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McCaslin to KBC: Do Something You've Never Done
11/17/2010
LEXINGTON – Kentucky Baptists focused on the future during last night’s final session of the 173rd Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Baptist Convention held at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington.
The theme of this year’s meeting was "Connecting Generations in Christ."
Upward Sports founder and president Caz McCaslin encouraged participants and coaches involved in the Christ-centered basketball, soccer, flag football and cheerleading leagues before addressing KBC messengers and guests.
"This state is reaching more children through Upward Sports than any other state per capita," McCaslin told Kentucky Baptists.
More than 200 KBC congregations offer the sports leagues as a way to meet members of their communities who perhaps do not attend church or never have heard the gospel.
Each year, an average of 22 people, mostly children, accept Christ as their Savior through the 3,200 Upward Sports ministries in 46 states.
Prior to the evening session, local Upward coaches, participants and parents attended "Upward Family Fun Night" at Immanuel Baptist. They enjoyed a pizza supper, games and jumping on inflatables.
Boys and girls then entered the sanctuary dribbling basketballs and soccer balls, demonstrating some of the athletic skills they have learned through Upward.
What they have learned spiritually is more important, McCaslin said.
Referencing a survey by George Barna, McCaslin said, "the vast majority of people who come to know Jesus Christ do so between the ages of 5 and 13.
"By the time the child turns 14 years old, he’s decided everything he needs to know about God," he continued, paraphrasing the study. "Ninety-eight percent will take that belief all the way to the grave."
Using the acronym "AIR," McCaslin said churches must be "aware, intentional and ready," if they are to fulfill Christ’s mandate to share the gospel with others.
"We have to be aware that there are lost people all around us. We have to be intentional about going after them."
Genuine concern for others is key, he said, adding that most people "are looking for friends, not necessarily a friendly church."
McCaslin said churches must be ready to do a good job hosting programs such as Upward Sports. "The ‘R’ could be a big tragedy if we didn’t do it. We’d better be ready."
Churches must be willing to try new things to reach their neighbors and the world with the gospel.
"If you want something you’ve never had, then you’re going to have to do something you’ve never done," McCaslin told Kentucky Baptists.
Also in the evening session:
The results of that afternoon’s election of KBC second vice president were announced. Greg Nimmo, director of missions of Crittenden Baptist Association, was elected, receiving 178 of the 293 votes cast. Also running was Jim Clontz, director of missions of South District Baptist Association.
Nimmo was nominated by T.J. Francis, pastor of First Baptist Church of Walton. Clontz’s nomination was made by Choe Sergent, associate pastor of First Baptist Church of Junction City.
At the evening session, KBC Secretary Wilma Simmons reported that 1,184 messengers had registered during the day along with 174 non-messenger church members and 13 visitors. The messenger counts in recent years are: 840 in 2009, 804 in 2008, and 942 in 2007.
The Kentucky Baptist Convention is a cooperative missions and ministry organization made up of nearly 2.400 autonomous Baptist churches in Kentucky. A variety of state and worldwide ministries are coordinated through its administrative offices in Louisville, Ky., including: missions work, disaster relief, ministry training and support, church development, evangelism and more.
Release prepared by Dannah Prather, Marketing & Media Relations Associate
The Kentucky Baptist Convention is a cooperative missions and ministry organization made up of nearly 2.400 autonomous Baptist churches in Kentucky. A variety of state and worldwide ministries are coordinated through its administrative offices in Louisville, including: missions work, disaster relief, ministry training and support, church development, evangelism and more. For more, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
