GenSend Program Raises Up the Next Generation of Missionaries

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GenSend Program Raises Up the Next Generation of Missionaries

Southern California sounded like a vacation spot to Ebbie Davis at first, not a location for serious mission work. Besides, the seminary degree she was working on at the time focused on international church planting, not North America.

But as she looked at an opportunity to serve in San Diego through the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) GenSend program, a friend asked some questions about what her time there would entail.

“I said I’d be working with a church plant there,” Davis recalled, “and learning how to live my life on mission and do ministry in the context of the city.”

Her friend pointed out that it sounded exactly like the aim of her degree program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Davis realized it might be a perfect fit.

GenSend is NAMB’s missions development program that enables college-age students, age 18 to 25, to serve in a NAMB Send City for six to eight weeks and learn how to live their lives on mission. They come alongside missionaries in church planting and compassion ministry for an in-depth missions experience.

In North America, approximately 75 percent of residents are not born-again believers, which means more than 272 million people are without Christ. While NAMB helps churches plant churches everywhere for everyone, the urban centers of the continent not only have higher population density, but those in cities are also frequently more secular than other regions of the United States and Canada.

“Our Send Cities are 32 of the highest populated areas with the greatest need for the Gospel,” said Jeremy Aylett, NAMB’s Send City Missionary in San Diego. “Millions of people, for example, live here in San Diego, and the reach of this city extends around the world.”

At the moment, one of the biggest challenges for church planting in North America stems from not having enough qualified missionaries who can serve. GenSend affords many young people the opportunity to reshape their view of what it means to be a missionary.

Many leave the program with a plan to leverage their lives for the sake of the Gospel, even if that does not mean becoming a pastor or church planter.

The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions provides funding that makes GenSend possible. Students spend their summers serving on the field and can focus on building relationships, sharing the gospel and connecting people they meet with a local church — all without the burden of how they are going to pay for their expenses.

“They don’t have to worry about the logistics of living in the city,” Davis explained. “They only have to worry about, ‘Who can I talk to next to tell them about Jesus?’”

Source: Baptist Press

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Final Super Moon of Winter Leads Christians Into Season of Lent

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Final Super Moon of Winter Leads Christians Into Season of Lent

As winter comes to a close, a magnificent scene in the sky has appeared, leaving spectators in awe.

The final full moon of the winter season is a “super moon” which occurs when it’s closest to Earth in its orbit.

Some Christians call this last full moon of winter the “Lenten Moon” for the season of Lent before Easter. 

Lent is known as a time of prayer, repentance, and recommitment leading up to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter and a season of new beginnings and spiritual rebirth through Jesus Christ.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the last full moon is also referred to as the “Worm Moon.” When the temperatures start rising and the ground begins to soften, earthworms reappear, inviting the return of robins.

A picture of the #SuperMoon last night, taken by one of our forecasters. #WormMoon #SuperWormMoon pic.twitter.com/mn3y8dMh1X

— NWS Riverton (@NWSRiverton) March 9, 2020

That means the moon will appear much larger and brighter than normal and the best time to see it is right after sunset.

The super moon lit up the sky around the world on Monday at 1:48 pm Eastern Time, inspiring people to post their snapshots on social media.

Check out pictures of tonight’s full Moon rising behind the U.S. Capitol! #Supermoon More – https://t.co/5btzXpR9AR pic.twitter.com/ma8WjfE9i3

— NASA HQ PHOTO (@nasahqphoto) March 10, 2020

Today’s fullmoon rising over Seattle and I got lucky with that ferry timing too. Yes, it is one single shot. pic.twitter.com/TMEew96M7E

— Sigma Sreedharan (@sigmas) March 10, 2020

Tonights full moon atop Stage Harbor Light in Chatham #capecod pic.twitter.com/hE7nZvDvgn

— Nick Haveran (@nhaveran) March 10, 2020

Full moon rising!! Out at the East End Trails! #yeg #FullMoon #canoncanada pic.twitter.com/jpa3GFKjA0

— Keith Moore (@kmoorephotos) March 10, 2020

The full moon today at Sevanavank, a medieval monastery founded by princess Mariam in 874 AD. #Armenia pic.twitter.com/HAaOcLndXG

— Armenia (@ArmeniaPic) March 9, 2020

Tuesday night is the last chance to see the current super moon.

