Deputation - Baptist Bible Tribune

CaBBF takes study tour of growing churchesSan Diego, CALBU 4x4.87 Male Ad:Layout 1 10/28/09 10:22 AM Page 1f e l l o w s h i p n e w sThe October meeting of the California BBF tookto the road when pastors and staff members metfor meals and tours of three growing churches inthe southern part of the state.The tour, led by Jim Baize of Midway BaptistChurch in San Diego, began Monday eveningOctober 5 with a dinner and meeting with PastorTony Foglio Jr. of Sonrise Church in Santee. Thedinner was followed with question-answer sessionsand a walk-through of the Sonrise facilities.Baize says, “Sonrise actually began as a churchplant out of Midway 20 years ago and was initiallycalled Midway Baptist Church East. They runabout 2,400 in attendance every weekend and arehugely influential in East San Diego County.”Tuesday, the group met for breakfast thenmoved on to East Lake Church where Bob Hensonis on staff. The church, pastored by MikeMeeks, has about 5,000 to 6,000 people in attendanceeach weekend.Baize said, “Mike’s church is a cutting-edgechurch in every respect. They are very contemporaryin their music. Their ‘target’ is a 35-year-oldmale, so everything they do is geared to reachinghim. Mike said if they reach the man, they reachthe family.”Baize also said, “No one can join the churchwithout also committing to tithing and serving,yet the church baptized 900 last year.”Following the East Lake tour, the group metfor lunch and business at a Mexican restaurant inthe Old Town section of San Diego. At this meeting,Lewis McClendon, pastor of Ventura BaptistChurch, was elected the new chairman/directorof California, due to John Waldrip’s resignationlast month. Lewis was the long-time camp directorat Ponderosa Pines Christian Camp beforebecoming the senior pastor of Ventura BaptistChurch, where he succeeded George Golden.Later that afternoon, the BBF preachers metwith Miles MacPherson, former wide receiver forthe San Diego Chargers and now pastor of TheRock Church. He was the founding pastor of TheRock a few years back when they first met oncampus at San Diego State University. Now theyhave over 12,000 in attendance every weekend ina $54 million facility.Baize reports, “Miles was inspirational, spiritual,visionary, exciting, and practical — let’s see,what other superlatives are there? He was a keyplayer in the success of California Proposition 8[defining marriage as being between a man anda woman].”According to Baize, Miles’s ministry is wherethe Fellowship used to be in the late 60s and early70s — on fire and out to save the world!Responses from those attending the BBFmeeting were appreciative. Tony Birge said, “Thetours of the different ministries were great, butI think the greatest part was sitting down andlistening to the pastors from these ministries, especiallyMiles. His energy and passion for doingsomething for the Lord is really contagious. Afterspending some time with him, you can’t help butbe pumped up to go do something for the Lord."Newly elected CaBBF chairman Lewis Mc-Clendon agreed. He said, “[These churches] real-(continued)Continue Your MinistryWhile You CompleteYour Degree· No set residency requirements· Open enrollment – Start anytime· Easy transfer of credits· $98.00 per semester hour –interest free payments· Conservative in Doctrine –Progressive in methodology· Study on-line, on-campus, orthrough distance education· Outstanding alumni· Approved school of the BaptistBible Fellowship InternationalBACHELOR, MASTER,AND DOCTORATE DEGREEPROGRAMS.Elmer Dealʼs AutobiographyOut of the Mouth of the Lion, volume one (226 pages), is the rst-person account of Elmer and MaryDeal’s lives and dynamic ministry through 1964. Includes dramatic stories of winning Africans toChrist, survival when their residence was red upon, escape from Baluba warriors, evacuations,Mary’s near-fatal illness and the tragic martyrdom of two key leaders in their ministry.“…one of the greatestmissionary storiesever written.”Dr. & Mrs. Carl Boonstra, former BBFI Mission Director“…outstanding biography.”Mike Haley, Pastor of Hallmark Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas“…describes the truespirit of pioneermissionary service…a must read.”David and Barbara Lingo, Missions faculty, Baptist Bible College“ F O U N D E D I N1 9 7 3 ”Louisiana Baptist University andTheological Seminary6301 Westport AvenueShreveport, LA 71129(318) 686-2360 www.lbu.edu$15 per copy plus S & HOrder your copy online at www.craigcountybaptist.com (Credit cards accepted viaPaypal) or by phone at (918) 256-7255 or mail to Craig County BaptistChurch, 1517 E. Country Club Drive, Vinita, OK 74301.34 | Baptist Bible Tribune | January 2010