Posted: 8/20/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for Sept. 5

God has invited us to know him intimately

Exodus 33:7-23

By Angela Hamm

First Baptist Church, Lewisville

All through the Bible, we find God pursuing people. Today, God pursues you and me. He pursues us because he wants to have a loving relationship with us. The great desire of God is for his people to know him personally, intimately. Since God lovingly pursues us, we, too, can pursue him and know him better.

Moses experienced intimacy with God, and this intimacy was the outstanding characteristic of Moses' life. Our passage reveals the evidence of this intimate relationship. This week's lesson is divided into two sections. The first section (vv. 7-11) makes known God's unique relationship with Moses. The second section (vv. 8-23) displays a deeply personal encounter between God and Moses.

The events of Exodus 32 influence Exodus 33:7-11. The Israelites separated themselves from God by creating a golden calf as a “god” which could lead them. They distanced themselves from God, and Moses intervened with God on behalf of the Israelites.

God's unique relationship with Moses

Exodus 33:7-11 illustrates Moses' special relationship with God. Before the tabernacle was built, he erected a tent on the outskirts of the Israelites' camp. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud descended, remaining at the entrance while God and Moses met.

It was in this “tent of meeting” that Moses spoke “face to face with God, just as a man speaks to his friend.” This expression of God's communication with Moses is figurative; it suggests an openness and friendship (Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 34:10). The unique relationship between God and Moses is meant to give the proper setting for the personal encounter which follows in Exodus 33:12-23.

A personal encounter between God and Moses

Exodus 33:12-23 is one of the most mysterious scenes described in the Bible. In this intimate moment with God, Moses sought the assurance of God's presence by making three requests.

The first request is to know God's intentions for his people. Moses wanted to continue to lead the Israelites, but he did not want to proceed without God's presence. He desired to know God better by continuing to learn God's ways and enjoying God's favor. God promised his presence with Moses for the journey ahead.

Moses' second request relates to the affirmation of God's presence and favor. He knew the Israelites needed God's presence and favor if they were to be a distinguished people. God assured Moses of his divine presence and prevailing favor.

Third, Moses asked to see the glory of God. Abraham Heschel describes the glory of God as the presence, not the essence of God; an act rather than a quality; a process, not a substance. The glory primarily manifests itself as a power overwhelming the world, a power that descends to guide, to remind.

In response to Moses' request for a unique, visible manifestation, God allowed his glory to pass by Moses. What exactly did Moses see? This question is not the question which needs to be asked. If we dwell on what Moses saw, we may miss the point. God's appearance is a mystery, a mystery even Moses was able to see only partially. The same is true of us: while we can know God, we never can know him exhaustively.

Knowing God

This exchange is a compliment to Moses and conveys the idea he was an intimate friend of God. Moses' intimate communion with God was a result of not only his personal contact with him, but his frankness and openness with God. There were no barriers in their relationship, and none of Moses' feelings were concealed. This unrestricted, face-to-face dialogue with God should not surprise us, for this is the kind of communication we would expect in a close friendship.

What does this mean for us?

The Christian life is based upon intimacy with God through Jesus Christ. God offers an incredible invitation to enter into an intimate relationship with him. Our part of the invitation necessitates our willingness to “fall in love.” It is important for us to be present and to participate actively in our relationship with God.

Moses had an incredible relationship with God. Why was there so much disclosure among God and Moses? The answer lies in the intimacy of the relationship. As we move closer to God, he reveals more and more of himself to us. God desires to draw us into a more personal relationship with him.

Questions for discussion

Moses could not see God's face. What is our privilege and responsibility in light of John 14:8-14 and Hebrews 1:1-4?

In what ways do you demonstrate a desire to know God and to see his glory?

In what ways are you able to talk with God as you would talk with a friend?

