August 16, 2018 Toll free 1-800-803-5201 Vol. 183, No. 32 Informing. Inspiring. Connecting. www.thealabamabaptist.org INSIDE Alabama Baptist students spend summer serving, sharing Christ Pages 3–5 Photo by Robert Goodman Back to Cam- Volunteers at Summerville Baptist Church in Russell Baptist Association oversee pickup of classroom supplies for teachers in the Phenix City pus — college School System. Russell Association gave out more than 800 personalized bags to teachers in Phenix City, Russell County and Smiths Station. students prepare for upcoming fall semester Pages 7–15 ‘Better relationships’ Russell Baptist Association helps teachers ‘jumpstart’ new school year By Carrie Brown McWhorter tion’s Missions Development Team. between churches and area schools Summerville and Ladonia — to pray The Alabama Baptist The vision of the project was so teachers and administrators would for the teachers and to pack more eachers in three Alabama two-fold, said Russell Association feel they could reach out when they than 800 bags with each teacher’s top school systems began director of missions have spiritual and three choices. The personalized bags the academic year with Marty Holley, who “[The bags are an] physical needs. had a printed message of apprecia- Winston Bap- a little boost thanks to took the helm at the So the associa- tion to teachers. They also included tist Association Russell Baptist Associa- association about 18 excellent way for tion sent a letter and a card with a special e-mail address supports mis- Ttion churches. months ago. a survey to area and an invitation to use that e-mail sions effort with More than 800 teachers in Russell “First, we wanted us to represent our schools and asked to request prayer and share needs ‘workhorse’ County, Phenix City and Smiths Sta- to build unity be- teachers to give them throughout the school year. tion received personalized bags lled tween our churches a wish list of their Page 18 with three classroom necessities in by doing a project Lord Jesus Christ.” top three classroom Sharing needs an effort coordinated by the associa- together as sister supplies. The mis- “The teachers see their students churches,” Holley Marty Holley, director sions team compiled every day and know those that have said. “A lot of our of missions, Russell the lists, and 28 of the greatest needs,” Holley said. “Our churches do great 34 associational vision is that teachers will begin to Baptist Association To watch the videos from this week’s ministries but have churches donated use that e-mail address to share those become indepen- items like hand needs with us so we can help.” issue, visit our YouTube channel or use the dently minded rather than pulling sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, colored Holley envisions associational HP Reveal app on your phone or tablet and together as an association.” copy paper and dry erase markers. churches providing shoes, coats or hover over the segments marked “AR.” Association leaders also wanted to On July 26 volunteers set up at other essentials for students in their open the door for better relationships three churches — Smiths Station, (See ‘We are praying,’ page 6) PAGE 2 / THE ALABAMA BAPTIST / AUGUST 16, 2018 COMMENT A Modern-Day Luke ave you ever thought of The Alabama er testimony. That is what Luke did. The goal is Baptist as a modern-day Luke? accurate, reliable and balanced news that creates H I confess that I had not until David common understanding and that can be trusted Platt, outgoing president of the International and acted upon by today’s “friends of God.” Mission Board, described the work of state pa- Again that was Luke’s goal. per editors as “modern-day Lukes.” Since 1843 when The Alabama Baptist was Platt’s comment came after a prayer time THOUGHTS founded, the publication has shared information during the annual meeting of the Association that results in understanding and perspective. of State Baptist Publications in February. He By Bob Terry The paper’s content has inspired people to grow had addressed the group about missions work as Christian disciples in their family life, their around the world and then we all participated in church life and life in the public square. For 175 a season of prayer. years the paper has connected Baptists for mis- At the end of the nal prayer Platt turned to sions and ministries at home and to the ends of the group and said, “I just realized that you are writings. He poured over various accounts the earth. modern-day Lukes. You are telling the Jesus trying to nd truth as directed by God’s Holy Luke would be pleased with such a record. story today like Luke did in his day.” Spirit. Alabama Baptists have called their state Bap- Obviously, no one dares claim