Copeland ministers in vacation land

Page 27 at the following link: CSU Magazine - Winter 2007

Thanks Charleston Southern University for a great ICO ad!

The Christmas Dance - by Peter

Hey, I just made a total elf of myself with my New Christmas Dance. This is never seen before footage with me all decked out in my Elf garb and ready to be on Dancing with the Stars. Check it out by clicking the link below.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1219667753

the wind is cool

It has been difficult all day thinking & knowing that it is already December 1st!

Here is a little november catch up for all those wondering:
- the second weekend of the month, i met my parents in new orleans and enjoyed an extended weekend visit exploring the city, good eats, and well a bargain here and there
- i returned from new orleans for two days at the south carolina baptist state convention in florence, and it was a good opportunity to see friends and pastors in ministry
- then, i was in atlanta for the national youth workers convention, youth specialties, where i was recruiting youth pastors and leaders to come to myrtle beach for their '08 mission trips. while at the conference, i was able to join third day-chris tomlin-shane and shane-phyllis tickle-doug fields in worship
- i spent thanksgiving in columbia with just my parents, and of course after-thanksgiving shopping
- this past week todd and i were able to be part of the association of resort and leisure ministries (arlm) conference in ocean city, maryland. what a stupendous opportunity to meet brothers and sisters in Christ who are sharing in my specialized area of ministry all over north america

NEPAL:
I will be leading a team of 10 people next wednesday the 12th to the country of nepal and return late on sunday the 23rd. Most of us will be prayer-hiking up and around the mountain doing ministry and distributing small gifts to children, while a few others will be doing medical clinic type of ministry. Please pray!

USC:
Most of you know how much i love USC Gamecocks, yes - there is only one USC. They started decent, then got better, and ended still unsure of who the quarterback is. Fumbles, turnovers, and lack of quarterback proved a 6-5 record for 2007. We need to get better, and Spurrier needs to make some better decisions. The lost against Clemson was his fault. Bowden would have been at fault for Clemson if they had lost. The so-called palmetto bowl was lost by both coaches, Clemson just ended the game with the "W" on their side.

FINALLY:
I am telling as many retailers, hair-cutters, fast-food and restaurant workers... MERRY CHRISTMAS. I hope you will remember the REASON for this wonderful CHRISTMAS SEASON. Praise the Lord above, that he is the GOD WITH US - IMMANUEL!

Interesting political 411

I received the below information in an email from a friend of mine. I am hoping all the information is correct since I have no way of verifying it:
"Senator Barack Obama, Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin stand during the national anthem.Barack Hussein Obama's photo (that's his real name)......the article said he REFUSED TO NOT ONLY PUT HIS HAND ON HIS HEART DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, BUT REFUSED TO SAY THE PLEDGE.....how can a man like this expect to be our next Commander-in-Chief????"

October's autumn

I have always been intrigued by the season of autumn, maybe it's the name but I found in my life that this special season each year is a time of reflection, evaluation, and motivation.

I recently spoke on the campus at North Greenville University and challenged students with the Deuteronomy 6:1-13, and how before we can love anyone or anything else, we must have the understanding that God, first and foremost, should be the love of our life. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind!"

I don't know about you, but the more news I watch, the more advertising for self I see, and the more our world becomes so self-centered, I am to the point I'm no longer shocked. Maybe that is good and maybe that is bad. I just don't know.

For the past week I have watched fire after fire in California, and just Sunday early morning, a house with college students caught a blaze and students lives were taken. Why the taking of lives? Why the taking of homes that mean so much? I think when I look back at all the bad news Job received, material possessions gone, servants killed, his own sons and daughters lives taken away, Job's response amazes me. Job 1:20 says "Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground, and worshiped."

The question for us - is that our response? When life seems to throw curve balls, when we receive the bad news, when we get the bad doctor's results, or when our best friend no longer wants to hang out anymore, what do we do. Finally in Job 1:22, Job responded, "Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will return, the Lord gives the Lord takes away, Blessed be the Name of the Lord."

The question before us: do we bless the Lord at all times. I shared this story of Job very passionately this summer with our student mission teams and I can't tell you how many students paid attention to this one in particular. I told the students if they didn't have a life verse or theme for their life that Job 1:21 would be a great one.

