Hardin-Simmons student athlete killed in car accident

EASTLAND—Jessica Rogers, a Hardin-Simmons University sophomore volleyball player, died in a car accident Aug. 9.

Rogers, who would have turned 21 Sept. 7, was returning to Abilene to work at her part-time job at a western-wear store after visiting a friend in Stephenville. The accident occurred around 8 a.m. on I-20, near Eastland.

Jessica Rogers

Rogers, a 2010 graduate of Henrietta High School, was a two-time All-State selection and district defensive MVP on the Henrietta volleyball team. Signing with HSU, she won the Cowgirls Spirit Award as a freshman and last fall was one of 52 HSU student athletes named to the American Southwest Conference All-Academic Honor Roll.

“The HSU family is praying for Jessica’s family as they deal with (their) tragic loss,” said John Neese, director of athletics at Hardin-Simmons. “It is evident that Jessica touched many lives not only on our campus, but throughout Abilene in the last two years. She was a great representative of our university, and her memory will serve as an inspiration for her teammates and for our campus.”

Rogers, the daughter of Doug Rogers of Henrietta and Margie Easter of Gun Barrel City, was pursuing a bachelor of behavioral science degree at HSU, with a major in exercise science. She attended Beltway Baptist Church in Abilene and was a member of Henrietta Cowboy Church.

“She loved her God first and foremost, and it poured out of every part of her,” said Sabrina Bingham, HSU volleyball coach. “She had the biggest heart in the world and truly cared about every person she came in contact with. She was always so energetic, full of life and passionate about all that she was doing.

“Because of this, you couldn’t help but smile when you were around her. She will be missed greatly by not only her team but by so many people who had a chance to experience who she truly was.”




Japan continues slow rebuilding, recovery process after disaster

SENDAI, Japan—At age 15, Naoki Noguchi devoted his life to the Japanese empire. He joined the ranks of Kamikaze and vowed to destroy the "American demon beast"—no matter the cost.

Alvin Allcon from Lake Arlington Baptist Church in Arlington reads to a preschool student at a temporary school in the town of Ishinomaki on Japan's Oshioka Peninsula, where 64,000 homes were destroyed by tsunami. In Ishinomake, 46 percent of the town was flooded. The preschool is meeting in a community center because its building was destroyed. (PHOTO/Josh Hayter)

But the war ended two weeks before his scheduled mission. Two years later, he received a Bible and devoted his life to Christ.

Now 82, he lives in an upstairs room of a building where he serves as pastor of Yoshioka Baptist Mission Church in Sendai, Japan. In the wake of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that claimed more than 15,000 lives, Noguchi remembers how he continued to trust God.

"I really longed for the morning sunrise all through the night since I had no light and little fuel for the heater," Noguchi said. "I had a strange expectation that the sun would come out trembling from the hill because of such big earthquake. But the sun was the same as ever, full of the dignity and full of the light.

"I felt the existence of the creator God who reigns and keeps all subjects in the universe. Even such a big earthquake is only the happening in the corner of the universe. Without his will, one leaf of the tree won't fall. But by his decision, even the sun loses its light. The entire universe comes to the end."

The universe did not end that day, and Noguchi began to think about how he could assist in relief efforts. He began to make his church available to house volunteers—more than 2,000 from all over the world in about 15 months.

Naoki Noguchi, pastor of Yoshioka Baptist Mission Church in Sendai, Japan, prays with Texas Baptist disaster response volunteers. Noguchi has made his church available to house volunteers–more than 2,000 from all over the world in about 15 months since an earthquake and tsunami devastated his homeland. (PHOTO/Josh Hayter)

Recently, a 12-member Baptist General Convention of Texas disaster recovery team spent a week at Yoshioka Baptist while providing follow-up care to Japanese tsunami victims in some of the most seriously affected disaster areas in and around Sendai.

"The disaster is really threefold in Japan—the earthquake, the tsunami and the radiation accident caused by the nuclear plant," said Marla Bearden, disaster recovery specialist with the BGCT Executive Board staff.

Reports show although one year has passed since the disasters, solitary deaths and suicides, as well as long-term diseases and sleeping disorders, continue to increase drastically. Many people suffer depression over the loss of family and property. Economic recovery is slow, making it difficult to find work. Pain, sadness and suffering linger among survivors.

The trip raised awareness of the need for volunteers in Japan.

