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WEB DESIGN
Does your churches website need to be freshened up, or does your church need a web presence? Please fill out the questionnaire and submit it to iba@interstatebaptist.org and let us help you find the best solution and pricing.
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MISSIONARY MOMENTS
December 12-18, 2011
GREG and LAURA SHARPE are church planters among the "H" people of western Africa. They have seen the Lord work in amazing ways over the past few months, healing people and drawing them to Himself. During an evangelism training seminar they hosted for national pastors and evangelists, two "H" men became believers. The Sharpes also taught a group of pastors how to share Bible stories. "The pastors have told us that they plan to teach their churches how to share the stories about Christ," Greg and Laura say. In their own village, they have recently heard six people enthusastically respond "Yes!" to Jesus. Your prayers and your sacrificial gifts through CP and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering are making a difference among the largest people group in Africa. Pray for the Sharpes and for more of the people of western Africa to receive God's gift of etrnal life through Christ.
___________________________
DON WILLIAMS serves as the Criminal Justice Ministries Coordinator for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Don and his wife, LORI, work with chaplains, volunteers, inmates, and families in prisons and jails throughout the state. Countless lives are changed by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even in prison, thanks in part to your willingness to put love in action through CP. Pray that God would call workers to the ministry field of our jails and prisons and that the Holy Spirit would allow the Williamses to see lives changed by the saving power of Jesus Christ. |
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Religious Restriction
Nearly one-third of the world's total populaton (more than 2.2 billion people) lives in nations where government restrictions on religiou rose significantly over the last decade. In 12% of these areas, restrictions on religious practices and beliefs grew more severe in the last three years.
Source: Pew Research Center, August 9, 2011 |
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THE ADVENT
Jesus is the true Shepherd who searches out and finds his sheep among the scattered flock. His sheep know him, and they follow his voice. Our Savior is our Shepherd of Love during the Christmas season or any time of the year. Jesus Christ died on the cross and his substitutionary death brings the abundance of life to mankind.
 | | BluefishTV-Advent_3_-_Love_English_Version_.mpg |
As Jesus Christ our Messiah and King came into the world in a lowly manger, the angels announced the good news that a Savior has been born. We need to proclaim the Joy that Christ brings during the Christmas season or any time of the year.
 | | Ever see a BlueFish?!? ADVENT- 4) Joy |
God Bless
Brent
*If you would like more videos like these, or would like to see all of the Advent videos that were produced by Bluefish TV. Please visit: www.bluefishtv.com.
*Also, please note that Pastor Dan Paxton at Lincoln Street Baptist church has a DVD that has all the Advent videos on it. He is willing to let any church use it. For more information, or to borrow this resource please contact him at dan@danpaxton.com.
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"Churches Coming Together To Help One Another!" |
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"Churches Coming Together To Help One Another!" |
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A CALL TO PRAYER
The month of January 2012 has been designated as a time for Southern Baptist to seek the face of God through prayer. The North American Mission Board is asking each of us to answer the call by praying for spiritual awakening for your family and friends, your church, your nation and your world.
Below, you will find a very important letter from Dr. Kevin Ezell, President of the North American Mission Board. Please read the letter and share the content with your pastors, churches, and their respective members.
Dear Partners in Christ,
As we enter into a season of celebrating the birth of our Savior and Lord, I am often reminded that we live in a world full of people who haven't yet experienced the peace that comes from having a relationship with the Prince of Peace. Southern Baptists recognize the need to see a spiritual transformation take place in our communities, nation and world, and they have responded by issuing a convention wide call to prayer. The SBC Call to Prayer is an intentional focus on praying for spiritual awakening in January 2012.
As we anticipate the new year, we are encouraging SBC pastors to choose a Sunday in January to lead their church through this special time of prayer. The North American Mission Board has prepared free resources for churches to use during this emphasis including the enclosed prayer cards. We have suggested five areas of prayer for Southern Baptists. These are located on the back of the card. Our hope is that the pastor will give a card to each member of their congregation to help guide them in focused prayer. Each church and association can order as many as you need by visiting...
www.namb.net/sbccalltoprayer or call 1-866-407-6262. You'll also find a downloadable video and presentation slide to use in your worship service. We also want to encourage you, your churches, and their respective members to use the SBC Call to Prayer page on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/sbccalltoprayer) to share who you are committing to pray for during January as well as prayer ideas and strategies.
I hope you will lead your associational churches to join with thousands of others across the Southern Baptist Convention in praying for a movement of the gospel that will impact the entire world.
For more information on the SBC Call to Prayer visit www.namb.net/sbccalltoprayer.
Serving Together,
Kevin Ezell
2012 Associational Missions Emphasis (AME) Materials
"IGNITING PASSION"
The materials for the 2012 Associational Missions Emphasis are now available! The North American Mission Board and the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Directors of Missions (SBCADOM) entered into a significant partnership to produce this year's materials. I very grateful to SBCADOM President Johnny Rumbough, his officers, and writers for an excellent job.
The materials are completely downloadable. Below you will find a link that will take you to the download page. You will find two options for download. One is for the "generic" version and the other is for those of you who wish to "customize" your materials.
Again, I want to give my warmest "Thank You" to the SBCADOM for their hard work and valuable partnership.
Link to materials: www.sbcadom-onlinestore.org
Blessings,
Stan Albright
National Director for Associations, NAMB
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"Churches Coming Together To Help One Another!" |
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LOTTIE MOON
Focus Scripture: Acts 1:8
If you are a follower of Jesus, you are part of the task to fulfill the Great Commission.
Paul says, "All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27). Jesus has commissioned us to be His heart, His hands, His voice. Through praying, giving and going, Southern Baptists have fulfilled this legacy for more than 160 years.
