Events at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan., this fall ranged from the Kansas Safe Schools Summit to the KNCSB Men’s Retreat. During the retreat, men learned of their crucial roles in leading their families to join God’s work.

“What is God’s call in your life?”

Hands shot up all over the room when Jim Burton asked participants in the KNCSB Men’s Retreat if they struggle with this question. The annual retreat was held recently at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan.

The retreat focused on the theme “Built for Significance.” Burton wrote this three-session study that helps men answer the question, “Why am I here?”

Burton is team leader for mission education at the North American Mission Board. He started his career as a photojournalist. While working for the Topeka, Kan., Capital-Journal in the early 1980s, God called him to the ministry. He was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Topeka. Gene Hawkins, the church’s pastor at the time, helped Burton define God’s calling.

“Built for Significance” challenges men to follow the example of Noah, whom Burton called “one of the best models of being an on-mission dad.”

The topics of the three sessions of “Built for Significance” are:

• “Calling All Men: The Potential of Men on Mission”—Genesis 6:5-10
 
• “What’s the Call About: The Plan of Men on Mission”—Isaiah 43:1-2
   
• “You Have an Appointment: The Purpose of Men on Mission”—Philippians 1:16

 
Many problems in today’s society stem from absent fathers, Burton said. This absence is not only physical, but emotional and spiritual as well. He warned of the dangers of emotional absence—“being home every night but not being there.”

Christians are created with the purpose of being missional. “It’s all about saturating this globe with the gospel.”

Concerning Noah, Genesis 6:8-9 tells how he found favor with God and walked with Him. God chose him to fulfill the mission of building the ark. Although this calling seemed crazy to the people around him, Noah persevered.

“From man’s perspective, this was a crazy idea,” Burton said. But Noah’s obedience led his sons and daughters-in-law to join him.

Burton asked his listeners if their calling from God is so compelling that their wives and children will join them.

He challenged the men to be intentional disciple makers. One way to do this is through working in Royal Ambassadors, the Southern Baptist mission education program for boys in grades 1-6.

A veteran RA leader was one of the retreat participants. Bob Drake, from First Southern Baptist Church, Lawrence, Kan., has been working with RAs since 1974.

“You have one of the most experienced RA guys in the nation in your convention,” Burton said of Drake.

Many resources are available for men’s ministry. John Lucas is the KNCSB director of men’s ministry. Call him at KNCSB, (800) 984-9092 or send e-mail to

Find more information on “Built for Significance” at Baptist Men on Mission on the NAMB Web site.

Men’s Fraternity is another popular resource in men’s ministry. It is a series of three year-long studies:

• “The Quest for Authentic Manhood”
 
• “Winning at Work and Home”
 
• “The Great Adventure”

All worship/music leaders in Kansas-Nebraska Southern Baptist Churches are invited to attend and bring their families. Jan. 5 is the registration deadline. For more information, call Carol Moore at KNCSB, (800) 984-9092 or send e-mail to

Matt Tullos will be the featured speaker. He is senior pastor of Bluegrass Baptist Church, Hendersonville, Tenn. Tullos previously served in various roles at LifeWay Christian Resources.

Tullos has written more than 700 dramatic sketches for worship and 10 books. Visit his blog

His wife, Darlene, is also a writer and actress. She runs a performing arts academy at Bluegrass Baptist Church called Epiphany Performing Arts Academy.

Members of Eudora Baptist Church, Eudora, Kan., celebrated the dedication of their new building on Sunday, Nov. 8. Baptist Builders for Christ constructed the 12,000-square-foot facility. However, church members played a crucial role in completing the building in only five months.

Eudora Baptist Church, Eudora, Kan., celebrated the dedication of its new building on Sunday, Nov. 8, with challenges to reach area residents for Christ.

Baptist Builders for Christ chose Eudora as a 2009 project. Nine-hundred volunteers from 26 states helped construct the 12,000-square-foot facility. It is located on the south outer road of Kansas Highway 10, the highly traveled artery between Lawrence and Kansas City.

Outside volunteers played key roles. But church members made the crucial difference in completing the building in only five months. Marvin Bass and Jim Scubelek from the church served as local project supervisors.

Pastor Kevin Wood chose 2 Chronicles 7:1-15 for the text of his dedication sermon. This passage is about the dedication of Solomon’s temple.

“We are done building a building, but there are thousands around who don’t know Jesus,” he told the overflow crowd.

Wood reminded the church that completing the building is a beginning, not an ending. Along with focusing on the local community, the church is planning to partner with a church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. KNCSB has a partnership with that province.

In addition, church members already are looking forward to joining the 2010 Builders for Christ project. This network of building volunteers will be constructing the new chapel at Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City. Read Baptist Press story

The dedication service also paid tribute to the late Wilbur Noble who founded the church in the early 1950s. His widow, Barbara, attended the service.

