HOUSTON?Each week, the “bar hoppers” visit their brothers and sisters, who live in 6-foot by 9-foot cells separated by quarter-inch metal walls.

The Less Than the Least Ministry, a para-church outreach of Sagemont Baptist Church in Houston, has ministered to those behind bars since 1999, when God opened the doors at Sagemont to start a prison ministry. Today, they have 88 state-approved volunteers, otherwise known as bar hoppers, who visit prisoners across Texas.

“We exist to build a continually growing team of called volunteers to present the gospel to those who are incarcerated,” said Zeke Young, founder of the Less than the Least Ministry. “Not all of the volunteers work consistently because of their busy lifestyles. Some of them only go every now and then, but they stay faithful to serve.” Either way, the ministry seeks to recruit and train volunteers to go into the prisons and minister to those behind bars.

Volunteers are vital to the existence of this ministry and others throughout Texas. The Texas legislature recently reduced funding for prison chaplains, making it impossible to fulfill all the needs of each unit. But Less than the Least has succeeded in reaching out through their volunteers to share the gospel.

“Since 1999, we have led 250-300 inmates to the Lord,” Young said.

This ministry’s job is not easy, though. They deal with men and women who are murderers, thieves, and rapists. “These guys appreciate us coming in there,” Young said. “I’ve seen some of the biggest, baddest guys on their knees giving their lives to the Lord Jesus.”

Young recalled the life of one Christian inmate who would send him to witness to other inmates and would pray with him before he entered the cellblock. “He would say, ‘Brother Zeke, go and visit that man down in cell number 8. He needs Jesus.’ But things got to be too much for him and he committed suicide.” After the convict’s death, Young and Sagemont Church planned a burial for the man and a service for his family. During that time of mourning, the former inmate’s two daughters were saved. In turn, victory did come through their father’s relationship with the Less than the Least Ministry, Young noted.

There is joy inside the prison walls of the units visited by the Less than the Least Ministry. Volunteers come each week to lead the inmates in worship, drama, singing, and other activities. Each year, the ministry hosts a contest for the inmates and chooses the top 15 essays and paintings from the entries. Each winner receives $50 donated by Sagemont Church.

The state has also started a pre-release program, Interchange Freedom Initiative, led by Less than the Least volunteers. Tony Minchew, a Sagemont member and volunteer for Less than the Least, said mentoring inmates is a critical part of the ministry. Minchew discusses with inmates current events and issues to help them develop a Christian worldview.

An important aspect of the Less than the Least Ministry has been its radio ministry, which began more than two years ago. KIVY reaches 22 prisons in and around the Huntsville area and within a 60-mile radius. This one-hour program features Zeke and his faithful companion, Alma Goeman, otherwise known as “Grandma” to the inmates. “At the end of the program, I say a prayer of salvation so God can move into their cells and work in their hearts,” said Grandma Alma. “They are lonesome, bitter, homesick and they are searching for someone to lead in the right direction.”

In addition to the radio program, Less than the Least produces a newsletter, Frontlines Chronicle, where convicts are encouraged to write articles and columns. This newsletter gives inmates the chance to witness to other inmates and utilize their talents. The Less than the Least Ministry is equipping inmates with biblical principles for everyday living for those who will be released and for those who are lifetime prisoners. Teams of convicts are teaching precept Bible studies, witnessing and praying for their fellow inmates while in prison, Minchew said.

“God has blessed us with wonderful volunteers, but we are in the worst state that we have ever been when it comes to volunteers,” Minchew said. “This ministry is growing rapidly and we are looking for people to help on the outside and the inside of the prisons that have media skills, secretarial skills, who are prayer warriors, and more.”

Not only is this ministry searching for people with specific skills, but also volunteers are needed to minister to the families of those incarcerated. “We are to show a loving God to a watching prisoner, their victims, and their families,” Minchew said. There is much help needed also among women inmates throughout Texas prisons.