Karen and Richard Cole from Central Baptist Church in Crockett deliver gift bags and fruit to people living in a temporary housing community in Japan's Iwate Prefecture. Texas Baptists' disaster response funds will be used in that housing community to increase the size of the present community center in order to include more people in worship services and gatherings. (PHOTO/Josh Hayter)

"The clean-up seems to be done, but rebuilding has been slow," Bearden said. "The folks living in the temporary housing units will need assistance with rebuilding."

The Japanese government has established 48 public-housing community sites for people displaced by disaster. Each family lives in a 600-square-foot apartment consisting of a kitchen, toilet and a common area that serves as both bedroom and living room.  

BGCT volunteers served with Texas missionaries Michael and Yu Towery from First Baptist Church in Arlington, who coordinate volunteer teams in the Sendai area and work with the Japan Baptist Convention.  

"The biggest fear the survivors have is that they'll be forgotten," Yu Towery said.

The Texas Baptist team joined with Sendai Baptist to distribute fruits, vegetables and gift bags to residents of temporary housing compounds throughout the week. They sat and listened to the stories of survivors.

Naoki Noguchi, pastor of Yoshioka Baptist Mission Church in Sendai, Japan, leads a devotional for volunteers. (PHOTO/Josh Hayter)

Each church ministers to a different group of housing compounds. Japan Baptist Convention's Tohno Volunteer Center holds a monthly fellowship gathering, providing activities such as tea times and sing-alongs in order to establish trusting relationships.

These activities—as well as a weekly worship service— are held in a community center at one of the temporary housing complexes. The complex houses 64 families or 151 individuals, but the community center only accommodates 22 people.

The community centers will remain even after the temporary housing units are removed. As both a community center and church, they serve as a place where people can gather to provide support for each other. The Japan Baptist Convention hopes to add to the current community center and plans to build an additional community center at a temporary housing complex where 132 people live.

BGCT disaster recovery has partnered with Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief to assist the Japan Baptist Convention with the community center projects. To date, the BGCT has sent $80,000 toward the project, and an additional $20,000 is needed in order to complete the second community center.

"We have been encouraged by our fellow Baptist churches from around the world and by each individual who has sent us relief supplies and offerings from abroad," Japan Baptist Convention President Toshio Okumura said. " The sight of each volunteer who has travelled so far to share in our work has strengthened us."

Bearden hopes Texas Baptists will continue to support the recovery efforts in Japan.

"The volunteer opportunities that are discovered in the recovery stage of the disaster have been a welcome opportunity to Texas Baptist Men volunteers," Bearden said. "Our goal is to build an even greater awareness among our churches about these opportunities."

Pastor Noguchi opened the doors to his church to volunteers in obedience to God. Despite being brokenhearted for the people who lost everything, he continues to have faith in God.

"I still don't have the full answer to the reason why God caused the tsunami and so many deaths, but I think only the God who is the creator and controller of whole universe is worth asking."

Texas Baptist disaster recovery plans additional volunteer opportunities through the Japan Baptist Convention and Baptist Global Response for the first half of 2013. For more information, call (888) 244-9400, email Marla.Bearden@texasbaptists.org or visit www.texasbaptists.org/disaster.




Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church reaches a global community

SANTO—Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church draws about 300 people on Sundays, but its reach extends worldwide.

Mike Crawford (right) and a fellow media team member line up shots in preparation for the Easter service at Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church.

The church started in a sale barn four years ago. Last July, the church moved into a new 8,000-square-foot facility on 24 acres, arena included.

Like most other cowboy churches, Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church has an array of different teams including a chuck wagon team, iron horse ministry and an arena ministry. It also has a media team, like many churches.

But just a few weeks ago, the church received feedback from someone in Japan who had watched one of Pastor Roger Keck's sermons online.

In fact, the church has received comments from Russia, Greenland, Argentina, Brazil and the Middle East. A judge watches in Mexico, and a church member living in Italy views sermons uploaded to YouTube.

Each previous Sunday's message can be found on the church's website, Palopintocowboychurch.com, along with short clips of events happening in ministry teams. Links to previous sermons are posted on the church's Facebook page.

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"The intention was for people who would be out rodeoing to be able to follow what's going on in the church, but it became so much more than that," Keck said.

Mike Crawford heads the media team at Palo Pinto Country Cowboy Church. He started attending the church in November 2011. Crawford remembers shaking Keck's hand sensing God say to him, "You need to help this brother out."

That's when Crawford noticed a balcony being built and mentioned to Keck it would be a great vantage point for shooting video. Keck told him that had been the plan all along.

Crawford had done freelance video work for CNN, FOX and Discovery, so he volunteered his own equipment and time to start the media team. As a result, the media ministry has not cost the church any money.

Crawford began to video the sermons and short clips of ministry teams events.

