady does life begin? When the kids leave home and the dog dies. next to them was singing. She replied, “Alto.” He told her The empty nest can be the best time of your relationship. that no wonder she sounded funny, the rest of the people Unfortunately, many couples are making investments in were singing “Joy to the World.” the family and not the husband-wife relationship, while Nothing sounds sweeter to God than a husband and wife expecting the same dividends they once experienced in their who are singing the same song. Make security the song you marriage. sing to your wife, and God will bring joy to your world. n So hear me clearly: Your mate is a separate and distinct responsibility from your family. Marriage is your primary Charles Lowery is president and CEO of Lowery Institute for relationship, and keeping it strong is the foundation of raising Excellence, Inc., a non-profit training and consulting organization. your kids and having a great life. This article was adapted from his book, “Comic Belief 2.” I was speaking at a banquet with Bobby Bowden, the former great coach at Florida State. He said that his wife once asked him if he loved her more than football and he asked her, “College or pro?” One of the primary needs of a wife is security. There are many ways that your wife asks you if you love her more than . (You fill in the blank.) When Penny and I were first married, she felt like I loved golf more than I loved her. We fought almost every time I played. I discovered that it was a security issue, and my goal became to convince her that I loved her more than golf. Once she was convinced of that, golf was no longer an issue. She actually encouraged me to play. Your wife will resist whatever she thinks is more important than she is. If she perceives that your job is more important than she is, then that will become a battleground area. One of my friends said he and his wife were leaving the house for a long-anticipated date when his wife shocked him. She didn’t ask him if he still loved her, but if he still enjoyed being with her. She was asking him if she was still number one in his life. One of our staff members never wanted his wife to go along on retreats, yet one thing he did was conduct marriage seminars. It seems to me that going to him for marriage counseling would be like asking a man who is bankrupt for financial advice. The healthiest thing you may teach your organization is that you love to get away from them and spend time with your wife. What areas come to mind that she might consider more important than her to you? If you can’t think of

www.baptistcourier.com • 25 WHOLLY HEALTHY BY EDWIN LEAP, M.D. WINTER ADVICE

I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF SOME VERY, VERY Those who are poor or not able to get help on their cold patients over the years. When I was a medical student, own, those dependent on friends, family, neighbors or there was a man who accidentally bodysurfed a river — in case-workers can easily suffer from the cold, even inside the winter, in northern West Virginia. There was one who stood apparent shelter of their homes — because a structure does resolutely in the middle of a pond in January, up to his waist in not imply that one has power or heat. water, until he very nearly succeeded in dying. Furthermore, some people, in an attempt to stay warm, But two of the saddest were older individuals. One will burn unventilated kerosene heaters or have wood fires in wandered outside in only a thin gown in the Indiana cold. The blocked chimneys. The poor, the old, the mentally challenged other lay inside his house in South Carolina as the temperature may suffer not only from hypothermia but also from carbon progressively dropped because of lack of functioning heat. monoxide poisoning and complain of headaches or confusion. His body temperature, by the time he was discovered, was in The point being, winter has unique challenges for many the 70s. Fortunately both survived. However, it illustrates an individuals. Consider that neighbors, relatives, friends and important point. fellow church members may not see winter as a time of Cold is deadly. This is something we take for granted in snowy, icy delight but as a months-long time of suffering until modern times. Many of us live with heat that springs to life spring returns. Remember to check on those folks. with the flip of a thermostat or starter on the fire. This luxury Deadly winter is upon us. But, as always, sweet spring is would have seemed kingly to our ancient ancestors, who not so far away. n gathered wood with frost-numbed fingers to start a small fire just to cook and stay alive. They knew all too well that people Edwin Leap is an emergency physician and writer from Walhalla. died in winter, not only of starvation but also of cold. Read more at EdwinLeap.com.

