For His Glory

IMB Baptism Policy

2009-04-29T10:54:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted, however, I felt it necessary to write this article. If you do a Google search for "IMB Baptism Policy" or "Hammer Open Letter" you will quickly see the controversy within the International Mission Board on its baptism policy.

For many of us this is simply an academic and/or theological debate, and for a long time, that's what it was for me as well. Until today. Today, the policy effected my family and me personally. This morning I received a phone call from the IMB telling me that I would need to be re-baptized by a baptist church and that my original baptism would not be recognized by the trustees.

Let me recount my baptism for you and then you can judge the "biblicalness" of it.

I was baptized as an infant, but after accepting Christ as my Savior in college I saw the need to be baptized by immersion not for salvation, but to publically identify myself with Jesus Christ. So a few years ago, I was baptized, by immersion, by my wife's father, an American Baptist pastor. All sounds biblical and good, right? Wrong. Here is where the issue comes up.

At the time of my baptism, my wife's father was the interim pastor for a covenant church in their (very) small town of Lyons, NE. The covenant denomination as a whole practices baptism by sprinkling or immersion, but in no way would my wife's father baptize by sprinkling, which is why he held the baptismal service at his house. So, I was baptized in a hottub, by immersion, by an american baptist pastor, who happened to be preaching God's Word in a covenant church. Complicated? Yes. Unbiblical? Definitely not.

Yet, according to the IMB my baptism is invalid because the authority that it was done under was the 'covenant' church. Here I thought we baptized under the authority of Jesus Christ? And so, even though my beliefs about baptism were 100% biblical and the beliefs of the person baptizing me were 100% biblical, my baptism is not recognized by the IMB because of "the building the pastor happened to be serving in at the time.

I believe in and support the IMB and its missionaries 100%; however, it puts a whole new perspective on things when these extra-biblical policies hit home like they have with me today.

We're Expecting!

2008-09-28T23:39:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago we found out that Rebecca was pregnant and so we are expecting our 4th baby to be born sometime in late April!

Rebecca's been having it pretty rough the last week or so; to the point that some days she has been bed-ridden and unable to walk. So, please be praying for her.

God bless,

Chris and Rebecca

What We’ve Been Up To

2008-08-26T09:36:00.001-05:00

Chris' classes started last week (Aug 19^th) and though he's taking a *very* full load, he's really enjoying his classes. This semester he's taking Greek, Preaching, Old Testament, Hermeneutics, and Religions of Africa. *phew* it's even a lot to type! It's only been one week, but he's already memorized the Greek alphabet and can write the entire alphabet in both upper and lower case. It will be a very busy semester with work and school, but Chris loves the challenge and thrives on high-intensity (Crazy, I know!). It is a blessing that he only has classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

[EDIT: Chris now has classes on Tuesday - Friday --- he moved one to a Wed/Fri]

The Women's Bible Study is going extremely well! I have been so blessed by leading it and each of us have grown closer to each other and to the Lord as we have learned what it truly means to seek Him as we've uncovered amazing truths in the book of Proverbs. We have also had a couple of powerful prayer sessions and have been witness to God's mighty workings through our lives. Thank You for praying for this small group of women and for our continued unity!

Like Chris, Hailey is very excited about starting school! Even though she's only 4 ½, we decided to go ahead and start homeschooling her in Kindergarten. She can't wait for the first day of school (September 2^nd) and I'm just as thrilled to be able to teach her at home! What a huge blessing! Her curriculum arrived a few weeks ago and I've been busy preparing lesson plans and mapping out her schedule. Noah will also be able to take part in school and he's just as excited as Hailey for the first day!

There will be many activities and projects that Noah will be able to participate in right alongside Hailey. In addition to the normal everyday schooling, we have enrolled in a homeschool group which meets every Thursday. From 11-3:30, the kids will get to different classes with other homeschooled children their age. Classes include Reading, Civics, Music, and History. We are truly blessed to have this opportunity!

As the summer afternoons have started to cool down, Hailey and Noah have spent less time swimming and more time riding their bikes. Hailey is riding her bike without training wheels now and Noah is asking for his to come off too! It's hard to believe that we've made it to this stage of childhood already!

