Issue 2008.07
March 24, 2008

New Logo

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Jesus is risen, therefore God's new world has begun. Jesus is risen, therefore Israel and the world have been redeemed. Jesus is risen, therefore his followers have a new job to do.

And what is that new job? To bring the life of heaven to birth in actual, physical earthly reality. ... The bodily resurrection of Jesus is more than a proof that God performs miracles or that the Bible is true. It is more than the Christians' knowing of Jesus in our own experience (that is the truth of Pentecost, not of Easter). It is much, much more than the assurance of heaven after death (Paul speaks of "going away and being with Christ," but his main emphasis is on coming back again in a risen body, to live in God's new born creation). Jesus's resurrection is the beginning of God's new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord's Prayer is about. -- N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, 2008, p. 293

West Area Katrina Mission 2008

by Frank Fishman

Katrina Mission 2008

The West Area ABC of Michigan sponsored a Katrina Relief Mission Trip to Waveland, Mississippi February 9-17. Thirteen workers (ages 15 through 77) from six churches, of which three were Area churches. The local sponsor was Shoreline Park Baptist Church and their pastor Rev. Ed Murphy. We were introduced to this work through the Disaster Relief work of the American Baptist Men of West Virginia in February 2007 on a similar trip. [Click on picture to watch brief slideshow.]

Some of the churches involved in 2007 had already made return trips to Waveland based on this experience with the wonderful hosting, expediting and direction of Pastor Murphy. Shoreline Park has been involved in about 1000 homes in the area, including demolition, repair and new building, coordinating volunteers and gifts from around the country and even beyond.

This year the group did finishing work on three new homes, especially electrical work, interior doors and trim painting and a porch (typically 9 feet above ground!). Continuing work on a home begun by another group of volunteers sometimes leads to interesting situations -- where does this wire go -- and from where does this one come? What width door is supposed to fit in this opening? Did they really put up the sheet rock and paint it before connecting the wire to the box? But things are finally done right under Pastor Murphy's supervision before the house is turned over to the owner. (Typically the new rebuilds involve construction with materials paid for by the owner, but volunteer labor, and usually without insurance help).

Some of our people spent considerable time organizing construction materials inventory and delivering them to various other projects in process, while others worked in the kitchen and in kitchen, bathroom, and dormitory maintenance. And we all enjoyed devotions in the now beautifully restored Shoreline Park Sanctuary and the Youth building (usable but not yet complete; the Educational Wing, which some of us worked on last year is still far from done). We also got a chance to meet some of the people whose homes we worked on and received their heartfelt thanks. We know we should be willing toserve others that don't acknowledge our contribution, but it certainly is good to see real appreciation!

Much work remains to be done and no doubt some of us will return again, although the work with AMOS/PROVADENIC is much in our hearts (there was a week's trip there over Christmas break). In both places the needs are great, and the local agencies make it easy to do something useful for the Lord that is also appreciated by His people.

Arrivals, Departures, Celebrations, Concerns

§  On Sunday, March 9, Hazel Boltwood was honored at a celebration reception held at the First Baptist Church of Birmingham. Over 100 people attended this event honoring Hazel for her many years of service in American Baptist related ministries. Hazel is a commissioned minister and an active member of the First Baptist Church of Birmingham. For 18 years she was Director of International Services at Wayne State University. In American Baptist life she has served as president of the Detroit Baptist Manor, the Southeast Area board, the American Baptist Churches of Michigan (1991), and Region and area American Baptist Women. Hazel has twice served as interim minister for the American Baptist Churches of the Detroit area. During the March 9 reception many people gave voice to their deep appreciation for the life and work of Hazel, especially in the Detroit area. Most recently she has served as volunteer administrator for the work of the Metropolitan Detroit Association of American Baptist Churches. Although her day to day administrative activities will cease, her wisdom will still be available for years to come. Thank you, Hazel!

§  On March 9 members of Bethel Baptist Church, Southgate gathered to honor their pastor, the Rev. Roger Dahlen, for 25 years of service. The evening included dinner and a program involving contributions by church members, many of whom have come to the church through Roger's long ministry. Although the evening was a celebration of the past for Roger and his family, it was clear that the pastor and people of Bethel are excited about the "new things" God is doing as the ministry continues to grow.

FANNING THE FLAME

Deadline for registration is April 1.

National Pastors' Renewal Conference
APRIL 22-25, 2008
GREEN LAKE CONFERENCE CENTER
GREEN LAKE, WISCONSIN

Register for this conference today by going to the Region website (www.abc-mi.org).