Posted: 8/20/04

Girls Scouts' loss is American Heritage Girls' gain

By Sandi Villarreal

Associated Baptist Press

CINCINNATI (ABP)–American Heritage Girls, a relatively new Christian program similar to scouting, has seen enrollment increase dramatically after recent media attention portraying the Girl Scouts of the USA as less committed to the Christian tradition.

Former Girl Scouts created American Heritage Girls in 1995 after changes in the Girl Scouts program conflicted with their Christian beliefs, they say. News reports about a controversial Girl Scouts sex-education program brought the conflict to the forefront again.

But the break first surfaced in 1993, when Girl Scouts of the USA adopted a policy allowing girls to substitute for the word “God” in the Girl Scouts promise that all members recite.

While the change was intended to provide flexibility for non-Christian Girl Scouts, it upset some Christian parents.

Girl Scouts officials said while they “believe the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one, we do not attempt to dictate the form or style of a member's worship.”

But Patti Garibay, executive director of American Heritage Girls, said the change was one of the catalysts for the split.

“We spent over a year trying to make changes at the local and national levels,” Garibay said, “but we felt the Lord was leading us to start something new.”

“All of the founding members were Girl Scout leaders,” she said.

When the women began to look into the Girl Scouts program, they found other elements they said conflicted with their Christian beliefs.

Among them, Garibay said, was the Girl Scouts' sexuality education, which she alleges promotes the homosexual lifestyle. Such information is not appropriate for girls at the scouting age, she said.

Girl Scouts officials say sexual orientation is a private matter for girls and their families to address. “The Girl Scouts value diversity and inclusiveness and, therefore, do not discriminate on any basis,” Girl Scouts officials said in a statement.

American Heritage Girls is nondenominational but requires charter members and troop leaders to adhere to a statement of faith, which professes the belief in the Trinity and belief that the Bible is the word of God. Garibay said American Heritage Girls is strongly pro-life, and the organization encourages prayer in the individual troops.

Since American Heritage Girls formed in 1995 in West Chester, Ohio, with 10 troops and about 100 members, the group has grown to include 2,800 girls.

“In the last three weeks, 21 new troops have been chartered,” Garibay said. “We are anticipating 6,000 members by the fall.”

The group's membership has benefited from media attention directed at the Girl Scouts recently, she said.

In March, USA Today printed an article about a conflict in Waco concerning the Bluebonnet Council of Girl Scouts sponsoring a Planned Parenthood sex education seminar.

The anti-abortion group Pro-life Waco criticized the council's affiliation with the program and began a campaign to boycott Girl Scout cookies.

The Bluebonnet Council eventually pulled its sponsorship, but many parents removed their daughters from Girl Scouts anyway, according to the USA Today article.

Girl Scouts officials said local councils that choose to sponsor sexual education “have the discretion to make such information available only with the express written consent of a parent or guardian.”

Teressa Boling, chairperson of an American Heritage chapter at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., said the local group has had an increase in interest since news surfaced about the Girl Scouts connection with Planned Parenthood.

Many church members chose not to support Girl Scouts because of the organization's partnerships, she said.

Boling said her church identifies more with American Heritage Girls than with Girl Scouts. "The group fit with our mission statement at the church telling us to evangelize," she said. "It was a way for us to reach out to people who may not go to church and show them that we are here and that we care."

Posted: 8/20/04

TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Falwell & Carter

I find the contrast between Jerry Falwell and former President Jimmy Carter interesting.

Falwell is encouraging Christians to vote for President George W. Bush because he is pro-life, pro-family and pro-traditional marriage. I'm in agreement, and it's too bad the IRS is after him.

I voted for Carter years ago but can no longer be part of the Democratic Party, mainly because it is now the advocate of abortion on demand and gay rights to the extreme.

Carter teaches Sunday school. I wonder how he handles the sanctity of life lessons. What does he do with Psalm 139?

God's word has not changed to conform to society and never will. God has a lot to say about the shedding of innocent blood.

