Your Voice

‘Let us begin’: Our Great Commission calling

By Ronnie Floyd
President and CEO, SBC Executive Committee

It was on January 20, 1961, that John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered his inaugural address as the newly elected president of the United States. From the steps of the United States Capitol, President Kennedy delivered an epic address. 

In the midst of appealing to the powers across the world for cooperation and peace, President Kennedy said these words and I quote: “All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.”

Hear the appeal: But let us begin. I want to appeal to our generation of Baptists to do the same.

Let us begin. Let us begin to finish the task [of the Great Commission]. How do we quit until this task is finished? How do we rest until this task is finished and complete?

These words of Jesus Christ consume me: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). 

Jesus’ call to us is personal. We cannot escape our responsibility. We cannot delegate this to another generation. Let us begin to finish the task. 

Jesus’ call to us is powerful. We cannot finish this task in our own power. We need power from on high, the power of the Holy Spirit God, to let us begin to finish the task. 

Jesus’ call to us is progressive. We must begin where we are in our own town, our own city, and not rest until this good news and this gospel of Jesus Christ is heard by every person across our own state, our own country and the nations of the world.

This reality is undeniable: people need Jesus and people need Jesus now.

EDITOR’S NOTE — This excerpt is adapted from Ronnie Floyd’s address during his inauguration service held Sept. 16 at First Baptist Church, Nashville. Floyd is president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee.

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Support your association

Many local Baptist associations convene annual meetings in October for sharing times of inspiration, missions strategizing and praying that God will help us reach the world “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Across Alabama, associational missionaries lead and coordinate many efforts to help reach our world for Christ.

Certainly if Alabama was a foreign country Southern Baptists would be sending missionaries here. According to some estimates, more than 60% of the state’s population does not attend church.

The spiritual needs are great and your state missionaries recognize that associational missionaries are vital partners in mobilizing God’s people for Great Commission participation and obedience.

Please pray for your associational missionary and other leaders as they strive for Kingdom expansion and missional faithfulness.

If you can attend an annual associational meeting during October please do so and see firsthand what plans are underway for reaching your local Jerusalem and Judea.

A list of associations may be found online at: www.alsbom.org/associations.

—Rick Lance

EDITOR’S NOTE — Rick Lance is executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

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A Well-Balanced, Healthy Life — Charlotte Wyckoff

In the Christian’s life a connection exists among the physical, the emotional and the spiritual. According to Charlotte Wyckoff of Alabama Baptist Nursing Fellowship, a well-balanced lifestyle is when all three aspects are in the right proportions in a believer’s life.

“Sometimes we feel we are all out of balance,” Wyckoff said. “If one aspect of our lives is out of proportion it can affect the others. Balance is about making the right choices and enjoying those choices.”

The body’s ability to function is known as the physical aspect of a believer’s being. Common stressors like obesity, inadequate or irregular rest, poor nutrition and insufficient physical activity can lead to poor health.

According to Wyckoff, Christians can take steps to improve their physical well-being. 

Regular exercise and increased activity can promote weight loss and overall health. Portion control and healthy meal choices provide improved nutrition also helping to control body weight. 

Proper rest and a regular schedule combine to enhance the body’s ability to function well and can be improved by eating foods high in melatonin such as fruits, vegetables and nuts.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle enables the believer to pursue spiritual and emotional health and helps the believer serve God with mind, body and spirit. 

By making choices that promote physical health Christians can lay a foundation upon which to build their spiritual and emotional well-being. (Lanell Downs Smith)

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Letters to the Editor

Grace Thornton’s article on NASA propulsion engineer Don Donald was out of this world! What a great time to remember and celebrate our space heroes on the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. God bless you, Mr. Donald, and thanks for all your hard work in service to America.

Brad Renneke
Enterprise, Alabama

I was excited to see the article “‘You be you’ is overrated; ‘You be Jesus’ is what we need” by Jennifer Davis Rash in the Sept. 12, 2019, issue of The Alabama Baptist. 

I had just listened to a video a Christian friend had posted on social media and was very disappointed. The video was a very encouraging talk about coming out of tragedy and surviving, but there was no mention of the grace of God or the mercy and forgiveness that is available because of the resurrection of Christ Jesus. Yes, there is beauty that comes from ashes but it isn’t because of the tears of a Phoenix or from “believing in yourself.” 

Thank you Jennifer for reminding us that we don’t need to be “us.” We need to be JES-US!

