AnchorofTruth - Fall 2016

The A n c h o r of INSIDE THIS ISSUE:TRUTH Serving as Senders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Digging Ditches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Fall 2016 You’re Not the Boss of Me! . . . . . . . 4 Loving your Neighbor as Yourself . 5 When God’s Kingdom Invades Mine ............................ 8 Belize and India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 His Providence in VBS . . . . . . . . . 10by Rob Ziegler Missions should not be an abstract idea. If you’re a how important it is for the congregation to take truefollower of Christ, global missions should be an integral ownership of the mission works that it supports financially.part of your daily thinking and your life’s agenda. More than just writing a check (as important as financial This truth is what is behind our theme for the 2016 GRBC support is), each church member should recognize that heMissions Conference. That theme is “Serving as Senders,” or she too has a responsibility, and should have a desire, towhich not coincidentally is the title of a book by Neal Pirolo take an active role in execution of the work that is done byon how to care for our missionaries both when they are on those called out for specific overseas service.the field and when they return home. Mary Jane Strange ofour church’s missions committee shared an article by the Continued on page 6same author with the rest of us on the committee, stressing-1-

Digging Ditches:The Ministryof Gray Road Christian Schoolby Andrea Smith If you come through Entrance One anytime church’s mission. First, just as with ourchurch, but rather the foundation and lens throughbetween Sundays, it is pretty easy to think that our school: “exists to glorify God by exalting which we learn all school subjects. It’s all God’snothing is going on. The pastors are hidden Jesus in passionate worship.” You cannot enter history. It’s all God’s science. It’s all God’s world.in their offices and a friendly, albeit quiet face the school building without hearing singinggreets you in the church office. But head about – somewhere. Our school kids love… to… sing. As a complement to the academic regimen,70 meters to the west through Entrance Four, the school staff digs ditches to irrigate a lifetimeand you’ll quickly perceive the controlled From individual classes, of service in Jesus’ name. This year, the thirdchatter and hubbub of hundreds of school to chapels, to Christmas graders took a field trip day, not to have fun, butage children! You’ve now entered Gray Road and spring programs, to serve at both FAME (medical evangelism) andChristian School. the teachers joyfully lead Centers for Global Impact (CGI). The student the children in praise to council, made up of fourth through sixth GrayRoad Christian School’s stated mission Jesus. An awesome thing graders, plan service projects each yearthroughis to “build strong minds and committed about this is that even the guidance of facultyand staff. Last yeareachhearts.” Metaphorically, the teachers and staff unconverted children grade level took up a project from Samaritan’sof our school work 176 days a year as ditch are singing the Gospel Purse. Children have collected change for CGIdiggers. Strange as it may seem, imagine a to themselves! These and Pennies for Patients. They have collectedfield that is hard and dry. No water penetrates. worship songs packed school supplies for Africa, clothes for a familyNo fruit grows. So with truth about our God whose home burned, and money for anotherit is with children’s will live long in these Christian school that had flooded. Formerhearts. Our teachers, children’s minds. Ditches teacher Mirriel Candler explains that “we wantin conjunction with are dug. to be the hands and feet of Jesus.” They are.parents and the Ditches are dug.local church, dig Second, our school:ditches. They teach, “exists to glorify God by Again, as an extension of Gray Road Baptistthey correct, they equipping Christians Church, our school exists: “to glorify Godtrain the children in for life and service.” by encouraging one another in meaningfulrighteousness. They These children are being fellowship.” If we would plead with God to raiseput the truths of God trained in a stringent up these children into the Body of Christ, intobefore children in academic environment; theyreceive individual, the love and fellowship of the saints, then thereacademics, in song, customized attention, all filtered through seems to be a superb breeding ground at GRCS.in memorization, in a Biblical worldview. By using a Christian Faculty and staff reiterate time and time againthe created world, curriculum, students learn that “religion” or how much Christ-centered love permeates thatin physical exercise. “Bible” is not one individual academic subject, school.Day after day these -2-ditches are dug,through faithful,persevering workand in prayer, in orderthat, in God’s own sovereign timing and byHis grace, He would send his Holy Spirit as arushing river, to permeate that dry ground. As a ministry of Gray Road Baptist Church,this ditch digging is indeed an extension of our

