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Churches share celebration stories from Easter

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 14:36:33 -0400

At Converge, our goal is to give every person the opportunity to hear the gospel in a clear and compelling way, say "Yes" to Jesus, grow in their faith, be equipped to serve and be sent out. We've heard from dozens of Converge churches about how they saw God move in mighty ways this Easter season.

Thousands of people said yes to Jesus for the first time. Lives were changed forever by the power of the gospel. We pray you will be encouraged as you read these stories of the great things God has done throughout our movement. We are truly better together.

Bethel Church, Owatonna, Minnesota, celebrated 29 baptisms on Easter Sunday.

Church of Celebration Metro, Aubrey, Texas, had over 900 in attendance.

Church of Celebration, Maricopa, Arizona, had 1500 in attendance and 22 salvation decisions.

Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, Chandler, Arizona, had 12,332 in attendance during nine services over two days; 1,210 people stood to surrender their life to Christ, 153 recorded their salvation decision on paper and 138 indicated their rededication. The church also raised money for 18 wells in India, donating $6,640 ($10 for each of the 664 first-time guests).

Crosswind Church, Aurora, Colorado, filled its sanctuary to its capacity of 200 on Easter Sunday and celebrated the baptisms of nine people.

Crow Hill Bible Church, Bailey, Colorado, had 417 people attend Easter services, with over 100 people watching online.

Eagle Brook Church, Centerville, Minnesota, had 52,225 in attendance during 56 services across seven campuses.

Encompass Church, Parker, Colorado, had over 100 people attend its Good Friday service and 270 on Easter Sunday, including many first-time visitors. At the close of the service, 10 people indicated they prayed to receive Christ or reaffirmed their commitment to him.

Faith Mountain, Lakewood, Colorado, started the weekend with Easter for Lakewood, an event for families attended by over 2000 people that featured games, bounce houses, a pancake breakfast and thousands of candy-filled eggs. On Sunday, the church saw many new faces from the previous day’s event and had 10 people make a decision for Jesus and many others rededicate their lives to Christ.

First Baptist Church, Paso Robles, California, had an overflow crowd of about 1700 people attend its Easter service in downtown City Park. After pastor Gus Bess shared a gospel message, 30 people responded by giving or rededicating their lives to Christ.

Chris Meirose, senior pastor of Glory Baptist Church in Aitkin, Minnesota, said the church nearly doubled its previous largest Easter service attendance. The church added extra seating in its worship center and needed nearly every seat. “God is moving in our church!” the pastor said. “New families weekly, students giving their lives to Christ, youth group doubled in size, families finding peace and a place to grow in faith!”

Grace River Church, O’Fallon, Missouri, had 345 in worship and 2400 attended its helicopter Easter egg drop (pictured).

Heartland Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, had 3788 in attendance across four campuses and 469 worshiping online, resulting in 117 salvation decisions.

Lift Frisco, Frisco, Texas, a new church plant that launched in January, saw 175 people attend its Easter service and 12 people accept Jesus as Savior. The church celebrated its first baptisms April 8 as seven people made a public profession of faith, including two spontaneously. "It was such a powerful moment in the life of our young church," said pastor Grant Diamond.

Mission Hills Church, Littleton, Colorado, had 6,650 in attendance at its three sites, with 4,000 watching online. Sixty-seven people made first-time decisions for Christ.

North Hills Baptist Church, Lingle, Wyoming, had 418 in attendance and one salvation decision.

North Valley Community Church, Phoenix, Arizona, had 700 in attendance and 15 baptisms.

Orchard Church, Brighton, Colorado, had 5,345 people – including over 300 first-time guests – attend seven services over two days, with 220 saying yes to Jesus and coming forward to light a bulb on a cross to symbolize going from darkness to light.

Tim Birdwell, lead pastor of Phoenix Bible Church in Arizona, shared that a man whose daughter will be attending ASU Preparatory Academy (the church’s meeting location) next fall saw the church’s sign at the school, came on Easter, gave his life to Jesus and got baptized.

Redemption Bible Church, Mount Prospect, Illinois, baptized five (the first in its new church home), set an attendance record and had about 100 people attend an egg hunt after service.

Redemption Church, Belvidere, Illinois, had its highest attendance of the year, four salvation decisions and scheduled five baptisms for April 8.

Renovation Church, Blaine, Minnesota, reported that despite a snowstorm and freezing temperatures, 1877 people attended services and an egg hunt outreach, resulting in 41 salvation decisions.

Rise Church, Visalia, California, saw almost 800 people attend one of its four Easter services and 24 people accept Jesus as Lord. Church volunteers put on passion play for the kids, complete with live animals and a reenactment of the last 12 hours of Jesus’ life, followed by his resurrection (pictured). Thirteen children made first-time decisions to follow Christ at the end of the performance.

RockPoint Church, Schertz, Texas, had 309 in attendance over three services.

Paul Weir, lead pastor at Simi Community Church, Simi Valley, California, reported that SCC had its best-attended Easter service ever, and three people committed their lives to Christ on Easter Sunday.

Stapleton Church, Stapleton, Colorado, added a third service and had 575 in attendance, an increase of over 100 from 2017. Eleven people made a decision to follow Jesus.

