Shaped by the Cooperative Program

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. – Galatians 6:9-10

I may be a young Southern Baptist, but my life has been shaped by the Cooperative Program – an initiative begun by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1925 to help support missions and ministries locally, nationally, and internationally.  When people, through their churches, give to the Cooperative Program, the money doesn’t just go to one specific area or place, the money is sent to state convention missions and ministries and then a certain remainder of that (depending on the state) is sent on to the national level.  Once that money reaches the national level, it is then portioned out to five different areas of Southern Baptist life.  See the chart at the end of this blog post to understand exactly what these five areas include.  It is in some of these different areas where I see the story of my life and realize just how much the Cooperative Program has shaped me. 

Theological Education: Without the Cooperative Program, my dad would have been unable to attend seminary.  When I was six years old, my family moved from western North Carolina to Louisville, Kentucky so that my dad could pursue a Master of Divinity degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; something he had dreamed of since he was a teenager.  It was there he was able to learn and develop a passion for ministry; later passing that knowledge and passion on to me.  The Cooperative Program made it possible for tuition costs to be reduced for him so that he could attend and have a solid education at a seminary, and still be able to support and provide for me, my sisters, and my mom.

My family at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ('97)

International Missions: Without the Cooperative Program, my family would have been unable to go to the mission field.  When I was ten years old, my family was called to Hong Kong as missionaries; a calling that my parents had since childhood.  At the time, many people questioned my parents as to why they would move themselves and their three daughters to a completely different country, away from family and friends.  Their response – “It’s the best thing we could do for them.”  They were so right.  Living overseas and watching the Great Commission being literally lived out before my eyes changed my mindset and my heart most definitely for the better.  The Cooperative Program made it possible for the International Mission Board to send us overseas and provide for us halfway around the world.

My family as missionaries in East Asia ('99)

SBC Operating Budget: Without the Cooperative Program, I would not have the opportunity to be in the job in which I currently work.  I am employed by the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention as the Publications Specialist, a job that I regularly call my “dream job” because of how much I love this denomination.  When I was a younger adult, I didn’t really know about the Executive Committee, but came to learn about it through attending the SBC Annual Meetings and volunteering as a Page.  The Annual Meetings helped develop my knowledge of the Southern Baptist Convention and invoke an even greater passion for it.  The Cooperative Program makes it possible not only for me to have a job here, but it also makes it possible for events like the Annual Meeting to happen so that the denomination can continue to grow and flourish.

Volunteering as a SBC Page at the 2012 Annual Meeting in New Orleans

It’s so humbling to sit back and look at the short story of my life and see how the Cooperative Program has shaped it.  Without the Cooperative Program, so much of what my life is today would have never been possible – I wouldn’t know the things I know, love the things I love, or dream the way I dream without it. 

We young people may not say it enough, but thank you Southern Baptists for believing in and giving to an initiative where you may be unable to see the fruits of your gifts.  Still today, your gifts are making dreams for theological education, international missions, operations of the denomination, as well as national missions and representation in the political arena, possible and able to continue. 

What kind of legacy will you leave behind? One where God is a close second or where He is number one? One where you go to church whenever you feel like it or one where you invest yourself in His work in His house? One where you keep to yourself or one where you shine His light in your words and actions? Let’s be resolute in continuing to support and uphold a legacy of giving so that the Cooperative Program has the chance to do and shape even more lives for the furtherance of the Kingdom.

Galatians 6:9-10 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.”  Your gifts to the Cooperative Program allow good to happen all across this world.  Don’t grow weary in your giving; you are making a difference, you are impacting lives for the Gospel, you are shaping lives – just like you have shaped mine – and one day we will all reap the gift of gathering together in heaven to worship the God we serve as one body, united in Him.  What a day that will be!

Thankful No Matter the Circumstance

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:18

When the Pilgrims first prepared that infamous feast and came together to unite in fellowship with the Native Americans, I wonder if they realized the impact that moment would have on generations upon generations that came after them.  Although their Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days, many of the Thanksgiving traditions we celebrate today – eating, playing games, fellowshiping, giving thanks – were all a part of that very first Thanksgiving!  It’s truly a testament to their story that an event that happened in 1621 could span the course of time and still be virtually identical for millions of others in 2014.

For the attendees to that First Thanksgiving feast, it wasn’t so much about the food, but rather the coming together of two completely different parties as they worked together to live their lives in unity with one another and through some pretty difficult circumstances - famine, harsh winter, and even death.  It was about gratefulness of not only being alive and with family, but also thankfulness of fellow man and in working together to accomplish something beneficial.  I think that especially today with all of the unrest in our nation in places like Ferguson, MO, among others, that is something we can most definitely pray for and hope happens today.

