How should we then live?
Dr. Dennis R. Wiles Senior Pastor
Years ago, Francis Schaeffer wrote his massively influential piece, How Should We Then Live? It became a significant video series that many evangelical churches showcased. The title of the series is a profound one --- how should we live? Here is our answer: Live Sent! That is the theme of our mission curriculum for missions month here at First Baptist. We want to encourage all of our church family to live . . .sent. We all know that our church is a sending church. That means we actually send our own missionaries and support them. We have established Global Centers to serve as hubs for our work in cross-cultural settings. We send our own people to live and serve in those centers. So, we are a sending church. We want to further nuance that thought for you as a member of First Baptist Arlington. God has given all of us the responsibility to be witnesses unto Jesus (Acts 1:8). So, in a sense, we are all . . .sent! This month we will be discussing this as a church family. I will be preaching a series of sermons on Sunday morning in a series titled, Sharing the Faith. The core message of this series is that we are all to be witnesses. We all are to share our faith. We all are . . .sent! Certainly, we will focus on our Global Centers during this month. We will be reminded to support our work prayerfully and financially. Our World Mission Offering goal this month is $100,000. This special offering supports various aspects of our missional commitments as a church. However, your regular support of the Budget is the lifeline for our missional endeavors. We support our broad mission effort each week as we give to the Budget of our church. We will be highlighting various parts of our mission work in our Sunday morning services. Across our church, our entire church family will be studying the same curriculum for Bible Study. Curt Grice wrote the core lessons for this month. We will learn how becoming a Psalm 1 Church filled with Psalm 1 People lays a foundation for missional commitments and investments. So – back to the question – How should we then live? Live . . .Sent!
FIRST FOCUS is produced by the Communications Ministry at First Baptist Church Arlington and printed in the FBCA Print Shop.
Dr. Dennis R. Wiles, Senior Pastor Find his personal blog at www.thesacramentaljouney.org
301 S Center Street, Suite 500 Arlington, Texas 76010 In the heart of downtown near City Hall and Levitt Pavilion.
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www.fbca.org
/fbcarlington
Goal for November: $100,000 2021 Fiscal Year Goal: $250,000
When you give to the World Mission Offering, we divide our gifts and then use them to strategically do the most good! Here's the breakdown we use:
STRATEGIC PARTNERS (22%) Includes 501(c)3 non-profit organizations and ministry work in other countries whose missions and strategic goals closely align with FBCA. While FBCA does not provide oversight or manage recipient funds, there is a level of interaction maintained between FBCA teams, training for FBCA members, or other provided services. Current Recipients: Global partners - SENT Ministries, AMiS, IMB/Slovenia Strategic non-member (Pastor Pablo in Costa Rica) Local partners - AAWC, Christian Women’s Job Corp, DASH Network, International Friends, and Mission Arlington.
NOTE: For gifts received above the $250,000 goal, the category distribution percentages are as follows: • FBCA Directed - 70% • Strategic Partners - 20% • Cooperative Partners - 10%
Ashley Berryhill Cross-Cultural Ministries Director
READY TO GIVE?
FBCA DIRECTED (59.6%) Recipients receive a significant level of oversight as well as management of funds from sanctioned FBCA representatives, committees, or councils. This includes: Direct Mission Sending, volunteer teams, and local cross-cultural engagement.
Online: www.fbca.org/giving Check: Payable to FBCA, note WMO
COOPERATIVE PARTNERS (18.4%) Funds intended solely as gifts and serve as an extension of belief that the stated strategies of these recipients align with our own core values and beliefs. Current Recipients: BGCT - Texas Border, Lottie Moon, Mary Hill Davis, Restore Hope, and Texas Baptist Hunger Offering.
Thank you for your generous gifts to the World Mission Offering. May God multiply these gifts.
WHAT DOES LIVE SENT MEAN? It means to rescue, redeem, reconcile, restore. God wants to use you to bring hope and life into this world. When you follow Jesus, you become a bearer of God’s message. How can the world know more about God until you and I live sent together? Our culture is hyper-individualistic, but the church of Christ is made up of multiple parts that function together. When we function in our unique roles and influence the spaces we fill for Christ, we impact ecosystems that have ripple effects globally for God’s Kingdom. Our global touch today is literally at our fingertips through supply chains, technology, and relationships. My prayer is that we are found faithful as we live sent. But first, you must understand your identity, the message you carry, and what God is commissioning us to do together. Follow along with the Bible study curriculum to discover more of what Dr. Wiles will unfold in this sermon series. Find out what it means to be a Psalm 1 People. God chose us, the church, out of all creation to go, tell, and be witnesses of His great redemption. Submit to God’s leadership in your life and live sent with your FBCA family. Let's be faithful Psalm 1 People!