I don't know what will happen in the days ahead. I don't know what catastrophe may happen in my own life. I don't know necessarily why God allows certain things to happen to certain people. And I don't know why these crazy things we hear of and see today affect so many people around, but what I know is God is listening for His children, ready to forgive his people, standing ready to help in times of need, and always ready to love.

No matter what, no matter when, no matter where, no matter who - bless the name of Jesus!

Soldier's mom finds Silly String shipper

After months of frustration, a mother of a soldier in Iraq has found someone to ship about 80,000 cans of Silly String to the troops, who use the foamy substance to detect trip wires on bombs.

"I am so happy right now, I am shaking. I just think it's awesome that it's finally going," Marcelle Shriver said as boxes were loaded into a truck Monday afternoon.

The thousands of cans of Silly String are boxed and addressed to individual servicemen and servicewomen in Iraq. But since the string comes in an aerosol can, it is considered a hazardous material, and only certain companies can ship it.

Thom Campbell, one of the founders of Capacity LLC, a New Jersey-based shipping company experienced in hazardous materials, heard about Shriver's problem and decided to help out.

Shriver and Campbell communicated for weeks by phone and e-mail but met for the first time Monday when the boxes were picked up. Each praised the other for making the shipment a reality.

"The determination that she's shown over a year ... deserves to be honored," Campbell said. "Mine is not a glamorous industry nor is it the kind of industry you get a lot of opportunities to do something like this."

Shriver had been storing the boxes in this community across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. They will be inspected by the company and then delivered to the United States Postal Service for transport with other letters and packages bound for Iraq.

Shriver's Silly String campaign began late last year after her son, Todd, a soldier in Ramadi slated to leave Iraq in November, asked his parents to send cans of the product.

Soldiers can shoot the substance, which travels about 10-12 feet, across a room before entering. If it hangs in the air, that indicates a possible trip wire.

Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a military spokesman in Iraq, said recently that Shriver's efforts are appreciated, but that commanders decide which items troops need. He said the spray was used heavily in the early stages of the conflict but is not as widely needed today.

"If commanders on the ground are screaming that we need this stuff, we'll get it to them," Garver said.

Shriver, 58, got one shipment of 40,000 cans out in January through the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove in Pennsylvania but officials told Shriver they didn't know when they'd have more flights headed to Iraq and didn't have space to store the boxes. McGuire Air Force Base declined to take the shipment.

Despite her frustrations, Shriver said the Silly String campaign was worth it.

"If this saves one life, I'm happy," Shriver said.

-Rebecca Santana, Associated Press

Books are for Bookshelves and Reading - part 2

On my recent trip to Kenya, I have been able to finish some of the books I was reading and to read another one in it's entirety. (Look a few posts down to see part 1):

Books I have read:

Here is to LSU!

A picture for the only season lost at Death Valley in 2008. Thanks LSU!

Convergent

[The four] marks of a convergent church, as reflected in 1 Thessalonians 1 are:

1. missional focus to worship that recaptures the wonder of God

2. theology that brings together the Gospel message, culture and church

3. ethics that impact the community; evangelism that matches a transformed life

4. a lifestyle that attracts converts.


- Dr. Alvin Reid, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Books are for Bookshelves and Reading!

Since graduating from seminary nine months ago, I have slacked off on my reading skills. Not because I hate reading, I was just so full of reading I needed a break. So here we go....

The only book I've read in it's entirety:

A couple of the books I'm reading:

Prayer Network

Tonight, we had our Prayer of Dedication service in one of our associational churches. I was asked to lead in a prayer for God's favor upon every effort of our new prayer network, and for God to be glorified and His kingdom furthered. Below is the prayer (I actually wrote out, yes, totally new for me) I prayed on behalf of associational staff for this new prayer network. I thought this was worth putting up.

"Father as we have assembled here together tonight united together in your Spirit, we wait anxiously for you work and the moving of your Spirit in our efforts to network and pray for our association and all of Horry County. We pray fervently this evening that you oh God would find favor with us in the days ahead as we diligently and attentively work for Your glory, honor, fame, and kingdom in every part of this prayer endeavor. Our hearts desire is to see you work in the lives of everyone involved in this network, that you would call others to join us in this prayer initiative, and you Sovereign King of Kings and Lord of Lords would receive all recognition, honor, and praise. Make us your people with a clear focus of prayer for those around us, but also a prayer of repentance for those sins in our lives that do not bring you glory and praise. Together, we expect you to do great and mighty things in our meager yet humble efforts through this prayer network. Father tonight, would you bring your kingdom here to Horry County, to our Waccamaw Association, and to each invidual heart and life in this network. May your kingdom be furthered, your Gospel be advanced, and your presence be felt as we seek to pursue you in this special way in our lives. May our affections be set on the joy you have to offer to us as we seek to glorify you in our lives. Amen"

What others are saying about ICO

I am writing to recommend to all South Carolina Baptists one of the best mission trips I have ever been on right here in our own backyard.

