On A Mission from God (Taken from the Compass-Alice Drive Baptist Church)

There was a God-infused energy in the room November 1 as Scott and Tonya Shipes shared stories of their Christian faith, their journey as a couple, a family and as individuals that brought them to where they are now in their walk with Jesus. As they now begin preparing for an even more incredible journey later this year, they know that God has used their surroundings, experiences and desires to prepare them to serve in missions. Ephesians 4:10 says that, "we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which He
prepared in advance for us to do."
The Shipes and five of their six children will head to Botswana for a three year commitment to missions late this summer. Scott will take a position ministering to children through the Botswana School Outreach program, now run by John Lawson. As Lawson prepares for his retirement, Scott prepares for his next steps as God has called on him to fulfill a calling of his own. For now, Scott will take on the full-time position as Interim Children’s Program Coordinator for ADBC under the direct supervision of Pastor Clay. With over 25 years of corporate leadership skills, Scott says “the goal is to take my corporate world experience and combine it with what I can learn from Clay’s leadership to form a shepherd’s heart that will enable me to
lead a flock.” By August of this year, Scott hopes that his family will be settled in their new surroundings as he begins the specific ministry assignment God has called him to. Scott and Tonya will also travel to remote villages of Botswana when school is out of session. Their goal is to bring ministry resources and training that can be used to reach the youth.  ADBC will continue a long lasting relationship with their partner church in Old Naledi through short term missions and both Scott and Tonya will help coordinate with mission teams prior to their travel and help mobilize things on the ground.
In 1996 Scott attended a Promise Keepers conference. When the question was asked “Do you know you’re saved?” Scott was unsure and felt led to talk with a friend. From there he said, “I’m going to get it right this time.” It was then that Scott and Tonya started growing as a couple and started seeing the amazing benefits God had in store for them.
In 1997 Scott felt called to the ministry, but God wasn’t quite ready to be specific with him just yet. They moved their family to Sumter in 2004, joined ADBC, and a year later Scott became a Deacon.  Through the years both he and Tonya have continued to volunteer and serve in many capacities in the church. They agreed “If God ever opens the door—we’d walk through it.”  Those doors opened when ADBC started short term mission trips to South Africa and Botswana. Scott took his first trip to Old Naledi about a year ago to help build a building for our partner church.  On another visit, he was accompanied by Pastor Clay. This time
they traveled to different places around the area, met more people, explored more areas of need. And then it hit him - “They need more than a building.” It was on that trip that God used dramatic experiences and the prompting of others to reveal His plans for Scott.  In October 2009 Scott and Tonya both traveled to Botswana. It was clear that discernment was fulfilled. You can see it in their eyes and hear it in the way they talk. Their calling is an experience with God.  That is God at work!

On February 14 at 6:00pm, Norman Schaffer, pastor of Open Baptist Church in Gaborone will be present to
ceremonially commission Scott into the mission field.  During the service Scott will be ordained as a pastor.  This will be a big night as speakers also include Clay Smith, Clayton Smith from Shandon Baptist in Columbia, Eddie Leopard from Millbrook Church in Aiken, Clint Smith of Town Creek Baptist Church and Mike Chandler of the Journey Church in Morganton, NC.

All are invited to come be a part of this special night.