issue #4 • official magazine of colorado baptists coloradobaptists.org

CBGC Annual + Meeting recap Raise Up Faithful + Preachers out of the MMA ring, + into the classroom

COLORADO BAPTISTS 1 from the executive director

you are ready. The moment you have been training for has finally come. The race agent shoots off the Dare to gun and the race has started. However, in order for you to begin the race, you must take your first step. Once you take that step, the race is yours to run. The same can be said about your vision from the Take the Lord. He has brought you and your church to this moment. This is your time. This is your race. You must now simply take the first step towards your NEXT STEP future. This is the new vision for Colorado Baptists. We are going to be a Next Step network that comes n January of 2012, I began a journey that alongside you to help you take your Next Step in was both challenging and rewarding. I began accelerating gospel impact in your community and training to run a marathon. I set my eyes on across Colorado. We believe God has incredible the goal of crossing the finish line after running things in store for our state through this incredible I26.2 miles. The training was intense and, on most family of churches. We see a day when more lives days, I had to push myself out of the door to run. are drastically transformed by the gospel, lostness However, it was in this process of training that I is rapidly decreasing, churches are healthy and learned three lessons about life and leadership. vibrant, and communities are changed because churches began taking their Next Step towards 1) Marathons are not run in miles, they are gospel impact. We believe this will happen as our run is steps This is so important for people to family of churches move forward together each realize when deciding to run a marathon. Every taking their Next Step. What incredible days we single step counts towards the goal. In fact, it has have ahead of us! been said that it takes over 55,000 steps to run the As you begin your Next Step journey, please marathon distance. The same can be true of the know that your team at the CBGC stands eager vision for our life or church. The race God has put and ready to serve you. We believe in you and know us on is a marathon, which requires each of us to that God is going to use this new vision to radically simply take the Next Step towards our goal. change our state for His glory! We look forward 2) Marathons are not for the faint of heart to working alongside of you as you take your Next While running my marathon, I begin to notice Step. We love you and consider it a joy and honor people fading out of race with each grueling mile to serve you. we ran. You see, the idea of a marathon is fun and exciting, however, the execution is much more difficult. Marathons are hard work and requires discipline and endurance. The same can be true of the vision God has given to you. It is not going to be easy, but oh how it will be worth it. Stay the course and just keep taking your next step. 3) Marathons always start with your first Dr. Nathan Lorick step When you come up to the starting line, your Executive Director heart is beating fast, the adrenaline is pumping and Colorado Baptists Table of Contents

President’s Perspective Church planting in 7 Don't drift 2 Multiethnic Ministry from truth consider it joy? 8 In all my years in ministry, I cannot remember ever being angry with a passage of Scripture. Knowing & Leading myself And though it may not sound particularly 4 pastoral or spiritual, I recently found myself The most difficult person you will angry and arguing with God over one of the ever have to lead is yourself. best known and beloved passages in the Bible.

pastor's conference & Annual meeting recap

9 faithfully preach God’s Word 10-11 cbgc reveals next step at annual meeting 12-13 Colorado Baptists new Vision & Strategy Outline

out of This. Changes. Everything. 16 the ring into the classroom Raise Up Faithful Preachers 18 14 Plan Beyond Today 20

Momentum is the official magazine POSTMASTER: Colorado Baptists • Editor of the Colorado Baptist General Send address changes to Lightner Creative • Design and Layout Convention. This publication is Momentum Magazine, 7393 South Alton Way published quarterly. For general 7393 South Alton Way, Centennial, Colorado 80112-2302 information call 303-771-2480. Centennial, CO 80112-2302 coloradobaptists.org

COLORADO BAPTISTS 1 President’s Perspective Don't drift from truth church. Instead of preaching but to confront it. We have the cross as they once did, these not been called to change our n the last week of churches now preach whatever message with every wind of September my wife and I message the wind of culture doctrine that blows by, but to had the opportunity to visit the dictates. Most of the churches be rooted and grounded in the northeastern state of Maine. I saw were exceedingly liberal truth of the gospel (Ephesians IThis time of year, it is especially and had long ago left orthodox 4:14). We can do that with lovely, given its coastal towns and Christianity. Many of them love and with grace, but our vibrant leaves. As with any place I waved rainbow flags out front message, of Jesus crucified, travel, I always take note of churches, or were even more overt about will never be popular with the and New England is literally littered their position on key biblical world. Let’s not just keep the with them. Most of them are old issues like marriage or human cross on our steeples, let’s keep white wooden churches with classic sexuality. These churches, once the message of the cross in our steeples and many have cemeteries on fire for God and passionate pulpits. That’s what will draw next door. Many of them are no about soul winning, have people to Jesus and bring glory longer churches but have transitioned now become passionate about to our Father in Heaven. into community centers. opposing the very teachings But the most notable thing about of the scripture they were In Christ, most of the old churches I saw was originally built to preach. These Calvin Wittman that instead of a cross on top of the churches left the faith gradually. steeple, they had a weathervane. Over time they drifted from the Some of these were chickens, some truth until one day they begin were arrows pointing to the four to teach a lie. It was sad. points on a compass and some were You and I must be careful sailing ships. But replacing the cross to stay in God’s word, to with a weather vane, was more than remember that true believers an ornamental change, it was a will always be at odds with the statement. In most of the cases the world and exactly what it is weathervanes on top of the church to which we have been called. spoke to the kind of preaching and We have not been called to teaching that was going on inside the accommodate the culture,

2 celebrating together Truly a Miracle: God Provides a Church Building

CP Giving As of September 2018, Colorado Baptists have given over $71,000 more than that time last year. An increase of 4.95%!