As I reflect on Thanksgiving, I am incredibly thankful for so much, but certain people and experiences enter my mind today that have made me stop and think about what I take for granted and how thankful I am to the Lord for His provisions in my life.  I hope you will take a few moments to read below and give thanks today for the blessings the Lord has given you…and pray for these particular experiences and people this Thanksgiving.

Life Itself

I’m thankful for each breath I take and each moment I am alive.  I’m thankful for family and friends that surround and encourage me, who let me cry on their shoulders, who laugh and are sarcastic with me, and who pray for me every day.  I’m thankful for experiences that have shaped me and guided me to the path I walk today.  I’m thankful for life. 

This year so many in my church and community have lost loved ones and are spending this Thanksgiving without them - my heart hurts for these sweet friends and I pray God's love to overwhelm them today.  Also within the past month or two, I’ve watched friends and fellow believers in Christ walk through the loss of a loved one who took their own life.  Of course the circumstances that led to that moment are something I know nothing about and even that the family members may know nothing about this side of heaven; but to come to a point where life itself isn’t worth living has to be a place of such intense and extreme loneliness and sadness – even if you are surround by a loving and supportive family.  It’s something that doesn’t make sense at all and my heart breaks for those, believers and unbelievers, going through the feeling today of not being thankful for life.  May they know that the one who gives eternal life is right there holding their hand ready to walk through the difficult and lonely times with them.  May they feel his peace today and every day and be surrounded by love and encouragement.

The Romeike family

I am thankful for miracles and that God hears the cries of His people and answers them.  Earlier this year, I blogged about some sweet friends – the Romeike family; check out “Modern Day Pilgrims.”  Truly the members of this family are modern day pilgrims in our nation.  Just like the Plymouth Rock Pilgrims, the Romeike family came to America to escape religious persecution in their country.  They left everything and everyone they ever knew to come to a place to raise their family in the way of the Lord, something they were unable to do in their native country.

Over the past few years, they fought legal battles and this year it came to a head as their case reached the US Supreme Court.  Would they be granted amnesty or would they be deported?  So many individuals all over the country, but most especially our community, prayed that they would be granted amnesty.  The verdict came back and stated that the final ruling stood – deportation.  It made absolutely no sense that we as a nation founded upon principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness could not see the similarities of this family to that of the Pilgrims and grant them this freedom that they so desperately wanted.  So we prayed…all of us…a nation of us…that God would work a miracle even when it certainly didn’t seem like one could happen.  The very next day, God answered our prayers and the very administration who fought so hard against the Romeike family granted them indefinite deferred action status which meant they could permanently stay in the US.  Truly it was a miracle.  Today the Romeike family…with their sweet “Peanut” pictured with me below…celebrate Thanksgiving with a pretty awesome reason to be thankful.

Servant Hearts

I’m thankful to live among fellow family and friends who seek to live with servant hearts.  I’m thankful that when someone sees a need, they do their best to meet it.  I’m thankful that I am able to encourage children to live with servant hearts and that they listen and take initiative to minister to others.  I cherish the stories they share with me about having the opportunity to tell somebody about Jesus on the school bus or about how they asked for gifts on their birthdays for those less fortunate.  I’m oh, so thankful that these precious children are growing up with servant hearts because that means our future will have individuals to carry on our work and dreams to reach others with the love and message of Jesus.

Each person we touch through our servant hearts could be Jesus in disguise.  I’m ever so reminded of that because of an experience I have witnessed this week at the church.  A little over a week ago a man came to the church office and requested if he could use a portion of our parking lot to load a shipping container.  He is very hard to understand because of his Hungarian accent, but we finally gathered from him that he has lost everything here in America (as his wife and daughter have both died here) and that he has no family or friends and wants to go back home to Hungary.  Unfortunately there have been some issues with the shipping container people and he still hasn’t been able to load his things into the container; he's lonely and frustrated, but grateful for the help we have been able to give.  He gave my dad his address and said, “Here will be my address in Hungary.  I have no family or friends here, but I just want someone in America to know where I will live.”  Breaks.my.heart.  As I’ve watched others help him and as I’ve even spoken to him myself, I am ever so reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for Me.” 

Freedom to Worship

I am thankful for salvation and that I can worship the Lord freely and with no worries of being persecuted for my faith.  This year we have watched many of our fellow man suffer persecution for being believers in Christ, most especially in the Middle East.  From imprisonment to even beheadings – these saints have stood strong for the witness of Christ, something He told us we might have to do. 