26 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER BIBLE STUDY FOR SMALL GROUPS BY RUSSELL FREEMAN WINTER ADVICE PSALM 9O: THE BREVITY OF LIFE AND AN ETERNAL GOD

READING THROUGH PSALMS IS LIKE consequence of thinking about our short lives is taking the walking through a library. Chapters vary as much as books brevity of life seriously, yet we need God’s help to “number on a shelf. We have looked at several psalms that reflect our days” and thus gain wisdom (Psalm 90:12). More moments or seasons of pain and discouragement. As we importantly, a psalm that contains earlier statements about continue to look at different psalms, we will look at several God’s wrath moves to pleas for God’s mercy, steadfast love chapters of exuberant thanksgiving, joy and praise. This and favor (Psalm 90:13-14, 17). Experiencing God in this way change is not a coincidence. The early editors of this book will satisfy us, gladden our hearts, and outweigh the pain divided the psalms into five books, and each book has specific that life has brought. characteristics. The earlier books contain more psalms of If we take the message of this psalm seriously, we can David, and they often reflect the trials that those of faith avoid two dangerous traps. The first trap is to ignore our encounter. On the other hand, the call to “Praise the Lord” own mortality. People who neglect the shortness of life will (Hallelujah!) fills the later chapters. always be taken by surprise by something: sickness, injury, As the first psalm of the fourth book, Psalm 90 is in some death, or (worst of all) the judgment of God. Numbering our ways like a hinge. The inscription that the psalm is of Moses days keeps us from this trap. Second, however, this psalm indicates that this psalm is the earliest in the Psalter. If the helps us to avoid the paralyzing despair of people whose psalm sounds familiar, then you may be thinking of “O God, hope was something in this life that is now gone. We can come our Help in Ages Past” by Isaac Watts, which is based on to grips with death because our Savior has conquered it. n this psalm. Psalm 90 is a song of momentary creatures like ourselves wrestling with the brevity of life in the presence of Russell Freeman is upper school principal and Bible teacher at an eternal God. Greenville Classical Academy, a Christian school in Simpsonville. We can divide the psalm into that which speaks about the past, present and future. The contrast between God’s eternity and our frailness dominates the first section. The psalm begins by calling God “our dwelling place in all generations” (Psalm 90:1). Since the verse refers to multiple generations, “our” refers to God’s people throughout history. When, through Christ, we enter God’s family, we join the saints of every generation. To face the trials of the present — to face our own mortality — we must see God as our permanent home. Although we humans will return to dust, God experiences a millennium like we experience a “watch” of three hours: as no time at all. We can come to grips with death because of our Savior.

Sin dominates what the psalm says about the present. The statement in verse 3 that we will return to dust echoes God’s curse in Genesis 3:19. It’s not accurate to say that every person’s individual death is a result of every person’s individual sin. The fact, however, that we age and die is a consequence of being sinful humans (Psalm 90:7-8). “Toil and trouble” fill our 70-80 years (90:10), and our lives often end with a sigh (90:9). Petitions for the future fill the last section. One obvious

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MINISTRY God, loving others, serving, and sharing our God, love people, and live authentic lives. Visit FULL-TIME PASTOR: Oak Ridge Baptist Church faith. We believe this is the most effective way to https://gracechurchcolumbia.org/home for in Kershaw, SC, is prayerfully seeking a full-time implement the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Applicants details. Email your résumé to: personnel@ Pastor. We are a Southern Baptist church & active can mail résumés to: 500 E. Montgomery St., gracechurchcolumbia.org. in theMARYBETHSKITCHEN.COM Kershaw Baptist Association. Please mail Gaffney, SC 29340 or email to: pastorsearch@ your résumé (DVD or sermon links optional) to: centralgaffney.com. Please submit résumés by MINISTER OF MUSIC: Philippi Baptist Church 603 Oak Ridge Church Rd., Kershaw, SC 29067 or March 1, 2021. in Union, SC, is seeking a full-time Minister of email to: [email protected]. Music to lead our comprehensive music ministry. FULL-TIME YOUTH/OUTREACH MINISTER: Mt. Candidate should have experience leading a FULL-TIME PASTOR: Memorial Baptist Church Elon Baptist Church in Hartsville, SC, is seeking blended (traditional & contemporary) style of in St. George, SC, is prayerfully seeking a a full-time Youth/Outreach Minister. For more worship, an adult choir and an orchestra. Please full-time Pastor who is led by God to lead a information, please visit our website at: www. email résumés to: [email protected]. multi-generational congregation, promote mtelon.com. You may email résumés to: rob@ All résumés should include references, testimony, spiritual growth, exhibits strong leadership mtelon.com until January 31, 2021. statement of faith, philosophy of ministry, and and administrative skills, and has a heart for DVD/URL of candidate leading worship. evangelism. A seminary degree and 5 years’ FULL-TIME FAMILY MINISTRY LEADER: Round Hill experience preferred. Please email résumés to: Baptist Church in Lexington, SC, an SBC church, is [email protected] or mail to: Memorial seeking a spiritually mature & biblically grounded Baptist Church, PSC, PO Box 566, St. George, SC person for full-time Family Life Ministry. This 29477. person will be responsible for spiritual leadership / practical organization of a family ministry. SENIOR PASTOR: Macedonia Baptist Church in Experience or education in developing a total Gaffney, SC, is accepting résumés for a Senior church family ministry is desired. If this is Pastor. We are prayerfully seeking the man called your calling, please mail résumé to: RHBC, 230 by God to lead our members in spiritual growth Persimmon Ln., Lexington, SC 29072 or email to: and development, who is mission-minded, and [email protected], Attn: Personnel who preaches the inerrant Word of God. Please Team. mail résumés to: Macedonia Baptist Church, 216 Macedonia Rd., Gaffney, SC 29341 or email to: FULL-TIME MINISTER OF YOUTH: Chestnut Ridge [email protected]. Baptist Church in Laurens, SC, is seeking a full- time Minister of Students. Please email your FULL-TIME SENIOR PASTOR: Central Baptist résumé to: [email protected]. Church in Gaffney, SC, is a Southern Baptist church prayerfully seeking a spirit-filled leader to PART-TIME CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRY be our next full-time Senior Pastor. This man of LEADER: GraceChurch of Columbia, SC, is God will be committed to making and growing seeking a part-time (~ 20 h/w) Children & disciples for the Lord. Our vision at Central is to Youth Ministry Leader to lead in the discipling become disciples that make disciples. We aim of our children and youth. We are a small, to achieve this vision through a cycle of loving urban, diverse congregation seeking to love