Credentialed Churches

A few months ago, Iglesia Verdad y Vida in Montrose, Colorado, At this year's CBGC Annual Meeting at First Baptist Church asked the Baptist Foundation of Colorado (BFC) about a loan Black Forest, 89 churches were voted on and approved to for a church building. At first it appeared to be impossible, but then the Lord started to place His mark on this process. The join our Convention. Colorado Baptists are now 325 churches church that currently owned the building could have sold it strong with more to come! for more, but God laid this church on their hearts and sold it for what Iglesia Verdad y Vida could afford. The pastor said, “We were not sure that we could afford a loan, but the Baptist Foundation asked us to share our story on why we wanted CBGC Annual Meeting Attendance a building.” The BFC came alongside them and provided the financing. There needs to be some renovations, but there are + 361 Attendance already building teams from Colorado, Tennessee and Texas + 203 Messengers coming to make some of these improvements. + 158 Guests —By Douglas B. Lohrey, Baptist Foundation of Colorado + 92 Churches sent messengers

CHURCH LOANS THAT CHANGE LIVES.

The Baptist Foundation of Colorado partners with WatersEdge Advisors to provide loans to Colorado Baptist churches.

We offer competitive rates, and unlike traditional lenders, interest from your loan is given back to Southern Baptist ministries that touch lives with the Gospel.

YOUR LOAN SUPPORTS:

Evangelism National & Baptist Disaster relief & church international universities & human needs planting missions & seminaries ministries

GET STARTED AT: 720.372.7313 • [email protected] baptistfoundationofcolorado.org COLORADO BAPTISTS 3 he most difficult person you will ever have to lead T is yourself. A person who is a package of impressive strengths mingles with equally great insecurities, wounds, and inconsistencies, all wrapped as best as we know how to project the best possible public face. We are fully aware of the concealed brokenness inside the box, and that brokenness, if not restored, will be our undoing. (We can all give examples of those who have fallen) So how can we protect ourselves from this kind of ending?

1. My lowest point of Character is my highest Knowing point of Capacity. My leadership, especially spiritual leadership, cannot grow beyond my weakest point of character. Picture an old antique & wooden water bucket made from vertical boards (staves) fashioned together into a cylinder. If those boards were all different, the shortest board would logically dictate the limits of water leading the bucket could contain. If fifteen boards were 12 inches long and one board was 6 inches long, the defining limit would be what? Our weakest character point always determines our myself capacity.

By Bill Lighty

4 Example of Peter “How could Jesus get this so wrong.” If I lie to my wife, I will lie Peter’s most tragic moments: In Matt. 26:34 we have the to anyone. In the public denial of Christ, prophetic pronouncement. If I hold back from God the in Matt. 26:73-74, we see this This reliance on physical strength finances that are correctly His, uncharacteristically spineless scene versus spiritual strength was Peter’s I will steal from anyone. which seems to be an aberration most limiting character deficiency. I must guard against to the typically macho persona Peter’s last known words to Jesus rationalizing disobedience. of Peter. Were there any hints to before His crucifixion are found in The way I do one thing anticipate this breakdown? Matt. 26:35, “Even if I have to die is the way I do everything. In Matt. 16:21 Jesus explains the with You I will never deny You!” necessity of His upcoming crucifixion Jesus had great plans for Peter. He For Peter his private issue of and resurrection.This is not what His handpicked him from the crowds self-reliance became a spiritually followers wanted to hear. to be His own Disciple, one whom damaging point of character. We In Matt. 16:22 Peter responds to He would send as an apostle of good must come face-to-face with this Jesus and takes him aside and basically news. Then there was the Denial reality. Granted we all walk with a challenges Jesus to fight like a man. of Jesus. Yet Peter’s lowest point of limp. We are flawed human beings. “They will never over power us.” character was his highest point of But we must walk with humility In Peter’s words Jesus perceived a capacity. As long as Peter saw himself and realize that in our weakness significant character flaw. Jesus did as his source of strength, there was God’s strength can be found. not need Peter’s protection. not Kingdom future for him. In Luke 16:10 we are reminded Jesus simply explained the “why” The low point of Peter’s character that when we are faithful with and the “what” of His Father’s had been laid open and exposed to little then we will be entrusted plan. Jesus was not trying to escape the bone. There was no strength with much. It is the little things, the plan but rather it was Peter could point to. perhaps mundane activities, that something He must fulfill. Ultimately Peter is restored at a demonstrate character. Character In Matt. 16:23, Jesus corrects sea side breakfast in John 21:15-19 is not developed in the big events his friend. Peter was going to use Peter had nothing left. He simply or challenges but rather character fleshly power, which was Peter’s had to trust Christ. Jesus reinstates is revealed. Character is developed character pattern, which needed to Peter with his Kingdom assignment. in the day to day disciplines, be corrected. Reminded Peter, “Follow Me.” challenges, interruptions of life. Trust is a simple Key to Kingdom The way I do one thing, simple Fast Forward to the Upper Room character. Only by knowing my things, seemingless insignificant Jesus had just called out Judas as a challenges and struggles am I able tasks, to “the least of these”, reveals traitor and then Jesus fore tells His to truly trust Jesus. who I am. death and resurrection. Past behavior is the best indicator In Matt. 26:30 they go to 2. The Way I Do One Thing Is The of future behavior. This is not the Gethsemane to face an appointment Way I Do Everything. only indicator but we all tend to of emotional, physical, and spiritual A common sentiment in default to what has worked in the abandonment. Ironically the lesson contemporary thought is a past. Developing new disciplines Peter needed most to learn was being compartmentalized approach to and habits are challenges we must fleshed out in front of his unseeing character. A leader badly misbehaves face and only when we are self-aware eyes. Jesus’ strength was not found and his supporters sing in unison will be have the insight to engage the in His physical frame but in His that a leader’s private life has nothing need for change and growth. Today’s complete surrender to the Father. to do with his job performance. (All problems are yesterday’s solutions. We In Matt. 26:31-32 Jesus says you we have to do is look at many of our cannot tackle today’s challenges with will all fall away. Peter is no quitter. national leaders). yesterday’s methods and strategies. (See Matt. 26:33) Maybe Judas, and Private lives and public This is true corporately but also true some of the others, but not me. Jesus functioning are entirely unrelated. personally. I must choose to change needed to know the depths of Peter’s For the Christ Follower this thought and embrace a new normal/reality. devotion. Peter must have thought, is totally absurd.

