Meet Our FBM Missionaries - Ken & Sarah Beckley

Ken & Sarah Beckley
Marc (15), Andrew (14), Benjamin (11), Stephen (8)

Today we will continue to acquaint you with our new FBM missionaries.  Ken and Sarah Beckley are currently serving the Lord in Mali with their four boys, Marc, Andrew, Benjamin, and Stephen.

Briefly share your salvation experience and your call to ministry.

Ken – I was raised in Mali – my parents served in Mali with Evangelical Baptist Missions (EBM) for 38 years. I attended elementary school at McCaba Academy boarding school in Niamey, Niger. Devotions one morning convicted me that I would go to hell if I died. After devotions, I asked my older sister how to be saved, and she helped me make that decision.
Growing up in Mali, seeing my parents' love for the people, gave me a desire to return to Mali and continue their work. The Lord confirmed that call my senior year in high school.

Sarah – My father was in a veteran’s hospital since I was four years old. However, my mom taught me that God could be the best Father I could ever have if I put my trust in His Son Jesus who died for me. I asked Jesus to be my Savior at the age of 5 in the privacy of my bedroom. Through the influence of many missionaries who came through our church and home, at a young age, I was burdened for lost people. My sophomore year in Bible college, knowing God was calling me to serve Him, I gave Him my life for missionary service.

What did you do before you were a missionary?

Ken – I attended Piedmont Baptist College in NC, where I majored in Missions. After graduation, I served a one-year internship in my home church, Bethel Baptist in Vestal, NY. The following summer I attended EBM’s candidate classes, and was on my way to Mali!

Sarah – After attending Baptist Bible College in Pennsylvania, I worked as a bank teller for one year while applying to ABWE. I served an internship in a church in Margate, FL. and also acquired my Masters degree in Teaching English as a Second Language, while awaiting a work permit to Kenya.

Tell us about your current ministry. Where are you and what are you doing?

Ken – We are serving in the small village of Guéné, in northern Bénin. We are assisting with the translation of the Bible into the Dendi language, as well as pastoring a small church in the town of Malanville.

Sarah – I am homeschooling our four sons. When in Niger last year, I enjoyed teaching a ladies’ Bible study at the national church we attended. Now in Benin, we are learning the differences between the languages of Mali, Niger, and Benin, and seeking to serve the nationals and missionaries in whatever opportunities God gives.

How long have you been serving as a missionary? 

27 years

Ken – I joined EBM in 1985, and began my ministry in Mali in 1990. My first term I served in the town of Timbuktu as a single missionary, helping in all the various ministries of the local church there.

Sarah – I joined the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) in 1985. In the early 90s, I served one year at an MK school in Portugal and one term in Kenya with a church planting team in Nairobi.

Ken & Sarah – In February 1994, during our first furloughs, we met at a missions conference at a mutually supporting church. Ken proposed in July, we were married in August, and in September we left for our next term in Mali!
For the next 15 years, we served the town of Diré, about 80 miles beyond Timbuktu! There we were involved in Bible translation and church planting. Because of problems of insecurity in the north of Mali, since 2011 we have been working in northern Bénin with the Ovenells, doing the same kinds of ministries we had in Mali.

What does a typical day look like for you while you are on the field?

Ken – No such creature exists!
Personal devotions, breakfast, and family devotions are usually done by 8am. Then I do Bible class with our boys, and help with Math if they need it. Ideally, I would spend the rest of the morning working on translation projects with our national translators, or on message preparation. In the afternoons, I try to concentrate on e-mails, financial records, and additional editing of translation projects I can do on my own. However, maintenance issues, other projects, and family matters quite often blow this plan to smithereens!

Sarah – Homeschooling 4 boys can sometimes go from 8:30 to 4:00. Often people come to the door; there are meals to prepare from scratch, ...

As you reflect on the years you have spent as a missionary, please share with us some of the highlights of your ministry.

Ken – Working closely with our Malian church leaders, training them to continue the work in our absence.  Making the Word of God available to the unreached Songhai and Dendi in their heart language, through print as well as multi-media resources.