Sun Valley Community Church, Arizona, saw a record attendance of over 14,400 across its campuses, with 364 people saying yes to Jesus. “It was a great weekend, and we believe the best is yet to come,” said Tempe campus pastor Kyle Glenn.

The Springs Church, Tucson, Arizona, set an attendance record of 702 and saw two salvation decisions.

Converge missionaries J.J. Alderman and Azlyn McCarthy witnessed nine baptisms (pictured) and five salvation decisions at their newest Togo Palms church plant in Togo, West Africa.

Trinity Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida, which has been focusing on building an evangelistic culture among its people, had 400 more people in attendance on Easter Sunday than last year.

Clark Pfaff, senior pastor at Valley Brook Community Church, North Granby, Connecticut, said the church was blessed to have almost 750 people attend its Easter services, with over two dozen people accepting Christ.

Four years ago, Valleybrook Church, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, nearly shut its doors for good. This Easter, scores of families took a step of faith and invited friends, neighbors and other family members to hear the gospel, resulting in the largest-attended service at Valleybrook in the past four years.

Vertical Church, Yuma, Arizona, had 1,962 in attendance and 44 salvation decisions.

VIA Church, Clovis, California, saw 1,089 people attend Easter Sunday services, with 10 making a public profession of faith through baptism.

Woodlands Community Church, Homewood, Illinois, enjoyed “an amazing time of celebration and redemption” during Easter, welcoming 290 people, including many first-time guests, on Easter Sunday.

It's not too late to add your church's Easter story to this list.

Michael Smith is a content specialist for Converge.

Sharing your faith in three easy steps

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 15:03:56 -0400

Sharing your faith with others doesn't have to be difficult. Try this easy three-step method to become more comfortable sharing your story.

“The best way to evangelize is to simply tell others what God has done for you and what he means to you," said Dr. Mark Strauss of Bethel Seminary in San Diego. "The transformation Christ has accomplished in your life is the best testimony you can share concerning the truth of the gospel.”

Sharing your faith doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it can be as easy as 1-2-3. The following three-step method has helped many people tell others about how they began their relationship with Jesus and what it means to them.

1. What my life was like before I followed Jesus

How did you feel? What were your plans and purpose in life? What did you live for? What kinds of things did you do? What did you believe?

2. Why/how I began following Jesus

What circumstances led you to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Why did you choose to follow Jesus? How did it happen?

3. What my life has been like since I began following Jesus

How has following Jesus changed you? How is your perspective different? What do you live for now?

Example

I was so heartbroken and filled with grief that even thinking about the future was painful. I no longer had hope or a purpose. A friend told me about how God will always be there and will give me hope and a future. Soon, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. Now I live knowing God has a plan and a purpose for my life that is so much greater than any plan I could have for myself.

Your turn

Follow the three steps to write your testimony below. When you are done, share it with others. (Tips: Pray before you begin writing. Write like you talk. Keep it short.)

1. Before I began following Jesus…

2. And, then (how I began following Jesus)…

3. Now that I am following Jesus…

Adapted from an article that will appear in an upcoming issue of Point magazine. Subscribe to Point for free.

Unfiltered: Real Church Planting Conversations podcast focuses on between-the-lines church planting issues

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Lee Stephenson and Danny Parmelee have firsthand experience with the highs and lows that come with being a church planter.

They are eager to share their experiences with fellow planters as hosts of a new Converge podcast dedicated to church planting called “Unfiltered: Real Church Planting Conversations.”

The first two episodes are available now at converge.org/unfiltered. Listeners can listen, download and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and Google Play.

Stephenson and Parmelee will kick things off by recording live from Converge Pre-Con + Exponential 2018 in Orlando on Feb. 26-March 1. Topics of discussion will include “Creating a culture of generosity,” featuring Converge president Scott Ridout, “Moving from portable to permanent,” and “Walking through seasons of pain in ministry.” There also will be a question-and-answer time with conference attendees.

Stephenson, who started and led Harvest Community Church in Mesa, Arizona, from 2009 to 2015 before becoming executive director of Church Planting for Converge, said that there are a lot of podcasts available that are intentional about how-to’s when it comes to church planting, but there aren’t a lot of conversations taking place about the “in-between-the-lines type of stuff.”

“We wanted to create a conversation about the oftentimes missed conversations that church planters benefit from—of just the process of planting and the mundaneness after you actually get the church up and running,” he said. “Dealing with people, dealing with the things that happen in the planter’s life. You may not realize that they’re actually normal—that everybody goes through them—because they’re not talked about.

“One of the reasons we named the podcast Unfiltered is because we just want to have really honest conversations, not tiptoe around issues, but just say, ‘Hey, this is normal. This is what I’ve seen in my life and other people’s lives. This is what I’ve overcome.’”

Stephenson said they plan to have special guests on the podcast, and he hopes it will be a beneficial resource to planters and those who are considering becoming a planter.

Starting in March, a new podcast will be released on the Converge website on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

“We will consider it a successful podcast if planters listen and go, ‘I resonate with that,’ or ‘I’m glad someone was willing to say what I was feeling and thinking,’” Parmelee said.

Parmelee served as pastor/planter of epikos church, with three campuses in Milwaukee, before becoming vice president of Church Planting for Converge MidAmerica in March 2017. He said there isn’t “one strategy” or “one model” that works for all church planters.

