Connector Blog

2011-12-13T17:48:00.003-05:00

Travel Update:

This fall semester also brought many flights and miles on the Honda. Here's a brief look where...

September - Montana for a On Missions Conference (OMC)

New Orleans Seminary for seminar weekend

October - The country of Myanmar (formerly named Burma) for a mission trip

Clovis, California, to see Wil and Summer Owens

Las Vegas, Nevada, for the Association of Resort and Leisure Ministries conference

November - New Orleans Seminary for seminar weekend

Duluth, Georgia, for the Georgia Baptist State Convention

Columbia - HOME - Thanksgiving with my family

December - New Orleans Seminary for seminar weekend

Myrtle Beach, SC, to see friends and celebrate Ryan Peduzzi's 30th birthday

Mission Trip Update:

Many of you know that I have been on many mission trips overseas. The have included the countries of Mexico, Nepal, Kenya (twice), India, Wales, and in October -- Myanmar. If I had to pick the best one, it would be Myanmar. The need is great and Emanuel Ministries under the leadership and direction of Pastor Joseph was a personal encouragement and blessing from Above. Below you will see a few pictures of the Bible college students. Notice the "World Changers" bags we were able to give them so they could carry their new bibles. Along with the pictures is a recent email from Pastor Joseph regarding the events after our time with them...

Thank you very much for your present 4 books which are special inspired to help me to do His will in every day for His glory. And thanks a lot to Brother Greg Smith who has presented me ESV Bible the best gift which guide me and lead me to God' will in my daily life and make a special sermon to make the disciples.

This is unexpected and suddenly happen to the Christian toward Camplet in the mission field of Josiah. There is a bad oppression and persecution that the Buddhists firstly cut off and break off the cross by the sword what they set up on the mountain and on the church. And after that they have beaten and persecuted the men and they raped their women badly and sadly.Some of the Christian ran away into the jungle.

Nevertheless Josiah' heart is not loosen from having passion for the mission to continue in his mission field camplet and he says like prophet Isiah here am I send me Lord when God is still saying that whom shall I send and who will go for us.And then tow of graduates would be sent to another mission fields like Josiah for preaching the Gospel boldly to the unreached people. For the weather is colder day by day, I am very cold with orphans and students too.

I am so happy and I appreciate you so much for you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and His own special people to proclaim the praise of Him who called you out of the darkness into His marvelous light.Our students went up to the Mountain top and fasted for three days for Gospel outreach by tow group in Chin State and Kalay valley to Buddhist with Gospel tracts to be distributed what I have written 1. Eternity 2.Jesus is the way of eternal life. I am sending you the photos of our students' prayer on the mountain. Our students remembered you all and your family too in prayer.

Book Update:

The following books are the ones for PhD seminars I read this semester

Mission - Myanmar - Update

2011-08-24T12:54:00.004-04:00

I received the following today from Wil Owens concerning our trip:

"Exciting news from Pastor Joseph. He has been spreading the word that the Americans are coming. As a result, many Buddhists and university students want to attend the graduation to hear what we have to say! Wow! An open door for the gospel! Along those lines, Pastor Joseph wants the Great Commission to be the theme of the graduation. We will all have an opportunity to share. I plan on preaching a sermon specifically geared to "sending" the students out as missionaries. Feel free to share whatever the Lord lays upon your heart, but we can all tie everything back to the Gospel!"

Please PRAY today for our trip:

Mission Trip - Myanmar - October 1-12, 2011

2011-07-01T15:40:00.005-04:00

Plans are underway and the flights have been made...
My buddies (Wil Owens and Randy Alston) and I are going to be a part of a Bible college graduation. We will be teaching students, sharing our testimony, preaching/teaching at church services, sharing at the graduation, and witnessing in villages. Below is a picture of Pastor Joseph and Emmanual Ministries in Kalay City, Myanmar:
Books I'm working through & others I've finished this summer:

a MUCH needed update

2011-06-24T10:35:00.008-04:00

Mother's Day weekend brought the end of spring and the beginning of summer. It brought the semester to a close & we spent the long weekend in New Orleans as a family. The highlight of the weekend happened when Randy (my brother) asked Ashley to marry to him, and she replied YES! This means a June 2 (2012) wedding in Nawlins.

Below are the second half of books for the spring semester that I slacked off on putting up:

2011-02-27T16:47:00.009-05:00

Another semester... another seminar... and my first reading colloquium:

Mission India : October 1-13

2011-02-02T11:09:00.002-05:00

Time to return back to India's Hopegivers International ministry.

Before entering into my senior year in high school I went to India for my first international mission experience. IT IS TIME TO RETURN!

I hope you can join us for this incredible trip. First payment (which will determine who is going) will be $500 and is due on March 1.

Find out more about this incredible missional opportunity that will encourage the saint, the ministry, and expand the Kingdom! click here

Come on ring those bells!

2010-12-07T15:17:00.007-05:00

December brings the end of a PhD seminar, the festivities of the Christmas season, and the wrap-up of 2010 resort work for Golden Isles Ministries in the office.

In the Christmas story we see WORSHIP!

angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest
(after seeing the Baby Jesus) shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen
(and eventually, two years later) the magi from the east fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

May this Christmas season remind us all of the gift we have of Worship!

Below are the books to add to my reading shelf of PhD life:

Why should I read?

2010-09-22T12:11:00.005-04:00

Part of life for me is reading. Sometimes for pleasure, sometimes for school. I read this earlier today and I thought the advice was very practical and sound for all of us (especially in ministry)...

" READ LIKE A MANIAC

Ask the people whom you admire and respect what books they read.
Note those authors you resonate with, then get all of their books.
Place those few books that have really affected you in a bookcase close to where you work.
Interact with your books.
Don't worry if you take a break from reading now and then.
Whatever you do, don't limit your reading to spiritual books."

(taken from the book, Getting Fired For The Glory Of God, by Mike Yaconelli)

NEW website : Golden Isles Ministries

2010-09-19T14:15:00.004-04:00

I serve as the Resort and Community Missionary of the Southeast Baptist Association. I have the privilege of coordinating guest mission groups through our resort ministry, Golden Isles Ministries.

I am happy to blog that we have a website for GIM and can be found at the following web address: www.goldenislesministries.com

where I am headed this FALL

2010-09-08T22:14:00.003-04:00

Summer is gone...... bye bye 2010 summer !

From Now till Thanksgiving week, the schedule is breath-taking:

Sept. 12 - 15 Lifeway National Youth Workers Convention (Nashville, TN)
Sept. 22 - 25 PhD seminar weekend at NOBTS (New Orleans, LA)
Sept. 26 - 29 Missions Fair at Samford University (Birmingham, AL)
Oct. 2 - 14 Mission trip to Kenya w/ Search & See Minstries
Oct.20 - 23 Families on Missions training event (Alpharetta, GA) cancelled
Oct. 26 - 28 Summer Supervisors meeting (Georgia Baptist Convention)
Nov. 4 - 6 PhD seminar weekend at NOBTS (New Orleans, LA)
Nov. 13 - 15 On Missions Celebration (Cincinnati, OH)
Nov. 15 - 17 Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting (Albany, GA)

Peter Pinches Pennies - aka - coupons !

2010-07-23T17:12:00.005-04:00

In the past year the coupon craze has caught and kept my attention. Also in the past year, I started PhD studies at New Orleans Seminary. These two things have become my hobbies :)

With so many people asking how I do it, what I clip, and what sites I read for coupons I thought a blog post on how "peter pinches pennies"...

First, realize that I live in Brunswick, Georgia. I shop primarily at Publix for food, CVS for whatever is on sale, and Target for both.

Second, you have to buy the newspaper. We have a local paper on the weekend that is a 2day (Saturday and Sunday) paper. It costs 75cents. I also have the opportunity to get the Georgie Times Union that costs $2. Sometimes I spend 75cents and sometimes I spend up to $6.75!

Third, you have to do your homework. You will get better as you go.

Fourth, you need to spend one-two hours a week on blogs, cutting, clipping, and planning your purchases to maximize your savings. (Personally, I make $10-$20 an hour based on coupons if that makes sense)

Fifth, purchase the ALL YOU magazine. You can typically find it online for about $20 for two years, so 24 issues at 83cents each. (link)

here we go:

1. PUBLIX

- doubles coupons 50cents or below with BOGO sales, you can buy 1 product at half price (but, you do not need to buy two)

i. e. Orville microwave popcorn (3 count) retails at 2.89 is on BOGO free sale
Buy one box at 1.45, use a 40cent coupon (which doubles), pay 85cents.

- you can use a manufacture coupon and a publix coupon for the same item

i. e. Orville microwave popcorn (3 count) retails at 2.89 is on BOGO free sale
Buy one box at 1.45, use a 40cent coupon (which doubles), and use a publix coupon that is 25cents, and then end up paying 40cents for a box

- will accept all competitor coupons

2. TARGET

- you can use a manufacture coupon and a target coupon for the same item

i.e. Sobe Lifewater bottles on sale for $1.
Buy two bottles for $2, use a BOGO manafacture coupon, and use two 50cent target coupons, and pay nothing for bottles except sales tax.

- take advantage of deals that offer $5 target gift cards

i.e. Sobe Lifewater bottles on sale for $1 : Buy ten and get a $5 Target Gift Card (after)
Buy ten bottles for $10, use 5 BOGO manafacture coupons, and use ten 50cent target coupons, and pay nothing for the bottles except sales tax & get $5 gift card

- will price match competitor ads (i.e. walmart, pharmacies, grocery)

3. CVS

- become an ExtraCare card holder (one person in your family)

- receive ExtraCare Bucks for certain items each week (expire 4 weeks after)

- you can use Extracare Bucks, manufacture coupons, and CVS coupons all in one purchase
i.e. a previous purchase looks like this:
bought 2 gillette body washes @ $4.00 each
bought 1 gillette deodorant @ $5.29
bought 2 papermate pen 10ct.@ $0.99 each
used BOGO coupon for body wash
used Free couopon for deodorant w/body wash purchase
---------------------------------------------------------
total $5.98 plus tax
received $8.00 in ExtraCare Bucks (per that weeks ad/sale) b.wash
received $1.98 in ExtraCare Bucks (per that weeks ad/sale) pens

* but I didnt pay 5.98 because i used ECBs from previous purchases
so, I paid sales tax only, still walked away with $9.98 in ECBs

WEBSITES:

www.southernsavers.com

www.myfrugaladventures.com

COUPONS: (typically can print 2 per computer)

www.coupons.com

www.smartsource.com

www.redplum.com

www.sundaycouponpreview.com
(preview for coming Sunday newspaper coupon inserts)

www.target.com (bottom left)

Hope this helps :) Feel free to ask questions
(by way of facebook messages, please)

REMEMBER: links can be broken at anytime and webpages can be altered. Connector Blog does not endorse links of any sort.

off the cuff... july 2010

2010-07-18T18:34:00.007-04:00

it has been awhile since i posted on my blog and i thought it was about time....

summers are full of resort and community ministry for me, as they have been since 2006. this summer has been a good change from the familiar myrtle beach ones the past four summers. we finished two weeks of world changers, and we are headed into the next three weeks before our august 6th completion date. things are going well...

concerning the SBC convention a month ago: i have received many comments both of who have agreed and disagreed with mine on this blog. i hope the days ahead for southern baptists are KINGDOM ADVANCED and SPIRIT LED. i will look forward to the days coming as the great commission resurgence voted on report plays out in local churches, associations, state conventions, and all entities and auxiliaries of our convention. there can be great days ahead for the sbc...

i recently read a story in a state baptist paper of a man who came to know Christ as Savior at the age of 91. the story can be found at this web address: http://www.baptistcourier.com/4308.article ! what a great reminder that people of all shapes, sizes, ages, nationalities, and looks have been made by our Creator and can find salvation only in our Savior, Jesus Christ...

kenya bound, once again, coming october 2-14. went back in october of 2007 and worked with a congregation of believers in Tiriki, and our trip this fall is for the purpose of dedicating an actual building that God's people will use to spread the Gospel. please begin praying for our trip and for the sovereignty of God to be displayed in our efforts and our going to encourage the church in Tiriki...

many of you have asked me in the past months concerning my dear friend and former supervisor Todd Wood. in the Spring of this year, Todd began the IMPACT ministries of Myrtle Beach. the new website for this ministry can be found at this web address: http://impactmb.org/ ... about a month ago i partnered with this ministry (that is not relating to the local association, state convention, or north american mission board at this time) because i believe and have no doubt in Todd's heart to reach the grand strand with the love and gospel of Jesus Christ. $1 a week is a simple sacrifice to help this ministry reach tourists and locals throughout 'redneck riviera'. will you prayerfully consider helping?

school related -- i am taking an online statistics two class this summer using the SPSS program. this fall i will take a teaching methods class and a seminar on childhood education. always appreciate your prayers in this area of my life!

finally i want to leave you with this picture that was taken the last week of june. five of my former staff from 2009 (two of which are also currently with me this summer on staff) and i had an opportunity to take in a part of a student service we had at our association office of over 165 people. it was a great snapshot from a blessed night and a great hot week of ministry...

