sept/oct 2008 fellowship! magazine

September/OctOber 2008 Serving Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission

CBFfellowship! Cooperative baptiSt fellowShip | www.thefellowShip.info

Female Pastors Julie pennington-russell, pastor of first baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., is one of the most well-known female pastors in baptist life. but she is among more than 100 women currently serving as pastor or co-pastor of Cbf partner churches. See pages 6-12 to learn more about these pastors.

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2 | f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal answers one of the most often asked questions in this litany of identity.

• WeareaFELLOWSHIPofBaptistChristiansandchurcheswithavisionforbeingthepresenceofChristintheworld.

• WeareaNATIONAL NETWORKofBaptiststhatresourcesandconnectsChristiansandchurchesastheydiscoverandfulfilltheirGod-givenmission.

• WeareaMISSIONS ORGANIZATIONthatserveslocalcongregationsastheymakedisciples,sendandsupportmissionaries,startnewchurchesandministeramongthemostneglectedpeopleintheworld.

• WeareaPARTNERSHIPforBaptiststocollaborateinplanning,fundingandprayingfortheglobalmissionofthechurch.

• WeareaFAMILYofBaptiststhatgathersnationally,aswellasinstatesandregions,forannualassemblies.

• WeareanASSOCIATION OF CHURCHESthatprovidesretirementbenefitsforclergy.

• WeareanECCLESIAL BODYthatsupportstheologicaleducationandthedevelopmentofcongregationalleaders.

• WeareaRELIEF AGENCYthatrespondstodisastersandengagesintransformationalcommunitydevelopment.

• WeareaFAITH GROUPthatendorseschaplains,pastoralcounselorsandministersinspecializedsettings.

• WeareaMEMBER BODYoftheBaptistWorldAlliance,BaptistJointCommitteeforReligiousLibertyandChristianChurchesTogetherintheUSA.

• WeareaPRESENCE AND VOICEwithintheChristiancommunityadvocatingforsocialjusticeandhumanrights.

• WeareaMOVEMENT AND MINISTRYofrenewalwithintheBaptistfamily.

Daniel Vestal, CBF Executive Coordinator

vol. 18, no. 5executive coordinator • Daniel Vestal

cOOrDinatOr, FellOwShip aDVancement • ben mcDade

editor • lance wallace

managing editor • patricia heys

associate editor • carla wynn Davis

Phone • (770) 220-1600

Fax • (770) 220-1685

e-mail • [email protected]

Web site • www.thefellowship.info

fellowship! is published 7 times a year in Sept./Oct., Special i (Oct.), nov./Dec., Jan./Feb., mar./apr., may/June, July/aug. by the cooperative baptist Fellowship, inc., 3001 mercer University Dr., atlanta, Ga 30341-4115. periodicals postage paid at atlanta, Ga, and additional mailing offices. USpS #015-625

pOStmaSter: Send address changes to “fellowship!” newsletter, cooperative baptist Fellowship, p.O. box 450329, atlanta, Ga 31145-0329

What is Cooperative Baptist Fellowship?

6-12 female pastors: learn about the women leading cbF partner churches

14 Join the conversation: cbF’s interactive web tools

15 Church Spotlight: First baptist of waukegen, ill.

16-18 Cbf helps migrants struggling to survive in north africa

f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8 | 3

Contents

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CarlaWynnDavisservesasacommunicationsassistantspecialistatCBF.Throughstories,photos,videos,brochuresandWebcontent,shehelpstotellthestoriesofCBFministries.Specifically,shewrotethematerialforthe2008-2009CBFOfferingforGlobalMissionspromotion

campaignandproducedtheDVD,producedtheTogetherforHopeDVD,servedasamemberoftheGeneralAssemblySteeringCommitteeanddesignedthelogofortheMemphismeeting,andrecentlyproducedthe“CBFResponds”disasterresponseDVDandregularlyreportsontheFellowship’sdisasterresponseefforts.SheresidesinRaleigh,N.C.,wheresheisbasedwhennottravelingaroundtheworldcoveringthemulti-facetedministryofFellowshipBaptists.

Hometown:Beaufort,S.C.Education:UniversityofSouthCarolinainColumbia,S.C.;

MercerUniversity’sMcAfeeSchoolofTheologyinAtlanta,Ga.Interesting fact:ShefirstbecameinvolvedwithCBFin

college,whensheservedinLosAngelesaspartoftheFellow-ship’sStudent.Goprogramforcollegestudents.

“StoriesarewhatkeepthisFellowshipaliveandvibrant.Theygiveeachofushopethatwhatwedotogetherreallydoesmatterandreallydoeschangelives.I’veseenfirsthandthedifferenceCBFministrymakes.I’veinterviewedpeoplewhoaresograte-ful—someevenspeechless—thatagroupofChristianscaredenoughtohelp.TheirstoriesareanencouragementtomethattogetherweareallbeingthepresenceofChristintheworld.”

[email protected](800)352-8741.

meet Carla Wynn Davis

Fellowship People

Jim Pope

Chaplaincyisahigh-stressministry,retiredNavychaplainJamesA.Popebelieves.Andchaplainsthemselvesoften

needaminister.“Thesemenandwomenhaveaspecialministrybecauseit

is365daysperyear,24hoursaday,particularlywhentheyaredeployed.Theydon’tgetadayoff,”saidPope,whorecentlybe-ganworkingpart-timewiththeFellowship.

Poperelatestomilitaryorganizationsandreviewsapplica-tionsforendorsement.Heregularlycontactsmilitarychaplainsandtheirfamilies.Militaryregulationsrequirechaplainstobe

endorsedbyarecognizedfaithgroup,suchastheFellowship.

CBFalsobenefitsfromitsendorserrole.“[Chaplaincyis]avitallyimportantpartofthemilitarycomponentthatgivesCBFvisibilityallovertheworld,”Popesaid.“Thebest,mostimportantwayCBFispromotedbymilitarychaplainsisthroughtheirministrywithmili-tarypersonnelandtheirfamilies.Theyhaveanopportunitytoredefine‘Baptist’forthousandsofyoungpeople.It’sanotherlegtotheCBFmission.”

Helen Ruchti

In1959,afour-linepoemforastorecontestlandedHelenRuchtiandherpastor-husbandatriptoRome,Italy.God

usedthatexperiencetocallthepairtomissionservice.Duringtheir25-yearministry,theyestablishedaBaptistchurchinthecity’sheart,andHelenservedastheEuropean(nowInternational)BaptistConvention’sfirstfemalepresident.

