May 2018 FOCUS
Bowie Baptist Association
The Harvest is Plentiful
I received a call the other day from a pastor attending our Bi-State School of Ministry class. He asked, “Bro. Jim, how do we get people into the church? It seems as if people don’t care as much as they once did.” I thought to myself, “That, my friend, is an understatement.”
There are countless reasons why church attendance across North America is in decline. Some people, seeing the church at it’s worst, have decided they can follow the Lord without it. Others are so far removed from the Christian faith that church isn’t even a thing for them. To quote Ed Stetzer, “They are no more likely to attend church than you are to attend synagogue.” Add to that increased travel of the most faithful and the greater expectation to work on Sunday, we see how a strong and healthy church might today reach through Sunday worship half of those previously reached.
I don’t remember which blog post it was in, for he writes prolifically, but Thom Rainer recently said that the ministry reach of a congregation will become less defined by Sunday worship attendance and more by the number of people engaged week long in small groups. The Sunday worship crowd will be comprised of the most faithful leaders and disciples, the core group behind all the others. If this is true, then the answer to my student’s question is, “To bring them in, you make disciples. You grow laborers.”
Think about it. Jesus did a lot of things in His earthly ministry. He preached to the crowds, ministered to those who were hurting, challenged professing believers with God’s truth, and engaged the lost with the message of salvation. But when reading the four gospels you cannot escape how the majority of Jesus’ ministry was devoted to those 12 disciples to whom he would entrust His church. By the time we get to Luke 10, the total number of followers has grown to 84, the twelve plus 72 others.
To these 84 he says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest,” (Luke 10:2-3). But then he adds, “Go your way; behold, I am sending you out…” (vs. 4). Jesus says, “Pray for laborers, then go yourselves.” In other words, the very fact that we are aware of the harvest and need for laborers is an indicator that we ourselves are part of that harvest force.
Even though most are not running to the church seeking salvation, there is a rich harvest in the world ripe and ready for Christ’s church. To reap it, we can no longer wait for them to approach us. We must deploy God’s people out to them. Are you ready?
Blessings,
Bro. Jim
Correctional Office & Law Enforcement Appreciation
BBA is partnering with Texas Baptist Men to host Correctional Officer / Law Enforcement Officer Appreciation Dinners at the Telford Prison unit, May 9-10.
TBM will provide a Disaster Relief feeding unit and cooks, with a minimum of 12 to 16 volunteers needed each meal to serve. Pastors and church staff are invited to come and visit with the officers. Meals will be served each day from 10:30 AM to 2 PM and from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. If you or a group from your church would like to volunteer, please contact Bro. Jim.
Also, we need 800 letters from children and adults in the churches, thanking the officers for their service in keeping our community safe. Write letters on plain paper and put each into a separate envelop, leaving the envelope blank, except for any decorating you may wish to do.
BBA Pastor's Monthly Fellowship
Monday, May 7th, 10am
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
Administrative Team Meeting
The next Administrative Committee Meeting will be May 8th, 10:00 AM, at the BBA Office. Meetings are open to participation from interested persons within the association.
2018 Ignite Children's Camp
There is still room available!
Camp 1: July 11-14
Camp 2: July 14-17
Camp 3: July 17-20
Cost: $150 - All churches!
For more information or to receive a registration pack, please call or email Valerie at 903-831-0194, receptionist@bowiebaptist.org or visit the BBA webpage at www.bowiebaptist.org.
2018 BBA Navajo Mission Trip
June 2-8, 2018 -A Church Strengthening trip, partnering again with Gateway Community Church in expanding their evangelistic outreach in the capitol of the Navajo Nation. Though churches dot the landscape, only about 2% of Navajo are authentic Christ Followers!
Volunteers are needed for the following crews:
• Basic Construction / Carpentry Training - Team will teach basic carpentry skills to older teens, in the process constructing 6 to 8 outhouses for families living in remote areas of the Rez.
• Foot Care - inspect and wash feet; would like at least 1 nurse; medical professionals encouraged; lay persons welcome; BBA provides supplies. We hope to field two teams daily for three days.
• Bible Clubs - conducting simple kids Bible clubs in the community - need team leader and crew members.
• Support Crew - plan and prepare meals; staff “home base” while teams are in the field. Also need at least two CDL drivers for bus.