I’ll be honest, the subject of religious persecution wasn’t really on my radar until this summer at the Southern Baptist Convention.  It was there I heard first-hand from Naghmeh Abedini, the wife of Saeed Abedini, an Iraqi-American pastor being imprisoned in Iraq because of his faith.  I had seen her on TV and even read about her husband, but it wasn’t until ERLC President Russell Moore spoke about Naghmeh and her husband that I really “heard” their story.  After the presentation, I got to speak for a brief moment to Naghmeh and tell her how I would be praying for her and her children.  I blogged about this experience in “#SaveSaeed this Father’s Day.” 

Over the past few months, I have read her posts and seen her pictures of her sweet family as they go through milestones (like today’s Thanksgiving holiday) in their lives without their precious father and husband.  Through each moment, however, she talks about how she is so proud of Saeed and his perseverance in not denying Christ.  Saeed truly “would rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.”  That is powerful and a testament to all of us. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Giving thanks in all circumstances is hard especially when the world around you is in turmoil, when you are mourning the death of a loved one, when you aren’t sure of your freedom, when you see someone in desperate need of help, or when you are being tortured because of your faith – but giving thanks is important because of all that Christ has done for you.  Not only did he give you life, but He gave HIS life so that you can live eternally with Him.  That fact alone is something for which to be thankful.

The 2014 world most definitely doesn’t look like the 1621 world, but the thoughts behind today span the course of 393 years...give thanks to the Lord and for all He has done for you.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

An Unforgettable VBS

“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” – Psalm 56:3

Words can’t describe how much I love Vacation Bible School.  Whether it be at my local church…at the Pregnancy Crisis Center Backyard Bible Club…or in my heart city of Hong Kong, each VBS I am/have been a part of brings such joy, excitement, and so much fun to my heart.

Last year when I found out the theme of this year’s Lifeway VBS, I thought the Biblical truth that the kids would be learning was brilliant.  “Facing Fear!  Trusting God!”  I can’t think of a better truth for children to learn at an early age than the truth of trusting God no matter the circumstance.  I wish I could travel to Hong Kong this summer and teach the Chinese kids this same truth…they so greatly need to hear it too!!!  Verses like Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear for I am with you” or Psalm 56:3 “when I am afraid, I will trust in you”…what terrific truths that our kids can carry with them through their childhood years, into their teen years and beyond!  Most definitely for our church kids here at FBC Morristown, learning this truth after the events of last year was extra-specially important.  No matter what happens in our lives, we can ALWAYS trust that God is and will be with us.  I must tell you, hearing the kids sing the songs and recite the verses from this year’s VBS was especially uplifting.  These kids can now carry the truths in the tunes and remember them for years to come!

FBC Morristown's AWESOME VBS 2013 kids!!!

When I began planning for VBS, I kind of thought that this year’s theme would be more of a reinforcement theme for me.  Yes, I know that I can trust God in any circumstance.  Yes, I know that God will never leave or forsake me...I’ve even written a bunch of blogs about this theme.  When we finally got to VBS week, however, the truths I had been learning about through my planning would never be more prevalent than they were that particular week.  You see, VBS week was the week my grandfather began going significantly downhill, health-wise.  I must admit, it was hard to put on a brave face every day and teach the kids about truths that I was having to strongly depend on myself.   In fact, one night I was getting something ready in the VBS worship rally room (sanctuary) and I just burst into tears over everything.  I knew God was with me, I knew he was taking care of me, but I was sad…so sad…that my grandfather was suffering.

Then Friday night at the Family Concert, the 300+ VBS kids sang the Day 5 song for their families and the words they sang couldn’t have been more poignant.  My eyes filled with tears as the kids sang these words:

I’m not afraid, afraid to let go.

I know you’re holding me.

You are the One I’m leaning on.  You are my hope and my strength.

For every breath I breathe, and the ground beneath my feet, I will trust You. 
I will trust You.

In every circumstance, no matter where I am, I will trust You.

I will trust in You.

I knew as they sang that song that everything would be okay.  I wasn’t afraid to let go of my grandfather.  I knew God was holding not only me, but my grandfather too.  I knew I could lean on God.  I knew I could trust Him with this situation.  Period. 

Literally 24 hours later from the time the kids sung that song, my grandfather passed away and entered into heaven.  Ever since that night, after hearing that song, I’ve had such a peace about everything.  Oh, yes, I miss my grandfather, but I’m at peace with his passing.  I know I will see him again and I can’t wait for that day!

This past week, I taught music at the Pregnancy Crisis Center Vacation Bible School/Backyard Bible Club.  On the last night, I taught the kids the Day 5 song.  I just smiled to myself as we sang through the words - smiling because I fully, wholeheartedly knew these words.  I lived them. 

