A team of Kentucky Disaster Relief chaplains spent last week ministering in Moore, Okla., the suburb devastated by an F-5 tornado on May 20. Here are the results of their work:

• Chaplaincy contacts: 521
• Prayer: 196
• Blankets/Teddy Bears Distributed to children: 173
• Bibles and tracts distributed or given to families: 245
• Assessments: 2
• Professions of faith: 2

LOUISVILLE –The Kentucky Baptist All-State Youth Choir kicks off its 25th anniversary tour, with the youth orchestra, June 19 at Campbellsville Baptist Church.

The six concerts are free to the public. To commemorate the choir’s 25th anniversary, the final event includes performances from more than 30 former Kentucky Baptist All-State Youth Choir members. Alumni will also perform with this year’s choir and orchestra.

This year’s youth choir and orchestra is comprised of 71 students from 42 Kentucky Baptist congregations who auditioned for membership.

The choir and orchestra is coordinated by the Kentucky Baptist Convention and is made possible, in part, by Kentucky Baptists’ gifts through the Cooperative Program.

This year’s tour schedule is:

• June 19, 6:30 p.m., EDT, Campbellsville Baptist Church, 420 N. Central Ave.
• June 20, 7 p.m., EDT, Walnut Street Baptist Church, 1101 S. 3rd St., Louisville
• June 21, 9:30 a.m., EDT, Kentucky Baptist Building, 13420 Eastpoint Centre Dr., Louisville
• June 22, 7 p.m., EDT, Sandspring Baptist Church, 1616 Harrodsburg Rd., Lawrenceburg
• June 23, 10:45 a.m., EDT, Severns Valley Baptist Church, 1100 Ring Rd., Elizabethtown
• All-State Alumni Choir, June 23, 11 a.m., CDT, First Baptist Church of Bowling Green, 621 E. 12th Ave.
• Combined Choirs, June 23, 3 p.m., CDT, First Baptist Church of Bowling Green

Members of this year’s Kentucky Baptist All-State Youth Choir & Orchestra:

Albany FBC: Hannah Campbell, Alissa Cook, Mildred Dominguez

Bethel BC, Harrodsburg: Gillian Casey, Rachel Casey

Brandenburg FBC: Lucas Butler, Sarahbeth Cox, Jenny Fackler, Olivia Kessinger

Burkesville BC: Kailey Phelps

Canton BC, Cadiz: Peyton Taylor

Crescent Hill BC, Louisville: Morgan Anne Schussler-Williams

Edmonton BC: Ellen Howard

Fern Creek BC: Loren Been

Fisherville BC: Paige Ruddell

Frankfort BC: Courtney Thompson, Marjorie Mason, Mina Thomas, Margaret Whitworth

Gilead BC, Glendale: Austin Desjardins

Greenup Fork BC, Owenton: Julie Spaulding

Hartford BC: Olivia Baird, Stephanie Morgan

Highland Park FBC, Louisville: Kylee Auten, Reese Milburn, Trase Milburn

Highview BC, Louisville: Tyler Dorris

Hopkinsville Second BC: Mason Sims

Horse Cave BC: Arianna Baird

Hurstbourne BC, Louisville: Andrew O’Neal, Kathryn Weeks

Immanuel BC, Elizabethtown: Liah McKinley, Henry Nichols

Immanuel BC, Lexington: Daniel Fathergill, Morgan Fathergill

Lawrenceburg FBC: Emily Couch, Sydney Jessee, McKenna Lewis

London FBC: Rachel McDonald, Michaela V. R. Bowman

Lone Oak FBC, Paducah: Leah Beach, Ashley Chandler, Nathan King, Olivia Swadley, Millie Wade

Madisonville FBC: Mary-Margaret Gamblin, Ragan Glover, Matthew Howerton, Kasey Miracle, Victoria Walker

Main Street BC, Williamsburg: Kaitlyn Taylor

May’s Lick BC: Elizabeth Peeff

Middletown FBC, Louisville: Bennett Cobban

Millville BC, Frankfort: Robbie Sams

Ninth & O BC, Louisville: Noah Robinson

Owenton BC: Corey Cobb, Andrea “Andi” Wash

Parkway BC, Bardstown: Magnolia Young, Ryan “Neill” Young

Richmond FBC: Wesley Newman

Rineyville BC: Jake Breeding

Rockhaven BC, Brandenburg: Caitlyn Neal

Shelbyville FBC: Ruthie Jo White

Somerset FBC: Nathanael Sears

Sonora FBC: Mallory Akers

Sovereign Grace BC, Lawrenceburg: Ashton Bain, Matthew Bain

Versailles BC: Kathryn Green, Paige Kinman, Anna Shelby

A memorial at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla. The crosses represent each of the seven children who died when an F5 tornado struck the school on May 20.

