Prayer Initiative - Day 4

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1 Thessalonians 3:13

"May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones."

Today's Prayer Focus

• For the faithful preaching and teaching of God’s Word; in worship, in classes, in small groups, and in our private devotions.
• For the gracious work of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification, forming our hearts and lives more and more into the likeness of the Lord Jesus.
• For our elders, deacons, staff, small group leaders, SPLASH workers, youth leaders, and all who assist us in our journey toward spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.

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"The Beauty of Holiness"
Mike Tilley

The word “holiness” has taken a beating over the years, and has become widely misunderstood and devalued. Too often it has become wrapped up in religious externals, hypocrisy, and self righteousness. Let’s recover the beauty of holiness.

Remember that the fall of mankind into sin was catastrophic. When sin came into the world, it brought with it human cruelty, selfishness, pride and ruin. One way of thinking about holiness is that God is renewing his image in us (Colossians 3:10). He wants to make us new in Christ. Sanctification simply means to be made holy. The Word of God plays a big role in that: “Sanctify them by the truth. Thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) That’s why we pray for sanctifying influences of God’s Word throughout our church.

When we pray for the church to be holy, we are praying that the bride of Christ will be ready for her husband when he returns (Ephesians 5:25-27). Jesus died for our unholiness, and now he wants to make us beautiful for when he comes to claim his bride. As we sing in the hymn, The Church’s One Foundation: “From heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.”

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 3

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1 Thessalonians 3:12

"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."

Today's Prayer Focus

• For our own hearts to grasp the love of God, shown to us in the gospel of Christ.
• For overflowing love in our church; enough to cover a multitude of sins, enough to care for the broken, enough to mark us as true disciples of the one who loved us perfectly.
• For love that would flow out to “everyone else”—new friends, the lost, the city, the poor, our enemies, and our neighbors.

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"Love Overflowing"
Mike Tilley

The Nile River flows north from Lake Victoria in Uganda. For centuries, the river has brought life-giving water and fertile deposits to Egypt, spawning civilizations. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote that “Egypt was the gift of the Nile.” Like the mighty Nile, the overwhelming love of God is a source of life for us, and it overflows through us to others.

It’s interesting that Paul prays for overflowing love before he exhorts the Thessalonians to love one another in the very next chapter (1 Thessalonians 4:9). He must know that we need grace from the Lord Jesus, even to love one another. Even Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile, has feeder rivers flowing into it. We, too, need continuous replenishment so that love can increase and overflow.

Just as the waters of the Nile spawn growth in the arid plains of Egypt, a community of Christians filled with the love of Christ will be a life-giving community. A loving community will bear the gospel fruits: growth in holiness, tenderness for the hurting, compassion for the lost, concern for the peace of the city, and ultimately the glory of our Father in heaven.

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 2

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Psalm 100:1-2

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!"

Today's Prayer Focus

• For worship services throughout the fall: joyful singing, filled with God’s Spirit.
• Joel and Katie Pollard; band and vocalists; A/V team; vocal ensemble.
• Hosting environment for guests.
• Engaging worship for each person, shaping both heart and mind. 
• Awe in God’s presence as we worship with each other, and the angels.

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"A Joyful Noise"
Mike Tilley

Recently a young high school student attended a week-long Christian event with his parents. He was a sharp guy, raised in a Christian home. But there was one thing missing. When it came time to sing songs in church worship, he did not sing the songs. At the week-long event, he made some Christian friends and his heart began to come alive. By the end of the week, his parents were filled with gratitude as they saw something new in their son: he began to sing in worship.

When we worship, heaven comes down to earth. The future kingdom comes into this present evil age, and we taste of the powers of the age to come. The more we realize what our Savior has done for us, the more we want to sing the songs of salvation. But like that young boy, it’s a heart journey for each of us. In a world that’s crazy busy; a world that is saturated with digital media; a world that offers more creature comforts than any time in history; we need the gospel rest of the Sabbath, and the re-setting of our hearts through rich, gospel-centered worship.

Let’s dream of a maturing worship culture at Lake Baldwin Church. Let’s pray that tongues would be loosed and that hearts would be free. Let’s commune with our Savior from the call to worship to the benediction. Let’s thank God that he has brought Joel and Katie our way, along with talented musicians who volunteer their skills. Then let’s all join the worship team from where we sit, making a joyful noise to the Lord!

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 1

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Psalm 127:1

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."

Today's Prayer Focus

• For prayer to be central to the work of LBC, the “furnace” that empowers all we do.
• For God to use this month of prayer to advance his kingdom in us and through us.
• For God to shape our hearts this month to love him and to seek his vision.

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"The Prayer Furnace"
Mike Tilley

Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London in the 1800s, so they went to hear famed C. H. Spurgeon preach. While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, “Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?” They were not particularly interested, for it was a hot day in July. But they didn’t want to offend the stranger, so they consented. The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, “This is our heating plant.” Surprised, the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above. Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than Charles Spurgeon.  (Source: Our Daily Bread)

Welcome to the modern-day “prayer furnace” of Lake Baldwin Church! As we pray each day, we are expressing our dependence on God to “build the house.” We are saying, “We need your grace. We need your power. All of our work will be in vain apart from the gracious presence of the Holy Spirit.”

But why devote time to prayer? Couldn’t we just ask one person to read a list of requests to God and then get on with our lives? Scripture teaches united, sustained, prevailing prayer. This time spent in prayer does not only advance the kingdom and build his house; it also changes us. Our hearts become shaped and stretched, our minds become flooded with his vision (instead of our own), and our hands are strengthened for the days ahead.