I pray that all the kids who learned this particular song this year remember it for the rest of their life.  I pray they also remember this year’s verse and theme.  They all have life-changing implications. 

Thank you God for your promise and for allowing me to place my trust in You.  I wouldn't be a sane person without it! :)  Thank you Lifeway for developing a theme this year that so many of us can relate to.  I didn’t think I’d be relating to it like I did, but God knew I would.  You have changed so many kid’s lives through this theme…that I know.  Thank you to my sweet VBS leadership team.  Your encouragement and help during our VBS week brought so much relief and peace to my heart.  Finally, thank you to all the precious kids that sang that night at the Family VBS concert.  Many of you I know, some of you I don’t, but each one of you changed my heart and I will never forget that.  Ever.

Remembering My Grandfather ("Pa")

“[He has] fought the good fight, [he has] finished the race, [he has] kept the faith.  Now there is in store for [him] the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, [awarded] to [him] on that day—and not only to [him], but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
-2 Timothy 4:7-8

“We’re not put here to stay….we’re just passin’ through.”  This was a quote that my grandfather (aka “Pa”) said oh, so often, and yesterday, that pilgrim passed through this life into the next one – into the joy that awaited him for so long.  Into the arms of so many friends whom he had made over the past 96 years.  Into the arms of those loved ones – my grandmother, my step-grandmother, his parents, his sisters and others that he literally hadn’t seen in over 30 years.  Into the arms of six children whom he never met as they were all miscarried before my dad was born.  Into the arms of Jesus – the Savior he so dearly loved and lived out his life for since he was a young man.

96 years.  It’s so hard to even fathom that number…to be alive since the year 1917…wow.  When you think about it, SO many things have changed since then.  He would talk about how he remembered the first car, the first TV, and so on and so forth.  Ha…we even got him a cell phone once back 7 years ago or so in order to keep up with him because he was always on the go…he never used it. :)  He always said that old age was "pityful" and that he never knew what old was until he hit 90…so word to the wise!

Mentally, I have prepared myself for his passing for a while.  6 years ago, my dad and I found him at his home in North Carolina, lying on the floor after he had fallen a little over a day earlier.  That was one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced.  I honestly didn’t think he would make it then…but he proved me wrong.  We moved him to live at the assisted living home in our town and over the past six years later, we were able to have new and hilarious memories.  Over the past six years later I was able to have hundreds more kisses from him.  Over the past six years, God gave us a gift…time with our Pa and I can’t thank God enough for that.  Every single day has been a blessing.

I can’t be sad.  Pa lived a looooong and fulfilling life.  He/his story touched the hearts of so many people in so many different places…North Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Hong Kong….just to name a few :)  He shared Jesus with those whom he visited/worked with.  He served his home church through his gifts and talents as he literally built a good part of the church with his hands.  Pa truly lived with a servant’s heart and passed his love of service to us.

There are SO many stories (96 years worth) and I’m sure from here on out, I’ll be reflective and write some funny/poignant posts about things I remember or things that remind me of him, but for now, I wanted to just let you all know that Joe Young was one of the most special men in my life.  My “birthday buddy” and I had a bond that not many really understand.  Born on his birthday, he always said I was the best birthday gift he’d ever gotten.  See the post entitled “Birthday Buddies” for more on that.  Many times I tried to turn this into the whole “so does that mean I’m your favorite granddaughter?” question.  Not once did he ever fall for that trick…he’d say, “Well I can’t say that.  There’s three of ya” :)

So today I’m thankful.  Thankful that he’s no longer in pain and suffering.  Thankful that he can now walk AND EVEN run!  Thankful that no one’s having to yell in his ear anymore because he can’t hear them (LOL).  Thankful that he’s with friends and family that he’s longed to see for so long.  Thankful that he’s worshipping at the feet of Jesus.  Thankful for the memories and legacy he’s left for my family.  Thankful that I…Allison Young…got the amazing privilege to be this man’s GRANDdaughter.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

“I thank my God every time I remember you…” Philippians 1:3

So a bunch of people have been doing day-by-day thankful posts and it’s been really neat to read them and see what is so meaningful in people’s lives.  I wanted to take a few moments to reflect on this “day of thanks.”