In my last post, I commented on the GCR report...

2010-05-12T21:08:00.005-04:00

READ THE LAST POST CONCERNING MY THOUGHTS ON THE GREAT COMMISSION RESURGENCE (GCR) TASK FOR REPORT & THEN READ THIS ONE

For this post I want to share two books that I have read and lingering thoughts concerning why I wrote the last report...

In college at Charleston Southern University, my (youth ministry) classmates joked that I would become the next SBC president. I say that to say that I am an avid follower of all things SBC. I read Baptist Press just about daily. I like to engage in understanding the work of SBC both today and in the past. Twice now, I have had both the mandate and opportunity to take a course (for Masters and PhD degrees) concerning the SBC with special emphasis on New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) and the Cooperative Program (CP).

In my experience the past three and a half years in associational work, I think the CP and the work of the local baptist association have much in common. The idea that "what we can not do ourselves we can do together" is found in both the association and the CP. Some have said "the light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home." I think they understand that cooperation and association is the meat behind the reality.

I resonate with the words of the Apostle Peter (in 1 Peter 2:9) when he wrote, "you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession...." I am a believer in Christ. As a believer in Christ I hold to the reality that my life must worship God, which is evidenced by the cry of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31. As a believer who worships God, I think that Baptist doctrine closely aligns with the Truth of God's Word. I do not have a problem endorsing a faith statement like the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.

Realizing who I am, Whose I am, and that God's Word speaks to this "penetrating of lostness," I fully agree we must be actively sharing our faith in Christ and our love for Christ. My goal as an associational worker and (NAMB) Mission Service Core missionary is to 'empower, excite, and equip local churches and mission groups to do the Great Commission through the Great Commandment.' I am continuing in Southeast Georgia a goal that I began implementing in my ministry in Myrtle Beach.

These two books have helped me along the way:

1. I read the Baptist Reformation by Jerry Sutton in the Summer of 2007. This is a great review of the Conservative Resurgence that happened in SBC life.

2. I finished the book One Sacred Effort by Chad Owen and David Hankins a week and a half ago. I think that this book would be a great read following Sutton's book because it gives a more detailed history of the work of the SBC and it's entities, even up to 2004.

2 PhD semesters behind me, the Summer before me...

2010-05-11T21:58:00.002-04:00

The past month has been incredible. I thought a post was in order to get some things off my chest and maybe for you to research for yourself.

First, I have written before and I will write again -- I am a struggling PhD student. This school year has taught me yet again how much I write like I talk. Yes, Fuge that means "preachy". If anyone knows a good writing coach in the Wick (aka Brunswick) I need their contact info.

Second, I have read much about the Great Commission Resurgence (GCR) over the past months that Southern Baptist messengers will vote on at this years SBC annual summer meeting in Orlando, Florida. I have read a myriad of viewpoints across the spectrum and I have come to my own conclusions:

*** I can not vote for the full seven report recommendations of the task force***

Why not?

Recommendation One - Since when did the SBC need a mission statement, and when did this committee find it their responsibility to give the SBC this statement? However, I like this missional vision statement.
Recommendation Two - Since when did the SBC need core values, and when did this committee find it their responsibility to give the SBC this statement? Furthermore, I like how these values add to that which we as Southern Baptists adhere to in the Baptist Faith & Message 2000.
Recommendation Three - We have forgotten the magnitude of the work of the Cooperative Program (CP) and this Great Commission giving only gives definition to what many are already doing. The CP is the CP - don't touch it!
Recommendation Four - Southern Baptists have forgotten North America, and it's not the North America Mission Board's (NAMB) fault. We don't need to decentralize, nor do we need to break off cooperative agreements. The 5300 missionaries serving with NAMB, funded - jointly funded - or volunteer must partner with state conventions and local associations to get the most Kingdom effort and work done. I speak from this missionary perspective with great concern for the NAMB and SBC missions education for North America.
Recommendation Five - Subsidizing NAMB ministry efforts and work does not reach more. NAMB should work closely with the IMB to minister to these unreached and underserved people groups. Good in theory, wrong in practice.
Recommendation Six - the CP works best with the Executive Committee (EC) as its head. SBC made this change years ago, and later reversed it back to its present position because it worked better that way it is. Don't try it again. Instead, let us embrace the work, giving, and education of the CP from the local church, to the association, and the state convention, and the SBC as a whole.
Recommendation Seven - The increase is great in practice, but I think the theory is wrong. What we do not know in this report is where this decrease in EC comes from so we can give the one percent increase to the International Mission Board (IMB). What this report should have done was to encourage healthy giving instead of reallocating funds.

I realize that many have worked long and hard over the past year in proposing this GCR report. I do not hate nor do I judge any person on this committee concerning their details of this very urgent matter--to take the Gospel to every Person in the World.

I will not leave the convention if this GCR is adopted by the messengers of the SBC convention in Orlando next month. I will continue in my life and work as a MSC missionary of NAMB to continue reaching the resort and community ministries in Southeast Coastal Georgia through the Golden Isles Ministries of the Southeast Baptist Association.

Letter to the Editor - Post and Courier newspaper

2010-04-11T23:28:00.001-04:00

After watching Sunday's night edition of EXTREME HOMEMAKOVER on the ABC network, I think it would benefit each reader of this newspaper to let them know something very important that the show did not highlight in it's one hour episode.

In addition to the new home the Suggs family received in Loris, SC, Charleston Southern University gave the four children in the home full-tuition scholarships for four years. As a 2004 alumn of Charleston Southern University, I thought it would be beneficial to make aware the readers of the Post and Courier newspaper.

I am thankful for Charleston Southern University, and this incredible gift to the Suggs family that estimated today would be well over $400,000.00! Charleston Southern University deserves special recognition for this reminder that they are serious about learning, leading, and serving in South Carolina.

Respectfully submitted,
Peter Copeland

Uganda Mission Trip from the Hansens

2010-03-17T13:44:00.008-04:00

I had some friends recently go on a mission trip to Uganda, and I wanted to share some of their testimonies and a picture of each from their missional journey...

Dennis Hansen wrote...

"This was my third trip to Uganda and it never ceases to amaze me at how appreciative and thankful the people of Uganda are. They don’t know that they are poor and they are just as joyful as can be. It’s truly an example for me. Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." (Phil 4:11) We could all take something away from that…are we truly content? Also, the Ugandans always have a smile on their faces…another example for me! I need to let our joy of the Lord shine through my face, what better way to do that than with a smile. This year I had the privilege of being part of 'one on one' evangelism for two days. As we went to the different villages each day, our evangelist would preach to the people while the medical team set up the clinic. Our Ugandan friends would go to the medical clinic, then on to the pharmacy to get medications, then they would come to our tent. If they were already saved, we would pray with them. Their top four prayer requests were: better health, husband’s salvation, school fees for their children, and for jobs. If they weren’t saved/born again, I would ask them if I could tell them about Jesus. No one said no. I used an “Evangecube” as illustration to share the gospel. (If you don't know what an Evangecube is, it’s a cube with pictures that helps illustrate the scriptures and story of Jesus and what He has done for us. It is an excellent witnessing tool.) All this is done with an interpreter, of course! Even if I would mess up, my interpreter could help me out! I had the privilege of seeing about 35 people come to the Lord...the highlight of my trip. It was also a blessing watching Terri and Dustin on mission and seeing them “in action.” They both do great. It’s not as natural for me, so it was good to get out of my comfort zone. Again, it was a wonderful experience that I would hope you all can try sometime. You go to be a blessing, but you end up being the one that was blessed. Thank you again for your prayer and financial support. Your prayers held us up and we couldn't have done it without you. God Bless!"

Dustin Hansen, Dennis' son, wrote...

"Back in my routine and back to the grind. And I actually did come home with more than just a tan! I had a lot of incredible experiences, but the ones that stick out above the rest are the times I got to spend with a special friend and mentor that I met last year in Uganda. Pastor Anthony, a Kenyan pastor living in Eldoret, came to Uganda to join us in ministry. Having spent years in Uganda pastoring, Anthony knows the local languages and understands the culture greatly. His love for the people in the Uganda is a real blessing to watch. Most days, Pastor Anthony and I ended up doing "door to door" evangelism or "hut to hut", as I like to call it. One thing that I learned from Pastor Anthony is praying in faith. I've never heard a man pray in as much faith as he does. His whole countenance changes as he prays knowing that God will touch those that he prays for in His will. Pastor Anthony and I had the privilege of seeing many come to know the Lord. From those experiences, I've learned a boldness I never knew before. The way that he could change any conversation he was having into a witnessing experience was amazing. Now that I'm back at school and work, I am more aware of my responsibility as a Christian to share the Gospel, and I recollect on all those experiences in Uganda and remember Pastor Anthony's example. When I got home, I challenged myself to learn how to love my own people as much as Pastor Anthony does his. Once I acquire that love, the next step becomes so much easier. Thanks to everyone who made this trip happen by your prayers and financial support."

Praise the Lord for their Christ-centered lives in reaching the world with the Gospel. Terri Hansen, Dennis' wife and Dustin's mother who also went on this mission endeavor, asked me to share with you the ministry of Mission Link International based in Charlottesville, Virginia, by clicking here.

And Lots more books that i've read

2010-02-23T21:57:00.006-05:00

Lots more books that i've read

2010-02-05T15:46:00.013-05:00

i am .... (part two)

2010-01-28T16:13:00.002-05:00

my nicknames are peetah and pedro
i am an avid sale-shopper
i enjoy watching movies in the theater
i dislike people who are unprepared
i vow to never drive a neon
i hate it when people only go on international mission trips
i cut out coupons weekly
i like my pillow to be cold
i would like to one day teach youth ministry in a liberal arts institution

everyday, i try to live by His grace and for His glory....

i am .... (part one)

2010-01-21T15:41:00.002-05:00

my middle name is john
i cant stand nail filers
i enjoy traveling in planes
public audiences don't scare me
i dislike events that bring attention to me
i am a struggling phd student
i have a great ministry position
i wish popeyes had its naked strips still
i am a msc missionary with namb
i like the hgtv station
i dont coook very well
i enjoy drinking out of wakka juice cups
i could wear a shirt and tie everyday
i like reading books, some more than others

everyday, i try to live by His grace and for His glory....

B-RUNS-WICK finally

2009-11-13T21:35:00.019-05:00

Greetings to you!

I am finally making it to a post on the Connector Blog. I have so many things to update you with that I'm going to go bullet-style:

1. I live in Brunswick, Georgia, which is on I-95 - Halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville. My brand new apartment is incredible. Positive: love not living at the office like I did at Myrtle. Negative: there are only two instead of fifty putt putt courses!

2. I serve as the Mission Projects Coordinator for the Southeast Baptist Association. I partner with my Associational Missionary to help serve 34 southern baptist churches from as far north as Darien as far south to St. Marys. This is a similar position like I had in Myrtle Beach, and the resort name here is Golden Isles Ministries.

