State Missionary Rick Lance is executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

Other Recent Blog Entries:

Lessons I Learned from Landrum Leavell
Monday, October 2, 2008
Landrum Leavell devoted some of his valuable time to encourage me and to offer support to me as a young man seeking to develop my gifts in ministry.

A Memorable Milestone
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
September 8th was a memorable milestone for Alabama Baptists: ... the day on which we crossed the $1 billion mark in Cooperative Program giving.

Fired Up about 'Fireproof'
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Can a motion picture be used to reach people for Christ? In the case of "Fireproof," the answer is definitely yes.

Tell Them Thanks for Me
Monday, August 18, 2008
My gas gauge was low, leaning toward empty. So, it was now time to stop and pay a fortune at the pump.

Thanks for Ten Years Together
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
One priority was on my mind, when I was called to this opportunity of ministry. It was the Great Commission.

Good News for Bad Times
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
During bad times, people look for some good news. For Christians, this is an opportunity for us to offer the very best of good news.

Your God and Your Tears
Friday, July 11, 2008
Your God has a tear bottle cellar. He has a bottle or bottles containing your tears. . . .

The Biggest Giver Ever
Monday, July 7, 2008
John 3:16 is perhaps the best text in the Bible for preaching on stewardship and the ministry of giving.
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June 2006

A Missions Motif

Submitted: Saturday, June 17, 2006; 6:52 p.m.
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The recent meeting of Southern Baptists in Greensboro was an unapologetic emphasis upon missions. Sometimes the real message of our annual gathering is lost in the rhetoric of opinion making and the reporting of some news outlets. Southern Baptists as a people of the Book take seriously the Great Commission of our Lord in seeking to make disciples for Him.

Bobby Welch, our president these past two years, personified missions to the ultimate degree. He traveled extensively, including a return visit to Vietnam. This time he went as a man of the Word, not a man with a weapon. He was on scene with our hurricane related disaster relief efforts. Here in Alabama, Bobby came to assist our churches devastated by the arson initiated fires last February. His presence was so appreciated by Alabama Baptists and we will never forget his words of encouragement.

The International Mission Board report was outstanding. Southern Baptists, through our International Mission Board, are reaching people groups in some of the most remote parts of the world. The testimonies of our missionaries and their call for prayer support remind us of the difference being made by these strategic witnesses for Christ and by all of us in our going, giving and praying.

The North American Mission Board report to the convention was also most encouraging. Roy Fish has been named the interim president as the board searches for a new leader. The testimony of Aaron Coe, church planter in the SoHo district of Manhattan, was a thrilling reminder that God is at work in The Big Apple. Aaron challenged me personally with the comment, "There are no God-forsaken places, just church-forsaken ones".

The Cooperative Program was reaffirmed throughout the annual meeting. I cannot remember a time when the unified giving channel so blessed by God and utilized by Southern Baptists enjoyed such positive exposure. This is good for the kingdom and good for Southern Baptists. In Alabama we would say "we have One Mission - the Great Commission and One Program - the Cooperative Program." This is a language we can understand and wholeheartedly affirm.

Yes, we had concerns expressed through questions, motions and resolutions. This is the Baptist way and I like it, but the overall motif was missions. The reports from our mission boards and our other entities underscored this motif, and that is as it should be. Southern Baptists came to Greensboro to make a statement: "We are a missions people". Southern Baptists left that city and went home to do missions work scripturally, sincerely and strategically. This was a historic meeting for us, and we should pause and thank God for the opportunity to be on mission with the Great Commission.


Welcome to the Alabama Baptist Family, Andrew Westmoreland

Submitted: Monday, June 5, 2006; 1:52 p.m.
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On June 1, Andrew Westmoreland assumed the duties of the presidency at Samford University. One would guess that his first day would have been spent on the campus of the university seeking to get his mind around the orbit of responsibilities which are his in this strategic new role of leadership. You might be surprised to know that most of Westmoreland's first day on the job was devoted to visiting with Alabama Baptists in Montgomery.

The Committee on Boards and Commissions met on June 1, and Andrew Westmoreland was present for the meeting. The committee would have understood had he decided to send a representative to the meeting. After all, this was the very first day of work. This is not Andy Westmoreland's style. He is a solid state convention supporter and his presence underscored that fact.

Following the meeting of the committee Westmoreland visited the various offices of ministry at the State Board of Missions. He stayed for lunch and then joined me in my office for a lengthy get acquainted session, which I enjoyed thoroughly.

Westmoreland has come to Alabama from Arkansas, where he served as president of Ouachita Baptist University for eight years. While giving leadership to Ouachita, Andy was actively participating in Arkansas Baptist life. He is an excellent churchman and family man. Although Andy is a well-trained academic administrator, he also is a very personable and practical-minded Christian leader.

Speaking of leadership, Westmoreland has written a book on the topic. Leading By Design is one of those resources every pastor, church staff member and layperson would find helpful. Using the example of Jesus, Westmoreland discusses how leaders are to best relate to twelve different type individuals. I have enjoyed reading and referencing the book, and I feel others will experience the same satisfaction after reflecting over this thoughtful material.

Andrew Westmoreland is a valuable addition to Alabama Baptist life. He is available to speak at our churches, and he wants to meet our people. Of course, there is much Andy has to do to get to know his new role as president of a world-class Christian university, but I wanted you to know how much this man has impressed me as he has begun his ministry in Alabama. Welcome to the family, Andy!!!


90 Minutes in Heaven

Pre-submitted: Sunday, May 28, 2006; 4:29 p.m.
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Every so often my wife puts a book in front of me and says, "Now you must read this one." To be fair, I do the same with her – and that is just the way things ought to be in marriage. However, I must confess that sometimes I am not impressed with her recommendations. I hope she does not read this review, because it would make for a long summer. I feel certain that she is not always enthralled by my recommendations of books as well.

Recently Pam came to me with the book entitled 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life, written by Baptist minister Don Piper. At first glance, I thought that the book must be a novel – and I like a good one every now and then – but to my surprising delight 90 Minutes in Heaven is not a fictional work. It is the testimony of a man who was pronounced dead and lived to tell about the experience.

On Jan. 18, 1989, Don Piper was returning home from a Baptist meeting in south Texas when an 18-wheeler, driven by a prison inmate, careened out of control and struck his Ford Escort. Piper had just begun wearing his seat belt that day, and that safety precaution saved his life. A pastor traveling from the same meeting he attended stopped and prayed for him. The minister had been told that Don Piper was dead, but undeterred he went ahead and prayed for him anyway, only to find Don had a pulse. The rescue medical personnel went into overdrive racing to the hospital.

This begins years of recovery accompanied by agonizing pain and numerous experimental treatments. Don Piper's story is both tragic and inspirational. It is also a testimony of how well his church family, friends and personal family came through to help him in this time of need. I do not want to rob you of the wonderful experience of how the Lord works in a time of need. This book would be an excellent summer read for anyone seeking to understand how hopeless situations become hopeful ones.