E-Link Online is the biweekly electronic newsletter of the American Baptist Churches of Michigan



Dr. Michael A. Williams
Executive Minister

Joseph I. Mortensen
E-Link Online Editor
989.835.6923

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Issue 2008.04
February 11, 2008

Voices

We're supposed to preach Jesus. There's no question about that. The question is, which Jesus should we preach? [Referring to a comment attributed to George Bernard Shaw] God created us in his image and we decided to return the favor. It seems to me that all across America people have created a Christ very different from the one in the Bible. He's a cultural deity.... As I go across the country, the Jesus I hear most comes across as a white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant, middle-class American. And the Jesus of Scripture is different. -- Tony Campolo at Atlanta New Baptist Covenant meeting

Arrivals, Departures, Celebrations, Concerns

§  First Baptist Church of Midland was Number 1 in this year's Midland CROP Walk. This was the highest year ever for the community endeavor garnering $48,866.18 for feeding and clothing the hungry and naked, an increase of 14.7% over the previous record. First Baptist led the way for all churches by raising $8,408.

§  The Rev. Dr. Joseph D. Huse of Flora, IN has been named American Foundation Representative for the American Baptist Churches of Michigan. This appointment, effective February 15, was announced by Dr. John B. Jacobs, Foundation President. In this position Huse will work with regional staff and local church pastors and lay leaders to encourage estate planning that will support American Baptist ministry. See full news release at http://abc-usa.org/news/2008/20080117a.htm.

§  Mrs. Marguerite Bretz, widow of the late Rev. LaVern Bretz, former (and original) pastor of Valley Farms Baptist Church in Lansing, died on February 6. She was just shy of 102 years old and passed away very early Tuesday morning. Funeral services were scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 2008, at Valley Farms Baptist Church. Valley Farms Pastor Dave Leisman officiated.

Kim Wilcox Ordained at Tekonsha

by Pat Hernandez

In an historic occasion for the church and a momentous occasion for the pastor and his family, First Baptist Church of Tekonsha ordained Kim Wilcox to the Gospel ministry on January 20, 2008.

A service of praise and thanksgiving recognizing Pastor Kim's calling and gifts for ministry featured a newly formed men's quartet of Mark Smith, Jerry Thenen, David Tuckey, and Corey Wooden [click here for picture of quartet] as well as special music by Nancy Palik. The Rev. Jim Blocher, Kim's friend and mentor told about Kim's call into ministry. Kim's coach from the CECL program at Green Lake, the Rev. Mike Fahey, preached from Ephesians. [click here for picture] He charged Kim to equip, edify, and set an example for the congregation. At the same time Fahey encouraged the congregation to recognize their pastor's gifts and authority and remember that all are called to build up the body of Christ.

Following the service, the church hosted a reception at which many people gave personal testimonies of how their lives had been touched and transformed by Pastor Kim's ministry. At their urging, Kim told the story of his call to Tekonsha, how after a long flight to Tekonsha and an even longer one back to Kansas, he and his wife Shelley were very uncertain whether God was calling them to a place so far away from family and friends. One day soon after they had returned to Kansas, they were shopping for 'clip-on' earrings for their daughter Rebekah's birthday. [click here for picture of Wilcox family]

At a Goodwill shop in Independence, KS as Shelley checked out the earrings, Kim checked out the shirts. Finding a polo shirt which he liked, Kim pulled it out only to discover that embroidered upon the front was "Tekonsha." Catching his breath, Kim called over to his wife, asking her "What would you consider writing on the wall?" Kim then showed her the shirt with "Tekonsha" calling out. "Surely," Kim thought, "There must be a Tekonsha somewhere in Kansas or at least somewhere closer than Michigan." Not able, nonetheless, to leave the shop without the shirt, Kim purchased it. Upon arriving home, Kim 'googled' "Tekonsha" and waited for the inevitable long list of Tekonsha' towns to appear. None did. (Try it yourself!). Shirt in hand, surety in heart, Kim realized God's very good will in this Good will store in Independence, KS was confirmed. Phoning the chair of the Search Committee, Kim accepted the call.

In honor of his ordination and in recognition of his call, the church had the now infamous t-shirt framed. A delighted trustee, Andy Palik, added that they also went out and purchased several new shirts so that Pastor Kim wouldn't be rummaging through shirts only to find one for Topeka. Added Andy, "We want him to stay!"