3. School! I am struggling through online statistics (spss program if you really want to know) and enjoying my Youth Ministry in Culture PhD seminar this semester. I fly out of Brunswick into New Orleans three times during the semester, and my last weekend this semester is December 3-5. In Spring semester coming up, I am taking 2 PhD seminars along with 1 reading colloquial. (doesn't that just sound like fun)

4. Books... Books... Books! I want to share with you some of the books I have read since May 25th when summer missionaries invaded my life in Myrtle Beach. The first four are for the PhD seminar and the last one is the small one i started during the summer and just finished this past week:

5. Travels: since my summer missionaries left me in Myrtle Beach on August 1st and before I started here in Brunswick, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit some places for work and vacation:

Columbia, SC...
Mom and Dad moved to a newer house in town and I helped them move

Chicago, ILL....
Todd Wood, Pastor Rob pierce & I made a 24 hour whirlwind trip on Spirit airlines to see the Cubs beat the Nationals... and eat that famous Chicago pizza!

Nashville, TN...
I had a personal conference at Lifeways Youth Ministry event and got to share in some great corporate worship with other youth ministers and Dwain Hayes of FBC North Myrtle Beach (who I went with to Wales back in April of this year)

New Orleans...
school work - enough said!

Grenville, SC...
Attended the North Greenville Missions Conference and to visit summer staff from all the summers I have been at ICO

Vandalia, IL...
Where I was one of the featured missionaries for the local baptist association's On Mission Celebration. Spoke at five different churches and had the pleasure to stay with and fellowship with Pastor Don & Dianne Price. Pastor Don shepherds the flock at FBC Farina & we shared many glasses of hot tea in their new, beautiful home

and,
This past week I attended the Georgia Baptist Convention in Woodstock, GA, and it was surprising to see former ICO mission group leaders (who were from GA) there and to see the pastors from the association here. And, the folks at NAMB on Tuesday afternoon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am totally blessed. I have wonderful friends. A donated washer/dryer that works. A place to call my own. Parents who love me so much. all of this and it is His Grace that is...
"Indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. You are amazing God. All powerful, untameable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God" - Chris Tomlin

My last Waccamaw Baptist Association meeting:

2009-07-20T22:25:00.006-04:00

The following address was shared tonight, Monday July 20th, to the messengers of the Waccamaw Baptist Association's Executive Meeting...

Tonight, you will find my report about the summer ministry on page 6 of the book of reports you received this evening on your way in. I can not do any better giving an oral report of the WBA’S resort ministry Intracoastal Outreach than our summer missionaries shared with us during the meal tonight. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to serve alongside them this summer and I want to thank this association for the continued opportunity to have summer missionaries serve alongside us each year. I hope that your hearts tonight have been filled by the stories and conversations across the table you shared in with them tonight.

This month marks 4 summers with Intracoastal Outreach, and it has been an incredible faith journey for me personally in my walk with the Lord. As I look beyond the month of September I wonder where Almighty God will have me serve and minister in Kingdom work. I want you to know that place, position, ministry field, and the ones whom I will work will be grateful for the opportunities and experiences you have shared with me to work and minister in this county for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

Many of you have asked the question: What’s next? What I know at this point is that this fall, I will begin pursuing my Research Doctoral Degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of Christian Education with the desire to train future student ministry leaders to reach students with the Gospel and Love of Jesus Christ. I am prayerfully seeking a position in which to be involved in ministry while obtaining this degree, as well.

As I look over the audience tonight, I see faces that have encouraged me along the way. There have been pastors who have given me the opportunity to break open the Bread of Life to their churches, while others have prayed for me and the work I have had the opportunity to do serving on your behalf in this county. Tonight I am thankful for Brother Rick, Todd Wood, Marty Minto, Diane Hutto, and Lugene Hammond in their service to me, the help they have given along the way, and the weekly prayers lifted up on my behalf.

I have received hugs from you here and those who are unable to be here for whatever the reason, that have brought compassion and care to a sometimes run-down and tired body. I have received notes of kindness from you that have lifted me up along the way both my e-mails and snail mails. And as I remember the way you have reached out to me, a single middle-twenty something year-old seminary graduate, I resonate in the words which the Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Corinth: “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” You have showered your love and appreciation for me in the past two and half years serving as your US/C2 resort missionary, and for all of your support I will be eternally grateful.

Just this afternoon as I looked outside my office window to 17 Business / Kings Highway just near First Baptist Church downtown Myrtle Beach, I am reminded that still to this day -- our field is ripe unto harvest. Over my time here, I have urgently and passionately tried to equip you, the churches of our association, and the myriad of ministry teams from all across our country each year, to empower-equip-excite local churches to do the Great Commission through the Great Commandment. It is with this same urgency and passion that I leave Waccamaw Baptist Association walking, trusting, believing, and worshiping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So continuing in the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31 I say thanks tonight, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”

Mid-May 2009, summer's coming, RUN FOR YOUR LIVES

2009-05-16T21:46:00.004-04:00

I have nine more days till all 18 summer missionaries come in for ten full weeks of ministry. I got back earlier this evening from a 35 hour round-trip to Jackson, Georgia for a pre-project training event that all new group leaders must go through with me to bring a summer mission team to ICO. There are thousands of things to do this week in the office, in addition to getting myself ready for the onslaught of summer m's coming on Memorial day.

Thursday at 4pm I am leaving to attend the graduation ceremony at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary of my two bestest friends in the whole world, Ryan and Melissa Peduzzi. They also will celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary (which in and of itself is a whole another story that puts us 3 first together in ministry on dorchester road in the Summer of 2002 serving as summer missionaries with Charleston Outreach). So to keep the details of that away, I thought a post was in order to say CONGRATULATIONS RYAN & MELISSA. (PhD Ryan?)

The plane ride to Atlanta yesterday morning from Myrtle Beach connecting in Charlotte gave me some great time to catch up on some reading (since the last flight to Pittsburgh a couple of weekends ago) so here are two more books to add to the library--- the books read one that is!

What Women WIsh You Knew About Dating by Stephen Simpson. Ryan laughed at me through text today on this book. My singleness is the end of a lot of his jokes, but I do seem to find a 'single, need a date, maybe a little bitter' book each year to read. I liked this one actually. Blunt, to the point, honest, and a little controversial. Simpson writes from his heart on a subject many either blow up in your face about or shy away from, so way to go Simpson!

The Generosity Factor by Truett Cathy and Ken Blanchard. I had always wanted to read this book, since I delight in eating the Christian Chicken regularly. Picked it up for like $2 at a used bookstore back in the fall and I really enjoyed this one. I liked the dialogue between the broker and the executive, whom gave generously out of his wealth not just to give money but to build significance in people. I think its the same 'factor' we find in the live and ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Quick read, yet full of reality ... specially in our recesional-bail/out world today.

Myrtle Beach FIRES! and 3 more books

2009-04-26T14:58:00.006-04:00

Many of you have inquired and thought about me in the latter part of this past week concerning the fires here in Horry County. Below is a picture my friend and ministry partner, Todd Wood, took while with Horry County Emergency responders as he worked with our association's Disaster Relief:

I had the opportunity to do fly to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in a 25 hour whirlwind trip this weekend, and I got two books finished:

Counted Righteous in Christ by John Piper, I started in 2007 and it has been a deep struggle to comprehend and understand.

Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America by Jeff Pollard, I picked up used and 60% off and let's just say "it was interesting".

Here is a throw-back book I finished at the end of last year, 2008. I never got it on the blog, so here is to forgetfulness. I really enjoyed reading this book (written before the national election in November) and specifically about the unbiased writing of Mansfield. He (to my lack of knowledge) expounded greatly on the controversy of Obama's previous pastor, Reverend Wright. I am interested (and have obtained) others books by Mansfield regarding former President George W. Bush and current Pope Benedict XVI.

Book update 2 (2009) and SUMMER is COMING...

2009-04-19T15:37:00.005-04:00

Wow, Easter has passed and the summer is just around the corner. I am five weeks away from our summer missionaries coming in on Memorial Day for the 10 weeks of Summer at Intracoastal Outreach! We have around 800 volunteers coming in as well throughout those 10 weeks which divide out into about 25-30 different churches. PRAISE THE LORD. We have prayed hard and worked very hard recruiting this year and are looking at about 250 more volunteers than in 2008 in our summer and spring break ministries.

I had the opportunity to go with some adults and students from the First Baptist Church of North Myrtle Beach to the country of Wales April 4-11, and the time we shared with the students there was a great experience as we shared Christ and hung out with them. I did a lot of serving and praying which was a little different for me but I was glad to just be a part of the team.

I am adding two books to the library that have i have completed and read in the past two months. I have a goal of one book to read every month, so lets see how much I can exceed that goal like I did last year:

I was able to read this one on my trip to New Orleans to take the PhD entrance exam and to do the department interview. What an incredible book and insight to the "call" I have experienced like many others who faithfully serve in ministry. Iorg pointedly and thoroughly explains the difference between how every Christian is to be a minister and those who are "called" to be ministers in ministry leadership. Great read, well written, and a must for those who feel God's calling and those who may be questioning theirs.

I got this one read on the Wales trip, and had to finish up the ending this afternoon. This was a great read for those who are stuck and complacent in their student ministry endeavors. Nothing really new, but more of an insight into how to move from shallow complacent student ministry to life-changing and tranformational ministry to today's students. With personal victories and struggles along with testimonials from those in the trenches, Clark and Powell provide a worthy read to encourage student ministry leaders (adults, ministers, and students) to continue on in their students lives for the purpose of mature Christian growth!

Book update 1 (2009)

2009-03-17T11:03:00.006-04:00

NEWS: PhD process is continuing, I have done the application, taken the entrance exam, and have had the interview. The committee meets end of the month, and I hope to hear something from them soon. I will keep you updated. For those of you who do not know, I am pursuing a PhD degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of Christian Education. This will require three seminars a semester (Thursday noon - Saturday noon) on the campus.

I have had the opportunity to read a few books in the new year thus far. Here they are, and look for others to be added soon as i have a couple I'm reading to finish:

Zigarelli, a professor at Charleston Southern University, illustrates a number of principles to influence people like Jesus. There are a lot of principles, and plenty of examples in which to lead and influence others in the name and for the glory of Jesus Christ. Maybe a great book for the businessman or the church staff person interested in leadership, but I'd probably not use it for small group study. Thanks Zigarelli for bring the principles of the Word to the area of leadership, and go bucs!

This is our ICO summer staff 2009 book. Grieger (co-author of Simple Church with Thom Rainer) accurately delves into 1 Peter 2:9-11 and how our identity should be found in Christ and Him alone. He uses this verse to show Christian and non-Christian how intimately involved God the Creator is involved with man His creation. I am very excited to use this book to encourage and challenge our summer missionaries this summer as we seek together to find our all in Christ Jesus.

In effort to continue the tremendously successful rebuilding of the Big Easy, the New Orleans Marriott has launched "Build & Bond," offering voluntourism groups a special nightly rate of $84, including all taxes. This rate is based on an occupancy of one to four, which could bring the price per person, per night as low as $21.

"Build & Bond" makes it easy for groups visiting New Orleans for mission trips. It offers a resource kit including information on area transportation companies and city guides; a complimentary meeting room, where the group can congregate to discuss and plan the day ahead; complimentary parking for 15-passenger vans; 50 percent off parking for personal vehicles and discounted pricing for box lunches to keep volunteers fueled "on the job." For guests in need of some direction about where to lend a hand, "Build & Bond" provides recommendations on a variety of local volunteer organizations so do-good guests can plan where to donate their time.

