New Millennium Hosts People Relations Service

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1 RAYFLECTIONS Dr. Ray Higgins CBFAR COORDINATOR Spring Conference. Each year, we try our best to give you a spiritual experience that will encourage and empower you to be the presence of Christ in the world. This year s Spring Conference has that feel to it. On Friday evening, April 27, you will hear Dr. Regina Sullivan tell the real story of Lottie Moon, hear from CBF s medical missionaries in Haiti, and be blessed by the Christway Church Choir and Beloved. On Saturday morning, you will hear President Molly Marshall tell the transformational story of Central Seminary, and be blessed by the Arkansas Baptist College Choir. There will be a Plenary Workshop where you will hear about our partnership in missions and ministry, and we will conclude with our annual business session. CBF Life. We are entering a time of transition in CBF life. Daniel Vestal is retiring following fifteen years of faith-filled leadership as Executive Coordinator. An excellent Interim Executive Coordinator, Dr. Pat Anderson, has been named. Other leading CBF employees are transitioning. Some folks are afraid that CBF is sinking. It s simply not true. CBF is a global and national model for the ways churches and Christians network together for missions and ministry in the 21st century. The CBF 2012 Task Force will bring its report to the General Assembly on June 21. CBF will be even more organic, efficient, and effective going forward. CBFAR s future. We will be part of the movement to make CBF a more seamless networking organization for missions and ministries. With Catherine Bahn and Mollie Palmer, we are on the frontlines with Together for Hope Arkansas. We are preparing for new church starts, creating ministry with Hispanics, and offering a model for churches to use in ministry with young adults. Your Support. We are empowered to do what we re doing because you provide leadership and give generously to support CBFAR s mission. Thank you for supporting our operating budget. Thank you for your special gifts to our Offering for Hope. Thank you for your prayers and your personal involvement in the CBF community. Being the presence of Christ together, Ray SPRING 2012 Cooperative Baptist FELLOWSHIP of Arkansas NEWS 1504 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Little Rock, AR wwwcbfar.org Serving Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission. New Millennium Hosts People Relations Service Pastor Wendell Griffen and New Millennium Church hosted the Annual People Relations Worship Service on Sunday evening, February 26. Dr. Matt Cook, pastor of Second Baptist Little Rock, preached the message entitled Seeing the Face of God. In his sermon, Dr. Cook observed, There s an entire world of difference between the idea that God might look like me and the idea that God must look like me... And one of the best ways, and maybe the only way we can avoid that trap, is by consistently looking for God, not in the mirror, but in the face of the other. Dr. Fitz Hill, beginning his seventh year as president of Arkansas Baptist College, told the audience, I refuse to take any credit for what God has sent to Arkansas Baptist College. What I ve tried to do is to remain obedient to the Holy Spirit, and to serve in a way that will glorify God, to be a blessing to others, and to find creative ways to not only bless not only our students, but our community, our city, our state, our nation with measureables. Over $20,000 has been given to Arkansas Baptist College over the past four years through the People Relations Service. You may watch the People Relations Service on YouTube at: CaQ&feature=youtu.be CHURCHES UNITED CBF National has begun looking at a new community service template among neighboring churches. About a year ago, Chris Ellis, Missions Minister at Second Baptist, Little Rock, asked if they joined with another downtown church (non-baptist), would CBF considering letting the partnership have access to our equipment. Of course we would. CBFResponds provided lunch for the first meeting to see if there was a consensus on beginning such a mission. Attending was Christ Episcopal, First Methodist and Second Baptist. The group was enthusiastic and committed to banding together behind CBFresponds when needed. Less than thirty days later the city of Vilonia suffered major damage and deaths. In a few days about 30 responders from these three churches left from the Second Baptist parting lot, along with our equipment to make a difference for several families. About a week later I received a call from the Central Church of Christ (Downtown) and asked if I would meet with them and explain what was happening with the new group. Central has United continues on page 5

2 COOPERATIVE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP OF ARKANSAS 2012 Spring Conference COURAGEOUS VOICES, TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERS Friday Evening, April 27 & Saturday Morning, April 28 Pulaski Heights Baptist Church of Little Rock 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, AR Friday Evening Featuring: Dr. Regina Sullivan Professional Historian Author of Lottie Moon: A Southern Baptist Missionary in History and Legend Teaches at City University of New York Grew up in Benton, Arkansas Graduated from Ouachita Baptist University SATURday MORNing Featuring: Dr. Molly Marshall President Central Baptist Theological Seminary Shawnee, Kansas Professor, Preacher, Author & International Lecturer; Former Youth Minister at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church of Little Rock Dr. Pam Durso Executive Director Baptist Women in Ministry Atlanta, Georgia Women in Ministry Advocate Baptist Historian Professor Preacher & Author/Editor of 7 books 2 CBFAR NEWS ABOVE: Steve James, MD (in white shirt) treating a Haitian patient. BELOW: Nancy James, RN, with a Haitian child. The James, CBF endorsed Field Personnel to Haiti, played a major part in the immediate response to the January, 2010 earthquake.