“The diversity of communities, cultures and norms has forced planters to contextualize their strategies. There is no doubt that this is a challenge. You can’t just pick up a playbook, run it and expect results,” he said. “I actually think that even though this is a challenge, it’s also a very healthy thing. This has forced church planters to become missionaries in their community and seek God on how to best establish a church.”

Parmelee said another challenge is that as the country overall becomes more post-Christian there is more resistance to church in general. “You can’t just open the doors and expect people to show up.”

Stephenson said church planters often feel under-resourced, specifically financially. He said understanding leadership development is key for church planters—knowing who to invest time in, what to do with them, how to move forward, and how to raise them up to be high-level leaders in the life of the church using their gifts to help facilitate the mission that God has given us.

Stephenson said having church planting experience makes it easier for him to talk with other church planters because he’s “been in the trenches.”

“When I meet with church planters, I can say I’ve been there,” he said. “That obviously gives you a level of credibility right off the bat being able to speak about the context that they’re in.”

Listen and download:

Unfiltered: Real Church Planting Conversations website

iTunes

Google Play

You might also like:

Converge church planting

Church Planting 101

Church Planting Assessment Center

Martin Luther King Day: The Power Of One Voice

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 14:32:49 -0400

As we turn to celebrate another Martin Luther King Day, in a year in which our nation will observe the 50th anniversary of his assassination, it is incumbent upon each of us to reflect on the values and principles on which Dr. King stood for and died for.

Admittedly, we have made some racial progress since 50 years ago. But it is no surprise that we still have a long way to go.

As a leader of all people, when fighting for civil rights in the face of oppression, ignorance and violence, Dr. King never chose fear. He always chose courage and determination. He refused to allow prison, violence and the threat of death to sway his mission. Instead, he stood firm on his goal of achieving rights for all through nonviolent protest and the power of his voice.

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend,” Dr. King wrote in his sermon Loving Your Enemies, which he included in his book, Strength to Love. He lived by and stood for the principle of non-violent resistance to a system that had oppressed and suppressed millions of people for over 200 years.

Even in an era where there was antagonism, cynicism and intolerance toward any and every difference, Dr. King stood for the human dignity and validity of every person regardless of nationality or ethnicity.

A responsibility to all people

“In the end,” said Dr. King, “we will remember not the word of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” In other words, Dr. King believed that those who have the ability to speak out against injustice, cruelty and inhumane treatment of any kind have a responsibility to do so for the collective consciousness of a nation that is losing its moral compass.

Dr. King famously stated, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Personally, I don’t believe Dr. King was referring to a fluffy kind of love that only sees the world through rose-colored lenses. I believe he had a different kind of love in mind.

The kind of love referenced resonates with those of us who have been transformed by the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is that kind of love that obligates us not to sit in the seat of the scornful, but to challenge the systems that will deny any person equal justice under the law and deny any person the dignity that comes from being born in the image of God. (See Gen. 1:26-27, Ps. 139:14, Rev.7:9.)

As believers, we have a responsibility to protect the human rights of all people. Jesus teaches us, “when you do it to the least of these” – i.e, fail to serve, protect, and fight for the oppressed and marginalized – “you do it unto Me.” (Matthew 25:40 paraphrased)

A lifelong fight to do the right thing

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable,” Dr. King wrote in his first book, Stride Toward Freedom. “Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifices, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertion and passionate concerns of dedicated individuals.”

He was attempting to challenge our country to prepare for a lifelong fight to do the right thing. In fact, the climate of our nation and our world should concern all true believers. Sadly, we are more divided as a nation now than we have been in recent history. There seems to be very few universal solutions in the foreseeable future.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Dr. King wrote from a jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama, after he was arrested for taking part in nonviolent protests in the city.

We have to ask ourselves this question: Is what is being done to the least of these and those who are the most vulnerable right? If not, what can we do individually and corporately to address the issues facing our nation and our world?

Dr. King stated, "A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.” An appropriate addendum is, “A man dies when he is silent about the things that matter to God.” (See Amos 5:24, Micah 6:8, Isa. 1:17, Zech. 7:9.)

The church (universal) must not remain silent. We must begin to use our individual and collective voices to speak out and address the injustices of our nation and our world.

How do we do this? It may seem like such a daunting task for one individual to begin to address such monumental issues. I agree. I, too, have felt overwhelmed at times. But as the saying goes, the way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

What can we do?

“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people, but the silence over that by the good people,” said Dr. King.

We must not let our nation be defined by hate groups and groups that are established to divide us based on superficial dividing lines.

What can “we” do?

We must speak out in our sphere of influence. We must not let any political or social group speak on our behalf if it doesn’t stand for what we stand for. The most basic right we have is the first amendment right of freedom of speech. Let’s begin to use the rights we have been given to speak for people who can’t speak for themselves.

As a person of color, when I see some of the inequities of our nation and those of groups seeking to further divide us based on basic inequities, I often ask myself, “Where are my brother and sisters of the majority culture whom I know don’t promote inequities? Why aren’t they saying something?”

Likewise, when I see hate on any level, I wonder why there aren’t more of our leaders of color speaking against hate of any kind.