COLORADO BAPTISTS 5 3. Personal Transformation Only we in the Church experience about How do we accomplish this? Flows From Intimate Transparency. the same level of social dysfunction Here are a few suggestions: The fact that my lowest point as those outside the Body of Christ. of character is my highest point of We need to ask, “How does a u Make it Personal. Connect capacity should drive us to a place Christ-Follower break away from this with others. Choose to be of analysis and deep introspection. culture of isolationism and experience vulnerable and transparent with Knowing that the way I do one something more transformative?” The some close associates. Make this a thing is the way I do everything Humility of Biblical Community spiritual discipline. should eliminate any semblance becomes the key. It requires u Model it Publicly. Share what of self-reliance and move us to transparency. God is doing. Communicate the desperate dependence. How does James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess values you have received from this Intimate Transparency happen? your sins to one another and pray biblical community with others. There has been such a focus for one another, so that you may u Mark a Path. Introduce this and emphasis on the “personal be healed. The intense prayer of the concept to your church. Engage relationship with God” element that righteous is very powerful.” This the strategy to integrate biblical we have lost the Biblical Community requires humility and self-awareness. community in the normal that is required. In the American I Peter 5:6 says, “Humble yourselves rhythms of your church. contemporary understanding of therefore under the mighty hand of the Body of Christ, it is left to the God, so that He may exalt you in Imagine the transformation power individual Christ-Follower to get due time.” If Peter can get this there is a church will have in its city because his house in order through sheer hope for us. God’s call is to go deeper it is composed of a members who intrinsic motivation. There is no in community and to honestly admit are personally experiencing intimate place for accountability and support sins of character in an environment of transparency and transformation. because there is no place for self- support and accountability which then People in the community will want revelation. We are all on our own. So results in authentic transformation. what we have.

Why Do we give through the Cooperative Program? Because we are better together.

Cooperative progam giving by colorado baptist churches (2017) Since its launch in 1925, the effectiveness of the Cooperative Program has been dependent upon individuals, churches, state $1,989,237 conventions, and SBC entities cooperating toward a common goal of sharing the gospel with every person on the planet. sbc Missions 32.93% (IMB, NAMB, Seminaries, ELRC) With over 7 billion people in the world, 18.66% church health we cannot accomplish this task alone. 17.19% Missions/evangelism No church is too large that it can do it alone and no church is too small that it can’t make a difference. The CP allows us to 15.69% convention support do more together. The Colorado Baptist General Convention (CBGC) is a network of churches that work together for the leadership advancement of the gospel. Your CP giving allows for statewide 15.52% assistance in church planting and evangelistic efforts, while partnership support (namb, Lifeway & others) also sending 33% to the ministries of the Southern Baptist $1,497,000 Convention, both nationally and around the world.

Let’s do more together! 6 coloradobaptists.org CHURCH PLANTING IN Multiethnic Ministry

By Jerico DeVeyra Church Planting Catalyst

Gregoire and Louise Luabala is church planting a French-speaking congregation at the Vietnamese Central Baptist Church building in Edgewater. They were called by God to ministry in Metro Denver as former refugees from Congo. Gregoire started to lead as early as twelve years old and he started a Prayer Group in Bujumbura, Burundi that became a church where he pastored for 15 years and was a founding pastor of six community churches Gregoire and Louise Luabala in Uvira, South Kivu eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo for 12 years that started in 1995. After situations. As a result, they were able the worship leader and as an English that, he replanted a church in Kigali, to see where God was on the move. interpreter for their congregation. Rwanda for three years before moving They pray a lot individually, as a They are thankful that they are part of to Denver as a refugee. The Lord couple and with the church. When Colorado Baptists Family. Recently, called him to church planting as a lead we asked, "What are your greatest they traveled to Montreal, Canada for church planter here in Metro Denver strengths?" They answered, "large will, the French-speaking SEND Network of Christian Fellowship Evangelical perseverance, prayer." Gregoire and Assessment Retreat and this month Church. The Lord prepared him Louise have been married for 48 years. of September they just baptized to minister in the United States They have three grown children and three people. They asked how can by pastoring for 25 years in more grandchildren. They are very united our churches help former refugees than five churches in four different in their vision to plant a French- and they identified these ministry countries in Africa. Gregoire and speaking church in Denver, and they opportunities like ESL (teaching Louise are faithfully praying weekly already have an average of 40 people English as Second Language), how in the church so that the gospel will attending. to manage budget and how to build penetrate lostness amongst French- Gregoire and Louise enjoy serving credit, how to shop in local stores, speaking Africans where they would and they find themselves effective in how to go to different appointments, like a church to be culturally, ethno- their ministry amongst immigrants how to take care of the kids and train linguistically, and spiritually relevant. regardless of color or race. Louise is the kids, how to clean an apartment, Church planting leaders observed most gifted in praying, ministering how to live in America, and how to that Gregoire and Louise demonstrate to women, and caring for children. get a lawyer. When refugees arrive in a real sense of dependency on God. She also can lead the worship service Denver, they are given an apartment They love God very much and have and praying that she would find a five for four months and after they will strong trust in God for all aspects thousand dollars capital for her small- on their own and it’s hard for them of their life. They shared some scale business entrepreneurship that to find a job and find a cheaper experiences they went through primarily caters for African women. apartment. On top of that, they together in the church and every time As a plus, their daughter, Therese, are expected to pay expenses they they prayed and trusted God in these serves and enjoys serving as one of incurred to travel to the United States.

COLORADO BAPTISTS 7 CONSIDER IT JOY?

