BRADLEY BAPTIST BEACON

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1 BRADLEY BAPTIST BEACON JUNE and JULY 2009 Adults will meet in the main sanctuary of the North Cleveland Church of God. New this year: Youth and Young Adults will meet simultaneously in the youth room at North Cleveland Church of God. OCTOBER 3 7, 2009 Dr. Jerry Rankin, President International Mission Board Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at Westwood Baptist Church Missionaries from: Africa & Asia Pacific Rim Georgia West Virginia Alabama Ohio Arizona Oregon South Carolina Iowa Pennsylvania Massachusetts Delaware Tennessee OMC OPPORTUNITIES 32 Participating Churches, if you have not signed up contact the BBA to arrange a missionary speaker at your church Pray that our Lord may use this OMC to bring about a spiritual awakening in Bradley County Thank the Lord for opening doors at our schools for Cross Culture Celebration so our International Missionaries can share with our students Let us know if your church wants a missionary to speak at special groups meeting during the day Reminder: Pastors, select your OMC Coordinator~~

2 - Frances Irizarry, BBA Ethnic Ministry Director Page 2 Pryvit! In case you did not know, that s hello in Ukrainian. Cleveland and Bradley County is home to a sizeable population of Ukrainians and we are excited about the new possibilities for ministry among this group. Two of our Association s churches are now hosting Ukrainian congregations: Corinth Baptist has been home to one for a long time, and now Maple Street Baptist has opened its doors to another group. All this is great news but it is not enough. Those two groups are ministering to less than 200 Ukrainians, while we know that there are thousands of them in our community. It is for that reason that we need other churches in our Association to join in this effort to reach out to them in Christian love. This week we will have our first meeting with a former missionary to Ukraine who will be teaching us about their culture, traditions, and religious background. We hope to also learn about ways in which we can minister to them and reach them with the gospel. This may require a little flexibility on our part, as does any other ministry to internationals. For example, we have learned recently that some areas in Ukraine are ultra conservative and the Christians from there will have a hard time accepting women wearing pants, makeup, etc. that we Americans have accepted for generations. That means that some Ukrainians may not be as receptive of our message if we women dress in a way they consider inappropriate, so we will need to make a few adjustments. Exposure to our ways and getting to know our hearts can usually overcome these issues though. We know that we cannot do this alone. Our desire is to partner with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Christ from the two congregations meeting in our churches to reach the lost for Christ. Join us in this missionary effort! Pray for us, for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters, and for all of those who will take part in this ministry in one way or another. The Ukrainian Way When eating, Ukrainians keep hands (not elbows) on the table. It is improper to leave the hands in the lap. People eat with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right. Leaving food on one s plate is considered wasteful. Guests honor the hosts when they ask for second helpings; refusing additional servings is seen as a gesture of modesty. Men wait for women to extend their hand first when shaking hands It is important to establish eye contact a few times (but not constantly) during a conversation. Smiling at strangers is rare and viewed as flirtatious. To speak to a superior (teacher, boss, official, or senior) with one s hands in the pockets or arms folded across the chest is viewed as disrespectful and cause for reprimand. Chewing gum while talking is also improper. Women expect some chivalry from men. It is rude for a man to not open a door for a woman. Men commonly help women carry heavy items or at least offer to do so. People welcome both expected and unexpected guests. Guests are always offered tea or coffee and some refreshments. Guests commonly present their hosts with flowers (only in odd numbers; even numbers are for funerals), cake, or candy or toys for the children. SPECIAL VBS MISSIONS OFFERING EMPHASIS This summer approximately 1,500 volunteers from 16 states will be involved in Ocoee Outreach weeklong mission projects all over Bradley County demonstrating Christ s love with others. In addition, at the end of the summer teenagers from all over Bradley County will converge on East Cleveland for a weekend servant project working on homes, doing yard work, and cleaning up neighborhoods. The VBS Missions Offering will help to cover the costs of materials, supplies, and equipment needed for the East Cleveland project. Challenge children and adults to be part of the VBS Missions Offering. Be creative - have a contest between classes or between boys and girls with some type of prize or fun outcome, such as the winning team getting to do something fun to the Pastor and Staff.