28 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER WORSHIP LEADER: Impact Community Church in to: [email protected], Attn: Search GARDEN CITY, SC, CONDO: Large Oceanfront Moore, SC, is prayerfully seeking God’s guidance Committee. Condo. Sleeps 6-8, 3BR, 3BA. No smoking/No to fill this ministry role. To learn more about Pets. Call 843-795-0268 or 843-345-1042. www. us and for a job description, visit https://www. oceanvacationparadise301.com. impactcommunity.church. Email your résumé RESOURCES with cover letter and references to: paul@ MARRIAGE RETREAT — “A WEEKEND OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH CONDO: Ocean Drive impactcommunity.church. Please provide links to ENCOURAGEMENT!”: A wonderful marriage section of N. Myrtle Beach. Oceanfront. 4BR, a few videos of you playing/leading worship and retreat for you and your spouse led again this 3BA. Call: 704-883-8289 or 704-657-0624. Visit us share any social media accounts you have. year by Dr. Richard Blackaby, with new material. at: http://goodmancondos.com/north-myrtle- January 29-30, 2021. DoubleTree by Hilton in beach. PART-TIME CHOIR DIRECTOR/WORSHIP LEADER: Myrtle Beach, SC. You can register at: https:// Saluda Baptist Church in Saluda, SC, is in search weekendofencouragement.com/. Please of a part-time Choir Director/Worship Leader. contact Rob Pierce @ 803-473-0386 for more The candidate must have a strong belief in Jesus information. Christ as their Savior and the desire to use music to lead others to know Him. They must possess a strong musical background and communication VACATION/TRAVEL skills to teach, lead, and grow the choir and the SURFSIDE BEACH HOME: 1.5 blocks from pier/ church body through song and music. Interested faces North Ocean Blvd. 5BR, 4BA, pool, sleeps 14 applicants, please mail your résumé to: Saluda to 16. Call 864-979-5129 or 864-498-1835, or email Baptist Church, Attn: Music Committee, 112 [email protected]. W. Wheeler Cir., Saluda, SC 29138 or email to: [email protected]. GATLINBURG CONDO: Gatlinburg (River Road) condo for rent. 1BR, 1BA, no smoking, no pets. PART-TIME WORSHIP MINISTER: Fork Shoals For information, please call 864-878-2962 or 864- Baptist Church in Pelzer, SC, is seeking a part-time 878-2126. Worship Minister to lead our congregation and choir. Inquiries and résumés can be emailed

