January 2018 FOCUS
Bowie Baptist Association
Just a Thought!
Of all the characters we meet in the story of Jesus’ birth, I think I relate most with the shepherds. Near the bottom of the social ladder next to tax collectors and dung sweepers, they were not the popular choice for announcing a king’s arrival. But they were God’s choice, for after a visit by the angelic choir and their own journey to the manger, they became the first New Testament witnesses. “And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them,” (Luke 2:17-18).
Two thousand years later, it’s our turn, for we stand in direct succession to the simple herders of old. While some of us may rank higher in the world’s eye and others lower, we are all broken by sin, certainly unfit to serve a king. And yet, just as God chose them, He chooses us as his heralds for this generation.
Your church, our association, and our convention partners share this calling. Having experienced the Savior for ourselves, it is now our task to share His story to all who will listen. There were many opportunities for doing so in 2017. I trust there will be many more in 2018.
And so, as we prepare to close out one year and begin another, my prayer is that, with one heart and mind, the churches of Bowie Baptist Association will, with boldness and compassion, share the Good News of Jesus Christ across our county and around the world, that disciples would grow and His name be praised. May we continue what the shepherds started.
On behalf of the staff and leadership of the Bowie Baptist Association, have a most wonderful Christmas celebration and happy New Year!
Bro. Jim
Bi-State School of Ministry
The Call: How God Shapes You for Ministry is the Spring Semester class for the Bi-State School of Ministry. Students will explore how God shapes disciples ministry, including the spiritual and practical preparation essential for effective service. A core component of the Diploma in Christian Ministry, this class is appropriate for anyone seeking to grow as a servant of Christ and His church.
This class is offered Mondays, beginning January 22, 6 to 9 PM, at First Baptist Church, Wake Village, Texas. Dr. Jim Turnbo is the instructor. For information contact the association at 903-831-0194 or Bro. Jim by e-mail at jimturnbo@bowiebaptist.org.
Administrative Team Meeting
The next Administrative Committee Meeting will be January 9th, 10:00 AM, at the BBA Office. Meetings are open to participation from interested persons within the association.
Executive Board Meeting
The next Executive Board Meeting will be January 16th, 12:00 PM at DeKalb FBC.
Please RSVP with Valerie at the BBA Office by January 12 by calling 903-831-0194 or email receptionist@bowiebaptist.org.
BBA Pastor's Monthly Fellowship
Monday, Jan 8, 2018, 10:00 AM
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Jones Lane, Texarkana, TX, United States
Sanctity of Human Life
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, a day set aside to remember the millions of lives lost to abortion and acknowledge that all human life has value, is Sunday, January 21st. 1st Choice Pregnancy Resource Center can provide bulletin inserts, speakers, and other materials for your use on that day. It is an excellent time to start a baby bottle campaign as well, and they would be happy to provide bottles for that purpose. Contact Kristie Wright at firstchoice@cableone.net; (903) 793-5735 (Center) or (903) 276-3392 (Cell) and let her know what supplies you need.
"Praisercise"
A free Health & Fitness Ministry for Pastors & their wives
“Having the Strength to Feed the Sheep - Spiritually, Emotionally, & Physically”
Legends Gym (3315 N Stateline Ave., Texarkana, TX) is offering a free pre or post lunch workout for pastors and their wives.
This is a great opportunity that will allow local pastors to work on a balance of being a healthy example to both their flock and the community. This service is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 am - 12 pm or 1 pm - 3 pm. For more information call Cody Dailey (owner of Legends Gym) at 903-792-2639 or check out their website here.
For the Sake of One - A Foster & Orphan Care Ministry
For the Sake of One is a local non-profit that advocates for the foster care community.
There are numerous way in which you can help:
- organizing the resource room
- encourage case workers
- mentor biological parents
- support foster families
- become a foster family
For more information you may contact the director, Angela Coston.
Phone: 903-329-0566
2018 Mileage Rate
54.5 cents per mile driven for business
18 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
14 cents per mile driven for charitable organizations
SBTC Empower Conference
February 26-27, 2018
Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, Irving, TX
For more information: Click here
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
If you are interested in joining a D-Life group, contact Bro. Jim.
Churches Seeking Staff
Please continue to pray for the numerous churches in the Association that are seeking staff members.
Pastor:
- Victory City
- Midway FBC
- Old Salem
Worship Leader:
- Hooks FBC
Pianist:
- Pleasant Grove (903-838-5558)
Youth Leader:
- Flower Acres (903-824-8412)
- Korean Mission
- New Boston FBC
- 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.
2018 Meeting Locations
January 16, 2018
12 Noon
DeKalb FBC
April 17, 2018
6:00 PM
Hooks FBC
July 24, 2018
12 Noon
BBA Office
September 18, 2018
6:00 PM
Cross View Baptist Church
2018 BBA Partnership Celebration & Annual Meeting
October 21st, 2018
Wake Village FBC
January 2018
4 BBA Pastor's Monthly Fellowship, 10 am, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
9 Administrative Team Meeting, 10 am, BBA Office
15 Martin Luther King Jr Day
16 Executive Board Meeting, 12 Noon, DeKalb FBC
February 2018
5 Pastor's Monthly Fellowship,Pleasant Grove, 10 am
13 Administrative Team Meeting, BBA Office, 10 am
26-27 SBTC Empower Conference, Las Colinas, Irving, TX
January Friendship Center
- Calvary
- Eylau Hills
- Flower Acres
- Hooks FBC
- Nash FBC
- Oaklawn
- Bowie County Cowboy
- Wake Village FBC
- Midway FBC
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
Heath Coston
Baptist Student Minister
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/