Sarah – teaching Bible and literacy to women, coming to the end of a primer and hearing one woman testify of her recent faith in Jesus. After years of befriending a hostile, cynical wife of a Songhai Bible translator, I see her graduate from Bible school and hear that she first understood the Gift of God through our Bible memory classes.

What have been some of the biggest challenges that you have faced on the field?

Ken – The ingrained Muslim ideology of the local people, and the cultural pressure to conform and not change religions.  Not getting frustrated or discouraged by the lack of visible results or progress in our various ministries.

Sarah – not knowing how much and when to give to the many daily beggars that came to us.  Learning to trust God with the health of my children when we are hours away from reliable medical help

What person(s) has had the biggest influence on your life?

Ken – My parents, for modeling a ministry of genuine love and incredible patience in the face of incomprehensible cultures, intractable people, and an insufferable climate!

Sarah – A missionary family who invited me to travel with them on their home assignment, during tenth grade summer vacation.  My mother’s hospitality and her love for missions, brought into our home many missionaries who influenced me.  My youth pastor whose passion for serving God was contagious.

What would you say to encourage others (young or old) to consider full-time missions as a profession?

Ken – 

1) Think about the three things you most love spending your time doing. Without much effort, you will find a missionary who would love to have someone with at least one of those skills – and possibly all three – working at his side! I challenge you to check it out!
2) Why is it that 2000 years after Jesus, with all our churches, technology, and wealth in America, 2 billion people have still not heard the Gospel, while 90% of our missionaries are going to already evangelized people groups?

Sarah –There’s no greater joy than to know you are in the center of God’s will. “The will of God will never lead you, where the grace of God cannot keep you” (Dr. Billy Martin). I’ve found that to be so true in my life.

Please share some specific prayer requests with us.

· Wisdom in prioritizing ministry, tasks, and family, giving each their proper amount of time and energy.

· Balancing homeschooling of 4 boys with other ministry demands.

· Strength, good health and protection in daily 100+ temperatures, with snakes, scorpions, malaria, etc. a daily concern.

· Wisdom to make the best education choices for our children

What are some current needs that you have and what can we do to help meet those needs? 

With no electricity here, we are trying to “get a handle” on working with solar power. We still don’t understand all the vagaries involved, and could use some expert advice in some areas!

Meet Some of Our Other FBM Missionaries:

• Kathy Miller
• Tim & Janice Phillips (part 1)
• Tim & Janice Phillips (part 2)
• Ken & Sarah Beckley
• Cindy Faile  

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Through the Eyes of the Volunteer (by Alona Hradec)

Vacation Bible School are three words that I have not used, since I attended only once in the second grade.  But this past week has proven to be one of the best times I have had working with children and learning from each of them and other leaders.  I would like to share how this year's VBS looked through this worker's eyes.  There are four lessons that I learned from working VBS this year.

Lesson 1 ~ Preparation
I learned that there is so much that goes on behind the scenes for Vacation Bible School.  The many weeks worth of preparation is one of the keys to a successful VBS.  I had the chance to help prepare for the week of VBS.  There were always copies, copies, and more copies, but to see children's faces as they learn the verses on a coloring sheet made all the paper cuts and paper jams worth it.  Candy and trinkets were sorted and put into "treasure bags;" so that when a child would answer a question correctly, he would win a little prize.

Lesson 2 ~ The Value of Teachers
This past week I was able to observe one of the classes (5-6 grade girls) one day and then teach the class the next day.  I will be completely honest in saying that I am not a good public speaker, but I realized that these children are like sponges because they soak up everything a teacher says.  They cling to every last word of the lessons.  When they are quizzed over the lessons, they would tell the correct answer and the reason behind it.  Teachers truly do have the ability to shape and mold the children they teach.  I'm truly grateful to have seen teachers, who teach God's Word with such passion this past week.