Joyce Lucas

Midland

Defense of marriage

The national furor over gay marriage demonstrates the prevalence of institutional intolerance and sanctimonious bigotry.

Long before the Federal Marriage Amendment bill came to the Senate floor, even the most rabid Republican supporters knew they did not have the necessary votes for passage. To their good credit, at least six Republicans voted against this preposterous exercise in political hypocrisy. Clearly, the vote had only one intent, namely, to embarrass Democrats just two weeks before the party's convention in Boston.

According to figures quoted by religious conservatives, gays and lesbians comprise about 1 percent of the population. So, heterosexual couples are responsible for the overwhelming majority of the harm visited upon the American family.

Therefore, if Sens. Allard, Brownback and others genuinely wish to defend traditional marriage, they will broaden the proposed amendment to address the vastly greater problem of adultery, fornication and divorce, which includes, sadly, legions of Christian men and women.

Obviously, this will never happen, since no one in Washington will support legislation that might curtail their carnal liberties.

Wes Duckett

Odessa

Christians & politics

Amen to the editorial, “How can you call yourself a Christian & vote like that?” (Aug. 9)

And I might add that Christians should:

Never be judgmental toward the other side. (And no self-righteous excuses about simply pointing out the truth.)

Hold our own party to moral accountability instead of condemning the other. Remember the story about the speck and the log?

Realize what easy and sometimes gullible people we are. We hear what we want to hear, and it is so easy for others to lead us with spin, false reassurances and “godly” but meaningless words. We are a community of followers and can too easily be led down a destructive path.

Charles Ledbetter

Cleburne

Pentecostal beliefs

Several statements Pete McGuire made in his letter about Pentecostals were untrue. I have worshipped in a Pentecostal church for over 50 years, so I am more qualified to speak to what we believe.

He said Pentecostals teach sinless perfection. This is not true. No human will be perfect until either raptured up with Jesus, or by the grave, and goes to heaven. Salvation is a gift from God. No one can earn it, buy it or deserve it by anything we do other than accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

He also said the doctrine of the Holy Spirit misses the mark of Bible truth. He must not have read Acts 2:38-39. It says the gift of the Holy Ghost is to you and your children and to all that our God shall call.

He also mentioned music. God made everything that was made, according to the Bible. That includes music, and how man uses this music is his choice and responsibility. Satan uses music for “bad,” and we certainly should use it for “good.”

Joan Fink

Hillsboro

Bobbleheaded blasphemy

I am appalled at the article you ran about biblical bobblehead dolls (June 14).

How many of we “Christians” have disgraced our homes by having these grotesque figures in our possession? How degrading to portray God's biblical servants at bobbleheads.

The article states, “Church groups are going crazy over these things.” What an indictment against us as Christians.

Shame on us. I think we “Christians” have enough marks against us–being part of the world rather than being a shining light in the world.

How long will the Lord let us defame his honor and glory?

Nellie Rasbell

Bertran

Posted: 8/20/04

Posted: 8/20/04

BaptistWay lessons back in Baptist Standard

BaptistWay Bible study lessons are back in the Baptist Standard.

The Standard will feature two BaptistWay lessons in each issue, providing ongoing supplemental commentary for readers who study the BaptistWay lessons during Sunday school in their churches, Editor Marv Knox announced.

BaptistWay Press is the publishing imprint of the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Bible Study/Discipleship Center.

The Standard began publishing BaptistWay lessons in March 2000, when BaptistWay released its first materials. Although the lessons are undated, the convention produces lesson books four times per year. The Standard dates its lessons in conjunction with the Sundays of each publication cycle.

The newspaper discontinued its lessons, which are designed to provide additional study material for BaptistWay users, last winter. The primary reason was financial, Knox explained.

“BaptistWay produces fine lessons, and we've been grateful to produce supplementary material. But our lessons cost us about $20,000 per year to produce,” Knox said.