For more information about the New Orleans Marriott or to book "Build & Bond," call 504.553.5526.

from the PhD application (part three)

2009-02-20T21:33:00.004-05:00

4. TO WHAT AREAS OF SERVICE HAS GOD CALLED YOU AND WHAT ARE YOUR MINISTRY GOALS?

Over the past ten years, I have really felt God’s call to the area of student ministry. I can not seem to get away from my passion for students, even when I have tried. There is a connection I feel for students, for their culture, and their hurts, from one extreme to the other. When I pursued the undergraduate degree in youth ministry from Charleston Southern University, my ideal job would have been to travel all around the world speaking to students (whether in churches, schools, big events, etc.). When I began seminary and throughout seminary, the possibility of teaching youth ministry really touched me in very special kind of way. In my past almost nine years of ministry, God has allowed me to do a myriad of ministries all relating to students in some facet. I have had the opportunities to serve an internship under a Music/Youth Minister, do some travel speaking to student groups (football teams, D-now, youth nights, etc.), in addition to Singles (mostly college and young adult) and Student Minister positions.

Currently, as a resort missionary with the North America Mission Board and serving on the associational staff, I work with youth ministers and directors and assist them in their mission trip in my mission field, Myrtle Beach, SC. Our summer missionaries are high school and collegiate students who sacrifice ten weeks of their summer to serve the Lord sharing Christ’s Message and Love. I travel a good bit educating people that missions is possible (at all ages) and I attend a few mission conferences on college campuses encouraging students to be involved in mission work. I have the opportunity as a young adult to reach out to students in over seventy churches that make up our association with the platform of missions, in addition to speaking to the over five hundred students we have each summer four nights a week in our services.

I have written a number a number of times that my passion is threefold: youth/college/evangelism. This passion has been and continues to be evident in my pursuit of God and in Him allowing me to serve Him in ministry. When I came to serve in Myrtle Beach, my vision has been this: “To empower, excite, and equip local churches to do the Great Commission through the Great Commandment”. This has been my focus in all audiences of people that I have spoken to in my time as US/C2 resort missionary, whether that be a Wednesday night youth group, WMU ladies luncheon, associational meeting, men’s breakfast, missions celebration week, or a pre-project weekend for summer ministry leaders. This vision and my three-fold passion come hand in hand—loving people and sharing Christ with them.

5. GIVE YOUR EDUCATIONAL GOALS. WHAT IS YOUR REASONS FOR PURSUING THIS DEGREE?

For much of my life, I thought college was an absolute, and then through much of college, I knew seminary was even absolute. Then to the end of seminary and with the hope of graduation, I was really excited about getting on the field and closing the study books for a time. It was been an amazing experience to serve Southern Baptists as a missionary appointed by the North American Mission Board. Further, it has been incredible to serve a two year appointment with an extension in this resort ministry field, Myrtle Beach, SC. I have learned numerous elements, concepts, and valuable tools to reach unbelievers with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Halfway through my appointment, I began to realize (yet again) my desire to help assist in the training of future ministry leaders and servants. Each summer, I immensely enjoy leading summer ministries through our summer program and teaching them ministry development through their experience in resort missions here at the beach.

Even with a un-desirable verbal score on the GRE this past Friday, I fully believe that God has led me to apply for a PhD. Many have encouraged me, and affirmed me in this time commenting they could see me in this particular role/ministry. I intend on using this PhD to attain a teaching position on a Christian College campus to help empower, excite, and equip men and women(in certain positions) to be pastors, leaders in this world, and specifically student ministry ministers and leaders. I want to use this PhD to reach students with the same vigor and influence that those like my parents, student minister, professors, and Godly adults had on me.

This PhD is far beyond me by any imagination. Honest, the thought of PhD scares me. I have wrestled and thought about this decision for a very long time, but time and time again I really been moved by the Holy Spirit that this will not be mine, but His. If I was to walk across the stage in the chapel in a few years, I would know without a shadow of a doubt that this degree would be by His grace and favor alone. I want to use this for His glory and to continue making Him known in my life, in the community around me, the among the globe in the places he Has allowed (and will continue to allow) me to go, and for the furthering of student ministry leader development in the years to come.

from the PhD application (part two)

2009-02-14T23:01:00.001-05:00

3. SHARE ELEMENTS AND FACTORS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. TELL ABOUT YOUR CALL TO MINISTRY.

My Spiritual development has been influenced early on through Christian parents, Christian education, and the involvement in a local church. I learned as a middle and high school student more and more about what spiritual faith looked liked in a practical way through my student minister at church, Danny Wilson. It was very common growing up that everyone said that I would become a preacher one day. To this day, I reflect back on his counsel, friendship, and commitment to me as a student that has helped me to be a man of service and real faith for Jesus Christ. He modeled for me a Christian marriage (in addition to my parents), an authentic walk with Jesus, and the importance of excellence in ministry. He took me places, showed me trust, and at times allowed me to have responsibility in different aspects of our student ministry.

In the Summer of 1996 (after my freshman year in high school) I attended a World Changers mission project in Charleston, West Virginia. It was during this week that I really felt God’s providential and guiding hand on my life and surrendered to the ministry. Some call it ministry leadership, others call it full time Christian ministry and service… call it what you will, but it was there that God got a hold of me and to this day, I have never been the same. It was as clear as it could be, and it was here that I knew that God had set me a part to serve Him vocationally as a minister.
In college, I pursued a Youth Ministry major because I fully believed that my call to ministry was to help students (middle school, high school, and collegiate) know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and to guide them in a real and growing relationship in Jesus Christ. Throughout much of my experience in college as youth intern, summer missionary, singles minister, student revival/d.now/bcm speaker, and as student minister, I have had countless number of people in my life affirm and encourage my call and passion for ministry on numerous occasions. I enjoyed ministry both in the church and on my Christian campus where unbelieving students went to school. Over these years I have learned much from those of whom I worked and studied under (i.e. Pastors, Youth Ministers, Professors, Campus Ministers, Missionaries).

In my seminary time, I learned a lot about sacrifice and surrender. Hurricane Katrina taught me a lot of people and a great deal about myself. I really began to learn that everyone has a story, but the greatest story I have tell is the most important thing in my life, and that is a relationship with Jesus Christ. My life verse has been for a couple of years now 1 Corinthians 10:31, when Paul stated, “Therefore, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do all for the glory of God”. I believe and will go to my grave confessing that my life should be lived for the Glory of God. Before all people, at all times, and in all things, my life should worship Jesus Christ. I have had men and women who loved God in my life model this passage for me, and so I want to model this cry of Paul’s for generations to come.

from the PhD application (part one)

2009-02-13T11:26:00.003-05:00

1. EXPLAIN YOUR CONVERSION EXPERIENCE. INCLUDE YOUR AGE, THE CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC.

At a very early age, (in addition to local church involvement) I attended a non-denominational Christian school, and every summer I grew up going to children’s camp at Bonnie Doone Plantation (owned and operated by the Charleston Baptist Association) in Walterboro, South Carolina. I accepted Christ Jesus as my personal, Lord and Savior one night at our camp chapel at the age of eight. That night, I will never forget. It was this night that I responded in faith to my Savior, Jesus Christ. I knew I was a sinner in need of forgiveness. I believed that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on a cross for my sins and I confessed my sins to Him. I committed my life to Him that night, and I have never been the same since then.

About a year later, I (along with my brother) was baptized on the last night of our church’s revival. I understood that baptism was an outward expression of an inward change—a relationship with Jesus Christ—but the fear I had of water kept me from immediately getting baptized. With a desire for God to use my life in extraordinary proportion and realizing I experienced salvation at the age of eight, I rededicated my life at the age of thirteen. It was here at my first youth camp, the summer after my seventh grade year in a new public school that I began to realize that salvation in Christ was a daily commitment to a daily relationship with my best friend, Jesus Christ. Jesus became for me more than a religion, but an intimate, growing, vital, and real relationship that would cultivate into daily study of His Word and a continued commitment to church and service.

2. DESCRIBE YOUR FAMILY BACKGROUND

I have grown up in a loving, Christian home. My father and mother are examples of Godly faith and perseverance. My father and mother has been active in local church work throughout their lives individually and their marriage together. My father has found his employments, whether he was a insurance salesman, shipyard pipe fitter, air force reserve man, or supply manager for Fort Jackson, to be his mission field. He has served his church families well as deacon, pulpit supply preacher, small group host, or Sunday school teacher. My mother has found her employment, as a public hospital nurse on the mother and baby floor, to be her mission field for over thirty years. She, as well, has been an active servant in her church families with my father, as nursery workers, vacation Bible school teacher, youth camp cook, and mission trip participant.

i preached this past sunday

2009-01-12T21:44:00.002-05:00

One of the many things I do as a missionary is preach at local churches. This past Sunday (yesterday) was just a little different. I didn't preach my usual third sermon to a church that had already heard me twice before. I actually hadn't preached the sermon since about seven years ago.

It was awkward. It just was. I really thought all week that I would talk about the Greatest Commandment and how God wants us to love Him and the second like it, love others more than we love ourselves. But something just didn't seem to fit.

Sunday a week ago the guest preacher (and my supervisor who is the Director of Mission) talked about "how deep is your love" so I thought a sermon on love would just continue the thought he shared with the congregation last week. I thought that could work, but something deep within just was not quite right. Then i thought of tying in the adulteress woman's story and the call to love we have and add the Shema (the Jewish confession of faith) found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

So in stuggle and wrestling, I changed my sermon Saturday early evening. I decided to shoot back 7 years ago this month to the very sermon I had written in manuscript and spoken orally for a class grade in homiletics during j-term. And then the thought hit me-- what if everyone in the audience and myself took off our shoes before I preached (just after we read the text of Moses and the burning bush) the Exodus 3:1-9 text.

Ridiculous, unheard of, very far-fetched (yes, to all of those). But it worked. The following is the church's website where you can watch the special soloist and myself preach: http://www.langstonbaptist.com/ondemand/ for a good look at all the shoes at the alter of the church, forward to 12 minutes 3 seconds.

The sermon wasn't the best, and I know it. It was within the text, accurate to the best of my ability, but just not my best. I think though, looking back, the text hit home because the church experienced the text.

Maybe I'm rambling, but it's my blog anyhow. I just thought for down the road, someone may have a very far-fetched idea like I had, and maybe know that sometimes God works in far-fetched ways to get His people to experience His Word.

ps. By the way, the church also held baby dedication. The gentleman who led this dedication time (as the church is without a Pastor), read the Deuteronomy 6:4-9 text. God is "I AM"!

quick 2008 look back

2009-01-05T20:27:00.002-05:00

Two stories of two people who made me remember 2008:

Number One:
I was really impressed with one of our summer missionaries whose name was Courtney Spiers. If you could have a model missionary to serve on your staff as far as knowing the Bible, telling the Bible, and devoted to the Bible… she was the one! As I and some of the summer missionaries traveled each week to our WBA churches, I always enjoyed hearing Courtney share her testimony and how she had grown up in Mission Friends, GA’s, and Acteens learning about missionaries (praying for them, writing to them, etc.). That part of her story coupled with the Acts 1:8 scripture that she shared really made me thank God for her testimony of her mission desire to make Christ known all around the world. The way she related the Bible to kids at day camp and even to collegiate lifeguards was a true sign of her relationship to Christ and His Word. She was a good people person, hard worker, good staffer, but ultimately she was used by God because she had a clear and right upbringing that made her want to know Christ, His Word, and to share it with people around her.

Number two:
Every opportunity I have to present my ICO presentation before people, I speak of one who I respect and love more in each passing day. She is the best missionary to lifeguards that I know. Her heart and passion for lifeguards gets stronger and stronger each year and she has done it for many years, and just this month she turns 70 years old. Her name is Beady Moore and she helps coordinate the suppers in the FBC of North Myrtle Beach each week during the summer. To the lifeguards, she is known respectfully as the “Church Lady” and she loves her lifeguard hugs as they come in each week and as they depart. One of the added benefits of my position has been to work with Beady and get to know her personally. She’s a volunteer minister (basically) at her church. If its ministry in any shape or form, Beady has got a part in it… dedicated and active in her local church. Her resume includes many years of service and ministry and even missions, both locally-statewide-internationally. I had a lunch with Beady about a month after the Summer to talk about our summer lifeguard ministries/suppers and what we can do better to reach the lifeguards in a greater way. I wish you could have gone with me, to hear the stories and concerns, to hear a person whose faith has been challenged, yet she spoke with full faith and confidence in her Lord. Maybe I’ve made a mark on her life, but the mark on mine she has made is bigger and better.