Vacation Bible School Jumpstart Clinic
March 6, 2010
First Southern Baptist Church, Salina, Kan.
Registration deadline: Feb. 22
Contact: Barbara Spicer at KNCSB, (800) 984-9092,

Minister of Education Network
April 6, 2010
Baptist Building, Topeka, Kan.
Contact: Barbara Spicer at KNCSB, (800) 984-9092,

National Sunday School Director Seminar
April 16-17, 2010
Metropolitan Baptist Church, Wichita, Kan.
Registration deadline: March 29
Contact: Barbara Spicer at KNCSB, (800) 984-9092,

Heart of the Child
Regional Children’s Ministry Conference
April 16-17, 2010
First Baptist Church, Broken Arrow, Okla.
Contact: Debbie Carter at
Find more information

Christian author Judith Miller was the keynote speaker for the 2009 KNCSB Church Library Conference. Here, she signs copies of her latest novel, “The Carousel Painter.”

The ultimate purpose of a church library is to help lead people to Christ and help them grow in their faith.

“If we ever lose sight of that vision, we might as well close our doors,” Eva Nell Hunter said during the 2009 KNCSB Church Library Conference. Hunter is a national church library consultant with LifeWay Christian Resources.

The annual event was held recently at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan. Church librarians received inspiration and technical training to make their ministries more effective.

One of the conference highlights was an appearance and book signing by Judith Miller. She is a full-time Christian writer living in Topeka, Kan.

She launched her writing career with well-known Christian author Tracie Peterson serving as her mentor. They co-authored these series: “The Bells of Lowell;” “Lights of Lowell;” and “The Broadmoor Legacy.”

Miller also has written two series on her own: “Freedom’s Path,” set in Nicodemus, Kan.; and “Postcards from Pullman.”

Miller told how losing her job in a law office ultimately led to her writing career. After losing that job, she ended up commuting from Junction City, Kan., where she lived at the time, to work for the State of Kansas in Topeka.

The idea for her first book developed during her two-hour daily commute. Although she didn’t realize it, Tracie Peterson worked just down the hall. The two got acquainted, and Miller’s writing career was launched.

Miller also staged a book signing for her latest novel, “The Carousel Painter.”

She told how God always makes the details come together when she is doing research for a book. “It’s just God in everything.”

Miller is now working on a series set in the Amana Colonies in Iowa. “Somewhere to Belong” is the first book in the series, although the publication date has not yet been announced.

He was pastor of First Baptist Church, Lyndon, Kan., in the early 1980s while studying at Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City. He currently was serving as pastor of Main Street Baptist Church in Georgetown, Texas.
A memorial service was held at First Baptist Church, Corsicana, Texas, on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 13. Burial was in Oddfellows Cemetery in Georgetown, Texas. A second memorial service was held at Main Street Baptist Church in Georgetown on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 14.

Memorials may be sent in his name to the building fund of Main Street Baptist Church’s Ministry Center, 1001 Main St., Georgetown, TX 78626.

• Sign an on-line guest book

Scores of well wishers came to the KNCSB annual meeting to honor Peck Lindsay (left) and his wife, Sue. Lindsay is stepping down on Dec. 31 after serving nearly 40 years with the convention. Among the well wishers was Jimmy Barrentine, executive director of the Baptist Convention in Iowa.

A man who has shunned the spotlight throughout his entire ministry career reluctantly came out of the shadows during the KNCSB annual meeting.

The meeting was held Oct. 12-13 at Country Acres Baptist Church, Wichita, Kan. It honored R. Rex “Peck” Lindsay, who is stepping down on Dec. 31 after serving nearly 40 years with the convention. Lindsay has served as KNCSB executive director since 1977. He joined the convention staff in 1971 as director of missions.

Sharing the spotlight with Lindsay was his wife, Sue. She helped develop the KNCSB church library ministry into a nationally recognized program.  She also has worked tirelessly in the KNCSB archives preserving the convention’s history.

Although Peck Lindsay is at the age when many people retire, that word is not in his vocabulary. He and Sue will continue to be involved in ministry.

The KNCSB Pastors’ Conference, which preceded the annual meeting, featured a question-and-answer session with Lindsay. Steve Holdaway interviewed Lindsay. At the end of the annual meeting, Holdaway finished a two-year term as KNCSB president. He is pastor of LifeSpring Church, Bellevue, Neb., on the south edge of Omaha.

The convention had about 100 churches when Lindsay joined the staff in 1971. It has since grown to about 400 churches and missions.

However, Lindsay deflected praise aimed at him. He told Holdaway, “The real heroes, Steve, are the men and women who have stayed in tough places.”

Meeting participants included 391 messengers and 231 registered visitors. During business sessions, messengers approved the 2010 KNCSB budget of $5,752,476.

Officers elected were:

• President: Ron Pracht, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church, Wichita, Kan.
 
• Vice president: John Shields, pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, Lexington, Neb.

Officers re-elected were:

• Recording secretary: Bryan Jones, pastor of Tyler Road Southern Baptist Church, Wichita, Kan.
 
• Assistant recording secretary: Gloria Garner, member of First Baptist Church, Burlington, Kan.
 
• Historian: Tony Mattia, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Wamego, Kan.

The 2010 KNCSB annual meeting will be held Oct. 11-12 at the Ramada Inn Convention Center in Kearney, Neb.

Eighty-five players from 13 churches participated. This was a 5-percent increase over the previous year’s participation. The tourney started at 9 a.m. and concluded mid-afternoon following a luncheon, fellowship and awards time.