“With the tight economy and a downturn in advertising revenue, we had to look for some places to cut our budget. So we trimmed the lessons.

“During the past eight months, we've been gratified to realize our readers just won't let us quit publishing BaptistWay lessons. Baptists from all across the state contacted us, asking us to publish them again.”

The next set of lessons–a unit on 2 Corinthians followed by a unit on Jesus' teachings in Matthew–will be written by Todd Still, associate professor of Christian Scriptures at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary.

The Standard continues to publish companion lessons for both series produced by LifeWay Christian Resources, the Southern Baptist Convention's publishing house.

New writers for the LifeWay lessons are Pakon Chan, pastor of Arlington Chinese Baptist Church in Arlington, Explore the Bible series, and Angela Hamm, spiritual formation/single adult minister at First Baptist Church in Lewisville, Family Bible Study series.

Posted: 8/20/04

On the Move

Abraham Almendariz has resigned as pastor of Iglesia Calvario in Buckholts.

Kevin Blackburn to Calvary Church in Post as pastor from Mount Pleasant Church in California, Mo.

William Brackney to Blue Ridge Church in Marlin as pastor.

Harold Davis has resigned as pastor at First Church in Whitehouse. He is available for supply, interims, revivals and Bible studies at (903) 839-4665.

Paul Duncan to Mambrino Church in Granbury as pastor.

Carrol Green to First Church in Hale Center as interim pastor.

Chad King to First Church in Silverton as pastor.

Zane Porter to Cotton Center Church in Cotton Center as youth leader.

Marcie Raymond has resigned as interim music minister at First Church in Refugio.

Jack Riley has completed an interim pastorate at Jan Lee Church in Burkburnett and is available for supply or interim at (940) 592-5595.

Mark Simon to Jan Lee Church in Burkburnett as pastor.

John Spangler to Calvary Church in Seymour as pastor from Trinity Church in Quanah.

David Thomas has resigned as pastor of First Church in Brookshire.

Virginia Thurman has resigned as children's minister at First Church in Lexington.

William Tolar to Lakeside Church in Dallas as interim pastor.

Nat Villanueva to Iglesia Calvario in Buckholts as pastor.

Chris Wagner has resigned as minister of music at Oak Crest Church in Midlothian.

Red Waller to First Church in Horseshoe Bend as pastor.

Posted: 8/20/04

Sunday no day of rest for Christians
sharing the gospel at motor speedway

By Sarah Farris

BGCT Summer Intern

JUSTIN–The sounds of Sunday fill the air at Texas Motor Speedway. Engines roar, fans cheer and tires squeal. And in the middle of it all, volunteers with Texas Alliance Raceway Ministries share the gospel.

In 1996, Baptists in Denton, Tarrant and Wise counties learned plans were in the works for a 1.5-mile super-speedway that could accommodate more than 230,000 fans per event.

Seeing an opportunity for ministry, the three associations consulted the National Fellowship of Raceway Ministries and began Texas Alliance Raceway Ministries with the help of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Missions Equipping Center.

Randy Denbow (right), a volunteer with Texas Alliance Raceway Ministries, serves coffee to an employee at Texas Motor Speedway. Texas Baptists' gifts to the Mary Hill Davis Offering helped launch the ministry.

The group is geared toward spectators, racers and staff at Texas Motor Speedway, north of Fort Worth.

One central event occupies the NASCAR racing subculture–the race on Sunday, said Roger Marsh, chairman of the racing ministries.

“Some people travel to every race,” he said. This means people could travel 20 to 30 weeks per year. “Church is not in their minds.”

From the beginning, the ministry's organizers wanted to reach this large group on its turf.

The organization received seed money from the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions and continues to receive yearly contributions from the fund and participating associations.

“Without the financial support, we couldn't do what we do,” Marsh said.

The racing ministry accomplishes its mission with an array of outreaches and odd jobs.