Grandma Alma started the women’s section of this ministry with a band of women volunteers known as the Angels in Disguise. This group visits the women’s prisons throughout Texas to teach sewing classes, minister to the inmates, and stick around to counsel the family members of those incarcerated. Grandma Alma’s biggest blessing is playing the role of “grandmother” to several thousand inmates each month, she said.

“Something about a grandma makes them think back to their grandmothers and it’s something special. I didn’t know what God wanted me to do in this ministry, but it really touches my heart to be able to minister

DALLAS?The Criswell Theological Review (CTR), a publication of The Criswell College, is being revived after 10 years. Prior to its ending publication in the early 1990s, CTR was considered one of the premier theological journals among academics.

The journal, which reappears with a spring issue, will include articles by scholars across the spectrum of evangelicalism.

The theme for the spring issue is “Open Theism and Inerrancy: Are They Compatible?” It will feature articles by Bruce Ware, Clark Pinnock, Boyd Luter and Steve Lempke, plus two interviews with Darrell Bock and Norm Geisler, both former presidents of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS). Bock and Geisler will offer different perspectives on the recent Openness controversy within ETS and explain its ramifications on the Southern Baptist Convention.

Future CTR issues will cover such timely theological topics as the Third Quest, the New Perspective, the Kingdom of God, and Church Polity, among others. Each issue will also include peer-evaluated book reviews to inform its readers of the current selections available from the publishers.

Editor Alan Streett is accepting inquiries from those wishing to write book reviews. He can be contacted at astreett@criswell.edu.

CTR will be published semi-annually in the fall and spring of each academic year. Subscription rates are $20 per year. Texas readers are being offered a special rate of $25 for a two-year subscription. Subscription inquiries should be sent to CTR, The Criswell College, 4010 Gaston Ave., Dallas 75246.

In one evangelistic effort, 253 salvation decisions recorded.

By Bonnie Pritchett

TEXAN Correspondent

HOUSTO–The New England Patriots took home the Super Bowl trophy Feb. 1, but the real winners were those who gave their lives to Christ because of hundreds of volunteers involved in the Super Bowl Evangelism Project. The project was a joint effort of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, dozens of Texas churches and the North American Mission Board.

In one evangelistic effort alone there were 253 salvations recorded, project officials said.

The ICE Team (Inner City Evangelism Team) of eight people from San Antonio canvassed Houston streets in the days prior to the big game. Tourists and locals flocked downtown, the site of nightly block parties organized by the Super Bowl Host Committee of Houston and private enterprises. Looking for fun, many revelers found something much better–a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Game day featured “Watch Parties” in churches and homes in the Houston area, supplanting beer and car commercials with taped interviews of Christian members of the NFL’s Houston Texans. Former NFL players like Derrick Harris of the Rams and Chargers and Tyrone Smith of the 49ers testified of their experiences as professional athletes and as Christians. At least 26 salvations were reported in just three of the “Watch Parties.”

Roy Guel, volunteer coordinator for the project, said the ICE Team helped converts report their decision to accept Christ as savior. The names and addresses of the individuals will be placed in a data bank, Guel said, and sorted according to where they live. Area churches will be notified of the new believers and asked to follow up on them. LifeWay Christian Resources has also committed to sending discipleship literature to each person.

Churches also had party participants register their attendance and those individuals and families will be contacted by the church or mission center if they have no church affiliation.

Kids and families gathered at Joy Fellowship, a Baptist mission center in southeast Houston, to watch the game on a 12-foot projection screen. The center hosts Kids Clubs activities throughout the week and many of kids attending the party are regular visitors to the center. Brothers Wilber and Alejandro Amoro, ages 12 and 10, said they enjoy the playtime they get during the after-school club. They also said the Bible studies were fun.

The boys and a few dozen other kids and adults watched the game and the specially produced “Watch Party” videos. Houston Texan football players and team owner Bob McNair gave their testimonies in 120 second increments–just enough time to run during commercial breaks. During halftime, adults and children watched athletes explain the plan of salvation via video. Pastors and party organizers supplemented the message to make it personal to their audiences.