My appeal is my attempt to say it is time we speak and say what Jesus compelled us to say. Dr. King stood for our voices having power and authority as long as we choose to use them for good and not for evil.

Are we willing to make a commitment to speak up for what is right and not tolerate that which is wrong?

Use your voice

As we celebrate another MLK Day, let’s determine to speak up and speak out against all wrongs that will marginalize and discriminate against anyone based on race, gender, social economic status or any other superficial dividing line.

You will be surprised by the power of one voice – your voice. It literally can change the way of life for us all. If Dr. King had not used the power of his voice, we would not have made the progress that we have made. We are at least one step closer to seeing one of his dreams achieved.

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

My sincere prayer is that we will not be afraid to use our individual and collective voices. That is how we will see the day that Dr. King referred to.

There is power in each voice – beginning with your voice.

Dr. Michael L. Henderson serves as vice president of National Ministries at Converge. He is the founding pastor of New Beginnings Church, which has campuses in Matthews, Indian Trail and Harrisburg, N.C.

Converge is a movement of over 1300 churches working to help people meet, know and follow Jesus. We do this by starting and strengthening churches together worldwide. Converge is committed to biblical and cultural diversity, working to grow the number of churches that serve cultural and multicultural congregations by investing in church plants led by pastors of culture and color and helping churches address diversity issues and personal biases through diversity assessment and the provision of multicultural ministry resources. Converge is currently conducting a national search for a vice president of biblical diversity and is aiming to fill the position in spring, 2018. We appreciate your prayers during this process.

Churches unite to help pastor, community that lost homes in wildfire

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0400

The concept of a phoenix “rising from the ashes” is nothing new in popular culture. Originating in Greek mythology, this bird lives a long life before suddenly bursting into flames and perishing. From its ashes, the story goes, a new phoenix emerges, ready to begin again.

Admittedly, this image came to mind in light of those impacted by fires in Santa Rosa, California. A phoenix often evokes images of renewal and resurrection, and at first glance, these terms might seem appropriate for Crosspoint Community Church and the surrounding communities looking to recover and rebuild. After all, lead pastor Mike Baker and his family were one of 10 from the Santa Rosa-based church that lost their homes in the wildfires that hit the area October 9.

“We never get wildfires here,” Baker admitted. “It’s really hard to describe to an outsider what it was like. There was no reception in the city. Eighty percent of the church was out of their homes.”

The thing is, Crosspoint didn’t die. While homes may have been lost, nothing about the church body or its impact on the community has perished. In fact, it has only grown stronger.

Baker organized a church gathering two days later – “to pray, hug, check in” – while also trying to communicate the basic needs of his church to the many Converge pastors that had reached out to him the day the fires broke.

“While everyone was willing to help, I told Mike to let us know when he knew what he needed,” said David Yetter, district executive minister of Converge PacWest. “After what had happened in Florida and Houston, we were trying to be sensitive and see, ‘what did other churches do?’”

Yetter remained in contact with Baker those first two days until a plan was organized. Five Converge churches located within two hours of Crosspoint – Grace Church, CrossWinds Church, Golden Hills Community Church, Parkway Community Church, and New Harbor Church – served as drop-off points for food, water, clothing and toiletry donations.

The result? Two days after the fires broke, eight moving trucks arrived at Crosspoint; three were redirected to a nearby Christian organization due to the enormity of donations received. More than 80 volunteers spent the next day attempting to sort and distribute what was collected.

“It was remarkable,” Baker said. “Just the amount of items, and the variety of clothes and sizes. I mean, there was a section for men’s shoes for 10, 10.5…they had it sorted like a DSW or Department Store.”

More than 1000 people came through until mid-October, though Baker said there will be just as great of a need in a month. Crosspoint reopened donation distribution December 1-3.

Kelly Patchin, lead pastor at New Harbor Church, helped coordinate transportation for the trucks delivering supplies to Crosspoint. He said the focus was and should continue to be helping those on the front lines of need.

“We work with the indigenous church,” Patchin said. “In this case, Mike is the indigenous church. People in our community and church wanted to give but didn’t know how. It is important to talk to the people on the ground and get specifics on what their needs are.”

“We were very blessed to give. We each use our abilities, and God uses things like that. It’s all a part of His plan.”

Baker echoed that support. His wife and two kids initially stayed with church members and are now living with a church family.

“There was never a moment where I felt my family wasn’t taken care of,” he said. “It reminded me of a recent sermon on Philippians 4:13 – ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ There was an uncertainty, but not one that leads to despair.”

That uncertainty has also allowed Crosspoint the opportunity to be a light in a community that can at times feel dark.

“This (Sonoma) county is so closed off to the gospel, but people are looking for hope,” Baker said. “What happened down here allowed us to speak into folks’ lives. We lost as well, and so we’re able to talk with them and relate to them because we’re walking the same path.”

Yetter said that while there was no real set plan in place for a situation of this magnitude, the response was a great example of the Converge family coming together to help one of its own in need.

“We were impressed with how God brought us together,” he said. “There was a readiness after other disasters. People were ready to be responsive.”

Baker agreed. “God knew what He was doing. This was a God-sized task, and it took God-sized support.”

You might also like:

Converge churches working together in wake of hurricane

Reach one: I knew I was a failure

Troy Emenecker is a guest writer. He attends a Converge church in Arizona.