Before Sunday races, volunteers hold a chapel service on the campgrounds of the speedway, and at each race, Marsh says the invocation.

Volunteers also throw children's carnivals, host concerts with Christian bands, orchestrate handicap transportation, assist emergency medical personnel as chaplains, and deliver bottled water and coffee to speedway employees, just to name a few ministries.

Speedway officials have “learned that our volunteers love people,” Marsh said. This year, the racing ministry was asked to be in charge of staffing the speedway's information booths, where they were allowed to display Christian literature and tracts. This was also the first year speedway officials received no complaints about the workers at the booths.

Speedway officials “never hesitate to call us,” Marsh said. He attends pre-event planning meetings and works closely with officials at the speedway year around. When a second Nextel Cup race was awarded to Texas Motor Speedway, President Eddie Gossage publicly thanked participants in the racing ministry for their prayers. Gossage was concerned that praying for a second race was selfish, but Marsh said it would give the group a second opportunity to minister to a large group of fans.

The Nextel Cup race, held at the speedway in the spring, is one of the largest sports events in the world, second to the Indianapolis 500.

While demographics of racing have changed over the years, it is the camaraderie between fans that gives volunteers opportunities for ministry. Auto racing used to be considered a sport for blue-collar males, but it is quickly becoming a family event popular with a large number of women and children.

The sport boasts fans from every step on the socio-economic ladder. A wealthy corporate executive could be camping next to a stereotypical middle-class NASCAR fan, Marsh said. “Before you know it, they'll be eating barbecue together. … Distinctions melt at the campground.”

The most powerful means of reaching fans is through racing personalities, Marsh said, citing a number of drivers and team owners who are dedicated Christians. Because NASCAR fans are so committed, linking a fan's favorite driver to his faith is a natural transition for racing ministry volunteers.

The group keeps records of ministry involvement, but Marsh has learned of people who were impacted without its knowledge.

“One night at about 9:30, two guys came in the (racing ministry) tent, just looking around,” Marsh reminisced. One man was showing another man around, and he finally introduced himself to Marsh.

The man explained he had seen the tent a year before, and when he did, he was convicted on the direction his life had taken. After the race, he checked himself into a Christian rehab program. The man he was showing around was his pastor. He told Marsh it was important that his pastor saw “where everything had begun.”

In eight years, Texas Alliance Raceway Ministries workers have distributed 11,239 bottles of water and 292,411 pieces of literature. Chaplains have helped 279 people.

But the most important number to organizers of the ministry is 58. That's how many came to Texas Motor Speedway to watch a race and left knowing Jesus.

Posted: 8/20/04

Reyes to be nominated for BGCT
president; first non-Anglo in history

By Marv Knox

Editor

SAN ANTONIO–Albert Reyes, president of Baptist University of the Americas and current first vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will be nominated for president of the BGCT this fall.

If elected, Reyes will become the first non-Anglo president in convention history.

Charlie Johnson, Reyes' pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, reported he will present Reyes for president when the BGCT meets in their city Nov. 8-9.

“It's my great privilege to make this nomination; Albert is the present incarnation of the future of Texas Baptist life,” Johnson said.

“His leadership at Baptist University of the Americas has taken that institution to a new level. He is a visionary, but he also has the administrative and organizational instincts to implement a new vision.”

Reyes has distinguished himself as a builder of bridges between cultures, Johnson added.

“He's comfortable in and conversant with a multiple-cultural context. Of course, that's why God has placed him here, for such a time as this.”

Reyes also is a strong church member, he said. “He's a faithful churchman–I mean, like clockwork on the Sabbath. He's the kind of co-minister every pastor wants–an encourager, supporter and wise counselor.

“On top of that, his role as a father and husband is a beautiful thing to watch. His wife, Belinda, is a partner and companion in every way. And their sons, Joshua, David and Tommy, are splendid kids.”