At U.P.T.O.W.N. Fellowship in southwest Houston, Derrick Harris spoke to the crowd of 100-plus following the halftime video presentation. For years he said he had been asking God to work for him–to get him on a pro team, to keep him there, and provide him with career opportunities. But once cut from the Rams–a season in which they made it to the Super Bowl–Harris said he realized the life of a Christian wasn’t about what God could do for him, but how he should be serving God.

That message was given to kids and adults who had come together for free food, the game on a projection screen TV, and good-natured competition.

U.P.T.O.W.N. Pastor Sammy Lopez said although there were no obvious decisions made during the party, the event served a good purpose. He said the party was a success in that it helped introduce visitors to the church and, he hoped, would draw them into the congregation and a relationship with Christ. The 2-year-old, multi-cultural congregation is about to outgrow its use of the chapel and will soon be meeting in the church gym, Lopez said.

One of the major goals of the Super Bowl Evangelism Project is to plant seeds and help churches learn how to reach out to their communities. One such church is Cloverleaf Baptist Church. Once a neighborhood of Anglo families living and worshipping on the outskirts of Houston, the 62-year-old church was on the verge of shutting down just months ago. The neighborhood has changed dramatically and is now primarily Hispanic and lower income. But the church stayed predominantly white. With few, if any, new members from among the new neighbors, Cloverleaf Baptist Church was dwindling in number and aging in membership.  As of last fall there were no children attending the church.

But sponsorship from Sagemont Church in Houston breathed new life into the congregation and bi-vocational Pastor Alan Hughes is very pleased with the results.  The children’s worship hour now has 18 members with eight of them making a profession of faith.

The Super Bowl project gave the church, with assistance from Sagemont, the occasion to reach out to the community.  Revivals were held Jan. 28-30.  A children’s carnival drew kids and their families from the neighborhood Jan. 31.  And a “Watch Party” underneath the big top of the carnival tent capped off the week for the members and volunteers at Cloverleaf.

Hughes said, “As a church it challenges us.”  He said it gets members involved in ways that they might not have otherwise.  “I’m excited about this because we want to give back to the community.”

On the northern reaches of Houston, the Farrington Mission Center opens its doors every Wednesday to the teens and young adult men who would otherwise be out on the streets, possibly getting into trouble, said center director and pastor of Farrington Baptist Church, Jerry Smith.

Smith said in addition to the one salvation Super Bowl night, barriers were also torn down.  During the half-time video gospel presentation, Smith said some of the young men got up from their seats and began playing around in the back of the gym.  The pastor wanted them to pay attention to the message and approached.  He told the group many people went to a lot of trouble and spent about $2,000 on the party just for them.

A few minutes later, the group returned to their seats and were much more amicable with the pastor and others for the remainder of the evening.

“I think that impressed them,” Smith said.  Realizing that strangers troubled themselves for their sake, Smith said, had an impact.  “That attitude change is going to make a big difference.”

 

ARLINGTON–The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Executive Board on Feb. 9 unanimously elected as SBTC evangelism director Don Cass, a former evangelism director for New Mexico Baptists and a former Baptist General Convention of Texas evangelism associate.

The board met during the SBTC’s emPOWER Conference at the Arlington Convention Center. Cass was introduced to the conference after his election and will begin March 1.

Mentored by the late Carlos McLeod at the BGCT, McLeod described Cass as “a man who lives and breathes evangelism.” Cass served New Mexico Baptists for six years and has served since last summer as pastor of Pleasant Hills Baptist Church in Tyler.

SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards recommended Cass as a man who “embodies the very essence of evangelism.” Calling him a visionary strategist, Richards said Cass is not only a soul winner, but also has the gift of administration. “For the last six years he has served with distinction in New Mexico, leading the state to have one of the premier evangelism ministries in the Southern Baptist Convention.”