Experience
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Podcast
Direct Giving: You can contribute to the World Mission Offering the same way you give your regular tithe... online or in-person. Simply designate your gift as“WMO.” No gift is too small! Online: www.fbca.org/giving Checks: Payable to FBCA, note WMO Psalm 1 Worship – proceeds are a donation to the WMO We invite you to visit the Psalm 1 Worship table in the Welcome Center or online at fbca.org/psalm1worship. Among other things, you can purchase a “package” to support our World Missions Offering. ·The $10 package includes access to the original Psalm 1 Worship song, "My Soul Longs for You" and Aaron Tomes' original song “The Jesus Way Suite” from the 150th Anniversary musical. Both songs include audio downloads and music videos. ·The $25 package includes all of package 1, plus a high-quality Psalm 1 T-Shirt (men's and women's) available in English, Mandarin, Korean, Farsi, or Arabic. ·The $100 package (one-time gift or monthly recurring $10 donation to WMO) includes the above packages, plus an invitation to the “Psalm 1 Worship Fancy Dinner” (scheduled for 01/23/22). You will enjoy a wonderful meal, live music, and hear about our church’s Cross-Cultural Ministries vision and the impact of Psalm 1 worship. Children’s Book: Under the Tree A children’s book based on Psalm 1, written by Nanette Johnson (Preschool Minister). This short poem is put into book form and based on the character of becoming a Psalm 1 person. Whimsical illustrations, simple words, and a concise message make this a great addition for any young family. It is written for ages 2-6 and includes suggestions for meaningful Under the Tree family activities. The proceeds from the sale of this book will go towards the World Mission Offering.
Subscribe on Apple!
NEW PODCAST – SUBSCRIBE! NEW Podcast! – iTunes First Baptist Church Arlington Live Sent Download the weekly Live Sent podcast and listen to each episode on THE WALK. Each Friday, a new episode will be released. Our hope is that you will be entertained, educated, and more fully engaged in our "Live Sent" emphasis. Be informed and inspired to “live sent” as a new covenant, Psalm 1 person! Don’t forget to subscribe! We are launching a full podcast series in 2022. EXPERIENCE – THE WALK “The Walk” is a missional experience that simulates what our brothers and sisters in West Africa do as they "live sent.” It's not unusual for these followers of Jesus to walk 5, 10, or 15 miles on dusty roads to another village to share the Gospel and make disciples. We encourage you to do your own version of "The Walk” for 1, 5, or 15 miles. The distance isn’t important. What matters is your devotion to Jesus, your desire to grow spiritually, your identification with church leaders in West Africa, and your commitment to spread the Gospel. Listen to the podcast, prayer walk your community, and let God work through you. Think about how you can share your experience on social media to inform and encourage others. #livesent
Will you commit to pray for a movement of God in these centers? Will you commit to pray for God to use you in this story? Will you commit to pray for an annointing of the Holy Spirit as we seek to live sent?
FBCA is invested in seeing a movement of God’s kingdom in global centers around the world, each with its own unique ecosystem and people. We commission cross-cultural workers as God directs FBCA to establish core connections in areas among people who lack gospel access. These global centers focus on commitment for long-term impact in partnership with national church leaders. We commit to pray, invest, resource, catalyze, and send to these centers so that a movement of reproducing churches are deeply rooted. Collectively, we seek to impact a people, a nation, a generation together. You have a role in this story. Get involved: Pray, Give, Go - LIVE SENT
GLOBAL
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CENTER
West Africa – Established 2009 Central Europe – Established 2017 Western Europe – Established 2017 Local – Establishing 2021/2022
What is a
RURAL MEDICAL OUTREACH This year 750+ people received medical care; due to COVID restrictions, the U.S. team was not able to join. MOTORBIKES Please see a video of thanks from our partners. Although this video is from 2019, we continue to provide motorbikes for the advancement of the Gospel. ORPHAN DENTAL CARE - PILOT Dental Ministry team is providing preventative dental care and oral healthcare education to the 400 children in the Orphan Sponsorship Program. Total children sponsored for Orphan Dental Care – 304. Thank you for sponsoring this pilot program!
WATER WELLS Thanks to Restore Hope, two communities within the SENT Ministries network have received clean water. 1 out of every 5 children die before the age of 5 due to preventable water-related illnesses.
Church Engagement and Healthcare Initiatives
We celebrate the decade-plus ministry in Sierra Leone. This global center continues to touch thousands of lives physically and spiritually through healthcare initiatives that provide on-going dental care, rural medical clinics, orphan dental care, and oral hygiene education to a nation in need of healthcare services. As a church, we continue to partner with SENT Ministries for gospel access in unreached areas of this nation. Through the collaboration of the healthcare initiatives and church engagement, FBCA partners to catalyze local church planters with resources, equip leaders in multiplicative training, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Medical Trip - January 2022 Every Winter, a medical team joins in-country healthcare professionals for rural clinics. We need medical professionals and people for logistics, evangelism, childcare, and prayer. Third-Culture Kids Camp - 2022 Summer (TBD) We are looking into hosting a camp for the children of cross-cultural workers in the country. This trip is not confirmed. If you would be interested in joining this group, email us at engage@fbca.org. Find more info: www.fbca.org/go
Global Center:
FBCA commissioned Cross-Cultural Workers, Dr. Gabriel and Sada, continue to serve faithfully for 12+ years as healthcare professionals and catalytic partners alongside FBCA’s global strategic partner, SENT Ministries.
