September 2017 FOCUS
Bowie Baptist Association
For Such a Time as This
As I write to you, much of my home town is under water. I’m sure you’ve seen the news coverage. Trust me, it’s that bad. While my friends and family are safe and (mostly) dry, many more are struggling with loss the likes of which they have never seen. Normalcy lies beyond sight of most.
But in the midst of this storm shines an amazing light, the light of the Lord as seen through His body at work. Since before most of us were even aware of hurricane Harvey, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has been in position for a response that continues to unfold.
This includes the FBC Redwater / BBA Disaster Relief feeding unit. Our unit deployed Tuesday morning with a crew of five to serve first responders and volunteers in the Rockport and Arkansas Pass areas, ground zero for Harvey’s landfall.
In addition, BBA volunteers are deploying for service with Recovery and Shower—Laundry units. And I depart Thursday for service with a Damage Assessment team. We join thousands of volunteers from across both Texas Baptist conventions and the entire Southern Baptist family of churches “sharing a cup of water in Jesus’ name.”
Add to this the many BBA congregations seeking to assist sister churches damaged by the storm and countless supplies donated for the response, and it is clear that God is at work through His church.
To those who may have questioned the BBA’s emphasis on Disaster Relief, I remind you of Mordecai’s words to his niece, Queen Esther, when she questioned the course of action he recommended for Israel’s dilemma: “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this,” (Esther 4:14).
To you who have prepared and are now engaged in what will be a vast missionary effort, thank you and may your numbers increase.
May Christ be exalted through the testimony of His church!
One More Thing
Though we are in full disaster response mode, I want to remind you of the upcoming BBA Partnership Celebration and Annual Meeting, Thursday, October 15, at Buchanan First Baptist Church, Texarkana, Texas. The mission fair will open at 3:30 PM, with a panel discussion at 4:15, meal at 5:00, brief business session at 5:45, and worship at 6:00.
Sharing our message this year is an International Mission Board missionary with local roots, whose ministry requires a low on-line profile. As a result, I cannot post his name. But many of you know him as a former BBA pastor and staff member. Join us as we explore “the work of the church.”
Blessings,
Bro. Jim
BBA Annual Meeting and Partnership Celebration
BBA Annual Meeting
and Partnership Celebration
The BBA Partnership Celebration and Annual Meeting is Sunday, October 15, at Buchanan FBC, Texarkana, TX.
The mission fair will open at 3:30 PM, with a panel discussion at 4:15, meal at 5:00, brief business session at 5:45, and worship at 6:00. If you would like for your ministry to have a table for the mission fair, please let Valerie know.
Sharing our message this year is an International Mission Board missionary with local roots, whose ministry requires a low on-line profile. As a result, I cannot post his name. But many of you know him as a former BBA pastor and staff member. Join us as we explore “the work of the church.”
We hope to see you there! And please ensure that your church elects messengers for the business sessions. All events are open to everyone.
Administrative Team Meeting
The next Administrative Committee Meeting will be September 12th, 10:00 AM, at the BBA Office. Meetings are open to participation from interested persons within the association.
Executive Board Meeting
Make plans to attend the next Executive Board Meeting. It will be at Eylau Hills Baptist Church, September 19th, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Please RSVP by Thursday, September 15th to Valerie at the BBA Office.
Sportsman's Dinner & Fishing Tournament - at Lakeview
Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm on Friday, September 8th. Saturday, September 9th, the Lakeview Fishing Tournament will be held on Lone Star Lake. Entry fee is $15 each for team event and $1 for big bass. 80% pay-back for heaviest team weight. Please call Lakeview @ 903-656-3871 for reservations & prices for meals and rooms.
For tournament rules, rates, directions, or other information contact:
Gary Hancock: 903-439-7033 garyhancock@suddenlink.net
Martin Clickard: 903-935-0626 mcbasshunter@yahoo.com
Lakeview Baptist Assembly: 903-656-3871 lakeview1948@windstream.net
Speaker & Music: Stan Dulaney
Lakeview Fall Senior Adult Rally
October 5, 2017
Speaker: Grant Sutton, Pastor, FBC Hooks
Music: Cedar Creek
Registration begins at 9 am
Program begins at 9:30 am
Cost: $10.00, includes lunch & 2 snacks
All activities will be located in the Dining Hall.
If pastors help serve, they eat free! When registering mention you are helping serve the meal.
Please call with reservations needed by Monday, October 2nd. 903-656-3871
Annual Church Profile
Church secretaries and clerks should have received the Annual Church Profile. The ACP is an annual 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.
If you have questions or need help, please contact Valerie at the BBA Office by email or phone - 903-831-0194.
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.
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!
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 Committee
For more information, you may contact the respective congregations with the information provided, or contact the BBA Office.
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, BBA Office
17-24 Week of Prayer, SBTC
19 Executive Board Meeting, 6 PM, Eylau Hills Baptist Church
October 2017
10 Adminstrative Team Meeting, 10 am, BBA Office
15 Partnership Celebration, Buchanan FBC, 3:30 pm
September Friendship Center
- Downtown FBC
- Faith Community
- Fellowship
- Myrtle Springs
- New Baptist Bible Fellowship
- Oak Street
- Old Salem
- Redwater FBC
- Cross View
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/