A PRAYER NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN BAPTIST CONFERENCE. Living an Evergreen Life

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1 North American Baptists, Inc. January February 2017 INTERCESSOR A PRAYER NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN BAPTIST CONFERENCE Living an Evergreen Life Michael Benson NAB Communications Writer One of my favorite bands released a song a good number of years ago that was part of a Christmas compilation album. This particular song is different from the rest of the album; rather than celebrate the holiday or focus on Christ s birth, it s really a song about the end of the Christmas season. To be specific, it s a minor lament over the contrast between the joyful and vibrant season of Advent and the emptiness many feel after the last carol has been sung and the final fruitcake has been eaten or thrown out. This song isn t expressing a desire to go back to the emotional high of the holidays, but rather a yearning for a life that is lived all year round, or as the song puts it, a desire to be evergreen. Continued on inside

2 Living an Evergreen Life cont. Fundamentally there are two types of trees: those that lose their leaves and those that remain verdant throughout the year. All of us know this, even if we couldn t come up with the names deciduous and evergreen except with much deliberation. What makes these two types so different comes down to the leaves. Deciduous trees, which lose their leaves every year, are designed by God in such a way that colder and shorter days trigger a chemical change that causes a specific type of cell to appear at the points on the branches where the leaves attach. Slowly, as the season wears on, these cells accumulate and gradually cut off the leaves from the branch, effectively pushing them off the tree. In the end, this helps to keep the tree alive. If the leaves remained attached, they would continue to draw in water from the trunk and likely be frozen to death, leaving the tree without a means of photosynthesis and creating hundreds of thousands of pinhole wounds in the tough, protective bark. Essentially, trees shedding their leaves are acting out of the same self-preservation as when we put on the storm shutters and pack up the lawn chairs in preparation for the big storm coming our way. This is why evergreens are the only greenery in the dead of winter; their leaves due to their shape or a waxy coating, depending on the species of tree do a better job protecting the water inside so the leaves themselves don t freeze. Rather than losing all of their leaves over a couple of weeks once a year, leaves are being lost and replaced all year long. But enough with the botany lesson. Despite what deciduous trees appear to illustrate every year, there is no such thing as true death and rebirth in nature. The so-called dead of winter is more like hibernation than death. The only times that actual death has been followed by life through resurrection have been God working in this world: God, through Elijah, resurrected a widow s son; Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, brought Dorcas back from the dead; and Jesus Himself is the resurrected Messiah. is death not final. Jesus expressed it perfectly when He said, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10 ESV). Not only is Jesus the source of life, but He brings it abundantly. It s not just about being alive, but thriving, and not just at certain times of the year. We are not meant to live deciduous lives; we were meant to be evergreen, to live all year round, to thrive even when the world around us is in hibernation. My hope for you this year is that you may be evergreen. May you be filled with life abundant. Only through God is life at all possible, and only in Him

3 Brandon & Marci JONES NAB Missionaries to Brazil We are pleased to announce that Brandon and Marci Jones are planning to join our missionary team in Brazil. Both Brandon and Marci have had a passion for missions since a young age, Marci having been raised on the mission field of Kenya and Brandon in a church passionate about missions. After getting married, receiving biblical education, having three children, and pastoring a church the past few years in South Dakota, they are confident in this calling that God has been stirring in them for many years! In the summer of 2016, Brandon and Marci spent two weeks in Brazil. Brandon taught a seminary class at night and both of them had the privilege of visiting churches and church plants in the region, meeting their leaders. Upon returning home, they discerned God s call to the field and how He has equipped them both to serve as missionaries in Brazil, where they get to be a part of God s work raising up the next generation of church leaders there. Please pray for the Jones as they make this transition and raise support to go to Brazil. To support the Joneses, or simply to get to know them, go to missionaries/brandon-marci-jones/.