“The staff is a close-knit familyof believers,” growth while making each one feel loved. JennyBeltz exudes, “We have a strong tracksays GRCS preschool assistant Jenny Beltz. “We Because of her leadership in this way, we in record of loving students from other cultures.love Jesus, we love each other, we love the turn made this our mission for our students.” We show/tell them the love of Jesus. It is one ofstudents, and we love their families. The staff my favorite parts of our school.”prays for each other, we support one another, Finally, GRCS “glorifies God by engagingand we feel a strong commitment to edifying the world with the Gospel.” Quite amazingly What an environment of love this schoolone another as part of the Body of Christ.” by the grace of God, the school is a microcosm has! Picture this: A Christian school principal of the world-wide Church, with manytongues, spending time with parents as they sit in a Jenny feels this is the reason so many staff tribes, and nations represented. God has hospital with a sick child; people ministeringhave been at the school for five years or more. brought the world to a tiny Christian school directly to single moms; staff visiting theirIn fact, no staff left after this past school year, on the south side of Indianapolis, and what an children’s parents in their homes or bringingwhich is almost unheard of in private day awesome field for ditches to be dug. There are them supper during illness; staff prayingschools. children from India, Burma, Brazil, Germany, togetherfrequentlyin the hallway; staff praying Mexico, Philippines, Africa, and America! Every with theirchildren in the hallway; staff praying “We have a principal and staff that show day children from unbelieving families are with and for the principal.compassion not only for each other, but for hearing truth. Seeds are planted! Children fromour students and their families,” said fifth and believing families are hearing truth. Seeds are “We realize we cannot be effective withoutsixth grade teacher Pam Aldridge. “The staff is planted! In an area of Indianapolis where we God’s wisdom and direction,” Ann Wall said.close knit like a familyas we lift each otherup in can be surrounded in a “suburban middle-classtimes of need through prayerand benevolence. churchy bubble,” being a part of GRCS allows So now Oh Lord, take this hard work andWe also do the same for our students and their a student to surround themselves with friends effort of ditch digging. It is done in your name andfamilies.” unlike themselves, but precious in the sight of in your strength, for your glory. As the staff and God nonetheless. It’s really quite beautiful. children worship you, as they studyyour great world Mirriel Candlertold us the environment and and serve your people, as they love and edify oneexperience at GRCS is unique to what she has Mirriel Candlerremarks that she loved being another, and as they faithfully teach the Gospel toseen in the education world, and credited God’s able to give copies of The Bible to families who each student and family, would you pour out youruse of school principal Ann Wall for setting the did not have one in their home. One year she grace upon them? Would you flood those ditcheswheels in motion. had a little boy who knew nothing about the with your life-giving Spirit? Bible but would reenact the Bible stories with “I’ve taught at three different Christian friends at recess. Pam Aldridge hears talesschools but GrayRoad was myfavorite because of preschool children sharing stories aboutof the leadership and loving atmosphere,” Jesus at home. Ann Wall loves to hear the littleshe said. “Ann Wall’s love for Jesus, her staff, children from India singing Jesus Loves Me.and students set the tone. She was alwaysencouraging herstaff to godliness and spiritual -3-

You’re Not of autonomy. They said in their heart, “I dancing ministry.” However, we up the the Boss of Me! : am, and there is none besides me” (Isaiah ante when we say, “We need to start aHOW INDIVIDUAL 47:8, 10). Finally, James 4:12 says, “There square dancing ministry.” Then, we go AUTONOMY is only one lawgiver and judge…” And the further. “We must start a square dancing FIGHTS AGAINST position is not up for grabs. God is that ministry.” Ultimately, “If we don’t start a THE LOCAL One. square dancing ministry, I’m leaving this CHURCH So, God condemns individual autonomy. church!” I chose a preference I’ve never by Toby Johnson We probably already believed that. After heard in real life, but you get the idea. Many of the moral and ethical issues all, we know God’s authority is ultimate. In all three ways I might choosebeing bantered about in society todaycome down