Photos courtesy of Zoe Baker, Jim Lago and Crosspoint Community Church.

Short-term missions are not enough

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 12:25:33 -0400

In developing strategy for each Converge church to send a long-term missionary by 2025, the role of short-term missions must be evaluated. You might infer from the article title that I believe there is little value in short-term missions. To the contrary, a short-term missions (stm) component in a long-term missions strategy can be very positive, depending on how well it’s coordinated with the vocational missionary.

Trinity Baptist College (Jacksonville, Florida) began working with Ivan Veldhuizen, Converge executive director of International Ministries, at the beginning of this year. We were convinced that combining our efforts would make us better together. Since that initial meeting, the college has sent dozens of students to Converge for assessment; many of them have already been approved and have even begun making survey trips.

Trinity Baptist Church missions director Greg Mann has incorporated in our tbc missions classes the “Qualities of Converge Missionaries” that Veldhuizen shared with us in January. The tbc missions curriculum provides our students with a solid foundation for a vocational ministry, which partially accounts for our students’ success in the assessment process and on the field. Our stms and internship components also provide students with real-life experiences as additional ways to learn important lessons.

Short-termers: their value and challenges
Daniel Warren, associate pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, recently announced we have 60 members serving in stms on five continents. Their work includes assisting full-time missionaries with leadership training, church revivals, evangelism, discipleship, community projects and orphan care. In Introduction to Global Missions (a text we use at tbc), Roger Peterson, Converge Mobilization director, points out that stms can be quickly sent. This distinction creates stm opportunities for others who have talents such as medical care, construction, disaster relief and other time-sensitive projects. The opportunity for students to work side-by-side with these kinds of professionals under the supervision of vocational missionaries is invaluable.

Short-term missionaries require little to no formal training. However, it also means the vocational missionaries the stms assist may have to deal with communication or cultural issues that could create more problems than they solve. Therefore, they should be a complement to — not a substitute for — career missionaries. The need for theological training, language nuances and cultural understanding (especially as it relates to evangelism) takes time that only long-term missionaries are able to invest. Field-driven partnerships between sending churches and career missionaries will help to avoid unnecessary waste of resources and dependencies on external assets.

On the mission field with Converge
Many of our college alumni and church members are long-term vocational missionaries who are already blessed with help from current students on stms. The Alderman family is an example of two generations of Trinity Baptist Church members who have been full-time missionaries since the senior Aldermans began their work in Togo, West Africa. TBC students and alumni often assist their work. Recent Trinity graduate Andrew Brothers and his fiancée, Miranda McPherson, are working through the various stages of Converge assessment and currently are on a survey trip in Togo to explore the possibility of joining more recent TBC alumni JJ, Melissa and Stephanie Alderman. Trinity student Ben Patton and his fiancée, Trinity 2017 valedictorian Kelsi Brock, are also traveling with a Converge representative on a survey trip in Europe. Having completed the assessment process, they are exploring possible ministry opportunities on that continent.

Mann reports we currently support more than 150 vocational missionaries. They greatly appreciate the help they often receive from short-term missions, especially when it’s field-driven by vocational missionary partners. However, Mann believes stms are not enough. Among factors to be considered should be a plan that is in place back home to apply the passion and skills people gain while on the field. Our college curriculum includes methods for the vocational missionary to help plan their supporting churches’ STM efforts for optimum value for all.

Doing missions better together
To accomplish the Converge goal of having each church send one missionary by 2025, we invite you to investigate the advantage of educating your missions candidates at Trinity Baptist College. Converge churches will be especially pleased to see how closely our curriculum supports their own objectives. Trinity’s commitment to long-term missions, as well as our shared vision and values, are just a few of the reasons we chose to be part of the Converge network. Senior pastor Tom Messer often reminds our church members that “all Christians are called to missions, some in their secular vocation and others as their vocation.” For that reason, we also offer other degrees for those desiring professional and spiritual growth “in their vocation.”

Mac Heavener is president of Trinity Baptist College, Jacksonville, Florida. TBC and the related Trinity Baptist Church partner with Converge to send missionaries to unreached people groups.

This article was originally published in Point Magazine - Fall 2017 issue. Sign up for your free subscription today to Point Magazine.

Reach One: I knew I was a failure

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 10:20:58 -0400

My name is Shane, and I was born in Bangkok, Thailand. My mother is a government official and my father, a lawyer. My family seemed like any other on the outside, but inside it was not. My dad is an alcoholic. He always used to fight with my mom. When I was 5 years old, I saw my dad try to shoot my mom three different times. He was always destroying my house. I had no hope, no one to talk to.

When I was 12, I started to drink, smoke and use drugs. I became addicted and soon began selling drugs. I would wake at 3 in the afternoon, play video games until 6 and then meet my friends to do things together. I came home and drank from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Then I would wake again at three p.m. During the school year, I failed almost all my subjects because I didn’t even try. I knew I was a failure in every area of life. My life was an unending, meaningless circle.

English: a way to get more money from Mom
One day a friend invited me to study English. I was interested because, according to traditions in Thai families, I could get more money from my mom if I went to an extra school — and I could use that money to buy cigarettes or drugs. I came to Santisuk English School January 3, 2013. I could not understand any English at all. I wondered why my teacher wanted to teach me and treated me nicely.