About 10 months ago, he learned his personal YouTube channel would allow him to upload videos longer than 15 minutes. So, he decided to upload a recent sermon.

Pastor Roger Keck (center) welcomes two men to a Sunday morning worship service at Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church.

"It's amazing how it all transpired. I never imagined this would happen," Crawford said.

Keck notes even though he was surprised by the global feedback, church leaders will continue to do what they've always planned with the media ministry.

Two overhead projectors are being installed, and plans to buy cameras and editing equipment are in the works.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," Keck said.

Members Vickie Sewell, Billy James and Crawford's wife, Freda, assist Crawford with the ministry. They all shoot video of church events. Crawford continues to video the sermons and completes all the editing.

"We were just a little church at the fork in the road, but now we are reaching people all over the world," Crawford said.




Baptists in South Texas see oilfield as mission field

SAN ANTONIO—Across South Texas, drilling rigs line the horizon, county roads fill with tanker and supply trucks, and small towns overflow with new residents—all because of an oil boom in the Eagle Ford Shale.

Two oilfield workers take a break from a rig outside Kenedy. (PHOTO/Kaitlin Warrington/Texas Baptist Communications)

But Jim Furgerson, pastor of Tilden Baptist Church, doesn't just see economic and community growth coming from the boom. He and many other South Texas church leaders see this as the world coming to their doorstep—a new mission field rolled out before them.

"In our little town here in McMullen County, we have a lady from China. We have another lady from El Salvador. People from all over the world are coming to South Texas, and they are coming to Tilden. God is bringing the world to us," Furgerson said. "Are we going to respond to it?"

In the past two years, thousands have moved to the shale area, covering 30 counties that stretch from Kenedy to Laredo. They have found jobs in field offices, on drilling rigs, with construction crews and in driving supply and tanker trucks. By 2012, state officials expect the oil boom will bring more than $90 billion in economic growth and 117,000 jobs to the area. Currently, 250 rigs are active, and several thousand more sites are waiting to be drilled.

"It is definitely a boom. The Eagle Ford Shale in the last two years has brought a lot of people into our communities who have not been here before.  We have tripled the population with the workers coming in," said Paula Seydel, a member of First Baptist Church in Carrizo Springs and the office manager for the Dimmit County Chamber of Commerce.

Oilfield worker Juan Galvan (center) and others listen to a Bible study led by Tommy Garza, staff evangelist at Hosanna Baptist Church in Poteet. The church started a Bible study at a local hotel where many oilfield workers and their families are living. Since the Bible study began, some in Galvan's family have chosen to follow Christ. (PHOTO/Kaitlin Warrington/Texas Baptist Communications)

Oilfield workers face a difficult life. Many work 12- to 18–our shifts for weeks at a time, often far from their families. Permanent housing is limited in the small towns. So, many live in hotel rooms, makeshift RV parks or camps similar to military barracks.

"It's a dangerous job. I've been out at drill sites, and those people make every dollar that they earn. They are in 110-degree heat, working in the oil. They are working in the chemicals. It is slippery and accidents happen. There also is a lot of risk out there. When they get done with their jobs at the end of the day, they are tired. They just want to come home." Seydel said.

Some churches have caught the vision for oilfield ministry. They want to be a place of encouragement and rest for the workers and the few families who move to the area.

"Our church is reaching out to our community. And these guys are part of our community now. Even if they are here for a few weeks or for three years, they are part of this community. We feel this is part of our obligation to minister to them and reach out to them," said Jonathan Tripp, youth minister at First Baptist Church in Cotulla.

Churches in Kenedy, Carrizo Springs, Cotulla, Poteet, Tilden, Three Rivers and other South Texas towns, along with 11 Baptist associations, are joining in the outreach efforts to connect to new community members.

"There are at least 15 to 20 churches who are doing something every day—like serving a meal to them, taking them information about the city, baking them a warm cookie just to say we are glad you are here, passing out Bibles and evangelistic tracts, engaging people in a conversation at a taqueria where they get to see these folks and just get to know them," said Fred Ater, Texas Baptists' South Texas Congregational Strategist, who is encouraging and helping mobilize churches in oilfield ministry.  

When Hosanna Baptist Church in Poteet became aware of the outreach opportunity, they began to pray for ways to connect with oilfield workers in a place where they feel comfortable.

"I thought, 'Why do we need to wait for them to come in the doors? Let's open the doors, and let's go get them and find them. That is our mentality. Instead of waiting for them to come and be ready, we need to instead go out there," said Juan Florez, pastor of Hosanna Baptist Church.