Intracoastal Outreach is absolutely one of the most effective and well-organized groups touching people with the love of Christ in the Myrtle Beach area, as well as tourists from all over the world. They require a training class, and they allow you to choose the ministries that your group would like to accomplish.

Our group from Summerton Baptist Church participated in conducting a children’s day camp at Myrtle Beach Travel Park each day. We also had an afternoon of presenting the gospel via Frisbees on the beach, handing out “hospitality bags” to hotel and motel workers, and conducting a “block party” at a low-income multi-housing facility. Not only did we touch people with the love of Christ, we also came home with some ideas that we can incorporate in our local missions efforts.

Todd Wood, Peter Copeland, Kim Mitchell and the staff of college students worked very hard to make our experience the best, and it was. The staff provided worship services each night and assisted us with every ministry and missions activity that we participated in. I enthusiastically recommend Intracoastal Outreach for your next mission trip. Their Web site is www.intracoastaloutreach.org.

Waccamaw Baptist Association and the North American Mission Board have done well in making Intracoastal Outreach a tool to reach people for Christ from all over the world, right here in South Carolina.

- Robert Pierce, Pastor of Summerton Baptist Church in Summerton, South Carolina

Published August 3, 2007, Baptist Courier (http://www.baptistcourier.com/1781.article)

ICO update 06-17-07

On the eve of mission week three, I thought I would write a few notes and lessons I've learned this summer both as mission speaker and staff supervisor.

The aim for our services each night for our student mission groups is to expound on the knowledge and need to be satisfied in Christ, and in Christ alone. On Sunday night we look into the very life of Enoch, a man who walked with God. On Monday we look at Job and how even in the midst of uncertainty and difficult situations, he was a man who feared God. Wednesday night we reflect on not only the call of Moses but that he in fact asked to see the "glory of God" and how God hid him in the cleft of the rock allowing Moses to be a man who saw God (well his back really). Thursday night has been our creative service and we have closed the week declaring that without Christ, life is meaningless. That life in and of itself is nothing apart from the fulfillment, joy, unity, and contentment that we find in Christ's satisfaction.

Seeing as I am 8 to 3 years of age apart from "my" summer missionaries, it has been a growing experience for all of us. I find myself saying often... "As your supervisor do this (fill in the blank), but as your friend and brother in Christ do (fill in the blank)." The past couple of weeks have been difficult not only professionally but also personally, and they have been so greatfully caring and loving through it all. Just last week over 8 people received Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives, and I prayerfully thank God for His working and moving them to take the Gospel Message to the ministry sites, beach walks, and evening services we share with our mission groups.

I will try to write more as time allows and as the Lord continues to show His will and speak to me.

Good night - Peter

Goodbye Falwell

In the tribute and funeral for Brother Jerry Falwell,

"'Vines noted that Falwell knew the 'will of God, the work of God and the welcome of God,' and that Falwell had a 'three-fold anointing of God.' One was as a prophet to the United States and 'not just some preacher who decided he would dabble into politics.' Another role was as an educator, said Vines, who said he would belabor the well-known story of Liberty University, but invited everyone to 'look around.' The third role was as a pastor. 'God used this man to build a Gospel-preaching church. [Falwell] was a mega-church pastor before mega-churches were cool,' Vines said."

May God be with the Falwell and Liberty University Family during this time.

found online at: http://www.baptistpress.org/BPnews.asp?ID=25697

Summer 2007

~PLEASE PRAY FOR ICO THIS SUMMER~

Will you please pray for Intracoastal Outreach this summer. Our summer missionary staff will begin Friday, May 25th at noon and go through orientation and training till our first summer group arrives on Sunday, June 3rd. We will minister for ten weeks this summer on the beach, in apartment complexes, campgrounds, neighborhood block parties, and in a myriad of ministry locations.

