Send Relief resources help churches promote Global Hunger Relief
By Brandon Elrod, NAMB
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Send Relief launched a new slate of resources in May to help churches promote an offering for Global Hunger Relief, an initiative of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) dedicated to providing food and sharing the hope of the gospel.
Send Relief produced presentation slides, social media graphics, promo videos, prayer guides and other materials for churches to use in educating those in their congregations about hunger needs around the world.
Global Hunger Relief began in 1978 as the World Hunger fund as Southern Baptists came together to combat the ongoing hunger crisis around the globe. Recent statistics indicate that as many as 2.3 billion people are struggling with food insecurity, and Southern Baptists, through Global Hunger Relief, aim to tackle that problem with gospel-centered hunger solutions.
To learn more about Global Hunger Relief, visit globalhungerrelief.org. To find the promotional resources, visit globalhungerrelief.org/resources.
WKU BCM named ‘Best of the Hill’
By Mark Maynard, Kentucky Today
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (KT) — The Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) at Western Kentucky University (WKU) was awarded with the Best of the Hill recognition by the College Heights Herald, the campus newspaper.
It was selected for the award from more than 200 non-Greek student organizations and was the second time being recognized, said Regional Campus Minister Tommy Johnson.
“We have great fun but with purpose,” Johnson said. “Our DNA is evangelism, discipleship and missions. We want to connect students to the local church and for them to live on mission. Our philosophy is we want them to be engaged in campus and involved in campus life.”
As many as 200 students have attended the weekly BCM worship services on campus, Johnson said. “It’s a vibrant group and a really sweet group to work with too.”
Students are also involved in evangelistic spring break trips to the beach and many on-campus activities such as Bible distribution, weekly spiritual surveys, an art display of the gospel and prayer opportunities. But they also are vibrant in other areas of campus life.
“We’re usually one of the only non-Greek organizations to participate in homecoming candidate activities,” Johnson said. “We want our students to have this (college) life but with a purpose of honoring the Lord and living for Christ. We want students to come to see who Jesus is and to follow him closely as disciples and after college, no matter what adversity they face.”
Johnson said there are between 70-75 students who have different leadership roles. The student leaders at WKU, as well as the other BCMs supported by the Kentucky Baptist Convention through the Cooperative Program, must affirm the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 (BF&M). “That is a written expectation going forward,” he said, noting any student can be part of the BCM program but leadership positions are required to affirm the BF&M 2000.
“We are trying to encourage our community and show the fullness of life can be found in Christ and see who Jesus is and come into a relationship with Christ,” he said. “We want to be actively involved on campus to be consistent with our Kentucky Baptist beliefs and convictions.”
Johnson just completed his 21st year at WKU, which is his alma mater. He served at two other campuses before coming to Bowling Green. He is also the group leader for the convention’s Baptist Campus Ministry programs statewide.
“We still have a long way to go to get to pockets of campus we want to reach,” Johnson said. “I’m encouraged by the students’ desire to grow in Christ and how they’ve embraced the local church and the desire to reach out on campus. They have a willingness to go to hard places to serve Christ around the world. We want to make disciples and develop leaders for our churches.”
He asked Kentucky Baptists to be in prayer for the BCMs statewide as this generation faces much moral and spiritual confusion.
