The Northern Baptist Education Society for generations has been supporting students as they become prepared for the ministry, and now we have the opportunity to help educated pastors serving local churches. Again, this year we are trying out a new program to reduce the financial barriers facing recent graduates coming to serve in local churches in Northern New England by creating a Loan Repayment Assistance Program. We seek a creative solution that will work against prevailing trends to encourage educated pastors to come serve our local churches in our regions.

Here are some guidelines for this program. To qualify, applicants would:

• Be a graduate of an ATS seminary. 
• Have educational debt (undergraduate and graduate)
• Be serving an American Baptist Church as a pastor in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont or New Hampshire.
• Be listed in the directory of the Region that the applicant is serving or have the endorsement of the Regional Executive Minister.
• Applications can be made every year with no more than three years of grants awarded per person.

​If you have any questions about the Loan Repayment Assistance Program, please reach out to Roger Spinney (rspin6477@aol.com). If you would like an application for the program again reach out to Roger Spinney. The deadline to receive applications for the year 2021 grants is May 30, 2021.  Decisions will be made on grants no later than June 15, 2021.  

While the board has already allocated funds in assisting this program, they are working towards trying to fund this program with donations in order to continue this program. For those who have already paid off their education debt and would like to help other pastors, please go to our web  site: https://www.northernbaptisteducationsociety.com. 

​Over 150 people, church members and friends, joined together on Sunday, May 2nd for an outdoor service to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of The First Baptist Church of Brentwood and is the oldest active Baptist church in New Hampshire.

First Baptist was begun under the ministry of Rev. Dr. Samuel Shepard, a physician, who had been converted to Baptist belief a year earlier, after reading a tract given to him by Rachel Scammon, believed to be the first Baptist in New Hampshire.

During his 40 year pastorate Dr. Shepard made many evangelical tours in the surrounding area, planting some 23 congregations as he went, all of which remained under the auspices of the Brentwood church.

In 1810 the Portsmouth Baptist Association set aside "The Brentwood Baptist Church and its branches" as its own Association.  It is believed that, at that time, the Brentwood church was the largest church of any denomination in all of New England.

Following Dr. Shepard's death in 1815 the branch churches began to break off, continuing ministry as their own entities.  Many of the congregations founded by Dr. Shepard are still active today.

Rev. James Barnes, Pastor and Rev. Malcolm Hall, Deacon, led the worship service, while Rev. Dale Edwards, Region Minister, preached, then served Communion, assisted by former Pastors, Rev. James Smith, Rev. Cliff Vendt and Rev. John Hastings.

Following worship the crowd was treated to an old-fashioned box lunch.  Gov. Chris Sununu joined the group, bringing greetings.  Gov. Sununu remained for some time, interacting with the crowd and even helping the Sunday school kids bury a time capsule, to be opened in twenty-five years.

First Baptist holds two services each Sunday, at 9:30 and 11:00 am, but expects to move outside for the summer soon, whereupon the schedule will change to a single 10:00 am service.

​The country of Myanmar (also called Burma) held elections on November 8, 2020, when the National Democratic League political party won 83% of the vote. But on February 1, 2021, just before the new parliament was scheduled to convene, military leaders took over the country in a coup, declaring that the country was under a one-year state of emergency. At that time, many top leaders were detained, and strict restrictions were placed on banks, internet, mobile phones, and television. Military presence since the beginning of February increased, with armed soldiers a constant presence in nearly all cities, towns, and villages.

Why is this important? 
International Ministries’ relationship with our partner, the Myanmar Baptist Convention (MBC), began in 1813 with the arrival of Ann and Adoniram Judson, the first missionaries to land in Myanmar, where they introduced Christianity to the Burmese. Over the centuries, our close relationship has continued, and since the time of the Judsons, IM had over 300 missionaries serving with the MBC in Myanmar in education, theological education, health and wellness, discipleship and evangelism. Sadly, in 1962, due to the political situation, all the missionaries were expelled from the country; but, in 2011, the country opened up again and our rich relationship continued. The MBC today continues to be a vibrant denomination with over 1.6 million members across 28 language groups spread throughout Myanmar.

Because the elected democratic government in Myanmar was not acknowledged, large numbers of people in Myanmar immediately began resisting the military in consistent, peaceful, nonviolent protests using civil disobedience all over the country. These methods of passive resistance, including peaceful protests, prayer vigils, and staying home from work have all been a part of their CDM (Civil Disobedience Movement) protests against the armed military. Because of the pressure to go back to work, many civil servants have had to go into hiding, including doctors, medical workers, teachers, engineers, and others. Even as they have been in hiding, many have continued their work online to provide free services to their fellow citizens. The result is that many in Myanmar have no income and need assistance and urgent support. Protests have also complicated the fight against the spread of COVID-19 infections.