We have over 550 volunteers coming to serve with us from all over the USA and we are excited about what God is going to do through our ministry, labor, sacrifice, and selfless-ness. Each Tuesday in June and July we will serve over 150 lifeguards and build relationships with them. Our desire is that each lifeguard will have a one-on-one opportunity with our summer staff to not only hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but also to accept His amazing gift of salvation.

You may not be able to come, visit, or bring a group this summer, but you sure can pray for us.

Thank-you ahead of time for your prayers, and we look forward to letting you know how God will use all of us for His glory and name this summer in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!

www.intracoastaloutreach.org

Charleston Southern U. Says It Lost $10-Million in Economics Professor's Swindle

Federal authorities have accused a locally prominent economics professor at Charleston Southern University of fraud, alleging that he bilked about 300 investors through three investment companies he runs. His college is among those that say they lost money, and it has sued the professor, his wife, and their companies, claiming a loss of $10-million.

Meanwhile, the professor, Albert E. Parish Jr., has reportedly been hospitalized, after telling acquaintances that he had amnesia, according to a report in The Post and Courier, a newspaper in Charleston.

University officials could not be reached for comment on Friday, as the institution appears to have been closed for the Good Friday holiday.

The newspaper reported that in Charleston Southern's lawsuit, filed on Thursday, the university said it had given Mr. Parish $10-million to invest over the past five years, relying on his "oral representation and alleged expertise."

The amount of the university's claimed loss is equal to about one-quarter of its annual operating budget. The Baptist institution enrolls about 2,500 undergraduates and 300 master's-level students. The current value of its endowment, if any, could not be determined on Friday. But as of 2003, it was worth about $10.6-million.

Mr. Parish, who also directs the university's Center for Economic Forecasting, could not be reached for comment at several numbers found for him, including those listed on a Web site for one of his companies, Parish Economics LLC. (The Web site does include a caricature of Mr. Parish, showing him as a superhero cartoon character called "Economan.")

The Post and Courier, where Mr. Parish, 49, sometimes published a column, described the South Carolina native as a "local whiz kid" who was well known in the community for the investing tips he would give out in local speeches and for the economic forecasts he gave regularly to the Charleston Area Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Through the forecasting center, a joint project between the university and the chamber, Mr. Parish also commented on national economic trends. (His latest prediction, updated on March 29 on the center's Web site, which appears to have been taken down over the weekend, said that "over all the forecast is pretty good for 2007.")

According to a civil-fraud lawsuit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission in the federal district court in Charleston, Mr. Parish, Parish Economics, and a third company he owned -- Summerville Hard Assets LLC -- have been "grossly misrepresenting investors' returns and assets" since at least January 2005.

The SEC complaint, which cites five counts of fraud, says Mr. Parish and Parish Economics, which began operating investment funds in 1986, lied to investors about rates of returns on investments "to lure new investors to the funds and to lull those already invested into a sense of security."

The lawsuit says that the funds purported to have assets of about $134-million but that, "without disclosure to the investors, virtually all of the assets of the funds have been dissipated."

written by:
Mary Torretta
Editor-in-Chief, 2007-2008
Federal Circuit Bar Journal

The Most Important Thing

THE FOLLOWING CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AT AN AMAZING EVANGELISTIC SITE TO HELP YOU SHARE THE GOSPEL AT WWW.MOSTIMPORTANTTHING.COM:
The Most Important Thing to Peter Copeland

Thank you for taking time to respond to the card I left you. The most important thing in my life is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I made a decision when I was eight years old at a summer camp to follow Jesus. The past 17 years since I made that decision has been a moving experience.

In a world of open ended questions and when people are finding their purpose in the world, I am reminded that God loves me and you with an amazing and unconditional love. No matter what you have done or the things you are doing now, Jesus Christ loves you and has a plan for your life.

On the right side of this page is a symbol in red that reads "CROSS". I encourage you to click on the icon and read how you can have an abundant and fulfilling life in Jesus Christ like I have today. Thanks for reading about my most important thing, and I pray that your most important thing is found today in a relationship with Jesus!

Check out my church, Waccamaw Baptist Association.

as Mardi Gras 2007 comes to an end...