By Shane Cannon Pastor, Mesa Christian Fellowship, Pueblo, CO

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:2-4

n all my years in ministry, both physically and spiritually. I could However, I think the natural I cannot remember ever being carry anything on my shoulders; my question is how have I found personal angry with a passage of Scripture. church, my children, and my wife. joy in the midst of this? How have I And though it may not sound But in an instant, those shoulders experienced joy in my growth and the Iparticularly pastoral or spiritual, I became weak and useless. I will spare work God is doing in me? The truth recently found myself angry and arguing you the details of how incredibly is, I haven’t…yet. You see, I am still with God over one of the best known humiliating it is to lose the use of your in the midst of the humbling. God and beloved passages in the Bible. arms. However, if you are curious to is still breaking me. I am constantly Early in the morning on July 6th, know more, I would encourage you wearied by the pain it causes me to I was lying in my bed asleep when I to tie both arms to your waist for 24 do simple tasks. I am still humiliated had a massive seizure. I had never hours. You will quickly understand! So that I cannot take a shower or dress had a seizure before. However, this I began to argue and challenge God on myself without help. I am still broken seizure was violent enough to dislocate the truth of joy in trials. How could hearted by the fact that I cannot pick my right shoulder forward and my there be any joy in this?! How could up my young children or embrace my left shoulder backwards, breaking any of this work for the good of me, wife. Though I have felt joy for my several bones in each shoulder. I was my family, or my church?! church, there have been no feelings of rushed to the hospital for emergency After several weeks of this, I began joy for me. I would like to say I smiled surgery. I spent a week in the hospital to see my first glimpse into what God through this whole ordeal, counting and another 8 weeks with both arms was doing. I saw my church grow on God to do amazing things. But completely immobilized. In the midst through this trial, taking ownership the fact is, I needed a glimpse into the of all this, God brought to mind a verse of the ministry like never before joy of my church family. I needed to that I had read hundreds of times, and ministering to me as beautifully see how God was working in them in James 1:2. I recall many moments as I had ever ministered to them. order for my faith to be strengthened. of angry tears as I argued with God, In addition to this, I began to hear So now, as I look forward to two swearing to Him that there could be testimonies of how God was working more months of difficult and painful no joy in this situation. in individual leaders within the church recovery, I do not plan on feeling a I understand that for some this and how He was accomplishing great great amount of joy, at least not in the may not be a trial worthy of such things in their hearts. As I saw this beginning. But I am now considering anger and confusion. But if God is beautiful picture unfold, I found my this trial as something joyful. Why? an intimate God and our trials are congregation experiencing joy in the Because I know there is brokenness in meant to mature us, then every trial midst of this trial. I have a deep love me, and I am certain that my loving is custom made for each individual. for my church family, and if my pain Father is working to make me mature This is definitely true for me. You see, was simply meant to accomplish this and complete. Though the road is still I pride myself in being a strong man, joy in them, it was worth it. painful, I am planning on joy!

8 pastor's conference recap faithfully preach God’s Word

In 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Paul charges the world. Bigger is assumed to be not preached God’s Word. pastors to preach the word. He calls better. Nickels and noses are bragging After teaching us how to preach, us to be ready to preach the word points. No pastor is immune to this. Smith took off his professor hat, in season and out of season. As Rather than follow the course of and put on his preaching one. He Kevin Smith, the executive director this world, let us be different. Let us preached a powerful sermon. Not of the Maryland/Delaware Baptist measure success differently. Let’s add only did he tell us to apply the text, Convention, reminded us at the 2018 faithfulness to preaching God’s Word he applied the text to us. Pastor’s Conference that this charge is as a measurement of success. My hope is that Colorado Baptist in the presence of God and of Jesus To that end, Smith equipped us churches will be filled with pastors Christ. There can be no weightier to exposit the text. He encouraged who passionately and faithfully charge. No more important audience us with the words of Martyn Lloyd- preach God’s Word. And do so in for our faithfulness to preach. Jones with such nuggets as to preach a uniquely Coloradan way that is Faithfulness is the key. While this in the power of the Spirit. And understandable and applicable to our world measures success through pastors are to awaken the conscience, communities. Do this and we will power and influence, followers of not to sooth the conscience. We were accept Paul’s charge ot preach the Christ must be different. Leaders also reminded of the need to apply word rather than scratch the itching especially so. And yet, we often use the text to our church. If we do not ears of those who want teachers to the same measurements of success as address the “so-what” then we have suit their own passions.

Make sure to attend the 2019 Pastor’s Conference in Grand Junction. Chris Phillips of Journey Point Church will be the president of what will prove to be an outstanding time of encouragement and equipping for Colorado pastors.

COLORADO BAPTISTS 9 recap Nathan Lorick, executive director of the Colorado Baptist General Convention addresses messengers and guests at the annual meeting on Oct. 16 at First Baptist Church Black Forest in Colorado Springs.

cbgc reveals In his address to messengers Lorick shared the CBGC new mission statement as “inviting Colorado churches into a Next Step journey next step at to accelerate Gospel impact.” He added, "The greatest outcome of a network of churches is not measuring sticks by which we pat each other on the back. It is this... do we see a demonstration of the Holy annual meeting Spirit upon us?" (see full vision strategy on pages 12-13) The annual meeting brought messages from Southern Baptist COLORADO SPRINGS leaders including, Calvin Wittman, CBGC President; Bob Bender, Messengers and guests of the Colorado pastor of FBC Black Forest; Jim Richards, executive director of Baptists gathered in Colorado Springs the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention; Kevin Ezell, NAMB President; J.D. Greear, SBC President; Kevin Smith, executive for their annual meeting Oct. 15-16 at director of Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware; and Jimmy First Baptist Church Black Forest. With a Draper, former LifeWay President. theme of A New Thing, Colorado Baptist The convention unveiled a new website, coloradobaptists.org, to General Convention sought to create an messengers which features resources, articles and new opportunities environment of encouragement for pastors for churches to connect. One of these connections are the CBGC Vision Gatherings being held throughout Colorado to hear more and church members through preaching, of the new Vision and Strategy for our Colorado Baptists. The music and fellowship. The meeting brought gatherings will give an opportunity for churches to gain clarity and with it much anticipation as a new vision inquire about how their church can discover its Next Step. Meals are was cast for Colorado Baptists. provided for free and pastors and key leaders are invited. Registration is available at coloradobaptists.org.