to the issue of authority. Who We affirm that His Word is the supreme individual autonomy over the authorityhas the authority to define marriage? Whohas the authority to assign gender? Who standard for all human conduct. It’s in of the Christ-led church – not joining ahas the authority to tell a woman whatshe can and cannot do to the human our statement of faith. We sing of His local church, not living under authority,being conceived in her womb? Who hasthe authority to tell me what is right and authority in corporate praise. We “amen” and making my preference a demand – Iwrong? Good and evil? it in sermons. We am exalting my In 21st century America, the answer toquestions like these is overwhelmingly speak it to a culture “ Pride drives individual own standardsconsistent. Who is the final authority on that’s gone astray. above yours. Atmorality and ethics? Me, myself, and I. I We know man is not autonomy, and that’s why I times, I’m exaltingonly answer to me. In the courtroom of my his own authority. believe it fights against the my own standardslife. I am the lawmaker, judge, and jury. I above God’s. I’mam a law unto myself. But there seems a law unto myself, to be a disconnect This is called “individual autonomy.” Theword “autonomy” comes from two Greek here. We see clearly biblical vision of the local a n d yo u w i l lwords: autos (‘self’) + nomos (‘law’). A law the individual respect my law. Iunto self. While we, as Baptists, believe autonomy that’s church. The local church is am, and there isin the autonomy of the local church, wedo not believe in the autonomy of an “out there”, rebelling a community where others none besides me.individual. against God’s Pride drives authority. We see it are more important than individual Individual autonomy is condemned inthe Scripture. It is the essence of sin. In in the unbelieving me (Phil. 2:3-4). Individual autonomy, andthe garden, Adam and Eve rejected the world, and we that’s why I believeauthority of God and went with their own even see it in fellow autonomy says I’ll be part of it fights against theideas. “So when the woman saw that thetree was good for food, and that it was a Christians. Yet, we any community that thinks biblical vision ofdelight to the eyes, and that the tree was are blind to the the local church.to be desired to make one wise, she took way we lay claim to I’m important. The local The local churchof its fruit and ate, and she also gave someto her husband…and he ate” (Genesis 3:6). our own individual church strives for greatness is a community autonomy. where others are The condemning statement that How do we do through service (Mt. 20:25-28). more importantconcludes the book of Judges is that“everyone did what was right in his own that? Some do it Individual autonomy must be than me (Phil.eyes” (Judges 21:25). God condemns by refusing to join 2:3-4). IndividualBabylon in the book of Isaiah for the pride a church under the ”served by others, rather than autonomy says guise of not needing I’ll be part of the institutional be a servant itself. any community church. They’ve got that thinks I’m their Bible, Christian important. The friends who hold them accountable, local church strives for greatness through sermons on podcast or TV, and praise service (Mt. 20:25-28). Individual autonomy music on CDs or Spotify. They don’t need must be served by others, rather than be to belong to a church. What is this but a a servant itself. rejection of God’s authority and declaring The local church submits to those I know better? entrusted with God-given authority (Heb. Others may join a church, but they 13:17). Individual autonomy says I’ll follow espouse individual autonomy as a member. any leader who does everything I want He might resist the idea of living under the him to. The local church, as shown in God-given authority of that church. Texts Acts 4, gives. Individual autonomy takes. like Hebrews 13:7, about submitting to our The local church is about us. Individual elders, are dismissed as antiquated…or autonomy is about me. being for ‘weaker’ Christians. She might Individual autonomy is an enemy to the claim to want accountability but resist local church, and it can sneak into anyone’s the actual rebuke when it comes. Why? thinking. From the pulpit to the pew, Because “it’s none of their business how nobody is safe. By the power of the Spirit, I live.” we all must “destroy arguments and every Also, we may turn our preferences lofty opinion raised against the knowledge into demands. We may start by saying, of God, and take every thought captive to “I would prefer it if we started a square obey Christ…” (2 Cor. 10:5). -4-

Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself: A DESCRIPTION FOR TODAY by Curt Tyra About 3,500 years ago, the following 1. Th i s i s t h e s e co n d g re a te s t surrounded by people with needs that arewords were given to Moses by God: commandment. The first is to love just as obvious. the Lord your God with all of your “…you shall love your neighbor as heart and all of your soul and with all • T he widow who is often alone needsyourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18b) of your strength and with all of your company. mind. It is critical to know that the In the preceding verses, there is a quite second commandment is impossible • Those in the hospital need to bea list of “shall nots”: you shall not steal; you unless you first fulfill the first, and the visited.shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie; you first is only possible through Jesus.shall not oppress you neighbor or rob him; That is an article for another day, but • The man who just had knee surgeryyou shall not curse the deaf; you shall not it is of fundamental importance. needs his grass mowed.put a stumbling block before the blind; youshall not be partial; you shall not slander; 2. T his verse is NOT teaching that we all • The single mom needs help with theyou shall not hate your brother; you shall need to go work on loving ourselves kids.not take vengeance. more. This is popular theology today, but it is not true. The reality is that • Those moving need movers and a And then, at the end of the “shall nots” we all love ourselves abundantly, truck.comes this incredible “shall”: you shall love and this verse assumes this to beyour neighbor as yourself. true. Since the assumption is that • The visitor to church needs fellowship. we are experts at loving ourselves, So, from this text written 3,500 years the challenge is to get that good at • The unemployed dad needs work.ago we come to understand that part of loving others. Again, an article forwhat it means to love our neighbors as another day. • The hungry need food and water.ourselves is that we must not intentionallydo things to our neighbors that are evil. Those things being said, how do we • Those in prison need someone to visitThis is one side of the coin. apply this verse today? them. About 2,000 years ago, Luke records I think the easier part is what we learn • The homeless need shelter.that Jesus and a lawyer were discussing from Leviticus 19. If you are intentionallythis text. As the lawyer tries to justify seeking to do evil to your neighbor…be that • The orphan needs a home.himself under the weight of this incredible your neighbor in your neighborhood, yourcommand, Jesus tells the parable of the neighbor in the workplace, your neighbor We are all busy. We are all tired. WeGood Samaritan. In this parable, we in your family, or your neighbor in the all know that getting involved in thesefind the Samaritan being moved with pew…. stop. Stop immediately. This is sin. things can be complicated and costly. Itcompassion and compelled to action. He Call it what it is, beg God to break your is inconvenient. It takes us out of ourhelps someone who is unlike himself, who heart over it, confess it, and repent. comfort zone.is helpless, and who is unable to provideanything in return. He puts himself in The harder part is what we learn And there you have it. Loving ourharm’s way and expends his time, resources from Luke 10. What does it look like to neighbor costs us something. It drives usand money to help someone who society intentionally do things for our neighbors to self-sacrifice. It drives us to love otherssaid should be his enemy. And in doing that are good? in the same way that we love ourselves.these things, Jesus says that the Samaritanwas a neighbor to the man in need. At a basic level, it means showing So how to do we apply this text? What kindness and taking the time to know does it mean for today? So, from this text written 2,000 years them. In our society, this is a lost art. Weago we come to understand that part of must be intentional to fight the cultural The same thing it has always meant.what it means to love our neighbors as trend toward isolationism. Put down the Don’t intentionally do things to yourourselves is that we must intentionally phone. Turn off the TV. Walk across the neighbors that are evil, and do intentionallydo things for our neighbors that are good. yard…or across the auditorium…and get do things for your neighbors that are good.This is the other side of the coin. to know people. Lots of people. All kinds Do you love your neighbor as you love of people. yourself? So, don’t intentionally do things to ourneighbors that are evil, and do intentionally Beyond that, we look for needs that wedo things for our neighbors that are good. can meet. You might be inclined to think,Seems simple enough. “Well, the Good Samaritan had it easy. The man obviously needed help. He was in a So what does this look like for us today? ditch and bleeding.” Before we attempt to move on toapplication, here are a couple of brief That’s true. But it is not unique. We arecomments about the command to “love -5-your neighbor as you love yourself.”