4 SUNDAY HAPPY NEW YEAR! As we enter 2017, pray that God s name would be heard in all the world. Pray for every nation, tribe, and tongue to have the opportunity to know the one true God and join Him on mission in their neighborhood and beyond. MONDAY Our conference vision is accomplished through missional engagement, international missions, leadership development and formation, and ethnic partnerships. Pray that God would bless these ends with fruit. TUESDAY children s ministry pastors and leaders at your church. Pray that God would encourage them and guide them through ministry opportunities. Take time to show them your appreciation. Pray for NAB work in Cameroon. Pray for the Cameroon Baptist Convention leadership and our partnerships there. Pray, too, for the Hohn family as they are busy visiting churches and supporters this year on home assignment. Pray for Cam Roxburgh and some of the churches from the Eastern region as they go through the fourth module of Ethos over the next couple of days. Pray for our NAB missionaries who are on home assignment right now. Pray that they would have great connections with their supporters, as well as encouraging times of rest and spending time with friends and family. ministers Dr. James Renke (Upper Mississippi Region), Pastor Larry Burd (Atlantic Association), and Dr. David Ewing (Eastern Association). Ask God to continue to give them wisdom as they serve the pastors and churches in their area. Pray today for churches holding community events as a way to spread God s love in their neighborhoods. Pray for younger leaders in the NAB family who God is developing for spiritual impact in their ministries. Pray that God surrounds them with Godly mentors who invest in them deeply as spiritual leaders. Pray that the Lord will continue to bless and protect each and every child at Chain of Love. Pray also for more houseparents committed to the Word to join Chain of Love. international church today. Pray for those countries where religious freedoms do not exist and Christians are persecuted. Ask God to protect those who have followed His call to spread His word in these areas of the world. Pray for White Cross as they provide for direct and tangible participation in the compassionate care ministry of the North American Baptist Conference. Pray for marriages today. Ask that God s Spirit would bring love, kindness, and gentleness into relationships that are struggling or hurting. Pray for pastors who are counseling couples in their churches. NorCal pastors attending the first Ethos retreat this week, part of a two-year journey to help churches become missional in their leadership, structure, and discipling process in order to best join God on His mission in their communities. staff of the NAB International Office as they serve the NAB missionaries and churches around the world.

5 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY continued plans, preparations, and fundraising for the REACH: NAB on Mission Together campaign as it gains momentum. Pray for your community those in your town or city whom you consider to be your neighbors. Ask God how you can best serve them. NAB Executive Team, which finishes up two days of meetings today. Ask God to provide them with the wisdom to lead the conference well. regional ministers and search committees who are in the process of searching for new pastors for NAB churches. Pray for God s wisdom and guidance as they seek to fill these open positions. Pray for Stu Streeter as he shares about the REACH campaign and meets with those in Edmonton at a City Hub. Pray for NAB work in Romania. Pray that God continues to bring in the resources necessary for progress at Camp Falcon Rock. Pray also for preparations underway for Kingdom impact, especially with the arrival of new missionaries, Vern and Gloria Wagner. Pray for our NAB missionaries who are currently raising support to go on the field the Kilmartins (Cameroon) and the Jones family (Brazil). Pray for good connections with churches and family and friends as they travel to meet with them. Praise God for Ken and Rachelle Johnson, new NAB missionaries to Japan who are stepping in for the Ewings while they are on home assignment. ir funding, and pray for their family as they continue to settle into life in Japan. ministers Rev. Rick Weber (Northern California Association), Pastor Ken Solberg (Saskatchewan Baptist Association), and Rev. Bob Klein (Southern California Association). Ask God to continue to give them wisdom as they serve the pastors and churches in their area. ministers Rev. Dan Heringer (Central Plains Region), Rev. Terry Holley (Great Lakes Association), and Dr. Bob Krahn (British Columbia Association). Ask God to continue to give them wisdom as they serve the pastors and churches in their area. ministers Dr. Jim Leverette and associate Dr. Terry Fossen (Alberta Baptist Association) and regional minister Rev. Chris Gorman (Northwest Region). Ask God to continue to give them wisdom as they serve the pastors and churches in their area. NAB s Youth Ministry Leadership Team as they plan for The Gathering, NAB s youth conference in July Pray for more to register before the early bird deadline of January 31. Pray for Bud Fuchs as he partners with churches and campus ministries in Utah to reach international students for Christ. NAB Strategy Team as they meet today in Roseville, California, to explore how to help local churches tend to their own leadership formation. NAB Executive Committee, which meets today. Lift up Executive Director Dr. Dan Hamil and Moderator Dr. Harry Kelm. that they would lead with Godly wisdom. Pray for those who are planting NAB churches in Canada and the United States. Ask God to give church planters joy today as they reach out to individuals and communities who are far from God and His church. INTERCESSOR VIA Recieve the Intercessor electronically and enjoy benefits like faster delivery and forwarding capability. your name, address, and address to: apedroni@nabconf.org with Intercessor in the subject line. JANUARY 2017

