The Baptist Courier

August 29, 2024

“Forty-seven years ago today, Melissa Ohden was born alive in Sioux City, Iowa. The abortion failed. Today is her birthday, a day that wasn’t celebrated when she took her first breath.

She said, ‘So many people take for granted the fact that they have a birthday.’

Ohden said she celebrates that the Lord spared her life, but it doesn’t take away the fact that she suffered five days in the womb and that even after she was born she wasn’t celebrated.

‘They didn’t see my inherent dignity and value,’ Ohden said.

Ohden soaked in a toxic salt solution for five days before she was born. After her mom was induced into labor, a nurse rescued her and took her to the NICU — weighing only three pounds. She was adopted by two loving parents.

Ohden lived a normal life, until at age 14 she found out that she was a survivor of abortion.

She said, ‘I am not ashamed to say I didn’t want to be this person. It was a very lonely place to be.’

She said being a survivor bumps up against your identity.

‘When we’re receiving the message from our culture that it’s a choice and a right, that is what causes such an identity crisis for us,’ Ohden said.”

Read the full article here:

A Miracle Birthday: Abortion Survivor Celebrates 47 Years of Life - Baptist Courier Forty-seven years ago today, Melissa Ohden was born alive in Sioux City, Iowa. The abortion failed. Today is her birthday, a day that wasn’t celebrated when she took her first breath. She said, “So many people take for granted the fact that they have a birthday.” Ohden said she celebrates that...

We often hear big numbers when it comes to camp. We hear of hundreds of campers, and hundreds of professions of faith, but behind each number is a real camper with a real story. What are some very specific ways that God worked at summer camp this year? Read some of these stories at the link:
https://baptistcourier.com/2024/08/god-working-before-during-and-after-summer-camps/

Photos provided by Camp McCall and Camp LaVida.

Camp McCall Camp La Vida fugecamps South Carolina Baptist Convention

The Law Amendment was never approved. What now? Read Nathan Finn's viewpoint here.

First Person: A Convention of Complementarian Churches - Baptist Courier Over the past two years, I’ve said very little in public about the so-called Law Amendment. As recording secretary, I’m an officer of the Southern Baptist Convention who is eligible for perpetual election. If elected, I’ll serve Southern Baptists joyfully, regardless of the outcome of this or ...

Family fun!

🌽Join us for the 3rd Annual Corn Maze at Maxwell Farms!🌽

Come experience the fun on Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 11-12! Get lost in our exciting corn maze, enjoy a wagon ride through the farm, and let the kids have a blast in the Kids’ Zone with bounce houses, ziplining, and more!

Dates & Times:
- Friday, Sept. 27: 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 28: 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 11: 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 12: 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Enjoy food trucks, a petting zoo, a photo booth, shopping, and more! Don't miss the Night of Worship on Oct. 12 featuring Benjamin William Hastings with opening worship by NewSpring Worship and Shandon Baptist Church.

All proceeds support Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries. We can't wait to see you there! 🎃✨

For more details and tickets, visit https://conniemaxwell.com/cornmaze/

Some notes taken from the article...

𝟏. 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞.

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33).

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm (Prov. 13:20).

a. Plug into a college ministry.
b. Plug into a solid local church. "…Joining a solid church is essential for your spiritual life and development."

𝟐. 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭.

"If you are going to grow into the person that God has called you to be, you will need to embrace a life of discipline. Discipline is not legalism. Godly discipline is motivated by the grace of God in Christ and puts you in the path of God's power."

Three important areas of discipline:
1. Sleep
Lack of sleep may contribute to mental health difficulties and sinful habits.

2. Studies
Students must steward their studies well.

3. Spiritual Disciplines
"…College is a great time to learn how to feed yourself."

𝟑. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰.

"The real world starts now. Right here, right now, you have an unprecedented chance to not just get an education but to grow deep roots in your walk with Christ and to make an eternal impact by reaching people for Christ."

"The best person to reach a college student with the gospel is another student."

"Don't waste your time as an insider on one of the most strategic mission fields on earth—the college campus."

Read the full article at the link ---> 🖇️https://baptistcourier.com/2024/08/from-surviving-to-thriving-3-tips-for-christian-college-students/

From Surviving to Thriving: 3 Tips for Christian College Students - Baptist Courier There are many excellent articles and books written with the goal of helping Christian students survive the temptations of college life. This is important, because a recent study by Lifeway Research found that two-thirds (66 percent) of American young adults who attended a Protestant church regularl...

Scroll down for giveaway details.

"If polity [how a church is governed] is healthy—that is, if it's shaped by God's Word and understood by a congregation who wants to walk in the Spirit—then there's a much better chance of a church being healthy." —Mending the Nets, written by Phil A. Newton and Rich C. Shadden.

