E C ,E C ♦J 20, 2019

Lion’s Whiskers
High-level leaders exhibit and have the ability for coaxing courage
out of others. Courage is a response to the emotion of fear, which
allows us to face and overcome it. Exercising courage leads to an
increase in capacity and endurance. A leader’s emotional dexterity is
lost when they cannot face tough situations appropriately. Avoiding
tough issues, over-analyzing, indecision, and preservation of self
over others reflects a lack of courage. Courage opens the door to,
faces, and refuses entry to fear.
July 9-12, 2019—Three locations from which to choose!
Thomasville Baptist, Thomasville, AL (7-9)
Southside Baptist, Southside/Gadsden, AL (7-11)
First Baptist, Tallassee, AL (7-12)
Featuring gospel trio Paid in Full, comedienne Debbie Childers,
tenor Bob Smith, and host/musician Frank Jones

Dr. David Fleming The story has it that in Ethiopia, a widowed woman adopted an
Director of orphan boy. She loved him and wanted him to love her, but his grief
Leader Care would not let him. She sought help from a wise man who agreed to
make a potion to make the boy love her. He asked her to get a
special ingredient – the whisker of a living lion. She was terrified of lions; however, she
took courage. Trembling, she put the meat down and
hid at a safe distance. The lion came, and as he ate
the meat and sniffed the air, he knew she was there
and did not bother her. Daily, she went with some
meat and drew closer to the lion. Finally, she stood VBS 2019
next to the lion, reached out and plucked a whisker. Highlights
She returned to the wise man. He was astonished she
Continue to
had the whisker. “You don’t need a potion,” he said, pray for our
“you have everything you need. You only need churches as
courage, patience, and love.” The story ends with the they share
boy loving her as his mother. the gospel
through
VBS!
Courage and effective leadership go together. Consider the leadership handoff from Moses
to Joshua in Joshua 1:1-9. There are four key leadership competencies:
1) Situational Awareness - Moses is dead, and Joshua is the leader;
2) Spiritual Resources - God’s plan, vision, presence, and law remain.
3) Spiritual Encouragement - God spoke to Joshua, reminding him that he is not alone.
4) Spiritual Resilience - Resilience comes from on-going courage. God tells Joshua four
times to be courageous. As leaders, let’s be in control of our emotions courageously!

Courageously,
David Fleming
Director of Leader Care

as reported by our MBA churches

Church Name Dates Time Ages Theme

Heritage June 24-28 8:30-12:05 pm Completed 4K-6th In the Wild

Gateway June 24-28 9:00-12:00 pm Entering 1st-6th In the Wild

Pintlala July 14-18 2:00-5:30 pm 4 yrs-6th grade Miraculous Mission:

Jesus Saves the World

Snowdoun July 14-18 6:00 pm-9:00 pm Nursery-Adults In the Wild

Yarbrough Street July 17-19 6:00-8:30 pm K-6th and adults In the Wild
July 20 10:00 am-1:00 pm Family Fun Day

Strong Tower July 20 9:00am-2:00 pm Entering K-6th GospelTopia

Register at myvbs.org/strongtowerawp

Church at July 25-27 6:00-8:00 pm K-6th grade In the Wild

Pike Road
Two locations: Pike Road Village & Freeport neighborhood

Montgomery Baptist Association • 20 Interstate Park Dr. • Montgomery, Alabama 36109 • 334-271-6227 • www.mgmbaptists.org
This publication is made possible by your churches’ contributions to Associational Missions.