Prizes were awarded for the top three foursome finalists in two flights and also for: the longest drive; longest putt; and for the ball closest to the pin.

Drawings were also held for assorted door prizes and gift certificates were presented. The weather was ideal and the course was in excellent condition. Players donated $375 to KNCSB boys’ and men’s ministry while enjoying the tourney fellowship.

The tournament winners and prize recipients were:

Championship Flight:  
• 1st Place Team: Lenexa Baptist Church, Lenexa, Kan.
 
• 2nd Place Team: Trinity Baptist Church, Pittsburg, Kan.
 
• 3rd Place Team: Ogden Baptist Church, Ogden, Kan.

First Flight:  
• 1st Place Team: First Southern Baptist Church, Salina, Kan.
 
• 2nd Place Team: Lenexa Baptist Church, Lenexa, Kan.
 
• 3rd Place Team: Vista Baptist Church, Olathe, Kan.

Awards:  
• Longest drive: Ron Gillette, Lenexa Baptist Church, Lenexa, Kan.
 
• Longest putt: Clark Johnson, First Southern Baptist Church, Topeka, Kan.
 
• Closest to Pin: Gerald Appelhans, First Southern Baptist Church, Topeka, Kan.

KNCSB promotes sports evangelism as a way to reach others for Christ and enhance Christian fellowship among believers. The 2010 golf tourney will be held on Sept. 25.

The theme was: “Getting Fit for God’s Mission.” The Congress continued the exciting format begun in 2008—being hosted by a church that has a very active Royal Ambassador ministry.

The Congress was attended by 78 boys, church counselors and staff. Thirteen churches and associations were represented. Adult church members and youths served as counselors and various other volunteer capacities to provide help with indoor and outdoor fun events, training sessions and by cooking meals.

Eric Reese, an International Mission Board missionary serving in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, was the missionary speaker. His testimony inspired the boys and men to follow God and seek His will every day. His example of unselfish service for Christ to the poor and needy in Brazil touched his listeners’ hearts. Several boys shared with their counselors that they had dedicated their lives to Christ.

Royal Ambassadors or “RAs” is a Bible-centered, church-based, Southern Baptist mission education organization for boys in grades 1-6. A Royal Ambassador’s life is guided by commitment to a life centered in God’s will and a life of accountability as evidenced in the RA Pledge:

“As a Royal Ambassador I will do my best:
  To become a well-informed, responsible follower of Christ;
  To have a Christ-like concern for all people;
  To learn how to carry the message of Christ around the world;
  To work with others in sharing Christ, and
  To keep myself clean and healthy in mind and body.”
   
The foundation for the name “Royal Ambassadors” and its purpose are derived 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.

For more information, contact me at 800.984.9092 ext. 817, or by e-mail at

• Learn more about Royal Ambassadors

(John Lucas is the KNCSB director of men’s ministries.)

“Interpersonal skills are critical at work, in your home, at church, and around your neighborhood,” says an article on the LifeWay Christian Resources Web site.

Michael Zigarelli offers tips for improving people skills. He is professor of management at Charleston Southern University and the editor of the Web site “Christianity9to5.”  Read more

• Find more information about housing
 
• Visit the Web site of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Send resumes to the PBA office at 221 NE 12th St, Guymon OK 73942. The phone number is 580.338.6259 and the e-mail address is

Lenexa Baptist Church reached out to a local apartment complex on Saturday, Sept. 26, during an event called “S.O.S.” (Submitted photo)

Lenexa Baptist Church, Lenexa, Kan., touched lives and shared Christ on Saturday, Sept. 26, during a community outreach event called S.O.S.

S.O.S stands for:

• Serving each other and the community
 
• Observing the needs around us
 
• Sharing our lives and the Gospel

Church members partnered with the Quivira Place Apartment complex in Lenexa. They made repairs to the playground, served lunch, provided carnival games and a Kidz’s Street Live performance.

It was a huge success with more than 100 residents benefiting from lunch and improvements to their playground area.

Many hearts were touched and four decisions were made. The next evening three more decisions were made.

Steve Dighton is the church’s senior pastor. He is a KNCSB past president.

Lenexa Baptist will play host to the 2011 KNCSB annual meeting.

• Visit the church’s Web site

Students from 15 campuses in Nebraska and Kansas descended on Webster Conference Center Sept. 25-27 for the annual KNCSB fall collegiate retreat. Veteran campus minister Max Barnett used the retreat theme to tell the students how to live “A Life that Counts.” (Photo by Nate Sapp)

By Priscilla Sapp

Nearly 450 students from across Kansas and Nebraska gathered Sept. 25-27 at Webster Conference Center for challenging messages, authentic worship, relevant workshops and late-night entertainment.

The students came from 15 campuses and filled the Webster chapel. Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson, Kan., and Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan., attended for the first time. And a group came all the way from the University of Wisconsin.

Built around the theme, “A Life that Counts,” Max Barnett, the keynote speaker, encouraged students to make an eternal difference by knowing for sure that they had a personal relationship with the Lord.

