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BAPTIST ASSOCIATIONS

Each one counts

In reference to: “Acts 1:8: What just one church can do,” May 19, I submit the following. A church concerned for their “Jerusalem” and even portions of their “Judea, in all Samaria and to the ends of the earth” can, quite simply, participate in the mission ministry of their local Association of Churches. It is the obvious starting point. After all, we can always accomplish more together than we could ever accomplish alone.

J. David Southerland Executive Director, Florida Baptist Association

REAL DISCIPLES?

SBC 'Take-over'

One of the main reasons for the "take-over" of the SBC by the "conservatives" was to ignite a revival of evangelism. That is, if you describe evangelism as getting someone to nod his head, agreeing to accept Jesus as Savior. That is the way to begin, for sure, but the true meaning of the Great Commission is to "make disciples." As half of our converts are not even in church on any given Sunday, maybe we need to emphasize the making of disciples of those who profess Jesus. Are we in a position to do this? Are we good disciples? Or are we "yet carnal, seeing there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions?" (I Cor. 3:3). We forced to resign a number of God's greatest saints of this generation and filled their places of leadership with "our men" in every headship of every board and agency, including the presidencies of our six seminaries. Are we real disciples? "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (I John 3:14)

John T. James Punta Gorda

STUDENT MINISTRIES

USAF cadets sought

The Baptist Student Union at the United States Air Force Academy would like to contact the men and women reporting to the Academy June 29 and 30. For those arriving June 29, we will meet them at the airport, provide free lodging, meals, transportation, and take them to the Academy at the appointed time on June 30. For those arriving June 30, the Air Force Academy buses will meet them, but we would like to know of their coming so we can make contact once they have arrived. This is an opportunity to meet smiling faces and make new Christian friends before beginning Basic Cadet Training. If pastors, parents, relatives, friends or new cadets will contact us with name, address, telephone and e-mail address we will contact them to secure flight arrival times and provide further information. The Air Force Academy Baptist Student Union is a widely recognized organization and is here for the purpose of contributing to cadets’ spiritual growth. Through the support of the North American Mission Board, Colorado Baptist General Convention, Pikes Peak Baptist Association and local churches, the BSU provides a most active and effective ministry. We seek to minister to cadets through Bible study, discipleship and evangelism training, local church involvement, worship, fellowship, along with mission and ministry endeavors. Please contact Mary Kathryn Kelly at 820 Timbertop Court, Colorado Springs, CO 80921; by phone at 719-484-0347 or 719-660-1676; or by e-mail at wwmkk@earthlink.net. Alternatively, you may contact Bill Gandy at 550 West Woodmen Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80919; by phone at 719-635-0026; or by e-mail at bgandy@ppba.org. Also, for anyone attending West Point, the Naval Academy or Coast Guard Academy, similar ministries are provided. At West Point, contact Dwain Gregory at 83-80 118th St, #2P, Kew Gardens, NY 11415; by phone at 719-963-4477; or by e-mail at Dwain.Gregory@usma.edu or LeeDGreg@aol.com. At the Naval Academy, contact Kirk Ritchey at 201 Hanover Street, Annapolis, MD 21401; by phone at 443-994-1938; or e-mail ritchey@usna.edu. At the Coast Guard Academy, contact Randy Barnes at 99 Maple Ave, Uncasville, CT 06382; by phone at 860-848-6628; or e-mail: nlcministry@sbcglobal.net.

Mary Kathryn Baptist Collegiate Ministries United States Air Force Academy

CAMPBELL'S LABELS

Church van needed

We need help in our collection of Campbell's Soup labels, Pepperidge Farm, Gold Fish, Franco American labels and UPC seals. I'm director of the Woman's Missionary Union at Mayo Baptist Church and I began to participate in "Labels for Education" a year and a half ago in order to procure a van for my church. We need one the older folks can step into and Campbell's offers one. I need help. Several churches are helping, but it's very slow. I have about 11,000 labels in the Campbell's bank. But it takes 1,000,500 (one million 500 thousand labels). I pray that this project could become a reality.

Vi Johnson P.O. Box 696 Mayo, FL 32066