Snow Hill News Blog

Why We Can't Take Others for Granted

 There are a number of reasons why we should not take others for granted. One obvious reason comes from our own disdain for the feelings this creates in us when we are passed over. Last year we adopted Jonathan and Kari Masson as missionaries. Our relationship is as non-conventional as is their particular path to missions.

You see we have a difficult time breaking out of our mental images that calcify and dictate our responses. So, imagine a young couple mixing vocational goals and an eagerness to live missionally in another country. By missional, we mean to live as missionary in whatever context, vocation and living arrangement a person chooses. It is like Caleb Crider has encouraged us to think, "we are all missionaries." Yet, outside our family structures, and maybe a few friends, we cannot see our way to think of them as "missionaries" in the same way we find it difficult to self-identify this way where we live.

What Is the Gospel?

We hosted Caleb and Lindsay Crider for our "Church As Missionary Conference." You may remember they are part of the team that comprises The Upstream Collective. Pastor Todd's support of their work resulted in the request he write for their website at The Upstream Collective Blog. This week Pastor Todd wrote an article offering an answer to the question, "What is the Gospel?" The context for the question centers around the matter of "cultural translation." Offering the Good News of Jesus in contexts outside of what we know in the United States, even the "southern United States," often takes a different expression in the hovels of South Africa or on Broadway. You may read the article here.

Snow Hill "Adopts" Missionaries to France

Pastor Todd learned while he was on vacation Jonathan and Kari Masson agreed to be "adopted" as missionaries by Snow Hill. The relationship grew out of a meeting with Larry McCrary and Caleb Crider with the Upstream Collective and the IMB. Caleb told us Jonathan and Kari's story. After a few email exchanges and sharing with a group during our Sunday evening gathering all agreed God would want us to further a relationship with the Massons. Be watching for more information both from Snow Hill and here online. One way you could get to know more about Jonathan and Kari would be to visit their blog. (For those unfamiliar with "blog" it is shorthand for "web log." You could view this as something of an online journal. For example in the links in the right sidebar you can read Jan or Ryann's blog joining them in their journeys battling cancer.)

Click here to read Jonathan and Kari's blog.

Serving Guatemala

Sunday evening we will gather to hear from our team who recently returned from Guatemala. A few special guests will also share in the evening celebration. We will begin at 6:00 p.m. You will not want to miss hearing how God responded to your prayers for team members, Casa Bernabe staff, and children and youth.

Remember to Pray for Guatemala Team

Today marked the beginning of the series of retreats our team traveled to participate in. Some will be cooking. Others will be leading worship. Still others will be working with the students and children. Pray not only for our folks, but that those with whom they share will be blessed, refreshed and inspired.

Bullets in the Favelas

Watch the video for a great understanding of bringing the Good News in a local context.

Braving Bullets (Click the link)

Investing in Those Who Invest in Others - Serving in Guatemala

Eight years ago Toni accompanied a group of college students to Guatemala to serve at Casa Bernabe. The relationship grew and eventually Toni served as a missionary at the orphanage for three years. Many children found adpotive homes. The light of the children at Casa Bernabe continues to tug at Toni and others who have served as well as those who have adopted children.

We were recently invited to participate in an opportunity to invest in the lives of those who serve the children as well as serving the children themselves. Along with the opportunity to go and serve alongside others from around the Country, we have been invited to pray for every aspect of this trip. Keep checking back for more details and specifics as to how you may pray.

What Next? An Exhortation

Teri Blanton spoke of many ways God brought to light a new calling. Details that would seem inconsequential to many provided the threads that when woven together created a tapestry of the Spirit's work. Closing with a plea, Teri asked, "What would God have you do?"

Picking up and leaving the familiar for the hope of helping bring light and life to others is not only admirable but inspirational. Of all the things we could do, Teri asked if we would keep her and the work in Siberia in our prayers. We will receive updates on the ministry of the Hart Team. Would you  commit to pray for Teri and the children and young people with whom  she will share the love of Jesus?

Snow Hill Welcomes Teri Blanton

Teri Blanton, recently commissioned by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, will share in our evening gathering this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. For the past number of years Teri has served in social work. She served in Texas with Buckner Benevolence and the Gladney Home. Here in Oklahoma she has been serving with the Baptist Homes for Children.

Teri a native of Oklahoma, graduated from Northwest Classen High School, Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Pastor Todd and Patty attended Crestwood Baptist Church and graduated from high school with Teri.

Come ready to not only hear how God is working around the world but also be prepared to ask ways in which you can participate with Teri in the work of God.

Staff Changes

Following Jesus is more than an just a phrase. Embedded in the call to follow Jesus includes those in any form of leadership. From time to time God re-aligns us. Generally those in leadership admonish and caution Jesus followers to seek what God is doing and join him. "Be open to the leading of the Spirit" becomes the call when places of ministry need those gifted and talented to serve others.

Our Youth Pastor, Nathan, and his wife Carrie, sensed God re-aligning them with a passion to lead out in our "community ministries." Nathan continues to hold a love for youth and their families. He will be involved in ministry to students. However, his primary energies will be given to leading out in our "Wednesdays Are For Others" community ministries. Already he has helped coordinate our Food Pantry, Clothes Closet and our Homework Assistance Program. He continues to work toward the opening of our free Medical Clinic. We hope to open up in January.

Along the way this re-alignment also comes with a new way he is supported. God has provided the primary means for his financial support outside of the budget for Snow Hill. Nathan and Carrie believe this will give Snow Hill and opportunity to expand a number of ministries and develop new opportunities in our community ministries.

We are excited when people come to say, "God has led me to serve ...." When one of our staff members illustrates this in his own following of Jesus it should spur us all to look around and see what God is doing and participate with him.

We are glad Nathan is with us and giving illustration of following int he way of Jesus responding to the work of the Spirit to the glory of the Father.