3 COOPERATIVE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP OF ARKANSAS 2012 SPRING CONFERENCE COURAGEOUS VOICES, TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERS Friday Evening, April 27 7:00 p.m. 8:30-9:30 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Regina Sullivan, The Real Story of Lottie Moon Dr. Steven and Nancy James, CBF medical missionaries in Haiti Special Music: Christway Missionary Baptist Church Choir under the direction of Sister Edith Powell; Beloved, a women s trio of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church; and Rev. Jim Munns, Minister of Music & Administration at PHBC Gathering Time Saturday Morning, April 28 8:30-8:50 a.m. Continental Breakfast 9:00-10:00 a.m. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Molly Marshall, The Central Seminary Story Special music: Arkansas Baptist College Choir under the direction of Rev. Henry Parker 10:15-11:15 a.m. Plenary Workshop Dr. Pam Durso, Executive Director, Baptist Women in Ministry Dr. Harry Rowland, Missional Network Specialist, CBF, Atlanta Dr. Sue Smith, CBFAR Missions Partner, Latino Ministry, Virginia Brenda Lisenby, CBF Field Personnel, China Catherine Bahn & Mollie Palmer, Co-Directors, Together for Hope AR 11:30-noon CBF of Arkansas Business Session Moderator s Report Coordinator s Report Recognizing Council Members Service Welcoming New Council Members & Officers Closing: Marc Heflin, Moderator Dr. Harry Rowland Missional Network Specialist CBF Atlanta 3 CBFAR NEWS Dr. Sue smith CBFAR Missions Partner Latino Ministry, Virginia Brenda Lisenby CBF Field Personnel, China

4 Churches & Pastors in Partnership with CBFAR Editors Note: CBFAR s twice a month E-news communications are featuring CBF partner pastors and the benefits of their ministry with CBF. Future columns will be included in future newsletters this year. First Baptist Church Jonesboro Have you ever had a God Moment, one of those moments when you know he is at work? Last fall on a normal Wednesday night we had a God moment. Mike Mullally had invited Dr. Bruce Tippit Catherine Bahn to speak to a class he was leading on social justice and I asked her to also speak in our Wednesday night service. Catherine s passion for the work with Together for Hope was obvious. There was a moment when her tears of compassion became our tears as well. In that moment Catherine became something other than one of ours who d come to give a report. She became the voice of God speaking prophetically to our lives. It was in that crystal clear moment we were reminded why we at FBC Jonesboro connect with the lives of young men and women as they discover God s mission for them. As pastor of First Baptist, Jonesboro, it has been a great joy to witness God s call to missions and ministry to individuals in our church family. Currently three women from our church serve CBF Arkansas in places of leadership. Catherine Bahn and Mollie Palmer direct the Together for Hope ministry and Megan Corbett volunteers in the Little Rock office. To see how God is using these women today is a testimony to their obedience to Christ and the open heart of a church. Each of these was nurtured by our University ministry while at Arkansas State University and through regular contact with other believers in our church. Some of what was invested in them was taught but so much of it was caught as they witnessed the heart of ministry that is the soul of First Baptist. We give thanks for God s gift of these women and the chance to be part of their story! Dr. Chester Thompson, second from right, ordaining new ministers in Ghana, Africa Zion Hill Baptist Church Camden Little did I know six years ago that I would be partnering with a global missions organization that would forever change my perspective on missions as well as the membership of our congregation. Since my initial meeting with Dr. Tom Logue back in 2005, Zion Hill Baptist Church has truly become a missional church, and that vision has trickled down to every ministry in our church. In fact, the major premise of global missions, as espoused by CBF, is the foundational stone for all that we are doing now as a church. Before we become involved in any venture, whether it is within our church or outside the walls of our church, it has to pass what we call the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions Test Question, namely: Are