Claude Cone, Baptist Convention of New Mexico executive director, praised Cass’ leadership among New Mexico Baptists where attendance at the evangelism conference grew from 350 to 1,400 and youth evangelism conference participation grew from 750 to more than 2,200. Cass has written five manuals for evangelistic outreach, 16 evangelistic tracts and directed soul-winning training on state and national levels.

SBTC board member Stan Coffey of San Jacinto Baptist Church in Amarillo, recalled Cass’ training under McLeod, serving as a BGCT evangelism associate from 1988 to 1997. “That training served him well. Carlos lighted a fire in him that still burns in his heart and he longs to see evangelism conferences like that again.”

Cass will give leadership in the development and implementation of the evangelism area of the state convention’s ministry, leading churches to cooperate to accomplish evangelistic ministry.

Total Church Life Ministries Director Darrell W. Robinson, formerly of the North American Mission Board, also praised the selection. A former Texan, Robinson wrote of the need for effective evangelistic leadership in the state. “I believe Don can do the best job of anyone I know in creating a climate for evangelism in Texas again, in helping churches in strategic evangelism, in leading God’s people to reach the multitudes for Christ, and in extending the kingdom of God and bringing glory to him.”

LifeWay President James. T. Draper called Cass “a wonderful evangelistic leader whose theology is conservative and who stands for the things Southern Baptists most cherish.” Other endorsements came from Kauf-Van Baptist Association Missions Director Jerry D. Griffin of Terrell and Georgia pastor Ernest L. Easley.

Bobby Eklund, SBTC financial ministry consultant, recalled working with Cass at the BGCT. “With Don at the helm of evangelism our convention can look forward to great advancements. He will lead out in a strong emphasis on personal evangelism, spiritual awakening, as well as other phases of evangelism,” Eklund said, commending Cass’ well-balanced strategy.

“It is our sure and firm conviction that this is God’s plan for our lives,” Cass stated. “It is our prayer that God will anoint us in leading Southern Baptists of Texas to become intentional lifestyle witnesses across this great state. I am fully persuaded that the greatest days for SBTC are just ahead of us.”

Cass has extensive experience as a pastor, having served Southcrest Baptist Church of Lubbock, First Baptist Church of Tahoka and Calvary Baptist Church of Abilene. While pursuing a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Cass led churches in Aledo and Josephine. As a college student at Wayland Baptist University, Cass served churches in Plainview and Dimmitt.

“I have sought to lead churches to focus on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission,” Cass said, referring to Matt. 22:37-38 and Matt. 28:19-20. “I am committed to building up the church through preaching the word, equipping the saints, encouraging ministry and loving the people.”

SBTC Executive Board Chairman Steve Cochran observed that “God has seen fit to work the timing” of Cass’ selection during the emPOWER Conference. “I believe God has a plan for us as a convention and the answer is evangelism. Reaching souls must be premier in all we do. I know that is true in your heart, the convention’s heart and in the heart of Don Cass.”

Richards added, “We’re going to see a renewed emphasis on revival and outreach as I believe we haven’t seen in a decade or more in Texas.” Richards said he believes God will use “a man like Cass who is totally yielded up to the Holy spirit for evangelism and spiritual awakening.”

Cass proposed a goal of 3,500 attending next year’s emPOWER Conference, which is scheduled Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at First Baptist Church of Euless.  He said he hopes it grows to 5,000 or more.  In addition to seeking input from directors of missions and local pastors, Cass said, “The strongest way to do evangelism is one on one, eye to eye and face to face.  If we can equip our people around the state to win people to Jesus Christ, we’ll win this state.  It’s a doable thing.”

Asked how he would handle leaving a church he had served less than a year, Cass said, “The most difficult thing I’ve ever done was coming to a conviction that this was the will of God–that this is the right direction for me to take.”  He spoke of the time he spent with two families of the church to pray through the matter while also asking several pastor friends to pray for discernment.  “I want this to be as positive as possible for the church,” he added.

Board members surrounded Cass and prayed for him at the meeting’s close.  Coffey thanked God for his faithfulnuss in founding the convention, the progress of the past five years and anticipation of evangelistic outreach.  “We do pray for revival, for a renewal, and ask, God, that you would come down upon us and once again have a fire in our hearts and souls and beings to reach folks for Christ, to see people as Jesus saw them.”