SERVE
12 Years in West Africa
FACT: Dr. Gabriel is 1 of 10 dentist in the country of 6 million people.
West
Africa
Planters
Church planters move to rural areas and minister cross-culturally in their own nation. Due to the environment of their ministry work, it’s difficult to sustain the needs of their family. Therefore, finding sustainable livelihood opportunities are vital to the long-term capacity of sustaining a gospel presence in these unreached areas. FBCA has received a grant from the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering for the last few years for the purposes of sustaining SENT Ministries' church planters. This project provides sustainable livelihood through goat husbandry training, equipping each church planter with 5 goats and a goat pen. This project has been very successful, and many pastors have doubled their livestock over the last year. We are ecstatic to receive a 2022 grant to continue this much needed opportunity.
The majority (70%) of the world live in oral cultures (Faith Comes By Hearing). Sierra Leone represents this fact with only a 43% literacy rate among adults. Scripture is unavailable in audio format in this country. That’s why Gabe & Sada are focused on sending audio Bibles to our church partners in some of the frontier areas. Over 300 audio Bibles have been sent to Sierra Leone and we need to send more. This summer, COVID restrictions were put in place in Sierra Leone which prevented churches from gathering for worship. Church planters were not able to teach the Bible to groups of people. Because of this, one woman decided to use her porch to share God’s word through an Audio Bible. Many of her neighbors would gather and listen to Scriptures and stories, from creation to Christ. This small gesture resulted in 10 people committing their lives to Christ. Let us never underestimate the power of the spoken word of God! You are part of this story in multiplying disciples through access to Scripture in their own language. Scan the QR code to watch a testimony from our partners.
Goats
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Watch a video about Audio Bibles!
Restore Hope, FBCA, SENT Ministries, and Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone are seeking to diversify this project to include poultry with the hope to expand impact across the nations and networks in the coming years.
The Power
GOD'S
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Sustain Church
Audio Bibles cost $35 each.
This story expresses the importance of conferences and spiritual retreats for those working in areas where gospel access is very limited or restricted. We had about 30 believers attend a conference and various other Fulani believers stop by at times as well. You could tell they were so excited to see a large group of Fulani believers gathered to worship and study the Word together. In addition, we had three men from Nigeria who came to lead. The Fulani believers embraced them and were thrilled to hear their stories and listen to their guidance. After an opening message we broke up into prayer groups. The Nigerian pastor gathered a few of our men who had expressed that they were possibly new believers. He seized the opportunity to clarify with them their standing in Jesus and led 3 to profess Christ as Lord. On Thursday morning we baptized 2 of them and celebrated the Lord’s Supper together. Our theme had been Faith in the Face of Fear. The Nigerians have experienced no small amount of violent, ongoing, and personal persecution, yet the gospel has flourished among their people. They shared their stories and gave practical advice on evangelism and discipleship as well as how to endure in the face of persecution. After we had concluded, one of the attendees who was helping with cleanup commented, “they face a lot more/harsher “problems” than we do, but they also work (evangelize) a lot more than we do.” He was leaving motivated to do more and be afraid less. There were others who were making similar observations as their take-a-ways from the gathering. No doubt they were encouraged in their faith much like youth going to summer camp – though it is very different where these believers live in isolation from other believers most of the time. Discouragement hits them hard, they are limited in other resources to help them grow in their faith and they too face real persecution, though not of the violent variety at this time. So, I was excited to get a call after the conference from one of the participants who thanked me and told me they already have someone who wants to be baptized from his area. I’m hopeful that there will be more. Please ask the church to join with us in praying that these men will share the gospel more and that the Spirit will make their message more effective; that we will see great harvest. - West Africa Field Partner
The Fulani People
Fulani Believers Conference
DIASPORA: the dispersion of any people from their original homeland People are on the move. Global migration is at a record high. Our city, schools, and church are comprised of people from around the world. FBCA is positioned to catalyze key diaspora leaders for gospel movement among people who have little to no gospel presence in their community. Join the Great Commission Council, Cross-Cultural Ministries, and FBCA commissioning candidates as we faithfully take one step at a time to establish a Local - Global Center. KEY CHARACTERISTICS Commissioning diaspora leaders who have the background and knowledge of language, culture, customs, and context, and who are faithful in their pursuit of Godly obedience in living sent. These leaders will live locally and will have a local and international impact. Catalyzing gospel movement among ethnic-lingual people who have 0.1% or fewer Christians of any kind among its population. This is 1/4 of the world’s population, with many people living in the DFW area. Resourcing gospel access in restricted areas and among the diaspora population for the vision of planting reproducible churches. Check out episode 1 on the Missions Month Podcast for more details.