Every evening, people gather at a makeshift memorial at Plaza Towers Elementary at Moore, Okla, the site where seven children died when an F-5 tornado struck the school on May 20.

Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief chaplains are in Moore this week, extending love and compassion to those who gather to grieve or pay their respects. The chaplains pray, talk, hug and listen. Here’s a report on their ministry so far:

• Chaplaincy contacts: 160
• Bibles/tracts shared: 126
• Prayer: 75
• Blankets/teddy bears distributed to children: 27

Please pray for our Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief chaplains as they continue to minister through the end of this week.

Charlie Cameron, former pastor of Ambassador Baptist church in Henderson, approached a sister church about assuming control of Ambassador’s assets and re-launching as a new church.

HENDERSON—Though it has dwindled to fewer than five in attendance, a western Kentucky church still has high hopes of impacting its community for Christ—thanks to a revitalization effort by the Kentucky Baptist Convention, the North American Mission Board and a sister church in the area.

Established in 1989 to reach the Countryview area of Henderson, Ambassador Baptist Church grew to about 50 attendees in its heyday. But in recent years the church gained a reputation as aging and unable to relate to young families. Combined with the departure or death of nearly all its members, it made effective outreach nearly impossible.

So Pastor Charlie Cameron approached Zion Baptist Church in Henderson about buying Ambassador’s facility, assuming control of its assets and re-launching it as an evangelistic force once again in an area with great evangelistic potential. At Zion’s request, KBC provided church consulting services and helped obtain a $25,000 grant from NAMB for the re-launch. As a result, Zion Baptist Church’s Countryview Campus is set to open in the fall in the facilities that formerly belonged to Ambassador.

“I always felt like we would do some new church starts in Henderson, and I had shared that with the church family,” Zion pastor Mark Galloway said. “I anticipated they would be new works in new locations. But over the last couple of years God has really burdened me for the churches in our association which are declining.”

Galloway added that prior to Ambassador, Zion helped another small church.

Seeking help

The decision to sell its facility wasn’t an easy one for Ambassador. Cameron said the counsel and prayer support of Bill Patterson, director of missions for Green Valley Baptist Association, helped him realize that turning to Zion wasn’t giving up, but represented a way to continue his church’s vision to reach the lost.

Following a vote of the congregation, Ambassador sold all its assets to Zion in April for $1.

“Back in July they wanted to disband,” Cameron said of his congregation. “I told them, ‘This is God’s house. This is God’s property. And if you disband, then all this could be sold to a secular individual. And that wasn’t the dream. The dream was … to further the kingdom of heaven.’ So they all voted to let Zion come in.”

In addition to the money it received from NAMB, Zion plans to spend an additional $50,000 to $75,000 of its own money in the revitalization project. After some remodeling, Zion will hold a Vacation Bible School on the property in July, followed by a block party in August. Between now and then it will prayerwalk the area, conduct surveys in a nearby subdivision, and distribute 500 New Testaments as an outreach.

Galloway doesn’t know whether the Countryview Campus will become an autonomous congregation or continue to be a satellite campus of Zion. He says he will wait for God’s leading.

KBC partnership

Zion Baptist Church Pastor Mark Galloway has joined with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board to re-launch Ambassador Baptist Church in Henderson as a satellite campus. (Photo provided by Mark Galloway.)

KBC’s involvement in the revitalization is nothing short of providential, according to Galloway. One day he and his executive pastor were discussing the possibility of contacting KBC for help, but Galloway didn’t know anyone on the Mission Board staff. That very afternoon, however, KBC executive director Paul Chitwood stopped by the church office unannounced to meet Galloway.

After hearing the vision to re-launch Ambassador, Chitwood put Zion in contact with Western Regional Consultant Todd Gray and Church Consulting and Revitalization Team Leader Steve Rice. They told Zion about church revitalization funds available to churches from NAMB and helped the congregation apply for a grant.

Gray continued to consult with Zion, including arranging for a webinar with First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., on revitalizing struggling sister churches—a process that First Baptist has been through before.

“Zion is strong,” Gray said. “They work hard at their own congregation and location. They’ll do the same for this ministry.”

KBC help has made such an impression on Galloway that he says his church plans to increase its giving through the Cooperative Program now that it understands better some types of ministry help that CP funds.