Tonight at midnight the parade is over, the people stagger back to their residence, and the trashmen come out. As the clock strikes twelve the fun throwing beads and king cakes end as it comes time to clean up all the mess.

Oh how we need the same clean up in our hearts everyday. Oh how important it is to confess before the Lord the mistakes, faults, the dropped balls, missed opportunities, areas where we just flat-out fail, and sin everyday.

I'm so glad I am loved by a God who forgives and forgets. I'm so glad that I've been called to serve in the midst of uncertainty and open-ended questions. Even mardi gras can be a time of reflection and realization.

REJECTED

Growing up the word "rejected" meant loser. And boy did I feel like one VERY often. But I guess I know how the usual super-bowl party churches feel now. Recent news of how churches (in particular) are unable to show the "big game" if their televesions and/or screens are more than 55 inches, is ABSURD.

One of the things I really hate in ministry is the word "rejected" or the word "denied". Granted the words may cause church splits in the area of services and styles of worship, but here we see the NFL (also known as the 'no fun league' by some) trying to crack down on the televising of their game. A recent report I found here gives some grave details in to this new phenomenon on cracking down for the 'big game'.

Once again, another organization is trying to deplete the ministries of the local church. Well i'm sure the ACLU is loving this one, because it is usually them who have to get Baptist feedback for ridiculous charges and accusations they try to pin on Baptists. I think this goes to show that our MESSAGE of the GOSPEL should never ever change, but the METHODS by which we share must continually engage a culture that is far more into themselves then other people around them.

But this isn't just a Baptist thing, many churches of all denominations hold these type of outreach events, whether in a small home or church facility. And by the way, bars are ok because they charge a cover according to the UN-FUN FOOTBALL LOSERS. But i got news for them, i passed a sports bar/grille on my way to church and they advertised "NO COVER".

What do you think bloggers?

ps. 212-450-2000 is the NFL number and the commissioner's name is Roger Goodell

Thinking

Tomorrow will conclude about 4 weeks here at Intracoastal Outreach. Todd and I are so excited about this that we are headed to a collegiate conference to recruit for summer staff. hahaha:)

My vision for the next years while I serve and minister in Myrtle has been this: To empower, excite, and equip local churches to do the Great Commission through the Great Commandment.

Yes, it is easy to go and teach, baptize, disciple, and always remember that the Lord is with us wherever we go. But how hard is it do those things in and with love? People are the essence for which we do ministry both in and out of the local church. If we don't love people, we can never fully do ministry effectively, so the question I ask myself is do I love people.

"Hear O Israel the Lord are God is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Sounds easy but man is it hard! To love God means to love Him with EVERYTHING!

just thinking...

What do you think?

TOP 10 PREDICTIONS for 2007:

1. The Bible will still have the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

From the Newsletter

Greetings Beloved!

I'm sitting on 4th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach, SC, just to the left of the First Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach all cozy and feeling great. Today was the first big day of my new position here and an affirming goodbye to class and textbooks for atleast two full years. I am still unpacking and of course getting acquainted to all the new information, numbers, files, and operating systems that keep Intracoastal Outreach in order. We had our first ICO staff meeting this morning, lunch at the christian chicken, errands, and then back for a full afternoon of getting adjusted and doing some things around the office. So life is as the slogan goes "Life is Good".

This past weekend was a blessing to be with my girl and my parents as we ate, watched football (great win USC Gamecocks), shopped, flea-marketed, and played board/card games. Pray for Kate as she endures another semester at seminary and 4 hours away from me! I am looking forward to traveling as the position will have me away probably a dozen times this year. Maybe I can catch up on some of the books i got for a really good deal at lifeway and never got to reading. Forget the resolutions this New Year, I am going to continue to worship God in everything I do (i.e. 1 Corinthians 10:31).

Well just a little blip about me and how i'm doing after the kamikaze last couple of weeks of exams, graduating, christmas, moving, new years, and the start of my first ever full-time position in ministry. Keep posted weekly on my blog. For those with my ICO cell number, please call it during the hours of 8AM-9PM as I am on an unlimited minute SunCom plan with it.

May this year be a year for you to WORSHIP in Spirit and in Truth at ALL times. Just because I am out of the classroom does not mean take me off your prayer list. Keep praying for me and the opportunities to worship the Creator here in Myrtle. Everytime your feet hit sand, lift up a prayer for me PLEASE,