Baptist

igest

Vol. 60 No. 12

Changes Set
For The Digest

This is the last print edition of The Digest.

Beginning in January 2017 we will publish
an electronic version on a weekly basis. You can
receive this electronic version by sending your
email address to tboyd@kncsb.org. The weekly
version will also be embedded on the front page of
http://baptistdigest.com/. You may read it there or
download it to print.
You also may like Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists on Facebook to keep up
with KNCSB news.
If youre expecting it, but do not receive the
electronic version in January, resend your e-mail
address to tboyd@kncsb.org

Newsjournal Of Kansas and Nebraska Southern Baptists

www.baptistdigest.com

December 2016

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

for International Missions
100% of your gifts help send and sustain IMB workers

Offering Helps Workers

Share Christs Truth

This article is written by a Kansas-Nebraska couple who

serves with the International Mission Board. Find related
stories at http://bit.ly/2dfYEkZ
These stories have been formatted as bulletin inserts and
may be downloaded and printed.
Well say his name is Hernando and her name is
Johanna. He makes baskets and clay pots. She makes
beaded jewelry and has raised all the kids.
We first met Hernando and Johanna when we were
walking throughout their indigenous village distributing videos of re-enactments of Bible stories with narration in their native tongue. We chatted for a while and
then moved on.
A few days later we found ourselves being invited
into their hut when we asked if they would like to hear
a Bible story. We shared the gospel through telling the
story of Creation to Christ. Then we taught them the
song God is So Good in their native language.
When we were preparing to leave, Hernando asked,
When are you coming back, because I need to learn
more about this. This is why we go!
Praise God for His faithfulness to work in hearts
before we even arrive. Please be praying for Hernando
and Johanna that God will draw them to a personal
knowledge of Him.
Pray also for their village that the Holy Spirit will
continue to soften hearts and open more doors that we
may share the True Light in this very dark area.
Your prayers and gifts to the Cooperative Program
and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering support us as we
serve here.

God used one woman to bring women in Chile together to prayer for their cities, country and Muslim
women around the world. The woman expected only 30-50 women to attend the day of prayer. But
150 women showed up. They prayed and left encouraged to continue joining God in His work. The Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions support Southern
Baptist workers who joined in this day of prayer. Gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering may be
given through churches. Or you may give online at https://www.imb.org/give/ (Submitted photo)

WWW.KNCSB.ORG

The Thought Occurred to Me

By Bob Mills

KNCSB Executive Director

bmills@kncsb.org

This Christmas season revolves around the reality of HOPE! Jesus Christ is the Hope of the world.
It is not wealth, intellect, a political system or a
political party. Hope is found in the person of our
Savior and Lord Christ Jesus. Christmas is really
about God providing Hope for all of humanity.
Paul says it well in the Book of Romans, Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ. We have also obtained access through Him
by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we
rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not

only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,
endurance produces proven character, and proven
character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because Gods love has been poured out in
our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to
us. Romans 5:1-5
Paul helps us understand that the Hope we have
is not just the Hope of eternal life, which is glorious, but the Hope we have of living a life of Christlikeness. In this life we now live we will face trials
and afflictions. Faithful endurance through those
trials produces proven character, which produces
Hope. My dear friends, the Hope we have in Christ
for both living this life and the eternal promise of

life everlasting will never

disappoint.
This Christmas season
reminds me of Gods
gracious gift of Hope in
Jesus. Our nation and the
world need to know the
Hope we have in Christ.
Take time this season to
share with someone the
Hope you have in Christ.
Lynne and I would like
to wish you a very Merry
Christmas and a blessed
New Year!

when we say she was a nobody from nowhere.