The “house” of Psalm 127:1 reminds us not only of a home or a family. In the Old Testament, it also was the term used for God’s temple, the place of worship. With the dawn of the gospel in the New Testament, God now has a people for his temple. Christ Jesus is the cornerstone, and we are the stones of that temple, of that house. Let us pray that he will build it.

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

One Baptism — "NIB"

by Rev. Mike Glodo

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Have you ever been perplexed by “netspeak?” The world wide web has introduced a flood of new vocabulary, especially acronyms -– www, http, aol, ftp. Instant -- and text-messagers possess a language practically their own –- lol, imho, btw. “ASAP” is old school.

As an occasional Ebay shopper, I’ve even had to learn its unique nomenclature. When I forget that I can only write with one fountain pen at a time, I’ll browse Ebay for bargains. Besides typing “fountain” and “pen” and possibly “Parker” or “Pelikan” in the search line, I’ll occasionally add “NIB.” When I first spotted this term as a shopper, I thought it simply meant that the pen had a nib –- a point with which to write. It seemed superfluous to me that the seller had to explain that the pen had a point –- unless, of course, pens were often sold without them. Though they wouldn’t be the first pointless things sold (or written.) Then I realized it was an acronym. “NIB” means “new in box.”

Fountain pens are a male version of the purse. For some people, one is enough, for others a regular rotation is called for. But they are also like male jewelry and pristine condition is a real plus, especially when buying from an individual seller. Because throwing away the box is one of the first things people do with new gifts, the seller still having the box can corroborate other representations that the pen is unused. “NIB” is a reassuring label on Ebay.

But“NIB” in other contexts can be the very opposite -- lack of assurance, lack of confidence. Nowhere is this the case more than when it comes to Christian baptism. Show me an unused baptism and I may well be able to show you a struggling, doubt-wracked Christian. Show me a well-worn baptism and chances are a sinewy, time-tested faith will be close at hand. Not an infant, naïve or presumptuous kind of faith, but a strong grip on the gracious work of God in Christ that brings perseverance and hope.

And it’s my sense that most of us have baptisms that look a lot newer than they really are, in some cases shiny, unworn and still-packaged. And we’re the worse for it.
What does it mean to have a “used” or “unused” baptism? We make use of our baptism when we “improve” it. Westminster Larger Catechism 167 explains:

Q. 167. How is our Baptism to be improved by us?
A. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our Baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others; by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein; by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace; and by endeavoring to live by faith, to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ; and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.

As you can see, our baptism is to be used by us constantly in perpetuity -- “all our life long.” As visible words, the sacraments are visible signs through which “the benefits of the new covenant are represented...” (Westminster Shorter Catechism 92) What else do we mean at the Lord’s table when we say that we “proclaim the Lord’s death” until he comes again except that we are proclaiming the Gospel? (1 Cor. 11:26) The sacraments preach the Gospel visibly.

With all of the debate in the broader church about baptism, the most fundamental and frequent misunderstanding is to insist on limiting its benefits to the time of administration. As Presbyterians, we insist to our Baptist friends that the efficacy of baptism is not tied to the moment of administration, that infant baptism looks forward to saving faith that is yet future. But the point of WLC 167 is that the appearance of saving faith is to be but one of countless moments in life when we derive benefits from our baptism. So whether someone is a Presbyterian or a Baptist, she can look back to her baptism through faith in Christ in order to continually draw saving grace from it.

Simply put, whenever I am in doubt, discouraged, hard-pressed, tempted, lonely, forsaken, persecuted, fearful, anxious, indignant or beset, I can gaze through the eyes of faith upon the Gospel when I remember my baptism and when I see others baptized. I can see in baptism Christ dying for my sin, my union with him such that my death became his and his resurrection became mine. I can see the purging of my sins in the washing of the water. I can see final judgment rendered against my old nature as the flood waters overwhelm it. I can be sure that the old man will surely die just as God’s word pronounces that the soul that sins shall surely die. I can be confident that I am not my own, but the Lord’s, because I have died to the Law and it has no claim over me. I witness the new man borne out of the watery womb. A faith-worn baptism will never wear out but will grow more useful and blessed with use.

Some will object -- almost impulsively at times -- that such a view of baptism invites presumption. In their minds, infant baptism inevitably leads to false confidence. They will say that drawing confidence from an external sign is dangerous. After all, hell has many baptized members who had the form of true religion but not its substance.

Presumption is real and it is an insidious danger. Just as pornographers will bend marriage sensuality into smut, unregenerate hearts will smear baptism into sensual self-confidence where there is no ground for it. But just as we must pity the husband and wife who lie apart when their covenant bond has opened the door to a world of comfort and pleasure, we should also pity the believing soul who refuses the warm embrace of Christ held wide if he would remember his baptism.

We improve our baptism not just by remembering that we were baptized, but as well when we witness the baptism of others. Whenever we witness a baptism in worship, I try to remember to lean into the ear of each of my children to say “You are baptized. God made promises to Mommy, to you, and to me. You belong to him.” More than once I have seen their eyes widen -- especially in their little years. I want them to know that the devil sees the water when he wants to cause them harm and he sees the mark that they belong to the Lord. I want them to know that, even though Satan got to them first in Adam’s sin, that God has asserted His claim over them as children of the covenant.