Missions Conference ScheduleWEDNESDAY SUNDAY18SEPT 9:00 a.m. - P resentation of North Africa Ministry by Tim Sanford, Rodney Franco and Ray Andreos 10:30 a.m. - GRBC Worship Service including Missions Message by Pastor Toby Johnson 7:00 p.m. Missions Panel Discussion on Serving as Senders, how should churches come alongside those on the mission field. 21SEPT Participants: Daniel and Amy Rodas, GRBC-supported church planters to Hispanic communities in Indianapolis Tim and Karen Sanford, GRBC members on deputation to ministry in North Africa Steven andAndrea Smith, GRBC staff member and spouse with extensive short-term missions experience. Gary and Mary Jane Strange, GRBC members and missionaris to Kenya and South Africa. Kevin and Polly Shingleton, GRBC parents with extensive background in short-term missions and family involvement in missions. Moderator: Robert Ziegler, able to walk and chew gum at the same time.SUNDAY 25SEPT 9:00 a.m. - Joe Dillon, IMB representative speaking on Serving as Senders theme. 10:30 a.m. - Joe Dillon, IMB representative speaking on the priority of global disciple-making. 12 noon - GRBC Praise Banquet and Offering Continued from Front Page let’s instead at least commit to examining the question in each of our own lives. What can I do to be more involved in making disciples On Mount Galilee, Jesus told his disciples “All authority in heaven of all nations?and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciplesof all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the On our GRBC Missions Committee we think, and our churchSon and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have elders agree, that a good place to start is making more contactcommanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of and doing more to come alongside the missionaries we financiallythe age.” (Matthew 28:18b-20) support. That’s where our own version of Serving as Senders comes in. The important thing for us to realize about this command is it isgiven to the entire church. God gathers people into churches. It’s We want each Sunday School Class to reach out, in each quarter ofwhat He has done since the church was established. The church, the year, to an assigned missionary family that our church supports.therefore is God’s plan for evangelism, discipleship and fulfilling the It starts with a class designee contacting the missionary (we willGreat Commission. This vital duty of making disciples worldwide help you get in touch with them if needed) and just indicating anstill falls on each of us. Just as evangelism and discipleship interest in being involved, inquiring as to what is happening, whatresponsibilities fall on each of us right where we live, and we can’t they are about, what the needs are. This should be a normal desire ofexempt ourselves with an “except for me” clause, so too does the ours anyway, as Christ-followers intent on obeying His commands.“of all nations” part of that command apply to each of us. From that correspondence, the designee can then communicate So what part do you play? Obviously we don’t all move overseas, with the rest of his or her class, and from there we would hope forbut that is not a free pass to ignore the command. Rather than try some creativity in determining ways to practically be a help (not aand comprehensively answer the question of “what?” in this space, hindrance). The start of this will have to be that contact, however. Too often missionaries are seen by church members, and feel -6-

Where in the World are GRBC Missionaries? Dygert zurBurg Billingtons Houghten zurBergShepherd’s Lacey Wingett Rodas Davis Sadowitz Yoshida Sanford Mayhak DBIPurcell Strange Sharp Shingletonthemselves, to be a separate entity with maybe a loose contractual The messages at the upcoming conference will reemphasizearrangement that only tenuously connects them with that church. these vital points. On Wednesday Sept. 21 we’ll have a panelTo many back home, they may be no more than faces on a wall next discussion with some of our church’s missionaries, the Rodases, theto a map, rather than co-laborers in the work of serving Christ for Stranges and the Sanfords, plus Steve and Andrea Smith, to discussthe sake of His kingdom. the relationship between missionaries and sending churches and how it can be strengthened. Many developments in the recent history of churches andmissions have contributed to this disconnect, but rather than getting PastorToby will be preaching on Sept. 18 on our church’s missionsinto that here, let’s focus on practical steps we can take to bridge priorities and the Biblical imperative for global evangelism. Timthe gap, for the sake of missionaries, our own spiritual lives and Sanford will share during the first hour that day along with Rodneyespecially, the cause of Christ. Franco and Ray Andreos, about the work the Sanfords have been called to join in North Africa. On the 24th, Joe Dillon of International Each quarter, the assignments will rotate so that each class will Mission Board will speak during both hours about how churchesget exposure to each of our supported missionaries over the course can better support missions and on the priority of unreached peopleof a few years. Remember, the idea is to take greater ownership of groups as part of fulfilling The Great Commission.our congregation’s role in fulfilling The Great Commission to go andmake disciples in all nations. We can’t all go, teach and baptize, but I hope you will make a priority of attending all of these sessionsit is a command for all of us to be involved. Financial support is and ask God to prepare your heart for what you will be hearing.just part of this. We are not likely to take much interest if we don’t The subject matter should be an important part of who we are aseven know who these servants are or what they do, so the project is servants of Jesus Christ.aimed at tackling that knowledge shortcoming. Let’s strive to makeGRBC an even more missions-minded church than it’s ever been. -7-

