The Messenger February 2017

Transcription

1 February 2017 Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association The Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association is a network of Churches committed to evangelizing, teaching and ministering to our World. Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:6-10 The Tennessee Baptist Convention has active mission partnerships in Italy; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; Denver, Colorado; Guatemala; and New England. Over the many years that TBC has been involved in mission partnerships they have also partnered with other Baptists in Michigan, Montana, Brazil, Romania, Kenya, and Canada. Often pastors and mission leaders will be challenged by someone saying something like missions should begin at home. The perception being given is that we are always going other places and maybe even neglecting those things that are more local. Well, starting this year our state convention will begin a new focus in missions that they are calling City Reach. Over the next five years they will emphasis a dif- So, do you hear the call from those with great need in Knoxville, TN to hear the gospel preached to them? I recently toured the city of Knoxville with other pastors and mission leaders to see and hear of the needs first hand. Here are some facts about Knoxville: a population of 448,650, 450 churches (150 are Southern Baptist), 550 religious groups, and in 2013 was recognized as the #1 most Bible-minded city in America. However, the reality in Knoxville is: 200,000 spiritually lost people, 30% identify as Nones (no religious affiliation), 41% identify as Dones (those done with church), only 19% say they actively attend church, 25% live in poverty, and there are 120 different ethnicities in Knox County. Do you hear the call from Knoxville? You don t have to go far! In the Knoxville area the needs are great so a variety of opportunities exists for your church to respond to in a mission partnership. Here are a few ways your church could serve: Vacation Bible Schools or Backyard Kid clubs block parties or community ministries, relationship or event evangelism, minor construction or renovation projects, church planting or church revitalization partnerships, language or ethnic ministries, and the list could go on. If you would like more information or to see a list of projects for City Reach Knoxville, check out the following link: If you have any questions or how to get your mission team involved feel free to give me a call. Your partner in missions, Kirk

2 Page 2 Pastoral Counseling Center of the Cumberland Plateau Submitted by Carolyn Scott, Pastoral Counselor, Licensed by NCCA February 2017 What s at the Heart of Your Marriage? It s nearing Valentine s Day and Love is in the air! Can you remember back to grade school when everyone brought those silly cards, or sweetheart candies, and exchanged them in school? Some of us might remember how exciting it was, but others might remember the heartbreak of not receiving one from that special someone in which we were infatuated. We experience rejection and failed expectations very young in life and these can oftentimes compound as we grow older. For some, Valentine's Day isn't all chocolates and roses. Instead, it is a difficult day as it reminds us of a recent troublesome time in our marriage, a breakup, or even divorce. According to Christianity Today, one in two marriages end in divorce. Catholic couples were 31% less likely to divorce; Protestant couples 35% less likely; and Jewish couples 97% less likely, which in itself is quite impressive; I must say. 53% of very happy couples agree with the statement, "God is at the center of our marriage". God wants Christian marriages to be strong and last a lifetime, but all too often we allow bad choices to lead to un-holy practices, leaving our spouse feeling betrayed, disrespected, and unloved; thus causing the demise of the marriage. There are a few basic foundational truths to build a loving and lasting marriage. Two of the foundational truths are Love and Respect; they go hand-in-hand in marriage. But, which comes first the husband loving his wife or the wife respecting her husband? Both are equally important for each spouse to demonstrate to the other to have a lasting marriage. When the husband and wife truly demonstrate love and respect, it is easier to reciprocate love and respect. All too often one spouse may be forced to give 150% one day because their spouse may be acting in immaturity and only give 50% or less. It takes three to make a marriage work - God, husband, and wife. It takes three to allow a marriage to fail satan, husband and wife. People go looking elsewhere when needs at home are not being met. This is not only relating to intimate needs but rather Spiritual and emotional needs which reach the top of this list. Here are a few essential qualities that make up love and respect and help to build a strong marriage: Personal relationship with Jesus Christ Each spouse should strive to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and demonstrate God s love through the fruits of the spirit love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22, Ecclesiastes 4:12, Deut. 6:5)