Rice noted that Ambassador’s situation is atypical and that KBC tries to affect revitalization by working with a congregation’s existing leadership. He also stressed that KBC never helps a church unless invited.

“With our regional consultants on the ground, as we make strategic contact with every church in the Kentucky Baptist Convention,” the Mission Board staff will “identify churches who are struggling and have great potential for revitalization,” Rice said.

Story by David Roach. Originally appeared in the May 28, 2013 edition of the Western Recorder.

Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers complete a total of eight mud-out/flood recovery jobs and three chainsaw jobs in Midland, Mich. and returned home on June 7.  The team reported thirteen ministry contacts and two professions of faith.

A team of six chaplains – two men and four women – departed for Oklahoma on June 9.  They will serve through June 16.

LOUISVILLE –With destinations of Russia, Greece, Zimbabwe and Ireland—in addition to four Kentucky communities—the 38 Kentucky college students and four coordinators serving through this summer’s “1:8 Leadership Experience” are sharing their Christian faith through a multi-faceted and multi-cultural approach.

“The method the teams are using to share the gospel is literally changing day by day,” said Brian Combs, collegiate evangelism strategist for the Kentucky Baptist Convention.

“One team may be working with kids at Missions Adventure Camp in Cedar Crest here at home and another team will be ministering to adults in an urban area such as Belfast, Ireland.”

Created around Acts 1:8, which instructs Christians to take the gospel message to “Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth,” the 1:8 Leadership Experience equips students to serve in their community, throughout Kentucky, across North America and overseas.

There is an application process, interviews and multiple training sessions prior to the start of the short-term mission trips.

“The mission trips are a highlight, but the 1:8 Leadership Experience is also about discipleship and helping students to grow spiritually into mature Christians who are then ready to disciple new believers,” Combs said.

Some of the teams will be serving alongside established Kentucky Baptist congregations.

“Intentionally connecting the 1:8 Leadership Experience teams to local churches creates an environment where young adults and churches can learn from one another,” Combs said. “For some of our students, this is their first experience being part of a healthy congregation, and those students often come away with a desire to continue to engage churches like never before.”

Dozens of the 163 previous 1:8 participants have taken steps toward full-time Christian service, Combs added. Some already are serving through Southern Baptists’ international or North American mission boards. Others are enrolled in seminary or are continuing to minister on college campuses and in local congregations.

Bowing Green/Greece Team (click here to join the team’s Facebook group)

• Spencer Austin of Bowling Green; University of Kentucky; Eastwood Baptist, Bowling Green
• Meredith Eckstein of Union; Morehead State University; Crossroads Church, Florence
• Kristen Large of Russellville; Campbellsville University; Living Hope Baptist, Bowing Green
• Emily Rose Lewis of Carrollton; Western Kentucky University; First Baptist, Carollton
• Julie Paris of Ashland; University of the Cumberlands; Unity Baptist, Ashland
• Tara Shelton of Corbin; Eastern Kentucky University; Frankfort Baptist, Corbin
• Destinee Smith of Pineville; University of Kentucky; Mill Creek Baptist, Stoney Fork
• Cory Spaulding of Florence; Kentucky State University; Mosaic Church, Lexington
• Perry Swack of Bowling Green; Western Kentucky University; Eastwood Baptist, Bowling Green
• Coordinator Jessica “Jessie” Morgan of Guston; Ekron Baptist, Ekron

Cedar Crest/Belfast, Ireland (click here to join the team’s Facebook group)

• Chase Buchanan of Mayfield; University of Kentucky (Paducah); Trace Creek Baptist, Mayfield
• Adam Davis of Lucasville, Ohio; Morehead State University; Sciotodale Free Will Baptist, Portsmouth, Ohio
• Caitlin Elizabeth Glenn of Owensboro; University of Louisville; Sojourn Community Church, Louisville
• Sarah Lambert of Ironton, Ohio; Morehead State University; First Baptist, Ironton
• Peter Northcutt of Benton; Murray State University; The Journey Church, Murray
• Tamra Reid of Georgetown; Eastern Kentucky University; Gano Baptist, Georgetown
• Madison Schwettman of Murray; Western Kentucky University; Farmington Baptist, Farmington
• Jacob Sherrill of Princeton; Eastern Kentucky University
• Ashley Nichole Travis of Shelbyville; Murray State University; First Baptist, Shelbyville
• Amber Vance of Williamstown; Morehead State University; Williamstown Baptist, Williamstown
• Elizabeth Whisman of Mt. Sterling; Morehead State University; Hope First Church of God, Hope
• Coordinator Trenton Fleener of Owensboro; Red House Baptist Church, Richmond