I’ve often participated in and witnesed debates about rebaptism. It’s been a while since someone was executed for rebaptizing, but it still can cause a stir. During the presbytery examination of an ordinand, it’s a good bet he will be asked his view of the subject and whether he would perform a rebaptism. The subject can still bring division. Disagreements over baptism still cause Christians to break fellowship. Sometimes pastors capitulate when asked to rebaptize someone because the person is so insistent, hoping the person’s weak faith will be strengthened. But we would do far better to teach that person to improve the baptism he already has, the one that is still neatly packaged in its original wrapping, rather than give him another one to place upon the shelf. If the plaintiff hasn’t used his first baptism, what assurance is there that he will use his second, or his twelfth baptism?

We pastors compound the ignorance about improving baptism by making the child the exclusive focus at infant baptisms. It certainly is appropriate to celebrate the child’s promises from God, even if the child is not yet sensible to them. And they are so cute before they can talk back or spend money. But I have rarely (if ever) heard a minister say to the congregation, “Watch and remember, for this is what God has done for you!”

For Martin Luther, the lifelong usefulness of baptism was a frequent refuge. The stories are well-known of how, when under the oppressive hand of Satan and his pointed barrage of accusations, Luther would shake his fist at the ceiling and shout back “I have been baptized!” It was out of such a life that he wrote:

Heaven is given unto me freely, for nothing. I have assurance hereof confirmed unto me sealed by covenants. That is, I am baptized, and frequent the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Therefore I keep the bond safe and sure, lest the devil tear it in pieces. That is, I live and remain in God’s fear and pray daily unto Him. God could not have given me better security of my salvation, and of the Gospel, than by the death and passion of His only Son. When I believe that He overcame death and died for me, and therewith behold the promise of the Father, then I have the bond complete. And when I have the seal of baptism and the Lord’s Supper prefixed thereto, then I am well provided for.

One of our last acts in Michigan as a family was to attend the finale concert of my daughter’s music camp at the University of Michigan. During the concert at Hill Auditorium, a spectacular acoustic site, the boys’ chorus sang a sea chantey about love for the sea -- “Bound to the Wave” by Dietrich and Moore. That song evokes the life of a sailor for whom the sea is home and the land is strange. The chorus emotes the rise and fall of the swells and includes the refrain:
"Water our mother, water our grave And we shall be bound to the wave."

The true sailor’s life begins and ends with life upon the water. The Christian’s surest life draws upon the waters of baptism. Baptism preaches to us our union with Christ in his baptism so that we have resurrection life -- water our mother -- which enables us to die to self and live to him because we have been bought with a price and we are the Lord’s -- water our grave.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
-- Romans 6:3-10

With no apologies to Kevin Costner’s infamous movie fiasco, "Waterworld," we are invited to live out our lives in the water world of our baptism -- the world to come which has come near in the dying and rising of Christ our Lord, the world in which we are now citizens and this world’s claims against us have been voided, the water world of judgment flood, through which righteous Noah, the Israelites out of Egypt, and we have emerged because the judgment due us flooded over our Savior Jesus Christ. Pull your baptism out of the storage trunk and put it to good use next Lord's Day.

Holy Baptism
As he that sees a dark and shady grove,
Stays not, but looks beyond it on the sky;
So when I view my sins, mine eyes remove
More backward still, and to that water fly,
Which is above the heav'ns, whose spring and rest
Is in my dear Redeemer's pierced side.
O blessed streams! either ye do prevent
And stop our sins from growing thick and wide,
Or else give tears to drown them, as they grow.
In you Redemption measures all my time,
And spreads the plaster equal to the crime;
You taught the book of life my name, that so
What ever future sins should me miscall,
Your first acquaintance might discredit all.
–George Herbert (d. 1652)

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Rev. Michael J. Glodo teaches Old and New Testament courses as well as courses in practical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Oviedo, FL. The diversity of the courses Professor Glodo teaches reflects his diverse research and ministry interests. He is passionate about Old and New Testament studies and ministry philosophy, particularly regarding worship and liturgy. In addition to serving six years as the Stated Clerk for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, he also served in pastoral roles at churches in the St. Louis region. He and his wife, Vicki, have a daughter, Rachel, and son, Samuel. 



Why Europe? The Jim Carlson Story

Europe is well-known for its history, culture, and economic prosperity.  Europe is less well known as a mission field with an urgent need for churches. Jim Carlson makes a strong case for the importance of Europe in global missions.

Based out of Paris, France, Jim is one of the directors in Europe for ReachGlobal, the missions arm of the Evangelical Free Church. He is working on his Doctor of Ministry on the importance of international churches in global missions. Yesterday he spoke to the gathering of pastors and families in Nice, France, that Molly and I have been serving.

In his session, Jim quoted from a book, Strangers Next Door: "An unreached people group is one in which less than 2% of the population are evangelical Christians. Here are the percentages for key countries in Europe: France, 1 %; Germany, 2.1%; Belgium, 1.2%, Netherlands, 4.3%, Switzerland, 4.4%, Austria, 0.5%, and Monaco, 1.2%. We can safely categorize Europe as an unreached people group!

But Europe, according to Jim, is also very strategic at this point in history. It's one of the intellectual centers of the world. It leads the world in educating people from around the world. And it's on the front lines of the global battle for the gospel.

But here's the kicker: "Europe is home to the world's current, and fastest growing, religion: unbelief." 