Afterretirement,RuchtitaughtItalianatShorterCollegeinRome,Ga.“WhenteachingatShorter,Ihadtheopportunitytoinfluenceyoungpeoplejustbyteachingthemandloving

them,”shesaid.Writingprovidesherwithanopportunity

toinfluenceothersformissions.Herjournalentriesfromthepast40yearswererecentlypublishedas“LaBellaVita:DailyInspirationfromItaly.”

“Iaskedmyself:‘HowcanIusemyexperi-ence?’IfeltthatthroughmywritingsIcouldtouchpeoplewiththegospel.Ihopethiswillencourageolderpeopletowritetheirmemories,”shesaid.

Preston Clegg

TheFellowship’speerlearninggroupsprovidecommunity,comfortandlearningopportunitiesforCBFministers,

accordingtoPrestonClegg,pastorofSpringCreekBaptistChurchinOklahomaCity,Okla.

Introducedtotheconceptnearlytwoyearsago,Cleggsaid,“Ourgroupgivesasenseofcommunity,providesconfidentialityandgivesasenseoflearningfromthosewhohavebeenthereanddonethat.Icanlearnfromthosewhohavefacedthestrugglesofchurchwork.I’mlearningfromgoodpractitioners.”

ThefactthattherearefewCBFpartnerchurchesinOklahomamakesthegroup“soimportant,”headded.“Itpromotestheideaofpracticeandreflection,andgivesaconstantsenseofreevaluatingandreflectingonthebigquestions.Ithinkit’sgoodtostepbackandre-flectonthebigquestions.

“Thegrouphasbeeninvaluable.Thereissomuchcomfortintalkingwithpeople…whoarewiseenoughtoshowyouthepitfallsofministryandhelpyouavoidthem.Theyarethefriendsforthejourney.”

Jim and Norma Reagan

JimandNormaReaganwereFellowship-typepeoplebeforeCBFactuallyformed,andtheyhaveattendednearlyevery

GeneralAssemblysincetheorganization’sinception.JimparticipatedinmeetingspriortoCBF’sbirth,andboth

attendedtheformationofCBFinAtlantain1991.TheReagansfeelthecommissioningserviceforthenewfieldpersonnelisthehighlightoftheAssembly.

MembersatTallwoodBaptistChurch,theReagansseethe2009GeneralAssemblymeetingintheirhometownofHouston,Texas,asanopportunityforotherstolearnabout

CBF.“Weareeagerformoreyoungadultstoattend.Wetalkaboutit[everyGeneralAssembly]beforewegoandwhenwecomeback,”Normasaid.

“Wehopealargegroupofpeoplefromourchurchwillparticipate[in2009].SomehavelittleknowledgeofCBF.Itwillbeanopportunityforthemtoseetherealthing,”theysaid.

helen ruchti

preston Clegg

Jim and norma reagan


Jim pope

“We believed in education.

Billy always felt one of his main

ministries was to educate young

people. So, when he died, I

thought a good way to remember

him and his love for young people

was to start this fund.”

Mae Ora Johnson CapshawEllisville, Miss.

WhyI give...

TheJohnsonFamilyEndowmentwasestablishedbyMaeOraJohnsonCapshawafterherfirst

husband,Billy,diedofcancerin1991.Thefund,whichprovidesassistanceto

studentsseekingtheologicaleducation,wasthefirstfundestablishedthroughtheCBFFoundation.Itsproceedshavehelpedmanystudentscompletetheir

theologicaleducation.BillyJohnsonhadbeenaBaptistpastor

inMississippiandAlabamafor40yearswhenhediedatage58.Theendowmentwasinitiallybegunwithinsuranceproceedsandgiftsgiveninhismemory,andCapshawsaidsheadds“alittlebiteachyear.”

Aretiredschoolteacher,Capshaw,75,nowlivesinEllisville,Miss.TheJohnson

Endowmenttotalsabout$20,000,withabout$1,000eachyearavailableforscholarships.

“ThemoneywehavegivenisnotsomuchawaytohonorBillyasawaytoextendhisministry,”shesaid.“Maybesomedayitwillworkuptowhereitwillbevaluableenoughtobearealhelptoyoungpeople.”

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Give | to lean more about establishing or contributing to a fund through the cbF Foundation, call (800) 352-8741 or e-mail [email protected]. thank you for giving to cbF. Your gifts make a difference in the lives of people around the world.


Despitetherebukeatayoungage,Gr-undset,26,continuedtopursuehercalling.SheisnowoneoftheCooperativeBaptistFellowship’sministryresidents,servingtwoyearsintheteachingcongre-gationofCal-varyBaptistChurchinWashington,D.C.

“Mycallinghasevolvedasaclearlydefinedcalltothepastorate,andIdonotquestionthatIheardthevoiceofGodatage10,”saidGrundset,agraduateofBaylorUniversity’sTruettTheologicalSeminary,aFellowshippartner.“IbelievethatIamcalledtowalkalongsidepeopleinthedeep-estmomentsofpainandmostexuberantmomentsofhope.Ilovetopreachandwanttoserveaspastorinasettingwhereallofthosepiecesofmycallingcometogether.”

AtCalvaryBaptist,Grundsetismentoredbythechurch’spastor,AmyButler,whoisoneofmorethan100womenservingaspas-tororco-pastorofCBFpartnerchurches.AccordingtotheStateofWomeninBaptistLifeReportproducedbyBaptistWomeninMinistry,approximatelyfivepercentofpas-torsatCBFpartnerchurchesarewomen.

Inmanyreligiouscommunities,thislowpercentageofwomeninthepastorateisoftencalledthe“stainedglassceiling,”referringtothebarriersandstereotypesfemaleclergymust

overcometoreachhigherlevelsofleadership.“IsincerelybelievethatitisGod’swill

formorechurchestocallgiftedandSpirit-ledwomenaspastorsandformoreofthesewomentobeinthepastoralministry,”saidCBFExecutiveCoordinatorDanielVestal.“Jesusadmonishedus‘topraytheLordoftheharvesttosendforthlaborers.’WeneedaspiritualawakeningamongBaptiststhatwouldhelpthem‘see’thepromiseand

possibilitythatGodhasgivenuswithmorewomenineffectivepastoralleadership.”

Beingfewinnumber,thehiringofafemalepastoroftenattractsattentioninBaptistlifeandlocalcommunities.WhenJuliePennington-Russellwascalledaspas-torofFirstBaptistChurchinDecatur,Ga.,lastyear,articlesranintheAtlantaJournalConstitution,AtlantaMagazineandnu-merousreligiousmedia.Similarpublicity

W henshewas10yearsold,LeahGrundset’spastor

askedherwhatshewantedtobewhenshegrewup.