Reyes' willingness to take on the demands of the presidency grows out of his own “indebtedness to Texas Baptists,” he explained. A Texas Baptist evangelist introduced his family to Jesus Christ on a ranch near Snyder in the 1930s. That introduction blossomed into a broad relationship with Christ that has touched his extended family, he said.

So, he would serve as president “out of a desire to return back to Texas Baptists what they have given to our family,” he said.

Reyes has enjoyed serving as a convention officer alongside President Ken Hall and Second Vice President Dennis Young this year, he said.

“It's been a good year,” he added. “We've made some headway and seen some positive things.”

Among the positive developments has been a reorganization/strategy process set in motion by BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade, with the support of the officers, he said, noting he would work to provide continuity to that process.

Reorganization of the BGCT is coming at a strategic time, Reyes observed. He cited not only changes within the denomination, but also major demographic shifts within the state. Texas is changing from being a predominantly Anglo culture to a Hispanic-majority state, with additional growth in the numbers of African Americans as well as non-Hispanic ethnic groups.

“The convention can position itself to advance our kingdom work through congregations and institutions,” Reyes said of the opportunities for a reorganized BGCT. Reorganization “can put the convention right at the edge of what is happening in Texas.”

The convention will increase its emphasis on working with churches and institutions to share the gospel and meet people's needs, he predicted. “I'm excited to be associated with the convention at this time.”

Reyes sees the possibility of becoming the BGCT's first Hispanic and first non-Anglo president as historic but also in keeping with the convention's recent past.

A Hispanic president would make “a very strong statement to the whole Texas Baptist family–that there is a pattern of inclusiveness we've seen in the past few years,” he said.

As examples, he pointed to increased ethnic involvement on the BGCT Executive Board and convention committees. The chairs of all 2004 convention committees are members of non-Anglo ethnic groups.

“At the same time, I'd say this follows a pattern of diversity we've already seen,” Reyes added. “It sends a message to Hispanic Baptists and other ethnic groups that Texas Baptists are serious about inviting all groups to the table. It's a positive statement about who we say we are. … All have a place of leadership.

“This is the natural expression of what the convention has been doing the past few years. It's a positive statement about the future.”

If elected president, Reyes will emphasize a strategic focus and three ongoing initiatives, he said.

“My strategic focus is that I would like this next year to be about missions,” he noted. “It's the best thing we do as Texas Baptists. When I talk about missions across the state, I always hear people say, 'Well, that's the heart of Texas Baptists.'

“Missions is foundational to my own pilgrimage and ministry. And the time is right to make missions a front-burner emphasis for every church, every ethnic group and all the (BGCT) institutions.”

That can be implemented through three initiatives–going, giving and grounding, he added.

“I would think about going cross-culture, whether that is in the community, the county, the country or to the nations,” he said.

“When we look at the Great Commission, (we see) Jesus had his eye on the nations,” he explained, noting Christians are to present the gospel to all people from all places.

“If a church, person or institution has not identified a nation, choose one. If you already have a nation, add another one,” he urged. “But 'going' may not necessarily mean leaving the county or the country. The nations have come to us. It may mean identifying a people group in your community or county, possibly elsewhere in the nation and possibly in another country.”

To illustrate, he noted: “In Bexar County, there's a whole community of people from Thailand. … Do something to go to a group and share the gospel.”

Giving involves increasing financial support for missions, Reyes said, calling on all Texas Baptists to give more.

Whether individually or as a church, “figure out your giving as a percentage of your budget,” he said. “Work toward 10 percent or beyond. If there's nothing on the budget for missions, start with 1 percent or 2 percent and increase it incrementally. If it's already 10 percent, increase that, too.”

Grounding means praying for missions, Reyes stressed.

“We need to increase our times and patterns of prayer throughout the year,” he said, noting he would offer specific ideas about how to focus on praying for missions.

If elected, Reyes would become the second institutional president in a row to lead the convention. Hall is president of Buckner Baptist Benevolences, which provides ministries to children, families and the elderly statewide.

