2012 May.pdf - International Baptist Convention

News from the ChurchesLubbock, Texas, USA• On Sunday, 25 March, between 150and 175 internationals from churches inLubbock came together at an event calledthe “International Praise Celebration.”Our theme was based on Rev. 5:9,13:“And they sang a new song: ‘You are worthyto take the scroll and to open its seals,because you were slain, and with your bloodyou purchased men for God from every tribeand language and people and nation.’ ThenI heard every creature in heaven and onearth and under the earth and on the sea,and all that is in them, singing: ‘To him whosits on the throne and to the Lamb be praiseand honor and glory and power, for ever andever!’” and Psalm 67:3-4: “May the peoplespraise you, O God; may all the peoplespraise you. May the nations be glad and singfor joy, for you rule the peoples justly andguide the nations of the earth.”After a time of praise in English led byHyung Chae (Korea) and a brief theme interpretation,the celebration time began.Worship teams/choirs/groups presentedthe music they had prepared in their ownlanguage – Chinese, Filipino, French, Korean,Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.Lubbock celebrates its first International Praise Celebration.The countries represented included Brazil,China, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras,Indonesia, India, Ivory Coast, Korea,Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines,Taiwan, Tunisia, Venezuela, and Vietnam.In addition, there were former missionariespresent from Brazil, Germany, andGuadeloupe.This was a first for Lubbock, but hopefullynot the last!•Al GarySan Jose, Costa Rica• The last several months have beenvery busy in the life of the InternationalBaptist Church, San Jose, Costa Rica. Wehave had the opportunity to have numerousdiscipleship and outreach events. Hereare some of the highlights.40 Days in the WordWe had a great response to a churchwidespiritual growth emphases called 40Days in the Word. Many of our peoplecommitted to Scripture memory and toreading the Bible every day for 40 days.We also offered the companion course insmall groups on Sunday morning and duringthe week. It was a great time for us aswe committed to loving the Word, learningthe Word, and living the Word.Yale Acapella ChoirIn March we were able to have Shades,an acapella choir from Yale University, singin our services. This was not only a greatopportunity to hear beautiful songs fromthe African-American tradition, but it alsoserved as a way to invite people from ourcommunity. We had a very strong attendancethat Sunday, and it turned out to begreat outreach event.A Night with the NFLOn a Monday evening we hosted severalcurrent players from the National FootballLeague as well as several collegiateathletes. They were in Costa Rica on a missiontrip. We had a hot dog supper andhad lots of people, especially boys, cometo meet these athletes and get their picturestaken with them. Several of the athletesshared their testimonies, and it wasan exciting evening.Men’s RetreatWe took a great group of men to the LaMontana Christian camp for a Men’s Retreat.We had several leaders come fromthe U.S. to lead in our worship and Biblestudy. In addition to wonderful times ofBible study and worship, we had a greattime of fellowship along with plenty ofoutdoor activities.•Paul DreessenAmerican football playerssign autographs at IBC San Jose.13 | Highlights 05/2012