In April, Florez connected with a hotel manager who allowed him to begin holding Bible studies in the meeting room for free to reach out to the oilfield workers and families who are living in the hotel because of lack of permanent housing in the area.

The church sponsors the meeting weekly, providing a time of fellowship and Bible study. Although the group has been small, Florez said he has seen God move in mighty ways, and one family has chosen to follow Christ.

As churches are reaching out, their efforts are making a difference also in the lives of Christian oilfield workers. Bill Ballard, a manager at an oilfield supply company, said many called him "trash" when he moved to Kenedy. But then he met some members at First Baptist Church who accepted and loved him and welcomed them into their community.

"My church is just such loving people. And they just open their hearts and arms. I came here, and I was called white oilfield trash. We were not received well by several members in the community. And to go there and to feel the love they have offered and shown with open arms has meant a great deal and is such an encouragement," Ballard said.

The purpose of this ministry goes far beyond sharing the hope of Christ with oilfield workers and their families who are now in South Texas. As individuals grasp the hope of Christ and then move to other parts of the world to work in different oilfields, they can become missionaries, having the support and training from the churches in South Texas.

"With the oilfield workers, as they come from out of state, out of town, our goal is to reach them with the gospel and the love of Christ as they make those decisions for Christ. They can take that wherever they go next, becoming missionaries to the globe or to other parts of the country," Tripp said.

Although the churches are passionate about reaching out to the oilfield workers and their families, they realize they alone cannot reach the thousands who have come to South Texas on their own are praying for others to come join them in ministering to oilfield workers.

"I would ask that you would pray for us. That we would catch the vision, that our hearts would be broken for the men in the field, that we can learn to make contact with them where we can relate to them and become their friend. It's only through relationships that we will ever be able to reach these people. And it takes prayer," Furgerson said.

 




Fair Digs uses the Business as Mission model

SAN ANTONIO—Business as Mission casts a vision of conducting business based on biblical practices and using business as a missions strategy. Emily Morrow joins the vision with her fair-trade-oriented business, Fair Digs.

Fair Digs

Fair Digs, a mobile kiosk that will sell local organic produce and fair trade items, will open soon at TriPoint, a community center owned and operated by Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio.

Business as Mission seeks to empower people with a business calling to reach out to their surrounding community, equip employees and share the knowledge of Christian business owners with entrepreneurs to fight poverty.

Ben Newell, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missionary, believes in a holistic, ministerial approach to poverty that not only meets the needs of people, but also their surrounding environment.

"Business as Mission works to teach the person who has been taught how to fish how to own the pond as well," Newell said.

"Gifting in business is a sacred calling that needs to be shared."

Since January, Morrow has served as a CBF intern with missionaries Ben and Leonora Newell.

Morrow graduated with a degree in international affairs and always wanted to work in development overseas with fair trade products. But she discovered there are few outlets for the products in the United States.

In fact, San Antonio only has one fair trade store.

Morrow decided to start her own business, modeled after Business as Mission, when Newell asked Morrow what kind of business she would open if she could.

Morrow didn't have to travel overseas to make a difference in the fair trade community; she could do it in San Antonio.

Fair Digs will be a mobile kiosk that sells local organic produce and fair trade items. The business—likely to open in the fall—will be located at TriPoint, a community center owned and operated by Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio.

TriPoint houses a YMCA, coffee shop, Internet café and meeting rooms for the community. With foot traffic of about 1,000 people a day, Morrow looks forward to the relational component TriPoint will contribute to Fair Digs.

The Business as Mission model is a nonthreatening, personal approach to living out one's faith in the workplace, Morrow said.

"I was appalled at the disparity in the world and the way we economically disadvantage people. This is my way to set it right and encourage conscious consumerism in the U.S.," Morrow said.




Bell Association and Wisconsin Baptists see partnership as reciprocal

BELL COUNTY—A partnership between Bell Baptist Association of Texas and Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association forged four years ago created something "unbelievably unique" said Pastor John Schmidt of Waterbrook Community Bible Church in Tomah, Wis.

Team members from First Baptist Church in Holland give away refreshments during a backyard Bible club sponsored by Hope In Christ Assembly in Madison, Wis. (PHOTO/Courtesy of Truitt and Sherry Eason)

"I've been a pastor for 18 years and never seen anything like it. It's different churches, different people, coming together for one common goal," Schmidt said.

Tom Henderson, director of missions for Bell Baptist Association, said his goal is "to help churches connect, get engaged in a broader community and start really having Acts 1:8 churches." Wisconsin isn't a foreign country, but it's beyond the normal scope of most churches, he added.

