This past Saturday I was asked to share a personal testimony at a gathering of Kentucky Gideons. Connie and I joined a group of about 150 Gideons and their wives at a restaurant near Simpsonville for a great time of reporting on their work and enjoying fellowship together. For those who are not familiar withContinue reading “Thank you, Gideons”
Category Archives: Giving
Let’s Talk About a Raise
I had only been their pastor for a few weeks when I asked for a raise in my weekly pay — but I had a plan. The people were gracious and doing the best they could. The church had been through a split and attendance was down to 20 or 30 worshippers on SundayContinue reading “Let’s Talk About a Raise”
Why Do We Give Through the Cooperative Program?
At a recent lunch meeting with one of our outstanding young Kentucky Baptist pastors, our discussion turned to the Cooperative Program and the sacrificial generosity of the church he serves. It was a great opportunity to thank him for his leadership and to thank the church for its financial investment to advance the gospel. IContinue reading “Why Do We Give Through the Cooperative Program?”
This Is Why We Cooperate
When I saw the social media post from Dr. Paul Chitwood, president of our SBC International Mission Board, reporting that there are 1,268 candidates in the IMB’s missionary sending pipeline, my immediate response was, “This is why we cooperate!” I could give that same response daily while witnessing Kentucky Baptists working together to advance theContinue reading “This Is Why We Cooperate”
A Providential Misspelling
I don’t catch every misspelled word and an important one got past me recently. While skimming through a meeting I noticed the spelling of cooperation as “co-operation.” The dash in the word highlighted the “operation” part of cooperation. Operation, as defined by Cambridge dictionary, is “an activity planned to achieve something.” When you add theContinue reading “A Providential Misspelling”
What Could You Do in 10 Years?
Recently, I participated in the 75th anniversary of one of our great Kentucky Baptist churches. This church started in 1948 with a small band of believers who had a vision for impacting their neighborhood for Jesus. Those Christ-followers worked, prayed, gave and sacrificed to purchase land, build buildings, hire staff and accept leadership roles —Continue reading “What Could You Do in 10 Years?”
Remember the 98%
At his recent inauguration as the sixth President of Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, Dr. Charlie Goodman made this statement about the cooperative work of Southern Baptists: “I understand not everything is perfect in our world, convention, or churches. But when you look at how our money is spent in our convention — it isContinue reading “Remember the 98%”
Your Greatest Investment
In Max De Pree’s book, Leadership Jazz, he says that a leader’s job is developing people rather than directing them. Truthfully, a leader must do some directing, but he or she must be highly focused on developing people. During a podcast interview, Jonathan Pokluda from Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, was askedContinue reading “Your Greatest Investment”
As the flood waters recede: How to love your neighbors
Like me, many of you are watching the unfolding devastation of the flooding in southeastern Kentucky. As of the writing of this post, we know that the death toll has reached 35 and is expected to rise. Thirteen Kentucky counties received a disaster declaration allowing them to receive federal aid. Four hundred people were rescuedContinue reading “As the flood waters recede: How to love your neighbors”
Remembering Oneida on Father’s Day
Every June, Kentucky Baptists and other friends of Oneida Baptist Institute, are invited to participate in the Barkley Moore Father’s Day Offering. This offering allows OBI to hear from some of its faithful supporters and receive funds to assist its ministry. What happens when you or your church give to Oneida Baptist Institute through theContinue reading “Remembering Oneida on Father’s Day”
Dr. Todd Gray 