10 “It’s like God is saying ‘You cannot “We are just broken pieces, really. “I believe there are more people that manipulate me into doing what you want But the Lord takes our brokenness want to hear the Gospel than there me to do, when you what me to do it, where and makes something beautiful out are willing to share it. The harvest is you want me to do it. Do not expect me to of our lives; those who will let him, plentiful, the laborers are few.” do the same thing the same way twice. Pay who will not be bitter, but be better.” attention, I am doing a new thing.’” —Kevin Ezell, President, —Bob Bender, Senior Pastor, North American Mission Board —Calvin Wittman, President, Colorado Baptists FBC Black Forest Forest

“God uses a different measure stick than we use. His measure stick of success is that we’re given not a quota Messengers and guests join in worship during the Colorado Baptist General Convention to accomplish but a calling to fulfill.” annual meeting held Oct. 15-16 at First Baptist Church Black Forest in Colorado Springs.

—Jim Richards, Executive Director, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention

“Whatever you do, do it well to the glory of God, and do it somewhere NAMB Lunch Panel w/ (L-R) Mike Routt, Doug Dameron, Chris Phillips, J.D. Greear, Kevin strategic for the mission of God.” Ezell, Ben Mandrell, and Nathan Lorick.

—J.D. Greear, President, Southern Baptist Convention COLORADO BAPTISTS 11 For several months the CBGC Team Leaders along with the Task Force prayerfully worked through developing a new vision and strategy for Colorado Baptists. With the utmost belief that the Great Commission is given to the local church, the convention is positioning itself to come along side Colorado Baptist churches and help them take their next step to accelerate Gospel impact.

Here is the outline of the new Vision & Strategy that Executive Director Nathan Lorick unveiled at the Annual Meeting. More details and opportunities to ask questions will be provided at the Vision Gatherings coming throughout Colorado. Register now at ColoradoBaptists.org!

mission statement

Inviting Colorado churches into a Next Step journey to accelerate Gospel impact

our values

We demonstrate an obvious passion for the Gospel and encourage For Gospel crazy risk taking to make disciples throughout Colorado.

We deliver real value to each church through Through Process customized process not top-down programs.

We act with intentionality and excellence, investing in simplicity With Action and streamlined ministry not organizational complexity.

We invite churches out of isolation into cooperation Without Limits to dramatically increase local Gospel impact.

12 Are you ready to discover your next step?

Vision Gatherings

Colorado Baptists is providing Vision Gatherings throughout Colorado to hear more of the new Vision and Strategy for our Convention. This is a great opportunity to gain clarity and inquire how your church can discover its Next Step. Meals are provided for free and pastors and key leaders are invited. Register at coloradobaptists.org for a Vision Gathering near you!

Western Colorado Front Range/ Eastern Colorado Grand Junction Southern Colorado Limon Tuesday, Jan. 15 Ft. Collins Monday, Jan. 21 5:30pm-7:30pm Wednesday, Dec. 5 5:30pm-7:30pm Emmanuel Baptist Church 11:30am-1:30pm Hi-Plains Baptist Church Cornerstone Baptist Church, Edwards La Junta Windsor Wednesday, Jan. 16 Thursday, Jan. 24 5:30pm-7:30pm Denver North 5:30pm-7:30pm Trinity Baptist Church Thursday, Jan. 10 Calvary LaJunta 11:30am-1:30pm Pagosa Springs Sterling North Metro Church, Thornton Tuesday, Jan. 29 Thursday, Jan. 31 5:30pm-7:30pm Colorado Springs 5:30pm-7:30pm Centerpoint Church Monday, Jan. 14 Emmanuel Baptist Church 11:30am-1:30pm Durango Vista Grande Baptist Wednesday, Jan. 30 5:30pm-7:30pm Denver South First Southern Baptist Church Tuesday, Jan. 22 11:30am-1:30pm Calvary Englewood, Englewood

Pueblo Sunday, Jan. 27 4:00pm-6:00pm Steel City Fellowship COLORADO BAPTISTS 13 out of the ring into the classroom By Tyler Sanders Gateway Seminary

ne thing Southern Baptists and mixed martial arts fighters have in common is a propensity for acronyms. O For instance: Nate Marquardt, a current MTS student at the RMC, retired from professional MMA fighting in 2017. He fought matches for Pancrase, UFC and Strikeforce.

Now he hopes to serve with his “I was kind of a small [person] in Retiring from professional fighting family in ministry. high school,” he said and he identified has been an easy transition for Nate Marquardt is pursuing a master of with a successful UFC fighter who was Marquardt. Many people, athlete or theological studies degree at Gateway the smallest guy in the tournament. not, do not get to share that experience. Seminary’s Rocky Mountain Campus. “He was able to use technique to beat For Marquardt, the ease of this shift is The drive that led him to a successful his opponents and that really intrigued due to a greater change he experienced career in mixed martial arts (MMA) has me. As soon as I started fighting, my in 2013: salvation. been redirected into pursuing Christ. goal was to become a professional Though he grew up in what he As a child, Marquardt would fighter.” called a Christian home, and his father always tell people that whatever sport He found a gym that taught was a Lutheran pastor for a few years, he was currently playing was what he Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing and Marquardt did not fully surrender wanted to do professionally. karate. By age 20, Marquardt had a until later in his life. “When I was playing soccer, I contract to fight in Japan, marking his “I learned about a false Christianity wanted to be a soccer player,” he said. move into professional fighting. He that says you can live however you “If I was playing basketball, I wanted went on to win 35 fights in his career, want and call yourself a Christian and to play in the NBA.” earning titles in Pancrase, several be accepted,” he said. “The true Gospel Marquardt began training in wins in UFC and a welterweight title is the Gospel that changes lives, and I MMA in high school after watching in Strikeforce. He announced his didn’t learn about that until I was 33 an Ultimate Fighting Championship retirement in December 2017 after 18 years old. I basically hit rock bottom. (UFC) fight. years and 56 professional fights. My career, my finances, my marriage,