Jim Carlson also serves on the Euro Leadership Team for International Christian Community (ICC), the host organization for this week's retreat for pastors and families. I've had the joy of working with Jim and the rest of the team to chart the course for the future of ICC, with the goal of a vibrant international church for each principle city in Europe.

This morning, Jim spoke to the pastors and wives from Psalm 121, with the famous verse, "Our help comes from the Lord." Then he invited people to request prayer for their personal lives. The floodgates opened up, leading to a rich time of prayer for pastors and wives on the front lines.

It's clear that Jim understands the importance of international churches in reaching Europe. But he also has a shepherd's heart for the pastors and families who have joined in this effort.

Postcard from Nice: the Anil and Anju Story

Anil is a gourmet chef from India, and specializes in food from his home country. He has worked at two of the most famous hotels in Nice: the Negresco and the Palais Mediterranean. He and his wife Anju had something even more significant happen in their lives three years ago.

I met Anil and Anju last Sunday evening after preaching at the International Church in Nice, France. That night, I met a guy from Angola; two students from Romania; two students from South Korea; and an art dealer and his wife, from near Monaco. The church building itself has a facinating history. The pulpit was built a century ago, by some folks who were members of Charles Spurgeon's congregation in London. Like many from the U.K., he would visit Nice on holiday. After meeting Anil and Anju, I learned more of their story.

The Christian faith was new to Anju when they came from India. She and Anil got connected to the international churches in the Nice area, and Anju discovered the love of Jesus Christ. Three years ago, both Anil and Anju were baptized in the Mediterranean. They were baptized by James Arnold, pastor of the International Church in Nice, as well as the International Church in nearby St. Paul De Vence.

After preaching at both churches last Sunday, I was able to see the signficance of the international church. In the new globally connected world, the nations are coming to Nice and its environs. They are students, business people, immigrants, and others from every corner of the globe. Even French people are being reached. I met one woman in St. Paul who was on her second visit to the church. She wants to work on her English.

Molly and I are here to serve a gathering of pastors of international churches, and we're having our meetings at the International Church in St. Paul De Vence. All meals are being provided at the church--a huge savings for the guests. But we had another bonus tonight. Anil, the gourmet chef from India, came to offer a seminar in the preparation of Indian food. All of the pastors and families got to enjoy a tasty meal of Indian cuisine. 

We might not be staying at the Palais Mediterranean, but we still got to enjoy some of their food. And that's another benefit of the international church.

Birth of a Network in Europe: the Dan Painter Story

"When do we start?" The new American ambassador to France had just arrived in June of 1985. Col. Dan Painter, U.S. liaison with French forces, had just met him at a reception. When Col. Painter offered to pray weekly him, the ambassador gave his famous reply: "When do we start?" They prayed together weekly for four years.

When Dan Painter and his wife Nancy took a new posting in Prague, Czech Republic, he became the attache for another ambassador, Shirley Temple Black. While in Prague, the Painters saw a crying need for diplomats and military personnel to have a church, so they helped plant a new, international, English-speaking church. This led to the planting of international churches in Aix-en-Provence, Lyon, and Marseilles. 

Like-minded pastors from other cities began to link arms around this vision, and a network in Europe was born: International Christian Community (ICC). Starting October 27, pastors from around Europe will be gathering in St. Paul de Vence, France, for the ICC retreat for pastors and families. This annual event is an oasis of community and vision for pastors laboring in the challenging mission field of Europe. Molly and I will be serving these pastors this week, doing everything we can to encourage them. We are grateful to represent the global heart of Lake Baldwin Church as we partner with this ministry.

Dan Painter and the ICC-affiliated pastors have discovered something. The world is coming to the cities of Europe. The new global culture is a vibrant mix of global business leaders, students, diplomats, immigrants, and host-country nationals, all speaking the new global language of English. It's a new missional space where more churches are needed.

When Dan Painter met the U.S. ambassador to France in 1985, he was in the right place at the right time. Now, with the nations coming to Europe, Dan is again in the right place at the right time. And, with each church that joins the network, more people are echoing the words of the ambassador: "When do we start?"

Postcard from France: the Jean-Raymond Story

Change is in the wind for one denomination of French evangelical churches, and Jean-Raymond Stauffacher is leading that change.

Jean-Raymond is the pastor of the Reformed Protestant Evangelical Church in Marseilles, France. He is also the president of a union of churches spread across southern France, and up to Paris.

Born in France in 1967, Jean-Raymond was the son of American missionaries. He went through a rebellion of sorts in his teen years. A caring friend invited him to the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence, where he experienced a deep spiritual renewal.

I met Jean-Raymond in 2013 when folks at LBC hosted a contingent of pastors from Europe for the GCA conference. He joined us for a time of strategic planning for Europe, at the LBC office. Flash forward to our meeting on Thursday in Nimes, France.

Nimes (pronounced "Neem") is a beautiful, mid-sized city with an abundance of Roman ruins. We spent the day with Jean-Raymond and his change team, talking about their plan to re-shape a denomination to advance the gospel and plant churches in today's France.

When our work was completed for the day, we walked the Roman ruins in the nearby city of Arles. What a vivid window into the heart of Jean-Raymond. If God gives life to his vision, the church in France will not be like ancient ruins. it will be a vibrant force for the gospel.

Postcard from Marseilles: the Nelly Vos Story

Upon arrival in Marseilles we were greeted by Nelly Vos and her daughter, Helen. They gave us a wealth of insight into the spiritual climate in France.