3 - Randy Bonner, BBA Ministry Evangelism Director Page 3 We have been off and running since icare, getting ready for our Ocoee Outreach pre-project weekend that took place this past weekend, as well as gearing up for a huge summer of missions... but I did want to provide all of you with a wrap up & report of what took place during icare and what God continues to do since. Approx. 250 people attended the Worship Service on Friday night 18 BBA churches were represented in the weekend. 80 people attended the training sessions on Saturday morning 70 people participated in the Prayer Walking & Witnessing Journey Saturday afternoon 20 professions of faith have now been reported, 15 of which came during the weekend and 5 that have come since as a result of follow-up A new believer with Pastor Earl Farris, Georgetown Baptist PRAISE REPORT AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM icare There have been some great stories of what God has done and is continuing to do. Bellefounte Baptist Church led a gentleman to Christ by the name of Don Goins that some folks from the church indicated that they knew had been lost for over 40 years. They attribute the prayer focus and evangelism focus from icare as the tool that God used to bring Don to Christ. Don has now been baptized into the fellowship of Bellefounte. Thank you to all who helped with the planning of icare. Danny Singleton did a great job setting the stage for the weekend and Victor, Steve, Wally, David and Bill (NAMB & TBC Missionaries) each did a great job leading the equipping sessions and going out with our people on the prayer walk/witnessing journey everything seemed to really connect and we are still reaping the benefits of the prayer walk. A big thank you to Pastor Ricky Vaughn, Music Minister Michael Lee and Clingan Ridge Baptist Church for being a terrific host for icare. This summer we will have 1,500 volunteers on mission here in Cleveland through Ocoee Outreach. Saturday afternoon, April 18 th, the ground was plowed and the seed was planted for a greater harvest that I believe the Lord will be bringing to us this summer. As your church wraps their arms around Ocoee Outreach this summer for a week or more, let me encourage you to form an icare or evangelism team of volunteers that will share their faith at the many evangelistic block parties and events we will be doing this summer. As we look ahead we appreciate any feedback, comments, and suggestions for things we can do better with something like this again in the future. Let me know what feedback you might have it will really help us. Group of high school & college students getting organized for prayer walking Edna Polier, First Baptist Cleveland, sharing with a new believer HOW YOU COULD BE A BLESSING FOR OCOEE OUTREACH THIS SUMMER Ocoee Outreach, a 501 3C non-profit ministry of the Bradley Baptist Association, is on mission to restore homes, renew hope and reach hearts for Christ as we work towards eliminating substandard housing in Bradley County. Ocoee Outreach is always in need of materials, equipment and supplies to grow our ministry. The missions registry (needs list) shown below lists the items that we are in need of. Items can be donated and dropped off at the Bradley Baptist Association Office or bigger items we can arrange for pick-up. No matter how big or small the items that are received it will all be a blessing to Ocoee Outreach and the many low income families we will be ministering to. An on-line registry has been set-up at that will show what items on the needs list have been met. Our Needs List for the summer of 2009 is as follows: OCOEE OUTREACH NEEDS LIST 4 roofing shovels Paint scrapers / utility knives 2 leaf blowers 3 push brooms 2 skill saws 1 air compressor 2 weed eaters Paint brushes / roller covers 3 step ladders 6ft or 8 ft 2 pressure washers between 2,000 3,000 psi 2 lawn mowers 1 roofing nailer 1 set of scaffolding Containers of Gatorade mix

4 Page 4 Bradley Baptist News Semi-Annual Spring Celebration held with Maple Street Baptist Church April 23, 2009 Pictured from left to right: D.L. and Dimple Cox with Phil Taylor Dimple Cox was recognized on April 23, 2009 at the Semi -Annual Spring Celebration association meeting held at Maple Street Baptist Church, for her 20 years of service to the Bradley Baptist Association. On behalf of the Ministry Development Team and the Administrative Team, Phil Taylor presented her with a monetary gift as an expression of appreciation. Many of our churches said thanks with cards, gifts and flowers. GUEST SPEAKER Phil Taylor called attention to Upcoming Events On Mission Celebration October 3-7, 2009 Heart Cry, March 28-31, 2010 Deacon Retreat with Jim Henry, February 2010 Dr. Francois Carr of Heart Cry South Africa Dr. Carr shared his burden for revival Pastor George Bulson, Big Springs Baptist Church, holds a tract he used in a follow-up visit from icare to lead a person to accept Christ. PRAY FOR HEART CRY SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE March 2010 Dr. Henry Blackaby Dr. Sammy Tippet Dr. Richard Blackaby Dr. Francois Carr Dr. John McGregor