14 as I got saved,” he said, but was unsure Nate Marquardt retired from he would be able to work with the IMB professional MMA fighting in 2017 because he doesn’t have a bachelor’s and is now a current MTS student at degree. With encouragement from his Gateway Seminary’s Rocky Mountain wife, Marquardt continued to investigate Campus. and found that a master’s by exception was an option. Marquardt is careful to say that he will follow God’s call to any task in any place, but he thinks there may be a way for his experience in MMA to be used in some unique ways. “Once I got saved I had this idea of opening a gym in a poor area,” he said. He’d like to work with orphans and children whose fathers have left them. everything was in shambles. But once I as they split up I had a pretty bad His vision is to serve them by “letting truly surrendered and humbled myself, childhood,” Marquardt said. Being a them train for free in the gym, helping all the anger, the lust was just gone. It biblical father is something Marquardt them with homework and whatever else changed my life, our family life, changed strives for. He recalls being disciplined they need.” my wife’s life and my kids’ lives.” as a child “always out of anger.” Now Marquardt currently runs a small “My goal wasn’t to just live a good, he seeks an alternative: to discipline his sports ministry called Resurrection Jiu- happy life,” he said. “In fact, if by children in a gospel-centered way. Jitsu with a friend who used to train any kind of suffering I can win more “God is just, so we need to be just with with him. That friend was one of the people to Christ, then so be it.” our children, but God is also merciful,” he first people Marquardt shared Christ Marquardt is married to Tessa, and said. Marquardt’s goal is for his children to with, and he experienced a drastic they have four children together plus one understand why they are being disciplined conversion from Islam to Christianity. more from a previous relationship. They and why they receive mercy. In this ministry Marquardt teaches study the Bible, memorize scripture, He holds himself to the same a class for children and one for adults. sing worship songs and even evangelize standard, modeling repentance for his The children listen to a Bible lesson together. One of his daughters recently children when he is wrong. Marquardt and memorize Scripture while the gave Marquardt’s doctor a gospel tract, and his wife want to represent Christ to adults share testimonies after training. and Marquardt has been following up their children. “How can we do that if Though Marquardt isn’t exactly sure with him since then. we are hypocrites?” Marquardt asked. where God will lead him after seminary, This is markedly different from how Marquardt watched the film he is ready to do it. Until then, he is Marquardt grew up. The Insanity of God and began to seriously going to be obedient each day. “I had a very good childhood when consider becoming involved in ministry. “I see life as ministry. Once you are a my parents were married. As soon “I had wanted to do missions as soon Christian, you are in ministry,” he said.

The Baptist Heritage & Practice (L1113) J-term class will be taught by Professor Dr. Earl Waggoner at the Rocky Mountain Campus January 9-12, 2019. This course is required for the MDiv degree.

J-TERM CLASS Soft application deadline for the 2019 spring JANUARY 9-12, 2019 semester is December 15, 2018. Spring semester begins on January 28, 2019. COLORADO BAPTISTS 15 THIS. CHANGES. Everything.

By Stephen Hinson Operations Pastor • Foothills Community Church, Arvada CO

uring the fall of 2017, a portion of Foothills Community Church’s staff traveled down to Ponderosa to see if it would be a good alternative for our youth camps and annual Dstaff retreat. Marcus Unrein, Ponderosa Guest Relations and Personnel Director, gave us a tour and showed us the many enhancements and upgrades he and his team have brought to Ponderosa over the past decade. It was encouraging and had us reminiscing about our different experiences of life change during camp. It wasn’t long before Senior Pastor Kyle Morris asked, “What if we brought our whole church down for camp?” A brief conversation with Marcus and Marty Unrein yielded a possibility the weekend of June 22 – 24, 2018. Our conversations continued with our leadership teams, Over 300 people from the Foothills Community Church, and we determined the opportunity was too good not enjoyed a weekend experience at Ponderosa. to do it. We have never taken our whole church to camp before, and we weren’t certain exactly how it would be received by our people. We were certain, however, that an event like this could radically change our church in a very good, compelling way. As a result, our theme for Camp enjoy, the commitment of Foothills’ leadership never Foothills was: This. Changes. Everything. wavered. We went all in, including moving our regular Over 300 people, ranging in ages from two months to Sunday morning services to Ponderosa for those who 75, made the trip to Camp Foothills at Ponderosa for an couldn’t attend Friday or Saturday. Senior Pastor Kyle amazing weekend. Our experience from Camp Foothills Morris was committed to creating an event that would be highlighted three themes: Leadership, Partnership, and meaningful. We enlisted key staff and lay people to plan, Transformation. coordinate, and implement Camp Foothills, empowering Leadership. Camp Foothills came together because them with the responsibility to maximize participation. of great leadership. From the initial conversations to the This team was faithful from the first planning meeting to planning team creating an experience everyone would the last prop packed for home Sunday afternoon.

16 Partnership. Effective leadership into a great friendship because of for conversations that really matter. from Foothills was only one part of the mutual passion for connecting New friendships were made, old the success of Camp Foothills. The people to Jesus in a meaningful way. friendships were celebrated, and we critical partnership Marcus and Thanks, Marcus, for all your team learned that great things can happen his team formed with our church does to serve people and, ultimately, when we don’t take ourselves too was immeasurably valuable. In the kingdom. seriously and give the Holy Spirit some respects, Ponderosa hasn’t Transformation. The most space to move among His people. hosted an entire church throughout compelling part of Camp Foothills, If you want to create an its whole camp in the way we however, was the transformation experience for your church that envisioned. Everyone on Marcus’ that we experienced as a church. We could transform your community team was flexible, supportive, and regularly long for our weekend and within and touch those around entrepreneurial in their effort to mid-week services and programs you, consider Ponderosa. It has serve us (highlighted by a last- to reach our people in meaningful great accommodations and can host minute hay ride for young children ways. Camp Foothills provided groups of almost any size. You can’t Saturday night). We were able to 36+ straight hours of disconnect find a more economical venue and take advantage of virtually every from the busyness of life and the partnership so close to the metro area. recreational offering Ponderosa has, opportunity to connect more deeply Marcus and his team will take care and everything the Ponderosa staff with Jesus and each other. Creating of you and give you the freedom to promised, they delivered. Foothills’ safe environments where people make Jesus real in a powerful way for partnership with Ponderosa turned can be authentic opens the door your church.