Building on that foundation, the students were encouraged to make God’s Word a priority in their lives by having a daily quiet time with the Lord and memorizing key verses. And as they grow in their faith and walk with the Lord choosing to live in obedience faithfully sharing their faith and passing on what they have learned to others.

Barnett served as Collegiate Ministry Director at the University of Oklahoma from 1967-2004. He and his wife Sandra continue to serve as State Collegiate Ministries Director in Colorado as well as teaching at two seminaries and other speaking engagements.

One freshman attending said, “Max was an encouraging speaker who is passionate about getting our generation to be passionate about Jesus Christ.” 

The Anthem Band led the worship for the weekend. Coming from Ames, Iowa, this group writes music and leads worship that targets the next generation. Students singing of their faith and commitment to the Lord inspired and encouraged those attending.

One student stated, “I came to Fall Conference to meet people and grow a stronger relationship with those I already knew; however, I didn’t realize that I would be moved by the worship and convicted to start becoming a disciplined believer.” 

River Community Church Training Program, Wichita, provided dinner on Friday night and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary provided ice cream that evening.

Workshops were led by a variety of both collegiate ministry leaders and others who have a heart for students.  Across the Webster campus students met with God every morning and throughout the day gathered together to discuss what they had heard and learned and how to make practical application to their lives.

During the last session on Sunday morning as Max shared about eternal life with God or eternally living separated from God, one student sat and spontaneously shared both the Romans Road and the Bridge illustration with a fellow international student. What a picture of a life that is choosing to make a difference in the lives of those around her for eternity!

As these students consistently live a life that counts, they will impact their campuses, their communities, Kansas and Nebraska, and the world.

The Pridemores, who are from Kansas, formerly served in Brazil for 22 years. They sent this e-mail update:

“We praise God for the privilege of serving Him in Europe at this time. We appreciate your prayers as we begin with all the research, building relationships, adjusting to life in the huge and beautiful city of Madrid, and most of all beginning to build a strategy based on all that we begin to observe and research.

“We will be the first of our team to arrive in Europe. Please pray for visas and other details for all our team to arrive. These are exciting days for revival of the good news of Christ in Europe. We pray for God’s leadership in all that we do.

“We really do count on your prayers. Please check our site regularly for weekly (at times daily) prayer requests and praises.”

• Visit the Pridemores’ blog

Kelly Minter, an author, speaker, singer and song writer, was the featured speaker for Wonderful Weekend for Women 2009. A book signing featuring Minter proved to be popular.

Follow God wholeheartedly through life’s difficulties.

That was one of the challenges issued to 450 participants in the KNCSB Wonderful Weekend for Women.

The annual event was held Sept. 11-12 at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan. Kelly Minter, an author, speaker, singer and song writer, was the featured speaker. Learn more about Minter on her Web site

Minter spoke on “Ruth: Loss, Love and Legacy.” She examined Ruth, her mother-in-law Naomi, and Orpah, her sister-in-law. Each woman had suffered heartbreaking losses but dealt with them differently: Ruth followed God wholeheartedly; Naomi followed God but clung to her bitterness; and Orpah turned away from God.

Kelly Gandy, who serves in student ministry in Colorado Springs, was the featured missionary. The featured musicians were “Always, Only,” the women’s ensemble from Metropolitan Baptist Church, Wichita, Kan.

The women learned of great spiritual needs in Colorado Springs. Only 10 percent of the population attends church, Gandy said. That is despite the city being the home of such Christian organizations as Focus on the Family and the Navigators.

Gandy and her husband, Bill, work with students in Pike’s Peak Baptist Association, home of 30,000 students. They previously served at First Southern Baptist Church, Pratt, Kan.

The Gandys’ main focus is leading the Baptist Student Union at the Air Force Academy.

“These are incredible students. [They] are going to be influencing our entire nation.”

Gandy challenged WWW participants to “be a missionary right where you are.”

In other activity, the women learned the KNCSB women’s department has a new name: KNCSB Women’s Leadership. To learn more, visit the new Web site

In 2010, Wonderful Weekend for Women will be held Sept. 17-18 at WCC. Author and speaker Angela Thomas will be featured.

Bob Mills will become the new KNCSB executive director on Jan. 1, 2010. He will serve as executive-director elect until Peck Lindsay steps down on Dec. 31. With Mills is his wife, Lynne. They have been married 25½ years.

The KNCSB Mission Board voted on Friday, Sept. 4, to call Bob Mills as the new KNCSB executive director, effective Jan. 1, 2010.

Mills will serve as executive-director elect until Peck Lindsay steps down on Dec. 31. Mills is KNCSB director of missions. He came to KNCSB in 1998 from the former Home Mission Board (now North American Mission Board). Before that, he held several ministry positions in Kansas.

The search committee for a new KNCSB executive director was formed after the 2008 KNCSB annual meeting when Lindsay announced his plans to step down after nearly 40 years with KNCSB.

After a nine-month search, the committee presented Mills to the Mission Board as its choice to succeed Lindsay.

The board spent more than an hour deliberating in executive session. All non-board members were asked to leave the room. After going back into regular session, board members voted by ballot on whether or not to call Mills. The vote was 40 in favor and 3 against.