WhenGrundsettoldhimshewantedtobeapastor,

hesaid,“OhLeah,Godwouldnevercallyoutobeapastor.Godonly

callsmen.Don’tbelievethatyouheardGodspeakingtoyou.”

Joy Yee, pastor of nineteenth avenue baptist Church, was the first female senior pastor to serve as moderator of the fellowship.

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Called to lead Female pastors break barriers, serve churches

learn TolearnmoreabouthowtheFellowshipandpartnerchurchessupportwomenpastors,gotowww.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.

“My calling has evolved as a clearly defined call to the pastorate, and I do not question that I heard the voice of God at age 10.”— Leah Grundset

surroundedherwhenshebecamepastorofNineteenthAvenueBaptistChurchinSanFrancisco,Calif.,andCalvaryBaptistChurchinWaco,Texas,earlierinhercareer.

“Thisroledoesn’tfeelallthatuniquetome,”saidPennington-Russell.“Thatbeingsaid,Itryalwaystochoosetoseesituationsasopportunitiesratherthanburdensorob-stacles.Whenpeopleforonereasonoran-otherwanttoshineaspotlightonme,itgivesmeachancetopointtoGodinsomewaysthatImightnototherwisebeabletodo.”

TheFellowshipwasfounded,inpart,aroundissuesofgenderequality.Sinceitbegan,CBFhasencouragedthecallingofwomeninministryandintentionallyincludedwomeninpositionsofleadership—includingcoordinatingcouncil,moderatorandnationalstaff.

In2005,JoyYee,whosucceededPen-nington-RussellaspastorofNineteenthAvenueBaptistChurch,becamethefirstfemaleseniorpastortoserveasmoderatoroftheFellowship.

“Femalepastorscontinuetofaceexternalandinternalchallenges,”saidYee.“Externally,churchesneedtobeeducatedandexposedtowomeninleadershipandspecificallypastoralleadership.Internally,womenwhoarecalledtopastorneedtodevelopself-confidence,auniquepastoralvoice,especiallyifthatstyledoesnotmatchthebold,charismaticstyleof[traditional]leadership.”

TheFellowshipaddressesthechallengesfemaleclergyfaceinanumberofways,includingpartneringwithseminariesthatencouragethecallofwomentoministry.AccordingtotheStateofWomeninBaptistLife,38percentofstudentsatCBFpart-nerseminariesarefemale.Inthe2007-08schoolyear,theFellowshipprovided35ofits81scholarshipstofemalestudents.

CBFalsoencouragesandassistspartnerchurchesinbeingopentoGod’sdirectionincallingwomenaspastors.TheFellow-ship’sreferenceandreferralserviceconnects

congregationswithquali-fiedfemalecandidates,andCBFstaffmembersareavailabletoconsultwithchurchesdur-ingthehiringprocess.Seepages11-12foradditionalCBFresources.

“FromourbeginningCBFhascel-ebratedGod’scallandgift-ingforeverybelieverinChrist,”saidVestal.“Wehaveaffirmedtheministryroleofwomenaswellasmen,laityaswellasclergy.Thisisrootedinourcon-victionthatallarecreatedintheimageofGod,thatChristdiedforall,andthattheHolySpiritisgiventoallwhobelieve.Ourcommit-menttowomenincongregationalleadershipatalllevelsisoutofourcommitmenttoscripturewithChristbeingtheinterpretativekey.”

By Patricia Heys, CBF Communications

f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8 | 7learn TolearnmoreabouthowtheFellowshipandpartnerchurchessupportwomenpastors,gotowww.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.

The photos above represent female pastors who responded to a request for photos and chose to be featured in this issue of fellowship! This does not reflect all female pastors serving at CBF partner churches.

From top to bottom, first row: Connie Stinson, Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, Silver Springs, Md.; Cheryl Moore Adamson, Palmetto Missionary Baptist Church, S.C.; Vallerie King, Emmaus Baptist Church, Providence Forge, Va.;

Second row: Mary Beth Caffey, Pathway Community Church, Lewiston, Me.; Maureen Freshour, Chevy Chase Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.; Brenda Lynn Kneece, New Hope Christian Fellowship, West Columbia, S.C.;

Emily Roberts, Neverfail Community Church, Sparta Tenn.; Nancy Rock Poti, Trinity Church, Richmond, Va.;

Third row: Michelle Kimlick, Bruington Baptist Church, Bruington, Va.; Mimi Walker, Druid Hills Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga.; Wendy Joyner, Fellowship Baptist Church, Americus, Ga.; Ruth Cuellar, Iglesia Bautista, El Buen, Newnan, Ga.; Virginia Taylor, Lystra Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, N.C.;

Fourth row: Kathy Shereda, High Hills Baptist Church, Jarratt, Va.; Susan Joyce, Antioch Baptist Church, Enfield, N.C.; Katrina Brooks, North Broad Baptist Church, Rome, Ga.; Robin Norsworthy, University Baptist Church, Montevallo, Ala.


learn TolearnabouttheministryandcallingsofotherfemalepastorsatCBFpartnerchurches,gotowww.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.

Kelli Barron-AgricolafbC Spring branchhouston, texas

a graduate of baylor University’s truett theological Seminary, a Fellowship partner, barron-agricola and her husband, corey, have served as co-pastors of First baptist for more than four years.

“Upon entering the pastorate my husband and i braced ourselves for the criticism that would inevitably follow a baptist female in the South. however, for the most part, the criticism did not come. although we have faced a handful of challenges to my call in the pulpit, the criticism has been minimal and the support overwhelming. i am continually inspired by the older generation of faithful baptist women, who have served the lord and the church throughout their lives and who are thrilled to find a woman in the pulpit.”

Amy Butler Calvary baptist Churchwashington, D.C.

amy butler has served as pastor of calvary baptist church for five years. She earned her seminary degree from international baptist theological Seminary, a Fellowship partner.

“i love that i almost always have the element of surprise. nobody expects me to be the pastor, so often people are able to separate me from their preconceived ideas of what a pastor is and get real pretty quickly. when people know i am the pastor, many times it indicates to them that things here at calvary might be a little different than they thought. at calvary, we lovingly refer to this phenomenon as ‘the freak show factor’ — many people are curious about our congregation because our pastor is a woman. when they come to worship with us they quickly learn we’re a pretty normal church.”

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f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 0 8 | 9learn TolearnabouttheministryandcallingsofotherfemalepastorsatCBFpartnerchurches,gotowww.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.

Traci Bunn Powerswesthaven baptist Churchportsmouth, va.

traci bunn powers said that she felt a call to ministry at age 12. powers, a graduate of campbell University Divinity School, a Fellowship partner, now serves with her husband as co-pastor of westhaven baptist.