6 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY FEBRUARY 2017 Pray for Ron and Jeannie Seck. Pray for their work with CHE (Community Health Evangelism), as well as their reach among the Roma people. Praise God for what He is doing at Mbingo Baptist Hospital and Banso Baptist Hospital in Cameroon. Continue praying for needs to be met in the different roles they seek to fill. Blue Ocean is a yearly cohort that meets three times to helps our leaders to grapple with the theology of what it means to be missional. Pray for Blue Ocean in Chicago over the next couple of days. generation of young leaders in Russia; pray they would understand the role of discipleship and leadership development in the church context. Pray for protection for the believers in Russia with the change in laws. missionaries your home church supports. Find a way to send them encouragement this week. Proverbs 3:5 6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. May this be the prayer of your heart today as you long for His leading in your life. ministers Rev. Dan Heringer (Central Plains Region), Rev. Terry Holley (Great Lakes Association), and Dr. Bob Krahn (British Columbia Association). Ask God to continue to give them wisdom as they serve the pastors and churches in their area. Thank God for Geoff Hartt and his work leading Hispanics for Christ. Pray that God continues to use this ministry to encourage Hispanic pastors and establish ministry hubs in areas that are underserved. Pray for a greater depth of understanding and love today in your own life for the call of God to join Him on mission in your neighborhood and city. Pray for small group leaders and/ or Sunday school teachers who serve your church. Pray that God would use them in powerful ways to teach his word with accuracy and integrity as they seek to transform lives. Ask God to give wisdom to those who direct various leadership boards affiliated with the North American Baptists. men and women who sit on the boards of the NAB, CIF, NAB Foundation, NAB Heritage Commission, Sioux Falls Seminary, and Taylor Seminary. As we close out this month, pause to pray for the whole of the NAB family, including partnering organizations.