Steve Holdaway explained the committee’s nine-month search in a letter to Mission Board members that recommended Mills as the candidate to succeed Lindsay. Holdaway is KNCSB president and served as chairman of the search committee.

“We took this task quite seriously, started our search with a clean slate, and honestly evaluated each candidate based on his own merit.

“After the initial deadline for receiving resumes had expired, we felt that we did not have enough resumes to conduct the most comprehensive search possible. Therefore we extended the deadline and received several more good resumes from qualified candidates from all over the country.

“We then prayed, examined resumes, deliberated, and compared candidates to the qualifications set forth by pastors, directors of missions, and leaders across Kansas and Nebraska.

“Under the Lord’s leadership, we then whittled down the list to just a few candidates and began to check references. We then spoke with these candidates and carried out interviews.

“As this was happening, the Lord began to remove from our consideration good candidates one by one. The result: the Search Committee came to a point of Spirit-led clarity on whom to recommend. We therefore recommend to the Executive Board that they vote to call Dr. Bob Mills as our next Executive Director.”

Holdaway continued, “Bob’s competence, leadership, giftedness, integrity, marriage, family and ministry resume have all been tested and approved on many levels including the Home Mission Board, the North American Mission Board, the KNCSB when he was elected our State Director of Missions in 1998, and now with the current Search Committee.”

After the results of the vote were announced, Mills thanked board members for their confidence in him to serve as the next KNCSB executive director.

Mills told of his desire to see healthy, outward-focused, reproducing churches across Nebraska and Kansas.

Then he introduced his wife, Lynne: “The best thing about me is my dear wife Lynne. We’ve been married 25½ years.”

“If you understand the country, that is phenomenal,” said Terry McIlvain, KNCSB director of youth ministry.

June 2009 marked the second KNCSB mission trip to Tokyo, the largest city in the world with 33.8 million people. Evangelical believers comprise only one half of one percent of the population.

Japan is a country that is open to the gospel. “But it’s very, very dark [spiritually]. It’s dark because it’s a land of 8 million gods,” McIlvain said. The major religions are Buddhism, Shintoism and ancestor worship.

Campers at Super Summer 2009 were offered the chance to participate in the June 6-18, 2010, KNCSB mission trip to Tokyo. The effort is a partnership with I Go Global, which chooses the team members. Applications were due in late August.

The 2009 KNCSB team was divided into “Trek Teams” by color. This was similar to the team colors for the B.L.A.S.T. games at Super Summer.

Prayerwalking was an important part of both the 2008 and 2009 KNCSB teams.

“We prayerwalk whole sections of the city,” McIlvain said. “We have joined with others that have saturated that country with prayer.”

That emphasis on prayer helped create spiritual victories, such as the three people who accepted Christ during the 2009 trip, he said.

Along with prayerwalking, the KNCSB teams use a variety of outreach activities, such as “5-Minute English.” These impromptu lessons lead to spiritual conversations by asking such questions as “What’s your favorite book?” 

“For Tokyo: A Prayer Journey” calls 5-Minute English an “incredible outreach tool. Many times these encounters lead to an opportunity to talk further, and many people have come to Christ.”

Kansas-Nebraska Southern Baptists are urged to begin praying for the 2010 KNCSB mission trip to Tokyo. Each team member will need to raise about $3,000.

Churches in these conventions, including Kansas-Nebraska, can apply Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2009. The student preachers will be available March 14-17, May 16-19 and May 23-26, 2010.

Southwestern Seminary pays for student transportation to and from the field of service. Churches are asked to provide meals, lodging and local transportation. For more than 50 years, the spring revival evangelism practicum at Southwestern has helped Southern Baptist churches, chapels and missions across Canada and the United States host revival meetings.

For church application forms and other information, visit the spring revival evangelism practicum’s Web site

None of the events is in Kansas and Nebraska. But several are within a reasonable driving distance, including the June 25-26 conference in St. Louis, Mo. Living Proof Live will be held Nov. 19-20, 2010, in Rapid City, S.D.

• Find more information about the St. Louis event
 
• Learn more about the Rapid City conference

Along with work projects, the group will attend worship sessions. Floyd Smith will be the Bible study leader. He is a retired WCC staff member and is interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Douglass, Kan.

Mandy Horsman of Cambridge, Kan., will be the worship leader.

The cost is $20 per person, and Oct. 1 is the registration deadline. For more information, call Jana Gifford at KNCSB, 800.984.9092, or send e-mail to

Campers in Week 4 of Super Summer 2009 sang praises to God and then headed outside for the B.L.A.S.T. tournament.

Campers at Super Summer 2009 were challenged to rebel against the culture and be positive witnesses for Christ.

The camp theme was “Rebellion,” based on Romans 12:2.

This year’s total attendance was 2,815. A total of 128 campers accepted Christ as their personal Savior. Sixty-three students indicated that God is calling them into vocational Christian service.

A strong call to repentance came from Ryan Fontenot, camp pastor for Weeks 3 and 4.

He urged campers to repent of sin and “rebel to action. What are you doing for the Lord? You have the most energy you’ll ever have in your life right now.”

Fontenot also challenged campers to share Christ with their friends and family.

“God has given each of you a realm of influence,” he said.