“in many cases, people just need to experience a woman pastor. lack of experience tends to reaffirm previously held notions and opinions on the topic. i have had church members tell me ‘i did not vote for you when the vote was taken, but i would vote for you now.’ they just needed a chance to see it, hear and experience it. when the myths are dispelled, people are able to see that i am a just a person who has been equipped and called by God to be a pastor — and i happen to be female.”

Melissa Roysdonprovidence baptist ChurchCookeville, tenn.

Growing up, melissa roysdon’s parents never told her there were things she couldn’t do because she was a girl. and, she said she knew from a young age that she was called to ministry. after serving as an associate pastor and co-pastor at providence baptist, she is now the con-gregation’s pastor.

“Once i followed that calling to seminary, many of the same people who taught me of lottie moon and annie armstrong were turning their backs. after seminary and ordination, i found that the world that had nurtured me was now a dry well. i began teaching in the local school system and felt like moses, aaron and miriam must have felt wandering in the desert. my journey hasn’t been the typical one, but i find that women are in many ways finding it to be a new path rather than a worn path that they are following.”

Sarah Jackson Sheltonbaptist Church of the Covenantbirmingham, ala.

Sarah Jackson Shelton has served as pastor of baptist church of the covenant for six years, having previously served as the congre-gation’s interim.

“my hope for the future is that i will no longer have to be the token woman. i was recently asked to serve on a panel where the minis-ters would represent either a woman as pastor, a pastor who had experienced conflict, and a pastor with more than five year tenure. i knew which role i was supposed to accept, but could not resist asking, ‘which one am i supposed to talk about? i qualify for them all.’ how wonderful will it be when we can have men talk about the experience of having a female pastor and the females can talk about their good, long tenure of service!”

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AndreaDellingerJoneswantedtogetnervous.Afterall,itwasherfirsttimeapplyingforaseniorpastorposition—and

shejusthopedbeingyoungandfemalewouldn’tmattertoMillbrookBaptistChurch.Buttryasshemighttoheightenherworries,everythingkeptgoingsmoothly—thefirstmeeting,theinterview,thetrialsermon.

Italljustseemedtoowonderful—sowonderfulthatJonesandherhusband,Brent,hadtroublebelievingherdreamjobcouldactuallycometobe.

“Wejustcouldn’tbelievethiswouldpossiblyworkout,”Jonessaid.

Theideaofbecomingapastorthissoon—onlysixyearsoutofseminary—seemedlikeanimpossibledream,notbecauseshedidn’thavetheministerialskillsbutbecausefewwomenseemedtolandthosepositions.ButforMillbrook,acongregationinRaleigh,N.C.,lookingforayoungpastortohelpbridgeanagegap,Joneswasanidealcandidate.

Theseven-personpastorsearchcommittee,whichhadbeenlookingforapastorformorethanayear,wasimpressedbyJones’résumé,experienceandabilitytorelatetoallages.

“Therewasnotanareainthechurchthatshehadnotbeenactivelyinvolvedin,”saidsearchcommitteememberEvangelineWard.

Thoughshehadnotservedasaseniorpastor,Joneshadbeentheonlyfull-timestaffmemberathertwopreviouschurchesforaperiodoftime,givinghervitalpasto-ralexperience.WhileservingatChestnutGroveBaptistChurchinEarlysville,Va.,shebaptized17people,performedmorethanadozenbabydedicationsandledwor-ship,communion,weddingsandfunerals.

WhenBrentfinishedhisPh.D.course-workatnearbyUniversityofVirginiaandtheyopenedthemselvestomoving,shebeganlookingforanotherassociatepas-torposition.Buteachtimeshewasheavilyconsideredforaposition,she’dthink:“I

candothisjob,andIcandowellatit,butitwouldcomedownto[knowing]Iwasn’tbaptizingandsomeoftheother[pastoral]thingsIre-allylovedoing,”shesaid.

Solastfall—atthepeakofherjob-searchingfrustra-tion—herhusbandidenti-fiedthesnag:whatJonesre-allywantedwastobeapas-torandnoneoftheassociatepositionswouldeverfeellikeagreatmatch.Withthisnewdirection,theyturnedtotheInternetandlookedforchurchesacceptingrésumésforseniorpastor.

“Wesentrésumésto33churches—everyonewecouldfind,”shesaid.“Brentwouldsay,‘Itonlytakesone.Weonlyneedonetobein-terestedinyou.’”

Severalexpressedinter-est,butMillbrookcalledinearlyDecemberandturnedouttobetheoneJoneshad

Long search delivers ideal match as N.C. church calls its first female senior pastor

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andrea Dellinger Jones, left, greets church attendees after Sunday worship at Millbook baptist Church.

Give YourgiftstotheFellowshipsupportthecallingofall—womenandmen.Togive,gotowww.thefellowship.info/give.

beenwaitingfor.BylateFebruaryshewasinRaleighforatrialsermonandstartedservingasthechurch’spastorinApril.

“Thecongregationthinkswemadetherightdecision.Ihearthatallthetime,”saidsearchcommitteememberDonHinton.

WhenthechurchvotedtocallJones,itjoinedasmallpercentageofFellowshipBaptistpartnerchurchesledbyafemaleseniorpastor.Accordingtothesearchcommittee,hir-ingJoneswasn’tastatementaboutwomeninministryoramoveofaffirmativeaction.Genderwasn’tanissueatall.Shewassimplythebestcandidateforthejob—thoughevenJoneswondered,lateraskingcommitteememberswhytheydecidedtocallayoungfemalepastor.

“Young—thatwasveryintentional.Now,female?Westartedlookingtoeachother,”Wardrecalled.“‘We’veneverhadthediscussion,’”shetoldJones.“‘We’veneveractuallytalkedabout[gender].You’rethefirstonethat’sbroughtitup.’”

Encouragedbyherexperiencewith

Millbrook,Jonesishopefulthatmorechurchesarebecomingopentothepros-pectofequallyconsideringfemaleandmalepastoralcandidates.

“Ifthisworkedoutsowellforme,Ijusthavetobelievethatthingswillcontinuetoprogressinapositivewayforwomeninministry,”Jonessaid.

OntheSundaymorningthatMillbrookvotedtocallJonesaspas-tor,shereturnedtothesanctuaryafterthevote.Everyonestood;everyoneclapped.Assheaddressedthecongregation,JonesthoughtaboutSarah,wholaughsinGenesiswhenGodtellshershewillhaveababydespiteherage.Indisbelief,Sarahresponds:“Isanythingtoowonder-fulfortheLord?”

“IwasgoingtotellyouIwasjustbub-blingoverwithlaughter,butIcan’tbecauseI’mcrying,”shetoldthecongregation.“It’sjusttoowonderful.”

