Category Archives: Christian Life

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May 7, 2021

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Calling, Christian Life, Christian Walk

Called For His Purpose

By Vicki Smith, Women’s Ministries Executive Director

“Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

– 2 Timothy 1:9

Merriam-Webster defines the word calling as “a strong impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence.”

I sometimes have felt that the phrase “I feel called to do it” has been used flippantly and often without real thought. I do not know how many times a woman has come to me and said, “I really feel called to do this,” and maybe six months later says that she does not feel called in that area anymore. We could spend countless hours discussing what it truly means to be called. Calling for each of us is different, and it comes in different forms. And yes, God does move us from one service area or “calling” to another. There is a passage of scripture that, in my mind, sums it all up. Isaiah 6:8 “Here I am Lord, Send Me.”

I ran across a quote by the author Emilie Barnes that says “Instead of thinking of the will of God, why not think of it as I will. God, I will do whatever you desire me to do.”

I have been so blessed in my life to have known so many Godly women. Women who only want to do the will of God. Some have stepped out of the box and have or are serving in some areas that have made them true pioneers in the denomination. Others have served in very traditional ways, while still others are unsung heroes serving quietly behind the scenes but faithfully answering God with “I will.” They cover a broad spectrum of ages and live in varying demographic areas. Their experiences are varied. Some I have known for a long time and are close friends. Some are colleagues that I have served alongside at some time or another. Some I have known only for a short time, but I am so thankful that God caused our paths to cross.

In 1911 Asenath Brewster responded to God with “I will.” To date, over 100 women have answered with “I will” and have gone to serve on one of our General Baptist mission fields. Over one-fourth of those going as a single woman.

I hope that as you read about these seven women, you will be as touched by their testimonies and as blessed as I am by their faithfulness. I also pray that their stories will inspire you to search for the “I WILL” in your life.

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The Confirmation Journey
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April 29, 2021

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Christian Life, Leadership

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The Confirmation Journey

By Chris Vaught

Nothing can fully prepare a person for the range of emotions felt when God places a call upon his or her life. Each call is unique and specific to the individual and comes from a personal encounter with God. The call given will carry a specific purpose concerning how God has chosen to use the believer in fulfilling a role in His Kingdom plan.

One can only imagine how Jeremiah felt when God spoke these words to him, “I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jer 1:5). The call was specific, and Jeremiah could not doubt what his role was to be. The Apostle Paul had a similar conviction. In writing to Timothy, he encouraged believers to be prayerful and to lead a quiet life so that they would have opportunities to be a witness for the Gospel of Jesus. Paul states, “For this, I was appointed a herald, an apostle…” (1 Tim 2:7 ).

Theologian Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones believed six traits accompany the call of God upon one’s life. The first, and perhaps most foundational, being an inner compulsion. He explained that the call instills irresistible inner coercion that becomes dominant in one’s life. To a class of seminary students, Charles Spurgeon would say, “If you can do anything else do it. If you can stay out of the ministry, stay out of the ministry.” Why would he give such a statement? Because if the student had an authentic conviction that they were called to the ministry, no other vocation could tempt them to quit.

Now comes the dilemma. Joy, gratitude, and excitement often accompany the call of God in a person’s heart. Yet, so does fear, insecurity, and doubt. At the moment the call is given, a spiritual war ensues. A battle within the soul rages between the indwelling Spirit of God and one’s own fallen human nature. Like Moses, one may doubt giftedness and value. Moses asked, “Who am I?” and proceeded to tell God why he wasn’t the right choice (Exodus 3), or such as Isaiah, one becomes keenly aware of their spiritual inadequacies and sinfulness (Isaiah 6).

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NYC 2020 virtual conference
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August 27, 2020

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Christian Life, NYC

The Virtual World— NYC 2020 is happening… sort of 🤓

by Franklin Dumond, Director of Congregational Ministries

For more than 40 years General Baptist Ministries has offered a summer event for teens called National Youth Conference. NYC provides a life-changing weekend that, over the years, has impacted thousands of lives through salvation and answered calling from the Lord. 

Pastor Jeff Roth attended NYC as a teenager and has coordinated NYC for the last several years. While the pandemic forced the cancellation of this year’s large group event, the NYC task force has developed a virtual NYC that can be enjoyed locally in one day or over several weeks.

Here’s Pastor Jeff’s announcement…

NYC 2020 is happening… sort of
By Jeff Roth, NYC Coordinator

I had not missed a National Youth Conference (NYC) since 2003, then 2020 hit. I bet you can relate. We were anticipating another awesome weekend and then everything stopped. I was bummed. But after meeting with the NYC task force we are determined to not let that stop us from accomplishing the mission of NYC.

NYC Coordinator, Jeff Roth
NYC Coordinator, Jeff Roth

The main objective of NYC is to help students take the next step in their relationship with Jesus. Another objective is to be a resource for youth leaders. We want to give you a place to bring your students and know that they will experience a safe, fun, and hopefully life-changing weekend. We are saddened that we were unable to meet those objectives in June. After much prayer and conversations, we have decided that we are going to try to help you meet those objectives in October.

However, this NYC will not be at Lake Williamson, it will be in your own community! We are cultivating all the elements so that you can “create-your-own NYC!” We are currently building a landing page where you will be able to download: keynote messages, video breakouts, hilarious bumper videos, potential games & activities, service project ideas, a special leaders breakout, and sample schedules if you want to do a one-day event or use the material for your weekly youth meetings. Basically, just add music and you’re ready to put on your own NYC! 

If you elect to put together a one-day event we would encourage you to join other groups and do it on Saturday, October 3rd. This is the day that we will premiere the keynote messages from a couple of your favorite speakers Brandon Petty and Jason Jordan. One (1) of the messages will premiere in the morning and the other in the evening (similar to a normal Saturday at NYC). In between the messages you can fill up your schedule with all of the other elements we are providing. You may want to add some food for the students in there too. 

I know this is obviously different from any NYC in the past, but we are praying that God will still use it powerfully to help your students take their next step in their relationship with Jesus. 

On Twitter the other day a fellow pastor asked what was going to come next in 2020. I believe he was looking for humorous replies but I replied by sharing the only thing I would want to be right about… that when people talk about 2020 they only talk about all that other junk in the context that it led to The Great Awakening of 2020. That we should see a revival like we’ve never seen it before in our hearts and in our churches. Lord, let it be so!

More information plus the link to the landing page with the above-mentioned resources will be made available soon. Until then, let’s keep praying that God uses our virtual NYC 2020 to be a life-changing experience for our students! 

Stay Hopeful! 
Jeff Roth

These messages will be available for download after October 3rd if you decide to choose 1 another date or use the material for your weekly youth meetings.