Even when I asked very stupid questions, she didn’t mind. Sometimes she didn’t know the answer to my question. The next day she would come to class and give me the answer. I started to wonder why these people were so nice. I heard there were Christians in this school, and I wanted to see what Christians looked like. So February 8, 2013, I went alone to my first Santisuk church meeting, even though I was not invited.

At first I didn’t like the people. I thought they were too nice, too smiley and too friendly to me. I thought they lied to themselves and lived in their own world. That first night, before the service I sat by one of my teachers, who couldn’t communicate much with me. Later, when we were eating, I sat by a foreign stranger who had a bright book. I asked him, “What is that?”

“This is the Bible,” he said and opened it and showed me the first chapter. I could not understand what he said at all, but at that time I always carried a dictionary. He translated all the words for me. I was amazed he wanted me to know about God that much.

After the meal, I went to the service. They sang songs about God. I looked around and could not find their God image. I stood up and sat down and stood up and sat down again, just doing what they did. And then I saw the offering bags and thought, They are robbing people of money again.

‘Never met the guy named Jesus’
Suddenly, one guy went up front and preached about the Old Testament story of Joseph. He told how Joseph didn’t sleep with Potiphar’s wife because he loved God. I was stunned and had many questions about Joseph and God. Then the speaker asked, “What is love?” I had no idea. I had never received love from my parents. I had never been loved by my friends. The speaker said, “God is love.” I can’t explain my feelings in that moment. The speaker asked, “Do you know how much God loves you?” I thought, I don’t know. He told the crowd, “God sent his only Son to die on a cross for you!” Again, I couldn’t explain my feelings.

I had never met the guy named Jesus, and I had never done anything for him. Why would he want to save me? If he was God, he would have no reason to forgive me. I was totally unworthy. I was nothing. I was not the kind of person he should save. I wondered who God was and why he did that for me. I decided to seek God.

I came to church again and again and attended one of the cell groups. I thought: Why should I wait for him. He already saved me at the cross, and he blesses me every single day. Why shouldn’t I accept him to be my God and my Savior? I desired to accept Christ, so on March 10, 2013, that’s what I did.

After I came to Christ, my life changed a lot. I stopped drinking, smoking and using drugs. God used me to help save my mom, my neighbor and my best friend and his brother. I realized I could catch on to English quickly. I could have never come this far without God and the people God used to change my life. I thank them, and may God bless them.

This article was originally published in Point Magazine - Fall 2017 issue. Sign up for your free subscription today to Point Magazine.

Send One: You never know your impact

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 12:59:01 -0400

“Sounds like a great time to go to the mission field.” This timely challenge from mission-minded friends resulted in my family and I arriving in Thailand in May 2001 to serve for a year at Peace Fellowship Church and Santisuk English School. Converge missionaries Steve and Nopaluck Cable had started this strategic gospel outreach in this Buddhist country 25 years ago.

My wife Michelle and I had never been on a missions trip or even traveled abroad. But we trusted the Lord to help us raise financial support and adjust to Thai culture, food and weather. Our children were young (10, 8 and 5) and accustomed to country living with room to run and play. In Bangkok, we moved into a small 14th-floor apartment with no playground or place to ride bikes. But we found many great opportunities to invest in the lives of our Thai students.

Fully equipped and supported
Most Thai schools teach English from primary school through high school. The students develop a vocabulary and grammar foundation but lack listening and speaking skills. This creates a nice niche for Santisuk and our volunteers, who generally have no experience teaching or interacting with non-English speakers. Santisuk provides all the textbooks, training and support needed to help teachers use their natural English-speaking abilities to help our adult students. We were amazed at how quickly students improved their skills as we taught in class and spent time eating and hanging out together. Our children attracted students to our home and other activities and enjoyed interacting with and even teaching them to speak English.

Our 12 months in Thailand passed quickly. We soon found ourselves back in Michigan, overflowing with gratitude to the Lord for using all five of us and wondering what to do with all the love we felt for him and our Thai students. It was clear we needed to pray and fast about the Lord’s plan for us. We returned to Bangkok 18 months later and served for four months. We realized we needed and wanted to make a bigger commitment to this ministry. So we returned to Michigan, downsized our house and lives and decided to seek the Lord’s direction year by year.

This led to our spending six months per year serving at Santisuk and six months in Michigan for the next several years. Michelle continued to homeschool our children in both countries, and the Lord provided work for me to support us while in the U.S. We were very blessed to have our church and several friends provide our financial support for our time in Thailand.

Meet a real need, earn credibility and trust
In June 2010, we returned to Michigan and decided to stay for a few years while we helped our children adjust to college and American life. God had rewired us to survive and thrive in a totally different culture and undoing some of that was difficult. Over the next three years I made four trips to Bangkok to lead small teams to serve for a month at Santisuk. This kept my toes in the water and further kindled my desire to return on a full-time basis.

Finally, in 2014, with two children graduated from college and one starting, Michelle and I returned to serve four months at Santisuk. I was thrilled with Michelle’s passion for sharing Christ with Thai people as she became more fully involved at school and church than she had been during the homeschooling years. We decided to serve eight months in 2015, and that led us to full-time service in 2016. We really enjoy teaching conversational English, sharing Christ with our students and teaching the Bible one-on-one with believers and seekers.