There must have been a quality in her that made her
something special, and I think I may know, at least
in part, what it may have been.
When the angel first approached her, the news
was incredible, scary, and one might even say
ridiculous!
She was the one the prophecy was about. She
would be a pregnant virgin. She would deliver the
Deliverer of the World. And her response?
Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to
me according to your word. Luke 1:38
She believed what the angel had told her that
nothing was impossible for God.
My wife and I recently ran a 5K race. Well, to
describe it as a run may be generous: 100-meter
mosey; charitable saunter; agonizing crawl you
get the picture.
As we were standing in the pack of runners
before the race, we decided wed made a poor decision; to avoid embarrassment we needed a plan.
We resolved that our goal was not to win but to
make sure we werent last. So we picked a target in
the crowd to make sure we beat them.
We picked two older women in full-length denim
skirts done. Until one minute into the race when
we lost sight of them. We adjusted.

Look, theres a woman pushing a stroller. Got it,

just beat her!
Good grief, whered she go? Is she wearing
rocket shoes?
Ok, lets beat that guy no, the other one. The
one with the walker.
Youve got to be kidding me; please tell me he
got raptured.
Finally, I glanced over my shoulder to find someone behind us. There, that guy back there. The one
clutching his chest. Lets beat him. And we did.
Mary was far different. She believed she could
win the race. Not because she thought she could do
it, but she truly believed nothing was impossible for
her God.
Thats where this story gets personal. Mary was
extraordinary, but her greatness was not unique to
her. Any of us can assume this quality because its a
matter of faith.
This year may you have the heart of Mary. May
you see the brokenness and chaos of this world with
faith-filled eyes of wonder that believe nothing is
impossible for God.
And may our response be, Behold, I am the
servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your
word.
Its the most wonderful time of the year!

The Cross-Eyed Life

By Andy Addis

Senior Pastor, CrossPoint, Hutchinson, Kan.

E-mail: andy@crosspointnow.net

DECEMBER 2016

Its the most wonderful

time of the year!
The Baptist Digest is
making history: this will
be the last print publication before we go digital.
Have no fear this
change is like Christmas
itself. The songs, decorations and gifts change
year to year, but the message is always the same:
Born to you this day a
Savior!
Though the medium
of the Digest will transiAndy Addis
tion, the purpose remains,
and we look forward to continuing co-laboring until
Jesus comes. Which brings us right back to the
beginning when Jesus came.
Its the most wonderful time of the year!
One of the great stories of the season is of a
simple girl, picked from obscurity and used as the
vehicle of incarnation. Weve all heard a variety of
messages on Mary that speak of her common, ordinary, non-descript nature, and we marvel at the fact
that God could use such a creature.
Ive always struggled with that. I dont think she
was that ordinary. I think she was kind of spectacular.
Lets look at the evidence:
n The angel greeted her as one whom God
highly favored (Luke 1:28).
n Elizabeth called her, Blessed among women!
(Luke 1:42).
n Jesus made sure, from the cross, that she was
adopted by John as his new mother because He
cared for her so much (John 19).
n The song Mary Did You Know (enough said,
right!)
There is no doubt we are missing something

The Baptist Digest

(USPS 018-942)
Vol. 60 No. 12
Leadership Newsjournal for KansasNebraska Southern Baptists is published
monthly (except for January and July)
10 times a year.
5410 SW 7th Street
Topeka, KS 66606-2398
Phone: (785) 228-6800
Toll Free: 800-984-9092
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E-mail: tboyd@kncsb.org
Web site: baptistdigest.com
POSTMASTER:

Periodical postage paid at Topeka, KS 66606 and

additional entries. Send address changes to: The
Baptist Digest, 5410 SW 7th Street, Topeka, KS
66606-2398.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
INFORM -- Regularly share information about ongoing
training, curriculum, events, support and personnel.
RESOURCE -- Serve as a resource pool for practical
ideas about what is working in KS-NE congregations
and how it relates to all sizes of churches.
GENERATIONAL -- Cast .the widest net, providing stories and information that will appeal to all generations
of Southern Baptists in NE-KS.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY -- Be family-friendly with stories,
regular columns and helps for families and leaders who
work with families.
AGE DIVERSE -- Publish s. tories that address the
diversity of age, ethnicity, and geographical regions of
KS-NE.
MISSION-ORIENTED -- Publish stories about people
and congregations involved in missions and regularly
publicize ministry opportunities.
PART OF WIDER MISSION - Help congregations
discover that they are part of the larger work of the
Kingdom of God through their ministries.