Lesson 3 ~ Bible Glasses & Dinosaurs
This year's VBS was focused on God's incredible creation.  We spent the week "riding" on the Creation Coaster of Incrediworld.  Each day was spent learning that as Christians, we are to view the world through our "Bible Glasses" (Christian worldview) to determine what was true and right.  On Friday, the main topic was dinosaurs.  I knew these animals were huge, but I had never had a visual aid to help me wrap my brain around how humongous they truly were.  Mr. Stephen showed the entire group of children and leaders that one dinosaur would have stretched from one corner of the gymnasium to the other, which would cut the gym (rectangle) into two triangles.  Wow!  He then showed a diagram that had this same dinosaur and a 6 foot man standing in front of it.  The man's head came to middle of the dinosaur's leg, between its knee and foot.  It was incredible!  Our God is so amazing and powerful!

Lesson 4 ~ Power of Prayer
Vacation Bible School may only be for one week, but what these children have learned goes with them forever.  I found myself praying multiple times a day for each of the children that came daily.  This past week they have been surrounded by Biblical truths and godliness, but now they are headed back to their homes and communities.  I should pray for them even more as they go back to be the light in the darkness of this world.  Some are growing up in Christian homes, where it is easier to choose right and be light, but others are the only light in their families.  I ask that you, too, would keep all of these children in your prayers daily.

That was my VBS week: an opportunity to learn and grow.  I can't wait until next year!  :)

To Fathers - Avoid the Path of Grief and Heartache

Last November, Pastor preached a message from the life of David entitled "The Painful Path of Grief and Heartache."  This message contained some powerful reminders for men.  So, with Father's Day approaching, I thought it would be good to take another look at it. 

In his message, Pastor reminded us that sin always brings consequences.  As fathers, it is so important for us to remember this every day.  All of our sin has consequences.  Our sin affects the everyone around us. 

Pastor said,

"The pain of the reaping always eclipses the pleasure of the sowing!"

In his message, Pastor identified 8 consequences that were a direct result of David's sin.

• A Son Dies
• A Brother Violates a Sister
• A Brother Hates a Brother
• A Brother Murders a Brother
• A Son Rebels and Runs Away
• A Son Leads a Conspiracy
• A Son Shames a Father
• A Friend Murders a Son

Unbelievable.  Dads, remember, sin will destroy your marriage and your family.  

 Pastor closed his message with three reminders.

1. David's haunting cries calls to a wife or husband allured by the fantasy of a secret affair.  His cries call to the parent drawn to the busyness and rush of life that leaves little or no room for children.  His cries call to anyone who is tempted to exchange their future peace for the fleeting pleasures of sin.  Let me ask:
     
• Are the selfish choices we so easily and casually cast to the wind, worth the whirlwind that waits to strike us and the ones we love?
   
2. If you are starting to veer into the path of carnality, thinking that you can do what you want and God's grace will cover your tracks - STOP and THINK again.  Yes, God's grace cancels the debt of sin, but it does not cancel the consequences of sin.  Yes, God's forgiveness is sure, but so is sin's painful fallout.  Before you make a terrible decision ask yourself:
     
• How many innocent people will suffer in the wake of my sin?
    
3. The best time to brace yourself and your house against a storm is before the rain starts falling and the strong winds begin to howl.  Likewise the best time to protect yourself against the stormy consequences of sin is before temptation strikes.

On this Father's Day, choose to avoid the painful path of grief and heartache!  

• Listen to Pastor's Sermon on our website or your can order it on CD or DVD.

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Can We Trust the Bible? Canonicity (by Lou Gentry)

 

Canonicity: Definition - There are numerous definitions in print on this subject; and while the actual combination of words for each may differ, most have developed their definition from the root word kavwv (Greek) meaning rod, ruler, standard for measure. Theologically, the word is applied as a rule, standard or norm. Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “a criterion or standard of judgment.”

What then were the “standards for measure” or “standards of judgment” which determined what writings were considered canonical scripture? There were five such standards:

• Was it written by a man of God? A prophet? An apostle? An associate of an apostle?  (Heb. 1:1; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
• With the possible exception of Hebrews, all books included in the Bible were written by either a man of God (David, for example), prophet, apostle, or an associate of one of these.
    
