Salt and Light: Days in Haiti

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Days in Haiti

Yesterday, I read a news article reporting that the U.S. State Department had just issued an updated travel warning for U.S. travelers going to Haiti. Seems the number of kidnappings....even murder of U.S. citizens....had increased over the past year. Very troubling to hear....given how much Haiti seems to have benefited from the influx of American travelers....many of them faith-based groups seeking to help rebuild the island after the devastating earthquake. I've personally been to Haiti on two short-term mission trips and the news report got me thinking about those memorable events. I remembered that, for the June 2012 trip, I committed to keeping a daily journal...and actually did it! If you are interested in learning about what a short-term mission trip to Haiti looks like....at least from one person's perspective....follow the link and read on.

Days in Haiti Journal - June 2012

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Revitalize!

Orange Grove Baptist Church is a church in need of revitalization. Over the last 25 years, the community of Orange Grove has been hard-hit by flooding, loss of the International Paper plant, school closures and population loss. On the surface, the future does indeed look bleak. But scratch on that surface a little bit and you'll find a community that is in fact still here. And as long as there is community, there will be a role for Christ's church. People still need God....whether they know it or not. And the local church still has the power to change lives....even as it struggles to adapt and connect with a rapidly-changing world.

Orange Grove Baptist Church is not alone in its dilemma. The topic of church revitalization is a hot one within the Southern Baptist Convention because every year, hundreds of churches shut their doors forever due to a lethal combination of bad luck, changing demographics and failure to reinvent themselves. This quarter, the North American Mission Board dedicated an entire issue of ONMISSION to the topic of revitalization. Click on the image above to read the articles.

The reinvention process starts with prayer and ends with the Holy Spirit. And somewhere in the middle God uses imperfect creatures like you and me to remake the church according to His vision. It is possible for our humble church to be the salt and the light for Orange Grove.....and other communities as well. Come join us...and watch God make a difference.

About the blogger.

My name is Greg Shoemaker, pastor of Orange Grove Baptist Church in Moss Point, Mississippi. I am bi-vocational so when I'm not being the pastor at Orange Grove I spend my time as a healthcare administrator. My wife (Heidi) and I....along with with our two daughters, Erin (12) and Anna (8)....plus several dogs, cats, turtles and chickens....make our home in Hurley, Mississippi.

I recently completed a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree from Spring Hill College. I also hold an Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from University of Southern Mississippi.

My passion is teaching....and that is evident in my sermons...which tend to be "teaching style" with heavy doses of history and context.

I'm also new to ministry....a "40-something" who is trying to figure out how past life experiences can lend themselves to church leadership. Besides my own experiences, I come prepared with a solid theological education, a desire to serve and lead churches....and a willingness to say "yes" to whatever God's plan might be.

Thank you for visiting the Salt and Light blog. I hope you find the content helpful!

Salt and Light

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Days in Haiti

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Revitalize!

Manhattan Declaration

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