Hannah is nearly 10 months already and is so busy learning new things. It seems that every day brings a new lesson learned! She's cruising everywhere and it was just two days ago that she took her first unassisted step! More are sure to follow quickly and it won't be long before we will say goodbye to that little baby crawling stage as our sweet littlest one cruises into the toddler moments. Hannah is eating mostly table food now as she prefers it to baby food any day. J She has six teeth; four of which came in at the same time!

Chris had an amazing time in Africa. He has many incredible stories to tell and lots of pictures! The Lord used him mightily and brought 7 people to the Christ through Chris! Overall, God's grace was received by over 25 people as they accepted Christ into their hearts! Praise God! Thank You for your prayers for Chris and the mission team as they were in Zambia!

Keep in touch, we would love to hear from you!
Abundantly Blessed,
Rebecca

Central Baptist’s New Pastor!

2008-06-29T17:45:00.001-05:00

Central Baptist, where we have been attending church since late March, ordained their new pastor this evening. Pastor Omar Segovia has taken over the leadership since Pastor Jon Moody and his family were sent out as missionaries to Ivory Coast in Africa the first part of June. The Segovia family lives across the circle from us and we have gotten to spend quite a bit of time together. Our kids are even the same ages! They are a neat family and definitely being used in mighty ways for God's kingdom not only at Central, but also in our own family. Chris and Omar have spent countless hours praying and planning for Central's future (and some time playing XBOX too!). Their children, Elijah-3, Keziah-4, and Titus-4 mos, play well with Hailey and Noah and have easily become their best playmates. Jana and I have also gotten to know each other pretty well and I have really enjoyed getting to see her heart as she seeks to be a godly wife, mom, and role model for women around her. We are blessed to have friends like the Segovias and Central Baptist is also greatly blessed to have such passionate leadership. Please keep this special family in your prayers as they seek to lead Central Baptist towards all that God has for her future.

Tour De Nebraska 2008

2008-06-29T17:28:00.002-05:00

Chris returned alive and well from his 3^rd consecutive 5-day bike tour of the sand hills of Nebraska. He had a great time peddling, sweating, tent camping, and surviving hailstorms with his dad, Nick (brother), and Dan (family friend). He rode 250 miles this year. He had a great time and said it was the best tour so far! He hasn't biked at home again yet, but he is planning to bike to Omaha from Kansas City one of these days before summer is over! We'll keep you posted so you can come cheer him on! J

Swimming in "Arizona"

2008-05-25T16:27:00.001-05:00

We were reminded today just how amazing kids are at adapting! Hailey and Noah were "swimming in Arizona."

The gutter runoff was their diving board and the puddle of water... their swimming pool.

Family Newsletter - 1st Edition!

2008-03-25T17:52:00.001-05:00

In an effort to keep in touch with friends and family, we've created a newsletter that we hope to mail out every couple of months or so. Our first edition was a lot of fun to put together, complete with pictures and little notes on what each of us have been up to, plus ways that you can be praying for us!

If you would like to be put on our mailing list to get future newsletters and updates, send me an email at ani_ldodi@prayer-warrior.net . Or you can download it directly from here! Keep in touch!

Love,
Rebecca

Attachments: March 2008 Newsletter

Proclamation Evangelism

2008-03-08T14:39:00.001-06:00

Today we went out witnessing with an inner-city church, Central Baptist and it was AWESOME! God is so very good! The majority of the people we were sharing with today were Hispanic and Rebecca and I were able to go through the Gospel message (in very broken Spanish) with about 12 different people. Please keep this area in your prayers, as the majority of the people in this neighborhood have not accepted Christ as their Savior.

As we were leaving, I had the privilege of getting to share the Gospel with Caesar. It was a really good and open conversation. Caesar wasn't ready today to commit his life to Christ, but the Holy Spirit is definitely working on his heart and he committed to reading through the tract and the Gospel of John. So please be praying for Caesar and all of those around the Central Baptist Church.

I must admit that one of the most drastic changes in my life these past few months has been that God has placed a burden on my heart to reach people through proclamation evangelism. It was scary at first (and still is), going door-to-door and talking with people in the "party" section of Kansas City (Westport); but oh, how mightily God uses the seeds that are planted.