The ministry model at Santisuk is simple: meet a real need of Thai people by providing affordable, personable English instruction. This builds credibility and trust so that when we share our testimonies and God’s Word (in English), students listen and some respond. When we integrate Thai members of our church into our outreach activities, the students meet Christians who speak their language and can relate to them in every way. We’ve seen the Lord work through these relationships to bring many new believers to worship and love him. Thai friends are saved from their sins, God is glorified and we get the joy of serving with a purpose.

Scott and Michelle Harpe have served on numerous short-term missions at Santisuk English School, Bangkok, Thailand. Scott recently completed a year as SES director.

This article was originally published in Point Magazine - Fall 2017 issue. Sign up for your free subscription today to Point Magazine.

Converge responds: Reformation Day

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 08:15:47 -0400

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Martin Luther was a Catholic priest who loved the word of God. He lived five centuries ago in Germany where as a priest, monk and professor of theology, he spent most of his time studying the Bible in order to help others understand it. In his study of scripture, Luther saw a great disconnect between the teachings of the Bible and the teachings and structures of the church of his day.

Luther rejected the idea that people could purchase a reduced consequence or remission of sin through the selling of indulgences. Luther believed that scripture taught that our standing with God could not be improved by works, merit or purchase. He held that right standing with God was the result of Christ’s work. His study of scripture also led him to the understanding that the Bible is the final authority for the believer and was not usurped or rivaled by any human authority or tradition – including church leadership or the papacy. He opposed sacerdotalism – the idea that acceptable sacrifices for sin require the intervention of a priest – and instead taught the priesthood of all believers.

In an effort to reform the church, Luther sent a list of 95 issues, or “Theses,” enclosed with a letter to Albert of Brandenburg, the Archbishop of Mainz, in October 1517. Luther also posted the 95 challenges to the status quo on the door of All Saints' Church and other churches in Wittenberg, Germany. Luther hand-wrote the 95 Theses in Latin in order to address other leaders in the church and avoid controversy among ordinary people in the church. Yet it wasn’t long before friends who agreed with his views got copies of the handwritten letter and translated it into German. By 1518, print copies were published in German and soon copies of his 95 Theses spread all through Europe.

From these 95 challenges to the church of his day, today’s church finds one of the clearest articulations of several of our foundational beliefs:

Sola scriptura (by Scripture alone)
The Bible is the sole infallible rule of faith and practice for the believer and the church.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Sola gratia (by grace alone)
A believer is accepted by God without any regard for the merit of his/her works, but solely because of the gracious love of God.

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

Sola fide (By faith alone)
God's pardon for guilty sinners and declaration of right standing is granted to and received through faith alone, excluding all "works." This judicial pardon, or justification, is based solely on faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Solo Christo (by Christ alone)
Salvation is obtained through the atoning work of Christ alone, apart from individual works, and Christ is the only mediator between God and man.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone)
The sole motivation for everything we do is the glory of God.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36

Luther’s study of God’s word changed how he thought church should be done and salvation should be viewed. Soon after this time, Luther translated the Bible into German so that ordinary Germans could read and hear the word in their own language. (It should be noted that St. Jerome had translated it into Latin a millennium earlier for the same reason). Ordinary people, having access to the truth of God in their vernacular, had a tremendous impact on both the church and the culture. Luther wrote hymns that led the way to singing and songwriting by congregations and congregants. He even got married, setting a precedent of clergy to marry. There were many other radical, life-giving changes in the church that were the results of Luther’s learnings.

Luther’s goal was reform, yet the established church saw his efforts at reform as a protest (thus the word “Protestant” is used to this day to describe this movement). His refusal to renounce all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520 and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in 1521 resulted in his excommunication by the Pope and condemnation as an outlaw by the Emperor. Yet it was his boldness to trust the truth of scripture rather than the tradition of the church that led to the greatest Reformation our faith has ever experienced.

Today we celebrate the 500th anniversary of Luther’s 95 Theses. The date he nailed his challenges to the door of the All Saints Church in Wittenberg, Germany, October 31, 1517.

Luther’s efforts put the church back on mission and on message. In the 500 years since, the Protestant church has emphasized the primacy of scripture, efficacy of grace, the necessity of faith, the fullness of Christ and the glory of God. Ordinary people have felt empowered by the concept of the “priesthood of all believers” to be the church and not just attend church.

For the last 165 years Converge has been on this same mission – to help people meet, know and follow Jesus. We do this by starting and strengthening churches together worldwide. We embrace the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible and the centrality of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone in our doctrine. Our churches consistently guard against the tendency of "church" getting lost in routines and rituals and strive to minister in the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit. We also enjoy the blessing of many other teachings of Luther. Our ministry, like many other great modern church movements of our day, is a beneficiary of Luther’s reformation.

