Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

Churches and Mission Partners!

StudentServe Position Request applications are NOW OPEN. Do you have a ministry opportunity or role that would be expanded or enhanced by a student intern? If so, consider filling out a Position Request for Spring & Summer of 2025.

Each semester, including over the summer, CBF offers the opportunity to college age youth (18 and over), seminarians and graduate students to enjoy mission opportunities that may lead to vocation callings in church or field ministries. Historically, we've called these programs Student.Church and Student.Go, but we are now integrating these programs under the new name "StudentServe."

To learn more about StudentServe and complete a Position Request, visit https://cbf.net/studentserve. Applications are due SEPTEMBER 30th!

We love it when you say nice things about us😉

The heart of CBF is the local church. Whether you’re looking for clergy support, congregational resources, help with missions engagement, financial wellness education, advocacy ideas or abuse prevention training–if you need us, we’ve got you!

You can learn more about our “garden” of experts by visiting https://cbf.net/ministries 💜🪴

"As a Royal Ambassador I Will Do My Best..."

Do those words ring a bell? They do for CBF field personnel Steve Clark, who was recently invited to meet a different type of ambassador– one for the United Nations.

On today’s blog post, Steve recounts his meeting with ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, and his courageous advocacy for the people of Burma. Read more: https://cbfblog.com/2024/08/15/as-a-royal-ambassador-i-will-do-my-best/

📢 Exciting news! CBF is offering the first in-person Cultivating Generous Congregation (CGC) Cohort on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at West Main Baptist Church, Danville, VA.

Join CBF for a one-day seminar to transform your congregation's approach to giving and generosity. Bring your senior pastor and 2-3 lay leaders for an immersive experience. Cost is $550/church.

See link in bio for more details and registration. 🌟

As Tropical Storm Ernesto moves away from Puerto Rico, CBF is preparing to help in the aftermath. Currently, heavy rains are causing dangerous flooding and a lack of electricity throughout the area.

You can support those being impacted by the storm by joining us in prayer and giving to CBF’s Disaster Response fund. Click here https://www.classy.org/give/611172/ #!/donation/checkout and write “Tropical Storm Ernesto” in the comment field.

Thank you for your prayers, and for showing your love through support.

https://cbfblog.com/2024/08/14/cbf-responds-to-tropical-storm-ernesto-in-puerto-rico-extends-invitation-to-give-and-pray/

Read today's Mission Bite from field personnel Lita Sample:

“Babies are a joy. I just love them! When a woman in our community found out she was pregnant, she let me know that she needed a car seat so she could leave the hospital when the baby came. I was grateful she contacted me.

We have an encourager church, Nineteenth Avenue Baptist Church, that was happy to help us by ordering and sending us the carseat so that we could deliver it to her. Everything came together weeks before her due date. It was exciting to bring these items to this family who has such great need. The woman was so very grateful for the baby items to help her prepare for the new family member.

I believe that God wants us to go beyond sharing the gospel, we also need to provide for those in need, to love and care for those whom He loves and to show friendship. These are the things that share God's love. We are His hands and feet and we should go and give and love every opportunity we have.”

"Developing partnerships with people and organizations is among my most favorite things about the work we do. We have regular outside volunteers who help us distribute food in Conetoe. We have people who come to help us with various other needs there, such as summer camp, construction projects or garden work. All these volunteers come to help us, the missionaries.

But other than the partnerships of outside folks or churches is the volunteer work of those within the community who seek to help their neighbors. One such volunteer is Melvin. He drives the church van to pick up food boxes for the distribution each month to get 11 boxes of nonperishable food, weighing about 60 pounds each. On some of those months, he gets an additional box of fresh produce from Conetoe’s garden or their partner gardens.

On those months, we pack 22 boxes into his van. Melvin distributes these to people in his church who are part of the food supplemental program through a nearby food bank. Those folks could not come and get the food on their own because of physical or transportation restrictions. Melvin tells us every month, without fail, how much he appreciates us. We tell him how much we appreciate him.

Another volunteer is Phyllis, who picks up eight boxes for folks she works with at the local senior center. They too would not be able to come because of physical limitations or transportation issues. Melvin and Phyllis are dependable. They’re committed.

Rain or shine, shine, they show up. They come out of the desire to help others. They help us so much. But they help others so much more."

-Anna Anderson, field personnel, Rocky Mount, NC
--
"Algo de lo que más disfruto de nuestro trabajo es desarrollar asociaciones con personas y organizaciones. Tenemos voluntarios que nos ayudan a distribuir alimentos en Conetoe. Hay gente que viene a ayudarnos con otras necesidades, como campamentos de verano, proyectos de construcción o trabajos de jardinería. Todos estos voluntarios vienen a ayudarnos a nosotros, los misioneros.