• Is the writing authoritative? Does it claim to be of God and/or were the writers confirmed by an act of God? (John 3:2; Acts 2:22; Heb. 2:3)
    
• Is the writing authentic? Does it tell the truth about God? (Deut. 18:22; Gal. 1:8)
• Does it contradict previous truth?  If so, it was not accepted.
    
• Is the writing dynamic? Does it have the Power of God? (Heb. 4:12)
    
• Was the book received? Was it accepted by the people of God?  (Dan. 9:2; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet. 3:15)
• Was it circulated and utilized by the followers of God?

From the definition and application of these standards, a good definition of Canonical Scripture can be developed:

a document or corpus of documents containing a permanent authoritative record of divine revelation.

  

Our next article looks at the Progessive Development of the OT Canon.
   

Return to our Introduction Post to see a list of all articles in this series.

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The Shocking Truth About Piano Lessons (by Stephen Simpson)

(Photo by Paul Cleveland)

I am a piano teacher.  By my calculations, I have taught almost 70 different students.  They have been of varying ages and abilities.  Some have taken lessons for a short time and others have taken for years.  In my experience, I have come to realize one shocking truth about piano lessons.

My job as a piano teacher is not to teach you how to play the piano. 

This may seem scandalous to you given the significant amounts of money that parents have paid me over the years to teach their children.  But, the truth must come out - I am not ultimately trying to teach you how to play the piano.

My primary goal is much different.  Here is my secret.  I am trying to teach you how to practice.  Most people that I encounter do not know how to practice.  They know they should practice and they may think they know how to practice.  I have seen too many students spend hours practicing only to find that their practicing has accomplished very little.  They come to their lesson and tell me that they have practiced two hours over the previous week.  However, when I listen to them play their pieces, it becomes obvious that they did not know how to practice because their pieces have improved very little, if at all.

You see, when I teach a 10 year old boy to play the piano, I am thinking about his future.  I am thinking that some day he will be an adult.  I am thinking that someday he will be a member of a church who may need a pianist to play for their choir.  Even though he may work as a manager at Publix, I want to have taught him the skills necessary to be a useful accompanist at his church.  This is why it is so important for me to teach him how to practice.  If I simply teach him to play a piece of music, I have not necessarily taught him any of the skills required in learning new music.  I have not taught him to read music.  I have not taught him to identify the problems he is having with the music.  I have not taught him how to solve the problems he is encountering.

So, I firmly believe that if I can teach you how to practice, then I have taught you a useful skill that you can use for the rest of your life.  In my opinion, playing a piece of music is easy.  Understanding how to practice efficiently and effectively is very difficult - which is why I spend so much time trying to teach this skill.

There you have it, the shocking truth about piano lessons is that I am not actually trying to teach you to play the piano.  I am trying to teach you how to teach yourself!

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Start Birding Today: 13 Questions for Lee Dusing

(Painted Stork by Dan's Pix)

We hope that you have enjoyed Lee's series, Start Birding Today.  She has been attempting to show us that birding is something that anybody can do.  Whether you only look at the birds while you are driving or if you spend hours wandering through Circle B, you can enjoy the creativity of our great God.

As I have read through Lee's posts I have had a few questions that have come to my mind.  I thought I would ask them to Lee through a post so that you all can read her answers.

1. When did you first start birding?
   

   I think I always enjoyed critters, but when we lived in Tamarac, FL there was a small park nearby that had a lake, trail and a naturalist that gave bird talks. Living in the Fort Lauderdale area, there were lots of birds to view.

2. Did anyone teach you how to go birding?
   

   The naturalist became my friend and also became my mentor. She taught me about birdwatching from a one on one basis. 

3. Do you run across people who see the diversity in the birds and still deny that an intelligent creator is behind it all? If so, what are their common arguments?
   

   Go to any birding club (Audubon) or a Birding Festival (Titusville) and you will hear all about natural selection and millions of years. You hear about how birds evolved from dinosaurs. Given enough time, they figure it all came about. 

4. What is your favorite bird? You can only pick one :)
   

   That’s hard! It used to be the Painted Bunting, but now I have seen so many, I love them all. 