“I know serving as an institutional president and convention president is not new,” Reyes said. “My goal is to serve all Texas Baptists. If I'm elected, I'll be in my regular ministry, serving Baptist University of the Americas, but I'll be looking at how I can serve all Texas Baptists.”

Before becoming president of Baptist University of the Americas in 1999, Reyes was founding pastor of Pueblo Nuevo Community Church in El Paso. He also has been pastor of Love Field Church/North Temple Baptist Church in Dallas and Iglesia Bautista Alfa/Home Gardens in Dallas.

Reyes received an undergraduate degree from Angelo State University. He earned master's and doctor's degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he is working on another doctorate from Andrews University.

Reyes has been chair of the Hispanic Outreach Task Force of the White House Initiative for Hispanic Academic Excellence.

He is a board member of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs and Texas Baptists Committed and was a trustee of Valley Baptist Academy.

Belinda Reyes is a regent of Baylor University.

Posted: 8/20/04

Mission volunteers overcome fears, make impact in Mexico

By Iris Gonzalez

Special to the Baptist Standard

XOXOCOTLA, Mexico–En route to Mexico on a missionary trip, Karla Olalde felt uneasy, and she was concerned about the possibilities of getting sick there.

What she didn't realize was that she and her church family from Segunda Iglesia Bautista in Corpus Christi would help change the lives of Abelito, Ester, Victorino and many other residents of Xoxocotla, a small town in southern Mexico.

“I was a little nervous, but the whole trip was worth going,” Olalde said.

The 38-member group recently traveled to the Mexican state of Morelos–about 30 hours by bus–to offer hope and fellowship with a community hungry for love and stricken by poverty.

The group took clothes, toys and Bibles to share with Xoxocotla, but their main goal was to share the message that Jesus Christ saves.

“Most of them don't know that,” said Kitzia Cruz, a member of Segunda Iglesia Bautista.

Few Xoxocotla residents have running water or electricity. And while a few children finish school there, many will never even walk into a classroom.

So when church members began to hold classes in a makeshift church in the town, some were not comfortable taking part. Onlookers stood by the simple tent, not sure what to say or do.

“Some people were outside, and they didn't want to come in. I think they were afraid, kind of embarrassed,” Gabriela Rodriguez said.

Cruz's father, Rogelio, encouraged many to join the Bible and arts and crafts classes.

And while some declined the invitation, many walked into the patio area covered only by a canvas top and neighbored by a small kitchen that feeds the hungry there.

Abelito, who was probably about 4 years old, travels daily to the mission with his sisters and cousins. His hair is unpleasant, covered in mud, and his small feet are dirty, but he seems to take little notice of his need.

“When I showed him a shirt, he just smiled. We gave him shoes and shorts too. He was so happy,” Cruz said.

Estella Cavazos, who has traveled at least eight times on the church's summer missionary trips to Mexico, will remember Hermila, a deaf-mute who in her need found hope.

“She couldn't talk, and the pastor gave her the plan of salvation. She accepted. She made me cry,” Cavazos said.

For Olalde, whose travel to Xoxocotla was her first missionary trip to Mexico, the opportunity to meet 7-year-old Victorino helped her see life from a different perspective. He too, like Abelito, lives with overwhelming needs.

“I would think if I came dirty, I would probably just be thinking about that, but he didn't. He was ready to learn. You really grow from these experiences,” Olalde said.

Cruz agreed.

“God really showed me that he gives me so much, and I don't take enough time to thank him for it.

“He showed me to tell him thank you.”

Posted: 8/20/04

Texas hunger offering helps provide
food, water for refugees from Sudan

By Mary Crouch

BGCT Summer Intern

Texas Baptists are responding to a humanitarian crisis in Sudan and the surrounding region by providing refugees with food, water and medical attention.

So far this year, the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger has provided about $31,500 to the Sudan Interior Church and its refugee support program.