When God’s Kingdom Invades Mine by Steven Smith “Am I my brother’s keeper?” With that This is the great and first commandment. changed their priorities. They loved Godone question, Cain’s rebellion displayed And a second is like it: You shall love your more than they loved themselves.how far sin could take men in one neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39).generation. Adam and Eve had rebelled This is what God created people to do. We see further evidence of this realityagainst God, and the curse of sin entered in verse 32. “Now the full number of thoseinto the world. Just a short time later, for God says you must love me and love who believed were of one heart and onethe first time in human history, one man each other. This is about the affections soul, and no one said that any of the thingskills another man. of your heart. Our heart needs to be that belonged to him was his own, but affectionate (drawn to or concerned with) they had everything in common.” Notice This is what sin does. Sin drives man God and others. The second thing that the effect of the Holy Spirit on the lives ofto love himself to care for himself while he Jesus says is: Don’t love your money or these Christians. First, the people wereignores the needs and concerns of others. your stuff. Jesus speaks to this constantly bound together by the Spirit. They wereCain’s dad did the same thing. When Adam in His earthly ministry. “Don’t store up of one heart and one soul. They wererecognized that he was guilty before God, for yourselves treasures on earth,” “Don’t unified, living in community, loving andthe very first thing he did was blame his worry about money,” “You can’t serve both serving one another. This was God’s intent.wife, Eve, for everything. This has been God and money,” “Give your money to the Simultaneously, the Spirit was looseningthe human condition since sin entered into needy.” Jesus said all of these things, but the grip that their personal possessionsthe world. it wasn’t happening. The religious leaders had on them. “no one said that any of the of the day, the Pharisees, were “lovers of things that belonged to him was his own.” God knew this was a major problem money.” (Luke 16:14). Here is what Jesus The Spirit was breaking them free from thewhen He gave the law, the Pentateuch, wants His people to do, “Fear not little flock, grip of wealth and possessions and bindingto His chosen people. God was calling for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give the people of the church to one another.this group of people to be a community. you the kingdom. Sell your possessions,They were to treat each other justly and and give to the needy. Provide yourselves As we are changed by God to love himtake care of their brothers and sisters who with moneybags that do not grow old, with and love others, our love for wealth andwere struggling. Leviticus 25 gives us a a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, possessions diminishes. Loving moneyglimpse into the heart that God wanted where no thief approaches and no moth and possessions will drive us away fromHis people to have for the poor. Take time destroys. For where your treasure is, there loving God and loving people. Jesus toldto read this chapter of Scripture. God was will be your heart also.” (Luke 12:32-34) But us that “where your treasure is, there yourconcerned that His chosen people would no one could do it. heart will be also.” Has God’s Spirit causedlove their brothers more than they loved our hearts to be drawn to himself and to histheir pocketbook. Here’s the question: What can take people? Then, that is where our treasure people who love their stuff and their will be as well. But Israel did not obey God. The rich money more than anything else and turnIsraelites began to love their possessions them into God loving, people-loving, not The church is in desperate need of moremore than God and more than their people. anxious, joyful, exuberant givers? Only meaningful fellowship and community.By the time we get to the ministry of the one thing can do that: The Gospel of Jesus Christians pursuing more money and moreprophets, God is announcing judgment on Christ. We read the fulfillment of Jesus’ stuff is one of the greatest obstacles to this goal.the nation of Israel for their oppression of command in Luke 12 in Luke’s record of We need to be honest enough to recognize athe weak and the poor. This is what sin the birth of the church in Acts 4. In Acts glaring reality: The pursuit of selfish pleasuredoes. Sin causes men to dehumanize other 2, Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost, and interest will disable meaningful fellowshiphumans and to deify man-made objects. God pours out his Spirit, three thousand in the church.To put it another way, sin divorces human people are born again, and the era of thebeings from one another and marries CHURCH begins. The disciples continued As believers, we need to take time tohuman beings to their stuff. The result to preach the gospel throughout Jerusalem evaluate the direction of our lives. Are weis horrific. In reality, this is the story of and eventually Peter and John are arrested allowing the pursuit of personal pleasure andhuman history. Jesus was born, He lived and told that they must quit preaching in wealth to suffocate and diminish our fellowshipand He died in a world like this. the name of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the first with Christ and His body, the Church? If so, taste of persecution. The church gathers we must repent, give ourselves away, and serve The ministry of Jesus is very telling. together and prays to God for boldness. the body. The church must be of one mind,There are two themes that pop up over and “Lord look upon their threats and grant with one purpose, the spread of the Kingdomover again. First, Jesus is constantly telling to your servants to continue to speak of God. May God give us grace to do it to thethe people, you need to love God and each your word with all boldness…” (Acts 4:29) glory of His Name.other. The two things that sinful human They weren’t praying for safety, they werebeings don’t want to do. “You shall love praying for boldness. The Spirit of God hadthe Lord your God with all your heart andwith all your soul and with all your mind. -8-