By Carla Wynn Davis, CBF Communications


Resourcesreference and referralthe Fellowship’s reference and referral ministry provides resources for female ministers and pastors looking for new places of service. leaderconnect cbF, an online résumé-matching service, also helps churches and pastors connect. to learn more, contact clarissa Strickland at [email protected] or (800) 352-8741. For more on leaderconnect cbF, go to www.thefellowship.info/LeaderConnect.

residency programcbF’s ministerial residency program provides recent male and female seminary graduates with the opportunity to serve two years in a teaching congregation. this experience allows residents to hone their ministry skills and encourages practices for long-term health in pastoral ministry. For more information, contact Steve Graham at (800) 352-8741 or [email protected].

Seminary scholarshipsStudents at the Fellowship’s partner seminaries are eligible to apply for scholarships, which cover tuition, books and expenses to attend General assembly. in 2007-08, more than 30 scholarships were awarded to female students. to learn more about these scholarships, contact a partner seminary directly and ask about becoming a cbF leadership scholar.

peer learning Groupspeer learning groups meet monthly to provide ministers with opportunities for worship, spiritual growth, study, discussion of ministry-related issues and fellowship. currently, there are 71 peer learning groups across the country, many that include female pastors. if you are interested in becoming part of or starting a peer learning group, contact Steve Graham at [email protected] or (800) 352-8741.

Speakers’ bureaucbF’s face2face speakers’ bureau schedules speakers at partner churches. cbF staff members are available to talk with congregations and search committees about the process of calling a female pastor. contact the speaker’s bureau at [email protected] or (800) 352-8741.

to learn about additional resources, go to www.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.

Tips for women seeking a pastoratebased on her journey to the pastorate, Jones offered advice for other women hoping to become a pastor.

1. Get a ministry coach: a coach can help with strategy on how to best handle ministry situations. this person can be a sounding board for ideas, an encourager and can also help with networking and updating a résumé.

2. Go back to school: consider working toward a Doctor in ministry (D.min.) degree. another degree sets candidates apart in the pastoral search process.

3. take every opportunity to learn: attend educational retreats, seminars and lectures that enhance ministry skills and make you a better pastoral candidate.

4. look for pastoral experience: if you currently serve in a church, ask the senior pastor if you can experience some pastoral responsibilities. perhaps he or she will allow you occasionally to preach, serve communion, baptize or more.

5. Use job-matching resources: cbF’s leaderconnect will send résumés to churches looking for ministerial positions. many seminaries provide a similar service.

Give YourgiftstotheFellowshipsupportthecallingofall—womenandmen.Togive,gotowww.thefellowship.info/give.

andrea Dellinger Jones

By Clarissa Strickland

In recent years, cbF partner churches have

made great strides in empowering women in

ministry. we create a climate in which young

women feel God’s call upon their lives and catch

a vision of ministry. they occupy almost half the

seats in the classrooms of partner seminaries. we

call them to associate staff ministry positions and

ordain them to ministry. they live among us, love

us and serve us in so many ways. and yet, when it

comes to calling a woman as senior pastor, many

of our churches say they are not quite ready.

in doing so, we create barriers for women to

exercise their calling in christ Jesus. Jesus spent

his ministry breaking down barriers. here are

some suggestions to help churches do the same:

Invite women to preach1 take advantage of opportunities to invite

women into the pulpit. For people who have

never been exposed to a woman preaching, the idea of

a woman pastor is probably a foreign concept. hearing

a woman preach may help open a congregation’s mind

to who God has called to the pastorate.

when your pastor is scheduled to be away,

consider asking a woman from your congregation,

a local seminary or neighbor church to preach

on that Sunday. (You can even call the cbF office

for referrals.) also, make plans to participate with

other baptist churches in the annual martha Stearns

marshall Day of preaching. this event is held the

first Sunday in February and is sponsored by baptist

women in ministry, a cbF partner.

Study examples of female pastoral leadership 2 another way to help change the gender

stereotype of pastors is to highlight

examples from scripture, history and the present day

where women serve as religious leaders. Study biblical

examples, such as

mary the mother of

James and Joseph,

mary magdalene,

Joanna and Susanna,

who were involved with

Jesus’ ministry.

learn about

women from history

who paved the way

as pastors — martha

Stearns marshall, a

powerful preacher

during the late 18th

century, or addie

Davis, the first

Southern baptist

woman ordained to pastoral ministry. also, read

about current women pastors in this issue of

fellowship! or online at www.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.

Engage in prayerful discussion3 referring to women pastors, Daniel

Vestal said recently, “myths need to be

exploded. half truths need to be refuted. the bible

needs to be understood. history needs to be read.

Fear needs to be replaced with comfort and joy.

much of this could be accomplished through study,

reflection and conversation.”

as a congregation or in small groups, take time

to engage in honest discussions and prayerful

discernment. Openly address concerns, myths,

stereotypes and questions that members might

have related to female pastors. invite guest

speakers with knowledge about the subject to lead

church members in conversation.

Encourage the calling of all people 4 be intentional about discussing and

celebrating the different ways people

are called to ministry. provide church members,

especially young people, with the time and

opportunity to discern how God might be calling

them to serve. Support those “called” women in your

congregation as they move through the rigors of

earning a seminary education and seeking a place

of service in congregational life. Offer them regular

congregational and personal prayer support, as well

as financial support during their years of theological

education. write notes of encouragement to them.

when they have occasion to be back in their home

churches, offer them an opportunity to preach

when possible.

Conduct a gender- blind pastor search 5 when your church arrives at the

point of searching for a pastor, set

up procedures that allow the search committee

and congregation to assess candidates without

gender bias. as résumés are received, transfer

the information to forms which do not use names

or gender-specific pronouns. compare candidate

qualifications without respect to gender.

be open to God’s leadership — wherever it

might take you in a pastor search.

for encouraging your church to be open to calling a woman as pastor

Clarissa Strickland serves as the fellowship’s networking specialist, providing reference and referral resources to

churches and ministers. Contact Strickland at [email protected] or (800) 352-8741.

for more ideas and a list of resources, go to www.thefellowship.info/femalepastors.

at the Cbf General assembly, Cathy anderson, minister to children at first baptist Church of Marietta, Ga., and her daughter, Gracie, wear shirts reading, “this is what a preacher looks like.” the shirts were produced by baptist women in Ministry.


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ThissummerauniqueCBF-sponsoredmissionsprojecttook13undergraduateandgraduatestudentsaroundtheworldtoseehowCBFfieldpersonnelareworkingtoreachthe

UnitedNations’MillenniumDevelopmentGoals(MDGs).SponsoredbytheFellowship’sStudent.Gomissionsprogram,thetripincludedtraveltoRomania,Ethiopia,Uganda,Haiti,MexicoandNewYorkCity.Astheyreturnhome,thestudentswilltaketheexperienceandknowledgetheygainedfromthetriptodevelopprojectsontheircampusesthatpromotetheMDGs.