Source CBN

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Church Engagement Down about Half Since 2000, Barna Group Reports

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Church Engagement Down about Half Since 2000, Barna Group Reports


Church Engagement Down about Half Since 2000, Barna Group Reports

The Barna Group, a research agency focusing on Christianity, has found that just one in four Americans can be considered “practicing Christians,” a significantly smaller percentage (25 percent) of the U.S. population than in 2000 when “45 percent of all those sampled qualified as practicing Christians.”

Barna shared the finding in the latest report on the yearlong State of the Church 2020 project, which the report says explores “the current challenges and opportunities facing the Church” with an “aim to shed more light on why Americans’ relationship to churches is changing and help Christians discern a faithful direction forward.”

According to Barna, the State of the Church 2020 report, a study of the long-term cultural changes in the U.S. over the last two decades, is comprised of 96,171 surveys collected during the period.

This body of data, Barna says, offers “powerful insight into the changes happening in terms of faith practice, such as church attendance, Bible-reading and prayer.”

From this body of research, Barna says, “emerges is a nuanced portrait of people trying to figure out what faith means in the 21st Century and the role of Christianity in their lives. And while key markers of religiosity have diminished overall, there are some signs of steadiness among committed Christians that stand in contrast.”

Overall, the report concludes that “Christianity in…

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5 Ways To Embrace Church Diversity

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5 Ways To Embrace Church Diversity

April 17, 1960, on NBC’s “Meet the Press” the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama said one of the shameful tragedies of our society is that 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in Christian America.

There are 2 billion Christians in the world. By definition, that means over 30% of the world have a desire to model their lives after Jesus Christ. Most Americans identify as Christians; however, much only worship with their own nationality. Segregation is not a characteristic of Christ.

I have always had the ability to fit in with people who are different. In my early twenties, I dated a Canadian who did not understand the racial issues of the south. She could not comprehend not liking someone because of their race. Some of you reading this are wondering if she was white or black. Why is that?

I have lived in several small communities with narrow racial vision due to limited experiences. I grew up in L.A., not Los Angeles like my former roommate Marvin Hawkins; but Lower Alabama. That’s what some people call Panama City, Florida. Panama City is more like Dothan, Alabama than Orlando, Florida. My ability to blend in is authentic and affords me the opportunity to influence more and be influenced by more.

I am considered a safe Negro. Several white pastors call me when they have a question about the black community. In college, the Daily Oklahoman asked my racial opinion about the Columbine shootings as they were happening. Ironically I identify with my faith more than my race. I consider myself a follower of Christ first and an African American or black man second. When people of another race ask what they should call me I say, Willie.

The church we are members of now is mostly white. The lead pastor is Greek, his wife is German and the pastor on our campus could be considered Cajun. When we lived in Pensacola our pastor was Italian and his wife was Cuban. My wife and I both grew up in traditional southern black churches and have never chosen a church based on race, music or preaching styles. I started following Christ as a teenager and was faithful to church attendance my entire life.

When I went to college in the panhandle of Oklahoma I searched for a church like the one I grew up in but found none. I tried to minor in theology, but my school didn’t offer theology as a minor so I took every religious course available. I unintentionally gave myself an additional religious education by attending different churches.

Source: Bama Politics

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President Trump shook hands with man who had contact with infected person: Three ways Jesus responds to fear

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President Trump shook hands with man who had contact with infected person: Three ways Jesus responds to fear

President Trump shook hands on February 29 with a man who had direct contact with a person who later tested positive for COVID-19. The White House states that the president had no direct contact with the infected person and has no symptoms. However, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar are under self-quarantine after interaction with the infected person.