our ministry activities (Giving or Serving) designed with the ultimate intention of Being The Presence of Christ and fulfilling the Mission of God: (1) to the most neglected, (2) those with the least resources (3) those with the greatest need? If what we are doing does not meet this test, it becomes a low priority item. This past summer is a perfect example of this vision being lived out before us as students and staff members in our Summer Academy participated in the closing program of the All Church Challenge at Helena and Lakeview. Our continuing goal is to deposit this vision in the next generation of believers so that the collaborative work of CBF-AR and Zion Hill Baptist Church can continue for years to come. Carolyn Staley Moderator What a joy and honor it has been to serve as your state CBF moderator this year! Thank you for your support and prayers. Thank you, Coordinating Council and Finance Team for your faithful work to plan and keep us on track. Thank you, Ray and Charles and team for being the best folks in the world to work with! Highlights of the year, to my mind, include these: The smooth and seamless transition of leadership for Together for Hope, Helena. We will always remain grateful for the leadership of Ben and Leonora Newell who guided the work from inception through the past ten years. We are blessed that the handover of leadership to their assistants, Catherine Bahn and Mollie Palmer, has gone so well. God is continuing to bless this powerful presence of CBF in the Delta. AR CBF assistance in disaster relief through leadership at Second Baptist that has expanded to add other downtown Little Rock churches of many denominations---methodist, Episcopal and Church of Christ. The awarding of our first scholarship from the Tom and Ethel Logue fund at the People Relations Service in February at New Millennium Church; A continuing, strong relationship with Arkansas Baptist College; Good fiscal and spiritual health of CBF AR! Keep praying and supporting CBF AR! I will see you soon at the Spring Conference! Blessings and thanks, Carolyn 4 CBFAR NEWS

5 Rolling Hills Baptist Church Fayetteville It s amazing how quickly some relationships can form. Above my desk is an artful drawing of Snoopy and Lucy. It is signed From: DeQuisha, To: Steve. I met DeQuisha on one of the mission trips we took to Elaine, Arkansas (near Helena). Pastor Steve Sheely Pat Kienzle, a member of Rolling Hills Baptist Church, has had a passion for the children of Elaine for many years. She has organized over a dozen trips to the Delta in the last several years for our church. Through her leadership we have made many friends in Elaine and Helena, including DeQuisha and Pastor Andrew Gibson of Divine Deliverance Church in Elaine. Our congregation was blessed by Catherine Bahn and Mollie Palmer (Co- Directors of Together for Hope Arkansas), who crossed our beautiful state to help us kick-off our first annual Funding Hope offering. We are excited to devote the month of February to partner with so many churches to support the various ministries associated with Together for Hope, a national CBF effort to bring the love of Christ to the poorest counties in the United States. I hope your church will join Rolling Hills in participating in this offering. Churches & Pastors in Partnership with CBFAR Pulaski Heights Baptist Church Little Rock The partnership between Pulaski Heights Baptist Church and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Arkansas runs deep... well, as deep as CBF roots go! From a mission/ministry Dr. Randy Hyde partnership perspective, it has been our saving grace. For example... Together for Hope. We were involved in the Helena ministry on the ground floor, participating in the calling of the Newell family when our mission efforts in Phillips County first began. And now we are excited to work with Catherine Bahn and Mollie Palmer as Together for Hope, Phase Two begins its exciting work. Arkansas Baptist College. Fitz Hill s vision of what he wanted to accomplish through this historic institution rushed through the veins of our church. We were the first church to purchase one of the properties near campus, and continue to watch with amazement as ABC continues its growth efforts. Martha Stearns Marshall Day of Preaching. Pulaski Heights Baptist sees the value, yea the biblical mandate, to give the opportunity of