A wonderful opportunity to 

Free luxury bus transportation will be provided to and from the conference on a first come first served basis until the bus is full. Call the Region office (1-800-632-2953) to reserve a seat.

Apply for a New Life Grant of $300.00 from National Ministries and the conference will cost you nothing! Contact Sheila Kaminski (skaminski@abc-mi.org) to receive an application. You must be listed in the Region Professional Registry to receive a New Life Grant.

§  E-Link Online Editor Joe Mortensen will spend 5 to 7 days in MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland following surgery on March 28 to remove a non-malignant growth.

§  Ryszard Gutkowski, Director of Christian Education Center "Diamond" in Poland, has sent the following Easter greeting to the Region: "I wish you that the strength and might of the Risen Christ affects your life every day. May God give you joy and peace. Best wishes for Easter Season!"

§  The Rev. Elwood Goss, 90, died February 18, 2008, in Gadsden, Alabama. He served pastorates in seven different states, including Michigan, where he was pastor of Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, Saginaw, from 1955-57.

CHURCH PLANTING PLANNING MEETING

On Wednesday, April 2, the Congregational Missions and Ministry Team will be hosting a seminar designed to provide us with tools and information on leading a successful church planting movement here in ABC-MI. We have invited Rev. Gary Rohrmayer from the Baptist General Conference Midwest. Gary has been a successful church planter and now leads the church planting movement for BGC Midwest. The BGC has a success rate of over 80% when it comes to planting churches. We want to learn what they are doing right! Gary will be with us from 9am to 3pm on April 2nd at Covenant Baptist Church in W. Bloomfield to share his experience. To learn more about this movement and the agenda for the day, please continue reading...

North Area to Hold "Vision Quest"

The Rev. Todd Regester, chair of the North Area, is inviting all pastors and churches to engage in "Vision Quest" to help shape the future of the Area and its mission. >>> Read the letter of invitation.

Job Openings

Alpha Baptist Church of Livonia, Michigan is seeking a Youth Director. The person qualified for this position must have a personal relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ, and be able to convey this experience to our youth. Job duties include: Planning and leading weekly meetings and other activities with both junior and senior high students designed to lead them to a deeper understanding of their relationship with Jesus Christ. This person will also serve as an advocate for our youth to the church body. This part time position includes a salary, and on site housing. The two story house has 3 bedrooms and appliances. Gas, electric and water are paid by the church. Send resumes to: Alpha Baptist Church, 28051 West Chicago, Livonia, MI 48150, Attention: Youth Search Committee. Questions: Call (734) 421-6300.

First Baptist Church, Howell, is seeking a Director of Youth Ministries. >>> Read the job posting.

Short Notices

Camp Lael's summer brochure and related mailings will be sent to the churches by March 14, 2008. Online registration for Camp Lael will begin the same day. The early bird deadline to receive $25 off the camp fees will be May 1st. In the meantime folks can visit www.camplael.com to view the summer schedule and camp descriptions.

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

Camp Lake Louise is taking a giant stride in programming. H.B. London from Focus On The Family, will be presenting at the Leadership Ahead family camp. More details can be found at www.leadershipahead.com.

Camp Lael is accepting applications for summer employment. Needed are cabin counselors, lifeguards, activity directors and CIT's, as well as kitchen and maintenance helpers. Applications are available on our website at www.camplael.com

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 next issue of E-Link Online will be published on April 7, 2008. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by April 3.

Can You Identify This Church?

An E-Link Online reader has discovered the photo shown below among his maternal grandparents' belongings and has asked for help in identifying the location of the church. If you can help, please reply to Burchsapling@aol.com. Click on the photo to see a larger version.

Temple Church

Editor's Trips

Disclaimer: listing of these references does not imply endorsement of positions or policies advocated in them by either the American Baptist Churches of Michigan or the editor of E-Link Online. They are provided here for further thought, discussion, and inquiry. Caveat lector.

The Editor

The Editor
»»  Shroud of Turin Tinted Pink in Laundry Mishap -- http://tinyurl.com/35moq7
»»  Northern Seminary Names New President -- http://www.seminary.edu/news/
»»  Evangelical Polygamists -- http://tinyurl.com/28k8re
»»  Preaching on the Resurrection -- http://tinyurl.com/348mwa
»»  Music on the Brain -- http://tinyurl.com/3896rq