In related news, Christ Church Georgetown suspended services last Sunday after its rector, Rev. Thomas Cole, was diagnosed with coronavirus at the hospital Saturday evening. This is the first time the church has closed since a fire in the 1800s. Health officials are asking hundreds of people who had potential contact with Rev. Cole to self-quarantine. 

Closer to home for me, the county where I live now apparently has its first case of coronavirus. A man in his thirties traveled to California and is self-quarantined at home with his family while additional testing is done. 

The president and the White House coronavirus task force held a press conference yesterday evening in which they announced economic steps intended to assist those who are at financial risk, especially those who cannot afford to miss work. They also announced practical ways Americans can protect themselves and others from the spread of the disease. 

Three ways Jesus responds to fear 

As the epidemic spreads across the US and the world, fear is spreading as well. 

This is a new disease to humans (thus the “novel” coronavirus description). As a result, we have no acquired immunity such as we have developed to existing flu strains. There are also no approved vaccines or therapies for coronavirus as there are for flu. And its death rate at present stands at 3.4 percent, compared with far less than 1 percent for those infected by the flu. 

Since anyone can get COVID-19, everyone can get COVID-19. 

One way Christianity is different from other religions and worldviews centers in Jesus’ redemptive…

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60 Million Italians on Strict Lockdown in Measure Against Coronavirus

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60 Million Italians on Strict Lockdown in Measure Against Coronavirus

MILAN (AP) – Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte says travel restrictions and other strict public health measures will be imposed nationwide starting Tuesday to try to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. 
  
Conte said Monday night that a new government decree will require people throughout the country of 60 million people to demonstrate a need to work, health conditions or other limited reasons to travel outside the areas where they live. 
  
The restrictions will take effect on Tuesday and, like those already in place in northern Italy, will last until April 3., he said. 
  
“There won’t be just a red zone,” Conte told reporters referring to the quarantine order he signed for a vast swath of northern Italy with a population of 16 million over the weekend. 
  
“There will be Italy” as a protected area, he said. 
  
The nationwide decree also extends school closures in Italy until April 3. Schools in the center and south of Italy that were closed because of the virus had been slated to reopen on March 16. 
  
Italy registered 1,807 more confirmed cases as of Monday evening, for a national total of 9,172. With those numbers, Italy again overtook South Korea as the country with the most cases outside China. The number of people with the virus who died increased to 463.
  
The premier also took to task the young people in much of Italy who have been gathering at night to drink and have a good time during the public health emergency that started on Feb. 21. 
  
“This night life…we can’t allow this anymore,” Conte said. 
  
Under the weekend decree that applied to regions in the north, pubs, restaurants and cafes are required to close at dusk. Now the mandatory early hours will affect all of a locked-down Italy. 
  
On Saturday night, alarmed at rumors over a quarantine in the north, many Italians fled the targeted regions in the northern “red zone.” was put under lockdown on Sunday. Some 16 million residents live in that first lockdown, in the north, in populous Lombardy, which includes Milan, and 14 provinces in the north, including that of Venice. Monday’s extension now c
  
Tuesday’s restrictions also extend closure of schools until April 3. Until Tuesday, schools in the center and south of Italy were slated to reopen on March 16. 
  
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
  
MILAN (AP) – Confusion reigned in northern Italy over who could go where and under what circumstances Monday, the first business day since the government locked down a vast area with more than one-quarter of the Italian population in a desperate attempt to contain the country’s coronavirus epidemic. 
  
Skyrocketing infections that cemented Italy as a global virus hot spot and superficial compliance with earlier restrictions covering 11 towns led the government to extend its quarantine order to encompass the entire Lombardy region and 14 provinces in the Piemonte, Veneto and Emilia Romagna regions. 
  
