Associated Baptist Press - 9/9/2008

Associated Baptist Press
September 9, 2008 · (08-85)

Greg Warner, Executive Editor
Robert Marus, News Editor/Washington Bureau Chief

In this issue
Dellanna O'Brien, former WMU head, dies at 75
David Wilkinson to become ABP's executive director
Attacks on Obama, picking Palin rally conservative base at RNC
Chaplain's 'general store' eases ministry to soldiers

Dellanna O'Brien, former WMU head, dies at 75
By Vicki Brown

FRISCO, Texas (ABP)-Dellanna West O'Brien, who led the Southern Baptist Woman's Missionary Union through some of its most trying times, died Sept. 7 at age 75.

She suffered what WMU officials described as "a massive cerebral bleed" Sept. 4 after falling and hitting her head at her home in Frisco, north of Dallas. She died three days later with her husband, Bill, and their three children at her side.

O'Brien served as executive director of the Southern Baptist Convention women's auxiliary for a decade before retiring in 1999. WMU-which is governed independently and receives no funding from the denomination-had been challenged by many of the fundamentalists who took control of the SBC during that period.

"Dellanna led Woman's Missionary Union through difficult times, and she faced opposition and personal difficulties head-on and successfully," said Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler, who preceded O'Brien as WMU head.

Crumpler noted that O'Brien continued to lead the organization after suffering a stroke in 1998. She described O'Brien as a "true friend, wife, mother, missionary, educator, mentor, leader and over-comer."

"Dellanna O'Brien is one of the most amazing women I have ever known," said Wanda Lee, O'Brien's successor at WMU, according to a press release from the agency. "She possessed a deep love for the Lord and her family, and made countless sacrifices as she led WMU through 10 challenging years in our denomination. I will remember her as a great friend, leader, educator, innovator, and loving wife and mother-but, most of all, as a humble and diligent servant of Christ and his mission."

During O'Brien's tenure, WMU developed several new programs, including Christian Women's Job Corps, to assist women with economic and other challenges. The WMU Foundation also was formed, and WMU opened its first development office, under O'Brien. The agency combined its Baptist Women and Baptist Young Women organizations to form Women on Mission.

O'Brien also led WMU to assume responsibility for Pure Water, Pure Love-a ministry that provides water filters and purification systems to missionaries.

"She had the ability to anticipate the future and its consequences and was willing to take risks for what she believed to be right," said June Whitlow, who served as WMU's associate executive under O'Brien. "Dellanna made a positive difference in the lives of people around the world."

O'Brien was the author or co-author of several books, including Timeless Virtues: Lessons in Character for Women and Choosing a Future for U.S. Missions.

Born July 20, 1933, in Wichita Falls, O'Brien earned her bachelor's degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene in 1953 and worked as an elementary school teacher until 1963. She and her family served as SBC Foreign (now International) Mission Board missionaries in Indonesia for the next nine years.

Upon returning to the United States, O'Brien pursued graduate studies and received a master's degree in education from Texas Christian University in 1972 and a doctorate in education from Virginia Tech in 1983. She also holds honorary degrees from Hardin-Simmons University, University of Richmond in Virginia, and Judson College in Alabama.

Prior to her post at WMU, she served as president of the International Family and Children's Educational Services, a non-profit organization she founded to provide educational-testing services for missionary kids.

She is survived by her husband, Bill, three children and six grandchildren. Bill O'Brien served as an executive with the Foreign Mission Board and, later, as a missions professor.

A memorial service is tentatively set for 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco, where she was a member.

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-- Johnny Pierce and Robert Marus contributed to this story.

David Wilkinson to become ABP's executive director
By Vicki Brown

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) -- Veteran Baptist communicator David Wilkinson has been named executive director for Associated Baptist Press.

Wilkinson, who currently serves as development director for the Baylor University School of Social Work, will replace current ABP Executive Editor Greg Warner, who is in the process of going on permanent disability due to a chronic back condition.

The independent news service's directors unanimously approved Wilkinson for the position Sept. 8. On Oct. 1 he will assume the post, created as ABP's board revamped the agency's structure. It has operated with five full-time staffers, including Warner. However, one of the editorial positions was already vacant when Warner announced plans to step down.

In addition to editorial duties, Warner also was ABP's chief administrative officer. The new structure divides news responsibilities from administration and development.

"Our personnel committee spent early summer thinking about our stewardship of ABP's human resources in a time of transition," noted Marv Knox, who chaired the board's committee for the position, in a prepared statement. "We asked: Can we change our structure so we can do a better job of reporting Baptist news?

"We decided we need our leader to focus on setting the tone of our work and strengthening our overall operations. And then the rest of the organization can focus on doing journalism, which is our calling," Knox, editor of the Texas Baptist Standard, added.