"A major word to describe this partnership is reciprocal," said Mark Millman, director of missions for the Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association.

Churches from the Bell Baptist Association have assisted with church plants in the Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association, where there is a large international community.

Members from Miller Heights Baptist Church in Belton help with a Vacation Bible School held by Hope In Christ Assembly of Madison, Wis. (PHOTO/Courtesy of Truitt and Sherry Eason)

In June, First Baptist Church Holland sent a nine-person team—six youth and three sponsors—to Madison, Wis., to work with two churches.

In the mornings, the volunteers assisted First Baptist Church in Madison with a basketball camp. In the evenings, they helped Hope In Christ Assembly Church, a West African church plant, organize a backyard Bible club in a park and assisted with inner-city apartment ministry.

A year ago, Gary Anthony, minister of music at First Baptist Temple, took 24 students on a mission trip to Muscoda, Wis. The team worked with two churches, Heartland Church and Blue River Valley Church, both led by Pastor Paul Fries.

The team served the community by passing out fliers for Vacation Bible School, performing a concert in the park, sponsoring a block party, prayerwalking the town and pulling weeds on four city blocks down Main Street.

Team from First Baptist Church in Holland assist Hope In Christ Assembly with a backyard Bible club. (PHOTO/Courtesy of Truitt and Sherry Eason)

Jeff Burns, student minister at Miller Heights Baptist Church in Belton, took a group of high school students to Wisconsin for the third year. In June the 13-person team worked with Midvale Baptist Church and Hope In Christ Assembly, an international church, both in Madison, Wis.

At Midvale, the group assisted in a children's day camp that runs all summer, Monday through Friday. The group spent evenings helping with Vacation Bible School at Hope In Christ Assembly.

Miller Heights also financially supports three churches in the Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association.

"It's neat to see what has transpired with these three summers and with Wisconsin," Burns said.

River of Life Church in Portage, Wis., and Disciples Church in Harker Heights created a church-to-church partnership.

Students from Miller Heights Baptist Church in Belton serve at a Vacation Bible School sponsored by Hope In Christ Assembly of Madison, Wis. (PHOTO/Courtesy of Truitt and Sherry Eason)

Tim Worden was serving as missions pastor for Vista Community Church in Temple when he met Bob Turner, pastor at River of Life Church, and began a close friendship and partnership.

Vista Community Church sponsored River of Life Church in its early years by providing financial support for a ministry assistant to help Turner with secretarial tasks.

In January 2011, Worden was commissioned to plant a new church, Disciples Church, where he serves as pastor. River of Life and Red Village Church financially support Disciples Church.

"It's been a huge blessing, not just about finances but the partnership," Worden said.

Texas Baptist Men have joined in the partnership as well, holding Experiencing God Weekends to provide an overview of the seven principles discussed in Henry Blackaby's book.

Students from Miller Heights Baptist Church in Belton help with a Vacation Bible School sponsored by Hope In Christ Assembly of Madison, Wis. (PHOTO/Courtesy of Jeff Burns)

Waterbrook Community Bible Church experienced revival and awakening as a result of an Experiencing God Weekend, Millman said. People who struggled with addictions confessed them and those who caused dissension repented.

Pastor John Schmidt was affected by the weekend as well.

"I'm a pastor, but I'm not perfect. I need to be held accountable, because I do have blind spots. It's OK to make myself vulnerable," Schmidt said.

In the two years since, the church has continued to grow spiritually and continually learns what it means to be a church versus just "playing church," says Schmidt.

For Trey Turner, the partnership included relocation. He was serving as pastor at Canyon Creek Baptist Church in Temple when a trip to Wisconsin as part of the partnership became available.

He went in March 2009 to volunteer at a church in Madison, and by July, he and his family had relocated to Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. He is serving in the Mission Service Corps through the North American Missions Board.

"I had been feeling a pull to missions. We were doing a good job of taking care of ourselves, but I still has a sense of seeing more people coming to know the Lord," Turner said.

Turner desires to see a church planting movement and wants to see people being discipled to disciple others. He has started a house church, Church at Wazeecha in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., coaches other church planters and is involved in a prison ministry.

"The partnership between Bell Baptist Association and Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association was visionary to be able to see the need in other areas," he said.




Ugandan Orphans Choir concerts slated

Concerts are scheduled at 8:30 and 11 a.m. on Aug. 12 at First Baptist Church in Lavon; 6 p.m. on Aug. 12 at Faith Baptist Church in Princeton; 7 p.m. on Aug. 15 at North Garland Baptist Church in Garland; 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 19 at Cedar Heights Baptist Church in Cedar Hill; 10:50 a.m. on Aug. 26 at Pershing Park Baptist Church in Killeen; and 6 p.m. on Sept. 9 at First Baptist Church in Killeen.