It has been so humbling to realize that God has used me these past few months to share the Gospel with no fewer than 50 people; some of the seed will fall on rocky or thorny ground, but God promises that some of the seeds will fall on good ground and will bare fruit. When was the last time you have sown some seed for our Lord Jesus? If it's been a while, I challenge you to sow some seeds - evangelize a stranger and see how God uses it - yes, some seeds will fall by the wayside, but, we never know which of those seeds will fall on fertile ground and be used by the Holy Spirit to lead that person into a relationship with Jesus Christ! How amazing it is that He uses and trusts sinners like us to ensure His message is taken to all that may hear.

God bless!

Chris

Evangelism Response Center

2008-02-27T20:38:00.001-06:00

The Evangelism Response Center (ERC) is one of the amazing entities which is supported by your local church's support of the SBC Cooperative Program.

The Evangelism Response Center (ERC), a ministry of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, combines all of these in an evangelism resource designed to equip and mobilize Southern Baptists to offer prayer and spiritual counseling with people all over North America using the telephone and Internet. A unique feature of this ministry is that it uses at home volunteers rather than gathering volunteers in a phone center to respond to calls. This enables us to provide twenty-four hour outreach to individuals seeking spiritual encouragement. Callers then can be referred to a Southern Baptist church in their community for continuing ministry and discipleship. (http://www.erconline.net/)

Rebecca and I went through the training to volunteer for the ERC last night, and I must say, I am so excited to see God use this ministry to reach people for Him. God has really convicted me about proclamational evangelism lately and has really lead me to step outside of my comfort zone and make intentional efforts to reach the lost for Him.

It is so amazing to see what God will do in the lives of those he places in our paths. God is so very good, is He not?! When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone God placed in your path? If it's been a while, I challenge you to try it this week - share the Gospel with someone at the checkout counter, with the waitress at the restaurant, or your next-door neighbor! It is so humbling and awesome that God uses sinners like us to reach people for Him.

evangelizo - Proclaiming the Good News. Evangelism

God Bless,

Chris

MS Live - Writer

2008-02-05T17:42:00.001-06:00

I know I'm new to the blogging world - but hey, I think it's cool. I got a new computer today and was installing MSN Messenger and it asked me if I wanted to install 'Writer.'

Turns out that Writer is a blogging WYSIWUG editor for blogs! I know that this is probably old news to most in the blogging community (and heck, there may even be better ones out there) - but for the time being, I'm really liking it.

It'll make it much easier to keep the blog updated, now that I don't have to use Bloggers editor to do it!

Well, just thought I'd share (and test out) Writer.

Thankful for SBC Cooperative Program

2008-01-27T23:49:00.000-06:00

Well, my seminary classes official start this week - I am extremely excited and honored to be here at Midwestern and serving and studying about our Lord Jesus, through the Southern Baptist convention.

I know that most of you who read this blog probably are members of a SBC church; so I just wanted to take a few minutes and thank you for your support of the cooperative program. There are a few distinctives (some small, others fairly large) which separate SBC from other protestant denominations, and one of the large ones is the cooperative program.

I truly believe that the SBC cooperative program is unmatched and that God is using it to do amazing and wonderful things across the globe. But, on a more personal note, your church's support of the cooperative program is allowing me to attend seminary here at Midwestern, and for that, I am extremly grateful.

God bless.

Chris

Apartment Slowly Becoming Home

2008-01-15T09:00:00.000-06:00

This place is really starting to feel like home. We're learning how to get around, we know where the closest Walmart and Target are at, and the apartment is slowly being transformed into our home.

The one thing we're having a hard time doing is finding a church. LifeSpring was such an amazing local church; it's very difficult trying to find a church without comparing it to LifeSpring. We attended Lenexa Baptist church last Sunday and it was very nice, I could see it becoming our new church home; however, there were a ton of people. We had to take a shuttle to church, because there wasn't any parking in the parking lot :-)

It's been really great to get phone calls from you; we miss you all.

UPDATE:
We'll be coming back to Omaha Thursday late afternoon. Just a warning, we may drop in and see some of you.

We're Moving!

2008-01-04T11:07:00.000-06:00

We are finally done packing and have the truck loaded! We close today at 5PM and then we pull out for KC tomorrow morining.

We can't express how much we're going to miss seeing all of you. We have never had better friends than we've made here and it is going to be extremely difficult to leave. Please stay in touch and we'll keep you updated on dates when we'll be back.

It has truly been a blessing to know each of you and may God continue to bless you and your families. We love you.