Terry "T-MAC" McCoy will be missed...

2008-12-09T20:09:00.002-05:00

Richland Northeast High School has many many memories for me. One of which will always Terry McCoy whom we affectionately called "T-MAC"!

Whom I personally studied under while at RNE and am forever grateful for are TMAC and Mrs. Barbara Thomson.

The following is today's post from the Greenville Newspaper regarding the life, accomplishment, and memory of one whom today I will greatly miss:

"Long-time educator, Terry McCoy of Columbia, died Sunday.

Mr. McCoy, 61, was student activities director at Richland Northeast High School and executive director of the South Carolina Association of Student Councils. A native of Easley, Mr. McCoy was born on August 4, 1947. Following a short illness, Mr. McCoy had spent the past week at Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

An English and French teacher with 40 years' experience, Mr. McCoy was a respected mentor to student government leaders throughout South Carolina. Today, there are countless civic, community and business leaders who first learned their lessons of service from Mr. McCoy, affectionately known to many of them as "T-Mac". An eloquent speaker of both languages that he taught, Mr. McCoy impressed on his students the value of precision in English. He passed this passion on to the many students who have served on his award-winning school yearbook staffs.

A towering figure with a beautiful bass voice, Mr. McCoy was a true gentleman who fostered courtesy among those around him. Each of the events, he touched bore his personal stamp, as he oversaw the many details that together made those occasions successful and memorable for the participants and spectators. As Richland Northeast's first student activities director, Mr. McCoy leaves a legacy of such events he created, including the Miss Richland Northeast pageant and the school's commencement ceremony, among many others.

At Richland Northeast, Mr. McCoy established the student government, a leadership effort that is nationally recognized for its success. Student life at the school has been immeasurably enriched by Mr. McCoy's efforts. Prior to coming to Richland Northeast at the school's opening, Mr. McCoy taught at Spring Valley and Dentsville high schools. For his efforts in Richland School District Two, Mr. McCoy was in 2005 presented the Richland School District Two Unsung Hero Award.

Mr. McCoy was a devoted and active member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where he served as bass soloist and section leader in the Chancel Choir for 25 years. In 1991, he served as chairman of the committee to adopt the new Presbyterian Hymnal. His good will and humor were credited with making the task a smooth one. Mr. McCoy has been a member of the Carolina Chorale and the Arpad Darazs Singers. In addition, for several seasons he was a leading member of the bass section in the Palmetto Mastersingers.

Among several solos he had with the group, many of its members recall his infectious rendering of "Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas".

Mr. McCoy was an avid Gamecock fan and a loyal supporter of the Richland Northeast Cavaliers. He enjoyed the fellowship of a group of teachers and friends who went to dinner and Cavalier games together on Friday nights. His love of sports was nurtured as a young man keeping score for a local textile league baseball team in his hometown.

Especially admired for his efforts to develop high quality student councils, Mr. McCoy was a member of the National Association of Student Councils, the National Association of Workshop Directors and National Association of State Student Council Executive Directors. He served as a mentor to new executive directors of the NASSCED and was on the organization's executive board. Mr. McCoy was a member of the Southern Association of Student Councils, one of the oldest student council organizations in the naation.

Prior to assuming the role of executive director of the South Carolina Association of Student Councils in 1985, Mr. McCoy was the assistant executive director for three years. Under Mr. McCoy's direction, the organization's state summer leadership training camp has grown to capacity, training hundreds of students in leadership skills. Many participants fondly recall their experiences at the camp, commonly referred to among them as "Cherry Grove" for the location in which it is held.

In 2007, Mr. McCoy developed the first Middle School Student Council Workshop in South Carolina, which is held in January in conjunction with the SCASC Advisors' Workshop.

Mr. McCoy was recognized for his service to student councils with the 1994 nomination for the Southern Association of Student Councils Advisor of the Year; the 1995 SCASC Advisor of the Year; the 1996 NASC South Carolina Warren E. Shull winner and the 2003 NASC/NAWD Earl Reum Award - Region 3 winner. In 2007, Mr. McCoy was recognized at the state convention for 30 years of service to SCASC.

A 1965 graduate of Easley High School, Mr. McCoy graduated in 1969 from the University of South Carolina. He was a former treasurer of the South Carolina Foreign Language Teachers Association.

Mr. McCoy was preceded in death by his parents, Troy E. and Varo McCoy. He is survived by two sisters, Dot M. Brown and Glenda M. Cannon and husband, Buddy, all of Easley; three nieces, Tomi Lane, Linda Adams and Teresa Bearden; and a nephew, Glenn Cannon; two great-nephews, Heath Lane and Bradley Cannon; three great-nieces, Kelli Hunt, Leslie Mousa and Marlee Cannon; two great-great-nephews, Kaleb Land and Kolton Lane; and a great-great-niece, Cadence Mousa.

Private graveside services will be at a later date at Hillcrest Memorial Park with Rev. Jeff Mousa officiating.

The family requests that memorials to Mr. McCoy be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621 or the Terry A. McCoy Leadership Scholarship, c/o the Central Carolina Community Foundation, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213, Columbia, SC 29204."

Early December update

2008-12-07T15:48:00.007-05:00

It has been awhile since i last put a blog post up so i thought a Sunday afternoon one would be a good time for one. I've got all the gifts bought, well except for Grandma who is always the person i need Mom's help with in buying. But I'm getting very excited, even though it does not seem like Christmas is 18 days away. It's been a slow month thus far and it appears as it will be a slow one all the way through, which I am thankful for!

I don't know if I've ever quoted Reverend Billy Graham on my blog, but i thought the following excerpt was worth it:

In his recent letter to supporters of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Graham writes: "I also told my friend that my main reaction as I have approached my 90th birthday has been one of deep gratitude and thankfulness. For seven decades, my calling has been to preach the simple message of the Gospel: that God loves us, that He sent His Son into the world to take away our sins by His death on the cross, that we can be forgiven adn reconciled to God through faith in Christ as our Lord and Savior, that through Him we can have hope--hope for a new life right now, and hope for a joyous eternity with Him in Heaven"

More Books I've Read for 2008:

I read at least one Lucado book a year, and usually it is not the current one! Facing your Giants gives a character look at the popular Old Testament figure David. Born a shepherd boy who later becomes King, Lucado drives the reader to see the successes and flaws of not just David but his/hers as well.

She may not be Liberal American's favorite, but she has instilled tenacity and a new wave of GOP leadership into American politics. This book gives a touching history and background of the Sarah Palin many know but don't know much about! Definite read if you enjoy US politics.

I usually don't read books very fast, as comprehension is a difficult for me; however, this book and the book above and below were all read in a matter of a few sit-downs. Mouw, though sometimes a little inclusive in his theology of salvation, describes an accurate description of anyone who describes to a non or pro calvinistic theology. What description would that be? Love! How important it is to love others like Christ loves us no matter where we agree, disagree, or agree to disagree!

Some of you may or may not know, but dad allowed us (randy and I) to watch professional wrestling growing up. To this day I do enjoy the matches and hoolah of wrestlers both on and off the mat. But by far, Sting has been my favorite ever since I can remember. This autobiographical looks shows how a man so well-known and involved in a world-ly lifestyle turned to place his faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Read it in about 3 hours.

ABC bans flag lapel pins

2008-11-24T09:52:00.002-05:00

here is an interesting find:

" I have checked this out on Truthorfiction.com and on Snopes.com. This is true and even though I will have little effect on ABC News revenue I do plan on being careful to not view any program that is on ABC and boycott, if at all possible, the sponsors of ABC. Barbara Walters said that this was going to hurt ABC bad. As you know she works for ABC.

ABC NEWS BANS FLAG LAPEL PINS!

YESTERDAY THE BRASS AT ABC NEWS ISSUED ORDERS FORBIDDING REPORTERS TO WEAR LAPEL PIN AMERICAN FLAGS OR OTHER PATRIOTIC INSIGNIA. THEIR REASONING WAS THAT ABC SHOULD REMAIN NEUTRAL ABOUT 'CAUSES'.

SINCE WHEN IS SUPPORT FOR PREVENTING DEATH AND DESTRUCTION SOME SORT OF A 'CAUSE'? SINCE WHEN IS PATRIOTISM TO BE DISCOURAGED?

I URGE YOU TO BOYCOTT ABC AND ITS SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES. WE ARE SLOWLY LOSING EVERYTHING OUR COUNTRY STANDS FOR AND EVERYTHING OUR MEN AND WOMEN FOUGHT AND DIED TO PRESERVE!

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY AS YOU CAN. THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED THROUGH: http://www.snopes.com/rumors/noflags.asp

as well as through:

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/a/abcflag.htm"

very interesting.... -pc

Concerning the 2008 presidential election

2008-11-07T13:01:00.002-05:00

I admire Walt Mueller to a great extent. His concern for media and students has been enjoyed on my part since I started seminary in 2004. Here is a recent thought off of his blog concerning our post-election rollercoaster:

"According to some people, the world ended at around 11pm last Tuesday night. Now, these people are depressed, down-in-the-dumps, morose, etc. Many of these people are fellow followers of Christ. I've even heard some of these people speculate on whether or not Barack Obama might be the Antichrist. By the way, I've been around long enough to have heard the same about other Antichrists dujour.

According to other people, the world began at 11pm last Tuesday night. It appeared to me that many of the people who descended on Grant Park and other places around the country to celebrate Obama's victory were heralding "good tidings" of "great joy," almost as if the Savior had come.

I understand that these seem like blanket overstatements on my part. However, they capture the two ends of response on the 2008 electoral spectrum. I voted. I won't tell you how I voted. Some of my fellow believers would be happy with my vote. Others might think I'm off my rocker. I know because I've had these discussions. As I voted, I tried to do so through the lens of my Biblical world and life view. Sure, that perspective informed the issues for me and directed my decision on who to vote for. But even more than that, it gave me perspective. So as the sudden void of a 24/7 barrage of political messages and posturing has left me with more time to think, I'd like to share some perspective. . . for the simple reason that I think our responses to the election are often indicators of a lack of faith and Christian maturity, rather than a sign of faith and Christian maturity.

So. . . . my thoughts. . . .not exhaustive. . . . and certainly not very deep. . .

God's got this all under control. He's taking our country and world where He wants it to be. To those who think that it's all starting to fall apart due to the election results, you need to realize that it was all falling apart a long time ago. And if we are proud enough to believe that it wasn't all shattered until now. . . well, that's just a sign that our own falling apart led us to accept and believe a delusion. Which is, of course, proof positive that it's all fallen apart. In my own humble opinion that's based on my own personal experience. . . I think we feel good about the country when we feel good. And feeling good is predicated on the chicken in our own pot and the car in our own garage. It's symptomatic of our deeply embedded North American materialism, which is - by the way - epidemic in the church and our homes. Maybe, just maybe, a crisis that would shatter our idols and force us to our knees in dependence on God is just what the Creator ordered and just what we need for the sake of our own spiritual growth.

If God's in control, then we don't need to be afraid. So. . . . why are we? Perhaps we should be spending less time complaining about the change we think is about to come, and more time looking in the mirror at the changes that need to come in our own lives based on our fear. . . . including a little more dependence on God.

Government can't save us. Numerous societies have been down that road all throughout history, and it's never worked. Those who think Obama is the Savior are wrong. And those who think that Obama is the opposite are equally wrong. . . . simply because their despair is an indicator of the fact that they have relied on the political status quo to save them (whatever that means), and now that the political status quo has moved them from a place of comfort to discomfort, the world and their lives are doomed. Either way is idolatrous. . . replacing the Creator with something created.

Let's say Obama is the Antichrist as some Christians believe (and there's no way of really knowing is there?). Do we really think that our vote could have changed God's grand plan to redeem His world and work out what He's had in store for all eternity in His way and His time?