17 Years of Commitment
FULANI NATIONAL WORKER Praise God for five new believers this year! Adam continues to serve faithfully in six remote villages with limited access to the gospel. These communities face limited water supplies, famine, and terrorism. Since 2014, 56 people have become followers of Jesus. Continue to lift up Adam, his family, and their health and safety.
Faith in the Face of Fear:
What is a local - Global Center?
God
Over twenty-five years ago, God called an Egyptian Christian couple to begin outreach to North African immigrants in Western Europe. This ministry has planted seeds of the Gospel in the hearts of hundreds of people, many of whom have come to full faith in Jesus. Over the past eleven years, thirty-four FBCA members and numerous friends have taken part in fourteen separate organized volunteer trips and several personal trips to work with and learn more about this amazing work. Volunteer Missions Teams and other church members have ministered to North African and other immigrants through the following: street evangelism, outreach events for women, men, children, and youth; construction and renovation projects; support for believers and seekers retreats; and service to the Arabic-language church, including going to Egypt to host a camp for the children of cross-cultural workers across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. In 2017, FBCA’s commitment to AMiS deepened when we commissioned cross-cultural workers to serve with this ministry. We have also begun supporting local cross-cultural work to Arabic-speaking immigrants here in Arlington, and this work follows the model we learned from serving with AMIS. We look with hope and excitement to all that God has planned for us to continue to do in service with AMIS overseas and all that God will do through this service to help us grow our outreach to our Arabic-speaking immigrant neighbors here at home! FBCA commissioned Cross-Cultural Workers, Guillermo and Emily, continue to serve 4+ years as catalytic partners with FBCA’s global strategic partner, AMIS. They manage a cultural center, train local churches about serving this immigrant community, and lead community groups for a church plant that is multiplying.
Launching in 2022: FBCA candidates, Jacob & Kayla, to join this ministry team.
Use of technology to advance the gospel FBCA is investing in AMiS technologies that are reaching across North Africa and Europe with the gospel in Arabic. These applications and social channels as catalyzing local churches on how to reach their neighbors, and becoming a resources for migrant populations on cultural issues they experience.
June 18-29, 2022 (estimated dates) Serve the AMIS team as they host a retreat for those seeking Jesus. We need people who love to work with children and youth, have the gift of hospitality and service, and can prayer walk. Find more info: www.fbca.org/go
Mervat* had given her heart to Jesus during one of the Friday women’s prayer meetings during lockdown. She recalls that in that meeting she asked God to meet with her in a very personal way that she had not known before, and He did. Her life was filled with joy even though she and all her family had lost their source of income due to the pandemic. Shortly after that, both her kids, her mother who lived with them, and Mervat were all diagnosed with COVID-19. She shares in her testimony that when she was very ill in her bedroom alone, the thing that caused her the most pain was her inability to care for her elderly mother who had to be hospitalized in the intensive care. Her mother does not speak any Spanish, and Mervat was suffering knowing the confusion and isolation her mother must have been experiencing in the hospital. Mervat decided to pray, and she felt Jesus telling her that when she is not able to do anything, He is capable of everything. Later that day she found out that the nurses shift had changed, and the nurse that was assigned to care for her mother was a very kind Arabic-speaking Moroccan woman. Mervat experienced once again that our God is a loving personal God.
loving, personal
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Europe
11 Years in Western Europe Global Cener - 4 Years
Western
July 1-11, 2022 (tentative) Cowboy camp needs real Texans, so gather your hats and boots, and scoot to the immigration line. We need people who love working with kids, teaching English, evangelizing, and prayer walking. Find more info: www.fbca.org/go
FBCA commissioned Cross-Cultural Workers, Ryan and Sarah, continue to serve 4+ years as church planters who disciple growing believers, lead children’s ministry, organize English classes and outreach events, lead Bible studies, and pour into future church leaders.
Central
Global Cener - 4 Years
See VBS in action!
Raising Up a Generation This year the Lord tripled the number in attendance for the children's Bible school! The kids loved every minute of it (some in tears at the end), parents were happy, and our team and helpers were grateful to share the love of Christ. One little girl (unchurched) shared with Randy (team leader) that her favorite part of camp was "hearing stories from the Bible." This is the heartbeat of our team’s ministry here. One unique aspect of children's ministry here, is that our kids are the first generation in their family to grow up in the church. They are hearing God's word and the gospel from childhood, unlike most of their parents. Join us in praying for this generation of God's church and that we would be faithful in raising them up in truth. -Ryan & Sarah
FBCA commissioned Ryan and Sarah to partner with an International Mission Board team in Central Europe. Together, their ministry consists of church planting, discipling believers, and developing leaders within the Evangelical church, which represents 0.08% of the population. The majority of Christians are believed to be nominal, resulting in a largely agnostic expression of faith in the daily lives of the people. The evangelical union of churches has six registered churches and two church plants for a population 4x larger than Arlington, TX. This team has seen God open doors to relationships through meeting needs in the community by offering English camps and classes for children. A few years ago, they developed a relationship with a radio host in their region. Through this relationship, the idea to have a summer English camp in the summer of 2019 was created. Ryan and Sarah reached out to members of FBCA to lead a short-term trip to help run an “English Club Cowboy Camp.” Many young children in the town experienced the love and joy of Jesus while developing a crucial skill for advancement in that country. Although the pandemic has made it difficult to continue, Cowboy Camp continues to be a week that’s unforgettable and appreciated by the community. Check out this year's camp video.