3 Page 3 Pray Together Pray about everything together (1 Thess. 5:16) Laugh Together laughter is like a good medicine (Proverbs 17:22) Pursue Peace If God is truly at the center of your marriage, then make this a rule in your home There is no excuse for violence! (Isaiah 26:3, Romans 15:13) Long-Suffering This does not mean domestic violence! It means having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people. (John 16:33) Humble/Gentle Be kind to each other and quiet nature most fights are over stupid things that don t matter; learn communication skills that allow you to disagree, but not fight - then you will never go to bed mad. (Ephesians 4:2, 3) Be faithful - Use self-control, abstaining from pornography, lustful looks at others, avoiding adultery Marriage is worth the investment to have unadulterated, undefiled intimacy with one partner for a lifetime (Hebrews 13:4) Self-Controlled exercising, looking your best for your spouse; not speaking profanity; not yelling, screaming, or hitting; eating healthy, etc. Dependability - being a consistent income provider, is able to be trusted to do or provide what is needed (Luke 16:10, Hebrews 3:14, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Philippians 1:27) Reliability paying bills, being tried and true (1 Corinthians 4:2-4, Psalms 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 3:17) Trustworthy One who can be trusted, never doubting their ability or choices (Psalms 22:4-5, Proverbs 11:1, Luke 16:10-12) Listen not interrupting, not dominating the conversation, God gave us two ears so we can listen twice as much as we speak (Job 33:31-33, Proverbs 15:2) Supportive to encourage each other in their interest, careers, education, accomplishments (Jeremiah 29:11) Understanding demonstrating forgiveness (Matthew 6:14, 15) Be Honest/Showing Integrity not lying, stealing, or cheating (Proverbs 2:20, 21; Proverbs 28:18, Proverbs 6:19) Intimacy and Excitement Intimacy can be as simple as holding hands, or sitting quietly watching a movie; have date nights, take a weekend trip, have a picnic in the living room with candlelight, take a moonlit walk (Song of Solomon) Remember to do something beautiful for your special someone all throughout the year! The Pastoral Counseling Center of the Cumberland Plateau is ready to help you get your marriage back on the right track. Or, if you are planning to get married, we provide pre-marital counseling. Contact the office, or Carolyn Scott today to schedule an appointment. Carolyn may be reached at or speak with Alta or Kirk at (931) Office. References: 1/25/2015, Christianity Today edstetzer/2014/february/marriage-divorce-and-body-of-christ-what-do-stats-say-andc.html?paging=off

4 Page 4 FEBRUARY 2017 Mission Emphasis Meetings 2017 MARCH 9th PINE EDEN BAPTIST 976 Genesis Road YOLANDA HEUSER Focus on WMU 2017: Focus on WMU, February 13 19, is the perfect time to introduce or reintroduce your church members to what WMU is and how they can get radically involved in God s mission. WMU is holistic discipleship. From preschoolers to adults, we provide relevant resources to learn about and pray for missions, as well as opportunities to apply knowledge and passion through giving, serving, and supporting missions. Crossville JULY LANTANA ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH 3270 Lantana Road Crossville NOVEMBER FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH FAIRFIELD GLADE 130 Towne Centre Way, Fairfield Glade ALL MEETINGS 6:00 PM & are 60-65/EAT LAST MINUTES THEN WE EAT! EVERYONE IS INVITED: MEN WOMEN CHILDREN Children all across North America will be participating in hands-on ministry in their community in February for Children's Ministry Day! Over the past 10 years, thousands of people have been involved in Children's Ministry Day! WMU invites all children in grades 1-6 to participate. Some will be feeding the hungry to visiting shut-ins, girls and boys follow God's command to "put our love into action" (1 John 3:18). I hope your church group creates a project that will help to meet needs in your community.