This year’s Super Summer offering totaled $16,512. It will be used to help pay for the gym floor in the new multipurpose building at Webster Conference Center.

“Students will be using that floor for many, many years because of your gifts this week.” That is what Greg Savage, a member of the KNCSB Youth Evangelism (Y.E.S.) staff said during Week 3.

“Giving is an act of worship,” he reminded.

Kansas-Nebraska Southern Baptists are urged to pray that campers will live the decisions they made at camp.

• See photos from Super Summer

Project organizers hope Eudora Baptist Church, Eudora, Kan., will be in its new building by mid-October. Hundreds of volunteers have worked this summer to make the new building a reality.

Nine hundred volunteers from 27 states have worked this summer on the new building for Eudora Baptist Church, Eudora, Kan.

Baptist Builders for Christ chose Eudora Baptist Church as a project this year. Eudora is in a rapidly growing area on Kansas Highway 10 between Lawrence and Kansas City.

Builders for Christ is a network of volunteer teams that “assist Southern Baptists in building churches in locations which appear to be in significant need of evangelism,” its Web site says. 

Past projects by Builders for Christ in Kansas-Nebraska were at:

• First Southern Baptist Church, Salina, Kan.
 
• New Covenant Community Church, Lincoln, Neb.
 
• Louisburg Southern Baptist Church, Louisburg, Kan., and at Pearl Street Baptist Church, Paola, Kan., in a joint project.

In fact, a group from Paola worked in Eudora in early August.

Project organizers hope the 12,000-square-foot building will be completed by mid-October.

Country Acres Baptist Church, Wichita, Kan., will play host to the 2009 KNCSB annual meeting.

The 2009 KNCSB annual meeting will be held Oct. 12-13 at Country Acres Baptist Church, Wichita, Kan.

“Run,” based on Hebrews 12:1-2, will be the theme. The meeting will honor R. Rex “Peck” Lindsay, KNCSB executive director, and his wife, Sue. Lindsay is stepping down after nearly 40 years with KNCSB.

Messenger pre-registration
Churches were asked to pre-register messengers by Sept. 4. For more information, call Peg Davis at KNCSB, (800) 984-9092, or send e-mail to

KNCSB Pastors’ Conference
Monday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Activities will begin on Monday, Oct. 12, with the Pastors’ Conference at Country Acres Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Brian Harbour will be the featured speaker. Harbour retired in 2007 from a 41-year career as a pastor. He now leads an organization called Seminary PLUS that trains and mentors pastors.

The Pastors’ Conference also will include remarks by Peck Lindsay. KNCSB President Steve Holdaway will lead a question-and-answer session with Lindsay before lunch.

A boxed lunch, by advance reservation, is being offered during the Pastors’ Conference. Oct. 1 is the reservation deadline. The cost is $7.50 per person. Send checks to KNCSB at 5410 SW 7th St., Topeka, KS 66606.

Tea Time for Ministers’ Wives
Monday, Oct. 12, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wichita
A carpool will leave Country Acres Baptist Church at 1 p.m. and return by 4 p.m. Patti Boswell, KNCSB ministry wives consultant, will lead this event. She is pastor’s wife at Immanuel Baptist Church. Please RSVP to Boswell by Oct. 1 at

Kansas-Nebraska WMU Annual Missions Celebration
Monday, Oct. 12, from 4:15-6:15 p.m.
Country Acres Baptist Church, Wichita, Kan.
The featured guests will be Jon and Priscilla Sapp, long-time missionaries in Africa, and John Mark and Cheryl Hansen, who work with Chinese people in Central America.

Dinner is included with this meeting, so pre-registration is required by Sept. 28. Please contact Heidi Nelson at KNCSB, (800) 984-9092, or send e-mail to

KNCSB annual meeting session 1
Monday, Oct. 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Country Acres Baptist Church, Wichita, Kan.
This session will feature the president’s message by Steve Holdaway and will honor Peck Lindsay and his wife, Sue. A reception for the Lindsays will follow. The KNCSB Singing Men will provide special music.

KNCSB annual meeting session 2
Tuesday morning, Oct. 13
8:55 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.
This session will include election of officers and the annual sermon by Enrique Bluvan, Hispanic church planter strategist in Western Kansas Baptist Association.

KNCSB annual meeting session 3
Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 13, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Various reports will be presented, and new pastors and staff members in KNCSB churches will be introduced.

KNCSB annual meeting session 4
Tuesday evening, Oct. 13, 7 to 8:15 p.m.
This session will feature the keynote address by Harry Lewis. He is the senior strategist for partnership missions and mobilization at the North American Mission Board.

Afternoon workshops during KNCSB Hispanic Super Summer covered a variety of interests, including preaching, music, drama and sports evangelism. One of the more unusual—and popular—workshops gave campers a view of life in the military. Carlos Bluvan (standing), camp co-director, is a veteran of the U.S. Marines. He led campers through a somewhat kinder and gentler version of Marine boot camp.

KNCSB Hispanic Super Summer continues to grow.

The sixth annual camp was held June 22-26 at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan. It kicked off the 2009 KNCSB summer youth camps as it did in 2008. “Rebellion” was the 2009 camp theme, based on Romans 12:2.