Participants included: Carson Foushee, Mary Beth Gilbert, Jacob Kendall, Emily Morrow, Nina Peppers, Caitlin Sandley, Jacob Smith, Fran Stafford, Rosie Stafford, Caleb Tankersly, Karen Taylor, Meredith Wilkinson and Jennifer Wilmore. Read about their experience at www.thefellowship.info/blog.

Save the date Make Houston your stop for July 4th Don’t make those normal July 4th plans before considering the 19th annual Cbf General assembly, set for July 2-3, 2009, in houston, texas. while you’re at the assembly for exciting fellowship, inspiring worship, practical ministry workshops and much more, you’ll be amid downtown houston with its restaurants, entertainment venues and shops — plus an easy public transportation system to get you from place to place. Catch a houston astros game, a concert, or quarter horse racing. visit a museum, the aquarium, or the Galleria — the seventh largest mall in the United States. whatever your interest, you’ll find something exciting in houston, including the freedom over texas festival on July 4th. with live concerts and the state’s largest fireworks display choreographed to music, you’ll be glad you spent the holiday weekend in texas. for more information go to www.thefellowship.info/assembly.


Students take global tour of U.N. MDGs

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Try these online toolsForum

a forum is like a message board, where you can post and respond to threads. in a thread, you can share a ministry idea, ask a question, direct others to relevant resources and more. anyone can reply to your thread, and you and others can communicate about the topic. You can also reply to threads started by others. So whether you start a thread or just respond to what others share, a meaningful conversation about ministry can occur. You can also subscribe to the forum so you receive notification when new threads and responses are posted. Visit www.thefellowship.info/Forums to begin sharing.

Wikia wiki is software that allows you to create, edit and link web pages. while wikis are used in every sector from

education to business, the most famous wiki is wikipedia. the cbF wiki is an online work and information place for the ministries and work of cbF, cbF churches and

Fellowship people. it’s a place where the cbF community can collaborate and share ideas — work together and educate each other. Do you need a place to develop and collaborate on a project with a group of people and don’t feel like sending emails with every revision or change? You can use the cbF wiki. Do you want to hold a discussion about topics dealing with ministry you’re doing? Use the cbF wiki. Do you want to share resources with people interested in the same ministries as you? Use the cbF wiki.

Visit www.thefellowship.info/wiki to learn more about how to use the cbF wiki and to join the online community.

Blog through cbF’s blog, you can read and respond to issues that matter. read

what other Fellowship baptists have to say about missions and ministry, being baptist, what a changing world means for ministry, other tough issues and more. You can start your own post and also leave comments on other posts. Visit www.thefellowship.info/blog to join the conversation.

FacebookFacebook is a large social networking site, where you can start your own profile

and connect with friends, interests and more. to create an account, visit www.facebook.com. be sure to join the more than 800 other Fellowship baptists in the group “cooperative baptist Fellowship,” which is located at www.thefellowship.info/facebook.

Videos and PhotosJust because you can’t travel around the world to see ministries firsthand doesn’t

mean you can’t see them in action through photos and videos. cbF has more than 30 ministry videos online and will continue adding more. Visit www.thefellowship.info/video to watch ministry in action.

photos also tell the cbF story. through Flickr, you see photos, watch slideshows, download images to your computer and more. Visit www.thefellowship.info/photo to browse cbF’s photo library.

all online tools are easily found on the cbF home page — www.thefellowship.info — in the right column under “Join the conversation.”


Join the conversationNew Web tools introduce interactive element to CBF ministry

WiththeuseofseveralWeb-basedtools,missionsandministryis

becomingmoreinteractivethanever.ManyFellowshipBaptistshaveexpertiseandexperiencewithspecifictypesofministries.Theyknowwhatworksandwhatdoesn’t.TherearealsomanyFellowshipBaptistsinterestedinstartingministriesorimprovingexistingministries.Withnewonlinetools,FellowshipBaptistscaninteract—sharingideas,askingquestions,andhelpingotherstakethebeststepforwardintheirministries.It’sanewwaytoconnectwith,learnfrom,andhelpotherindividualsandchurchesastheybecomepartofGod’smissionintheworld.

Sincemanypeoplehavespecificministryinterests,CBFhasfocusedonsevencommunitiesofmissionalpractice.Thesecommunitiescategorizemanyofthenewonlinefeatures,allowingyoutoconnectwithpeoplewhohavesimilarministryinterests.Thecommunitiesare:

• Educationandeconomicdevelopment

• Medicalministries

• Justiceandpeacemaking

• Churchstartsandfaithsharing

• Ministrytointernationals

• Disasterrelief

• Povertyandtransformation

Visitwww.thefellowship.info/missions/communities.

Serve

f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r | 15

IndividualsWhetherit’sashort-termmissionim-

mersionexperience,two-yearcommitmentoralifetimeofservice,CBFprovidesop-portunitiesforyoutofollowyourcalling.

FellowshipBaptistsinterestedinservingasCBFfieldpersonnelarerequiredtoparticipateina10-weekonlinecohort,thefirstpartofathree-partapplicationprocess.ThecohortsallowcandidatestolearnaboutCBFGlobalMissionsandhearfirst-persontestimonialsfromcurrentfieldpersonnelandstaffthroughonlinediscussion,videoandaudiostreams.The

nextcohortbeginsinSeptember.Learnmoreatwww.thefellowship.info/serve.

FellowshipBaptistsinterestedinservingthroughshort-termexperiences—whetherintheUnitedStatesoroverseas—canlearnabouthowtheirpassionandskillscanchangethelivesofpeoplearoundtheworld.Learnmorebycontactingengage@thefellowship.info.

CollegeandgraduatestudentsinterestedinservingforasummerorsemesterhavetheopportunitytoexploretheircallingthroughCBF’sStudent.Goprogram.Learnmorebycontactingstudent.go@thefellowship.info.

ChurchesAsyourchurchplansitsmissions

emphasisandexperiencesforthecomingyear,CBFcanconnectyourchurchwithpotentialdestinationsforshort-termmissionsinvolvement—eitherthroughtheministryofCBFfieldpersonnelorpartnerorganizations.CBFstaffcanworkwithyourcongregationtodiscernthemissionsprojectsthatbestfitsspecificskillsets,numberofteammembersandfunds.Forinformation,[email protected](800)352-8741.

learn | Stay up to date on the latest Fellowship news, resources, events and ministries. the Fellowship weekly e-newsletter is distributed every tuesday. You can also subscribe to words from the coordinator, Daniel Vestal’s online column, or churchworks, an e-newletter that provides minister and lay leaders with ideas and resources for ministry.

to subscribe, go to www.thefellowship.info/subscribe.