Bob Mills

To give local news:

Local church and associational news may be submitted by mail, phone, fax or e-mail.

Advertising:

Advertising policy and rates are available upon

request Call 800-984-9092 or e-mail:
tboyd@kncsb.org

STAFF

Editor: Tim Boyd, PhD.

Associate Editor: Eva Wilson
Digest Production/Design: Derek Taylor
Robert T. Mills, D. Min.

KNCSB Executive Director

AFFILIATIONS
Association of State Baptist Papers
Baptist Communicators Association

Sharing & Strengthening

How to Keep the
Gods Plan for Sharing
Christmas Spirit
By Jon Sapp

KNCSB Director of Evangelism

Without fail, our celebration was the same year

after year. The excitement around the table, the dust
in the air and the long hours of work all resulted in
smiles and celebration of the conclusion for this years
event. Im talking about the end of the harvest and
the resulting celebration that I enjoyed growing up in
western Kansas.
I was recently back
in western Kansas as the
final cutting of milo and
soybeans was being completed. One of the benefits
of living on the farm was
getting in on the harvest
and all that goes with
it. While we didnt talk
about all the work it took
to get ready for harvest, it
took up much of our year.
Before the harvest came
in, someone had to invest
hours, days and weeks of
Jon Sapp
work. The summer fallow
was prepared for planting.
The drill was cleaned and the seed was purchased. We
spent hours sowing and then we waited. We prayed
for rain and watched how the crop was coming along
month after month.
Then as harvest started I will guarantee you my
father was watching for the harvest. The combine was
started and we made sure it was ready to cut. And then
it happened: the first test cut was made to see if the
crop was dry enough to place in the grain bin. All of
this was preparing for harvest.
Jesus wanted the disciples and all of us for that
matter to discover the work of the harvest. In John 4
he brought His harvest into clear view for the disciples.
Jesus clarifies with the following sentence, Dont you
say, There are still four more months, then comes the
harvest? Listen to what Im telling you: Open your
eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest.
In John 4:32 He wanted to capture the disciples

attention as he pointed to the members of the village

walking out to see him at the local well. He was excited
about the harvest. It was time to work, and he was
inviting the disciples to join Him.
As we all think about sharing our faith, the focus
upon the upcoming harvest should encourage us.
Jesus had just completed an important conversation
with a woman getting water at the well. He informed
the disciples, The reaper is already receiving pay and
gathering fruit for eternal life, so the sower and reaper
can rejoice together. John 4:36 (HCSB)
Receiving pay and gathering fruit for eternal life is
what Jesus wanted the disciples to catch as the crowd
was walking toward the well. This event reminded
me of the excitement of the wheat harvest in western
Kansas. Jesus invited the disciples to join Him and to
participate in the excitement and reward of the season
as they participated with him working the harvest
among the locals from the village.
I have mentioned before, the four mile-markers of
evangelism. These four Prayer, Equipping, Sowing
and Harvest summarize elements of our making Christ known. I havent talked enough about the
Harvest. It was important for Jesus as He taught the
disciples about working with those coming from the
village. I want to catch the same vision and excitement
for this important aspect of evangelism.
One of the methods we use for harvest celebration in
the church is baptism. The meaning, method and mode
of baptism have been discussed in other areas. I want
to remind us to make baptism an important feature of
the celebration of our faith. Churches can make this act
of obedience and identification a celebration. This summer I learned of several churches turning their baptism into a community event at a park or lake. I have
seen videos of kids playing with friends and gathered
around tables enjoying the potluck meal. Making a big
deal out of this event reminds me of what Jesus was
trying to teach the disciples.
As you are looking out on your harvest fields, what
plans are you making for the celebration of new life
and the beginning of a young disciples lifelong walk
of obedience? I hope our baptism events will have a
celebratory tone. In doing this I believe we are all living out one of the important aspects of Gods Plan for
Sharing.