Pero además de las colaboraciones de personas o iglesias de fuera, está el trabajo voluntario de quienes, dentro de la comunidad, tratan de ayudar a sus vecinos. Uno de estos voluntarios es Melvin. Él conduce la camioneta de la iglesia para recoger las cajas de alimentos para la distribución de cada mes para obtener 11 cajas de alimentos no perecederos, que pesan alrededor de 60 libras cada uno. En algunos de esos meses, recibe una caja adicional de productos frescos del huerto de Conetoe o de sus huertos asociados.

En esos meses, metemos unas 22 cajas en su furgoneta. Las distribuye a las personas de su iglesia que forman parte del programa complementario de alimentos de un banco de alimentos cercano. Esas personas no pueden venir a buscar los alimentos por su cuenta debido a restricciones físicas o de transporte. Melvin nos dice todos los meses, sin falta, cuánto nos aprecia. Nosotros le decimos lo mucho que le apreciamos.

Otra voluntaria es Phyllis, que recoge 8 cajas para la gente con la que trabaja en el centro local para ancianos. Ellos tampoco podrían venir por limitaciones físicas o problemas de transporte. Melvin y Phyllis son de fiar. Están comprometidos. Llueva o haya sol, acuden. Vienen con el deseo de apoyar a los demás. ¡Y lo hacen! Pero ayudan a los demás mucho más."

Speak love in any language, and people can’t help but listen💜

On today’s blog, Pastor Nelson Araújo shares the story of his church, and how his congregation, alongside CBF field personnel Matt and Michelle Norman, are rethinking what it means to make church accessible, relevant, and approachable for all people.

Read more about Nelson’s story and how he’s chosen to speak love: https://cbfblog.com/?p=38671

How do we navigate our differences with a contentious election on the horizon? Check out this week’s Podcast episode with John Inazu, law prof at Washington University
& author of .

Sponsored by Diana R. Garland School of Social Work , School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University , BSK Theological Seminary, Community Transformation Center, Baptist House of Studies at UPSem The Center for Congregational Health

Listen now: https://cbfblog.com/2024/08/13/cbf-podcast-john-inazu-learning-to-disagree/

CBF field personnel Maha Boulos shares her prayer for the Middle East on today’s blog.

We are grateful for Maha and Chaouki’s safety and ministry, and join them in their prayer for peace and healing.

Read the full prayer https://cbfblog.com/2024/08/12/a-prayer-for-the-middle-east/

“Our first experience with the bilingual service encourages me to hold both as valuable: the space we create and give each other to worship in the ways and languages that touch our hearts, while also taking the opportunity every now and then to get uncomfortable and try something different in order to form those connections.” - Laura Foushee, CBF field personnel

On the blog today, CBF field personnel Laura Foushee discusses the process of preparing and hosting a joint bilingual service with English and Japanese components. Read more at https://cbfblog.com/2024/08/12/the-in-between/

Friday’s Back to School resource is a pastoral blessing written by Leigh Anne Armstrong of Auburn First Baptist.

Whether the return to school brings feelings of excitement, fear or a myriad of emotions, we pray that you feel God’s presence in the wonder and newness.

Tag in your back to school posts and blessings– we’d love to celebrate and pray with you!

Mark your calendars!📅🎒

Today’s Back to School resource is CBF’s brand new public education advocacy calendar. Each month, we’ve listed several ways for you and your church to help champion public schools in your area!

Whether it’s through students, staff or alumni, all CBF churches are connected to their local public school system. Public schools are our first training ground on how to live, work and play with all of our neighbors. Advocacy for our public schools is needed in every community.

You can find both pdf and editable versions of the calendar here: https://cbf.net/public-education-advocacy-calendar

As you move through the year, keep us posted on the unique ways you and your congregation advocate for public schools!

Did you know that CBF is launching a Voting Rights campaign?🗳️

CBF’s Emmanuel McCall Racial Justice and Leadership Initiative in collaboration with CBF Advocacy invites you, your church or a small group to participate in its first advocacy campaign focused on voter rights.

On today’s blog, CBF’s Congregational Advocacy Manager, Sharon Felton, shares the vision behind this new initiative, and how our identity as people of faith should compel us to ensure that everyone’s voices are heard at the ballot box. Read more on the blog, and sign up to be a part of the CBF Voting Rights campaign at cbf.net/votingrights

https://cbfblog.com/2024/08/08/loving-your-neighbor-at-the-ballot-box-cbfs-mccall-initiative-invites-participation-in-advocacy-campaign-on-voting-rights/

Looking for a back to school devotional? Passport has you covered!

Check out this blurb about their Back2School series:

Back2School, the August devotional series, returns to d365.org this week. These devotions are geared towards helping students navigate the transition from summer to the return of school. The series features scripture, prayer and meditative thoughts accompanied by gentle music. For the first time, devotions in this series are offered in both English and Spanish.