5 A word from the Director If you are content to live without revival, you will. When I heard Leonard Ravenhill issue this passionate plea for revival, I had no idea that just a short time later, a young seminary graduate would be lying prostrate on the floor of my office crying out to God, Lord, I want revival more than I want to breathe. Something inside of me couldn t escape the radical, holy desire of these two men. It was as if God Himself were issuing a purpose statement for my life and for all those who love His glory. These encounters, plus one other, set in motion how I would spend the rest of my life. The other experience is difficult to describe almost too wonderful to put into words. All I can say is that I tasted revival. In a little town in Indiana, I smelled the fire. I heard the wind. I witnessed churches transformed. I watched lives dramatically, instantaneously change. I caught a glimpse of God s glory. Unmistakably, God came to town... and the town came to God... and I will never be the same. The manifest presence of God drew me like a magnet to surrender my life to something I could no longer live without genuine revival. Of course, personal experiences alone are insufficient to determine how anyone should spend a lifetime. But Scripture is all about the presence of God. Beginning in Genesis 1:2 with the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters and ending in Revelation 22:20 with our Lord s promise, I am coming soon, Scripture is clear about God s desire for us to dwell in His presence. The patriarchs, prophets, disciples, apostles, and early church fathers were always seeking a greater measure of the coming of God. They realized that without God s manifest presence, little of eternal significance would transpire. Knowing how desperately they needed God, they were set on seeking Him. And, historically, great work; thus, the pursuit of revival and spiritual awakening became their passion. During the general election several years ago, I went to Northampton, Massachusetts, hometown of Jonathan Edwards, whom God used so powerfully in the First Great Awakening. I spent the day praying, Lord, do it again. Realizing that the answer to the evil so rampant in our society doesn t lie in the political arena but in the spiritual realm, I asked God to manifest His presence again in the church. As I was praying, I reflected on one report which indicated that at the height of revival in Northampton, it would have been difficult to find one unbelieving adult left in the city. Virtually everyone had come to Christ. What if that were to happen in your hometown? In nearby Boston, George Whitefield came to preach. Although the population was only 12,000 at the time, an amazing 15,000 people flooded the city to hear the gospel, even though there had been no promotion or advertising other than word of mouth. That s 125% of the population! What if this were to occur in the city nearest you? In Chicago, that would be 12 million people gathering to hear a preacher without the encouragement of marketing or hype. This special edition of Spirit of Revival coincides with the anniversary of America s Third Great Awakening. This monumental work of God began in the fall of 1857 but extended through all of 1858 and beyond. A remarkable 1/30 th of the population of the United States (equivalent to 10 million today) came to Christ during the revival. The New York Times even published the names of converts. Yet the chief characteristic of the revival was prayer. In New York City alone, 10,000 people gathered daily to seek God. One report indicated there were not enough public buildings to accommodate all the believers who wanted to pray. A journalist, in his travels from San Francisco to Boston, reported that his trip was like one continuous prayer meeting. The Spirit of Revival by Byron Paulus, Executive Director, Life Action Ministries From large cities to small towns, people were gathering for prayer. Page 5 Newspaper accounts of the movement circulated the globe, and prayer meetings were established all over the world, as far away as Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, Europe, South Africa, India, Australia, and the Pacific islands. The presence of God seemed inescapable. I m amazed at the cultural similarities of the mid-nineteenth century and today. The following excerpt is taken form a Time magazine article published last year. It depicts the decade just preceding the awakening: Miraculous new communications technologies have suddenly appeared, transforming everyday