Please reshare this post (even if you are not in church leadership) so that many pastors can be exposed to this helpful resource.

BOOK GIVEWAY DETAILS:

To enter:
1. Like this post.
2. Tag one friend in the comments who you think may be interested.

Details:
-You must complete the first two steps in order to be counted in the drawing.
-The deadline to enter is August 30 and the winner will be announced publicly with your account username on August 31. We will then contact you directly with further instructions.
-This promotion is not endorsed by Facebook.

Thank you for your participation. This giveaway is sponsored by Courier Publishing, a wing of The Baptist Courier.

Looking to expand your library? Here are four books that may encourage and challenge your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. For more detailed descriptions of the books, you can visit this link. https://baptistcourier.com/2024/08/new-and-noteworthy-books-august-2024/. There you will find a short overview of the each books.

Thank you for being apart of The Baptist Courier community. Feel free to reach out to us anytime with any suggestions, questions, or concerns.

—The Baptist Courier

The first day of class has arrived for several South Carolina colleges and universities. Other colleges' first day of class is right around the corner. We've included our Baptist universities start days, as well as several other well-known universities below. Make sure to stop and pray for the students who are about to embark on a new school year.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
‭‭
First day of classes around the state:

-Anderson University: August 21
-North Greenville University: August 21
-Charleston Southern University: August 26
-Furman University: August 27
-Clemson University: August 21
-University of South Carolina: August 20
-Bob Jones University: August 28
-College of Charleston: August 20
-Winthrop University: August 19
-Converse University: August 26
-Coastal Carolina University: August 21
-Erskine College: August 21
-USC Upstate: August 19
-Francis Marion University: August 15
-Claflin University: August 15
-Coker University: August 19
-Southern Wesleyan University: August 19
-Presbyterian College: August 19

North Greenville University BCM at NGU Furman University Clemson University Clemson BCM Charleston BCM Charleston Southern University AU BCM Anderson University University of South Carolina Upstate University of South Carolina SC BCM Bob Jones University College of Charleston Winthrop University Winthrop Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) Converse University Coastal BCM Erskine BCM Erskine College Francis Marion University Francis Marion BCM Claflin University Coker University BCM Coker University South Carolina Baptist Convention

Ryan Pack, senior pastor of Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Irmo since 2017, will be nominated to serve as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

Pack will be nominated by Cory Horton, senior pastor of Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Greer, when messengers gather at First Baptist Church, Columbia, this November.

Riverland Hill’s Pack to be Nominated to Lead SCBaptists - Baptist Courier Ryan Pack, senior pastor of Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Irmo since 2017, will be nominated to serve as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Pack will be nominated by Cory Horton, senior pastor of Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Greer, when messengers gather at First Baptist Churc...

We hope you’ll join this event.

🍽✨ Ministers' wives, you're invited to join us for a special lunch at the annual meeting. It will be a perfect opportunity to connect, share, and build community with fellow ministers' wives. Bring a friend, and let's enjoy this time together! See you there!

Jeremiah Bogan goes from playing football in Tigerville, South Carolina, to being a scouting assistant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Read the story at the link. 🔗
https://baptistcourier.com/2024/08/ngu-alumnus-jeremiah-bogan-takes-talents-to-the-next-level/

Rehearse the gospel: Romans 3:20
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

John 11:25-27 (ESV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

In what part of your life do you need reminding of God's sovereignty? These are quotes taken from Jeff Robinson's article entitled, "Life’s a Game of Inches, but God Controls the Inches."

Swipe through for some notable quotes and visit the link for the full article. 🔗
https://baptistcourier.com/2024/08/grace-and-truth-lifes-a-game-of-inches-but-god-controls-the-inches/

1 Timothy 1:12-14
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Para nuestros amigos hispanos…

Hispanic pastors and leaders are invited to join us at Edwards Road Baptist Church on August 30-31 for the upcoming Hispanic Pastors and Leaders Conference.

This is a unique opportunity to strengthen your Southern Baptist identity and foster unity through the Word, training, and fellowship. Don’t miss out—register today at the link below!

What do you think? Is your church stuck in the past?

Are some churches stuck in the past? - Baptist Courier Pews? Where we’re going, we don’t need pews. Some churchgoers say walking into their church feels like time travel, with ministry that would be at home in the past. Around 3 in 10 (29%) U.S. Protestant churchgoers say their church’s ministry activities and methods would fit best in a time peri...

Rehearse the gospel: Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hunter Armstrong, Olympic swimmer, seeks to keep swimming in its proper place. Armstrong said he can go without being a Olympian, but he can't live without God.