ETBU helps train Alaskan young people to become better leaders

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—Five East Texas Baptist University students spent 12 days in Alaska this summer—not to get away from the Texas summer heat, but to provide leadership training for high-school-age students who want to become better Christian leaders. 

T3 Conference participant Joseph Cardoza (third from right) enjoys time with East Texas Baptist University students (left to right) Dylan Mathis, Krissy Mailloux, Kenny Adcock, Lerinda Baham and Daniel Tice in Anchorage, Alaska. A team of five ETBU students spent 12 days in Alaska leading training sessions during the annual leadership conference for high-school-age students.

The students served with the Alaska Baptist Convention as it held its annual T3—Training Teens Today—Conference at Grandview Baptist Church in Anchorage.

 "The ETBU students provided leadership training for Alaskan youth in the 9th through 12th grades," said Emily Prevost, interim director of the ETBU Great Commission Center.

"Many of the local youth were from very small churches and because churches are small, older youth in the Alaskan churches need to be able to lead Bible studies, lead worship, operate sound equipment, plan events and mentor younger youth."

 Training consisted of intensive Bible study and skill tracks to prepare the youth for leadership opportunities. The skill tracks included video, technical applications, worship leadership, missions, ministry and recreation. Several ETBU students also led group studies in evangelism or American Sign Language.

 

High-school-age students participate in a morning large-group session during the T3 Conference held at Grandview Baptist Church of Anchorage, Alaska. A team of East Texas Baptist University students led the teaching session that included Bible study and leadership principles.  (PHOTOS/ETBU/Emily Prevost)

Jimmy Stewart, director of evangelism and church development for the Alaska Baptist Convention the past 11 years, likes what the college students bring to the conference in their teaching roles.

"The energy and enthusiasm the college students bring, relate more to the youth than us older leaders," Stewart said.  "The ETBU students not only trained but mentored our students and took a deep interest in their lives. By using Christian college students dedicated to serving and following Christ, it modeled to our students the next stage in life."

 ETBU sophomore music major Kristine Mailloux of Hemphill noted the trip was her first time in Alaska.

"I went on this trip because I was sitting in our missions chapel at ETBU, and as I listened to the students talk about their experiences and how much going these service trips changed them, I felt called to go and do something for someone else," she said.

"I definitely did not expect to see the kind of poverty that I did. I saw children wearing the same clothes each day and kids asking us for water and food instead of wanting to play with us. I also saw many heartwarming actions as young teens reached out to help these kids. I saw compassion on their faces and love in their hearts. I saw Christlike leadership qualities in those we were working with."

In addition to Mailloux and Prevost, other members of the ETBU team were Kenny Adcock of Joshua, Lerinda Baham of Bethany, La., Dylan Mathis of Kaufman, and Daniel Tice of El Campo.  




Katrina evacuee serves as street pastor at Olympics with BUA team

LONDON—Bernard McGraw paused when he saw the man at the pump stacking pennies on the hood of his car.

"Hey, man — do you have a quarter? I'm trying to buy a gallon of gas."

McGraw had one. He tucked it in the man's hand, along with a business card for his Creole restaurant. "If you're hungry, please come, and I'll feed you because of the love Jesus has for me and for you.'"

Bernard McGraw

A few days later, the man arrived at the restaurant.

"I told him I've been where he is—I'm still stacking pennies on my car sometimes," McGraw said. "But now I have a relationship with Christ that gets me through the hard times."

It's a relationship that kept McGraw from committing suicide in the darkest hours following Hurricane Katrina. It's one that guided him to open a restaurant in San Antonio on the Baptist University of the Américas campus, and one that's now brought him to London as a street pastor for the Summer Olympics.

"At the end of the day, I want to reach that one person who can't go anymore.

Because I was there," he said.

McGraw, his wife Charlene and six sons lived in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005. Four days after the storm hit, the family waited on the corner of St. Charles and Napoleon avenues for a bus to evacuate them.

"When the bus came, they said, 'Women and children first.' I never thought I'd hear anything like that in my life. I let my wife and kids go," he said.

Their bus headed for the Superdome. The next bus, which McGraw got on, headed to the airport instead.

And, McGraw said, he was headed for a meeting with the Lord.

"There was no way for me to communicate with my family. I had no idea where they were or what was going to happen, and I began to hear nightmare stories of what was happening in the Superdome. There was no law and order, and people were being raped," McGraw said. "I had never contemplated suicide before, but I did then. I had no hope, no light and no help. I said, 'Lord, if you are who you say you are, I'm not worthy, but I need you.'"