ministry to all people regardless of gender and race. Carolyn Staley, our associate pastor of outreach and missions, preaches on a regular basis. Leena Lavanya, from India, and Molly Marshall, from Central Seminary, have been pulpit guests. Recently, Mollie Palmer, from Together for Hope, and Carolyn tag-teamed a sermon to emphasize our Helena partnership. The Hillcrest Farmers Market. Through an It s Time missions grant from CBF national, we began the market last year and are excitedly gearing up for our second season. We believe the market will continue to grow and give us opportunity to meet our neighbors, and show them that Baptist congregations like ours are welcoming to all! From a missions/partnering standpoint, CBF is just the ticket for Pulaski Heights Baptist Church. United continued from page 1 since committed to out fitting a new mobile unit and make it available for deployment with the other churches. The new group will be known as CHURCHES UNITED. It is exciting to sit around a table with ministers and lay leaders of different theological backgrounds and know they have the same goal as we do in helping those with the greatest need and least resource. I have already begun sharing the idea with other states and will have a larger discussion at the CBF General Assembly in Ft. Worth in June. Charles Ray CBFAR Finance Update As of February 29, 2012 Budget Needs $126,644 Budget Receipts $123,208 Over/under $ 3,436 CBF General Assembly in Fort Worth June 20th-22nd See for details 5 CBFAR NEWS

6 Cooperative Baptist FELLOWSHIP of Arkansas 1504 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Little Rock, AR ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Keep in touch with CBF of ARKANSAS Through our website: Please send your additions to if you would like to be included in our communications. CBFAR Staff Dr. Ray Higgins, Coordinator Charles Ray, National Disaster Response Coordinator and CBFAR s Special Projects Coordinator Catherine Bahn, Codirector Mollie Palmer, Codirector, Together for Hope Arkansas Megan Corbett, Administrative & Communications Specialist Gavin McCollum, Website Specialist Judy Higgins, Bookkeeper CBFAR Officers Rev. Carolyn Staley, Little Rock Moderator Marc Heflin, Little Rock-Moderator Elect Dr. Chester Thompson, Camden Past Moderator Norma Caldwell, Recorder Rev. Steve Sheely, Fayetteville AR member of the CBF National Coordinating Council Non-Profit U.S. POSTAGE PAID Little Rock, AR Permit No Special Gifts to CBF of ARKANSAS To the Logue Scholarship Fund in memory of Tom & Ethel Logue by Mary Catherine Sligh In memory of Owen Cooper by Russell & Ina Miller In memory of Johnny Heflin by Larry & Janice Cheatham In honor of Logan Carpenter by Steve Sullivan In honor of Charles Ray and Ray Higgins by Carolyn & Jerry Staley In memory of Tom Logue by Dr. Andrew Hall In honor of Jamie L. Jones, Jr. by Cindy & Mike Rush In memory of Dr. Tom Logue by Dr. James & Marilyn Dunn In memory of Joan Haley Carder by Russell & Ina Miller In memory of Rozelle Goodson by Dr. Raouf & Rachel Halaby In memory of Frances Echols by Dr. Raouf & Rachel Halaby In memory of Eunice L. Hamilton by Ray & Judy Higgins In memory of Nancy Brazil by Ray & Judy Higgins 6 CBFAR NEWS Martha Stearns Marshall Report Partner churches with CBF participated in the annual Martha Stearns Marshall Month for Women Preachers. Catherine Bahn and Mollie Palmer, Co-Directors of Together for Hope Arkansas spoke at Rolling Hills Baptist Church, Fayetteville on February 5. Pastor Steve Sheely invited them to launch the church s participation in the Offering for Hope, CBF of Arkansas missions offering for Together for Hope. Rev. Carolyn Staley, associate minister of missions and discipleship at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, preached at Pulaski Heights on February 11. She included Mollie Palmer as a guest speaker within her sermon. Rev. Cindy Goza, a CBF endorsed chaplain, led in the service. Dr. Randy Hyde is pastor. Rev. Sarah Shelton, pastor of Baptist Church of the Covenant in Birmingham, AL, preached at Second Baptist Church, Little Rock on February 19. She also led a lunch forum with church members. Dr. Matt Cook is pastor. Rev. Kathy Holler, minister of special ministries at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro led in the church s Lenten Service on February 22. Dr. Bruce Tippit is pastor.