5 Page 5 WMU DATES: February WMU Focus week 18 Children s Ministry Day WMU created Children's Ministry Day to move children out of their churches and into their communities to do missions. The first Children's Ministry Day was in Since then, thousands of people have taken part in Children's Ministry Day! The Children s Ministry Day 2017 theme is Love Your Neighbor. Participating will give children an opportunity to give everything to God as they reach out to people in their neighborhood and community. We have only received two gift cards as of January 25 th, please bring your gift cards to the association office, so I can pick them up to start preparing our gift baskets for the Missions-get-together & Connection. Speaking of the mission s get-together, I hope you have registered and made plans to attend. It is always a wonderfully blessed weekend. Remember March Mission Emphasis Meeting theme is WMU- Touch Tomorrow Today, and our verse is Isaiah 6:8. Our project is the gift cards which are due before the meeting so that the leadership team can have them put together and on display for you to see at this meeting. The Summer Mission Emphasis meeting will be a Hawaiian Luau. Our theme is A Celebration of babies, Gifts from God. Our verses will be Psalm 127:3-5 and our project is Christian movies and books for both children and adults to be given out at the Baby Comfort Station Brother Mark has agreed to roast a pig if my home church agreed to host ; so he is roasting and I am hosting. Grab your Hawaiian shirt and let s celebrate the gift of babies. Update on our Annual Mission project: 150 pounds of ground beef was delivered to Storehouse Ministry in Wartburg, on January 4 th! Way to give Cumberland Plateau Baptist Associational WMU, I am so thankful for each of you and for ever penny you gave to make this project come into fruition. I am so grateful we serve such an awesome God, that He blessed this project and 150 families will have meat to eat with their meal. See you March 9 6:00 PM for a 60/65 minute meeting and a meal to follow at Pine Eden Baptist Church.

6 Page 6 The End-Time Prophecies Of Israel's Return Conference With Dr. Dean Haun Oaklawn Baptist Church March :00 p.m. Each Night 2017 Scholarship Applications are Now Available Upcoming college freshman and current college students who are members of Tennessee Baptist churches can now apply for financial scholarships through the TBF! Go to to review the requirements and complete the application on line. The deadline for application is April 30, 2017 for the Fall 2017 Spring 2018 academic year. Memorial Baptist Church Cordially invites you to Our Ladies Luncheon Speaker: Ms. Janice Carter, State Coordinator of CWJC/CMJC Saturday, February 11th at 11:00 AM 1858 Sparta Highway Crossville, TN Please join us for lunch and fellowship. Bring a friend, family member, or neighbor. Soup, salad, and sandwiches served.

7 Page 7 HER NAME LIVES ON. HER LEGACY STANDS MILLIONS STRONG. Every year, we honor the life and missions impact of Annie Walker Armstrong ( ) when we give to the Annie Armstrong Easter O- ffering for North American missions. As a tireless servant of God and a contagious advocate of missions efforts throughout the world, Annie Armstrong united women in missions endeavors, ultimately leading to the formation of Woman s Missionary Union (WMU). is Available By If you wish to receive this publication by instead of regular mail, please contact Alta Wagner at , or at cpba4ma@gmail.com and provide your current address. This will conserve postage, paper, and printer ink costs as well as save trees. Our mailing list is compiled from the data submitted on your annual ACP (Leadership Profile) reports. If you are receiving multiple copies or need corrections, please notify the Association Office.

8 Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association 291 Sparta Hwy. P. O. Box 2508 Crossville, TN Phone: Fax: Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Crossville, TN Permit No. 3 Return Service Requested Associational Directory Office Hours Mon.-Thurs. 8:30a.m. 2:30p.m. cpba4ma@gmail.com Web: Kirk Casey, Associational Missionary cpbadom@gmail.com Cell: Alta Wagner, Ministry Assistant Office: Fax: *********************** Carolyn Scott, Pastoral Counselor, PCCCP Counseling Phone: February 6 - Feb. 7- February 13- February 14- February 20- February 27 - Looking Ahead - March 4- March February Dates to Remember Pastor s Conference 10:30 AM 17 in 17 Pastor/DOM Meeting Black Oak Heights -Knoxville Pastor s Conference 10:30 AM Valentine s Day Pastor s Conference 10:30 AM Pastor s Conference 10:30 AM Deacons & Pastors Conference FBC Cleveland, TN Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer cpbacounseling3@gmail.com