And God showed up, he said.

"I was filled with the Holy Spirit. My whole attitude changed," McGraw said.

A few days later, after a flight to Houston and what he said was a God-ordained phone call, McGraw found his family. They were in Houston, too.

"They never got to the Superdome. God protected them, and they spent the night in an alleyway and ended up getting picked up by a bus headed to Houston," McGraw said. "I went down to the Astrodome and started looking for them."

He found them, and they begin to make a new life in Texas. And he found a new life with Christ, he said.

"God laid it on my heart to start a Creole restaurant on the south side of town," McGraw said. "I'd never cooked like that before. I mean, I cooked, but so did everyone in New Orleans. I didn't cook any better than my neighbor."

But God made the way clear, he said, and a providential string of events and people kept Bernard's Creole Kitchen open for business, he said. Monday paid for Tuesday, Tuesday paid for Wednesday and so on.

God paid the bills, he said. For four and a half years, McGraw fried fish and fed San Antonio's crack heads, heroin addicts and the hungry.

"They would come to the side door, and I'd say, 'I'll feed you, but you have to come in and sit at the table,'" he said. "It was important that they be fed but also that they see and know love."

McGraw saw the same look—physical and spiritual hunger—in the eyes of a man he met in a fast food restaurant in London recently.

"He asked me for money, and I offered to buy him a meal. He took me up on it and said he would eat with us if we would have him. He's homeless, and his wife left him," said McGraw, who is serving as a street pastor in London with a team from Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio.

McGraw asked the man how he was with Jesus.

"I've lost my way, but I've always loved God," the man said.

McGraw said he thought the man would leave after he ate, but he stayed.

"It was like God told me, 'This is the one you came to help—the one you've been praying for,'" he said.

So McGraw told him as much.

"This is your moment—God has carved this out for you," he said to the man. McGraw and the team helped him find a place to sleep and got him connected with More Than Gold, the ministry umbrella for evangelical Christians during the Olympics.

"We planted seeds, and we have to pray and trust that God is taking the seeds we're planting and will use them for his glory," McGraw said.

He's seen it happen before. He was doing it himself at his restaurant. He told his pastor at True Vine Baptist Church that he felt God calling him to ministry work.

Then McGraw got an invitation to reopen his restaurant at Baptist University of the Américas in 2010 and run the school's food program, and suddenly people were asking him about doing global missions, too.

"I thought I'd never go anywhere globally, and if I did, it would be on vacation to Jamaica," he said with a laugh.

It wasn't long after that he found himself in Haiti, and then in London. In addition to spending his evenings serving as a street pastor at Kings Cross Station in London, he's spending his mornings playing with children in a predominantly Muslim community.

The children are waiting for his team when the doors open in the mornings at Bow Baptist Church near Olympic Park.

"It's my prayer that they will remember us," McGraw said. "But not just that. I hope that they will wonder: 'Who were those people? Why did they come here to love us?'"

He prays God will make the seeds take root in years to come. That's actually his prayer for everyone he meets in London.

"I can sympathize with the people who have no hope, and I want to tell them where they can find it," he said. "People don't need you to tell them they're hopeless — they already know that. They need to be told where they can find the light."




Wayland Baptist University partners with Moffatt Bible College to continue work in Kenya

KIJABE, Kenya—The location has changed, but not the mission for Wayland Baptist University's work in Kenya, Wayland Provost Bobby Hall announced during graduation at Moffatt Bible College in Kijabe, Kenya.

Bobby Hall, Wayland Baptist University executive vice president/provost, addresses the graduating class of Moffat Bible College in Kijabe, Kenya.

Hall, executive vice president at Wayland, and Paul Sadler, dean of the School of Religion and Philosophy at Wayland, journeyed to Kenya to inaugurate the university's partnership with Moffatt Bible College.

In addressing the students, faculty and administration of the college—affiliated with the African Inland Church—Hall pointed out the two schools hold many things in common, most notably a commitment to Christian education and the training of spiritual leaders.

Moffat Principal Paul Kamunge referred to the partnership as a "new, new day," and the college's chairman of the board, John G. Kingori, said Wayland's decision to join in the partnership was the answer to a dream.

Hall explained the move marks a new step in Wayland's work in Kenya, which began 13 years ago when the Baptist Convention of Kenya asked the university to bring its academic program to the country. Wayland spent that time partnered with Kenya Baptist Theological College near Limuru.