Streets in Milan, Italy’s financial hub and the main city in Lombardy, were unseasonably quiet. Check points were set up at the city’s main train station to screen travelers. People at Milan Central Station were being required to sign a police form, self-certifying they were traveling either for ‘’proven work needs,’’ situations of necessity, health reasons or to return to their homes. 
  
‘’Until a few days ago, the thinking was the alarm would pass in some weeks, we just need to follow the rules. Now, we need to explain to citizens that the situation is very, very serious, our hospitals are at the point of collapse,’’ the mayor of the city of Bergamo, Giorgio Gori, told RAI state television. 
  
People circulating inside the city and also in the provinces beyond were subjected to spot checks to ensure they had valid reasons for being out. Violators risked up to three months jail or fines of 206 euros ($225)
  
The message from authorities was an increasingly blunt ‘’Stay at home.’’
  
Italy registered 1,807 more confirmed cases as of Monday evening, for a national total of 9,172. With the latest numbers, Italy again overtook South Korea as the country with the most cases outside China. The number of dead in Italy also increased by 97 to 463.
  
Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte signed a decree early Sunday attempting to lock down 16 million people in Italy’s prosperous north – more than a quarter of Italy’s population – for nearly a month to halt the virus’ relentless march across Europe. The extraordinary measures, which also apply to the city of Venice, will be in place until April 3.
  
Under the new decree, casual errands are out. The time-honored Italian tradition of an espresso at the corner cafe – gone. Customers now are required to take tables, if possible, the one furthest from the bar. The evening aperitif is also frowned upon; bars close at 6 p.m. Even going to the grocery store is a major expedition. 
  
The regions affected by the decree are among the most productive in Italy. Industry leaders worry about a perception being created abroad that all business was shut down and commercial deliveries of exports can’t be made. 
  
The civil protection agency has emphasized that commercial freight was not affected by the crackdown. But that does not address what happens to drivers who leave the containment area. In theory, they would be subject to 14-day quarantines once they return from trips outside he red zones. 
  
For travelers and commuters, procedures at the main train station have been tightened significantly since the early Sunday morning decree. Now, pairs of police officers in masks backed by pairs of masked armed soldiers check tickets and documents of people arriving and departing. 
  
Patrizia Peluso arrived at the station Monday afternoon from a five-day holiday with her two children in Lapland, Finland. They had to reroute their return flight through Rome after airlines canceled flights to Milan. They grabbed a Naples-Turin train in Rome, connecting two cities not subject to the quanrantine, and were among the few passengers to get off in Milan. 
  
Before letting them pass the gates, soldiers confirmed their residence in Milan and asked their reason for traveling. 
  
‘’I explained we were away on holiday and I have to return to work. If not, I wouldn’t have come back at all,’’ Peluso said. 
  
 The first thing she has to do when she gets home: buy groceries. 
  
‘’We have nothing to eat at home. But I hear you have to wait in lines to get into stores,’’ she said. ‘’I hope that everything goes well.’’
  
____
  
Barry reported from Soave, Italy.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)

Source CBN

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Coachella Music Festival ‘Has Been Postponed Until October’ After Authorities in the Area Confirmed Three New Cases of Coronavirus

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Coachella Music Festival ‘Has Been Postponed Until October’ After Authorities in the Area Confirmed Three New Cases of Coronavirus

The reported postponement of the music festival comes as authorities in the Coachella Valley region confirmed three new cases of the coronavirus on Monday. The cases were confirmed by the Riverside County Department of Public Health. There were growing calls for the festival to be shut down, particularly after the coronavirus outbreak led to the cancellation of SXSW in Texas and Ultra electronic music festival in Miami. News of the postponement was reported by journalist Yashar Ali. The Coachella lineup is seen right.

Click here for more.

SOURCE: Mail Online

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Christian Sister Dolly Parton, We Love You but Spare Us Another Playboy Cover

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Christian Sister Dolly Parton, We Love You but Spare Us Another Playboy Cover

Dolly Parton recently turned 74, but the music icon says she has no plans to stop working any time soon. In fact, she has some specific aspirations in mind for when she hits the big 7-5.

