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| Submitted: Thursday, November 19, 2009; 8:52 p.m. print this page ● feedback ● main ALSBOM site |
From the point of being gaveled into session to the concluding
benediction, the 2009 meeting of Alabama Baptists was one
focused on Great Commission Ministries. The featured speakers –
Jerry Rankin, president of the International Mission Board; Ed
Cruce, director of missions, Bessemer Association; Shannon Ford,
mission strategist in Centrat East Asia; and Danny Wood, pastor,
Shades Mountain Baptist Church – all delivered messages right on
the Great Commission target.
President Jimmy Jackson of Whitesburg Baptist Church and Pastor
Steve Scoggins of First Baptist Church of Opelika sought to
encourage pastors and others as they labor for Christ in Great
Commission Ministries. These veteran pastors were voices of
pastoral encouragement to those discouraged by the various
circumstances of life. They were well received by those in
attendance.
Tuesday evening, the Whitesburg Youth Choir was simply superb in
its presentation of music and drama. The Gettys, Keith and
Kristyn, were special guests on the program too. The Gettys are
contemporary hymn writers who have made a tremendous impact on
our worship music today. Their signature hymn, "In Christ
Alone," is already a favorite of so many, including yours truly.
The reports from the entities were the very best I can remember.
Each entity and auxiliary sought to tell their Great Commission
story. The messengers responded well to these timely reports.
I was particularly touched by the testimony of Junior Hill. He
offered an affirmation of The Alabama Baptist, which was
among the best affirmations I have ever heard. Junior Hill
represents the best of the best in Alabama Baptist life.
This was a Great Commission convention meeting. It was
informing, inspiring and encouraging. Thanks to all who
contributed to the annual gathering and to those who came as
messengers and guests. I am grateful to be an Alabama Baptist.
We are on mission with the Great Commission. We are people who
support the one program: the Cooperative Program. We are
committed to be faithful in doing Great Commission Ministries.
That is who Alabama Baptists are in heart and soul.
Major Otis Corbitt Reports for Duty!
| Submitted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009; 12:21 p.m. print this page ● feedback ● main ALSBOM site |
State
Missionary Otis Corbitt will be reporting for duty to serve as a
chaplain in Iraq with the 441st Ordnance Battalion (Explosive
Ordnance Disposal) of the Alabama National Guard.
Recently, we had a commissioning service for him at the State
Board of Missions. During this occasion, I made three
observations based on I Thessalonians 5:23-24.
I. Otis Corbitt is going to war, but he serves a God
of peace. Paul speaks strongly about "the God of peace" being
the One we serve (vs. 23).
I am a student of military history, but I do not pretend to
understand war. All I know is that the God of peace is in
control of this world, and we pray to Him for guidance -- even
when friends and family go to war.
My prayer is that the God of peace will bring peace to that
troubled region. I pray He will use Otis as His servant during
this tour of duty in Iraq.
II. Otis Corbitt has been called up by
the military, but he is going as a missionary.
Otis is not just an Army Major, he is a God-called missionary,
who has served on the international field, as an associational
missionary in Alabama and, of course, as a state missionary.
Now Otis goes as a missionary through the military. His role is
different, but his calling is the same. He is called to be on
mission with the Great Commission!
III. Otis is being faithful to his
calling, and he serves God, who is faithful.
As Paul declared in I Thessalonians 5:24: "He who calls you is
faithful; He will surely do it." Great is His faithfulness to
us, and I know Otis Corbitt will be faithful to Him while
serving our country in Iraq.
Yes, Otis Corbitt is reporting for duty as Major Otis Corbitt.
He is also going as a missionary. Pray for him and especially
for his family while he is away from his missions assignment in
Alabama serving our Lord in Iraq. Pray for his effectiveness in
being a GPS (God's Plan for Sharing) missionary while in
uniform.
| Submitted: Friday, November 6, 2009; 3:25 p.m. print this page ● feedback ● main ALSBOM site |
Billy Graham turned 91 this month. Every indication is that his
failing health continues as has been the case for months, even
years, now. Yet, his fight – the "great fight kind of faith" –
seems to keep him in this world, among family and close friends.
Reminiscently, the last time I saw Billy Graham in person was
during his last crusade in New York City. Frail and fragile, the
famous evangelist made his way to the podium to preach during
every service of his final evangelistic crusade.
During one of the sermons he preached, I had a flashback to the
1960s and 70s when Billy Graham was in his prime. I recalled his
zealous and energetic proclamation style of preaching. I saw him
roaming the platform and gesturing emphatically in the stadium
settings of that time.
In 2005, during this finale of his crusade style evangelism in
NYC, I felt a tinge of sadness. It was like I was grieving over
loss of a loved one. In fact, I was in a moment of sorrow. I
knew this would be the last message of the great giant of faith.
Will Graham, one of Billy's grandsons, visited with the famous
evangelist recently. During that brief visitation, Will asked
Billy what he was thinking. His answer was a classic one, "I was
thinking how much I would love to preach just one more time."
When I heard that story, I thought to myself, "Now there is a
called man of God. In the last days of his life, he desires to
preach one more time." What a testimony! What a role model! May
that be my witness as well!