Here’s what I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving:

• Jesus – Without Jesus, I would be lonely.  Hopeless.  Worthless.  BUT because of Jesus, I am loved.  Free.  Saved.  And will live eternally with Him in Heaven one day.  He is my friend when I have no other.  He is my Shepherd in this wilderness of life.  He is my healer when I am hurting.  He is my Savior from this dark world.  I could never thank Him enough for what He’s done for me and for what He is going to do through me.  I am thankful that He works everything out for my good.  Trusting Him is a daily process, but it’s when I trust Him that He will direct my paths.  
• Family— I am so thankful for my family.  My parents have truly “trained up” their children in the way of the Lord.  They have shown us how to have servant heart’s in this world and how to use these hearts through ministry and missions.  I am so thankful I have such amazing people as examples for how to live for Christ.  I’m thankful for my sisters as well.  They are so unique in their gifts and talents, but they use those for Christ.  We have moved around a lot as siblings, but we’ve always had one another.  God has new directions for us in the coming years and our holidays together may be fewer, but I’m thankful for technology that will keep us closer even if we are far away (except for maybe Snapchat, Lauren…LOL!).  I’m also thankful for my extended family – grandparents, aunt, uncles, and cousins.  So glad we get to spend time together over the holidays!
• Kids – I am so thankful for each and every child I have the privilege of seeing or teaching at church.  Each “Miss Allison!” or sweet hug or special smile or interesting conversation about Abraham Lincoln or octopuses and chickens means more to me than those kids will ever know.  Since I was in high school, I have known that I want to work with children.  Over the years, my passion for working with kids has developed into more missions education and I am so grateful for that.  Being able to educate kids mission-ly is something I don’t take lightly.  I look forward to continuing to work with kids for the rest of my life.
• Two special little kid-missionaries who are already with Jesus are fresh on my mind today.  I have such sweet memories of these two.  My favorite memory of Nate is when I tailor-made a missions lesson just for him.  With him and his sister in mind, I taught the AWANA kids about artist missionaries and how we could use art to tell people about Jesus.  That was one of my favorite lessons and I remember having him come up to the front to draw on the whiteboard because I knew he was much better than me :)  My favorite memory of Noah is Christmas time last year when I went with him and his family to give Christmas presents to a family who didn’t have any.  He was so excited as we wrapped each present and he said, “MOM!  These kids are gonna love this stuff!”  When we delivered the presents it was pouring the rain, but he carried all the heavy presents into the house with a gigantic smile on his face.  When we were done he took time with each of the kids and was genuinely interested in what they were doing.  He had such a big heart.  I am so thankful I got to know Nate & Noah.
• Hong Kong – I am so thankful for this place that literally changed my life.  It showed me missions and ministry first-hand.  I’ve said it before, but I really don’t think I would be who I am today if I hadn’t been a missionary kid and lived overseas.  Such significant and special people who remain friends today made such an impact on me in this special place.  I wasn’t there for an extremely long period of time, but I was there in the years of my life that mattered most and being able to live missions as a child has molded me into the person I am today.  And for that I am so thankful. I’m also thankful I have been able to give back to this wonderful place by being a part of mission trips teaching VBS at my heart church, Clearwater Bay International Baptist Church.  I watched some videos of the kids singing the VBS songs this past summer and was so thankful that I got to be a part of the team that taught them those songs this year!  It was just a joy to hear them sing praises to Jesus!
• Gifts and Talents – Each day I thank God for what He has gifted me to do and how He lets me use these gifts and talents for Him on a daily basis.  Whether through work or volunteering, these gifts and talents are never wasted.  When I figured out what my gifts and talents were, I remember thinking, “How in the world is God going to use these completely different things for Him?”  Well He did! :)  Kids, design, singing, and teaching...I mean, come on…those are four things that don’t necessarily mesh together, but all of these I use in some capacity to help glorify God.
• Church – I am thankful I have been in the church house since before I was born.  Church is really my second home…and some of you know that is literal :)  It is such a joy to be able to serve at church and help others in their worship of and walk in Christ.  I have been a part of some really fantastic churches and watching them grow has been such a joy.
• Friends – I am so thankful for some fantastic friends.  There was a time in my life where I felt like I had absolutely zero friends and didn’t matter to anyone but my God and my family.  I don’t like to remember those days, but it’s important for me to do so and remember how far God’s brought me.  However, over time, God has placed some extraordinary friends in my life who are just as caring, encouraging…and sometimes sarcastic as I am :)
• You – If you’re reading this blog, you must know me enough to want to read this blog.  Thanks for not being bored yet…ha ha.  I’m thankful for you and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving :)

There’s so much more that I am thankful for that if I listed it all…it would be next Thanksgiving before you finished it all.  Anyways, I wanted to take some time to list what I am thankful for today, I hope you will take time to do that too, if you haven’t already.

I pray each of you have a blessed day and don’t forget to thank God for all He has given you today.