RIO GRANDE - TEXAS BORDER FBCA has partnered with the people along the Rio Grande for many years. With a goal of sharing the Gospel, this team engages in Bible schools, medical clinics and surveys, assists refugees and asylum seekers, mans feeding stations, sets up a counseling center, hosts sports camps, and shares financial assistance for church plants. The Rio Grande Valley team partners with a local church to do outreach and evangelism.
GLOBAL CENTERS TRIPS: January 2022: Sierra Leone Summer 2022: Sierra Leone June 18-29: Spain July 1-11: Slovenia
COSTA RICA - YOUTH Since 2011, FBCA has sent a group of High school Juniors & Seniors to Valle De La Estrella, Costa Rica to assist Pastor Pablo and a small association of churches with construction projects.
RWANDA This ministry team is generally made up of those who are Bible study leaders and teachers. The task is to train remote Bible study leaders operating in Rwanda and DR Congo, in how to use the curriculum, and how to study and form Bible studies using the Bible. The leaders we train work in very challenging areas: some in complete pagan villages, some with former child soldiers, widows of war, street kids, displaced people due to militia activity, deaf Bible study members, and others in small remote villages and churches.
NEW YORK CITY - FULANI The New York Fulani team provides outreach to Africans in the City and surrounding boroughs. We engage in sharing Christ on the street, in businesses, and homes. We also build relationships through one-on-one engagement and in English Second Language classes.
INDONESIA FBCA has a strong relationship with Roshan Learning Center. Teams have been sent to assist with teaching English classes to refugees and asylum seekers from varying backgrounds, as well as to lead special events for refugee children. It is a great opportunity to build relationships with people from many different cultures, faith backgrounds, and perspectives, and to see how God is at work on the opposite side of the world.
www.fbca.org/go
SERVE TOGETHER This Summer we kicked off missional engagement for 2021 with a Serve Together event and assembled 1055+ hygiene kits for the BGCT River Ministry. It was great to be able to gather for the needs of our brothers and sisters at the border and serve together. AFGHANISTAN: TAKE ACTION In August, we watched the unfolding events surrounding Afghanistan. We pulled together to take action for Afghanistan through prayer and fasting, donations for emergency relief, and seized the opportunity to Serve Together for the refugee response. We moved quickly and gave sacrificially to those fleeing for safe havens. Through our efforts we provided 60+ kits that will set up eight apartments for World Relief, Ft. Worth. We continue to be closely involved with a larger response effort overseas. Please continue to pray for those who are persecuted and for God to provide safe routes. www.fbca.org/refugeeresponse LIVE SENT - OPPORTUNITIES There are multiple opportunities to Live Sent throughout the week through teaching, befriending internationals, hospitality, and compassion ministries in English, Mandarin, Hindi, Farsi, and Arabic. English Classes (on-campus and off-campus): Monday evening, Tuesday morning, Wednesday morning, Thursday morning International Student Ministry: monthly outreach, friendship partners Human Trafficking Hot line Mission Arlington Christian Women's Job Corp Get Involved: engage@fbca.org
PARTNER TEAMS
Service Opportunities
MEXICO - TORREON For more than 15 years, FBCA has worked with congregations in their mission outreach to surrounding communities through VBS, door-to-door outreach, and outside evening services held in the local village plazas.
50 Years
As God brought the nations to our doorsteps in Arlington, conversational English classes became a means of introducing these new friends to the Good News of Jesus Christ. International Friends was birthed with these conversational English classes in March of 1971. The classes were expanded to include cooking, exercise, arts and crafts, citizenship classes, and Bible study. As these activities were added and the ministry grew, the leaders reached out to involve people from other churches to participate. Since that beginning in 1971, hundreds of international women and men have learned English, heard the Good News of Jesus, and made friends with teachers of faith. Bibles in over thirty languages are given to new friends. Classes each week, and special events, such as brunches in homes and field trips, help build personal relationships with students and their families. Thank you for making this possible; let's celebrate the legacy and what God has done.
16 Years of helping under-sourced women
International Friends
18 Years
Pastor Pablo: Cabecar
Pastor Pablo serves as the Directing Pastor of an association of four indigenous churches on the edge of the Indigenous reservation of Costa Rica. Since 2003, we have worked with Pastor Pablo as he has planted churches in various local communities, and overseen Pastoral development of each church plant. Until recently, this meant walking for several hours from his home, mostly in the dark, since services would take place in the evening. This past year, through the generous donation of funds, Pastor Pablo was able to purchase a motorcyle, so that his travel time between churches was greatly reduced. This could not have come at a better time, since the newest church plant is even farther away than the others. But where God leads, he always provides. Please continue to pray for the continued growth of these church plants. God has brought many people from the local community to these churches, and many have made professions of faith in Jesus and been baptized. Pray that God will continue to shine his light in the hearts of those who hear his word preached from these churches.