Nelly was born in the northeast of France. She and her family were among the few Christian believers in her small town. She became a missionary and met her husband, David (an American), while working with Operation Mobilization in Marseilles.

They had a heart for the Muslim community, so they moved to Montpelier and began working with Muslim students there. These students were from moderate families in North Africa and the Middle East, and some were receptive. After some years in Montpelier, David and Nelly moved to Lyon where they worked with a team from Mission to the World (MTW).

Sadly, David died unexpectedly of heart failure shortly after their move to Lyon.  Nelly continued her work by serving at the seminary in Aix-en-Provence, and then took a position as parish assistant at the Evangelical Church in Marseilles, where she now serves.

Nelly says that less than 3% of the French are believers. Interestingly, Muslims are easier to talk with because they don't mind talking about God. But the French are more receptive of late, and she is surprised to learn of French people who want to "learn about the Bible." Muslims from North Africa and the Middle East tended to be more receptive in the 60s, the first wave of immigration. But lately they have not integrated well into French culture, so they are turning to the Islam of their home culture.

Nelly now enjoys her work with the Evangelical/Reformed Church in Marseilles, where she assists the pastor, Jean-Raymond Stauffacher. They minister to a congregation of about 70.

Just as the gusty winds blow off the Mediterranean against the hills and trees of Marseilles, there are fresh winds of change blowing in France. Next post, we'll meet Jean-Raymond Stauffacher, who pastors the church and also leads a union of churches across France.

LBC Weekly: 10/19/14; Food Truck Event!

Many thanks to our small group leaders, pictured above!  All of the small groups are open groups, so you can hop on board anytime. And, there is something for every age and stage of life. Check out the list of small groups at our web site: www.lakebaldwinchurch.com/small-groups. 

Food Truck Event This Sunday at 12:00!
• Fun for all ages!
• Bring picnic chairs or blankets.
• Right after worship, in the park.
• Be sure to reach out to new folks, as well as guests from the community.

Worship This Sunday at 10:45
• Is life beating you up? Then Exodus 5 is for you! As you read Exodus 5 in advance, ask, “What might God be up to in this story? What can we learn about trusting God when we feel that we have to make “more bricks with less straw?”
• We’ll get an Operation Christmas Child update.
• Good chance of new people visiting LBC...remember to reach out to guests, and to be part of the “hosting environment.” Your kindness can make a difference.

Global Missions: Pastors Retreat in France
• 18 months ago a the leadership of International Christian Community (ICC) visited Lake Baldwin Church, as well as the Global Church Advancement Conference.
• That visit began a 5-stage process culminating in a Pastors Retreat serving pastors and families around Europe.
• Mike and Molly Tilley will be serving these pastors and families, speaking at seminars, and preaching in churches the last week of October.
• Churches affiliated with ICC minister to internationals, indigenous people, and immigrants in cities around Europe.
• Pray for Mike and Molly as they help connect Lake Baldwin Church to the global church.
• Our LBC Global Missions Team, led by Ravi Jain, is backing this effort as part of our overall vision for partnering with the church around the world.

LBC Weekly: 10/12/14; Joel and Katie update; Food Trucks; Young Adults Party

God’s timing is always perfect. As you know, Joel and Katie Pollard (pictured above) will be joining our team at Lake Baldwin Church. Joel will begin leading worship on November 16, just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Katie will be joining our administrative team in a job-sharing arrangement with Terri Poulos, who just adopted a newborn. In God’s timing, he has blessed us with Tim and Angela Inman to lead our worship team. In another example of providential timing, God has provided Lisa Rigsby as office back-up during Terri’s maternity leave, and until Katie arrives.  

See below for more news about Joel and Katie, as well as info about the membership class (Oct 17-18) the Food Truck Event (Oct 19), and the Young Adults Party (Nov 1).

Worship This Sunday at 10:45
• Exodus 4:18-26 is a fascinating and mysterious episode in the Moses story. What do you make of the scene on the road back to Egypt?
• Glynn Vincent (another example of God’s timing!) will lead us in worship this week, along with our musicians and vocalists.
• We’ll introduce all the leaders of our small groups, as we roll out the red carpet for this year’s groups!
• Don’t forget the 9:30 class, “Not By Bread Alone,” taught by Richard Hostetter.  Details here.

Membership Class Oct 17-18
• Friday evening and Saturday morning...kicks off with a BBQ at 6 on Friday.
• At the LBC office, 1300 Lake Baldwin Lane, Orlando 32814.
• An informal living room setting, great for conversation and good food.
• Explore the vision, values, mission, beliefs, and community life of LBC.
• Sign up: Mike.Tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com.

Food Truck Event Oct 19 After Church
• Fun and food for all ages!
• Plan now to hang out after church in the park.
• Bring picnic chairs and blankets.
• Offer to help: Fritz.Schalmo@lakebaldwinchurch.com. 

Young Adults (20s and 30s) Party Nov 1
• Hosted at the home of David and Winnie Runnels in College Park: 1243 Norwood Place, Orlando, FL 32804.
• An adults only event, at 7:30 pm.
• Contact Drew Hallberg for more info: drew@americasofficesource.com. 

Joel and Katie Pollard Joining Our Team in November
• Joel begins work on Nov 10, and will lead worship Nov 16.
• Katie begins admin training on Nov 10, helping with administration and web content.
• Chris Kendall will be providing housing for them Nov/Dec. They will be looking for long-term housing to begin in Jan.
• Pray for the Pollard family as they prepare for the big move!

