Toll free 800-803-5201 Vol. 185, No. 32 www.thealabamabaptist.org August 13, 2020 Informing. Inspiring. Connecting. INSIDE JESUS 2020 Helping children adjust to the way church functions Campaign-style movement points people to Christ right now By Lanell Downs Smith bard said. “We wanted to commissioned signs through May, with an average atten- Correspondent, The Alabama Baptist Pages 6–7 put something in our yards. a local printer, Wells Printing dance of fewer than 20. Since ith fall elections As I worked on the design, I in Montgomery. Jesus 2020 began, Sikes said on the horizon realized the answer is simple Within two weeks, the three new people have visited and COVID-19 — we need Jesus. We need historic south Montgomery the church. Wnot yet in the to campaign for Jesus. I had County church had distrib- rearview mirror, Martha Sikes no idea what it would be like uted more than 750 signs. Positive responses knew she could no longer re- when we started this. The “You see [the sign] when “We’ve had very positive main silent. excitement it has brought to you come in and out of the responses from churches and With a burden to share the people has just lifted them driveway,” Hubbard said. an unbelievable response in light of Christ in her com- up.” “Shut-ins can look out their our community,” Sikes said. munity, Sikes asked her Sun- window and see it. People “People who don’t go to day School class at Sampey Momentum building driving down the road can see church are telling us that this In their own words: Memorial Baptist Church in With Sampey as “Jesus it. It’s a ministry we’re not is just what they need. I think Alabama Baptists Ramer what they could do to 2020” campaign headquar- having to gather to do.” [the campaign] has given and the COVID-19 ignite a spark in the darkness. ters, the movement gained In fact, the church reopened people a ray of hope for pandemic From her inspiration was momentum and the church from pandemic closure in (See ‘Prayer,’ page 11) Pages 8–9 born the Jesus 2020 campaign — a movement to lead Chris- tians in prayer for revival in America. “Our country needs Jesus more than ever before,” Sikes said. “The Lord laid it upon our hearts that we couldn’t continue to hide our light un- der a bushel.” Fellow Sampey member Joyce Hubbard developed a patriotic red, white and blue Revitalization: campaign-style sign, with a FBC Chickasaw theme emphasizing America’s makes hard need for Christ. decisions “Everyone is so disheart- Page 15 ened and in despair,” Hub- Photo courtesy of Martha Sikes Sampey Memorial Baptist Church serves as Jesus 2020 campaign headquarters. The South Montgom- ery County church hopes to ignite a beacon that leads Christians to pray for revival across America. PAGE 2 / THE ALABAMA BAPTIST / AUGUST 13, 2020 CONNECT “If ye continue in My word, then ... ye shall know the truth, and the truth with us! shall make you free.” John 8:31–32 (ISSN 0738-7741; USPS 011-080) © The Alabama Baptist, Inc. is published weekly except for one week in July and December by The Alabama Baptist, Inc., at 3310 Independence Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209. Phone: 205-870-4720. Statewide phone: 800-803-5201. 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Call us at ‘Nation’s Top Regional family, you are connecting your 800-803-5201, ext. 118, or email us Christian Newspaper’ at [email protected]. 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, loved ones with a publishing min- 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 istry focused on sharing news in a You also are welcome to reach as judged by Associated Church Press, Baptist The crossword puzzle Communicators Association, Evangelical Press fresh way while also helping be- out to us through any of our social Association or Religion Communicators Council can be found on page 17. lievers grow in their faith journeys. media platforms. (TAB) AUGUST 13, 2020 / THE ALABAMA BAPTIST / PAGE 3 OPINION By Jennifer Davis Rash MY President and Editor-in-Chief [email protected] RASHIONALE @RashionalThts Who’s on your school prayer list? How’s your church reaching out? chool administrators, related to the changes in how elementary school student and more of your church leaders teachers, parents, stu- schools operate. one preschool student all have are co-vocational and serve as dents and governmen- a large piece of my heart, so I teachers themselves. tal officials on all lev- We talked in late July about added them to the list as well. els continue struggling selecting students, teachers, If your pastor has school-aged Sto find common ground regard- administrators and others who And among our TAB Media children, then this month (and ing how school will operate for work in the school systems and staff, we have spouses, children, actually this year) would be a the entirety of the 2020–2021 committing to pray for them. siblings and other close family good time to show him grace school year. members who are educators or and lots of encouragement. I made my list right away and work in the educational system Most decisions have been decided to focus on immediate in some way. And do remember that school made about how to reopen and family and close friends — one officials have families and in- what the first nine weeks will preschool teacher, one kinder- I'm guessing you have some- convenient life issues happening look like, but what to do beyond garten teacher, one special edu- one close to you working in to them as well.