"For 17 years, we asked Greg Warner to be our lead journalist and also to manage the business. That was tremendously difficult, because journalism's urgent deadlines worked against ongoing operations, like building organizational structure and raising money. He did a fine job, but we felt we could help his successor by focusing the job and building an even stronger supporting staff.

"So, now we're freeing the new executive director from day-to-day journalism deadlines. And we're asking him to focus on strengthening ABP's vision, function and financial stability," Knox said.

Warner said he believes Wilkinson is perfectly suited for the new position. "What a great move for ABP! I have long admired David's exceptional talent as a writer and creativity as an organizational leader," he wrote in an e-mail.

"He's also a beloved colleague and one of the smartest people I've ever known. It's flattering to think someone of David's caliber and reputation will succeed me. I've long wished for a chance to work with him. While that won't be possible, this is the next-best thing. He's a perfect fit in the new structure of ABP," Warner continued.

"We are certainly delighted to have someone with David's experience and expertise to lead ABP into the future," said Dan Lattimore, ABP's board chair.

"He is well-thought-of throughout Baptist life, and we feel he has the leadership ability to take ABP to the next level and to enhance the role of ABP in partnership with New Voice Media," he said. Lattimore is an administrator and journalism professor at the University of Memphis.

New Voice Media Group is a strategic collaboration for creating a new, multimedia platform for historic and progressive Baptists and other Christians. The 2-year-old partnership includes ABP; the Baptist Standard; the Religious Herald, which serves the Baptist General Association of Virginia; and Word & Way, the historic Baptist newspaper in Missouri.

Wilkinson wants to focus on the future. "I believe ABP's mission has never been more important for the global Baptist movement," he said by phone Sept. 9. "I think the convergence and frequent clash of national and global trends present an unprecedented opportunity to re-envision the nature and role of an independent religious news service."

Despite his excitement about the new position, Wilkinson acknowledged that it comes at a cost to a close friend. "No one would have wished for this painful situation for Greg that has created this opportunity," Wilkinson said. "Greg Warner personifies the best in journalistic excellence and integrity, and it is a deeply humbling honor to follow his lead."

Wilkinson's 30-year career includes a broad base of denominational service and communications experience, encompassing journalism, marketing, media relations and development. He served the Southern Baptist Convention as a communications specialist for the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources) and two stints in communications for the SBC Christian Life Commission (now the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission).

The Oklahoma native earned a bachelor of arts degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He worked for the seminary as director of communications and later as vice president for seminary relations.

From 1997 to 2003, Wilkinson was the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's coordinator of communications and marketing. He then became minister of education and discipleship for Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. He assumed the Baylor post in May 2007.

"I respected him as a journalist and as someone with broad experience," noted Keith Parks, who was CBF's missions coordinator during Wilkinson's tenure with the organization. "More importantly, as [someone] of integrity who would report accurately.... I have great respect for David and for his work."

Wilkinson has been honored with several journalism and public-relations awards, including the Frank Burkhalter Award, the Baptist Communicators Association's highest award for outstanding achievement in journalism.

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Attacks on Obama, picking Palin rally conservative base at RNC
By Robert Marus

ST. PAUL, Minn. (ABP) -- John McCain completed a long journey to the GOP presidential nomination Sept. 4, capping an abbreviated Republican convention that offered attacks on his Democratic rival, but little talk of divisive social issues.

Nonetheless, the Arizona senator's choice of a previously obscure Christian conservative as his running mate and his party's adoption of a socially conservative platform helped energize a party base -- including some evangelicals -- that had previously been ambivalent toward McCain.

"Let me just offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first-country-second, Washington crowd: Change is coming," McCain said, to wild applause, during his speech to accept the party's nomination.

McCain -- as had other speakers at the convention -- touted his reputation as a reformer and an independent-minded politician who has sometimes taken on the majority view in his own party.

"You well know I've been called a maverick, someone who ... marches to the beat of his own drum," he said. "Sometimes it's meant as a compliment and sometimes it's not. What it really means is I understand who I work for. I don't work for a party. I don't work for a special interest. I don't work for myself. I work for you."

McCain has disagreed with GOP powers-that-be in the past on issues such as campaign-finance reform, embryonic stem-cell research and a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. He once angrily accused prominent Religious Right leaders of being "agents of intolerance," and Focus on the Family founder James Dobson reportedly vowed never to vote for him.

Several prominent politicians supportive of abortion rights also were given prominent speaking slots at the convention, including former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge and self-styled "independent Democrat" Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.).