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OBITUARYOBITUARIES

SANDRA BRANNON Baptist churches in Georgia, North Carolina and Charleston and Greenville Baptist associations, Sandra R. Brannon, 80, of Columbia, wife South Carolina. He was a member of Pendleton as well as several associational missions in of former South Carolina Baptist Convention First Baptist Church and a U.S. Air Force veteran of Tennessee and Virginia. He was a trustee of director of public relations Thomas J. Brannon, the Korean War. Baptist College at Charleston (now Charleston died Dec. 1, 2020, after a lengthy illness. Survivors include his wife, Nell Rodgers Southern University) and Carson-Newman A native of Spartanburg, she was a Hawk, three children, 11 grandchildren and one University, Tenn. He served as a commissioner graduate of the University of South Carolina, great-granddaughter. for the Education Commission of the Southern earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Baptist Convention. nursing. She later served in both administrative He is survived by his wife of 74 years, and skilled nursing capacities, including director BILL PALMER Ellen Bourne Palmer, three children, four of patient care services at Baylor Medical Center William LeRoy “Bill” Palmer, 99, of Kingsport, granddaughters and two great-grandchildren. and associate director of nursing at Baptist Tenn., died Nov. 25, 2020. Medical Center in Columbia. She and her husband A native of Colorado, he attended George were longtime members of St. Andrews Baptist Washington University in Washington, D.C., while PAUL TALMADGE Church, Columbia. working for the U.S. Department of State. He Paul Anderson Talmadge, 92, of Anderson, She is survived by her husband of 55 years, was a veteran of World War II and a graduate died Nov. 20, 2020. Tom. of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, He worked in administration at Anderson Wake Forest, N.C., later teaching New Testament University for 19 years and served as a religion Koine Greek there and serving as president of teacher at North Greenville University, also RICHARD HAWK Southeastern alumni both at the national level and serving as the sixth president from 1988-1991. Richard Lee Hawk, 87, of Clemson, died state, in both South Carolina and Tennessee. He After leaving NGU, he served on the staff of Nov. 20, 2020. served as first vice president of the South Carolina the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in A native of Pennsylvania, he was a Baptist Convention and president of the South Asheville, N.C., until he retired. graduate of Mercer University in Macon, Ga., and Carolina Baptist Pastors Conference, and as first Survivors include his wife Billie, two Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in vice president and president of the Tennessee daughters, five grandchildren and two great- Wake Forest, N.C. He served as pastor of several Baptist Convention. He was also active in grandchildren.

www.baptistcourier.com • 29 PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE BY ALEX SANDS GOD CAN USE THE WORST TO PRODUCE THE BEST

“THE WORST YEAR EVER.” THAT’S HOW TIME of a Facebook post is lazy. Yet, it happens all the time, even magazine described 2020 in its December edition, and in the church. It takes more effort to reach out and seek to justifiably so. No one will miss a year marked by a global understand before being understood personally, but it’s pandemic, business shutdowns, social unrest, natural worth it if you gain a brother or sister. Better to be quiet or disasters, and a divisive election cycle. The New Year’s ball say, “I don’t have an opinion yet because I don’t have enough couldn’t drop fast enough. But adversity is a great teacher, so information” than to say something I’ll regret in the future before moving on to the new year, what spiritual truths did or that would unnecessarily wound my brothers or sisters. you learn or better appreciate as a result of going through “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, last year’s adversity? Here are my top four. these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10, ESV). Lesson #1: Lesson #3: Regardless of how prepared we are or how hard we The Body of Christ is a precious gift. I missed having our work, we are never in control. No amount of money or entire church family physically together for Sunday worship, technology could stop a microscopic virus from closing but just seeing some of them on a computer screen every businesses, draining savings accounts, and claiming over a week is a spiritual boost. Digging into God’s Word together, quarter million lives. Within the same households, I witnessed laughing, and being able to pray for one another is a blessing, some family members mildly affected by COVID, while others whatever the medium. And it’s even better when done with fought for every breath. It was a powerful lesson that any believers from other congregations. Conceptually, I knew sense of control I feel is an illusion. “Many are the plans in that the church could be the church without physically a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” gathering, but this year, I learned that it could be even better (Proverbs 19:21, NIV). in some ways. Lesson #4: The human family cannot save itself and desperately needs Jesus. Like you, I saw incredible displays of sacrifice juxtaposed with shocking displays of selfishness and ... 2O2O may go down as indifference (fights over toilet paper and face masks). But I also saw my own hypocrisy. I conveniently glossed over my inconsistencies and the risky decisions I made that put the worst ever, but Scripture others in harm’s way. Self-righteousness and self-interest are deceptive, destructive, and totally justifiable without the reminds us that God works conviction of the Holy Spirit. The world needs Jesus, and no one needs him more than I do. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked”(Jeremiah 17:9). all things together for good The year 2020 may go down as the worst ever, but Scripture reminds us that God works all things together for for those who love Him. good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I’m exhausted, but I’m better. This year I’m humbled and honored to serve as the president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. The support and encouragement I’ve Lesson #2: received have been nothing short of amazing. Hopefully, There’s no shame in listening, postponing judgment, being the first African-American to hold this position will and extending the benefit of the doubt. The generalizations inspire us to worship the God that has used the convention we read on social media and hear on cable news outlets for 200 years to expand His kingdom, despite its flaws. And are often recycled stereotypes peddled to the masses He’s still working within us to make us look more like the to get clicks, votes, or advertising revenue. When I took kingdom. That’s my prayer for 2021, that we advance the the time to listen and engage with people different than kingdom together for the glory of God, which could make this myself, I learned that nobody fits the nice, neat labels we’ve year the best year ever. n been led to believe are real. Applying labels to strangers such as racist, liberal, socialist, and ignorant based on a Alex Sands is pastor of Kingdom Life Church, Simpsonville, and 10-second soundbite, yard sign, bumper sticker, or snippet 2021 president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

