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Partnership Experience
By Josh Speight Since 2006, KBF and the Eglise Evangelique au Maroc (The Protestant Church in Morocco or EEAM) have enjoyed a unique and wonderful partnership. In joining with the EEAM, the KBF has the advantage of being united with a whole church (with nine parishes in Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Oujda, Fez, Meknes, Kenitra, Marrakesh, and Agadir) committed to long-term ministry in its Moroccan context. Additionally, by uniting with the EEAM, KBF joins a truly international team. The EEAM congregations are primarily composed of sub-Saharan Africans from more than 15 countries. The congregations also include Europeans, North Americans, South Americans, and Asians. Every October, KBF organizes a partnership experience to enhance our relationships. This year our trip was titled Caravan for Women and I had the privilege of journeying with 12 women from 5 KBF congregations on this Caravan. We visited 6 congregations, 10 cities, and numerous sites. At each congregation our KBF group was hosted by the womens group of the church for a meal and a shared Bible study about a woman in scripture.
Caravan for Women: 2013 KBF/Morocco Partnership articles and photos are continued on the insert.
Dear Friend, I recently re-read a little book written by Henri Nouwen, a Catholic priest, who wrote many books on spirituality. When I first saw the book a few years ago, I was surprised by the title, The Spirituality of Fundraising. Here are a few quotes from the book that give you an idea of why he says that fundraising can be a spiritual practice: Fundraising is, first and foremost, a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into [Gods] mission. To raise funds is to offer people the chance to invest what they have in the work of God. Gods Kingdom is a place of abundance where every generous act overflows its original bounds and becomes part of the unbounded grace of God at work in the world. We, at Kentucky Baptist Fellowship, are doing more than weve ever done because of generous people and churches. The combined generosity of numerous individuals and churches becomes part of the unbounded grace of God at work in the world. Lives are changed as we help churches and individuals connect with mission and ministry opportunities. But in order to continue these important ministries we need your support and the support of your church. We need to expand existing support and discover new sources of funding. Your financial support of Kentucky Baptist Fellowship is deeply appreciated AND needed. Together we can make a difference as we work to equip and empower Kentucky Baptist churches and Christians, cultivate partnerships, and engage in missions. Whether you have made a contribution in the past or not, now is the time to make a contribution to Kentucky Baptist Fellowship. Your ongoing gifts are vital as we partner with you to provide ministries beyond your local congregation. We pledge our careful stewardship of funds entrusted to us. Thank you for your prayerful consideration. Please know that I am ready and open for more conversations. Blessings, John Lepper
calendar
January 2-5: Festival of Preachers, Indianapolis, Indiana January 9-10: Re-Imagining Faith Conference, Georgetown College February 18-21: Oasis, CBF Youth Ministry Network Retreat, Montreat, NC February 24-26: CBF ChurchWorks Conference, Huntsville, Alabama March 1: KBF Winter Coordinating Council Meeting, 10:00am 2:00pm March 14-16: KBF Youth Missions Weekend, Georgetown April 25-26: KBF Spring Gathering with Suzii Paynter, Broadway Baptist Church, Louisville May 19-22: Faith Forward Conference, Nashville, TN
Pastors from the Caravan (pictured left to right): Kristin Belcher (FBC Frankfort), Susanne Jenkens (Woodland, Louisville), Miora Andriatsimalia (Agadir, Morocco), Reba Cobb (Broadway, Louisville), Becky Caswell-Speight (Broadway, Louisville), and Paula Dempsey (Alliance of Baptists).
The goal of this trip was two-fold 1) to establish a bond between the Kentucky Baptist Women in Ministry and the fledgling womens group of the EEAM and 2) to aid the EEAM as they support a national womens group in each of their congregations. Both of these goals were accomplished and are ongoing.
The partnership trip to Morocco this October was a remarkable trip for many reasons: It enhanced the bond between EEAM and KBF It created a network among women in ministry on a global scale It gave a face to the issue of migration for our group - a dilemma that more than 30,000 men, women and children face in Morocco daily It networked 12 women from 5 KBF congregations It renewed my commitment to our partnership
The Caravan for Women pose together in Ifrane at Al Akhawayn University where Karen Thomas Smith is Chaplain.
Thank you to those who participated in this years trip, to the nine KBF congregations who provide continual support to the EEAM, and to all of you who pray and engage with our brothers and sisters in Morocco.
Felicia Biggerstaff (Georgetown Becky Caswell-Speight (Broad- Baptist) watches a woman crochet at Association Al Kawtar for women way Baptist) offers the cup of with phyiscal disabilities in Christ to Sierra von Hellens (Georgetown Baptist) at closing Marrakech. worship in Rabat, Morocco.
Because love, you see, knows no barriers of language, race, politics, wealth, poverty, or any other man-made limit we could set. I learned more than I ever thought I would about the power of love, both giving and receiving, and the love of God in our fallen world. God is still here, still working, still loving through us. Perfect Love is Perfect love in any language I speak. It makes me know Im not alone, that Im not a freak. Others may not understand my words, But they can read my heart And feel the love I want to share... to give them just a part Of the love my Jesus gave to me when he took the cross of shame. The love that I feel every time I hear Him call my name.
The Caravan for Women visits the Berber women of Tarmilat who create rugs and purses for sale. Tarmilat is a personal ministry of Karen Thomas Smith.
February 24-26, 2014 First Baptist Church, Huntsville, Alabama Visit http://www.thefellowship.info/churchworks for more info
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