Two years into his ministry at First Baptist Church of Tekonsha, pastor and people are still celebrating the call and confirming God's very good will for their congregation.

Hazel Boltwood to be Honored

Hazel Boltwood has served for many years as a Board member of the Metro Detroit Association and more recently as Coordinator in the Association office. She "retired again" in November 2007.

In recognition of this service MDA Board Chairman, the Rev. Ronald Burks, and the MDA Board have invited all to show appreciation to Hazel at a reception on Sunday, March 9, 2008, at the First Baptist Church of Birmingham from 3-5 pm. Refreshments will be served in Fellowship Hall, and a time of sharing will be provided at 4 pm.

Contributions to a Love Gift are welcomed. These may be sent to the Association Office or brought on the day of the reception. Letters of remembrance and cards of thanks are also sought and will be presented to her.

As Dr. J. Wesley Babian, Vice Chairman of the Board, said in the invitation letter, "Hazel Boltwood is one of God's faithful servants who have given without expectation of return. You are invited to honor her on this occasion by saying, 'Thanks, Again!'"

America for Christ Offering

For more than 180 years The American Baptist Home Mission Societies, now doing ministry as Bational Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA, have shown a compassionate concern in this nation full of ongoing needs and evolving challenges. Even in our affluence and influence, the United States remains the 3rd largest mission field in the world – truly a field ripe unto harvest.

Understanding our nation's spiritual and physical needs means identifying and addressing the impediments to wholeness that millions of our women, men and children face every day. To that end, National Ministries continues its widespread outreach across the United States and in Puerto Rico. The America for Christ Offering is a significant source of funding for this work. Only with the continuing generosity of mission-focused American Baptists can National Ministries provide the resources that have changed countless lives through Christ-centered caring.

We have sent hundreds of volunteers to the Gulf Coast to help rebuild homes and lives following Hurricane Katrina. We have helped to resettle more than 96,000 refugees since World War II. American Baptist chaplains, endorsed through National Ministries, serve on the battlefield in Iraq as well as in hospitals and prisons. The American Baptist Children in Poverty initiative, developed and implemented by National Ministries, is working to transform the lives of children with limited resources. And National Ministries' evangelism training is making a difference in sharing God's Good News by transforming regional and church leaders' understanding of evangelism - which in turn is transforming the leadership of those American Baptists they train.

All of these endeavors-and many more-are made possible by generous support of the America for Christ Offering. Support the 2008 offering with a joyful heart-and help to meet the needs of mission on our doorstep with the love of Christ that urges all of us on.

Request Mission Speakers Now

The Region office has received a list of missionaries on Home Assignment who will be available to make mission presentations during 2008-2009. Please get your requests in for the year as early as possible. It is never too soon to contact us. We attempt to grant your requests to give our ABC missionaries as much exposure in Michigan as possible and to encourage you to build lasting relationships with them to support their work in the mission field. If you are interested, please contact Debbie Hart, Mission Assistant at the Region Office by calling 800.632.2953 ext. 221 or dhart@abc-mi.org.

Reports from Atlanta Meeting of Baptists

Dr. Michael Williams and his wife Tammie took time from his sabbatical leave to attend the New Baptist Covenant Celebration in Atlanta last week. He writes, "First Baptist Chuch of Midland was represented by John and Paula Dick as well as Larry and Kathy Williams. It was fun to see several Michigan folk at the gathering. Jim Robinson, Jane Moschenrose, Charles Christian Adams, and Charles Gilchrist Adams, as well as several laypersons from Hartford Memorial, were in attendance. Nearly 400 American Baptists from across the country were in attendance." For more news about the gathering go to the New Baptist Covenant website: http://www.newbaptistcelebration.org/.