LBC Weekly: 10/5/14; Sign up for Sunday morning class; Oct dates; and more

Mike’s Pastoral Care
Welcome new members to Lake Baldwin Church: James and Sarah McDonald, and Clayton and Traci Keene, just some of the group from our summer membership class. The next class is scheduled for Oct 17-18 (Friday evening and Saturday morning). We begin with a BBQ on Friday evening. It’s a great chance to connect with the leadership of LBC, and to learn about the vision, values, and beliefs of the church. Sign up at: Mike.Tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com.

See below to sign up for Sunday morning class, and to get October dates for your calendar.

Worship This Sunday at 10:45
• The drama continues with Exodus 4:1-17. Perhaps you can relate to Moses’ reluctance to jump back into the fray!
• This is the week that we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, a chance to push the gospel more deeply into our hearts.
• SPLASH kids will have our monthly children’s worship experience, High Tide.

Sign Up for Sunday Morning Class
• Take an exciting journey through the Scriptures, in a class called “Not By Bread Alone.”
• 12-week class begins this Sunday, 9:30-10:30, at Glenridge Middle School.
• Register here: http://www.lakebaldwinchurch.com/survey
• Child care is available, but you must sign up in advance.

Operation Christmas Child: A Church-Wide Effort
• SPLASH kids will pack gift boxes for needy children around the world.
• Take a tag from the Christmas tree at the entrance to worship, and bring in items during October.
• More info: Michelle.Crouse@lakebaldwinchurch.com.

October Dates
• Oct 5, 9:30-10:30 at Glenridge: “Not By Bread Alone” Sunday morning class
• Oct 12: Small Groups Sunday; sign up for a small group
• Oct 17-18: Membership Class (Friday evening/Saturday morning)
• Oct 19: Food Truck Event, right after church
• Oct 26: Mike Glodo preaching as part of our Exodus series

LBC Weekly: 9/28/14; Welcome baby Schalmo! And more...

Congratulations to Fritz and Barbie Schalmo on the birth of Jack Schalmo. The little guy came into the world 20 inches long, weighing just over 8 pounds. Mom and baby are doing well, and dad is proud as can be (as you can see in the picture, above).

Read on to hear about recent milestones, sign-up for Sunday morning class, and ways that God is using your investment to make a difference in the city.

Quote of the week: “Health = high expectations and the grace to reach them. Expectations without grace breed anger; grace without expectations = couch potato.” (Henry Cloud)

Worship This Sunday at 10:45
• The plot thickens in Exodus as Moses feels inadequate for the challenge. He’ll need a God who is all-sufficient. Same is true of us! Check out Exodus 3:11-22.
• We’ll hear the vision for the new Sunday morning class, as we interview Richard Hostetter.
• Be praying for worship, SPLASH, and for Sunday evening youth group.

Milestones to Celebrate!
• The second annual “Hospitality Event” is happening tonight. Turnout is strong at the homes of elders and wives.
• A great crop of small group leaders have participated in our annual small group leaders’ huddle. Look for them on-stage Oct 12 on “small groups Sunday.”
• Officer Training is being launched for several cohorts of those nominated for the offices of elder and deacon. The leadership development initiative will last through April.
• This year’s Operation Christmas Child has been launched! Check out the OCC table and tree at the entrance to the worship area. This effort helps needy children around the world.
• Our elders and deacons have crafted a Care Plan for the church, to be communicated tonight at the Shepherding Group dinners.

How You’re Making a Difference by Investing in LBC
• We have a new and exciting opportunity in front of us through the work of Dan Whaite and Matt Brubaker. They’re launching our digital outreach initiative, which is a new way to reach people living in communities around our church who have never heard of us.  We’ll deliver messaging (through ads) all through their online experience about our church, our programs, our sermons, and upcoming events -- to attract them to our church and hear our message of hope.  We have an audience target of 65,000 in Baldwin Park and surrounding zip codes, who will receive approximately 4 ads per week for 8 weeks.  Your giving makes this possible.  Please pray for the success of the campaign! 
• We are also reaching Orlando through church planting.  LBC is a charter member of the Florida Church Planting Network.  We are committed to giving 3% of our budget ($15,000) annually to church planting.
• Our flagship weekend worship service is designed to feed believers and also to communicate the gospel to those exploring the faith. We have just offered our worship leader position to Joel Pollard. He and his wife, Katie, will be joining us in early November. Your giving makes it possible for us to hire for vital staff positions.
• Thank you for your faithful investment in the spread of the gospel through Lake Baldwin Church. You can update your giving securely with the “give online” link at: http://www.lakebaldwinchurch.com.

Register for the Class!
• “Not By Bread Alone” begins Sunday, Oct 5, 9:30-10:30 am at Glenridge Middle School.
• Register here: http://www.lakebaldwinchurch.com/survey
• Have kids? Available to help with child care rotation? Contact Amy Heidmann: ames83077@gmail.com.

LBC Weekly: 9/21/14; Worship leader announcement; financial report; and more

It was one year ago that we rolled out our new Shepherding Plan, and we’re grateful for our elders and the care that they extend to their shepherding groups. This Friday, our elders and their wives will be hosting hospitality dinners in their homes. Everyone is invited! If you are not yet a member of LBC, you are invited to the home of Mike and Molly Tilley. Please RSVP to: Mike.Tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com. Pictured above are two of our elders, Bart Johnson and Richard Hostetter. Pray for Bart, who just had surgery on his achilles tendon. Richard will be leading the new class, “Not By Bread Alone,” beginning Sept 5, 9:30-10:30, at Glenridge Middle School.