Cost: $200, includes transportation, meals on site (except on free day), and supplies. BBA is not responsible for fuel for persons who take their own vehicles. Thank you for understanding.
Families are welcome, but children should be old enough to participate. Children 12 and under must be in the company of their parents. Youth are welcome with an accompanying sponsor.
Itinerary:
· Depart TXK, Sat, 6/2 @ 5:00 AM
· Arrive at Window Rock @ 10:00 PM
· Serve, Sun - Wed
· Free Day, Thurs
· Depart for home Fri, 6/8 @ 5:00 AM
· Arrive at TXK, approximately 11 PM
Interested persons should contact Dr. Jim Turnbo by e-mail at jimturnbo@bowiebaptist.org.
First Choice Pregnancy Center's Walk/Run for Life
May 5th, 2018
Spring Lake Park, Pavilion 2 (by the airplane)
7:00am - Race Registration
7:30am - Race Start
8:00am - Kid’s 1 mile/no fee
9:30am - Walk Begins/no fee
Donate or register on the website, www.firstchoiceprc.com. (under the donate button), or through the Walk/Run Facebook page. Call 903-792-5735 for more information.
NetXtreme 2018
“Above All Else” - Proverbs 4:23
Session 1: June 4-8, 2018 / Session 2: June 8-12, 2018
Cost: $190 per camper
Camp Pastor: Todd Reed, FBC Redwater
Worship Leader: Abandon
Entertainment: Jared Hall
Registration for camp is now open! Reserve your spots by paying the $50 deposit per camper. Final payments are due May 14, 2018.
The registration packet and more information can be found at www.netxtreme.org or by emailing info@netxtreme.org.
National Day of Prayer - May 3rd
Mother's Day -Sunday, May 13th
Memorial Day - Monday, May 28th
Churches Seeking Staff
Please continue to pray for the numerous churches in the Association that are seeking staff members.
Pastor:
- Victory City
- Midway FBC
Worship Leader:
- Hooks FBC
Pianist:
- Pleasant Grove (903-838-5558)
Youth Leader:
- Flower Acres (903-824-8412)
- Korean Mission
- Midway FBC - Send resume to 1415 FM 2148, Texarkana, TX 75501, ATTN: Youth Minister Search Committee
- Cross View - Send resume to 3268 North FM 2148, Texarkana, TX 75503, ATTN: Youth Search Committee
For more information, you may contact the respective congregations with the information provided, or contact the BBA Office.
May 2018
2 Pastor’s Monthly Fellowship, Pleasant Grove, 10 am
3 National Day of Prayer
10 Administrative Team Meeting, BBA Office, 10 am
10 Lakeview Senior Adult Rally
13 Mother’s Day
28 Memorial Day (BBA Office Closed)
June 2018
2-8 BBA Navajo Mission Trip
2-8 Net Xtreme Camp 1
4 Pastor’s Monthly Fellowship, Pleasant Grove, 10 am
8-12 Net Xtreme Camp 2
12 Administrative Team Meeting, BBA Office, 10 am
10-13 SBC Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX
17 Father’s Day
May - Mission Texarkana
- College Hill
- DeKalb FBC
- Primera
- Friendship
- Sand Hill
- Spring Hill
- Texarkana FBC
- Village Community
These churches have been asked by Mission Texarkana to get involved in the food drive for this month. The Center needs all kinds of canned goods, flour, corn meal, dried beans, macaroni and cheese, powdered milk, baby foods and formulas, and diapers. Any effort made for Mission Texarkana will be appreciated. Some churches have chosen to include Mission Texarkana in their annual budget and send a monthly check for support.
Runnin’ WJ Ranch needs financial support, volunteers, and supplies as well.
Associational Staff
Dr. Jim Turnbo
Associational Missionary
Valerie Mills
Ministry Assistant
Heath Coston
Baptist Student Minister
Fraternal Organizations
Sam Clem
Runnin’ WJ Ranch
Edna Walker
Hospitality Director
Cody Howard
Mission Texarkana Director
Bowie Baptist Association
Email: receptionist@bowiebaptist.org
Website: www.bowiebaptist.org
Location: PO Box 7740 Texarkana, TX 75505
Phone: 903-831-0194
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bowie-Baptist-Association-226712764011425/