Hall was quick to point out that while Wayland is changing locations, it is not changing its mission, goals or programs in Kenya.

 




Texas Tidbits

Foundation 2012 scholarship grants top $1 million. Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio has given more than $1,037,464 in scholarship support this year to 11 San Antonio-area schools, including Wayland Baptist University. "With the rising cost of higher education tuition, now more than ever, scholarships for tomorrow's health care leaders are crucial," said Cody S. Knowlton, president and CEO of the Baptist Health Foundation. "We are pleased to be able to increase our support of scholarships by some $13,000 dollars over last year. God has enabled this foundation to continue to meet the needs of our community. It is our humble honor to be stewards of his resources." Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio was established in September 2004 from sale proceeds of Baptist Health System to Vanguard Health Systems of Nashville, Tenn. In addition to scholarship giving, Baptist Health Foundation in conjunction with the former Baptist Health Services Foundation has awarded 470 health-related grants totaling $30,982,317 to organizations in its eight-county region.

Memorials Committee seeks names. Each year, the Baptist General Convention of Texas recognizes by name at its annual meeting Texas Baptists who have died during the preceding year. The BGCT Memorials Committee requests the names of individuals who died in the last year and whose lives made a contribution to their churches, communities and state. To provide information, call (214) 828-5348 or email debbie.moody@texasbaptists.org before Sept. 14.

ETBU names vice president. Xavier L. Whitaker has been named vice president for student affairs at East Texas Baptist University. Whitaker comes to ETBU from the University of Texas at Austin, where he served as a senior student affairs administrator in the Cockrell School of Engineering. Previous experience includes time as assistant director for leadership initiatives at Baylor University. Whitaker, a native of Jacksonville, received his undergraduate degree in education from Southwestern College of Winfield, Kan. He holds a master's degree in Christian ministry with an emphasis in leadership from Friends University of Wichita, Kan. He is working on his dissertation to complete a doctorate in education from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, Calif. Whitaker will assume his duties at ETBU Sept. 4.

 




Tyler ministry provides duffels for foster children

TYLER—After foster children showed up at Gina Jones' home with everything they owned in a garbage bag, she realized the negative message it sent to them. She wants every child in the Smith County foster-care system to know that both they and their possessions have value.

Gina Jones, a member of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, began the Duffels for HOPE — Having Only Positive Expectations — ministry to provide bags for foster children. (PHOTO/Loretta Fulton)

Jones, a member of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, believes God led her to begin the Duffels for HOPE—Having Only Positive Expectations—ministry.

She would not have realized the need if she and her husband, Brian, had not first been foster parents, and that was a struggle, she admitted.

"It took almost two years for me to say yes, and almost a year to get certified," she recalled.

But the family's story lacked a fairy tale ending. "We had a difficult placement. The children we had were outside the age range we felt called to work with. So, that caused a bit of a strain, and the situation was heartbreaking with these children," she said.

After the children were moved, the couple decided not to foster again right away, but Jones still felt God calling her to minister to foster children somehow. The idea for the Duffels for HOPE developed when she read an article about a 10-year-old boy in Kentucky who started a program to provide bags for foster children.

Jones discovered about 370 children in the foster-care system in Smith County, with 142 entering the program in 2011. Duffels for HOPE collects bags—duffel bags 24 inches or longer, large backpacks or military bags—for foster children. The ministry also seeks to pack journals, small toys, stuffed animals, toiletries and other items in them.

Some people are doing more than just donating a bag they bought off a shelf in a store. One retired general donated a bag that survived World War II, as well as the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. Many duffel donors provide special touches inside and out, with decorations, toys, toiletries, and encouraging notes and Scripture.

"I've seen some real creativity. I have almost 200 bags, and some people have been real creative. These young girls, these teenage girls, these 'tween girls, they want something pretty just like everybody else," Jones pointed out.

Jones will take the bags to the Rainbow Room, a resource facility at the Child Advocacy Center in Tyler, where caseworkers can go to find things children need, such as diapers, baby formula and diaper wipes, she said.

Members of Green Acres Baptist Church have provided support for Duffels for HOPE. Through Facebook, a group of women who gather monthly to support a nonprofit organization learned about Duffels for HOPE and supplied 22 bags filled with supplies for children within the foster system.

The ministry's success has encouraged her to continue on the path she feels God is leading, Jones said.

"I know I'm on the right track. There's a peace in knowing that you are doing what God wants you to do, and it's exciting to see how he's going to change lives through this ministry," Jones said.

She also expects to be a foster parent again, maybe leading to adoption.

"I still believe there's a child out there who belongs in our family."