30 • JANUARY 2021 | THE COURIER THE LAST WORD BY RUDY GRAY, EDITOR A YEAR OF HOPE AND CHALLENGE

THE YEAR 2O2O, WITH ALL ITS DRAMA AND government of American society but determines the habits turmoil, has given way to 2021, with its hopes (one of which is of the heart and is the first of their political institutions.” The a vaccine for COVID-19) and challenges. right to freely practice our faith is a constitutional right we Jan. 17 is Sanctity of Human Life Day (some will celebrate cannot afford to relinquish. it Jan. 24) and is a great opportunity to remember that all Finally, the challenge of new anti-biblical theories is human life from conception to natural death is sacred. Large something we must be prepared to encounter. The Southern numbers of abortions are still performed each year in this Baptist Convention passed a controversial resolution in its country and around the world. In America, for example, 2019 annual meeting. That resolution mentioned critical race the statistics for abortions take about two years to be theory as an analytical tool. It passed primarily because most released. In 2018, the CDC reported 619,591 abortions, while of the messengers voting (many had already departed) did the Guttmacher Institute reported an estimated 876,000. not really understand what they were voting on. Several While those numbers differ substantially, the magnitude state conventions later passed resolutions opposing critical of innocent life being legally eliminated is motivation for race theory. Christians to stand strong for the rights of the unborn. Recently, our six seminary presidents issued a statement Another challenge we face in 2021 is the rise of the condemning racism, reaffirming the Baptist Faith and radical LGBTQ movement with its insistence on acceptance. Message 2000 and opposing critical race theory, saying it This movement is something we cannot support and was incompatible with the BF&M. Jason Allen, president of remain loyal to Scripture. We can love all people, but at the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said, “Confusion heart of real love is the commitment to do what is right. A abounds on critical race theory, but one thing is clear: The perverse lifestyle that insists on a man-made alternative to closer you look into the history, advocates and aims of CRT, the marriage of one man to one woman must be opposed. the more troubling it becomes.” n God can redeem anybody from any sin, but it is important that we see this movement for what it is — not a civil rights movement, but a moral issue. The challenge to religious liberty is another issue that we face in the new year. We must not grow weary but remain vigilant in our stance for the freedom to worship God and practice the teachings of the Christian faith without interference from the government. The First Amendment to our Constitution calls for the separation of the government from the church. Legally, we have the right to practice our faith. Scripturally, we must obey and serve God, and by doing so make the country a stronger and better place to live. The consistent threat of creeping socialism with all of its anti-Christian bias poses a great danger to a way of life that respects the right to earn money through work and to be free from government’s intrusion and control. This type of socialism may have descriptors attached to it like “democratic socialism.” However, it’s the same communistic idea that would make most of us the working class and others the ruling class. Those who have lived through socialism in other countries know the hardship and pain it causes. Religious liberty is a right Baptists have consistently supported. We have an SBC agency that is designed to support that right, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Freedom, in order to continue, must be maintained and defended when enemies attempt to destroy it. Alexis de Tocqueville observed early America and concluded, “Religion never intervenes directly in the

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