First Baptist Church, Waukegan, Ill.SpotlightChurch

BlessedAboveMeasureministry(BAM),achemicaldependencyrecoveryhomeformen,was

startedlastyearwiththehelpofFirstBap-tistChurchinWaukegan,Ill.,andtheCo-operativeBaptistFellowship.

Thechurchbeganthinkingaboutacommunityministrywhenseveralnearbybuildingscameupforsale.JorgeZayas-bazan,pastoratFirstBaptistChurch,saidthebuildings’proximitytothechurchseemedanidealministryopportunity,butthechurchlackedthefinancestomovefor-ward.ButamanwhohadpurchasedoneofthenearbyhousescametoworshipatFBC.Hisplanwastostartahomeformenrecov-eringfromchemicaldependency.

“Atthesametime,wewerecompletingtheFellowship’s‘It’sTime’studyandwereseekingGod’swillinregardstoaministrytoimpactourcommunity,”saidZayasbazan,

whoalsoservesascoordinatorforNorthCentralRegionCBF.“Oneeasilyidentifiablestrongholdinourcommunityistheproblemofalcoholismanddrugaddiction,andourchurchalreadyhostedthelargestNarcot-icsAnonymousmeetinginthecounty.TheopportunitypresentedbyBAMHousewasaclearanswertoprayer.”

FBCreceivedaCBFmissionalministrygrantof$15,000forfacilityimprovementsthatwouldqualifyBAMHousetobelicensedbythestate,therebymakingitpossibleforstateagenciestoreferclients.TheFellowshipmakessuchgrantstochurchesthatcompletethe“It’sTime”studyandwanttodevelopministriesthatimpacttheircommunities.

Inashorttime,windowswerereplaced,equipmentpurchased,repairsmade,re-modelingandpaintingdone,inspectionspassed.StatelicensurewasgrantedinJune,andnowBAMHousecanaccommodateuptoeightmen.MuchofthelaborfortherenovationswasprovidedbyTrinityBaptistChurchinRaleigh,N.C.,whichsentan82-memberteamtohelp.

“Wehavealwaysbeenamissionalchurch,”Zayasbazansaid.“Butwewerelookingforsomethingthatwecouldfocuson,onethingthatwecouldputourenergyinto.WhenwelistenedtoGod,wefoundtheBAMHouse.”

BAMHouseisoneofonlythreefaith-based,state-licensedrecoveryhomesin

thenorthChicagoarea,Zayasbazansaid.Itfocusesonthespiritualandbehavioraldevel-opmentofitsclientsandhelpsthembecomemoreresponsibleandproductivemembersofsociety.AmongtheservicesofferedatBAMHousearesubstanceabusecounseling,spiri-tualcounselingandBiblestudy,vocationalandemploymentresources,12-steprecoverymeetingsandpersonalfinanceeducation.

ItisalsoaplacewherethemenfindaChristiancommunity.Theyareinvolvedwithserviceprojectsthroughouttheweek,andoftenworkalongsidechurchmembersinaministrythathelpselderlyandpeoplewithdisabilitieswithyardworkandhomerepairsanddeliversdonatedfurnituretothepoor.

“IntheshorthistoryofBAMHousewehavealreadybaptizedtworesidentsandhadonecommithislifetoChristianmin-istry,”Zayasbazansaid.“Noteverystoryendsinsuccess,buttherehavealreadybeenseveralmenwhowerehomelessandwith-outhope,whofoundjobsandpermanenthousing,reconciledwiththeirchildrenand,mostimportant,foundpurposeinChrist.”

By contributing writer Sue H. Poss, Greenville, S.C.

learn | To learn more about the missional ministry grant,

contact Rick Bennett at (800) 352-8741. To order

“It’s Time,” call The CBF Store at (888) 801-4223.

baM house director Kevin Means, right, works with members of trinity baptist Church, raleigh, n.C., to renovate the house.

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Church locator

Spotlightresource

Is your church looking to partner with other congregations in your area or in a different part of the country? Do you want people

looking for a cbF church in your area to be able to find your church? the Find-a-church tool on the cbF web site can be the key to finding partners in ministry or allowing them to find you.

the Find-a-church page displays cbF part-ner churches on an interactive map and lists a church’s address, phone number and web site. with more than 2,000 people using the tool every month, this online resource is one of the most visited pages on the cbF web site.

to list your church, send an e-mail request-ing placement on the cbF Find-a-church to [email protected]. the information will be added in our database, and within 72 hours, you should be on the site.

if you have any questions about this resource, contact Joel mclendon at [email protected] or (800) 352-8741.

16 | f e l l o w s h i p ! S e p t. / O c t. 2 0 0 8


Hope journey

CBF helps migrantsstruggling to survive

in North AfricaEditor’s notE: due to global security concerns, names and specific locations of some CBF field personnel will not be publicized.

It’sachillymorning,butJean*hasstillarrivedearly.Helikestobeatthechurchtogreetthefirstperson,whocanarrivewellbeforethesuncreepsabovetheNorthAfricanskyline.

By8a.m.,thechurchcourtyardisfullofmigrantsfromacrossAfrica.Manyarecold,hungryorsick.Andthat’swhythey’vecome—toseeifthisCooperativeBaptistFellowship-supportedministrythathashelpedmorethan5,000migrantscanhelpthem,too.

Limitedresourcesmeanonlythefirst50peoplecanbehelpedtoday.ThoseluckyonestakearelievedseatinthechurchandmeetJames*andRuth*,wholeadthemigrantassistanceministry.

Eachpersonisheretotelltheirstory—apainfulaccountofsurvivalthatJamesandRuthknowalltoowell.FormigrantssuchasJean,thestorybeginsintheirhomecountry.DesperatetoescapepovertyandcivilwarinCongo,JeanflednorthwithdreamsofreachingEurope.There,hecouldfindajobandsendmoneyhometosupporthisfamily.

Butgranddreamsfadedquickly.CrossingtheSaharaDesertmeantsurvivingbanditsandhumantraffickers.Rapeiscommon.Foodisscarce.Theheatisbrutal.ButJeanislucky;hesurvived—oneinthreedon’t.

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YetonceinNorthAfrica,JeanwasunabletocrossintoEurope.Manytry—eitherbysmallboatorfakeimmigrationpapers—andmanyarearrested,ordishonesttransporterstaketheirmoneyandleavewithoutthem.