Maybe the most valuable thing to come out of this election is the truth about ourselves. We live in a media saturated world with a media that's saturated by spin. Fair and balanced? I don't think it exists anywhere or at either end of the spectrum. Yet, we still buy into it when it caters to our leanings. Truth is, as well, that our world is hungry for the Redeemer. Obama won't do it. And truth is, as well, that the component of the church that placed their faith in McCain and Palin are equally wrong. Don't misread what I'm saying so that you hear me say that however you voted you were wrong. I'm simply saying that many on both sides have placed their faith in people and things that don't warrant our allegiance.

So, for the next two months and some days our responsibility as God-following citizens of this country is to live under the authority of our current leaders as long as they don't require us to disobey the authority of our Lord. In addition, we should be praying for the President and all others in authority. And, when the new administration takes over, these commitments must continue.

And remember, "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Finally, I knew my blog title would catch your attention..."

Labor Day '08

2008-09-01T16:32:00.006-04:00

The weekend didn't turn out like I had planned. Wednesday I left from Myrtle and drove to Raleigh to catch a flight to New Orleans. I had intended on looking into PhD work at the seminary, spend the weekend with my family and our friends, fly back to Raleigh Monday morning, and then head back to Myrtle late afternoonish. For some reason Gustav came...Knowing what happened three years ago as the entire Gulf Coast looked at Katrina beckoning its devestation in a category five kind of way, I speedily called UNITED (my LEAST favorite airline in America) and was blessed to get a seat on the noon flight on Friday. Flying into Washington just makes me nervous because destiny had it for the catering truck to hit the airplane.

So...NO extra planes for the over eighty passengers so that sent us to customer service line, and i was proud to be the second in line. A quick nights stay at the Hyatt and an early Saturday morning proved another airline (US Airways, woohoo) with a layover in Charlotte (CLT) and a 11:15am arrival into Raleigh. I would like to take a brief moment to thank Ryan and Melissa for their traveling agency logistics for me during all the above.

So is life... you can make the best of plans for the best mini-vacation you can get, but God's way is always going to be done whether you or I like it or not, and even WITHOUT those delicious beignets i just love to eat my fill of when I'm in the city of Nawlins.

PRAY FOR THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, PRAY FOR THE NEW ORLEANS BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, AND THE BEACON OF HOPE AND LIGHT FOR CHRIST THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AS THEY MINISTER IN THE AREA, YET AGAIN!

I'm adding FOUR more books read to the list and here they are:

Yaconelli is the co-creator of Youth Specialties and had an adventurous life as a radical believer in Jesus Christ. You will read of his heart for people to not just know Christ but to experience the joy and satisfaction we know only remains in Christ. This is a little of the box, and a great picture of Grace and how believers are to model grace to this society and culture.

What a great book and instilling of the notion to just say NO! Fields raises specific and soul-searching questions that will engage the reader in his/her ministry, whatever it may be. Quick, easy, and yet so powerful!

A great read for smaller churches with only one pastor. Not only does it encourage one's call to pastor and lead a small flock, but also a reminder to large and mega church pastors of the sacrifice many make in the smaller field for the cause of Christ!

This is your typical "how i communicate or preach" book and it was a really good read. I read it back in March on a plane to Texas for another NAMB missionary week, I just kept forgetting to put it on this piece. I haven't heard Stanley speak a full sermon, but I know this books is years of trying, messing up, and finding out something worked for his communication style.

And on a side note: For those of us who loved www.CampusI.com for our book needs, they changed the named to: www.dealoz.com

Here is my summer reading...

2008-08-11T15:49:00.006-04:00

Here are two books I finished this Summer and another two i completed in the Spring:

Great read if you want something out-of-the-box. For fans of Blue Like Jazz (which I read last fall) and anything thats not your typical-christian-living pick up. My friend Richard said it was great and one of the best he had read in awhile, it was good just not the best.

In my vain efforts to try and figure out the opposite sex, i tried my yearly relationship book and it was pretty decent. It was a little repetitive but short and to the point in some areas. Thinking ladies should read it, too!

It has been a long time coming, but back to one of my favorite authors in my library. I had been wanting this book since it came out 2 years ago at the Lifeway I was working at, and i was able to pick it up for $5 a the five buck christian bookstore at tanger. AWESOME READ!

I started this one last summer in July and I finished it around late April, finally. It was probably the longest book I've ever read cover to cover (besides the Bible) and the persistence paid off. What a great history of the work and movement of the Conservative Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention. EVERY Southern Baptists needs to read this!

Question and Answers with NAMB

2008-08-01T14:13:00.002-04:00

a. How old were you when you answered the call to ministry?

I was 15 years old when I accepted my call to full time Christian ministry and service. This calling occurred at a World Changers mission week in Charleston, West Virginia, just weeks after I finished my freshman year in high school. I will never ever forget it. I have reflected often on this time and this commitment to my Savior and I today rejoice in that He called me… even me!

b. How did you know you were called to ministry?

Many things occurred after my call to ministry. Godly parents, Sunday school teachers, Christian adults, and leaders affirmed me in my decision. Through lots of prayer, reading God’s Word and getting in on the actual doing of ministry and service that God calls us to, helped affirm the call for my life to serve Him in Christian vocation.

c. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you answered God’s call?

Following Christ isn’t easy. When Christ told His disciples to deny themselves and to take up their cross, the same is true today. People will not agree with your call to follow and answer God’s call. There will be what seems to be better things to do with your time and your money, but a call to Christ is a call to deny self. You will meet more people than you ever wanted to know, go places you never knew existed, and experience things you will never think imaginable as you walk and delight yourself in Him.

d. What is the best advice you would give a student entering the ministry today?

Love God with all that you have, Love others more than you love yourself, and live a life of Love. Ministry exists because people exist. If there were no people, there would be no ministry. If you and I can’t love the people that God has put in front of us, than our ministry will never affect the Kingdom of God. Throughout the Scripture, we see Jesus loving people, ministering to people, touching people, healing people, and teaching them about the Kingdom. Be a Kingdom person who loves like the King does!

changing times

2008-06-14T20:13:00.003-04:00

I recognize that I have not blogged since March 26th and that is tragic!

2008 has been thus far an incredible faith journey in Christ. Tonight as I sit and type this blog entry, I have been reflecting and thinking of the events/situations/experiences of the past months that make my journey difficult and astounding all at the same time.

This summer I am continuing to speak to students in our ministry four nights a week in our resort missions INTRACOASTAL OUTREACH. You have to understand, that these four weekly talks I have thought about since last summer concluded. The idea of "love" is our theme this year and it has been a personally interesting journey in seeking God's Word and really hearing from Him in which passages to speak from for the evening services at our Holiday Inn West hotel.

I am not one to talk about relationships, dating, and the time in which LOVE springs forth in those life events. I hope i never have to really, because it seems to me that everyone has their opinion (with Scripture to back them up of course) and I'm just not going there. There are so many other things about LOVE that I read and am personally convicted of throughout the Bread of Life.

My friend Wil Owens once wrote a book and noted, "The sure sign of intimacy with God is that our circumstances do not change our passion to know God and dwell in His presence." Love and intimacy - now there are two words that go hand-in-hand!

This spring has been an up-and-down time of highs and lows which have really made me think on how "I love those around me". LOVE is one of the greatest gifts we have from God, not only to love ourselves, love others, but most importantly to Love the Lord our God! I'm so glad that despite what happens in this life, God will always love me. I'm thrilled to know that despite my inadequacies, failures, weaknesses, mistakes, and mess-ups, that God will still love me.

Oh what a foretaste of Glory Divine!

Aunt Linda

2008-03-26T22:28:00.002-04:00

3 weeks ago today my aunt, Linda Watford, went to the medical university of South Carolina to have a heart valve replaced. The surgery was successful, with no complications, and my family waited patiently for her to wake up. somewhere between that Wednesday, march 5 and the following sunday, march 9 my aunt Linda suffered a stroke which went undetected until doctors ran a ct scan.

Currently, my aunt is awake and is making progress. very slowly. As of last Wednesday she can move her head, her left arm, left leg, and can smile if the right joke is cracked. The last i heard on Tuesday was that she is now supporting her head on her own, somewhat. that's a big deal.

We don't know how much motion or cognizance she will recover, or how quickly. it's a waiting game to a large degree.

I am posting all this, and will continue to give updates, so that anyone who reads it will see the needs of my family and will pray for my aunt Linda, her husband Don, their son Brian and his family, their daughter Heather and her family, and all of our extended family.

I love my aunt! She provided for me a lot in college and she is probably the closest person to me in my extended family, and i ask for your prayerful support for my family during this time.

(thanks Randy for putting this all into words and for letting me revise this for my blog)

It is almost March..... already

2008-02-24T17:31:00.004-05:00

Some of you i know check daily for updates on this piece just awaiting a newfound thought and inspiration from me..... just kidding! It has been awhile so I think a note will be justice for each of you:)

It has been an incredible years already, and i have traveled many miles already. Ministry as a US/C2 missionary is fascinating, and we found out on Thursday that I have been approved to serve for an extra year, so i guess they can call me the US/C3 now... i dunno.

Many of you know that we lost our Group Coordinator at Intracoastal Outreach back in August for another position, so we went August - First of February without one. I am so thankful for a new Group Coordinator in our office and the work Kristyn will do for our ministry as we strive to grow and build ICO for the Kingdom.

Here's a funny story: This morning I preached at one of our WBA churches out in Galivants Ferry. I preached on Job as a man of Faith out of the first two chapters in the book of Job and concluded in the latter part of the end in chapter 42. I left the church after the service to head back this way to the beach, already having planned to eat at Zaxby's for lunch (cause i had this taste for good chicken fingers). So here I was driving down the road and i felt this thing in my pocket. I was like, 'don't tell me i left the church with the wireless microphone'. Sure enough, I had done just that. Figuring I'd call the pastor (who was on his way back from vacation) sometime this afternoon, I was to focused on eating lunch because preaching makes me really hungry. As I am eating my lunch inside at the Zaxby's place, one of the students in the church gets out of his truck and comes in to order. I get his attention, ask him if he is going back to church tonight, and he replied that he was. I then asked him, laughing on the inside of course, if he would do me a favor by taking the microphone back to the church. Immediately he called his pastor (thankfully the pastor did not answer), because he just couldn't believe I 'stole' the church's mic. Funny story, and I thought you'd get a kick out of it.

I've been to three conferences already, and i fly out this Friday for a NAMB event, where I'll speak five times about the ministry (Intracoastal Outreach) that I'm a part of here in myrtle beach. One of my goals this year is to read a 'youth ministry' book each month, so a total of 12 for the year. Below are the two I have already read to reach my goal:

1. A New Kind of Student Ministry - by Chris Folmsbee

2. Love This! - by Andy Braner

Probably one of the greatest blessings of my ministry position is meeting new people and getting to know others more closely. The list below is some of those that I'm thankful for putting into my life over the past two months, and others who are constantly a part of my life in a special way:

Richard, Sarah, and Douglas Jenkins
Todd, Amy, Ellyn-Kate, Caroline, and Abby Wood
Waccamaw Baptist Association, all WBA pastors, and Brother Rick and Donna Astle
Renee Sullivan and Lee Avery
ICO's new group coordinator Kristyn Sewell (praise the Lord for her)
Ministry encouragers and partners like Larry Lemming and Amanda Bouchillon at Lowcountry Ministry
NAMB missionary-family like Randy and Jeannie Mullinax, other US/C2'ers Erika Holt and Michelle Bruss... and new friends like Chad Moore and Jennifer Mackey
Of course, i cannot be a miss to mention my bestest friends Ryan and Melissa Peduzzi who have a new found love for me and trekking Himalayan Mountains in Nepal :)
Caroline Wham, who sadly sunk the Hunley to get a ride in a silver Camry
and to wrap up a long list, every WMU lady who prays for me, those back home at North Trenholm and those everywhere who lift me up in prayer before the Father of Lights!

So to close this post on this sometimes-ever-so-slow-updating blog, I will end with a picture of Ryan and Melissa and I on the airplane from the country of Qatar headed to America! And please notice my shirt that shows the Yak-Yak-Yak-Yaks and Ryans hot red north face coat:)

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN and BRETT FAVRE?