This year’s camp saw a total attendance of 134 people. This was up from 120 in 2008.

Juan Carlos Veloso, Hispanic pastor in Bellevue, Neb., had just arrived on the field in 2008. He and his wife came by themselves to Hispanic Super Summer. But this year they brought 22 campers.

Jess Bluvan and his wife, Darlene, are starting a new Hispanic ministry in east Topeka, Kan. Although their ministry is just beginning, they were able to bring one camper to Hispanic Super Summer.

“I was excited that [they] were able to bring one,” said his brother Carlos Bluvan, who served as camp co-director. Jesús Leal of Great Bend, Kan., was the other camp director. His wife, Francis, is a sister of Jess and Carlos Bluvan. Their parents are Enrique and Francisca Bluvan. Enrique Bluvan is Hispanic church planter strategist in Western Kansas Baptist Association.

During evening worship sessions, camp pastor Abraham Arevalo used the “Rebellion” theme to help campers learn how to be positive rebels for Christ. Arevalo is Hispanic church planter strategist in Heart of Kansas Southern Baptist Association.

Morning classes were divided by gender. Ed and Luisette Kraal were the teachers. They are from the Caribbean island nation of Curaçao. The Kraals are students at Rio Grande Bible Institute in Edinburg, Texas.

Summer missionaries from Rio Grande Bible Institute played key roles in operating the camp.

Afternoon workshops covered a variety of interests, including preaching, music, drama and sports evangelism. One of the more unusual—and popular—workshops gave campers a view of life in the military. Carlos Bluvan led that session. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marines. Bluvan led campers through a somewhat kinder and gentler version of Marine boot camp.

In 2010, Hispanic Super Summer will once again kick off the KNCSB summer youth camps. The dates will be June 21-25.

Hospitality sites around the legendary Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha ministered to College World Series fans. This year marked the 10th year of ministry by 9th Inning Ministry during the College World Series.

By Jay A. Dess
President, 9th Inning Ministry
The 2009 College World Series was our 10th and finest year for 9th Inning Ministry. Several key statistics were:

College Baseball Breakfast
The Omaha Baseball Breakfast with Brian Hommel as the keynote speaker resulted in numerous decisions for Christ. His message was a great, impactful message of Adam and Eve and the power of Christ in our lives today.

We had about 400 folks attend and it was a great time. Prizes were given away, and two North Carolina players shared—Mike McKee, senior catcher, and Adam Warren, pitcher, fourth-round draft pick of the New York Yankees.

Chase Jones, North Carolina catcher, and Larry Gallo, North Carolina Assistant Athletic Director, attended and were also recognized with six other North Carolina teammates.

Andy Stankiewicz, assistant coach for the Arizona State team, introduced his eight team members attending. In an interview, he told of his better life since Jesus Christ. Andy spoke at our seventh annual Omaha Baseball Breakfast and instructed in the 9th Inning clinics. He spoke highly of the impact 9th Inning Ministry has made over the years and its major impact around the College World Series.

Also Khiry Cooper, Husker wide receiver and fourth-round draft pick in baseball to the Angels, was interviewed by John Knicely, WOWT Channel 6 anchorman, who has served as our emcee for nine years. John always does a great job.

Baseball Clinics
We held 4 baseball clinics and had over 413 in attendance—277 kids and 136 adults—at the clinics this year. God blessed with great weather both in Omaha and Lincoln. What a great time! Results were also very impactful with many of them accepting Jesus Christ. Brian Hommel, former Milwaukee Brewer pitcher for five years; Eric Christopherson, first-round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants and pro player for nine years; Bob Herold, former professional player and Kansas City Royals hitting coach and currently coach at the University of Nebraska-Omaha; and Eric Newman, Husker pitching coach, spoke to the kids/parents at the Zorinski clinic. All did a great job and great work for Christ.

Hospital visits
Brian Hommel, Eric Christopherson, and Bob Herold, all former professional ballplayers, visited 38 patients at University of Nebraska Medical Center and prayed with them and their parents. The patients were given autographed baseballs, testimony cards, and crosses. What a wonderful and faithful witness these professional ballplayers had on the staff at UNMC as well!

Hospitality sites around Rosenblatt Stadium
We had our five sites open during the entire College World Series. Thousands upon thousands received their bottle of ice-cold Thirst No More water® and had an opportunity to read the gospel message on every label. We handled over 60,000 bottles throughout the series. We will hand out water at Faith and Family night for the Omaha Royals’ game later this summer.

Volunteers:
This year was the year of new volunteers making the 9th Inning Ministry a success for reaching people for Christ and exhibiting the “Fruit of the Spirit.” We had several groups from outside the city and as well as from Omaha helping. They were: First Baptist Church of Elmhurst, Illinois; First Baptist Church of Leakesville, Mississippi; and West View Baptist Church of Paragould, Ark.

Omaha groups were: Life Spring Church; Morning Star Lutheran; Harrison Street Baptist Church; Chandler Acres Church; Calvary Temple; Westside Church; Grace Fellowship Church; and Children’s Square USA, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

More than 400 volunteers helped hand out water during the series and helped at the clinics. Grand total for all the volunteers this year was over 750.