See below for important announcements, financial report, and calendar dates.

Worship Leader Position Offered to Joel Pollard
• After much prayer and assessment, we are happy to announce that we have offered the position of worship leader to Joel Pollard.
• Joel and his wife, Katie, expect to move to Orlando in early November.
• We can thank God for his provision! And, we are grateful for all who helped with the process. Special thanks to Bill and Kathy Seyfried for hosting Joel and Katie during their visits.

Worship This Sunday at 10:45
• Next up: the famous story of the burning bush, from Exodus 3:1-10.
• Michelle Crouse will introduce exciting plans for Operation Christmas Child.
• Take some time to pray for Sunday worship, SPLASH, and youth group.

Financial Report as of August 31
• August contributions: $25,064. Expenses: $32,560. Difference: (-$7406)
• Jan-Aug contributions: $368,014. Expenses: $360,675. Difference: +$7339
• Thank you! Your giving is making a difference at Lake Baldwin Church!
• Like many churches, August contributions were below budget, perhaps reflecting a “summer slump.” If you’d like to update your giving, you can give a secure on-line gift at www.lakebaldwinchurch.com. 
• Let’s thank God for his continued provision, and pray for sufficient growth in giving to enable us to restore key budget items and to fund our new worship hire.

Events for Your Calendar
• LBC office workday, Saturday, Sept 20, 9 am, at the LBC office, 1300 Lake Baldwin Lane, Orlando 32814. Contact Bill Rigsby to join the team: bill@rigsbybrothers.com.
• Monthly Church-Wide Prayer Gathering Wednesday, Sept 24, 7-8 pm: We so enjoyed the prayer times in August, that someone urged us to host a monthly prayer gathering. Everyone is invited. At the LBC office, 1300 Lake Baldwin Lane, Orlando 32814.
• Hospitality Event Friday, Sept 26, 6:30 pm. Members have been invited by their elders. If you are not yet a member, RSVP to: Mike.Tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com.
• Not By Bread Alone: Bible class begins Sunday, Oct 5, 9:30 am, at Glenridge Middle School. RSVP to Richard Hostetter: grhostetter@gmail.com. If you would like to come and need child care, contact Amy Heidmann: ames83077@gmail.com. 
• Food Truck Event and Fall Festival Oct 19 after church in Blue Jacket Park (just outside of our worship area). Fun and food for all ages!

LBC Weekly: 9/14/14

We love it when people get to serve God in areas that relate to their gifts, their passions, and their experience. When Christians find their sweet spot, they experience great joy,and the kingdom of God advances. That’s why we’re so grateful for Dan Whaite, pictured above, with his wife Katie. Working with Matt Brubaker, Dan has started a new enterprise called Digital Acts, helping churches attract newcomers. Dan leads our digital media effort at Lake Baldwin Church, creating our new web site and helping tell our story in the city.
 
Worship This Sunday at 10:45

• Joel and Katie Pollard will be working with our musicians and vocalists to lead us in worship.
• Our Exodus series takes us to “The Outlaw,” an episode found in Exodus 2:11-22.
• We’ll interview Dan Whaite, to bring the church up to speed on new media initiatives.

 
Contacting the Church Office

• Our administrator, Terri Poulos, is on maternity leave.
• Lisa Rigsby is serving as our interim administrator.
• Contact the church office: churchadmin@lakebaldwinchurch.com.
• We are no longer using a landline type phone at the church office.

 
Digital Media at Lake Baldwin Church

• If you have skills and experience in technology, digital media, or social networking, we can use your help. Simply contact Dan Whaite: dwhaite@gmail.com.
• John Boggs produces videos for LBC. He needs video assistants, especially as he prepares to shoot a welcome video on September 27. If you’d like to help, contact John: pretentious.filmmaker@gmail.com.
• Check out the new web site: www.lakebaldwinchurch.com. Go there to catch up on video sermons; access our church directory; give on-line; view the events calendar; and more.
• Sign up for the on-line directory. Get contact info; update your profile; view your giving records; and more: http://www.lakebaldwinchurch.com/lbc-database/
• Be sure to “like” Lake Baldwin Church on Facebook.

 
Save the Date!

• Sept 26: Hospitality Event. Dinners hosted by elders and wives in their homes. Everyone invited! If you are a member, your elder will send you an invitation. If you are not yet a member, RSVP to: Mike.Tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com. 
• Oct 5: First Sunday of our new class, “Not By Bread Alone,” taught by Richard Hostetter, Mike Glodo, and Jim Cunningham. At Glenridge Middle School at 9:30.
• Oct 19: Food Truck Event, right after church. Fun, games, and food! Everyone invited.

LBC Weekly: 9/7/14

You won’t want to miss our church-wide Hospitality Event, September 26 at 6:30 pm! Everyone is invited as our elders and wives host dinners around the city. We’ll have fun, good food, and a chance to enjoy the people of LBC, like Kyla O’Brien and Matt Baker, pictured above. If you are a member of Lake Baldwin Church, you will receive an invitation from your elder. If you are not yet a member, you are invited to the home of Mike and Molly Tilley. To RSVP for the dinner at the home of Mike and Molly, simply e-mail: mike.tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com. 

