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"Give a Man a Fish...."

by Patricia Hernandez

"You know the saying: 'Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.' To me, ABC-MI is like this."

Pastor Van and his wife Rosemary

So said Rev. Van Lian, pastor of the Battle Creek Chin Baptist Church, describing how thankful he was for the support of ABC-MI and the resources extended. From the first grant that was given, about 20 people have now completed driver's education classes, received their driver's licenses, and are well on their way to self-sufficiency.

Through the continued support of ABC-MI, the Chin Baptist Church recently was awarded a grant through National Ministries to continue their refugee resettlement work. With this grant Pastor Van plans to continue to enable new refugees to learn English, obtain driver's licenses and secure employment.

New Drivers

As human rights abuses have continued and persecution has increased, thousands continue to flee Burma for refugee camps in Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia where they live in harsh conditions for years. With the rise in human rights violations, the US State Department has eased restrictions on Burmese refugees resulting in a higher influx than usual.

In Battle Creek alone the number of refugees arriving has doubled from what it was last year and more are expected to come. As a result, the Battle Creek Chin Baptist church has seen its congregation double. On a recent Sunday, 14 new members were received into membership and more are expected.

New Members

Securing employment in these economically difficult times is often a challenge, especially for those who are still learning English. However, about thirty of the new refugees have recently secured employment at Packerland, a meat packing and processing plant in Plainwell, MI. Pastor Van himself is going to be helping with language interpretation. The greatest need right now is transportation. Although many have now received driver's licenses, most do not have vehicles. If you have a vehicle that you could donate or if you like to make a contribution towards the purchase of a vehicle, please contact the Region office (800 632-2953).

As for Pastor Van, he is thankful to be in Battle Creek and thankful to be part of this family of Baptists. If you would like to read his journey of coming to Battle Creek, you may do so in the Sowing Seeds of Ministry booklet or by clicking on the following link: http://abc-mi.org/?q=node/381.

ABCUSA General Board Considers New Denominational Structure At June Meeting

The ABCUSA General Board, at its June meeting, received for first reading a restructure proposal, coming from the General Executive Council (GEC) and General Board Executive Council (GBEC). Dr. Williams, ABC-MI executive minister, notes the following highlights of the proposal:

The Board of International Ministries (BIM) and the Board of National Ministries (BNM) would no longer be interlocking boards as created by SCOR/SCODS forty years ago. While still inter-related, they would not be interlocking.

The General Board would be eliminated and a Board of General Ministries (BGM) of approximately thirty members would be formed for the purpose of serving as the legal board of the ABCUSA, address ABCUSA identity, fundraising, ecumenical functions, and staffing the proposed mission summit, biennial, and proposed National Leadership Council.

A national leadership development pool would be created to identify present and emerging leaders for denominational service. BIM, BNM, BGM, and MMBB would draw members from this pool. Every ABCUSA entity would be invited and encouraged to submit names to this pool. > > > Read the rest of the proposal and Dr. Michael Williams' Comments.

Tell Your Church's Community Outreach Story at Annual Equipping Event

Is your church actively seeking to provide ministries that impact your community? Do you provide after school programs, clothing or food banks, senior adult programs, support groups, caring for the environment, etc. that help your congregation give hands and feet to their faith? If so, we'd like you to share your story at the ABC-MI Annual Equipping Event and Annual Meeting on October 17-18 at First Baptist Church in South Haven.

Our theme this year, "Reaching Our Communities with Good News and Good Works," will provide us with the opportunity to explore and become excited about opportunities to flesh out God's redemption and transformation in our communities. Please help others catch the vision by providing the example of how your congregation impacts your community. We will have an exhibit area where you can display printed information as well as have someone available to talk with attendees. Space is limited, so please respond by July 31, 2008 if you are interested. We can also include printed information in the packets given to attendees. You can email Trina Knox at the Region office for details or to express you interest in sharing, tknox@abc-mi.org.

Arrivals, Departures, Celebrations, Concerns

§ The Rev. George Lambrides, former pastor of First Baptist Church, Ann Arbor, will retire on June 30 after eleven years of service as staff chaplain at the University of Michigan Health System. During his career he has provided services to a wide range of patient populations, including those in need of palliative care. His passion has always been working with patients and their families.

§ New Hope Baptist Church of Bay City has called Pastor Lee Austin as bivocational pastor beginning August 1. Dr. Ross Lucas has done an exceptional job serving as their interim for over two years, guiding them through a process of renewal, healing, and refocusing of their ministry. New Hope is one of three churches that are engaged in the "New Birth, Living Hope Initiative", a five year turn around plan designed for churches who desire to form a more hopeful future of ministry to their community. > > > Read more about Pastor Lee.

§ The Rev. David Ford will begin his bivocational ministry at Huntly Memorial Baptist Church in Niles on August 1. David and his wife Rebecca express their excitement about returning to Michigan to serve the Lord after being gone for 30 years. God redeemed David from over 25 years of drug addiction and called him into ministry in 1981, which David answered in 1991. > > > Read more about David Ford.