Several news agencies reported that McCain had hoped to continue his maverick streak by picking Lieberman or Ridge as his running mate. But, in a nod to the realities of a party controlled by social conservatives who might engage in an open revolt should a pro-choice politician be given the vice-presidential nod, McCain instead chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Palin opposes legalized abortion, even in cases of rape and incest; has supported constitutional bans on same-sex marriage and opposed other gay-rights measures; and has voiced support for the teaching of religious alternatives to evolution in public schools. She supported establishment of a statewide "Christian Heritage Week." As mayor of the Alaska hamlet of Wasilla, she reportedly threatened to fire the town librarian for balking after Palin raised the prospect of removing some books from the shelves for their ostensibly objectionable content. She also has opposed comprehensive sex education, supporting abstinence-only models instead.

The Christian Coalition issued a press release saying the Palin choice "seals the deal" of conservative Christians' support for the McCain campaign. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, told Christianity Today that the selection has created a "giddy" response among the women in his office.

"I recommended her, but I had no reason to believe that they would do it," he said. "But I'm happy they did. I think it's going to tap into all kinds of things. I must say I've been pleasantly surprised at the depth of the response among women.... Clearly, her nomination's tapped into something, which I can observe as a white male but can't experience."

Palin, who was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church as an infant but had a conversion experience in an Assembly of God church as a youngster, now is a member of the independent Wasilla Bible Church in her hometown.

She has already garnered some controversy for her presence during a guest sermon preached at Wasilla Bible Church Aug. 17 by Jews For Jesus head David Brickner. His organization advocates for Jews to "complete" themselves by accepting Christ.

In the sermon -- according to a transcript available on the church's website before the story became major news -- Brickner noted that God has promised judgment for those who reject Christ -- and suggested that the terrorism that plagues the modern-day state of Israel is one example of such judgment.

A link on the church's website to sermon transcripts was disabled as of Sept. 9.

In June, Palin spoke to graduates of a discipleship-training program at Wasilla Assembly of God, the church she was a member of until 2002. According to a video of the speech posted on YouTube, Palin asked the graduates to pray for the success of a natural-gas pipeline she was trying to push through the Alaska Legislature.

"I think that God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built," she said.

She also said that, despite all the work she can do as a secular leader to improve and protect Alaska, "really, all of that stuff doesn't do any good if the people of Alaska's heart isn't right with God.... We can work together to make sure God's will be done here."

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Chaplain's 'general store' eases ministry to soldiers
By John Hall

SHARANA, Afghanistan (ABP) -- Chaplain Everett Zachary is happy to help provide at least some of the comforts of home to soldiers in unfamiliar Afghanistan through his "general store."

Following 16-hour shifts, soldiers take solace in the tokens of domestic life that many Americans take for granted -- a greeting card to send to the family, a book. Particularly popular are movies, which provide easy ways to escape the daily grind of service in his outpost in Sharana, Afghanistan.

The troops of the 62nd Engineer Combat Battalion can find many of these items through Zachary, a Baptist General Convention of Texas-endorsed chaplain assigned to them. In his workspace, military personnel can pick up all of the items -- and get ministered to in other ways, as well.

"By providing some of these items, I see soldiers I would not normally see in my office," he said. "It makes my office a central hub in our unit, which works to create a comfortable feeling towards the Religious Support Team. I believe it also breaks down the barrier of [the soldier] looking weak [to his or her peers] should they need to see me for serious counseling. As there are a number of reasons one might come into my office, there is less likelihood of speculation as to the well-being of the soldier."

By having a regular flow of people through his office who are looking for movies and books, Zachary is able to get to know more soldiers than if it were simply a typical chaplain's office. Often, the more he sees them, the deeper the relationship becomes. If a situation arises where they need spiritual or emotional help, the chaplain is there for them.

"Every encounter is not a great evangelistic moment, but it's all about a ministry of presence," he said. "My soldiers know that their chaplain is concerned about more than just whether or not they are 'saved.' I want to know if they are having some down time with a good movie or book. I want to provide them with an unexpected snack in their busy, monotonous day. And I want to be the one who says, 'Hey, why don't you send your wife, your mom or your child a card just to tell her you love her? Hey, here's a free card.'"

However, as one might expect, Zachary's library is limited. He doesn't have enough movies to meet demand.

The BGCT is encouraging congregations to support the chaplain's ministry with the soldiers by sending him additional films. Any digital video disc will be appreciated, Zachary said, but cartoons, comedies, action and Western flicks are the most popular. He tries to keep the selection positive and upbeat to help the troops.

"I love my job," Zachary said. "I walk shoulder-to-shoulder with American sons and daughters who have given up their lives to help a foreign country find some stabilization. Most of the time, it's not very fun. Sometimes it's downright discouraging.

"So, if I can provide a couple hours of sanity or temporary relief through a movie or a good book, I think I've done something to contribute to the health of my soldiers. It's kind of like preventive medicine. I'm helping them get a little down time up front to keep from seeing them later with some serious anger-management or depression issues."

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