How the Lord has blessed! CWJC of Greater Arlington has marked the completion of 33 semesters since our inception in 2005.We have grown from offering one class per semester to now offering four class choices each semester.The pandemic mandated offering only virtual classes for the past two semesters– thankfully, both were extremely successful. This fall semester, we continued offering virtual classes, but have also returned to offering in-person classes as well, which is very exciting. Our virtual classes are meeting women’s needs from Midlothian to Dallas and points in-between. Since 2005 including this Fall 2021, 637 women have graduated from CWJC of Greater Arlington. Over 50 volunteers are need each semester and they are the mainstay of the CWJC ministry. We are adding new volunteers every semester while of course celebrating those who have been with us for many years. The Lord brings highly qualified and gifted folks who share their Christian faith through the many volunteer opportunities at CWJC. Won’t you consider joining us? Our most pressing needs are for women and men who will help in our computer lab (virtual and in-person) and for women who will serve as mentors (Journey Partners). Our spring 2022 semester will begin in February, so contact CWJC now to find out how you can be a part of this important ministry! cwjcarlington.org
Christian Women's Job Corps
35 Years of Ministry
How We Began Tillie Burgin has been the director of Mission Arlington since the beginning. She and her family had spent ten (10) years as Baptist missionaries in South Korea. When they returned to Arlington in 1978, Tillie couldn’t get away from the question, “If we could do missions in Korea, why can’t we do missions at home?” For seven (7) years, Tillie met weekly with groups of people across the community to pray, and the Lord answered those prayers when Tillie’s home church, First Baptist Church Arlington, under the leadership of their long-time pastor, Dr. Charles Wade, asked Tillie to lead their mission efforts. Tillie accepted the call and began on Friday, August 1, 1986. Taking Church to the People On the first day, Tillie responded to a need in an Arlington apartment community. Subsequently, the family who received help opened their home on Sunday morning for Mission Arlington’s first Bible study. The thinking was, “If people can’t or won’t come to church, for whatever reason, let’s take the church to them.” Seventeen people attended that first Bible study. Thirty-five (35) years later, Mission Arlington® sponsors Bible studies in 360+ locations, with thousands of people in attendance each week. One Life at a Time As these Bible studies flourished, community needs became more evident. Attempts to “share God’s love” throughout the community was often met with resistance. Families were struggling with difficult issues, and Mission Arlington began to respond. Today, we are able to provide food, clothes, household items, furniture, and emergency financial assistance through what we call our “front room.” More than 700 people a day walk through our doors for assistance, six days each week, and we are so honored to provide support. We also have two health clinics (medical & dental), and a counseling center, plus an assortment of other services, leading to more than 400,000 ministry touches each year.
Acts 1:8
Mission Arlington
This past year, the Lord has given the DASH (DFW Asylum Seekers Housing) family much reason to both hope and celebrate. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have seen a 50% increase in our monthly, recurring financial partners – in large part through members of our local Church partners throughout DFW who have committed to welcoming those in our city who are seeking asylum. We praise God for this! This generous and on-going commitment allowed us to add two additional apartments as well as several host families and as a result, we reached our highest capacity to date, 41 residents! Since DASH first started, we have served over 200 individuals– approximately 33% have been children. In addition to growing in size, we also continue to grow in the quality of the services offered. In 2021, we hired a Thrive Academy Coordinator to oversee our equipping coursework. Courses on financial and health literacy, resume building, career preparation, trauma healing and English classes were all a part of the comprehensive programming provided to DASH residents. We also launched our legal assistance program in partnership with the Human Rights Initiative of Dallas. HRI has begun training DASH volunteers with legal backgrounds in immigration and asylum law to work towards our goal of having every DASH resident’s asylum case represented by an attorney. This increases one’s chance of being granted asylum ten-fold. Additionally, we are in the process of hiring a full-time Director of Resident Development to coordinate the emotional, spiritual, and social care of DASH residents. We are so excited to expand DASH services to care for the men and women in our program more holistically! As we set our sights on 2022, we are excited to increase our program capacity to 50 residents. We also ask for prayer as we look for a property or building to purchase that we can tailor to the unique needs of this ministry. Our vision is to develop an apartment complex where volunteers and residents can live together in community, side by side. We are looking for a location for our future building that is central to the DASH volunteer base as well as key resources such as a grocery store, library, bus line, and park. Please let us know if you have any connections that may be helpful or are interested in joining us as a financial partner to help make this dream a reality. Perhaps most exciting is