In light of this anniversary, I ask that all of us take time to commemorate this day by doing a few things:

Reflect on God’s grace. Take time today to thank God for his all-sufficient grace in our lives. We have been declared righteous by God, not as a result of our efforts or merit, but solely because of our faith in Christ’s completed work on the cross.
Repent of pride and self-sufficiency. The Bible says that God opposed the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Turn away from all thoughts of self-centeredness, self-promotion and self-righteousness and choose to live a surrendered life in God’s power and for his Glory.
Renew passion for God’s word. Take time to open God’s word today and each day forward. The ability to have God’s word accessible and understandable is a gift that many around the world still don’t have. Pray also for the many peoples of the world to gain access to the Bible in their heart language.
Re-examine ministry. Make sure that you are ministering in a way that acknowledges the priesthood of all believers, the authority of the Bible and the necessity of salvation by grace through faith in Christ.
Recommit to sharing the gospel. The Bible is clear in its message and mission. We have been made ambassadors of Christ in order to take this message to all people. Take time to pray today for your neighbors, coworkers, relatives, friends and classmates who may not know Christ and ask God to embolden you and to open a door for the gospel in your relationships. In doing so, you will help fulfill Christ’s purpose of the church.

I hope you will join me on this day in celebrating God’s goodness to all of us!

Better together,

Scott Ridout
President

Are you a missionary in the making?

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 11:02:18 -0400

When I was 26, thanks to my parents’ generosity from an inheritance they received from Grandma, I collected the first stamp in my new U.S. passport.

I received the stamp in Tel Aviv, on my way to the land of the Bible, where I also visited my family. My dad, a pastor, was studying in Israel’s Jerusalem/Bethlehem area. “Life-changing” doesn’t come close to characterizing that spiritually awakening trip for me. I waded in the Jordan River, experienced firsthand the glorious triumph of the empty Garden Tomb and scrunched my 6'4" body through the grotto’s tight passageway into the spot in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, said to be where Jesus was born.

Back home in Minneapolis, seven months later, I was tracked down in the church hallway by my pastor’s wife, blurting out, “Roger, come with us to Haiti this winter!” Immediately, my then non-missionary brain informed my kingdom-building heart, “Good! Another stamp in my passport!”

Even though I wound up going as a short-term missionary for the wrong reason, God used the wretched, Voodoo entrenched conditions so prevalent throughout much of Haiti to warm my selfish heart. I began to care about the spiritual and physical needs of the entire world that God so loves.

Now more than 120 passport stamps later (acquired through my short-term missions trips) I remain convinced Jesus is God’s answer to every broken relationship, every need, every pathetic human condition around the globe. Yet much of the world remains in utter isolation1 from this good news:

Of the nearly 400 million Buddhists, 85 percent don’t know a single Christian person.
Of the 1 billion Hindus, 86 percent don’t know any Christians whatsoever.
And of the Muslim bloc, numbering close to 1.4 billion people, 86 percent don’t personally know a single Christian. Not even one.

Getting personal

How can our God-loved “neighbors” ever hope to understand the saving claims of Christ? Yes, radio and television reach much of the earth, often helping non-Christians come to faith in Christ. And our internet-wired tech world provides other opportunities to learn about Jesus. But usually life’s important decisions happen only in personal, face-to-face encounters. (If you’re married, did you seal the deal with a text message, or did you ask your beloved face-to-face?)

Our loving Triune God, perfectly entwined as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is all about personal, face-to-face relationship. God also is about our personal, face-to-face, loving, healthy, reconciled, restored relationships — with him and with one another. Jesus affirms this personal connection as loving God with all our heart, soul and mind and our neighbor as ourselves (cf. Matt. 22:36-40, Mark 12:30-31, Luke 10:27, John 13:34-35).

Our neighbors around the world need to hear about Jesus. But they won’t hear within the context of that all-important personal face-to-face relationship without your church sending missionaries (Rom. 10:14). And these missionaries are willing to slog it out to learn the language and culture and to love — unconditionally — their new neighbors you’ve sent them to serve.

Are you a missionary-in-the-making — someone who has done a short-term missions trip and sensed God’s call to return longer-term?
Are you one of the estimated 2 to 4 percent “average” church members who have the spiritual gift-mix and godly call to become a longer-term missionary?
Are you waiting for your pastor to ask to pray with you about your becoming a longer-term missionary? (Pastors, your folks are waiting for just this.)

Nonnegotiable missionary qualities

The first nonnegotiable quality of a missionary is loving God (again, this #1 quality is how Jesus summed up the entire Old Testament). Missionaries personally experience God’s love and, although never perfecting their journey this side of heaven, remain on a lifelong pursuit of loving God with all their heart, soul, strength and mind.

Piggybacked onto this first quality of loving God is an affirmation of one’s call to missionary service. Our very first missionaries, Barnabas and Saul, were affirmed by the leaders of the early church and by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1-3). Pastors, when you identify those 2 to 4 percent of your flock, affirm them for missionary service personally and, after Holy Spirit led prayer and counsel with your elders, affirm them publicly.

Converge International Ministries can help in your affirmation process. Three times each year we conduct a Missionary Assessment Center (MAC) in Orlando, Florida. Each mac helps candidates affirm their call to missions and identify important steps necessary to grind out their call successfully — as healthy, effective missionaries — for the long haul. Converge can help you get that next stamp in your passport. We’ll help make sure it’s the right stamp to the right country for the right reason with the right people group still waiting to hear about Jesus.

This article was originally published in Point Magazine - Fall 2017 issue. Sign up for your free subscription today to Point Magazine.