The new retreat, “Built for Significance,” is a recent development by the North American Mission Board. The event will start at 6 p.m. Friday with dinner and conclude on Saturday at 5 p.m. with a worship-and-praise service.

Jim Burton, Mission Education Team Leader at NAMB, is the retreat’s developer. He describes it as a way to help men align with God’s mission in their life and family. It is an experience designed to help men answer the question, “Why am I here?”

Burton believes every Christian man should feel his life counts for something. “Do we men have a process to help us know that ‘We are built for significance?’ Well, I believe we are, but what does that mean? The ‘Built for Significance Men’s Mission Retreat’ is a three-session study on subjects concerning God’s call to men for missions.

In addition to the retreat’s three sessions, there will be three worship-and-praise services, 24 different classroom breakout sessions and a group prayer session. Each attendee will receive a workbook that will help him to discover why he is significant.

More than 200 men are expected to attend this year’s retreat. Evaluations and feedback from previous years has clearly indicated that men earnestly appreciate this event.

Jim Burton and a team from NAMB will lead the retreat itself, and another 24 presenters with knowledge and skill in various areas of ministry will lead the breakout sessions. Those men attending will discover what all men should know, “They are built for significance by God.”

This year’s event builds on last year’s retreat when men learned how God, through Christ, molds men into what they were meant to become in The Kingdom of God.

Some of the breakout sessions will cover these topics: Chaplaincy Ministry; Disaster Ministry; Being A Christian Man In Today’s World; Back To the Heart of Worship; Men In Prayer; Marriage and Communication In Marriage; Starting Men’s Ministry In the Church; Evangelism Training; How Men Deal With Conflict; Men Dealing With Emotions; Men Dealing With Grief and Loss; New and Exciting Ways To Do Ministry; and Meeting the Needs of Hurting People.

A mailing to all KNCSB churches will occur in July with registration information and breakout session selections. Friday, Oct. 2, will be the registration deadline.

Anyone wishing to have information on Baptist Men’s ministry may contact me at 800.984.9092, ext. 817, or send e-mail to lucas-john_kncsb@cox.net

Wayne Poling, Sunday School specialist with LifeWay, brought enthusiasm and a wealth of knowledge to the National Sunday School Directors Seminar in Omaha.

Sunday School should be a bridge that connects lost people to Christ.

A breakout seminar during the National Sunday School Director Seminar focused on “Connecting Your Sunday School with the Unchurched.” The event was held recently at Eastern Nebraska Baptist Association in Omaha.

Dean Abernathy urged the Sunday School directors to look at ways they can help their churches reach out through Sunday School. He is a Sunday School specialist at LifeWay Christian Resources.

Abernathy based his remarks on the book, “The Unchurched Next Door” by Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay.

A Profile of the Unchurched:

• The unchurched are not anti-church.
 
• Most unchurched persons believe in heaven and hell.
 
• Moments during or immediately after a crisis provide key opportunities to share Christ. “These crisis times are when a person is more receptive to hearing the truth,” Abernathy said. Churches need to minister during crises in order to earn the right to share the gospel.
 
• They are nervous but willing to discuss matters of faith.
 
• Most have a fairly high view of the Bible.
 
• Most would rather talk to a layperson than a minister about religious matters.
 
• Easter is still a key time to invite the unchurched to attend church.
 
• Many wonder why Christian neighbors/co-workers do not invite them to church.
 
• Most of the unchurched have a spiritual view of life.

10 Surprises about the Unchurched:

• Most prefer to attend on Sunday morning if they attend.
 
• Females are likely to be the most antagonistic or the most receptive to the gospel.
 
• Most of the unchurched feel guilty about not attending church.
 
• 82 percent are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited.
 
• Very few have had someone share with them how to become a Christian—Christians are not particularly influential in their lives.
 
• Most have a positive view of pastors, ministers and the church.
 
• Some types of “cold calls” are effective; many are not.
 
• The unchurched would like to develop a real and sincere relationship with a Christian.
 
• Their attitudes may not be correlated to where they live, their ethnic or racial background or their gender.
 
• Many are far more concerned about the spiritual well being of their children than of themselves.

Peck and his wife, Sue, have shunned the spotlight throughout their time with KNCSB. But they have touched thousands of lives.
What are your memories of Peck and Sue? How have they touched your life or the life of your church? Send your tributes by July 18 to:

Jeff & Nancy Cokely
1463 Missouri Rd.
Iola, KS 66749-3948
Attn: Lindsay book

Volunteers are now being recruited for summer teams:

• Aug. 16-22

Elijah “Touch” Touchton, an electrical contractor from Pittsburg, Kan., is team leader for KNCSB rebuilding efforts in the Ike zone. Under Touchton’s leadership, KNCSB teams concentrate on electrical wiring.

There is place for everyone on the teams, regardless of skill level. However, there is a continuing need for skilled workers to serve as team leaders.

For more information, contact Touchton at 620.230.9962 or

Hurricane Ike quickly faded from the headlines as attention turned to the unfolding meltdown on Wall Street.

KNCSB is working with Nehemiah’s Vision, a ministry of First Baptist Church, Vidor, Texas, 10 miles east of Beaumont.