IM’S RESPONSE
As a part of the Burma Refugee Commission (BRC), International Ministries is meeting often with the Myanmar Diaspora (diaspora is used here to indicate the former refugee communities) leaders living in the United States. International Ministries is in frequent contact with leaders of the MBC to learn their needs and hear about the situation on the ground. The BRC continues to advocate with our top political leaders to ask them to intervene, holds a time of prayer one time each month with the diaspora leaders in the US and abroad, and has collaborated to produce a “Call to Prayer” page on the ABCUSA website. It can be accessed here:  https://www.abc-usa.org/burma-refugee-commission/

IM is working to provide funds to assist those affected by the coup. Funds raised will go to assist those who are in need in Myanmar because of the political turmoil. Funds will be used to: 1. Assist civil servants and their families who are engaged in the CDM; 2. Assist the people who are suffering due to their jobless status; and 3. Help those who cannot afford to pay for medical care and vitamins as well as to pay for tests, medical supplies, and vaccines related to COVID-19.

HOW YOU CAN STAY INFORMED AND HELP
Please continue to pray for the people of Myanmar and our brothers and sisters who are a part of the Myanmar Baptist Convention. Pray for safety, peace, and justice and a positive outcome for what is happening now. Please continue to learn more about this unique situation and what you might be able to do in advocacy. Please give so that we can help to assist those in need.

Persons wishing to support relief efforts can do so through their American Baptist church, through giving online, or by sending checks directly to International Ministries. Please designate your contributions “OGHS–Myanmar Relief” in the memo line of your check.

Checks sent directly to International Ministries should be made payable to International Ministries and mailed to:
International Ministries
Attn: Gifts Processing
1003 W 9th Avenue, Ste A
King of Prussia, PA 19406

​37 weeks of camp?!?!?  This week marks the 37th week of camp.  Hold on. I thought camps only operate in the summer months!  This year was different. Camp Sentinel opened for the summer season in June of 2020 for 10 weeks of day camp, then in September with schools going remote and parents needing to work, Sentinel answered the call to help families. Since mid-September Sentinel has been open for "Student Care" with students mentored by Sentinel staff and 50% of the students receiving scholarship assistance.  Sentinel is mission first.  

Sentinel is open safe and covid free. We were able to do this by following our health and safety guidelines. This summer cabin capacity for overnight camp will be limited, so it is important to sign up soon.  Programs are available for everyone from 5 to 105 years old! To sign up check out our website at www.campsentinel.org

Our 2021 theme is Steadfast.  Firm in belief. Determined. Firmly fixed in place. Immovable. "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23.  Camp provides a place where we find unhurried moments to take a breath and focus on the steadfast love of our unchanging God.  By purposeful time in the quiet, gazing at the bright stars at night, we are reminded of how immovable God is.  Our faith deepens as we are reminded the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases…great is Thy faithfulness.  

As we prepare for the upcoming summer, we are raising support for two areas.  First, Sentinel is MISSION FIRST as we never turn a family away for the inability to pay for camp.  Donations are welcome to help with this important area of support.  Secondly, because people need rest, especially Pastors and their families, we are blessed to be building another Pastor’s Ministry retreat cabin. A generous gift of $50,000 was designated for this purpose and we are looking to raise an additional $75,000 to complete the funding.  We need your help.

Thank you for considering being a mission partner.  For more information please visit www.campsentinel.org/mission

See you soon on the mountaintop,

 Kevin Van Brunt “Pk”
Executive Director, Camp Sentinel

​Fresh Air.  Quiet Rest.  Home Cooked Meals.  Warm Campfire. Authentic Fellowship. 

Clergy and clergy families need rest and fellowship, Sentinel is here. We will have great food, fellowship and break off times for children.  

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 

Speaker: Pastor Thom Christian
Thom has been involved in the Pastoral Ministry as well as Church Development and Revitalization since 1994. During his time, he has been blessed that God used him to lead, revitalize and develop churches in New England and Iowa. His heart and ministry have been primarily to churches seeking leadership and direction to bring vision, hope and excitement and a desire to grow spiritually.  

Friday May 28th 
3pm Arrival 
5:30pm Arrival Dinner (Pastor's kids (Pk's) in the Fishbowl dining room) 
7pm Evening Session (Pk's with Sentinel staff)
8pm Camp Fire

Saturday 29th 
7:45am Morning Watch 
8am Breakfast 
9am Hike to the Ledges (optional)
10am Morning Session  (Pk's break out session)
12:00 BBQ Lunch 
1-3 Hike, Boats free time
3pm Depart 

With 200 beds on Sentinel's campus and 629 acres of fresh mountain air we would like to invite you and your family to Sentinel for a Pastor and family retreat.   We are limiting the event to 25% capacity (50 guests), so if you are interested please email me your church, names of family members attending and any food allergies.  Again, this is first come first serve, to 50 guests.   Cost?  Sentinel is mission first, so we would just ask for a donation.  We currently have 19 spaces available.  Sign up by emailing kevin@campsentinel.org or calling the camp office (603)539-4839