§ The Rev. Frank Feltis comes to Clarklake Community Church from Burton Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, MI. He also served an American Baptist Church in Oskaloosa, IA. Frank is a second career pastor who spent 27 years as a professional firefighter in his hometown of Sioux Falls, SD, retiring in 1996 as a captain. He went to North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, where he received his Master of Divinity degree. > > > Read mre about Frank Feltis.

§ West Highland Baptist Church, Milford, has called Andy Gibson as full time Minister of Education and Youth, effective immediately. The Rev. Tom Roberts is senior pastor at West Highland.

§ The Rev. Alan Rogers has resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church, Battle Creek, effective June 29, due to health reasons. He has retired to his summer home in Indiana, while he decides where to settle in a warmer climate. We wish Alan God's blessing and health.

§ The Rev. Don Verner has resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church, Saginaw, effective May 30. Don will be staying in the Saginaw area, seeking God's leading for his next place of ministry.

§ The Rev. Dr. Michael Bryan has resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church, Plymouth, effective May 30. The church has voted to explore a merger with a Southern Baptist church in Plymouth in an effort to see both ministries strengthened. Rev. Bryan is staying in the Plymouth community and is seeking God's leading in a variety of employment opportunities.

§ Dr. Joe Kutter, former ABC-MI pastor at Cherry Hill and Royal Oak, and more recently senior pastor at First Baptist Church Topeka, KS, will become acting executive director of the ABCUSA Ministers Council. See full news release at http://tinyurl.com/5v7u8y.

Missionary Wayne Niles to Visit Michigan in October

Katherine and Wayne serve as seconded missionaries to Interchurch Medical Assistance in Democratic Republic of Congo. They are involved to full time service with IMA/ECC affiliated health and development activities in Congo. They both serve as liaison officers for IMA in matters related to HIV/AIDS and Maternal Health projects throughout the Africa continent.

Wayne serves as the in-country liaison officer with IMA for financial and accounting matters. Additionally, Wayne has been helping Congolese people through a development project to grow more food. Among other activities, the project distributes new seeds, disease resistant varieties of crops, and offers women's groups small loans to purchase machines for hulling, milling, and producing oil.

Katherine works with a group of Congolese Christian professionals to train community leaders, urban and rural, to be promoters of health in their communities. The staff of a church-related health center in Kinshasa is also using her expertise to make their medical ministry more holistic as they care for urban poor people.

Wayne will be flying to Michigan in October to connect with our ABC-MI churches and people. He is eager to share the ministry they are doing in the Congo with you. Dates are still open for Oct. 13-18. Please contact Debbie Hart, Mission Assistant at the Region Office to schedule this opportunity for your church. This can be done by calling 800.632.2953 ext. 221 or dhart@abc-mi.org. Thank you and feel free to call anytime with your questions and requests.

Formation of New Ministry Leadership Group for Clergy Spouses

by Patricia Hernandez

In its effort to prioritize clergy health, ABC-MI recognizes the unique and challenging role of clergy spouses. Roy Oswald of the Alban Institute notes that burnout amongst clergy spouses is as high as for clergy themselves. Unspoken expectations and unfair demands can stress the best of spouses as they strive to respond to changing roles while claiming God' s call in their lives.

If you would like to be part of a Ministry Leadership Group for clergy wives, please contact Pat Hernandez (phernandez@abc-mi.org). The group will meet Saturday, July 19 and Friday, July 25 from 10am Ð 1:30pm at the St. Francis retreat center in Dewitt, with lunch included. You may choose either time -- though you are welcome to come to both! -- as the group decides on the best time to meet. I look forward to being in touch! If you are a male spouse of a clergy woman and are interested in being part of a group, please contact me as well.

North Area "Pastor's Idea Share"

by Todd Regester

Five North Area pastors met on June 19 for an enthusiastic and practical discussion on sermon ideas and resources. We brainstormed topics for future discussion and agreed to change the timeframe to encompass lunch. That was way we can get a little more done in the office before the meeting, and, well, one has to eat anyway, right?

So here's the plan. We'll skip July (enjoy another piece of summer) and resume on August 21, meeting at 11:30 am at the LaVilla Restaurant (8372 North Saginaw) in Mt. Morris. If we have enough people we can use the back room. The plan is to keep meeting on the third Thursday each month.

Upcoming topics: (to be arranged and changed by agreement)

‡ How to minister to first and second generation Christians at the same time (our August topic)
‡ How to move the church towards outreach
‡ Succeeding in marketing and advertising your church
‡ Deeping the prayer life of your congregation
‡ How to build disciple-making relationships with the "pre-saved"
‡ Best ideas for church leadership development
‡ How to distinguish between God's vision for you and the church
‡ How to raise the bar on transforming education
‡ The meaning, practice, and preparation of church membership

Come prepared to share, to hear, and to learn! See you in August! Blessings!