Read more about Armstrong at the link.🔗https://baptistcourier.com/2024/07/god-first-commitment-fuels-armstrongs-olympics-outlook/

Rehearse the gospel: Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Rehearse the gospel: Acts 2:36-39
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Times of anxiety will come. People will look for foundational truths and those things that have endured, consistently proven to withstand whatever challenges come in the modern day.

A scan across headlines shows it to be such a time. For husband-and-wife musical duo Kenny & Claire, their first full album looks to remind listeners that truths in Scripture remain the rock on which to build one’s faith.

"Upon the Storm," released July 19, features a blend of original work alongside hymns and is available on digital platforms as well as at KennyandClaire.com.

"We chose ‘God Moves Upon the Storm’ as the title track because we want to recognize the reality of suffering,” said Claire. “We don’t want to sugarcoat or overlook that but recognize the reality we face every day. At the same time, we’re using these songs as a way to preach to our hearts, remembering the truth of who the Lord is and that He does reign above everything, even upon the storm.”

The couple shared their testimony in an article with Baptist Press last year — Kenny’s grim brain tumor diagnosis, the successful surgery to remove it, his autoimmune disease that continues to this day, raising their family while serving together in churches and building a musical career.

Kenny & Claire released an EP, “Are You Weary,” in 2021.

“Our first album came out of a time where I was struggling with my health,” said Kenny. “This album comes alongside people in churches who are struggling with their situation, reminding them that we can’t look at God based on that and suggest it has something to do with His character.

“We have to look at Him and who He is above the situation.”

With a Folk/Americana style, the album features originals and songs based on the Apostles’ Creed and Psalm 23. Other tracks are ones the couple sings to their children — Eli, 12; Khayna, 11; and Nate, 8 — at night.

—Scott Barkley, chief national correspondent for Baptist Press.

Read the rest of the article at the link:
https://baptistcourier.com/2024/07/kenny-claire-first-full-album-urges-listeners-to-stay-grounded/

Rehearse the gospel: Acts 2: 29-33 (ESV)
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

"You are in France for the Olympics and see someone handing out free water bottles. It’s hot, and you’re thirsty, so you take one, but don’t stop.

You see an option for a virtual reality (VR) experience and put on your headset. A couple of clicks later, and you find yourself standing in a wide, deep room in the virtual world. You look up and see thousands of tiny, sparkling stars shining down through large windows. A floating screen tells you this is a place with a spiritual message.

Another click, and you see posters of Olympic athletes set up at intervals along a hallway. The photos display various emotions athletes experience. Struggle and celebration, victory and pain. As you walk down the hall, the posters transition to images of ordinary people illuminating life moments of heartbreak or joy.

As you reach the end, you see two doors. Above them hangs the question, “Who am I?” One door displays the image of someone who looks defeated and the other an image of someone celebrating. Which door will you choose? Which person are you?

You choose celebration and find yourself transported to a world with pristine white sands and crystal skies. In the distance across an expanse of blue water, there’s an island filled with palm trees, and you can hear music and people laughing. You see there is a party, but as you hurry toward the island, suddenly you drop. Down, down, into a dark, damp tunnel. Life is full of ups and downs. In the distance, you think you may see light. You start your journey, moving toward the Light.

This summer, IMB is using virtual reality to complement the European affinity’s digital engagement strategy for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Virtual reality is an immersive medium offering unique ways to engage ideas and stories in a highly social context.

'Every medium offers something unique that if you press into that, you will find new opportunities,' said Bryson Holtson, a member of the International Mission Board’s MXLabs — a globally-focused innovation team — that created the virtual reality world in partnership with the European affinity digital engagement team.

The experience culminates on a beautiful, serene island moving from a question of identity to the question of who Christ is. As many people in the world today grapple with their identity, this question connects their longing to the 'I AM' statements of Jesus. At the end of the journey, participants can watch a gospel presentation in one of several different languages."

Read the rest of the article here: https://baptistcourier.com/2024/07/imb-using-virtual-reality-at-olympics-to-provide-immersive-introduction-to-jesus/

—Written by Baptist Press

Rehearse the gospel: Acts 2:25-28
For David says concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

Evan Knies, publisher at Courier Publishing, asks Phil Newton about his new book, Mending the Nets. Newton co-authored the book with Rich Shadden.

Read the Q&A here:
https://baptistcourier.com/2024/07/qa-with-phil-newton-author-of-mending-the-nets/

South Carolina Baptist Convention
Courier Publishing

Rehearse the gospel: Acts 2:16-21 (ESV)

But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and v***r of smoke;
the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’