The end of the year is often marked by a seemingly endless barrage of family gatherings, cookie swaps, white elephant gift exchanges, office parties and more. The holidays cause some to stress and wonder if they can fit everything into their schedule. Others experience profound sadness as they reflect on the loss of a loved... Continue Reading →
Less May Mean More
It’s interesting to note how often we use numbers to determine the success or effectiveness of our churches. We talk about how many attend on Sunday, the number of small groups, how many were baptized or the annual budget. If attendance is less this year than last, things must not be going well. However, that’s... Continue Reading →
Missional Skills: Developing Healthy Exit Strategies
The landscape of Kentucky has changed! The nations are now our neighbors. Over a quarter of a million Kentuckians do not speak English at home, and nearly 180,000 citizens of the commonwealth are foreign born. Many of these are unreached peoples who have yet to hear the gospel. Population growth in cities like Bowling Green,... Continue Reading →
Displaced People: God’s Great Commission Strategy
Displaced People: God’s Great Commission Strategy We live in an incredibly unique time to fulfill the great commission! Every day, millions of people are moving across the planet and communities, cities, and countries are literally changing overnight. In the midst of this migration, God is opening new pathways for the church to be on mission... Continue Reading →
The Mission Requires Submission
There are several things we think about when sending a group from our church out on mission for a week or even a weekend. We expect those going on a mission trip to be people of integrity, faithful in their local church, bold in sharing their faith, and prepared for the work they’re going to... Continue Reading →
SEND Relief: Respond to the Afghan Refugee Crisis Today!
“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” In the midst of the current tragedy, I want to recognize the beautiful, courageous, and marvelous Afghan people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes. Although many of their stories have yet to be... Continue Reading →
I Can Help With That!
Ron Crow, Disaster Relief Director, Kentucky Baptist ConventionHere we are in the middle of summer, and everyone is busy going here and there. Vacations are happening. Ball games are in full force. School is out, all the while preparations are being made for the return to school. Home repairs and upgrades are in full swing.... Continue Reading →
Living in Response to the Gospel
Thinking like a missionary is a reasonable service proposition (Romans 12:1). It is not extreme in light of what Christ has done for us. Following Jesus might seem radical or extreme at the outset, but once the initial step has been made the missionary mindset follows naturally. Following Jesus re-wires our thinking. It changes every... Continue Reading →
You Can’t Be One and Not the Other
I gave my life to Christ at the age of nine. I understood then, as much as young boy can, that I was making a commitment to become a Christ follower. That meant allowing Christ to control every aspect of my life. I knew that my life was no longer mine. I was to model... Continue Reading →
Key Missional Skill: Think Like a Missionary
How can I think like a missionary?Missionaries live with a deep love and compassion for those who are far from God. They are burdened for those who are lost — those who are like sheep without a shepherd. They live by the words of Jesus when He said, “I have other sheep that are not... Continue Reading →