5. Share with us two things you have learned about God through birdwatching.
   

   The Lord has such Omniscience that I am amazed when I see how He has provided specific beaks, for instance, for each bird to be able to eat what it likes. How He has created their shapes to live in the environment they do, Penguins versus Hummingbirds. Every bird was so provided for by the Lord when they were being designed.
   
   God’s Love is so great to the birds and His care about them overwhelms me. If He knows when a sparrow falls, then He knows not only the number of hairs on my head, but every need, desire, problems, etc. and still Loves Me! 

6. Recently, Swans have been in the news. In Lakeland, someone has been stealing swan eggs from Lake Morton. Why are Swan eggs so valuable?
   

   I saw that article and had heard about it a few weeks earlier. Apparently there must be a trade for them somewhere. There are “poachers” all around the world that illegally take birds for collectors and some for their feathers or to eat. They just found out he took them to eat them.
   http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-05-18/news/os-swan-eggs-stolen-scrambled-eaten-20120518_1_eggs-lakeland-report-states 

7. When I think of birding, I am often overwhelmed. I hear you talk about 185 species that have been seen at Circle B and of the thousands of species worldwide. I can name maybe 10 or 15 different species of birds. What would you say to someone who feels birding is too overwhelming?
   

   Who says you have to name all the birds? If you can name 3 and enjoy the rest, why worry? (Do you know every name of the folks that come here to church? Does that stop you from coming or cause you to be overwhelmed?) 

8. Tell us about the best birdwatching trip you have ever been on.
   

   Wow! They are all great, but as for in the wild, we won a birdwatching trip by Reinier Munguia (professional photographer) and he introduced us to Circle B (46 species seen), Lakes Morton (10 species) and Parker. He gave us birding tips and photography tips for Dan. We ended up feeding Florida Scrub Jays and Purple Gallinules at parks in Lakeland. We saw a total of 56 species that day.
   
   Best Zoo trip was to the National Aviary in Pittsburg, PA about 2 years ago. We were taken by staff all over the place and behind the scenes. 

9. How many different birds are on your life list?
   

   My official Life List has 235 species, but that does not count the birds that I have seen in Zoos, which you can’t count by some, but I still saw the birds. My Unofficial Life List is around 400. I have also seen many more birds that I could not name. 

10. Is there any other animal that you know of that has the wide variety and diversity of birds? Why do you think this is?
    

    I can’t think of any animals, maybe insects. I think birds are so varied because each one has a role to fill whether it is pollinating flowers by Hummingbirds and others, or picking bugs off of animals like an Oxpecker, or cleaning up garbage like Vultures and Buzzards. The list goes on and on. They can fly so they have spread around the world and they are obeying the Lord's command to reproduce and fill the earth. 

11. What do you hope is the result of this series of posts?
    

    I hope that this series has motivated an interest and an awareness of the birds and that they will take opportunities to watch the Lord’s fantastically created birds. And maybe, we might have some more to go out birding with us. I am not an expert, but I am willing to share what I have learned from others and Dan is willing to share photography tips.

12. Do you ever take people along with you on your birdwatching trips and teach them the tricks of the trade?
    

    I have taken a few and am thinking that we need to plan a “Start Birding Today” trip soon. We could meet and start simple and go from there. 

13. How can someone contact you if they have questions about birding?
    

    Call us, number in church directory or e-mail me at Lee (at) leesbird.com.

Painted Bunting

Other Posts in our Start Birding today Series:

• Start Birding Today:  Series Introduction
• Start Birding Today: Some Background Information
• Start Birding Today: Why Should I Go Outside and Stare at Birds?
• Start Birding Today: The Few Tools You Need To Be A Birdwatcher
• Start Birding Today: Where Do I Go?
• Start Birding Today: What Kind of Bird is This?
• Start Birding Today: When Should I Go?
• Start Birding Today: What is the Sound? 
• Start Birding Today: Enjoy the Lord's Paintbrush - U.S.
• Start Birding Today: Enjoy the Lord's Paintbrush - Zoos
• Start Birding Today:  13 Questions for Lee Dusing

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