August 2017 FOCUS
Bowie Baptist Association
No Quick Fix
Ministry is hard. Paul commended the Thessalonians for their work of faith, labor of love and endurance inspired by hope (1 Thess 1:2-3). Work, labor, and endurance! These words reinforce the challenge of serving Christ in a fallen world.
What amazes me, though, is how many believers seek easy, simple solutions to these challenges. Church conflict? Just remove that guy. Church declining? If we only had that program, or that fireball staff member. Need more workers? As soon those people (as in, everyone but me) get committed, we will have them. I hear such claims daily.
But here’s some truth. There is no quick fix. The work that Christ calls us to requires time and effort. Work. Labor. Endurance. And you cannot call anyone else to these until you yourself show them.
Think about it.
Investing in Leaders
One of the major contributions BBA makes to the health of your church is our investment in leaders through the Bi State School of Ministry. Bi State, a partnership with Gateway Seminary of the SBC, offers quality training locally and at an affordable price for church leaders and prospective leaders. Classes may be taken a la carte or toward a Diploma in Christian Ministry. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 21-22 and include:
Ministry Foundations - Monday evenings, 6 to 9 PM: A course designed to facilitate growth in necessary personal, spiritual, and practical foundations for life-long Christian service, which I will teach.
Old Testament Survey - Tuesday evenings, 6 to 9 PM: An introduction to the content and background of the Old Testament, taught by Dr. Bill Steeger, retired pastor, missionary and professor.
If you are interested in either or both classes, or would like to know more about the program, contact Bro. Paul Burkhalter at paulburkhalter2017@gmail.com.
Happy August. May God bless and keep you.
Bro. Jim
Upcoming Meetings
The next Administrative Committee Meeting will be August 9th, 10:00 AM, at the BBA Office. Meetings are open to participation from interested persons within the association.
The next Executive Board Meeting will be at Eylau Hills Baptist Church, September 19th, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
BBA Annual Meeting and Partnership Celebration
Plan now to attend the Bowie Baptist Association’s Partnership Celebration and Annual Meeting, Sunday, October 15, at Buchanan Baptist Church, Texarkana, TX.
The event will feature a Missions Celebration, a meal, interest based breakout conferences, a brief business session and a Worship Celebration.
Please make sure your church elects messengers for the business session and let Valerie know who will be attending as messengers from your church.
D-Life
Looking for a tool for effective disciple-making? How about church revitalization? Consider D-Life. D-Life is a relational disciple making approach where groups of 3 to 8 men or women commit together to do several things:
· Read a chapter of the Bible daily
· Meet for an hour once weekly for fellowship, accountability, prayer, and Bible study
· Complete a ministry project at least once every two months
· Multiply / form a new group at least once every year
Several BBA congregations are launching D-Life. If you would like to explore how D-Life can bless your church, or if you are interested in joining a D-Life group, contact Bro. Jim.
Bi-State School of Ministry
Registration is open for the Fall Semester of the Bi-State School of Ministry, offering college level training for ministry. Fall courses include:
Ministry Foundations
Begins Monday, August 21, 6 pm
A study of the call to ministry and foundational abilities necessary for fruitful ministry, taught by Dr. Jim Turnbo. In Jim’s previous work as a missionary to Native Americans, a large part of his assignment was “raising leaders from the harvest.” Anyone exploring God’s call, either to vocational ministry or lay Christian service, would benefit from this class.
Introduction to the Old Testament
Begins Tuesday, August 22, 6 pm
A survey course through the Old Testament scriptures taught by Dr. Bill Steeger. Dr. Steeger is an Old Testament specialist with a special gift for communicating the richness of Biblical narrative. Preachers, ministry leaders, and Bible study teachers would all benefit from this course.
If you are interested in either of these classes, contact the BBA office or Ministry Training Director, Paul Burkhalter, at 903-826-4489 or paulburkhalter2017@gmail.com.
BGCT Week of Prayer & Mary Hill Davis Offering
Starting in 1910, the Mary Hill Davis Offering® was established to empower state missions efforts for Texas Baptists. Mark your calendars for September 10-17 to recognize and promote the offering at your church. The State Goal this year is $3,600,000 Million. Your giving mobilizes ministries and missionaries to go make disciples and multiply churches among all peoples for the glory of God. For more information & promotional materials for your church, click here.
SBTC Reach Texas State Missions
The annual state mission offering of the SBTC will be September 17-24, 2017. 100% of the offering is used for Missions & Evangelism Ministries / Strategies (Disaster Relief, Church Planting, Evangelism & Missions). For more information & promotional materials for your church, click here. The 2016 statewide Goal is 1.45 million dollars.
Save the Date!
1st Choice Pregnancy Resource Center's annual fall fundraising dinner will be Tuesday, November 7th at the Texarkana Convention Center. Anyone interested in serving as a table host (no cost) or helping with underwriting expenses (minimum $250) should contact Kristie Wright at (903) 792-5735 or firstchoice@cableone.net.
The speaker this year will be Melissa Ohden, an abortion survivor and author of You Carried Me (http://melissaohden.com/). Please make plans to join us!
ACP’s
Believe it or not, it is nearing time for your church to complete your Annual Church Profile, a report to our Baptist partners on your ministry this past year. Data is used by convention entities to plan support for local churches and assess SBC ministry priorities.
When your profile arrives, please pass it along to the appropriate individual in your church.
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
Youth Leader:
- Highland Park (903-792-6996)
- Flower Acres (903-824-8412)
- Korean Mission
- Myrtle Springs
- New Boston FBC
- Midway FBC - Send resume to 1415 FM 2148, Texarkana, TX 75501, ATTN: Youth Minister Search Comm.
For more information, you may contact the respective congregations with the information provided, or contact the BBA Office.
Grandparenting Matters Conference
August 11-12, 2017
Woodland Hills Baptist Church
Longview, TX
Get equipped to face the challenges of grandparenting in the 21st century!
For more information contact Kelvin Gunnells at kelvingunnells@yahoo.com or click here to register online.
AUGUST 2017
BBA Office, 10 AM
14 - 19 Texarkana Children Charities Open
Benefiting Runnin' WJ Ranch
September 2017
4 Labor Day - BBA Office Closed
10-17 Week of Prayer - Texas Missions & Mary Hill Davis Offering
13 Administrative Team Meeting, 10 AM
17-24 Week of Prayer, SBTC
19 Executive Board Meeting, 6 PM, Eylau Hills Baptist Church
August Friendship Center
- Avery FBC
- Graceway
- Liberty Hill
- Malta
- New Boston FBC
- Oak Terrace Mission
- New Oak Grove
- Simms FBC
- Regions Christian Center
These churches have been asked by the Friendship Center 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 the Friendship Center will be appreciated. Some churches have chosen to include the Friendship Center 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
Paul Burkhalter
Ministry Training Director
Fraternal Organizations
Sam Clem
Runnin’ WJ Ranch
Edna Walker
Hospitality Director
Cody Howard
Friendship Center 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/