2008-01-11T11:16:00.000-05:00

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Brett Favre is leaning toward returning for another season with the Green Bay Packers, according to comments he made to his hometown newspaper.

In a story posted on the Web site of the Biloxi (Miss.) Sun-Herald, the record-setting quarterback says he isn't approaching Saturday's playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks like it will be his final game in Green Bay. "Each week, I bring more stress on myself wondering if this is too good to be true," Favre told the Sun-Herald. "I want to continue the streak and winning. When I talk about the streak, it's not the [consecutive] starts; it's the hot streak we are on. Then, I ask what can I do better?

"I am trying to enjoy it because this could be my last game in Green Bay," he said. "For the first time in three years, I haven't thought this could be my last game. I would like to continue longer." At least two members of Favre's family don't want him to retire: his daughters, Brittany, a freshman at Charleston Southern, and Breleigh.

"Brittany was up here [in Green Bay last weekend] and drove to get ice cream," Favre told the Sun-Herald. "It was like pulling teeth to get Brittany and Breleigh to get out of the car to get the ice cream. But we didn't argue about it being my last game like we have in the past. We talked about Brittany coming back in this weekend from Charleston Southern for what could be my last game. "Breleigh then spoke up and said, 'Dad, don't retire.' And Brittany said, 'Dad, I think you need to play one more year," Favre told the newspaper.

While it has been widely assumed that Favre would come back to play next season after having one of the best years of his career, both he and Packers coach Mike McCarthy have said the future Hall of Famer would wait until after the season to address the issue. In his 17th season, Favre led the Packers to a 13-3 record with 28 touchdowns, 4,155 passing yards and a quarterback rating of 95.7, his best in 11 seasons. For his career, Favre has 442 TD passes, 61,655 passing yards and 5,377 pass completions.

Favre's now-annual flirtation with retirement has taken on a life of its own in Wisconsin. He has taken weeks and even months in recent years to make up his mind. "I have a lot to think about. It's been a fun year and winning has made it a good year," Favre told the newspaper. "For the first time in a couple of years, at this point, my focus is solely on Seattle and winning a playoff game at home."

Favre's favorite receiver, Donald Driver, said Wednesday he hoped Favre would return. "Oh, yeah. Of course," Driver said. "I hope so. ... But I don't know. I hope he comes back, but if not, he had a great career. I'm happy for that, and I'm glad I'm a part of it."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

~ kudos to Mary Torretta for giving me this wonderful report found online at ESPN

Copeland ministers in vacation land

2007-12-10T20:52:00.000-05:00

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

Thanks Charleston Southern University for a great ICO ad!

The Christmas Dance - by Peter

2007-12-07T17:10:00.000-05:00

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

2007-12-01T22:18:00.000-05:00

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

2007-11-04T21:36:00.001-05:00

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

2007-10-29T22:03:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-16T16:48:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-14T21:16:00.000-04:00

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!

2007-09-27T21:36:00.000-04:00

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

Convergent

2007-09-26T17:04:00.002-04:00

[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!

2007-09-22T17:30:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-06T22:11:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-20T09:13:00.000-04:00

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

2007-06-17T22:17:00.000-04:00

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

2007-05-22T21:13:00.000-04:00

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

2007-05-10T19:46:00.001-04:00

~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

2007-04-09T16:47:00.000-04:00

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

2007-03-26T18:42:00.000-04:00

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...

2007-02-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-04T16:40:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-25T22:18:00.000-05:00

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?

2007-01-11T12:51:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-02T22:07:00.000-05:00

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,

END of 2006

2006-12-28T22:41:00.000-05:00

So here's the update as of 12-28:

I am in myrtle beach unpacking the many boxes and trying to make a home for myself on 4th avenue north, just a few blocks from the "old" Pavillion.

I am heading to see Kate tomorrow at home in Columbia for the entire weekend and will return here New Years night to begin my new position as US/C2 on Tuesday, January 2nd.

Watch out for those Kentucky'ers you tigers, a tiger rag-whipping is in store so stay tuned tomorrow afternoon.

For all you GAMECOCKS out there, we're going to win another and end the 2nd season with Spurrier as the "ole ball coach" very well.

How to Blog...

2006-12-19T15:20:00.000-05:00

What a great semester, and I am glad it is finally over. The blog-world has been my new found interest this semester and having a blog has become an important part of learning outside the classroom this fall.

I have learned a great deal from my professor's blog and have found an idea that he has constantly written over and over again concerning the practice of blogging and I want to share it with each of you.

Blogging is about issues, thoughts, opinions, rants, preferences and the such. Blogging is NOT about attacking the person! For all who post on this blog in the days to come, blog on the issues and not on the blogger him/herself.

CONTACT update

2006-12-16T08:45:00.000-05:00

Peter Copeland

501 4th Avenue North
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Call: 803-920-3763 (cell)

Click for: My Website & My Blog

Paul declared, "Therefore, whatever you eat or drink,
do all for the glory of God" 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB)

25.5 hours to graduation.. and this is what i just read!

2006-12-13T22:26:00.000-05:00

AMERICANS PREFER RELIGION OVER SEX & VIOLENCE -- The American Bible Society and Zogby International conducted a poll in November called “What Is More Offensive on Television: Religion or Sex and Violence?” and what they found is contrary to what most television networks and advertising agencies contend.

Results indicate that 85 percent of American viewers desire more religious values and references to the Bible and less sex and violence in television programming.

“Here at the Bible Society, we advocate for the Bible and its place and role in society. We firmly believe that the Bible plays a critical role in the ongoing development of our culture and the social fabric of our country,” Paul Irwin, president of the American Bible Society, said. “Although America is a nation of many faiths, and in some instances no faith, Americans still believe that the Bible's teachings and values are an essential part of our common character.”

Three more polls are set to follow, asking television networks and movie producers to explain why they cut most faith-based references in their programming.

BIG NEWS - Goin' Coastal

2006-12-05T22:18:00.000-05:00

Just the other week at Lifeway Christian Store (where I work), a lady said she needed help and she called me by name. Granted I have a name badge and a lifeway embroidered shirt that looks exceptionally hott with my khakis, but this lady "knew" who I was. She knew because me because she saw me this past summer as I gave my testimony at the TravelPark Campground service on the first of eight Sunday campgrounds services that our ICO (3-person) team went to. I have to tell you, that over the past 4-5 months, God has affirmed His next ministry for me over and over again this semester. I cannot tell you how many goosebumps I have had, how much I have prayed, and how people in my life have encouraged and affirmed God's leading in my life come January 2007. After I graduate from Southeastern Next Friday the 15th, I am packing and "Goin' Coastal"!

Yesterday, Tuesday the 5th, I was approved by the North America Mission Board (NAMB) to serve as a US/C2 missionary in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The US/C2 position is a 2-year appointed position by NAMB to serve in the USA. My position title is "Church and Community Ministries Missionary." I will work with the Waccamaw Baptist Association, which is comprised of over 72 local baptist churches in the Myrtle Beach area. I will serve with the Intracoastal Outreach of the association partnering with churches from all over the USA to minister through the summer in the Grand Strand Community, the 3rd top tourist city in the USA!

I AM TOTALLY EXCITED AND READY TO SERVE THE LORD IN THIS CAPACITY. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT AFTER SERVING THIS SUMMER WITH ICO THAT I WOULD SERVE FOR TWO YEARS DOING MINISTRY TO PEOPLE WHO NEED JESUS AND EQUIPPING LOCAL CHURCHES FOR THE GREAT COMMISSION THROUGH THE GREAT COMMANDMENT IN THE MYRTLE BEACH COMMUNITY.

Will you covenant with me in prayer for the sand ahead, the churches I will work with, the people I will serve with, the opportunites that abound, and the creativity that will arise to share Christ's love and His Gospel?

Look for me on myrtle with my yellow shirt -- GOIN' COASTAL

Why? Because Missions is a Lifestyle!

Books and Various

2006-12-01T13:25:00.000-05:00

Have you taken the Quiz? Find out how much you think you know about Peter Copeland by clicking on this link to take a 10 question quiz and see how well you know him.

Connector Blog will release a huge announcement on Wednesday with some post-graduation news from Peter Copeland.

Peter's 25th Birthday is coming Monday the 11th and his last final exam is on Tuesday the 12th.

Let me share with you some books I have read since mid-September that you may want to read for yourself (Title of the book, Author, and Publisher):

The Dangerous Duty of Delight (John Piper, Multnomah)
The Christian Educators Handbook on Teaching (Gangel-Editor, Baker)
Marriable (Michael and Haley DiMarco, Revell)
Darwin's Black Box (Michael Behe, Free Press)
What the Cross Means to Me (Holt-Editor, Harvest House)
Soul Searching (Smith & Denton, Oxford) - most of
Purpose Driven Youth Ministry (Doug Fields, Zondervan) - part of
Christian Apologetics Handbook (Kreeft, Intervarsity) - part of
Choosing God's Best (Raunikar, Prince Press) - some of

Do you know PETER ?

2006-11-28T14:44:00.000-05:00

YES? NO? Maybe SO?

take a quiz and see if you do:

CLICK ME FOR QUIZ

Parody Found on the Goatkeeper:

2006-11-28T14:27:00.000-05:00

"Fantasy leagues are no longer restricted to football and baseball. Be among the first to start your own Chapel Fantasy League. Choose your players well, and you could be the next Fantasy Chapel Souper Bowl Champion.

Build your team around your Guest Speaker, add a Master's prof, a Leavell prof, and let your worship leader clean up house. Who will the number one pick? Will it be the seminary president? Maybe the SBC president? Will you risk your season on the NAMB speaker, or will you break the bank on a heavy hitter like the LifeWay speaker?

Score points on lengths of sermon, style, spitting distance, attendance, volume level. Extra points if your speaker is done by 11:30.

League play is Tuesday through Thursday 11:00 am-12:00 pm. No changes to rosters after start of first chapel each week. Attendance at chapel is not required, but is encouraged. Pack a pew and help your team out!"

Ps. Everyone needs a little seminarian-humor!

For all you TURKEYS

2006-11-22T11:33:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been called a turkey? Well I have and I still do not know what it means. I have been called a turkey when I have done something stupid and I have been called a turkey when I was being crazy. So when have you been called a turkey? So for all you who have been called a turkey.... the official day for turkeys is upon us.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING YOU TURKEYS

An open letter to NBC

2006-11-16T13:32:00.000-05:00

As a graduate student with an undergraduate degree in Communications and as an avid watcher of your Nightly News cast for the past 12 years, I have noticed something that I thought should shed light to your broadcasting. I have been pleased with your coverage of Hurricane Katrina most notably as I was studying in New Orleans for my grduate degree and left two days before Katrina ravaged the city. I have enjoyed watching coverage of election results for the past six years and the tenacity and commitment you maintain to get the correct news information.

However, I have watched time and time again very apalled at the slant you give certain government individuals much more coverage and air time on your news cast. Specifically, I have questioned your view on leaning much to the "left side" of the issues in a Republican controlled government for the past six years. Just within the last year I have made note of the key individuals on the Democratic side of things concerning who you broadcast, interview, and feature. These noted individuals like Hilary Clinton, Al Gore, Barack Obama, just to name a few. While even on the Republican side of things, individuals like Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Lindsay Graham, and the re-elected Trent Lott are usually the only ones you broadcast, interview, and feature.

So the question arises, is NBC that biased? Is NBC only giving the information and the views they want the tv-watcher to know? Why not allow other great men and women in Congress some national air time? People sometimes say "that we are a divided country" and I wonder if this is fueled by the NBC corporation, or any other news-related corporation for that manner!

JUST SAY NO to WAL-MART

2006-11-15T14:13:00.000-05:00

the following is from the American Family Association and information I have kept up with lately:

Wal-Mart has gone on record that they are an advocate for the homosexual agenda. In the Out & Equal 2006 Workplace Summit Program Guide, Wal-Mart placed a full-page ad which explicitly stated that it would be an advocate for the homosexual movement. Keep in mind this ad was developed for the homosexual conference and aimed at participating homosexual groups.