Find resources to promote CP at http://www.sbc.net/cp/default.asp

It feels so wonderful! The spirit of Christmas

adds oomph to life. We live in anticipation and
were even nice to strangers. We become very
intentional about giving to others.
But as we turn the calendar page to Dec. 26,
does that Christmas spirit fade? As you pack up
those Christmas decorations, consider these five
simple reminders to help keep that spirit of joy
and generosity at the forefront all year:
n Live expectantly. Anticipation is at a high
during Christmas, but a sense of expectancy is a
good thing all year long. It keeps us on our toes,
helps us use time wisely, reminds us to lean on
God. So live with enthusiasm every day of the
year.
n Be extra nice to strangers. Are you kinder to
total strangers at Christmas? Your job as a Christian is to be Gods ambassador, representing Him
with your every word and deed. A man yelled
rudely at me as I crossed the street today and
then drove away, sporting a Christian symbol on
his car! Take your ambassador job seriously all
year long. Be nice to strangers.
n Shoebox continuum. Wasnt it awesome to
stuff gifts in shoeboxes for Operation Christmas
Child or backpacks for Appalachian children?
Dont stop. Each month this year, gift a carefully prepared backpack or box to a local child in
extraordinary need. Include a God Loves You
note.
n Better benevolence. Use Christmas ministry
projects as a springboard to year-long generosity. Example: Instead of a give-and-run delivery
of gifts or dinner for a local needy family, make
a plan to show Gods love to them all year. Get
to know them. Listen to their story. Invite them
to church and welcome them. Pray with them.
Introduce them to Jesus.
n Smile freely. The Christmas season lends
itself to joy. Joy isnt seasonal for a Christian.
It radiates from inside, and its there on happy
days and desperate days, on New Years Day
and Groundhog Day and every other day of the
year. Radiate the joy of Jesus in non-December
months.
The spirit of Christmas is not a December
event. Its a Christians lifestyle and mission. Its
our every-day marching orders from Christ.
Exude the true Christmas spirit Gods
Spirit as you live with joy, expectancy, love
and generosity. And dont stop on Dec. 26. Have
a merry January. And a merry February
... Being confident of this, that He Who began
a good work in you will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
(Diana Davis is an author and speaker. Visit her
website at http://dianadavis.org/)

DECEMBER 2016

Thank you for supporting the Cooperative Program

By Diana Davis

LOTTIE MOON OFFERING

Workers in
Mongolia
Help Meet Needs

DECEMBER 2016

Lokeys father is a herdsman in Mongolia. His family roams the countryside looking for grass for their
animals. Mongolian families live in houses that can be
taken down and moved easily. They are called Gers
(pronounced Gair). They pack up their houses and
follow the grasslands.
Last year the winter was bitterly cold with heavy
snowfall. It was a disaster for the animals of Lokeys
family. Because of the heavy snow and ice layers
over the grassland, the livestock was unable to break
through the snow and ice to feed.
Many of the herdsmen lost their animals. The animals are a source of food and also a source of income
for the herdsmen. So losing their animals can mean
they will go hungry and not be able to feed their children. Lokeys father was very worried.
Baptist Global Response was able to help Lokeys
family and other families in Mongolia. BGR helped
restock the animals that were lost. Hay was provided to
feed the animals because the grass was not enough due
to the harsh winter.
Now Lokey has new healthy goats to care for, and
his father does not have to worry so much about being
able to feed his family.
Please pray for the families of Mongolia. When we
help families through money given to the Southern
Baptist Global Hunger Relief Fund, they have the opportunity to hear about Jesus and to understand how
God loves them. Pray for Lokey and his whole family
that their goats would stay healthy and that their flock
would grow.
Your gifts to the Cooperative Program and Lottie
Moon Christmas Offering support us as we serve in
the East Asia region.