The front page articles “Only God” and “God moves mountains and Hills” were very personal to me too. Latisa Sheehan was my best friend growing up in rural Clarke County and the Hills are going to minister beside a cousin of mine, Darryl Brunson, in Montana. 

It is great to see stories of the miracles of God and the sharing of His love going strong today!

Janie Lee Finley
Ministry Assistant/Next Gen, FBC Silverhill

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When God calls us to serve Him, He also expects us to prepare to do our best.

Larry Felkins
Director of Missions, Chilton Baptist Association

Integrity is not perfection. It is consistency. A person of integrity is the same on the inside as on the outside; the same in the dark as in the light; the same when people are watching as when they are not. In a person of integrity words match actions. 

Bob Adams
Retired pastor

You cannot do everything coming into full-time ministry. You cannot be everywhere at all times. … Share every chance you get and serve every chance you have but at the same time you can’t be effective if you don’t fill your own cup up.

Randy Roberts
Basketball chaplain, Auburn University

We cannot recover images of pastors and churches that are lost but we can preserve those images for the future.

Lonette Berg
Executive director, Alabama Baptist Historical Commission

Nothing comes to you that does not pass through God’s fingers first.

Tony Evans
Pastor and author

It is not surprising when we see smaller churches doing fewer types of activities. Church activities require leaders and preparation. Small churches only have so many people to whom they can turn. Yet two-thirds of these churches choose to gather on Wednesday nights.

Scott McConnell
Executive director, LifeWay Research

Have you ever wondered why me? Why do I have this condition? Why does my brain work like this? There are millions of whys we can ask. There is no rhyme or reason as to why God heals some and not others that I have found in God’s word. Don’t lose hope … because trust me there is a purpose in His plan. It could be as simple as there is someone [who] needs to see how a person of faith handles the curve ball thrown their way.

Trinity Cole Roggensack
Phil Campbell, Ala.

Leaders are lifelong learners.

Claudia Johnson
Director, Christian Women’s Leadership Center

One of the things that is difficult to understand for many Americans is that being a Christian in North Korea is not just following a different religion or even following Western teaching. The Kim regime is built on the idea that the Kims are divine beings. So being a Christian is treason. The regime understands clearly that North Koreans hearing about salvation through Jesus Christ is a direct threat to their power.

Todd Nettleton
Voice of the Martyrs Radio

Believers are to serve others eagerly. Christians should work to assist everyone with each opportunity. We should also speak gently to others. We do not slander anyone, stirring up strife and trouble. We show humility. We should be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. We should consciously put others ahead of ourselves.

Jay T. Robertson
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

One of my favorite things about TAB is the monthly Faith & Family page. It always features topics that are practical and relatable. I know TAB is a source I can trust when we’re talking about real life issues and situations. We were all placed here on this earth by God at this time to do life together and I think it’s wonderful that TAB is here to help us.

Lauren C. Grim
TAB creative services manager

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From the Twitterverse

@DailyKeller

Because in Jesus, God became human, He is not only the God on the other side of the chasm, He is the bridge over the gap.

@m_m_riddell

“When the wind and waves are coming, You shelter me. Even though I’m in the storm, the storm is not in me.” — @theafters

@LifeWay

“Freedom is not the absence of boundaries. Freedom is the ability to fulfill created intent. … And you are most free when you fulfill God’s created intent for your life.” — @Ben_Stuart_

@PastorLonO

“In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death” (Prov. 12:28). Choose the life He has for you!

@_AshleyBratcher

I would 100% rather sit with you for as long as it takes and listen to everything that you’re going through than sit there for 15 minutes listening to your eulogy. Remember that. #mentalhealth #SuicideAwareness #NSPW @afspnational

@SusanCodone

Childhood sexual abuse is
probably the most effective weapon the enemy has for taking down a
believer for life.

@dpetty_43

Burdens. Some of you will go to sleep tonight with a heavy burden. Just know this. No mistake or dark moment in your life will ever change what Jesus did for you on the cross. And I hope you find peace and comfort in that.

@SEBTS

“Your identity is not even found in the popularity that you can find in the evangelical subculture. Rather it’s only in that you have been made the aroma of Christ for the world.” @philipnation #SEchapel

@sendnetwork

There are few things as powerful as someone’s testimony.

@lensweet

“I am with you and I will watch over you wherever you go. … I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Gen. 28:15). #promise #Godpromise