that any To all of this Luke added his own credibility. tist paper “a trusted voice and welcomed friend” modern-day publication is inspired by God like He was known to the Christian community as for generations, in part because the ministry Luke’s Gospel but, still, the comparison is in- an able believer who was a physician. He was belongs to them. It is not an outside voice. Only triguing. a friend and companion to Alabama Baptists serve as the renowned Apostle Paul. directors of the ministry. Luke’s audience Luke had a system of ac- The directors, in turn, Luke wrote to Theophilus which means countability because of his hold the editor, also an ac- “friend of God.” Some believe the book was relationships in the church. tive Alabama Baptist, and written to an individual person by that name. He was a trusted source. all staff members to the Others believe the name is a literary device and Luke’s “orderly account” highest standards of Chris- that Luke’s Gospel was intended for all “friends of Jesus’ life and ministry tian journalism consistent of God.” merged information from with Baptist heritage. The latter view has lots of support. At the various sources, viewpoints Like Luke, the paper is time Luke wrote, between A.D. 60 and 70, the and accounts into one reli- always accountable to the new church was a divided lot. Believers debated able source of information community of faith. the role of Gentiles, the relationship of the new for Theophilus, whether Every week The Ala- faith to Judaism and appropriate political alli- that is an individual or bama Baptist holds up gos- ances to Rome. Understandings about the king- all “friends of God.” The pel-centered values shared dom of God were still being worked out as were gospel could be read and by Baptists across the state. views about missionary efforts and even who trusted in churches in Ga- The Alabama Baptist helps Jesus was. latia or Greece, in Rome or bridge differences created Theological, political and cultural differences Jerusalem. by geography, age, educa- among believers abounded. That sounds a lot Just as the young church tion, economics, race and like today. needed Luke’s Gospel, more, reminding readers Luke’s opening words provide insight to the today’s churches need the that we share a common confusion of his day. He wrote, “Many have ministry of the state Baptist faith centered on Jesus’ undertaken to draw up an account of the things paper. atoning death and resurrec- that have been fullled among us.” Some writ- Today churches are di- tion. ings argued that Jesus could not have been a vided by theological, political and cultural dif- Just as Luke tried to provide early Christians physical being since all material is evil. That ferences just like the early church. And like the an “orderly account” related to Jesus, the state led to questions about His birth. Some writings early church, there is no shortage of public voic- Baptist paper provides an orderly account of were fanciful, even self-serving. es. It is estimated that the U.S alone has more what God is doing today through those who There was no shortage of accounts about than 30 million active bloggers. Many of these believe in Jesus. The Alabama Baptist offers the Jesus but not all of them were trustworthy and write about the church and about Christianity. rst version of today’s Christian history. It of- reliable. Again that sounds much like today. fers an orderly account based on interviews with Luke recognized the need for an account Following Luke’s goal eyewitnesses and other appropriate sources. It is about the life of Jesus that would provide “cer- Unfortunately, few of these can claim to have trustworthy and reliable. tainty of the things you have been taught.” The followed Luke’s example and “investigated ev- Comparing Luke’s goals and how he worked church needed a reliable and trustworthy source erything” about which they write. Many write with what state Baptist papers do today makes about the events of its day just like the church from passion or prejudice. They describe things Platt’s comparison a little more understandable. needs a trustworthy source today. as they want them to be or as they want others Christians today need to read Luke’s Gospel to To provide that trustworthy source Luke said, to think they are. learn what God did through Jesus. Christians to- “I myself have carefully investigated everything As Christian journalists, state Baptist papers day also need to read their state Baptist paper to from the beginning.” He interviewed eyewit- are bound to verify information, to double learn what God is doing today through those of nesses. He talked to scribes. He examined other check facts, to evaluate accounts in light of oth- us who believe in Jesus.