life. Everything is moving chaotically fast. Globalization accelerates. Wall Street booms. Outside San Francisco, astounding fortunes are made overnight, out of nothing, by plucky nobodies. The news media are scurrilous and partisan. Marketing spin and advertising extend their influence as never before. A fresh urbanyouth subculture has emerged, rude and vibrant, entertainment-fixated and violence-glorifying. Christian conservatives are furiously battling cultural decadence, and one popular sect insists that the end days are nigh. Ferocious anti-immigration sentiment is on the rise. Both major American political parties seem pathetically unable to deal with the looming, urgent issue of the day. Insurgents practicing asymmetrical warfare have, practically overnight, threatened to bring down the political order of Western civilization. 1 And that s not all. Addiction to alcohol was epidemic, marriages were suffering, and crime had virtually overtaken our eastern cities. Perhaps most ominous was that a nation bent on getting and spending had lost interest in religion. But by the fall of 1857, God began to grab our nation s attention through economic hardship. The failure of several banks and railroads pointed toward an economic meltdown. Living conditions were deteriorating. Unemployment became rampant, with 30,000 men jobless on the streets of New York alone. Poverty was everywhere. The political scene was in turmoil over the issue of slavery and the prospect of civil war. There was desperation in people s hearts. That desperation fueled passionate prayer among a remnant of believers, and God dramatically moved throughout our land. That was 150 years ago. Is a Fourth Great Awakening possible today? Our culture is once again inundated with materialism, immorality, and greed. Marriages are crumbling. And our churches seem powerless to stem the tide of unbelief and paganism both within and without. But we cannot expect social changes until we have spiritual changes. God changes us from the inside out. Revival begins in my heart. A broken and contrite heart is the vein through which God s presence flows most freely. A heart of honesty and humility is fertile soil where the grace of God can plant itself. And a heart of faith and obedience is a place of great hope and anticipation. With the Psalmist we cry, How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? And with Habakkuk we exclaim, Revive Your work in the midst of the years! G. Campbell Morgan once said, We cannot send revival, but we can set our sails to catch the wind when God chooses to blow upon His people. The purpose of this issue of Spirit of Revival is to help us, as God s people, to set our sails. Oh, that we might all be actively hoisting the sails, raising the anchors, and waiting with great faith, hope and anticipation for the wind to blow across our land. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! 1 When American Came of Age, Kurt Anderson, Time, March 08, 2007

6 Bradley Baptist Association, June- - July, North Ocoee Street Cleveland, TN Bradley Baptist Association Phil Taylor Director of Missions Randy Bonner Ministry Evangelism Director Frances Irizarry Ethnic Ministries Director Denise Roebuck Collegiate Ministries Dimple Cox Ministry Assistant Loyce Farris DOM Assistant RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Permit #288 Cleveland, TN CALENDAR MAY 25th BBA office closed to observe Memorial Day 27th Pastors Luncheon 29th-31st Phil Taylor in revival at Maple Street Baptist Church 31st Global Day of North Cleveland Church of God at 6:00 pm Among Our Churches Thanks to Council Baptist Church for the lunch prepared and served as the BBA hosted the Bradley/Cleveland Ministerial Association April meeting. Blue Springs Baptist Church has 19 padded pews available for a small donation. Call Jerry Bain at JUNE 3rd MDT Meeting 10:00 BBA 20th 27th IWC Mission trip to Ecuador 23rd-24th SBC Annual Meeting in Louisville, KY ~~~ We will not have a Pastor s Luncheon in June ~~~ JULY 1st MDT Meeting 10:00 BBA 3rd BBA Office closed July 4 Observance 22nd Pastor s Luncheon Kristy in the U.K. Pray for Kristy McClanahan serving in the U.K. She is a member at Hopewell Baptist Church and has been a faithful worker with Ocoee Outreach and other ministries of the Bradley Baptist Association. You may Kristy at kmcclanahan@hotmail.com Quito, Ecuador June 20-27, 2009 BRADLEY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHANGERS Pray for our youth as they share Jesus Christ in Ecuador When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locust to devour the land or send a plague among any people, if my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven (2 Chronicles 7:13-14) Associational RA Dates 2009 May 30 Pinewood Derby Race at Big Spring Baptist 1:00 PM 3:00 PM Call Charles for more info