the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of recent DASH graduates. Several families purchased their first home and car this year. One young woman was accepted to nursing school and earned scholarships to cover her entire tuition expenses. A father of three recently graduated from law school at SMU and another dear friend began a master’s program at Johns Hopkins in Healthcare Systems Engineering. Two former residents served as front-line nurses in Dallas during the height of the pandemic. We are so thankful for their service to our city. Three residents who first entered the program as teenagers graduate from DASH this fall. They are will be renting apartments locally and continue their studies at the local community college while working full-time. We also continue to celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness in sanctifying and unifying the local Church through the diverse DASH family. DASH residents bring unique perspectives and gifts that create a more complete Body of Christ in our city and every day, we are honored to get glimpses of what heaven might one day look like as believers from all over the world come together and celebrate God’s goodness and rejoice in how He is making all things new. The stories we encounter through DASH are both inspiring and heartbreaking. Though there is so much to celebrate, this work also carries a lot of heaviness. Many asylum-seekers in DASH continue to grieve the loss of loved ones back home as well as prolonged separation from children and spouses as they navigate the traumatic asylum process. The backlog in asylum cases has resulted in an average of 2-3 years without a work permit and sometimes 5-6 years before an asylum determination. We are often reminded why the life of following Christ is described as “sorrowful yet always rejoicing” and we ask that you keep the residents of DASH and their families in your prayers. All in all, it is an honor to participate in this work. To the First Baptist Arlington Family: we are blessed and grateful for the continued opportunity to co-labor and experience the joys and the sorrow, together. Munatsi, Executive Director www.dashnetwork.net
the DASH
Network
Food insecurity is a root issue. When we address why a person doesn't have reliable access to food, it helps solve a host of issues ranging from physical, mental, emotional health and school performance for children. We often think of a malnourished child in another country when we think of hunger, but we should also consider perhaps the child with attention and behavior problems in the public school. It can be both/and instead of either/or. One of the most strategic ways to help fight issues like global hunger and food insecurity is faithful giving. It isn't as glamorous, but we can do so much more when ministries know they can plan on support. We are all in this together, and we each have tangible ways to help big problems like this. - Katie Frugé, Associate Director, Christian Life Commission
Wonder where the Hunger Offering grants land around the world? Scan this code to see the map!
BGCT Hunger Offering
FACTS: Texas is projected to be home to the most food-insecure children in the U.S. -- 2.3 Million (3 out of 10 Texas children). As a result of COVID-19, World Food Program estimates that the global number of people experiencing extreme hunger is 270 million, an 87% increase since 2019. 1 in 5 Americans turned to a food bank in 2020.
Cooperative Partners
BGCT River Ministry (Texas Border) For more than 50 years, Texas Baptists River Ministry and Mexico Missions has been working to reach the 2.7 million people along the border and millions more in Mexico. The priorities of this work are evangelism, training church leaders, meeting physical needs, and facilitating partnerships with local churches and Texas Baptists churches around the state.
MARY HILL DAVIS (WOMEN'S MISSIONARY UNION OF TEXAS) For eighty-five years, the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions® has empowered state missions efforts for Texas Baptists. Through your gifts, Texas Baptists ministries and missionaries are mobilized to make disciples and multiply churches among all people for the glory of God.
LOTTIE MOON (INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD) The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® is an annual offering collected by Southern Baptists to support international missions. The offering was officially named in 1918 by Woman’s Missionary Union in honor of the missionary to China who urged churches to start it and give sacrificially. The IMB has 3600+ workers around the world!
RESTORE HOPE Since 2006, Restore Hope continues to engage global churches to implement Christ-centered church-based transformation strategies. Pastors and missions leaders in the Restore Hope Network believe that Jesus chose the church to be the empowered and authoritative force through which His Kingdom would be expanded throughout all ages. Dispersed funds support Restore Hope to come alongside this network of churches.
TRIBES
THURSDAYS IN NOVEMBER: MASTER SINGERs CHOIR "Noel Born Is the King" (a Christmas musical written by Dennis and Nan Allen) will be presented by The Master's Singers during the month of December. It is not too late for you to come and join us on Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the choir room to sing Christmas with us. Contact Beth Goetz for more information. beth.goetz@fbca.org
YOUTH MINISTRY
THANKSIVING AT MISSION ARLINGTON: November 1st - Begin sorting Thanksgiving food and packing boxes to deliver to the homes on Thanksgiving Day. November 25th, 8:00 am - Noon - Deliver Thanksgiving baskets and cooked food to the homes of those who have requested a Thanksgiving meal. missionarlington.org
What's Happening?