Murray/Zimbabwe Team (click here for the team blog)

• Jon Claude Burlew of Somerset; Morehead State University; First Presbyterian, Somerset
• Emily Cain of Walton; University of Kentucky; Piner Baptist, Morningview
• Candice Coles of Russellville; Western Kentucky University; Hillvue Heights Church, Bowling Green
• Sarah Ashley England of Versailles; University of the Cumberlands; Versailles Baptist
• Morgan Whitney Harper of Brodhead; Western Kentucky University; Northside Baptist, Mt. Vernon
• Megan Hogan of Saline, Mich.; University of Louisville; Third Avenue Baptist, Louisville
• Jia Ong Ong of George Town, Malaysia; Western Kentucky University; Crossland Community, Bowling Green
• Darren Jones of Louisville; Northern Kentucky University; West End Baptist, Louisville
• Cheyenne Martis of Louisville; University of Kentucky; Centerpoint Church, Lexington
• Hannah Marie Priest of Louisville; Kentucky Wesleyan College; St. Matthews United Methodist, Louisville
• Coordinator Jeff Finley of Murray; First Baptist Church, Murray

Shelbyville/Russia Team (click here for the team blog)

• Emily Anderson of Somerset; Western Kentucky University; Pleasant Hill Baptist, Somerset
• Sara Donahue of Harlan; University of the Cumberlands; Loyall Church of Christ
• Chastity Hawkins of New Castle; University of Louisville; Sojourn Midtown, Louisville
• Kamryn Olivier of Harrison, Ohio; Northern Kentucky University; Church on Fire Ministries, Harrison, Ohio
• Jacob Spence of Falmouth, Northern Kentucky University; First Assembly of God, Alexandria
• Holly Stone of Wheelersburg, Ohio; Morehead State University; Union Freewill Baptist, Wheelersburg, Ohio
• Larry Thornhill of Shepherdsville; Northern Kentucky University; Cedar Grove Baptist, Shepherdsville
• Zachary Wagner of Portsmouth, Ohio; Morehead State University; Millers Run Church, Lucasville, Ohio
• Coordinator Sitha Sayers of London; First Baptist, Shelbyville

Stay up to date on the teams’ work this summer by Facebook at www.facebook.com/kentuckybcm.

The urgent need for a Chaplain team to respond to Moore, Ok. has been filled by responders and we are not in need of further volunteers.

The chaplain team will minister to Oklahomans devastated by recent tornadoes. The powerful storms destroyed homes, schools and businesses and resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.

Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief has been asked to send a Chaplain team to Moore, Oklahoma. This is an urgent request.

Seeking a team of 4-6 chaplains, who could be on the ground in Moore, Oklahoma by this Sunday, June 9. The team would need to be able to serve a minimum of 7 days until June 16. There is no flexibility in these dates.

Again, this is for Chaplains only. It is for the period of June 9-16 only.

Certified Disaster Relief chaplains may respond to gro.tsitpabyknull@bbeW.yoC.

Click Here to Download Defining Moments from Kentucky Baptist Convention on Vimeo.

From a musician, to a football hero, to an illusionist, defining moments shaped their lives. Billy Graham addresses the theme of time and the moments that matter most. This video is from My Hope America with Billy Graham which is a massive effort to reach people with the gospel. In November, Christians across the country will open their homes to share this video with unchurched and unreached people. Preview the video now. Contact your pastor and church leaders and get them involved. We want to see many people come to faith in Jesus through this extraordinary event. For additional information, visit myhopewithbillygraham.org or 1-877-769-4673

Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief has received an urgent request to send a flood recovery/mud-out team to Midland, Michigan to assist flood victims. We have put together the core of the team, but could use 3-4 more mud-out volunteers.

The team will leave this Sunday morning, June 2.

KY RC 006 C/M will respond. Blue Hats will be Bob Perkins and Ken Hyde. We currently have a team of six and would like at least ten on team.

Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief remains on stand-by for flooding in Iowa as well. We are on stand-by for possible response with feeding, shower units, and mud-out units. We hope to know more about this need by early week. We are not asking for volunteers to respond for Iowa at this time.

Please pray for Oklahoma and Missouri as they are being hammered again this evening by severe storms and tornadoes. Pray for the people of Oklahoma, who have already experienced great loss, and Southern Baptist teams that are in the path of these storms.