Frost returns with message

By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Rev. Gary L. Frost returned Thursday to the pulpit at Rising Star Baptist Church, 2943 Wardle Ave.
He came not as a pastor where he ministered for 18 years, but as the director of the Metro New York Baptist Association to deliver a message on being a disciple.
The Rev. Mr. Frost was one of six keynote speakers at the 52nd annual meeting of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, which is taking place at the East Side church.
The state event, which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, drew some 350 participants to the business sessions Wednesday and Thursday. It closes today with the International Mission Board dinner. The theme was "Empowering Kingdom Growth."
Confessed news junkie
Mr. Frost confided to those at the convention that he is an addict. "I'm a news-aholic. I'm addicted to cable news," he said. "It used to be CNN and now it's Fox." But because he's interested in the news, Mr. Frost said he's aware of what's being said about the war in Iraq.
"We want our soldiers to have initiative, be courageous and be highly trained," he said. "That's the price of freedom."
Mr. Frost likened the military's mission to that of "soldiers of the cross," who are armed with the word of God. "We have to develop our own replacements."
Mr. Frost said the first war was in heaven, when Lucifer defied God and became Satan. The second was when Adam was disloyal and thus "created havoc for the human race."
But he said he was thankful for the ultimate warrior, Jesus Christ, who was obedient to his death.
"God called us to be warriors and faithfulness is the key. We have to have God operating in our lives to accomplish our mission," he said.
"Our assignment is to get the King into the hearts of men, women, boys and girls," Mr. Frost said. "The call to be disciples should be understood in military terms."
He said no corporate model is found in the Bible, even though the Baptists and other faiths have corporate structures. But warfare goes on in the Bible.
Quotable
"This is about relationships of kindred hearts ... not flow charts. It's faithful members who will be able to teach others. And it's about communicating effectively.
"This discipleship is about being a witness, not witnessing. It's a training of the heart and a willingness to die for the faith of Jesus Christ," he said.
Mr. Frost said it's vital for followers of the faith to "allow Christ to be manifested in their lives. Be bold enough to cross the line ... make it personal in face of nonbelievers."
True disciples are "multidimensional believers," he said. And disciples must have these qualities: Be God-called, be Scripture-grounded, be love-compelled, be spirit-guided and Christ-centered.
He invited his listeners to become "effective disciples" and "make a commitment to the kingdom of God."
Other speakers were:
UJack P. Kwok, executive director-treasurer of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.
UJim Richards, executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
UGary Jackson, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in the Ohio Valley Association.
UCliff Coleman, president of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.
UDr. Jerry Rankin, president of the International Mission Board. He also is the speaker for the International Mission Board dinner today. The Rev. Terry S. Bolds is senior pastor of Rising Star.