Yet, billions remain lost and time may be running out for them. We must pray more intentionally and give more sacrificially than ever before. Our churches must take direct responsibility for helping reach the nearly 3,800 unengaged, unreached people groups that missionaries may never be able to get to.
And, since most unreached people groups likely are represented in the world's urban centers, we have unique challenges and opportunities to reach the world through the cities.
What can you do? If you are a pastor or missions leader, you can lead your church to own the Great Commission as never before, to be an extension of His heart, hands and voice through praying, serving and unprecedented giving to engage the remaining people groups without access to the Gospel.
Individually and together, we are Southern Baptist missions!
 | | 2011 Lottie Moon Theme |
 Find all the resources you need to inspire, equip and engage members of your church. Experience God's heart through stories, explore resources to be His hands, find ways to be His voice.
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"Churches Coming Together To Help One Another!" |
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Cecil Sims, former Executive Director of the Northwest Baptist Convention went home to be with the Lord on December 7, 2011.
A memorial service will be held at the Northwest Baptist Convention, 3200 NE 109th Avenue in Vancouver WA on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.
Please be in prayer for Jeannine and the family in the days ahead. |
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"Churches Coming Together To Help One Another!" |
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Keeping Your Ministry Safe
The world of criminal records is confusing and fogged by misconceptons regarding access to and storage of criminal records. Let's continue clearing up those misconceptions.
- There are many rogue database and background screening providers who sell outdated criminal information.
- A good national criminal database provider will identify sources that provide bulk criminal data and will obtain and update information regularly.
So what are you to do? When you're comparing screening companies, always ask who, what, where, when and how much.
Start running checks now!
Need Help? Call us at 800.464.2799
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"Churches Coming Together To Help One Another!" |
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DISASTER RELIEF TRAINING
 Two Disaster Relief Training Events will be hosted by Region 2 Friday and Saturday, January 27- 28, 2012.
Basic Training, which is necessary for all new volunteers and must be retaken every three years, will begin at 6:00 p.m. Paul Henry will be the instructor for these classes. This training will be held at Safe Families Ministries in Chehalis. At Safe Families we will have rooms and meals for those who come from afar. No bedding is necessary. Come learn about these two missions: Safe Family Ministries and Disaster Relief.
Training for OPSCenter will be the same date and place and will start at 10 AM. This training is for those who are spiritually stable and strong in their church community. You need to be involved in Southern Baptist Disaster Relief for at least a year to take this training. There is limited space so pre-registration is required. OpsCenter is a web-based interface that allows personnel deployed to the field to access the same real-time information as those in offsite operations centers. This training will cover the data system used for tracking volunteers and equipment during a disaster. This data system will be used in all regions and is used by NAMB. Verna Kirsch and Kathy Anderson will be the instructors. Limited laptops are available, so please bring your own if you have one. If you don't have one, please include this information with registration.
Basic Training Fees:
Background check - $10.50
Training: Involving Southern Baptists in Disaster Relief (ISBDR) and Feeding 1 & 2
Housing & Meals - $15 per night or $5 per meal.
OpsCenter Training Fees:
Housing & Meals - $15 per night or $5 per meal
Materials - $10
Registration deadline - January 14, 2012 with confirmation and shirt size. Please e-mail: nwbroundtable@gmail.com.
Send payment to:
Disaster Relief
%Georganna Megentiy
14117 C Street South #AA
Tacoma WA 98444
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"Churches Coming Together To Help One Another!" |
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SWBTS CATALYST FOR REVIVAL
Dear Church Leader:
As a church who has offered leadership positions to Southwestern students before through our résumé service, I would like to invite you to partner with us in another capacity. The Revive This Nation Program (RTN) at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is an historic program aimed at serving Southern Baptists as a catalyst for revival. Since 1959, more than 5,500 students and faculty have spent a week during their spring semester preaching revivals and ministering in more than 4,850 churches. Revival preachers from Southwestern Seminary are eager to go, but we need partner churches to provide opportunities for our students.
What are some of the key features to this program?
Southwestern Seminary recruits churches to hold revival meetings in the spring and pays for the roundtrip transportation of students to these churches.
- The host church provides meals, lodging and local transportation for the preacher while they are on the field.
- Revival meetings generally begin on Sunday morning and end on Wednesday evening, March 11-14, 2012, providing students with five preaching opportunities. Alternative formats for the revival meeting are available if there are circumstances which prevent this schedule.
- The preacher partners with the pastor to engage lost people from the host community in evangelism during the day.
I would like to invite your church to participate in Revive this Nation. You may find more information and complete an application at
www.swbts.edu/rtn
If you, or someone you wish to refer to us, need any further information or require any assistance, please contact the Office of Student Services at Southwestern at 817-923-1921, ext. 7300, or by e-mail at rtn@swbts.edu.
Thomas White Vice President for Student Services and Communications
Associate Professor of Theology | School of Theology
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 2001 West Seminary Drive | Fort Worth, TX 76115 Post Office Box 22250 | Fort Worth, TX 76122
office 817.923.1921 x7370 | fax 817.921.8867
twhite@swbts.edu www.swbts.edu
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"Churches Coming Together To Help One Another!" |
Attached please find a Health Care Credit brochure explaining a possible insurance rebate for many qualifying churches. For a copy of the brouchure, click here.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Foundation.
Blessings on your ministry.
Karla Inman
Administrative Assistant
Northwest Baptist Foundation
(360) 882-2250 |
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"Pressing Toward The Mark..." Philippians 3:12-14 |
Thank you for reading. If there is something you would like to see and/or would like to add to the IBA Encourager Newsletter please send it to iba@interstatebaptist.org attention IBA Encourager. We would love to hear and share how God is working in your churches and communities. 
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