Small Church Ministry

by Ron Cary

Greely Baptist Church in Lachine (near Alpena) is a small rural church where the Rev. Bruce Rubin has pastored for almost 20 years. The church, and many of its members, especially senior adults on fixed incomes, struggle in these difficult economic times. Recently Pastor Rubin discovered that a number of older church members were not attending church regularly as they had been for many years. When he inquired about their absence they told him they had a hard time paying for gasoline for their cars. For some it was a choice between gasoline and other more pressing needs like food and medication. So, the church, small as it is, found an opportunity to invest $1,000 in a used 15 passenger van which they purchased and now use on Sunday' s to pick up anyone who needs a ride to church. Pastor Rubin said they will continue this ministry " as long as the van holds out!" The Greely Baptist Church has been faithful in their support of American Baptist Churches since 1881. Pray for them!

Short Notices

From The Ministers Council -- "Minister 2008," published by the ABCUSA Ministers Council, focuses on the theme of transition. A number of stories from persons in ministry bear witness to the changes that often occur for clergy. These stories can strengthen and sustain others as they travel through times of transition. Included in this edition of "Minister" are stories of transition written by David and Erica Van Brakle. David is pastor of the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church in Saginaw, and Erica, a recent seminary graduate, is currently working on a Clinical Pastoral Education program. Read their contributions and those of other ABC colleagues at www.ministerscouncil.com/documents/summer08minmag.pdf.

Friendship House Golf Outing: Attention all golfers. Please see this flyer for infomation about Friendship House's 3rd Annual Golf Outing on September 27. This is a fund raiser to support the ministry of friendship and harvest house. Put your foursomes together and call to reserve your spot! We are also looking for hole sponsors and raffle door prizes. -- Dennis Trezona.

The Central Area has planned a fellowship event for seniors on Thursday, September 18, at Olivet Baptist Church, Lansing, starting at 11:00 A.M. The event will include lunch and a program by Mandy Bashore. Mandy has been in full timeÊministry as a singer, speaker, and dramatist for ten years. Through her music and speaking Mandy shares a message that is inspiring and encouraging. The cost for the event is $5.00 and you can register by calling Olivet Baptist Church, 517-887-0988.

American Baptist clergywomen have planned a one-day conference at St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, on September 30, 2008. Led by the Rev. Dr. Mary Ellen Ashcroft, the event is called Quickening the Art Spirit: Kindling and Encouraging Vitality of Faith Through Questing, Quieting, Creating. The brochure and registration form are available in two PDF files: here and here. Dr. Ashcroft is chaplain and professor of English at Kalamazoo College. She is known as a scholarly storyteller whose books allow readers to live alongside Jesus and followers such as Mary Magdalene, Lydia, and Martha.

Lansing, Michigan -- Church World Service is urging congregations, groups and individuals here in Michigan to help flooded out Midwest families by assembling Emergency Clean-up Buckets. In response to massive needs between now and July 30, Church World Service is asking that completed Emergency Clean-up Buckets be dropped off at its Elkhart, Indiana, office (28606 Phillips Street, Elkhart), Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Church World Service provides the clean-up buckets and supplies to enable communities to begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up after a flood, hurricane, tornado or other disaster. (Because of the volatility of some of the contents, Emergency Clean-up Buckets are not shipped internationally.) > > > Read on for more details about the Emergency Clean-up Buckets.

Camp Lael is looking for few people to serve on their board. Have you had a passion for camping? Have you or your families had fun or been enriched by attending camp? We meet a minimum of four times a year and enjoy working for God's outdoor kingdom. If you are interested in serving, contact Gary Vanek at vangm@aol or 248-585-9377. Sixty percent of the board members must be American Baptists.

The current issue of Prayer Call for ABC International Ministries is online at http://abc-mi.org/elink/prayer-call.pdf.

The Friendship House Newsletter is now provided in both PDF and DOC formats. The DOC format is a much smaller file and will take much less time to acquire on slow dialup connections. Read it in PDF at http://abc-mi.org/elink/fh.pdf or in DOC format at http:abc-mi.org/fh.doc.

The next issue of E-Link Online will be published on July 28, 2008. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by July 24.

Editor's Trips

Disclaimer: listing of these references does not imply endorsement of positions or policies advocated in them by either the American Baptist Churches of Michigan or the editor of E-Link Online. They are provided here for further thought, discussion, and inquiry. Caveat lector. Suggestions for "Trips" and readers' comments are welcome. Send to editor@abc-mi.org.

The Editor

»»  Can one be an evangelical Christian and believe in evolution? Check out this Salon article: http://tinyurl.com/4xw7c5.
»»  Analyzing and responding to peoples' felt needs is a common approach through which churches hope to reach people. This article from Out of Ur argues to the contrary, based on the way Jesus' made use of miracles (http://tinyurl.com/5w6pb3).
»»  An ancient tablet containing 87 lines of Hebrew text suggests that belief in a Messiah who would rise from death after three days was already in circulation among Jews before Jesus came along. See this article on the debate about death and resurrection (http://tinyurl.com/6nxnew).
»»  Thomas Jefferson found much of the Bible not to his liking so he put together his own. Check out The Jefferson Bible (http://tinyurl.com/5sjt2f)
»»  Survival technique for Iraqi Christians: paying off those who threaten to kill you (http://tinyurl.com/65zxwl).
»»  The gospel is good news, not good advice. (http://tinyurl.com/6e6e55)

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