NOV 13: tech 101 The College Ministry is full of students who grew up on technology and we know that isn't the case for everyone. We want to use those talents to serve the less tech savvy in our church! Please visit the link below (or call the church office) to sing up - we can't wait! fbca.org/tech101
NOV 13: tech 101 The College Ministry is full of students who grew up on technology and we know that isn't the case for everyone. We want to use those talents to serve the less tech savvy in our church! Please visit the link below (or call the church office) to sing up - we can't wait! fbca.org/tech101 NOV 17: thanksgiving feast College Students: Join us in the Student Building at 7:30 pm for our Thanksgiving Feast! The Journey might look a tad different, but you won't want to miss this night of worship, reflection, and giving thanks. And YES! There will be an amazing meal prepared for you that is FREE! instagram.com/fbcacollege
PRESCHOOL MINISTRY
WORSHIP MINISTRIES
DBR
THRU Nov 121: clash of the classes Our youth ministry departments are competing to bring the most donations for Mission Arlington's Thanksgiving meal baskets. These meals go to families all throughout our community on Thanksgiving Day! Donations can be dropped off in labeled bins beginning 10/31. The winning department will be announced at Missions Brunch on Nov 21! fbca.org/clash Nov 13: BENA BONFIRE After our original plans were rained out, we have rescheduled the bonfire for Saturday Nov 13th from 5:30-8:30pm at the Bena's! We'll have a Frito pie bar, s'mores, outdoor movie, games, and plenty of space to run and play. The night will culminate in a big bonfire! This is a great event to invite your friends to. fbca.org/youth Nov 19-21: Dwell retreat The Dwell Retreat is Nov 19-21 at Riverbend! With an emphasis on dwelling in God's presence, this retreat has plenty of opportunities to worship, rest, and learn together. Open to any 7th-12th grade girls. fbca.org/dwell Nov 21: MISSIONS BRUNCH Bring your favorite brunch item to share! We'll break bread together as we celebrate what God has done in our community and across the globe over the past year. We'll also tally up donations and announce the winner of Clash of the Classes! fbca.org/missionsbrunch
Nov 13: Surviving the Holidays Our Surviving the Holidays seminar is for people who are grieving a loved one’s death. We'll cover: how to deal with the many emotions you’ll face during the holidays, what to do about traditions and other coming changes, helpful tips for surviving social events, and how to discover hope for your future. The cost of materials is $5. Please register! fbca.org/grief NOV 14-16: Texas Baptist Annual Meeting Refresh and Refill on the beach! This year you may participate in person or online. Email Erica if you would like to represent FBCA as a messenger. erica.salyer@fbca.org
November 7: Acts 1:8 November 8: Exodus 19:1-8 November 9: Matthew 28 November 10: 1 Peter 2:4-10 November 11: Psalm 67 November 12: Psalm 105 November 13: Reflection November 14: Acts 4:12 November 15: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 November 16: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 November 17: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 November 18: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 November 19: Romans 8 November 20: Reflection November 21: Romans 15:17-21 November 22: Romans 3:1-20 November 23: Romans 3:21-31 November 24: Romans 4:1-12 November 25: Romans 4:13-25 November 26: Romans 5 November 27: Reflection
CROSS-CULTURAL MINISTRY
NOV 7: 1st grade bible presentation An event for 1st graders and their families. Join us in room 230 during the Bible Study hour as 1st graders are presented with their Bibles. fbca.org/biblepresentation NOV 19: Family Movie Night Families are invited to come and enjoy a "Friday Night at the Movies" together with friends and enjoy FREE hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, and drinks. Concessions open at 6:30 and the movie starts at 7:00. fbca.org/familymovienight
WEDNESDAYS IN NOVEMBER: A Small Group Community for families with Preschoolers and Elementary Children. Designed to support, share, discuss, and learn from each other as you grow. Connect with a Tribe of Parents who have the same values, desires and experiences you have! Preschoolers and Elementary children will have interactive small groups divided into their own ages. These groups will meet in the Children’s building on the first & second floor. fbca.org/tribes DEC 8: TRIBES CHRISTMAS Join us for our Family Tribes Christmas party 6:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. fbca.org/tribes
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
COLLEGE MINISTRY
Nov 15: Story in the park Join us for a story at Bicentennial Park on November 15th at 10am! Siblings welcome! fbca.org/storyinthepark Nov 13: I am thankful carnival For young families with Infants – Kindergarten in the PCB Parking lot and playground. We want to Be Thankful, Celebrate Growth and Enjoy Togetherness! Enjoy family interactive stations, Story & Music Time at 10:00, free play on the playground and a simulated neighborhood prayer walk as we focus on Living Sent for Mission’s Month. Plus Kettle Popcorn and Apple Cider for the season! It is all FREE! fbca.org/thankful Dec 5: Nativity Story Time This is an Advent Tradition with Dr. Dennis & Cindy. We will include: Storytime, Christmas carols, cookies, & family photos op. Will take place in the PCB Courtyard, weather permitting, at 4:30pm. fbca.org/nativitystorytime
PASTORAL MINISTRY
Scan this code to give to the World Mission Offering! You can do a one-time gift or easily set up a recurring donation. We are grateful for your generosity and work to make sure we are being wise with your gifts! You can see the breakdown of where your money goes inside this magazine!
Give to the World Mission Offering! Goal for November: $100,000 2021 Fiscal Year Goal: $250,000
Go on a Mission Trip! There are several short-term ways to be involved both here and abroad! Scan this code to see what's coming up in the world of Global Ministries and plan on joining us in one of these trips!
Stop by the Missions Lounge in the Welcome Center! You can purchase Psalm 1 Worship shirts and a new book from Nanette Johnson! The proceeds benefit the World Mission Offering and will help us reach our $100,000 goal!
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