For students 6th-12th grades For preteens 4th-6th grades Choose: January 11-13 OR January 18-20 • Cost $135 Feb 1-3 • Cost $135 Group reservations & deposits due Nov. 26th Group reservations & deposits due Dec. 10th and registration ends Dec. 10th! and registration ends Jan. 7th!

For more info: VisitPonderosa.com/Camps • Email: [email protected] • 719-481-2482 ext. #17 Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram or Google+ "VisitPonderosa"

New this year: Training for students who feel called to ministry: Training will be offered THE FIRST WEEKEND ONLY for those students who feel called to full-time ministry! This will be provided through Oklahoma Baptist University's Hobbs College of Theology & Ministry. Watch for more info!

COLORADO BAPTISTS 17 RAISE UP FAITHFUL PREACHERS

By Mark Hallock Pastor, Calvary Englewood, CO

ow important is preaching kind of food and drink that can truly to one another as they journey toward to the health, life, and mission satisfy hungry and thirsty souls. What becoming more effective preachers of the of God’s Church in the world the Church needs today is food and drink Word. Ideally this group will be made up today? Is it really all that that comes through the clear, undiluted of anywhere from two to five committed Himportant? I mean, aren’t there other, preaching of the Word of God. individuals, alongside the leader of the more effective ways in which to reach the Of course, this begs the question, “Who group, which in most cases is a pastor. lost and edify the saints? How essential will preach God’s Word? Where do we It is recommended that this cohort meet is preaching to genuine Gospel vitality find faithful preachers who rightly handle at least once a month together for six to and potency, both individually and this Word of truth?” While our seminaries twelve months. Each cohort gathering corporately, as believers in this culture? play a vital role in the equipping and should last between two to three hours I would argue that the faithful training of preachers to serve God’s in length. preaching of God’s Word is perhaps people, I am convinced the best place to Most preaching cohorts are made more important to the Church than ever raise up and develop preachers is in our up of individuals with various levels of before. As Walter Kaiser writes, “It is no local churches. In churches just like yours! preaching experience. Whether someone secret that Christ's Church is not at all So, what might this look like? How can has never preached a sermon before, or in good health in many places of the your congregation begin to intentionally they have preached on a weekly basis, a world. She has been languishing because raise up preachers? Let me offer a simple preaching cohort is a great environment she has been fed, as the current line pathway you and your church may want to sharpen skills and help those in the has it, ‘junk food;’ all kinds of artificial to consider. group mature in their preaching. Let preservatives and all sorts of unnatural me briefly paint a picture of what a substitutes have been served up to her.” Developing A Preaching Cohort preaching cohort might look like in your As a result, Kaiser notes that theological One of the most effective ways your church. This is a model that has worked and biblical malnutrition has “afflicted congregation can begin to develop well for many churches launching a the very generation that has taken such preachers is by launching a preaching cohort for the first time. There are three giant steps to make sure its physical cohort. A preaching cohort is simply a primary components to the cohort: health is not damaged by using foods small group of individuals committed Personal Study, Group Preaching, and or products that are carcinogenic or to meeting regularly for the purpose of Mentor Coaching. otherwise harmful to their bodies.” helping one another grow as preachers of While tough to hear, I think Kaiser’s God’s Word. In this group, individuals Component #1: Personal Study diagnosis is correct. What the Church will learn with one another, encourage Personal study is one of the keys to needs today is not junk food, but the one another and give helpful feedback helping those in the cohort get the most

18 out of this experience. The commitment preaching. Typically, a portion of this and practical coaching for their growth to learning outside of the monthly meeting will be given to discussing some as a preacher. The hope would be that cohort preaching gathering will help to of the reading and listening the group this coach can commit to two things: stretch and equip individuals both in is doing together. It can also provide an 1) Be present to hear the preacher’s their intellectual understanding, as well opportunity for the group leader to do sermon each month and then 2) find an as practice of biblical preaching. While some intentional teaching on some aspect additional time to grab lunch or coffee there are many excellent preaching of preaching with the group. However, to talk about the sermon and any other resources available that you might the majority of this meeting time will issues related specifically to the area of choose to use with your group, let me be spent having group members actually preaching. recommend a combination of reading preach. This is where things get really With the help of the cohort leader, and listening. In other words, pick a fun! This meeting will allow individuals each preacher in the group is responsible book for your group to read and study to preach in a context where they will for finding their own mentor coach. This together, along with a preaching podcast be given honest and helpful feedback coach may be your pastor, another leader or two that will help provide additional from others. Along with the group itself, in the church, or perhaps a pastor from instruction to your group. I would recommend inviting other a different congregation in the area. The First of all, I would encourage you church leaders, as well as members of the bottom line is that having a preaching to have your group read through an congregation to come listen to the group coach who can serve as a friend and introductory book on preaching that preach each month. mentor through this cohort experience can help them develop and deliver Again, depending on the size of the will be a great encouragement to those in biblical sermons. There are many group, each preacher in the cohort the group, helping them to get the most excellent introductory preaching books will preach a 20-25 minute sermon, out of the cohort experience. out there. I would recommend one of followed by 10-15 minutes of evaluation the following: and discussion. During this time, those Your Church Can Do This! u Christ-Centered Preaching present have the opportunity to offer Our world needs the faithful by Bryan Chappell words of encouragement and also share preaching of God’s Word perhaps more u The Christ-Centered Expositor thoughts and observations that will help than ever. But for this to happen, we by Tony Merida those in the cohort identify areas for must develop preachers of this Word. u Biblical Preaching growth in their preaching. I recommend Local churches, just like yours, are by Haddon Robinson having each observer fill out a simple desperately needed to help in the raising u Power in the Pulpit preaching evaluation sheet that can help up and training of these preachers. by Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix guide them in giving helpful critique in Sadly, very few congregations have different areas. an intentional and carefully crafted Along with reading one of the above Let me just reiterate what is probably strategy to see this kind of equipping texts, have your group listen to one or very obvious. The evaluation and become reality in the lives of those two preaching podcasts on a weekly or feedback given to the preachers in this exploring the call to preach the Gospel. bi-weekly basis. This is a great way for context should be marked by much My prayer is that through the those in your group to be learning from grace and kindness! Having your launching of a preaching cohort, your experienced preachers as they share some sermon critiqued? Are you kidding me? congregation can become a place that is of the nuts and bolts learned over the years This can be an incredibly intimidating proactively raising up preachers who can of preaching. Three podcasts I have found (even scary) experience for even the take the truth of the Gospel to the ends to be incredibly helpful to this end are: most seasoned preacher! This is why you of the earth! Preachers who will rightly u On Preaching with H.B. Charles Jr. want to go over the top in creating an and joyfully feed God’s Word to God’s u Expositor with Dr. Steven Lawson environment marked by extravagant love people. Preachers who will proclaim the u Preaching and Preachers and encouragement! This experience truth and goodness of God to those who with Dr. Jason Allen should be a joy not drudgery. Do all that have yet to know Christ as Lord and you can to make sure it is just that. Savior. Preachers who will bring hope to Component #2: Group Preaching the hopeless and healing to the broken. Once a month the preaching cohort Component #3: Mentor Coaching Preachers who will lift high the Gospel group will meet together for two to A mentor coach is an individual in such a way that lives, communities, three hours (depending on your group those in your group can meet with on a and the world are transformed by the size) for the purpose of instruction and regular basis to receive helpful feedback Spirit of God for the glory of God.