A harsh winter killed livestock in Mongolia last year. Baptist Global Relief helped supply replacements for the animals that were lost. Workers helped families through money given to the Southern
Baptist Global Hunger Relief Fund. The Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
support workers in Mongolia as they strive to meet peoples needs there. (Submitted photo)

God Transforms Refugee into Confident Believer

With tears in my eyes, I hugged my dear friend
Ayshe (pronounced I-shay) good-bye as she left to
return home and I reflected on the past few months.
When we first met, she was a timid young lady who
had left her homeland as a refugee in search of a better
life. She had come to a Bible study with another refugee she had recently met.
Not knowing the local language, she watched everyone with curiosity, eagerly waiting for someone to
translate the Bible study for her. That day she excitedly
received a Bible in her own language. Having a lot of
free time, she spent hours reading the Bible and asked
many questions. God provided some Christians from
her country to help answer some of the questions as
well as translate them when they needed help answering them.
As we told Bible stories from Creation to Christ, Ayshe couldnt wait to hear more. Her hunger for Gods
Word grew and grew. She heard the gospel several
times but didnt seem to understand it yet.
Life as a refugee is not easy. She found odd jobs
such as shelling nuts and whatever else she could do to
support herself. One day she went for a walk just to get
out and think; she felt so overwhelmed with the chal-

Editors Note:

lenges of day-to-day life.

As Ayshe later told me, I just got on my knees, crying uncontrollably and pouring my heart out to God.
At that moment I understood that I could not continue
in my own strength. I needed a Savior, and only Jesus
could save me!
Over the next few months we watched as God transformed her into a confident young lady who no longer
lived in fear but boldly shared her faith and the hope
that she had found in Christ. When old friends talked
to her on the phone, they noticed a change in her and
wanted to know what had happened.
One day Ayshe came and said, I came here for
other reasons, but I found Christ. He is what I really
needed. Knowing the dangers of returning to her
country, she boldly said, I need to go back. It is the
right thing to do.
Pray that Ayshe would continue to grow in her
faith, meet other believers and share her faith boldly.
Pray for thousands of refugees like her and those ministering to them.
Your prayers and gifts to the Cooperative Program
and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering support us as we
share Truth with refugees like Ayshe.

The articles printed here are written by Southern Baptist workers with ties to Nebraska and Kansas. Find
more stories from Kansas-Nebraska workers at http://bit.ly/2dfYEkZ
These stories have been formatted to use as bulletin inserts.
A special thanks goes to Priscilla Sapp for contacting these workers and helping to share their stories.

Lottie Moon Offering

Zero Self-Reliance is Workers Motto

Zero self-reliance is our battle cry in

bumps, and I knew that
Southeast Asia.
he was praying to the
Some trust in horses, and some in
Living God.
chariots, but we trust in the Name of the
She had also a dream
Lord our God (Psalm 20:7). Our strategy
about a man in white
has been to abandon every horse, abandon
with a beard. We shared
every chariot. Do we have talents and
the gospel with her
skills? They are horses and chariots. Dont
again, and she too kept
try harder trust harder!
repeating that she beA Kansas team partnered with us again
lieved. Then she prayed
this past summer. Zero self-reliance. Like
to ask Jesus to be her
Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones, you
Savior.
have nothing that can bring these people
Zero self-reliance is
groups to faith, we told them.
challenging. Many times
The team embraced this truth in faith.
we have had ideas about
They shared the gospel with more than
what we could do better
500 people in many different villages. No
when sharing the gospel.
one believed their message, but they reBut the Lord has led us
turned to Kansas full of joy about trusting
to pull those thoughts
even harder.
out of our hearts like
Two weeks later we visited two of those
weeds. Those thoughts
villages.
are the beginnings of
One lady greeted us, I believe! We
self-reliance. They are
Zero self-reliance is the battle cry of workers serving in Southeast Asia. Trusting God useless for bringing dry
hadnt even said, Hello.
The Kansas team said, Hes the Living to work in mighty ways is resulting in people accepting Christ as their personal Savior.
bones to life. But the
Your gifts to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering support
God, so I asked Him for help. Help came
Lord, He is mighty to
these workers. (Submitted photo)
in a very unexpected way.
save. He alone could
She also had a dream about a flood.
have done what we have
edly interjected, I believe! Then she prayed to ask
Everyone around her died, but a man in white with a
seen Him do. Soli Deo Gloria.
Jesus to be her Savior.
beard, whom she knew was Jesus, rescued her. She had
Your gifts to the Cooperative Program and Lottie
Amazed, we went to another village where another
been waiting for us to return so she could tell us that
Moon Christmas Offering support us as we strive
woman had also been waiting for our return.
she believed.
for zero self-reliance in sharing Christ in Southeast
I was never interested in your message before, but
As we shared the gospel with her again, she repeatAsia.
then your friend prayed for my family. I had goose-

