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November 3, 2016

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Take the Land – Mission & Ministry Summit 2017

By Lance Johnson, Host/Moderator

We are already in full swing making plans for the 2017 edition of the Missions & Ministry Summit and I couldn’t be more excited. I want to take this opportunity to invite you to be part of this incredible journey.

Our theme for the 2017 Summit will be “Take the Land.” I believe God has placed your church in just the right location to make an eternal impact on those around you and He is calling you to “Take the Land”. This has been our calling from the very beginning of our movement. We unapologetically proclaim the truth that Jesus tasted death for every man, woman, boy and girl. As General Baptists, we want to do anything we possibly can, while we trust God to do the impossible so we may take the land He has given us by sharing this life changing message.

That’s why I believe the Missions & Ministry Summit is so important for each of our churches. Each year, General Baptists from all across the globe gather together to encourage and strengthen one another. Our focus is always on learning how we can make a greater impact in growing God’s Kingdom. We challenge each other to further develop our respective ministries through meaningful worship, purposeful training, and missional challenges.

At next year’s Summit, we will continue to challenge and encourage one another on July 17th-19th at the Old National Events Plaza in Evansville, Indiana. It is already shaping up to be an incredible event.

We will be offering a wide array of breakout sessions that will help you better impact your community. We will build on the excitement generated by the Go Project at the 2016 Summit and once again have a focus track on children’s ministry development. You will have an opportunity to explore technology in the church with workshops on service planning and volunteer ministry through Planning Center Online, working with presentation software like Pro Presenter, as well as resources for graphics and video editing. Other possible tracks we are discussing involve leadership development in the church, personal enrichment, and much more.

All of our breakout sessions will be designed to equip you to “Take the Land” God has given you. It would be an incredible opportunity for your church to bring staff, leaders, and volunteers to grow in their respective ministries.

There is also an inspiring roster of keynote speakers for the 2017 Summit. We will welcome to the main stage one of our very own difference makers, Gary Baldus. Pastor Gary has been intentional as he planted New Walk Church in Zephyrhills, Florida to “Take the Land” God called him to. New Walk has now grown to become the largest church in General Baptist history.

We will be challenged by Aaron Broyles. Aaron is a Christian author of the book “Do Great Things”, a speaker, and entrepreneur. As a successful businessman and leadership developer, his focus is on discovering purpose, helping people see opportunities that others don’t see, and achieving success in those opportunities.

And finally, we will welcome back to the Summit none other than Alex Himaya. Alex serves as pastor of TheChurch.at in Oklahoma and was a special part of the 2015 Missions and Ministry Summit.

This year’s Summit is going to be incredible. As always, you are going to be able to reconnect with old friends and have the opportunity to network with new ones. But even more than that, we will all be equipped and encouraged to make a difference in the world around us. With God leading the way, I believe with all of my heart that you and your church can make that difference. So I am challenging you to prepare yourself for God-sized things in your ministry by inviting you to be part of this amazing event.

Make plans now to attend the 2017 Missions and Ministry Summit on July 17th-19th. For more details and information, visit the Summit website at www.gbSummit.org.

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General Baptist Ministries

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May 3, 2016

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Discipleship, GBBC, India, International Missions, Leadership, Philippines

Go Beyond Borders – Mission Beyond Ourselves

By Joyce Porcadillia, President of General Baptist Bible College, The Philippines

This post was originally published in the 2016 Spring issue of the GB Messenger. Don’t receive the Messenger? You can always catch the latest digital issue on the Messenger website, www.gbMessenger.org

The General Baptist Bible College, Inc. (GBBC) over the years has evolved from a small Bible school of 18 students to a multi-level educational institution. The dream to have a training school has been fulfilled. Through dedication, commitment and hard work this institution was built. We thank our leaders who have gone before us for their leadership, foresight, careful planning, and generosity. If not for their leadership and vision in the past, GBBC wouldn’t even be here today.

Most of us were not around when GBBC started, but we all know that moving towards where GBBC is now has been challenging as well as inspiring. The current reality is that in order for GBBC to be distinct in its offerings, we need to adapt to the fast changing landscape of basic education, theological education, and ministerial training. We need to be proactive in responding to the demands and needs of our stakeholders and the different fields of missions and ministries. Therefore, we need to maximize our physical, human and financial resources and adopt new initiatives to achieve the vision of becoming a premier institution for leadership development in Christian ministries and missions in the Philippines and around the world. Continue reading →

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November 19, 2015

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Christian Life, Discipleship, Leadership, Pastoring, Staying Connected

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Six Thoughts on Six Living Generations

By Dr. Franklin R. Dumond – Director of Congregational Ministries

Six generations of people now live in the United States. They range in age from those who are centenarians to those still in their formative years. The labels given them and the chronology of their generations are:

GI Generation—born 1901-1926, now age 90+ years of age

Silent Generation—born 1927-1945, now 70-88 years old

Baby Boom Generation—born 1946-1964, now 51-69 years old

Generation X—born 1965-1980, now 35-50 years old

Generation Y (Millennials)—born 1981-2000, now 15—34 years old

Generation Z—born after 2001 and now in their formative years.

While lengthy descriptions abound to label and define each generation here are six observations about these six generations. For further discussion of generational characteristics see this interesting article.

Generational labels are cultural, not necessarily chronological.

Just because an individual is of a certain age doesn’t necessarily mean that he/she holds the same worldview, preferences and habits as everyone else in that generation. People come in all shapes and sizes. Habits and lifestyles are learned and chosen not imposed and required.
Each generation enjoys unique experiences and thus has its own language and style of communication.

Typically those unique experiences are little known or recognized at the time and are understood by the participants in hindsight. My great-grandmother was born in the 19th century. Her generation experienced the innovations of electricity and DDT. Electricity provided lights and power. The insecticide DDT provided respite from the plague of insects so prevalent during the growing season.
Cross generational networks are important to aid mutual understanding of and appreciation for the similarities and differences between the generations.

The most natural mechanism for cross generational networks is the family of origin since it has always been the case that one generation gives birth to, nurtures and then releases the next generation. Cross generational networks often form in the workplace, in the neighborhood and in faith communities.
Intergenerational networks are vital to form identity, share values and develop the new alliances that characterize adulthood.

Without peers we can never realize our own full potential for no one is an island.
Authenticity and mutual respect are essential within and across each generation.

Enough said.
With six active generations present at the same time, each influenced by unique circumstances, life-events and preferences, niche marketing is essential.

This principle has been expressed by a businessman who became a public relations spokesman. He advocates that one must become all things to all people to convince a few of the truth being shared. This businessman was originally a tent manufacturer who later became a primary spokesman for Christianity. He also reminds us that unless we speak their language they will never hear our message. Logically he also concludes that unless someone tells them they will never know what we know.

To further explore these notions see the New Testament writings of Paul as found in “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” I Corinthians 9:22 and “Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying?” I Corinthians 14:9 and “How can they hear unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14

The Doing Together Blog

Category Archives: Discipleship

Take the Land – Mission & Ministry Summit 2017

Go Beyond Borders – Mission Beyond Ourselves

Six Thoughts on Six Living Generations

Generational labels are cultural, not necessarily chronological.

Each generation enjoys unique experiences and thus has its own language and style of communication.

Cross generational networks are important to aid mutual understanding of and appreciation for the similarities and differences between the generations.

Intergenerational networks are vital to form identity, share values and develop the new alliances that characterize adulthood.

Authenticity and mutual respect are essential within and across each generation.

With six active generations present at the same time, each influenced by unique circumstances, life-events and preferences, niche marketing is essential.