COLORADO BAPTISTS 19 PLAN BEYOND TODAY

By Chad Moore something, entrusted with a talent. beyond our entering the presence of Pastor, Bookcliff Baptist Church, Bookcliff, CO And we remember in the parable that the Kingdom. all saw their talents expand except for We all are wealthy, we all are at the veryone likes talking about the one whom in verse 26 Jesus refers perfect age to plan well today. For as money, how we spend it, how to as the slothful servant who buried we read in Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 [1] For we invest it, especially in what he was given in the ground and everything there is a season and a time E Baptist life. Perhaps that is had nothing more to give the master for every matter under heaven…. one of the most hyperbolic statements than what he was given. As a pastor too often we spend time ever made, but in truth, as disciples of As we look at what we have been given in hospitals and at funeral homes. Jesus we are wealthy beyond measure in we too have been given much, whether Too often we spend times in places of ways that most of us choose to never talk it be financially or actual talents, gifts, mourning and simultaneous celebration about, either because of our culture, our and passions. And no matter what stage as those we love have been called into sensitivities or we decide not to. of life we are in, we have a responsibility the presence of the Father. Regardless of However, when we look at scripture to plan well to live well, to not dig a hole our life stage, regardless of the status of money, finances, wealth, and talents and bury what has been entrusted to us, our bank accounts, God has entrusted are far from the back burner. How we but to see it expanded well beyond us, us as stewards of His riches, what is His invest what God has entrusted us with but to see it expanded for the sake of not ours. Are we giving of our talents, is of the utmost importance especially in eternity and the Kingdom. spending our talents for the Kingdom light of the reality that we are not only This summer at Bookcliff Baptist today? Are we preparing our talents to living for the next 10-70 years but rather Church Doug Lohrey, the President be used by the Kingdom far beyond our as disciples of Jesus we are living for the of The Colorado Baptist Foundation, lifetime, or are we being slothful as we next billion plus infinity years and where invested his time and talents in us to hear from Matthew 25:26? I come from that is a long time. share with us how the foundation comes God has entrusted Colorado with the When we think back to Matthew alongside churches and individuals gift of the Colorado Baptist Foundation, 25:14-30 we remember the moment to help us plan beyond today, to help a gift that provides resources such as where Jesus is teaching those who us look beyond living day to day and financial planning, estate planning, and have gathered around and likewise us plan how we can see the finances that accounting for our churches. Let it be through the Parable of the Talents. God has entrusted to us have an eternal our prayer that we are found faithful - 1 Each one of the servants was given impact during our lifetime and far Corinthians 4:2.

20 Every year Colorado is blessed to have more than 2 million skiers adorning our resort slopes. On any given winter weekend our ski resorts play host to tens of thousands of skiers and their families from all over the world as well as right here in Colorado. Many of the Resorts have Skier Worship Services hosted by the local Church. These services are usually listed on the trail map, but not always so we wanted to make sure that our Colorado Baptist Skiers knew the times and the places they could COLORADO attend a worship service on the mountain while and where they might be skiing. While SKIER we don’t advocate that you are not with your local church family on any given Sunday, we MOUNTAIN also know that there are times when for various reasons we find ourselves having to ski on TOP WORSHIP a Sunday, sigh. When those times happen, we would encourage you to visit one of the SUNDAY services listed below. It is a beautiful thing to SERVICES Worship the Creator in His Creation.

Resort Time Location Sponsoring Church Arapahoe Basin 1:00 PM Top of the Sundance Run Agape Outpost Beaver Creek 12:30 PM Spruce Saddle Trinity Church Breckenridge 1:00 PM Peak 9, just above 10 mile Agape Outpost station Restaurant Copper Mountain 12:30 PM Top of American Eagle Lift Copper Mountain Community – Nature Center Church Crested Butte 1:00 PM Mountain Chapel – top of Oh-Be-Joyful Church Painter Boy Lift Keystone 1:30 PM Dercum Mt. on the Key Encounter 5:12 Church Top Deck Purgatory 11:00 PM Top of Chair 1 The Underground Church 1:00 PM Top of Chair 1 Steamboat Springs 1:30 PM Thunderhead Anchor Way Church Telluride 12:30 PM Top of Lift 7 Alpine Chapel Vail 12:30 PM Eagles Nest and Two Elk Trinity Church Winter Park 12:45 PM Top of the Zephyr Lift Fraser Valley Baptist Church

COLORADO BAPTISTS 21 HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW COLORADOBAPTISTS.ORG WEBSITE?

Our new website is user-friendly and a great way to stay connected with our network of our churches. Features include resources, articles and upcoming events and trainings.

VISIT TODAY AT COLORADOBAPTISTS.ORG find us on