You can access this free resource here: https://d365.org/

Today’s Back to School resource is a Backpack Blessing written by the 2023 National Teacher of the Year, Rebecka Peterson.

Rebecka read this blessing at the Encourager Church and Advocacy Breakfast at this year’s CBF General Assembly. We invite you to sit with her words and share them at your own Backpack Blessing services.

Tag us in your back to school posts and blessings– we’d love to celebrate and pray with you!

How do high-functioning people get in their own way of renewal? Check out this week’s Podcast episode with Kevin Miguel Garcia, author of .

Sponsored by Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University, BSK Theological Seminary, Community Transformation Center, Baptist House of Studies at UPSem, The Center for Congregational Health

https://cbfblog.com/2024/08/06/cbf-podcast-kevin-miguel-garcia-what-makes-you-bloom/

Children’s Leaders Continued Learning is back! The Baugh Center for Baptist Leadership will have two classes this Fall: Teaching with Children will run for the second semester starting August 19, and Spiritual Care for Children in Crisis will start October 7 with Amanda Whipple Alexander as the facilitator.

Each class is six weeks, online and self-paced other than one Zoom call. The cost is $150 and we welcome ministers and lay leaders! Send The Baugh Center a message or reach out to Harrison Litzell to register. ([email protected])

“As advocates for the life God intends for all people, Fredericksburg Baptist Church listens and responds spiritually and tangibly. We listen and pray. We discern what is beneficial and then do what we can to redeem and restore the flourishing life that God desires for all of creation.”

On the blog today, Rev. Dr. Jeanne Anderson shares how her congregation pursues advocacy through their partnership with LUCHA Ministries, Inc.

Read more: https://cbfblog.com/2024/08/06/advocacy-to-redeem-and-restore-life-as-god-intends/

We’re gearing up for a new school year here at CBF!🎒📚✏️

Over the next few days, we’ll be sharing some resources you, your family and your church can use to prepare for the start of a new school year and support your local students and teachers!

We’re starting this week with a Back to School Litany written by Leigh Anne Armstrong from Auburn First Baptist Church. May we be curious, caring, and courageous as we walk into a new year!

“We are closer to each other, to those around us, and to God who guides us through embracing the stranger in our midst and sharing our lives with each other”- Rev. Candace McKibben

On today’s blog, we’re featuring a story from Fellowship! magazine that highlights the work of one of this year’s Mission Excellence Award recipients– Tallahassee Fellowship.

Read about their partnership with International Rescue Committee and their ongoing commitment to welcome refugee families at the link below.

Great work Tallahassee Fellowship!🎉

https://cbfblog.com/2024/08/02/tallahassee-fellowship-honored-with-mission-excellence-award-for-ministry-sponsoring-refugee-families/

Sometimes holy ground meets us when we least expect it, but most need it. CBF field personnel Karen Morrow reflects:

“During Holy Week I took the time to pause to reflect on our brokenness and what Christ has done for us in giving the ultimate sacrifice of himself for us. As I reflected, I was challenged to look at the why and how I serve refugees and immigrants.

Recently I have spent a lot of time welcoming new arrivals – helping them fill out paperwork, getting the necessary immunizations, registering children for school and transporting them to medical appointments. Each task can take hours with multiple challenges often leaving one to question, “What have I really accomplished?”

One morning, I arrived early at a Venezuelan refugee’s apartment to take the mother and children for immunizations. As I was waiting for them to get their coats on, I looked over to their table and saw an open Bible. I quickly snapped a photo. I was on holy ground.

These refugees were my brothers and sisters in Christ and I was privileged to be a small part of God’s provision for them as they established a safe new home in the U.S.

On our way home from their immunizations, D, the mother shared with me that there was a new Venezuelan family who had arrived and asked me to help them. She said her pastor here had told them it was their responsibility to help the new arrivals with what they had learned. D was quickly developing from one of the blessed to blessing others; the one served to serving others.”

“One day at Oasis, Mara whispered to me that she and Rebin were expecting a baby. She was thrilled… I was so honored she trusted me to go with her to this first appointment. Hearing a baby’s heartbeat is a holy moment to any mother.”

On the blog today, CBF field personnel Stella Perrin shares the story of her friend, Mara, and how they’ve found family in one another through the excitement and anticipation of a new baby.

Read more: https://cbfblog.com/2024/08/01/shared-heartbeat/

“As I prayed about the challenges she had described and stumbled with the lack of Portuguese words, a bit of French and English slipped in. And somehow it didn’t matter because, fueled by God’s love, Julia builds beloved community as naturally as she breathes and her beloved community includes me.” - Lynn Hutchinson, CBF field personnel

On today’s blog, Lynn shares how she has witnessed and been a part of a beloved community in Portugal.

Read more: https://cbfblog.com/2024/07/31/beyond-words/