Send Relief launches course to help churches establish local compassion ministries
By Brandon Elrod
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – When Send Relief launched, one of the key visions for the organization was to model compassion ministry and equip local churches to serve those in need within the shadow of their own steeple. A new series of training materials launched Oct. 16 that Send Relief designed to do just that. The virtual training material is called “How to Establish a Local Ministry.”
“The process of meeting needs in our immediate communities can seem so daunting, especially given how massive the need can be in our own backyards,” said Josh Benton, Send Relief’s vice president of North American ministry. “We’re often tempted to think that because we can’t do everything, then what we can do won’t be helpful. But it can be! The most important step is the first one, no matter how small.”
Similar to the “Church Guide to Ministry” courses, this new series produced by Send Relief includes videos and other supplemental materials that offer practical steps to assist local churches in the development of a strategy for meeting the needs of their neighbors in a way that opens doors for presenting the Gospel and helping people pursue life change.
“This training material will help churches identify opportunities and start doing something that will make an immediate difference while opening doors,” Benton said, “while giving people the chance to make an eternal impact by presenting the Gospel.”
You can access the material free of charge at courses.sendrelief.org.
Martin to helm The Baptist Record; Young promoted to associate editor
By Baptist Record Staff
JACKSON, Miss. (BP) – The executive committee of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB) on Oct. 17 elevated Tony Martin, associate editor of The Baptist Record, to the position of editor upon the retirement of William Perkins on Oct. 31 after nearly 32 years of service at the Record.
Megan Young, MBCB lead graphic designer and the Record’s layout specialist for 11 years, was selected to replace Martin as associate editor of the 149-year-old news journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention.
“Bro. Tony has served the Convention for over 23 years in the position of associate editor and has a proven track record that I believe will continue to serve the Convention well,” said Shawn Parker, MBCB executive director-treasurer, in presenting Martin to the executive committee.
“Bro. Tony has solid journalistic abilities, coupled with a strong working knowledge of modern communication technologies,” he said.
In recommending Young to the executive committee for the position of associate editor, Parker said, “Her verbal and written communication skills, coupled with her artistic abilities and computer proficiencies, are ideal for the proposed position. Additionally, Ms. Young’s experience in the world of secular newsprint has consistently proven beneficial during her time of service.”
Martin holds a master of arts in religious education degree (1980) with an emphasis in youth ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, and a bachelor of science degree (1977) with a dual major in journalism and speech/theater from Troy University in Troy, Ala.
An Elba, Ala. native, Martin served churches and ministries in Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia prior to a stint as minister of education at First Baptist Church McComb, Miss.
Young is a graduate of the University of Georgia in Athens with a bachelor of arts (2008) in journalism degree. A native of Fayetteville, Ga., she served as copy editor and layout designer for Gannett Company, Inc. in Monroe, La., prior to coming to MBCB. She holds a number of awards from the Baptist Communicators Association.
“It has been my prayer that Dr. Parker and the Executive Committee would be open to the leading of the Lord in filling these two critical positions in the life of the Mississippi Baptist Convention,” Perkins said. “I can report today to the loyal readers of the Record that is the case. The Record is in good hands.”
The Baptist Record is supported by gifts to the Mississippi Cooperative Program.