Water Projects Open Door to Discipleship

fident, far-from-articulate brother. Yet we are confident
God will use Jamess (name changed) humble heart, his
teachable spirit and his growing Spirit-given boldness
for His glory.
n Pray for James to walk deeply with God, to grow
in both humility and boldness. Pray that he would
proclaim the Good News to his wife, his family, his
neighbors and villagers he meets when out on water
projects.
n Pray for the church to take deep root and grow
not only in our town, but throughout villages up and
down our mountain valley.
Your gifts to the Cooperative Program and Lottie
Moon Christmas Offering support us as we train local
believers to reach and disciple people here.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

2016

DECEMBER 2016

Since beginning this work

in our valley seven years ago,
we have been asking God for
local brothers and sisters to
work alongside us in the task of
proclaiming Him, realizing they
will be able to do it better than
we could ever try.
We work in water-related
projects in an effort to bring
clean water to local people while
sharing with them about the
Water of Life.
One of the servants Father has
raised up is a young, not-so-con-

KNCSB ON MISSION

Small Church Makes Big Impact for Christ

A small church is having a huge impact for Christ in
St. George, Kan., east of Manhattan.
Lighthouse Baptist Church owns the former elementary school in St. George. It uses the building for a
variety of ministries that serve the community through
The Beacon Center Mission, the churchs outreach arm.
The Beacon Center Mission helped provide all or
part of an estimated over 170,000 meals to people in
Pottawatomie County and beyond in 2014, said Jim
Lowry, Lighthouses pastor.
We have provided clothing, furniture and housewares for literally hundreds of people throughout
northeast Kansas.
Each year our Mission Quilters make and give
away 65-100 quilts and blankets. They go to VA hospitals, nursing homes, pregnancy centers, to homeless
and more. Each year we have helped those in need
with utilities, prescriptions, and even gas for their
vehicles.
Our gym use and ministries are sometimes overwhelming. We are the home court for Chief Homeschool Group basketball and volleyball as well as the
place their football team does summer camp.
We have a number of other teams (12 basketball,
seven volleyball, three softball and others) that use
the gym for practices and such. We are revamping our
library to open to our community. Our building houses
city court and city council meetings.
It blesses me to see City Council meeting under a
banner that quotes 2 Chronicles 7:14 or to see city court
being held in the same hall we have the Ten Commandments posted in 10 languages. This is just a small piece
of what God is doing with The Beacon Center Mission.
Lighthouse Baptist Church only has about 25-30
members. The county has told us if we charge rent for
or ask for a suggested donation for building use, we

A quilt ministry is only one part of the ministries of The Beacon Center Mission in St. George, Kan.
The mission is the outreach arm of Lighthouse Baptist Church, which owns the former elementary
school in St. George. Here, Loy Wagoner tells how the quilt group shares Christs love by giving
away dozens of quilts every year.
would lose our tax-free status on the building.
This along with a long list of medical issues I have
had in the last few years has caused us to lean upon
the one who is able, Jesus Christ. He has seen to it that
our needs to continue have been met. If we had the

numbers, income and strength it takes to do what is

done here, it would not reveal His greatness as much
as it does.
For information on how you can help, contact Jim
Lowry at lowry64@yahoo.com.

DECEMEBER 2016

Quilt Ministry Needs Donations

Lighthouse Baptist Church, St. George, Kan., (east of Manhattan) owns the towns former elementary school. The churchs outreach arm is called the Beacon Center Mission.
Lighthouse Baptist Church uses the Beacon Center to serve the community through a
wide variety of ministries.