“Itriedmybesttoleavethisplace,toleavethiscontinent,”Jeansaid.

Today,eachofthe50gatheredwilltellsimi-larstories,whichnotonlyincludetheharrowingtrans-SaharajourneybutalsodiscriminationinNorthAfrica,wheremosthavenolegalstatus.

Manylandlordswon’trenttothem,andtheoneswhodochargedouble.Theycan’tgetjobsandfewhavemoney,so15peoplemightsleepinasingleroom.Worseyet—becausethegovernmentdoesn’trecognizethemaslegalresidents—manymigrantsareharassed,someevenabusedorbeaten.

Brigitt*,originallyfromSierraLeone,saidlifeisverydifficult.It’slikelivinginaprison,aprisonwheresomepeoplethinkit’stolerabletothrowrocksatherwhenshe’swalkinginherneighborhood.

“Thesimplefactofbeinglabeledillegaldoesn’tgivesomeonetherighttohurtyou,”Jamessaid.“These[mi-grants]arejustsovulnerable.Theyhavenorights.”

Atanypoint,migrantscanbearrestedanddeported:takeninthenighttothedesert,wheretheyaredroppedwithoutfood,waterormuchchancetosurvive.Thepracticeexcludesnoone,notevenpregnantwomenorchildren.

Amidsomuchfearandpain,thisministrycanbringsuchhope.Inthechurchbalcony,

Ruth—anurse—listenstosymptomsandmakesnotesofwhoneedsmedication.Manylocalclinicswon’ttreatthem,sothe$1,000worthofmedicinetheministrybuyseachmonthistheonlyaccesssomehaveto

antibioticsandotherdrugs.It’salsotheonlyplacetheycangetdentalcareoreyeglasses.

Downstairs,Jamesandotherssitonachurchpew,

listeningempathicallytostoriesandmakingnotesofwaystohelp.OnemanleavesthechurchwithaBible;anotherwithacoat.Ofthenearly700coatsand1,750blanketstheministrydolesouteachwinter,onegoestoayoungmothercuddlingherwide-eyedinfantinanewblanket.

partner with ministriesFor information on partnering with this north african ministry, send an e-mail to [email protected].

above: at a clandes-tine church service in a cramped apartment, african migrants raise hands and voices in worship.

right: a Cbf-supported ministry helps more than 140 migrants each week with basic needs.

each year thousands of sub-Saharan africans flee poverty and violence by migrating north. lucky to survive the desert journey, many get stuck — unable to reach europe and unable to return home. in a region where many have no legal status, this Cbf-supported ministry is the only assistance some migrants receive.

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“We’remeetingspiritualandphysicalneedsjustlikeJesus,”Ruthsaid.

GiftstoCBF’sOfferingforGlobalMissionshelpfundtheministry,andmorecontributionsmeanmorecanbehelpedwithemergencyhousing,foodandotherbasicneeds.WiththousandsestimatedenroutetoNorthAfrica,themassmigrationshowsnosignsofslowing.

“Africaisrichinresources,butthepovertyiskillingus,”Brigittsaid.“Wehavetocomeheretofindabetterlife.”

Whilenotthelucrativesuccessthesemigrantsdreamedof,theministryhasprovidedstart-upfundsformorethan460income-generatingproj-ects.Omarrepairsshoesandpurchasedmaterialswiththefunding.Now,asheprovidesforsomeofhisfamily’sneeds,hefeelsasenseofhopethathecantakebackcontrolofhislife.

Long-term,thesolutiontothismigrationcrisisliesincountriesovercomingthedisease,violenceandpovertythatpushpeopletoflee.Scholarshipsprovide38Africancollegestu-dentswiththeopportunitytolearnskillsthatcanfurtherdeveloptheirhomelands.

“Iftheircountrywasdeveloped,[mi-grants]wouldn’twanttoleave,”Jamessaid.“Noonewantstoleavetheircountry.”

Butuntilthathap-pens,therearethou-sandsmoreacrossAfricawonderinghowviolence,povertyand

diseasecouldmakelifeanyworse.AndsotheydreamofEuropeandabetterlife—andwillcontinuetocomenorth.

By CBF Communications

online — Go to www.thefellowship.info/give. For questions regarding online giving, contact [email protected].

Mail — Use the contribution envelope included in this issue and make your check payable to cbF.

phone — call cbF toll-free at (800) 352-8741.

Cooperative Baptist FellowshipP.O. Box 450329 • Atlanta, Georgia 31145-0329www.thefellowship.info(800) 352-8741

Ralph and Tammy Stocks

RalphandTammyStocksserveasCooperativeBaptistFellow-shipfieldpersonnelinHungary,

ministeringtotheRomanypeople.Background:TheStockswerecom-

missionedasCBFfieldpersonnelin1994.AnativeofNorthCarolina,Ralphtaughthighschoolfor10yearsbeforeservingwiththeFellowship.Tammy,aMissourinative,workedasanursefornineyears.

Ministry:AstheStocksministeramongtheRomany,theylookforuniquewaystosharethegospelandencourageRomanytoworkamongtheirownpeople.

“Eachdayisunique,”Tammysaid.“OnedayRalphmaybeloadingupthecartotakeonegroupfromonevillagetoencourageanothergroupofRomainadifferentvillage.Wemaybetakinggroceriesorclothestofamilieswehave

heardofthatareingreatneed.RalphmaybegoingtoameetingoftheRomaMissionsCommitteeoftheHungarianBaptistUnion.Wemaybemeetingwithpastorstoplanevangelisticoutreaches,backyardBibleclubsorRomaconferences.”

Distinguishedbytheirdarkhairandcomplexion,RomaareaminorityinHungaryandoftenexperiencediscrimination.Mostliveinpoverty,andtheiropportunitiesforemploymentandeducationarelimited.

“OurdreamistoencourageandnurtureyoungRomaChristianmenandwomenwhowillministeramongtheirpeoplesothatwearenolongerneeded,”Tammysaid.“Wehopetoseethegospelbeingspreadwithouthindrance.WealsohopetoseeotherEuropeansaccepting

theRomanypeopleandworkingtoreachouttotheminspiteofthedeeplyingrainedprejudicesoprevalent.”

a new Communityin October, adults using the new Affect magazine will be studying the work of ralph and tammy Stocks among the

roma Gypsies in hungary. adults will learn how the Stocks utilize the gifts and energy of short-term workers to enhance

their ministry and create community among some of the most despised members of their society. adults will be

challenged to examine their communities and reach out to those who are unloved around them. For more information

about the new Affect magazine for adults, visit www.missionseducation.org.

Spotlightfield personnel

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sept/oct 2008 fellowship! magazine

Documents