Belize and India by Rob Ziegler Two teams from Gray Road were busy this The India team worked as part of asummer serving fellow saints and learning continuing relationship between Gray Roadabout God’s work around the world. and Delhi Bible Institute. DBI director, Pastor Isaac Shaw preached at Gray Road just a week The first trip was to an orphanage that before the five-person team traveled.operates in conjunction with a local churchin Belize, a small country in Central America Pastor Toby joined Jim Fain of Rod & Staffthat was formerly a British Colony. Pastor Ministries in training the congregation ofSmith is friends with a man involved in the Bible Bhavan, Pastor Isaac Shaw’s church inministry. Delhi, while on a retreat in Dehradun, a city in far-northern India near the Tibetan (Chinese) The team included a number of teens border. While Toby and Jim were doing theand afforded them an opportunity to come training, Chad McFadden, Ardis Tolle and Lizalongside children without parents and an Ziegler led a series of teaching sessions forextended church community inland from the teens and 20-something students.Atlantic/Caribbean coast. Chad described going through the Gospel College freshman Jordan Tyra explained with the young men while Ardis and Lizthat the trip opened his eyes to a number of helped lead discussions on Two Ways toopportunities for service in missions, and Live. The focus was on taking ownership ofhow ordinary believers can make a difference Christian faith during a period of transitionthrough the giving of their time and simple in life. Chad was also able to see fruit in aacts of service. marriage counseling session. Kevin and Polly Shingleton shared that Ardis and Liz were thankful to thethe generosity of the believers in Belize, opportunity to see that God will use themdespite their material poverty, was humbling in the lives of people on the other side of theand inspiring to them. world, and even provide opportunities for them to be encouraged in their faith, even One result of the time spent in ministry as they seek to encourage others.is that Gray Road is hoping to raise $4,000 inour annual Offering of Praise to go toward a Toby is thankful for the receptivity of thebus that the church uses to help reach people church there to the instruction in biblicalin the community, and some study resources counseling and anticipates an ongoingfor the pastor there. relationship between Gray Road and this church as it seeks help in equipping its own Belize Team Roster: Isaiah Helms, Steven people for counseling from God’s Word. OurSmith, Jeremiah Mattingly, Curt Tyra, Kevin financial support of DBI, which is involved inShingleton, Polly Shingleton, Debbie Scott, starting thousands of churches across India,Sharon Shingleton, Rebecca Colbert, Rylie also continues.Scott, Avery Shingleton, Jordan Sanford, AlexisMattingly, Jordan Tyra, Jonah Shingleton, Noah India Team Roster: Toby Johnson, ChadShingleton, Jonah Sanford, Austin Johnson, McFadden, Ardis Tolle, Liz ZieglerCaleb Johnson.-9-

His Providence in VBS The July week of Vacation Bible School ministry at Beech Grove Village has come and gone. On the surface you had bible lessons for adults and children, games, singing and other activities, but of course the purpose and potential of the week’s ministry are much more than meets the eye. In all of this, God is responsible for the results and He arranges the events of this world accordingly. - 10 -

We asked Kathleen Tennant to pen some thoughts for us on how this On the other hand, there will be many stories of God’s faithfulnesssummer’s Vacation Bible Study ministry at Beech Grove Village fits in with coming out of this year’s festivities. I’m thrilled that my church familythe ongoing ministry which she and others take part in at VBS. gets to see that up close, because this is life for me! That thrill of telling the greatest news everto someone who is looking forhope, the privilegeIt’s like planning a wedding ceremony between the Hatfields and of walking alongside people in their greatest joys and sorrows offeringMcCoys, I’ve said, describing the Beech Grove Village Block Party and the comfort of the cross, the very ordinary sharing of life with othersBackyard Bible Clubs (VBS). fearfully and wonderfully created in the image of God—that’s my life!Immersed, as I am, in both this community and my church family, This week is extraordinary for me precisely because so many get to seemyheart struggles in the tension of two verydifferent cultures colliding. the ordinary nature of living in the way that I do. What if these storiesAnd yet, each yearI plan and prayforthis event specifically, not because that you’ll read about from this week happened around you every day?I find this tension comfortable, but that in precisely this tension, I get a I pray that others find this week so exciting that they too would lovefront row