“I plan to be on the cover of Playboy magazine again,” Parton said in a recent interview Sunday with “60 Minutes Australia.”

“Well, I don't plan to retire. I just turned 74!“ With her signature charm and unique voice, it’s so easy to see why fans will always love @DollyParton #60Mins pic.twitter.com/RlPme7tumJ

— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) March 8, 2020

“I thought it would be such a hoot if they’ll go for it – I don’t know if they will – if I could be on the cover again, when I’m 75,” she added, noting she could “probably” still wear her original outfit from the 1978 photo shoot.

Parton became the first country singer to pose for the magazine, appearing on the October 1978 cover in the iconic Playboy bunny outfit, ears and bow tie.

She just brought up that Playboy photo shoot in January, when she sparked what became known as the “Dolly Parton challenge”: Social media users would post four contrasting photos of themselves that would be appropriate profile photos for four different social media platforms: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Tinder.

The Grammy winner labeled a picture of herself in a buttoned-up blazer as “LinkedIn,” tailor-made for the business networking service. On the other side of the spectrum, she labeled the picture of herself dressed as a Playboy bunny as “Tinder,” a popular dating app notorious for riskier business.

“Get you a woman who can do it all,” Parton playfully captioned the meme with a wink emoji.

Get you a woman who can do it all 😉

A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton) on

SOURCE: Hannah Yasharoff and Cydney Henderson, USA Today

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Christians in Iran Proclaim Testimonies on Satellite TV

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Christians in Iran Proclaim Testimonies on Satellite TV

An interactive satellite television program called Signal is giving a voice to persecuted Christians in Iran.

“For quite some time before we started producing and broadcasting the program, we were always trying to find a unique approach for the Christians, especially those residing inside the country, for being their voice,” said Reza Jafari, host of the show, to The Christian Post.

“Most of the Christian TV programs [available on Satellite TV in Iran] are either teaching programs or theological programs that are sort of like a monologue.”

So Jafari, who converted to Christianity in 2003, wanted to introduce a new way to encourage Christians living in the Middle East and created a platform a year and a half ago to allow Christians to share their testimonies through “Signal.”

The program broadcasts to 25 countries across the Middle East and North Africa on its Farsi-speaking channel, SAT-7 PARS. Jafari and his co-host Niloufar Raisi talk to believers through Skype calls, pre-recorded interviews, or live calls. Many of these Christians are Muslim converts outside of Iran or believers who still live in the country.

“One outstanding story and testimony of someone that we had on the show was a pre-recorded testimony from an Afghan convert,” Jafari shared. “He was part of a Taliban militia group in Afghanistan. His job was to murder people or go to war. His story and journey of transformation that he was sharing in our program was really inspiring.

“Whether it comes out in a very simple way or with simple words, it is inspiring for us. A lot of times when I talk with my colleagues or with the producer of the program, I call these people—like Muslim converts that decided to follow Jesus—I call them silent heroes. Because knowing all the consequences and yet deciding to follow Christ and staying inside the country and staying firm in their faith, it’s inspiring.”

Source: Christian Headlines

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Which Methods of Personal Communication Work Best in the Church?

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Podcast Episode #622

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It is a common question asked by church leaders, especially pastors. What are some of the ways in which I can communicate interpersonally within the church to individuals or small groups who need to hear specific messages? Thom and Sam will be discussing which methods of personal communication work best in the church.

Highlights:

  • Personal communication is with individuals or small groups. 
  • In-person communication is the most intimate and memorable.
  • Phone calls are important when both tone and content are necessary. 
  • Use email when documentation is needed.
  • Text messages are good for communicating quickly but not for assigning tasks.
  • Letters are formal and should be utilized more positively than negatively. 
  • Social media is the least effective form of personal communication.
  • Pay attention to new collaborative methods of communication, like Slack and Trello.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you’re listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus…

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