The allocation is part of a larger program sponsored by the Baptist World Alliance, in association with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and its Christian Life Commission.

Texas Baptists' gifts will aid refugees at the Kakuma camp in Kenya, the Gulu and Koboko camps in Uganda and the Pindyu, Bongo, Sherikola and Deme camps in Ethiopia.

Sudan is in the midst of “the biggest humanitarian drama of our time,” said Jan Egeland, the United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, in a statement on the U.N. website.

She notes more than 1 million Sudanese now are homeless and 50,000 are dead after attempts to fight off Arab militias in the Darfur province.

According to Ramadan Chan Liol, the general secretary in Nairobi, Kenya, many Sudanese have even fled to neighboring countries, like Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. But when they arrive at a refugee camp, they are not given basic necessities like food and water, and as a result are dying of starvation and malnutrition.

Posted: 8/20/04

Fewer than one-third of Protestant
teens read Bible on own each week

WASHINGTON (RNS)–Two-thirds of U.S. Protestant teens say they read the Bible alone less than once a week or not at all, according to a recent survey by the National Study of Youth and Religion.

Just 32 percent of Protestant teens report that they personally read the Bible alone once a week or more often, the report said.

Southern Baptist teens were third among other Protestant groups, with 39 percent indicating they read the Bible alone once a week or more. Teens within the Church of God in Christ were first at 48 percent, while Assemblies of God teens were second at 44 percent.

“Most religious traditions teach that faith and spiritual maturity do not happen automatically but that these must be intentionally cultivated and practiced,” said Christian Smith, principal investigator of the study.

“Just as becoming good at sports or playing a musical instrument requires constant practice, living well a life of faith also requires practice–that is what most religious traditions have always taught. But these findings suggest that only a minority of U.S. teens are getting much practice at faith in the form of Scripture reading.”

Smith, associate chair of sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said a reason for the pattern may be that many Protestant adults fail to read the Bible regularly.

“It could be that most Protestant adults are not very good role models for their teenagers when it comes to basic, personal religious practices like reading the Bible,” he said.

Southern Baptist teenagers did lead the pack when asked whether they attend church services regularly. Just under half, 48 percent, said they did.

The study, funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc., was based on random-digit-dial telephone interviews with more than 3,350 teens along with one of their parents. The full report may be viewed at www.youthandreligion.org.

Posted: 8/20/04

Lawsuit filed over van rollover deaths

By Jonah D. King

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)–The estates of five young people killed in a single-vehicle church van rollover accident last year have sued Ford Motor Co. and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, claiming Ford was negligent in manufacturing its Econoline E-350 15-passenger van, and Enterprise knew the vans were dangerous.

Calling the 2002 Econoline E-350 “a death trap waiting to happen,” plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish said inexperienced drivers and full loads increase chances such vans will roll over.

Ford has made changes to its 2006 model vans, designed to provide more stability when sensors detect unusual side-to-side movement, but the company said in a statement, “We remain confident that this is a very safe vehicle.”

In 2002, the National Transportation Safety Board said the center of gravity of 15-passenger vehicles rises when the van carries more than 10 passengers, and rollovers are more likely.

Because of this finding, the board recommended in July 2003 that Ford strengthen the roofs of its 15-passenger vans and provide more safety belts, and it called for training Econoline drivers to better maneuver in emergency situations.

The current suit, filed in Almeda Superior Court in California, stems from an accident in Yermo, Calif., nearly halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. A van carrying 14 young adults to a religious retreat rolled over on Interstate 15, killing five passengers.

The group had gathered at St. Antonius Coptic Church in northern California the previous day and set out on the 400-mile trek south, crashing onto the median only 20 minutes away from their destination.

The van's driver, Peter Demian, had been awake 19 straight hours at the time of the accident, according to the California Highway Patrol. No charges were filed against Demian, and he has not been sued.