In Christ,
Chris, Rebecca, Hailey, Noah and Hannah

Prayer Requests

2007-12-27T22:00:00.000-06:00

* Pray that we will get all of the packing done in time.

* Pray for Hailey and Noah as they leave their familiar surroundings and head to a new home and new friends.

* Pray for Chris as he travels to Lyons, NE and Iowa on Friday and Saturday to store away items we won't be using right now.

*Pray that our apartment at seminary will be ready by the 5th for us to move in to.

*Pray for safety as we drive down to KC on January 5th with a moving van.

Moving Soon!

2007-12-27T21:50:00.001-06:00

Now that Christmas is over, we are in full-swing-packing-mode. We have a lot to accomplish before we load the truck on January 3rd, but we've had a lot of help from family and friends. We are so thankful for everyone's support, prayers, and offers of help! It will be a very busy week and we appreciate your prayers.

As we get ready to leave, we would love the chance to see you before we head out. If you're free, there will be a 'Going Away' party at Jeremy and Stacie Copenharve's house from 5-7 on Sunday, December 31st. Call 496-7707 for directions.

Our new address in Kansas City is:
5215 North Oak Trafficway
Apart #2
Kansas City, MO 64118

Our Phone number will remain the same:
402-496-7707

House Update - SOLD

2007-12-24T08:36:00.000-06:00

Our house has officially sold! With a closing on Jan. 4th, 2008. Thank you to everyone who was praying for this house to sell in God's timing.

It's a huge burden lifted, but more importantly, God was glorified through the sale and I think almost everybody around us can see that God had a part in selling this house. (Our house is one of two which has sold in almost the last six months in our neighborhood)

Anyways, we have started packing and are set to pull out on Jan 3rd.

God bless,
Chris

Liberal Spin On "Submission"

2007-12-15T12:37:00.000-06:00

I was reading MSNBC today and came across a headline entitled, "Newsweek: Huckabee’s call for wives to ‘submit’"

It sparked my curiosity, because, the submit word causes so much controversy in our society, and for a news site to use it in a headline for a potential presidential candidate, is, in my opinion, irresponsible. But, before, making judgement I decided to read the article - was it a good journalistic article on Biblical submission? Not at all - it was nothing more than an opinion piece, that shows the author has no concept of what Biblical submission means.

The article's closing statement is this:

It's one thing to be a man of faith. Most people appreciate that. It's another to say that a wife should agree to give her husband the last word. I know a lot of "gals" who would disagree.

To simplify and trivialize Biblical submission to "a wife should agree to give her husband the last word" is unfair and a glaring straw man argument. Not only that, but it demeans those wives who agree that a Biblical marriage is one in which the husband is the leader in the home. It not only demeans those wives, but it also implies that they are somehow stupid or brainwashed to willingly agree with the Biblical concept of submission.

Quite simply, there is nothing I could write that would convince Andrew Romano or any critic of Biblical submission that it is not about the wife submitting to her husband, but about the husband serving his wife, which in turn causes my wife to truly desire and support my God given leadership position in our home.

I'm not saying I support Huckabee for president, but I do think that each candidate should have an equal opportunity to run. It is my opinion, that it was extremely irresponsible and wrong for MSNBC.com to run an "editorial, opinion" piece on the homepage of it's news site as a "fact and a newsworthy" article. If Huckabee publicly states that as President he will encorse legislation stating that wives should submit to their husbands, then run this editorial on your homepage; in any other case, it's nothing more than liberal slander, which has nothing to do with this presidential election.

Judge for yourself, but I expected more from MSNBC.

Newsletter Signup

2007-12-10T21:31:00.000-06:00

Hey everybody!

To ensure that we keep in touch with everybody while we're down in Kansas City we would love for you to sign-up for our newsletter. It'll allow us to let you know how our ministry is going, what you can be praying for, but more importantly, it will allow us to stay in touch with you.

If you're interested in receiving our newsletter, send us an email to radams500@yahoo.com with your name, address and email, and we will make sure to add you.

God bless!

Prayer Requests

2007-12-10T21:18:00.000-06:00

This will be a "living post" area, where we will post any current prayer requests. Please feel free to post your own prayer requests in this area as well.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -- Phillipians 4:6-7

Please pray for the energy to get everything packed for our move on January 5th, 2008.

Pray that we continue to trust God as we head out and leave our family's here in Omaha.