Worship This Sunday at 10:45
• “No Ordinary Child” from Exodus 2:1-10 & Hebrews 11:23.
• As you read these passages in advance, you might want to ask, “What do we learn about faith from this story?”
• We will feast at the Lord’s Table together.
• Joel and Katie Pollard, along with our musicians and vocalists, will be leading us in worship.
• SPLASH Kids will enjoy High Tide this Sunday.

House Concert Sept 14 from 6-8 pm
• Enjoy a relaxing evening of live music with Joel and Katie Pollard, along with our own Katie Whaite.
• This House Concert is being hosted by Bill and Kathy Seyfried, 1471 Nolan Court, Orlando, FL 32814.
• It will be an “adults only” event.

Women’s Bible Studies Begin This Week
• The Monday evening study begins with a meet and greet this Monday, 7-8:30, at the home of Janell Ray, 2717 Abbey Road, Winter Park, FL 32792.
• The Wednesday morning study kicks off this Wednesday with a brunch from 9:30 to 11:30 at the LBC Office/Hub, 1300 Lake Baldwin Lane, Orlando, FL 32814.

Please Remember to Pray
• For the mother of Julie Lynn, who is facing a cancer diagnosis.
• For the launching of fall youth group this Sunday evening.
• For worship this Sunday.

LBC Weekly: 9/1/14

Announcing: a new web site for Lake Baldwin Church! The aim is two-fold: to have a more active gathering place to serve the people of Lake Baldwin Church; and to offer a compelling introduction to LBC by new visitors at the site. Special thanks to Dan Whaite for getting the new site ready for launch, and for continuing to populate the site with useful and relevant content. Check out the new LBC web site at: www.lakebaldwinchurch.com. See below for some of the ways the web site can serve you.

Worship This Sunday at 10:45

• Exodus continues with a message from 1:15-22, “Call the Midwives.”
• It’s a story of courage. We’ll see how two women, Shiprah and Puah, change the arc of history by standing up to Pharaoh.
• We’ll also hear a modern-day story of changing the arc of history...from one of our own.

Just some of the ways the new web site will serve you

• Video sermons--keep up with the sermon series if you served in SPLASH or were out of town.
• Calendar of events--see what’s coming up at LBC.
• Find a community group and plug in.
• Secure on-line giving.
• Access our church directory. Sign up for it if you haven’t yet done so.
• Pastors’ Blog, including all 31 days of the August Call to Prayer.
• Sign up to volunteer on a once/month serving team.
• Get each week’s discussion questions for Exodus. (coming soon)
• And more…
• Check it out at www.lakebaldwinchurch.com. Bookmark it.

August Daily Prayer #29: Nativity

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

The angels always seemed to have a special enthusiasm for the birth of the Savior. What did they know, that mankind would soon hear? They called it good news. It was a great joy. It was for all the people. And was all about a Savior, Christ the Lord.

There's a cathedral in Barcelona called the Segrada Familia (Holy Family). It's been under construction for over 100 years, having been designed by the late Gaudi. Each side of the building features part of the story of Jesus. There's a whole wing devoted to the Nativity, and it stands today as a symbol of this story that has changed history.

Our fall season will culminate in Advent, a time when we will join with the angels to announce the birth of the Savior. Today, let's pray for the Advent season.

• 80% of Orlando is unchurched. Pray that God will use the Advent season, and the churches of Orlando, to announce the beauty of the Savior.
• Pray for our church preparations for this season. Pray for message preparation, for musical preparation, for our SPLASH kids, and for all who will participate.
• Pray for our Christmas Eve service, and other Advent services. These times have been wonderful for inviting people who rarely attend church. Pray for our whole congregation, and for our outreach in the community.
• Most of all, pray that our worship and celebration would reflect the jubilation of the angels and shepherds who were there for the birth of the Savior.

August Daily Prayer #28: Spiritual Growth

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

The book of 2 Peter begins and ends with an inspiring call to spiritual growth in Christ. Though we already know Jesus Christ, spiritual growth involves getting to know him better. This includes growth in our understanding of Christ, as well as our experience of his grace. What a simple and beautiful road map for the growth of every follower of Christ!  It's good for all of us to ask the question, "What is the next step for my growth in Christ?"

This fall, Lake Baldwin Church will offer numerous opportunities for growth "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" Let's bathe these opportunities in prayer, and let's pray that the people of LBC will press on to spiritual maturity.

• Pray for the new 12-week class beginning Oct 5, taught by Richard Hostetter and others. It will be an overview of the Bible, where "heart knowledge" and "head knowledge" will be experienced.
• Pray for renewed and new small groups being launched next month. Pray that these groups will be environments for growth in grace and knowledge of Christ.
• Pray for our elders who shepherd the flock, as they nudge us all in the direction of growth in Christ. 
• Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit in the use of the "ordinary means of grace:" worship, the preaching of the Word, communion, and community. Pray that the Spirit will work mightily to bring about growth in grace and knowledge for all of us this fall.
• Pray for our children and youth, who will also experience opportunity for growth in grace and knowledge in SPLASH and youth group. 
• Healthy growth involves head, heart, and hands. Pray that our church will increase in head knowledge, in heart passion for Christ and others, and in action as we obey and serve Jesus.
• Most of all, pray that love for God and others would increasingly be our experience as the gospel of Jesus Christ continues to transform us, individually and as a church.