Not only did Wal-Mart place the ad in the program guide, they also gave $60,000 to Out & Equal, a homosexual organization pushing the same-sex agenda, including same-sex marriage, in the workplace. Out & Equal served as conference host and the donation went to help sponsor the Out & Equal Workplace Summit held this past September in Chicago.

The purpose of the conference was to train homosexuals to convince the companies for which they work to support the homosexual agenda and to encourage other companies to do the same.

At the conference, Pride, Wal-Mart’s in-house homosexual group, presented a PowerPoint presentation detailing how they were successful in getting Wal-Mart to support the homosexual agenda. The PowerPoint presentation, telling Pride’s story, contains 51 frames. Each page of the presentation contains the line “Confidential Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.” It was used to encourage conference participants to follow Pride’s example in the companies for which they work.

Millions of Americans are not aware of Wal-Mart’s support for homosexual marriage. PLEASE LET ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY KNOW THIS INFORMATION!

(And Richard, if you read this, thanks for leaving Wal-Mart so I can post this)

Shut Up Elton

2006-11-12T17:49:00.000-05:00

I checked Yahoo News early this morning before heading out to church and found this startling and in-appropriate news blip (click here). Now when does Religion lack compassion? Well if you include Islam as a religion the statement is clear and true. But I am reminded of story of the Good Samaritan who had compassion and love for the beaten man and not only picked the man up but provided lodging as long as the man needed. I saw compassion as 13 other ICO staff members and the various student groups who shared our summer with us who loved and hugged and played with children from all walks of life and told them about Jesus. Compassion must be embodied by children of God at all times to all people for the glory of God.

Now to hatred of homosexuals. Elton is definitely speaking out of turn. Yes, some "religious people" may show/express hatred to homosexuals and for that I even cringe and lose heart. But men and woman of God (i.e. saved believers) must continually love homosexuals. If I had the chance this week, I would give Mr. Elton John a hug saying Christ loves you and died for you. I do not condone or agree with the sin of homosexuality friends like Mr. Elton, as time and time again, Scripture after Scripture speaks against the sin of homosexuality. The whole concept here is that Mr. Elton has once again put his foot in his big-gayish mouth. Granted the guy has made some decent songs in my lifetime and Disney even received some credit for the Lion King for one, but Elton John needs Jesus. Just like the people in our neighborhoods, schools, churches, workplaces, civil clubs, and organizations need Jesus. I hope that you and I go against the "religiousity" of this world and that you and I emphatically love people.

"Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your Mind." As with Jesus' reply to the one who asked what the greatest commandment, he then added "Love your neighbor as yourself." Oh that you and I would become the ones to lavish out Christ's love on the homosexuals, the needy, the poor, the homeless, the unqualified, the sick, the isolated, the imprisoned, the orphans, the persecuted, but most importantly the one's who need an ear to their rumbling, a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, and a friend to walk with through the trials, circumstances, bad health, and even the death of a loved one.

Do you love God with all your heart? soul? and mind?

GREAT NEWS!

2006-10-30T11:10:00.000-05:00

In the past 13 months on campus at Southeastern, I have managed to adjust and situate myself into a new seminary with new rules, harder grade-scaling, and better affordable campus housing.

Today, my brother (who is a student at Leavell College on the campus of New Orleans Seminary) gave me a link to one of my favorite things from NOBTS. The link is a myspace page of the GOATKEEPER.

The GOATKEEPER was a parody newspaper by NOBTS students of the different events happening around campus. I have included the link below for you to share in the humor and parody of the GOATKEEPER

2006 Reunion

2006-10-28T15:49:00.000-04:00

2006 ICO SUMMER
STAFF you are
invited to the.....

2006 Summer ICO

Staff Reunion
Myrtle Beach, S. C.
December 19 - 21

RSVP by Wed. November 8th

Come and be blessed as we share our memories, our random oddities, and how God has blessed us this semester at school. I do not have to tell you that you will not want to miss this special time of blessing, crazyness, and "oh no you denton"!

October 20th UPDATE

2006-10-20T12:12:00.001-04:00

This Sunday, October 22nd, I will be preaching at the Calvary Baptist Church in Meggett, South Carolina, for their 102nd Homecoming. The service will be at 10:30AM. I will be traveling down to Charleston Saturday and will return late on Sunday.

BIG NEWS:

I will be traveling Nov. 9-10 to Alpharetta, Georgia to complete the interview process with the North American Mission Board for the US/C2 missionary position.

Please pray for me and those who will be conducting the interviews as we do all for the Glory of GOD!

Thank you for your continued help and support during this application process!

Blogging is...

2006-10-01T23:17:00.000-04:00

Blogging is.... typing what your feeeling
Blogging is.... letting people you know whats on your mind
Blogging is.... wandering if anyone even reads your blog
Blogging is.... allowing those closest to me to hopefully be blessed, encouraged, & challenged to live their faith out & share their faith with others. Throughout this year, I have really given much thought and heart into the verse of 1 Corinthians 10:31, (and ICO staff lets say it together) "Therefore, whatever you do, whether you eat or whether you drink, do all for the glory of God." This is the life verse of Peter Copeland. This verse humbles me. It makes much of God, and God alone. As Christ INCREASES in my life, I can do nothing else but DECREASE. If everything I do is done for the glory, the honor, praise, exaltation, magnification and worth of God in Heaven, then everything I do must be done in purity, obedience, sacrifice, and in His strength.

When I first made my CopelandConnections webpage in geocities, I captured the following verse found in Isaiah 43:1-2 at the very top of the webpage, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...For I am the Lord your God..."

I recently had to put up (yet, again) a desktop photo of the "It's Not About Me" book cover by Max Lucado. It is a constent reminder, that my life is for His glory. I was created to worship, I am called to worship, and I cannot do anything in this life on this side of the cross WITHOUT worship.

So the question is: Who or what is your life about?

Merry early Christmas to the ACLU!

2006-09-28T22:50:00.000-04:00

Yes, Christmas cards! This is coming early (really early) so that you can get ready to include an important address to your list:

What a GREAT idea! Fun with the ACLU...... Wanna have some fun this CHRISTMAS? Send the ACLU a CHRISTMAS CARD this year. As they are working so very hard to get rid of the CHRISTMAS part of this holiday, we should all send them a nice, CHRISTIAN, card to brighten up their dark, sad, little world. Make sure it says "Merry Christmas" on it. Here's the Address, just don't be rude or crude. (It's Not the Christian Way):

ACLU
125 Broad Street
18th Floor New York, NY 10004

Two tons of Christmas cards would freeze their operations because they wouldn't know if any were regular mail containing contributions. So spend 39 cents and tell the ACLU to leave Christmas alone. Also tell them that there is no such thing as a "Holiday Tree". . . It's a Christmas Tree even in the fields!!

(this was a forward, but i have edited it for great content and a great suggestion for all of us to share Christ even with the ACLU)

Senator Jim DeMint

2006-09-25T19:45:00.000-04:00

When I travel home mid-October, I intend on voting absentee. Over the past year I have some, though very little, correspondence with South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint. First, I contacted his office about the hostility by India's government and Hindu leaders concerning the Emmanuel Ministries in Kota, India. A bill was put before the senate and Demint gave his approval for the bill. Second, I learned that DeMint would be speaking to the South Carolina Baptist Convention in November and I emailed his office letting DeMint know I was praying for him, as he would be giving his testimonty to the SCBC messengers.
I am an avid reader of the Baptist Press webpage and the following was released at this page concerning Senator DeMint:

Sen. Jim DeMint, R.-S.C., has blocked a confirmation vote on President Bush’s nominee to head the Food and Drug Administration unless he acts to suspend the sale of the abortion drug RU 486.

I know where I stand and vote when it comes to S.Carolina Senator Jim DeMint!

It makes me "feel good"? well not really

2006-09-23T09:50:00.000-04:00

Over the past couple of years, the preacher/speaker of Joel Osteen has made me cringe. Concerning the following two articles found on this page, it is very evident to me that Joel Osteen does NOT preach the whole counsel of God's Word. He is picking and choosing the feel-good and inspirational parts of the Bible.

Maybe this could be an open conversation between us in the coming days. But the following found on the weblink above really makes me skeptical on the "preacher" of Joel Osteen:

[Joel Ostee] was at a Boston bookstore signing books when he was asked his opinion about "gay marriage," which has been legal in Massachusetts since 2004. According to the Boston Herald, Osteen "suddenly got sheepish." "I don't think it's God's best," Osteen said, according to the Sept. 2 edition of the Herald. "I never feel like homosexuality is God's best." Pressed further, Osteen added, "I don't feel like that's my thrust ... you know, some of the issues that divide us, and I'm here to let people know that God is for them and He's on their side."

Writing in his weblog, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. said Osteen's answer fell short."Put that alongside the fact that Stephen Green was recently arrested in Great Britain for passing out pamphlets that included Bible verses clearly declaring homosexuality to be a sin," Mohler wrote. "Christians in many parts of the world now risk arrest for declaring openly what the Bible clearly teaches. Mr. Osteen can be assured that his weak and evasive non-answer to this reporter's question will put him at very little risk for arrest. But then, pandering prophets are rarely at much of a risk from the public anyway."There was no conviction in his answer; no clear declaration of biblical truth; no Gospel, no judgment, and no promise. Just a non-answer with a smile. Pathetic ... simply pathetic."

It is not the first time Osteen has given a somewhat evasive answer to a moral question. In June 2005, during an appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live," Osteen was asked about his positions on "gay marriage" and abortion."You know what, Larry? I don't go there. I just ...," he said, according to a transcript. "... I just, you know, I don't think that a same-sex marriage is the way God intended it to be. I don't think abortion is the best. I think there are other, you know, a better way to live your life. But I'm not going to condemn those people. I tell them all the time our church is open for everybody."

"You don't call them sinners?" King asked."I don't," Osteen said."Is that a word you don't use?" King asked."I don't use it," Osteen responded. "I never thought about it. But I probably don't. But most people already know what they're doing wrong. When I get them to church I want to tell them that you can change. There can be a difference in your life. So I don't go down the road of condemning."

Got Tracts?

2006-09-20T23:05:00.000-04:00

Here is the story from a week ago and now this is what I am thinking:

As many of you know I faithfully work at Lifeway Christian Store in Raleigh on Capitol Boulevard between 10-20 hours a week. Our store has it's own unique customers granted, but there are some worth blogging about! A lady has come in like two visits out of the last three weeks I have worked. Noting at the checkout counter, " you need some more tracts, do you know when you'll get some more in." And on the way out after she paid her ten bucks worth of 'gospel' tracts, imperatively noting something to the effect of, "how can i tell these kids if i can't get tracts here."

Now excuse me for a moment, when was the last time you needed a tract to tell someone about Salvation in Christ? People may respond to tracts. People may throw the tract on the ground. People may even pass the tract on to some other more likely tract reader. But when did having a tract become the only way to tell someone about Salvation in Christ?

If this is the mind-set we have given about tracts, we have failed. Man can not live by bread alone, and I would substitute the word tract for bread. Man cannot live on tract alone! Take the life-changing Gospel to the hard places, to the hard peoples, not only living it but telling it as you go along. Don't rely on on the tracts, rely on the Father who came and dwelt among us...Who embraced a cross on our behalf so that we could become the righteousness of God!

Mid-September

2006-09-19T10:34:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the eleven day gap in this post and the last one, I have been catching up on some school work.

First off, let me share with you some books I have read since August that you may want to read for yourself (Title of the book, Author, and Publisher):

Bible Study Methods (Rick Warren, Zondervan)
When God Builds a Church (Bob Russell, Howard)
Real Teens (Barna, Regal)
Darwin on Trial (Phillip Johnson, Intervarsity)

Second, I hope for you as the autumn days begin very soon, that your relationship with Christ will continue to grow and you will remain steadfast in your faith.

Third, let us all remember to pray for the upcoming November election. I hope that we all do our homework and prayerfully consider those whom are running for office. We need leaders with a Biblical world-view that will help shape and form our society to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.