The Rev. John Dick of First Baptist, Midland, had this to say:

Nearly 20,000 Baptists covering the vast theological spectrum gathered to celebrate around the theme: Unity in Christ. [Official registration was about 15,000 - Ed.] There were more than 30 racially, geographically and theologically diverse Baptist organizations represented of which the American Baptist Churches, USA was one. This event was the dream of President Jimmy Carter and was the first of its kind in history. The purpose for the meetings was to enable Baptists to find their common ground in ministry. Hence, the focus for the convention was placed upon the words of Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 as he defined the vision and purpose of his ministry in light of this prophecy from Isaiah. The conviction underlying the gathering was simple. There is power in unity. Baptists can accomplish more together than any one group can accomplish alone. Hence, the convocation was designed to enable participants to explore common needs, develop new partnerships and find ways to make a great impact in the world. The covenant emphasized three challenges around which we can unite

Create an authentic and prophetic Baptist voice for these complex times,

Emphasize traditional Baptist values, including sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and its implications for public and private morality, and

Promote peace with justice, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, care for the sick and marginalized, welcome the strangers among us, and promote religious liberty and respect for religious diversity.

Five plenary sessions featured many well known and provocative voices in our land today, including a stirring sermon by William Shaw (President of the National Baptist Convention, USA) and an inspirational message from Jimmy Carter. Throughout the week other outstanding speakers included Tony Campolo, Marian Wright Edelman, Al Gore, Julie Pennington-Russell, John Grisham, Joel Gregory, Charles Grassley, Bill Clinton and our own Charles G. Adams who pastors the Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit. The exceptional musical presentations throughout the event featured a great variety of musical styles. Beyond the plenary sessions many special interest sessions focused on issues like prophetic preaching, breaking the cycles of poverty, engaging the criminal justice system, finding common ground with other faiths, peacemaking, reaching out to the sick, evangelism, faith and public policy, religious liberty, and the separation of church and state.

This was the first of what will hopefully be an on-going effort to bring Baptists together across their differences to meld a common voice addressing the major needs of our day. In its aim to honor those places where we differ while finding areas where we can work together to further the Kingdom of God, this gathering was a great success.

Churches Team to Build Homes in Biloxi, MS

Three ABC-MI congregations have joined forces to spend the last week of February building homes with Habitat for Humanity for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Twenty-seven people from First Baptist, Ypsilanti, Immanuel Baptist, Ypsilanti, and Grass Lake Federated Church. Pastors Randy Johnson, Kent Jennings, and Chuck McNeil will be joined by Dr. Sue Cichowski, Maddie Laule, Tonja Hamilton, Melany Rezmer, Sue Johnson, Shirley Lambert, Rick and Lynne Punnett, Edgar and Karen Bork, Dan and Sue Teare, Phil and Carol Grimmette, Eric Weidmeyer, Terri Champlin, Becky Gilfbert, John Personett, Keith Harper, Terry and Yvonne Beerens, Karen Richards, and Pandy Neyome, and Melanie Rulewicz.

Short Notices

Friendship House is pleased to announce its new website. Go to http://detroitfriendshiphouse.com and learn about programs, special events, wish list items and more

American Baptist church groups and individuals are needed to build houses in April and May on the Gulf Coast for victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita who are still homeless. We need 300 volunteers to sign up by April 1. Does your church need a mission project? For more information see: http://www.nationalministries.org/caring_ministries/vim/

Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders will be held at Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, May 5-9, Glen Ellyn, Illinois (near Chicago). Visit www.LMPeaceCenter.org for information.

On-line Registration For Lake Louise Baptist Camp is available beginning February 1. Visit the camp website at www.camplakelouise.com to see the camp sessions available for this coming summer.

American Baptist Women have a Road Trip planned for next fall. See http://tinyurl.com/yombxh.

The 2008 Congress on Urban Ministry (sponsored by SCUPE) will be held in Chicago, April 15-18, 2008. There's still time to take advantage of an early registration discount. See http://tinyurl.com/2jttws.

Save the date for the J. Alfred Smith Sr. Institute for Prophetic Justice, October 13-15, 2008, Oakland, CA. For information see: http://www.nationalministries.org/jasi//

Read the latest issue of International Ministries Prayer Call: http://abc-mi.org/elink/prayer-call.pdf.

The Friendship House Newsletter is now provided in both PDF and DOC formats. The DOC format is a much smaller file and will take much less time to acquire on slow dialup connections. Read it in PDF at http://abc-mi.org/elink/fh.pdf or in DOC format at http:abc-mi.org/fh.doc.

The latest Friendship House Virtual Family Shop newsletter is here: http://abc-mi.org/elink/vfs.pdf.

The next issue of E-Link Online will be published on February 25, 2008. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by February 21.

Editor's Trips

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