ARLINGTON?Jack Graham, president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, challenged those attending the SBTC emPOWER Conference Feb. 9 to have a “full-throttle” passion for Christ.

In an upside down culture, Graham challenged the conference attendees to model their lives after the apostles who fought with a passion to keep their world right side up.

“A lot is changing in America and around the world,” Graham said. “We are living in a changing culture and an increasingly corrupt culture. We are to be a light shining in the darkness ? and show the world we have something so much better.”

Graham challenged Christians to have two conversions: to get out of the world at salvation, then get back into it. “We are called to get out of the world’s system and stand apart in distinctiveness for Jesus Christ. But, we are also to get back into the world, this time, with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Preaching from the book of Acts, Graham explained that Jesus is risen, redeemer, reigning, and returning king. “As we look at our culture ? we have to ask the question, ‘Why are Christians making so little impact?'”

Conference attendees were implored to understand the attitudes and passion of the apostles who were not professionals, but mere fishermen and tax collectors changed by Christ. Graham described the intense passion and fire in the hearts of Christ’s followers.

The SBC president urged believers to “wake up and smell the culture. Though the alarm sounds, Christians are hitting snooze. So the church of Jesus Christ must act.”

With the debut of Mel Gibson’s film, “The Passion of the Christ,” Graham reminded the crowd that although controversial to some, the movie brings to life what Christ did on the cross.

“This movie is not about anti-Semitism,” Graham said. “We all put Jesus on the cross. Christ laid himself down voluntarily.”

Graham’s message exhorted listeners to engage their generation for the gospel of Jesus Christ. The audience was encouraged to get fueled, ignited, and on fire for Jesus.

“So what’s missing in so many churches today?” Graham asked. “Passion. Fire.”

In a world of increasing threats and stones thrown daily at believers, Graham explained that Christians during that day faced the same persecutions.

“We’re not only to love the word of God, we’re to live the word of God. The Bible is not only a book to be learned, it is a book to be lived.”

Graham described the powerless nature of professionalism, polish, and programs among believers acting without the Holy Spirit. “The sun never sets on the work of Southern Baptists around the globe,” Graham said. “When we pray and support those missionaries around the world, we are changing the world one heart at a time.

“We know for certain that (God’s) message is the only message that can change people’s lives. We need to get fired up and get passionate about what we believe. God has called us to do the work of evangelism. We do not have to wonder what we are to be doing. Christ has clearly told us.”

PORTLAND, Ore.?Opportunities exist for Texas churches to participate in the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s partnership with Interstate Baptist Association in Portland, Ore. in the areas of construction and backyard Bible club ministry.

At Peninsula Baptist Church in north Portland, extensive work is needed on the church’s facilities. Most of the repairs are needed for insurance coverage, but the church has little money or manpower to complete the repairs. The repairs needed include:

v Water drainage near a wall;

v Gutter repair;

v Carpet re-stretch;

v Window installation;

v Floor/wall repairs in office;

v Wheelchair access to auditorium and restrooms;

v Fire door installation;

v Parsonage roof replacement.

Oregon City Baptist Church seeks help with two backyard Bible clubs in July along with possible sports camps, block parties and other evangelism and pre-evangelism during the same week.

For more information, contact Rob Penegra, new church strategist at Interstate Baptist Association, 503-452-2930 or 360-910-7797.

HOUSTON?The Houston Baptist University Mock Trial team placed third at the Quaker Classic Mock Trial Tournament held at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and the school’s yearbook and newspaper took honors at a Baptist Press student conference.

Among the mock trial teams, Princeton University won first place and Penn State University took second place. The HBU team competed against schools such as George Washington University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Columbia University.

“We had a fun experience at this tournament,” said Christopher Salinas, associate professor of speech communications and mock trial coach. “It was fantastic to see how well our students competed against students from across the country.”