Although there is no money to fund their ministry, the Mission

Quilters at The Beacon Center Mission in St. George, Kan., see God
continually provide for them.
The Beacon Center Mission is the outreach arm of Lighthouse
Baptist Church in St. George, which is east of Manhattan on Highway 24. Lighthouse Baptist Church owns the former elementary
school in St. George.
Quilting is only part of The Beacon Centers ministries. Among
the other ministries are food and clothing distribution. Plans call for
opening a library that will serve the community.
Every year the quilt group donates dozens of quilts in the name
of Jesus to charities throughout the region.
But the quilters ministry could be even more effective with some
donated items. For information on how you can help, contact Jim
Lowry at lowry64@yahoo.com. Lowry is pastor of Lighthouse Baptist
Church.
Here is what they need:
n Low-loft polyester quilt batting queen-sized battings or rolls
of batting
n Good-quality sewing scissors
n Rotary cutters and blades

KNCSB Womens Leadership

Surprise Doll
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16
I recently took my son on a date and asked him, What is a really good
childhood memory you have with a toy? As we shared our stories, I
remembered about the Tuesday Taylor doll I wanted so badly as a child. She
was all I talked about. I thought it would be so cool to have a doll that could
be blond one moment and then a brunette if you rotated her head.
That year we had something very hard happen in our family. We were
robbed. I remember my mom sitting us down and telling us that we were not
going to have Christmas because someone came and took our toys away. It
really did not make sense to me then as a child other than I knew for certain
I was never going to get the Tuesday Taylor doll. I was devastated that
someone would steal our Christmas.
When we woke up Christmas morning, we were so surprised. Apparently,
my moms friends and people in our apartment complex had heard about
what happened and they brought gifts. The thought that we had presents
pushed away any thought of the doll and I was just overwhelmed by the
excitement that we had presents under the Christmas tree when we were told
that we would not. As I opened my presents to my surprise, I had not one,
but two Tuesday Taylors! How can this be? I went from hope, to despair, to surprise in only 24 hours.
It was on this Christmas morning that I learned the value of loving on others when they are down and then to
not just loving on them, but blessing them. I now knew firsthand what it was like to be blessed by someone I
would never know and be able to thank. I think this is why we are encouraged to do good and share with others. To this day, I get tears in my eyes in the memory of how blessed I felt by those who gave us Christmas.
Dont you know God loves watching us finding ways to bless others!
Father, help us to find ways to do good and share with others so that we bless them and please You!
Simply, Dr. Tara Rye

Peanut Brittle

Grease a baking sheet, and set aside. In a glass bowl, combine peanuts, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Cook in microwave for 6 to 7 minutes on High (700 W); mixture should be bubbly and peanuts browned. Stir in butter and
vanilla; cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.
Quickly stir in baking soda, just until mixture is foamy. Pour immediately onto greased baking sheet. Let cool 15
minutes, or until set. Break into pieces, and store in an airtight container.

Twas the day before Christmas

And throughout the convention
Were preparing our hearts as
Christs birth deserves our attention
The events are all finished
Next year is planned
Were praying and leaving
It all in Gods hands
Mari & Jessica

Merry Christmas!!!

The most wonderful time of the year has arrived.

The streets are filled with cars and trucks in a
rush, stores are stocked with people and things we
dont need, and our calendars are so full that we
barely get to sleep. This is what Christmas looks
like for most of us. So how do we survive it? And
how do we enjoy it? As a mom of four this has
been a battle the last ten years. I have learned a
handful of things through my own experience.
First thing, be patient and pray for God to allow
the Holy Spirit to show you how to have an
attitude of patience. Be completely humble and
gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in
love. Ephesians 4:2
Second, you can make the choice to be happy and
content. When things dont go your way, you can
choose to fuss about it or be joyful. May the God
of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust
in him, so that you may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Third, spend more time with Jesus. Add more
time in the morning and evening to be in His
word and your heart will overflow Jesus.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from
your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do
according to all that is written in it. For then
you will make your way prosperous, and then
you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not
be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the
LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:8-9
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Caroline