seat to watch the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness. to reach out again to those they met this week, walk alongside someFor my neighbors, I love how the Block Party shows off the friends in the Bible Studies that we regularly host, or even go downcommunity aspect of the Church. And because of the brokenness of their own driveways and invite their own neighbors over for a cookoutthe world and my neighbors, many of my neighbors’ relationships with or some such get-together.their own communities have been ruined or marred--so they often I can promise you it will be messy; and you will see your ownhave no categories for “church” as a grace-based body of believers. messiness. But we have a Savior from sin; He’s faithful and just. AndToo often church is just that place to go when you’re struggling or on sometimes you’ll be exhausted; but God’s Sabbath rest will be sweet.special occasions. Things will never go exactly as you planned, instead they will be better,Yet we have this sense of community here at Gray Road precisely because they’ll be according to the definite plan and foreknowledge ofbecause of the One who has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall God. It will be hard—as this week is hard—but it’s worth it.of hostility and brought a diverse people together in His church. So I thank God for all the work and effort put into a week like thisI’ve feebly tried to explain this, to show them in living color how one by many—both in my community and in my church; I praise himChrist builds us up into a community of grace. I’ve tried to show and for His grace and truth—in word and deed.tell them how their longing for this community isn’t in vain. God hasprovided a way. - 11 -

The following are two examples of how God used people from Gray Road in both their willingnessto serve that week and the events of their lives to effectively minister to people. By Sandy McFadden I learned what Spanish I know when I lived in Cuenca, Ecuadorfornine months duringmy senior year of college. I was there for a missionary apprentice program with about10 other students. We lived there, learned the language and completed a year of collegecourses via two-week modules with vising professors. We were also heavily involved inthe ministries there, such as church services, youth group activities, camp ministry andpublic evangelism (going downtown to talk with people, etc). At the BGV block party, I saw my husband Chad sitting at a table with three Hispanicpeople. He was talking to a man who knows English pretty well. That man’s wifeunderstands some English and I think she can speak more than she does. She is justnot confident in it. The grandmother that was with them understood very little Englishand spoke none. I was hesitant to speak any Spanish as it has been YEARS since I wasin Ecuador. I hadn’t really kept up on my Spanish, so I am definitely not a confidentSpanish speaker. But while the man and Chad were talking, I finally asked his wifeabout her family. I learned that she has two children, a boy and a girl, and that the kidsspeak English well. The family is from Mexico and the grandmother was leaving to goback home on Tuesday. They can’t go back to Mexico, they said, because their familywouldn’t let them return. It is hard for the grandma to have family here and in Mexico.It was just general chit-chat. I don’t know about follow-up. but I told Kathleen that Iwould love to spend more time with (the wife) as I really want to re-learn the Spanish Ilost and improve even more. There is nothing spectacular in the stories from an earthly perspective. It’s not a BillyGraham movie where everybody gets saved at the end. It’s just real people willinglyserving and seeing how God uses them on a basic but vital level. By Brent Shingleton One by one, others around the table shared their I had the opportunity to teach the adults during VBS experiences, relating to Heather is ways that I could not.at Beech Grove Village. Not knowing what to expect, Stories about attempted suicide, beating cancer, beingI had prepared a lesson that highlighted what the homeless in Indianapolis, having a child with epilepsy;kids were studying that night so that the parent could and how God was there for each of them through eachreinforce key concepts with their kids. of these struggles. It was an amazing thing to watch As we were walking over to the building where we and be a part of.were going to meet, we saw a young woman (Heather)sitting on a picnic table with a backpack and a tent. (At this point, I said, “enough of this, I have a lessonKathleen invited her to join us, and she accepted. As to teach here…!” I’m kidding…) Heatherwas soon in tearswe all sat down around the table, there were some and opened up about her past and the abuse that sherefreshments, and Kathleen had already brought some has had to deal with in her life. The gospel was sharedfood for Heather. with her, and we prayed together. Heather continued Instead of starting right into the lesson, it seemed to come to VBS throughout the week. and relationshipsappropriate to do an ‘around the table’ introduction have been developed.time. When we got to Heather, she shared about manydifficult things she is dealing with, including cancer, We didn’t get to my‘lesson’ that night, but God taughtsuicide, epilepsy and homelessness. These are all things us all a lesson about His Providence and intervention. Itthat I cannot personally relate but what we soon found was no coincidence that we ran into Heather that nightout was that she was there for a reason. and that those particular people were around the table. I came that night planning to teach and minister others, but I was the one who was taught and ministered to.- 12 -