Members of the team are sophomores Adam Achierno, Derrick Owens, junior Melissa Salvador and seniors Justin Kelly, Cher Cambridge, Chris Watts and Mandy Hess. And keeping up with the standard set by previous Houston Baptist University student publications, the Ornogah yearbook and the Collegian newspaper have started the year winning awards.

The Ornogah earned not only the President’s Award given to junior Megan Baumgardner at the Baptist Press Student Journalism Conference in October, but seven individual awards.

Nicole Dees, a 2003 HBU graduate, previous editor and current adviser, won first place in Art/Illustration and first place in Best Overall/Single Spread. Sophomore Jessica Smith earned first in Club/Portrait/Academic and senior Heather Mooney took second in Sports Copy.

Baumgardner won second and third place in Club/Portrait/Academic. Senior Sally Ruiz and junior Shaun Bradshaw took second place in Student Life Copy.

The Collegian also took two awards at the Baptist Press Student Journalism Conference. Senior Shauna Couri placed first in Center-Spread Design and former student Marcus Gafford took second place in Black and White Creative/Artistic Photojournalism.

The Collegian entered the Columbia Scholastic Press Association newspapercritique for the first time this year and won the Silver Medalist Award. The staff was 16 points from the Gold Medalist Award.

FORT WORTH?Tina Bell wanted the Christmas gifts for her children and nothing more. The Lord had other plans.

Bell was one of several people who testified Feb. 1 during “Restorative Justice & Community Outreach Sunday” at Glenview Baptist Church in Fort Worth of how the church and its related ministries helped lead her to saving faith and a radically different life.

Bell was a drug addict whose husband was in prison. She came to church to receive gifts for her children through the Project Angel Tree ministry of Prison Fellowship. She said she was not interested in religion, but the love of the church’s volunteers attracted her.

Not long after, she prayed to receive Christ as savior. Today, she is working in a management position at a Wal-Mart store?a miracle in itself, she said, because she had rarely held a responsible, legal job.

Roger Holler, executive pastor at Glenview, said the church began prison and restorative justice ministry in 1994 after initial involvement in Bill Glass’ prison outreach events.

The church discussed ways it could minister to inmates, parolees and families affected by imprisonment. “Mercy Heart,” a ministry to families affected by imprisonment, was born and eventually moved to a separate location off the church campus in Haltom City. Every Thursday, 35-40 people meet in a supportive environment for worship, study and fellowship.

Holler said the church knew if it were going to commit to such ministry, it would need to stay with the people involved and help them through the ups and downs of transitioning into life beyond prison.

“People quit these folks all the time,” Holler said. “That’s part of their problem.”

Glenview also sponsors a ministry that meets the practical needs of families in transition called “Family Relief Outreach” and a substance abuse overcomers group called “Mountain Movers.”

Both were birthed from Mercy Heart.

Every year 2,500 inmates are paroled back into Tarrant County, Holler noted, “So we’re helping them find jobs” and housing. He said the ministry keeps a list of employers willing to give parolees work and rental properties friendly to law-abiding ex-offenders.

A newer venture for the church is a small woodframe house that two female parolees are living in as they transition back into society. That ministry is called “New Beginnings.”

Three years ago, worship services started at the Mercy Heart facilities, Holler said. “It’s a very exciting fellowship, lots of ex-offenders. Just a great fellowship and growing and doing well.”

Sebastian Vasquez, a doctoral student at Southwestern Seminary, preaches there on Sundays.

The service Feb. 1 is an annual event to attract church members who might not have considered involvement in such a ministry. Holler said because of attrition the ministry needs 15-20 new volunteers each year out of the 80-90 who are regulars.

Holler told of an ex-offender who was saved through the ministry and has been substantially transformed. After his conversion, he went to trade school and now leads a team of heating and air conditioning technicians. He is also an usher at Glenview and one of its most active members.

“But we’re not without our failures either,” he noted. “They will sometimes crater on you. That’s why this ministry and loving accountability is so important.”