December 2016

1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts

1 tablespoon butter
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt (optional)

Twas the Night Before Christmas

WWW.KNCSB.ORG

Upcoming KNCSB Events

Worship Leader & Family Retreat
Jan. 13-14, 2017
Capitol Plaza Hotel, Topeka, Kan.
Featured speaker: Kenny Lamm, senior consultant for worship and music for the
Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
Registration deadline: Jan. 3, 2017
Cost is $50 for individuals and $65 per couple or family. Make checks payable to
KNCSB and mail them to KNCSB, Attn: David Manner, 5410 SW 7th St., Topeka, KS
66606. KNCSB will make hotel reservations upon receiving your registration.
Find registration materials at http://www.kncsb.org/ministry/worship/

Webster
Update

Small Church Leadership Conference

Feb. 24-25, 2017
Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan.
Featured speaker: Emil Turner, retired executive director for the Arkansas Baptist
State Convention
This event is aimed at leaders in church, that have fewer than 150 in worship.
Registration deadline: Feb. 10, 2017
The cost is $40 per adult and $75 per couple. This includes one nights lodging at
WCC and two meals. We will also block motel rooms in Salina if you prefer to stay
off campus. For more information call Jana Gifford at KNCSB, (800) 984-9092 ext.
840, or send e-mail to jgifford@kncsb.org
Man Up Mens Retreat
March 10-11, 2017
Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan.
Featured speaker: Owen Strachan, associate professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Seminary, Kansas City, Mo.
Registration deadline: March 3, 2017
This event is also open to young men in grades 7 and older.
Look for KNCSB Mens Ministry on Facebook. More details about the retreat will
be announced soon.
Vacation Bible School Jumpstart Clinic
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan.
More information will be announced in early 2017.
Glow Retreat
April 7-8, 2017
Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan.
This event is for girls in grades 1-6 and their mothers or other women in their
lives.

DECEMBER 2016

KNCSB Lending Library Update

The KNCSB Lending Library recently added several new

DVD studies:
n The Kingdom Family by Tony Evans
n Entrusted by Beth Moore
n Redeemed by Angela Thomas-Pharr
n The 7 Rings of Marriage by Jackie Bledsoe
n Worthy Vessel by Amy Byrd
The Lending Library serves Kansas-Nebraska Southern
Baptist churches. Find more information at
http://www.kncsb.org/lendinglibrary/

The new dining-hall addition at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan.,

is now being used. The facility is the result of generous financial gifts and
hours of volunteer labor contributed by individuals and groups such as
Kansas-Nebraska Campers on Mission. Volunteers are always needed at
WCC. To find out how you can help, call Bill Cooke at (785) 827-6565 or
send email to bcooke@webstercc.org
November is the designated month for THANKSGIVING. While your WCC Staff
is especially grateful during this time of year, there are many things to give thanks
for every day. We praise God for:
n The lives that are transformed by God each year at WCC.
n The many people who attend events at WCC every week throughout the year.
n The many prayers that are spoken each day on behalf of the ministries held at
WCC.
n The verbal support and encouragement we receive from many people in various forms.
n The faithful giving of individuals and churches to assist with capital improvements at WCC.
At this particular point in time, your WCC Staff gives thanks because:
n The Dining Hall is nearing completion.
n The landscaping around the Dining Hall is almost done.
n The bid for paving the road has been approved and the project will begin when
weather permits. All funds have been raised!
n The funds are raised and the renovation of the old Dining Hall will begin in
2017.
n The funds are raised and work continues on improving the Picnic Pavilion.
The purpose of Webster Conference Center is to:
1. Assist churches in making disciples of Jesus Christ.
2. Assist people in meeting personal and professional leadership needs.
3. Assist the American Red Cross and other relief organizations in providing food
and shelter in times of disaster.
Thank you for allowing Webster Conference Center to serve you and your
church!

Thank You for Supporting the Cooperative Program

Find resources to promote the Cooperative Program at http://www.
sbc.net/cp/default.asp