7 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Pray for your regional minister today. Pray he is encouraged and challenged as he talks today with all of the other RMs on their monthly conference call. Thank God for the unity He has created among our regional minister team. Pray for your pastors today after a weekend of serving, preaching, and giving to others. Ask the Lord to grant them precious time to rest in Him and with their families. youth pastor and youth workers at your church. Pray that God would encourage them and guide them through this school year as they plan new ministry opportunities. Take time to show them your appreciation. Pray for NAB women s ministries as many of them will begin a new study, Reclaimed: Uncovering Your Worth, seeking to overcome labels that define them and reclaim their worth in Christ. spread of the Gospel in closed countries around the world, especially the NAB work in East Asia. Pray that God s favor and protection would be rich and His grace abounding. NAB ministries in Japan. Johnson family, Shan Reed, and Yuri Nakano as they continue to build connections in the community. Pray also for the Ewing family as they are busy in the States on home assignment. Pray for Lyndell Campbell-Réquia, NAB missionary to Brazil, as she is on a short home assignment. Pray for good rest and visits with churches, friends, and family. Pray also for the seminary students in Brazil to finish this school year strong. Pray for NAB missionary Elsie Lewandowski as she works with the homeschooling families in Cameroon. Ask God to supply her with all she needs. Pray for NAB missionaries Vern and Gloria Wagner, who are now on the field in Romania working alongside the Gerickes. ir transition to a new country and culture as they serve at Camp Falcon Rock. ministers Dr. James Renke (Upper Mississippi Region), Pastor Larry Burd (Atlantic Association), and Dr. David Ewing (Eastern Association). Ask God to continue to give them wisdom as they serve the pastors and churches in their area. ministers Rev. Rick Weber (Northern California Association), Pastor Ken Solberg (Saskatchewan Baptist Association), and Rev. Bob Klein (Southern California Association). Ask God to continue to give them wisdom as they serve the pastors and churches in their area. ministers Dr. Jim Leverette and associate Dr. Terry Fossen (Alberta Baptist Association) and regional minister Rev. Chris Gorman (Northwest Region). Ask God to continue to give them wisdom as they serve the pastors and churches in their area. Pray for Cam Roxburgh, NAB VP of Missional Initiatives, as he works with various pastors and regional ministers on restructuring churches for mission. national missionaries we are privileged to partner with in the Philippines, Romania, Serbia, and Hungary. Pray for Gateway, specifically for Director Randy Schmor and the important work he does training churches and missions teams for missional engagement through long-term partnerships with mission fields around the world. churches within the NAB that are reaching groups on the fringes of their local communities. Edmonton, AB July 26 29, 2018

8 CHURCH UPDATES Baptisms Decisions for Christ New Members Home Goings Pastoral Staff Updates Bethany Baptist Church, Richmond, BC Pastoral Staff Updates: Derek Jensen, worship pastor, began ministry November 20, Calvary Baptist Church, Easton, PA Baptisms: 1 Century Meadows Baptist Church, Camrose, AB Decisions for Christ: 2 New Members: 3 Immanuel Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC Baptisms: 7 New Members: 8 Pastoral Staff Updates: Steve Gee, lead teaching pastor, began ministry July 1, Sanders Mah, pastoral care pastor, began ministry November 1, Steamboat Rock Baptist Church, Steamboat Rock, IA Decisions for Christ: 3 DayBreak Community Church, Airdrie, AB Baptisms: 1 New Members: 3 Faith Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN Baptisms: 3 New Members: 9 Faith Baptist Church, Regina, SK New Members: 7 Home Goings: Al Fritzke, age 72; Janet Gregg, age 100; Jean Ewart, age 89 First Baptist Church, Minot, ND New Members: 3 Home Goings: Carol Wright, age 66 Heritage Baptist Church, Yorkton, SK Home Goings: Myrtle Neufeld, age 78 Hillside Baptist Church, Dickinson, ND Baptisms: 3 Decisions for Christ: 3 New Members: 4 Home Goings: Emanuel Auch, age 92; Lorraine Schneider, age 90; Betty Neal, age 94; Maryann Polensky, age 88; Mable Zimmerman, age Pleasant Grove Blvd. Roseville, CA (916) communications@nabconf.org Sturgeon Valley Baptist Church, St. Albert, AB Baptisms: 6 New Members: 8 Pastoral Staff Updates: Peter Taylor-Visser, children s director, began ministry October 13, Trinity Baptist Church, Sioux Falls, SD Pastoral Staff Updates: Matt Styles, lead pastor, began ministry January 8, Wiesenthal Baptist Church, Millet, AB Baptisms: 6 New Members: 6 Home Goings: Mies Sprokkreeff, age 85 Zion Baptist Community Church, Edmonton, AB Pastoral Staff Updates: Nick Thiessen, senior pastor, began ministry January 1, Lee Bertsch, associate pastor, began ministry January 1, Hans Juergen Beulshausen, associate pastor to seniors, concluded ministry December Connect with us online. & Copyright 2017 North American Baptists, Inc., All rights reserved.