FOCUS December 2016
Bowie Baptist Association
Hope Amidst the Chaos
If you ever doubt the fallen state of our world, read the news. As I write, today’s headlines tell me of three separate police ambush shootings, one fatal, more suicide bombings in Afghanistan, rioting in North Dakota, and post-election conflict.
Everyone hopes for a peaceful environment in which to live, but the reality around us confirms the words of the apostle Paul, who said in Romans 1:28, “God gave them over to a depraved mind.” Humanity has rejected the Creator. Now, for a season, the Creator has allowed sin to run its course.
By now, you may be thinking, “Jim, don’t be so negative.” I don’t mean to be. In fact, this is meant to be an encouraging message. The encouragement is this: While the world as it stands now is hopeless, God in the midst of hopelessness sent us His Son! And through the Son, we are freed from the chaos, and sealed into a relationship with Him of hope, love, joy, and a mission to help others know Him as do we.
That’s the promise of Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be on his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
There will be a time, I believe, when Christ will reign upon the earth and all will submit before Him. Until that time, be encouraged that, though the world be in chaos, you rest in the very secure hands of our Lord and Savior! And with Him you can face anything!
Have a most wonderful Christmas season and a happy New Year.
Bro. Jim
P.S. As of January the BBA office will be at FBC Nash. I am grateful to Highland Park and Bro. Kevin Myers for housing us the past 3 1/2 years, and to FBC Nash for providing our new space. Stop by and say hello.
P.P.S. To all the churches engaged with Operation Christmas Child, congratulations on a job well-done. May God bless your efforts through changed lives across the world. Let’s continue in this spirit as we receive the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.
Bi-State School of Ministry - CLD Class Schedule
Registration will be Monday, January 9, 2017, at First Baptist Church, Wake Village in the Fellowship Hall.
CLP 1512 Introduction to Christian Counseling - 3 hr
Taught by Brad Watson
This course helps students to understand the nature of Christian counseling while learning the practice of counseling at a beginning level. Students are introduced to Christian counseling values, goals, and processes while engaged in the classroom practice of counseling. Cognitive and behavioral approaches in agreement with Scriptural principles are applied in the multi-cultural learning process.
Class begins January 15th & will meet every Monday night from 6:00 pm - 8:30pm at:
First Baptist Church
820 Wake Avenue
Wake Village, TX
CLP 1411 Communicating the Gospel: Preaching and Teaching that Transforms - 3 hr
Taught by Dr Bill Steeger
Covers planning, preparation and presentation skills in preaching and teaching with an emphasis on learning by doing. Also covers learning styles, how to preach and teach for transformation, and how to communicate to different age groups and cultures.
Class begins January 16th & will meet every Tuesday night from 6:00 pm - 8:30pm at:
First Baptist Church
820 Wake Avenue
Wake Village, TX
Cost: $165, payable at Registration
For information, please call the BBA Office or the Ministry Training Director, Paul Burkhalter, at 903-826-4489.
2016 Christmas Musicals
Myrtle Springs
“The Valley Haven Christmas Show”
December 1st, 2nd & 4th, 7 pm
Highland Park
"Here With Us"
December 11th, 5 pm
Redwater FBC
“The Night Shift Before Christmas”
December 11th, 6:15 pm
Liberty Eylau
“Family Night at Christmas”
December 18th, 6 pm
New Boston FBC
“Hanging of the Green”
November 27th, 6 pm
“Christmas Carols & More”
December 18th, 6 pm
Pleasant Grove
“The Arrival”
December 18th, 6 pm
Walk Through Bethlehem
Midway Baptist Church will be having their annual Walk Through Bethlehem event. See the shops & visit with the merchants as your guide walks with you through the market place of the city of Bethlehem.
December 3rd & 4th
6:00pm—8:30pm
December 10th & 11th
6:00pm—8:30pm
For information on how you can help, please contact the church at 903-334-9707.
Administrative Committee Meeting
The next Administrative Committee Meeting will be December 13th, 10:00 AM, at the BBA Office. Meetings are open to participation from interested persons within the association.
ACP’s
Please remember to complete the Annual Church Profile. Thank you to all the churches who have already completed the ACP!
If you need assistance, or have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Valerie at the BBA Office, 903-792-0641 or email her at receptionist@bowiebaptist.org.
Senior Adult Winter Festival
FBC Redwater will be having the Senior Adult Winter Festival on December 3rd. The Piney Woods Christmas themed night will feature entertainment from Truth Infusion Worship Band at 4:30. Entertainment only tickets can be purchased at the door for $5. Call (903 671 2142) or e-mail (info@fbcredwater.org) FBC Redwater for more information.
Youth Ministry Search
Nursery Worker Needed
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
The week of Prayer & Missions Study for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is December 4th - December 11th.
Starting in 1888, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® was established to empower the international missions efforts for Southern Baptists. After more than a century, the annual offering continues its steady growth. Your giving enables missionaries to be sent to make disciples and multiply churches among unreached peoples and places for the glory of God.
For more information and promotional materials for your church, click on the following link. https://www.imb.org/lottie-moon-christmas-offering
2017 Executive Board Meeting Locations
January 17, 2017
12 Noon
Myrtle Springs Baptist Church
April 18, 2017
6:00 PM
Plentiful Harvest Church
July 25, 2017
12 Noon
BBA Office
September 19, 2017
6:00 PM
Eylau Hills Baptist Church
Churches Seeking Staff
Please continue to pray for the numerous churches in the Association that are seeking staff members.
Pastor:
- Sand Hill
- Cross Pointe
- Malta
- Liberty Hill
Youth Leader:
- Korean Mission
- Flower Acres (call 903-824-8412),
- Highland Park Baptist Church (call 903-792-6996)
For more information, you may contact the respective congregations with the information provided, or contact the BBA Office.
DECEMBER 2016
4-11 Week of Prayer & Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
13 Administrative Team Meeting
BBA Office, 10 AM
23-31 BBA Office Closed
25 Christmas Day
JANUARY 2017
1 New Year’s Day
10 Administrative Team Meeting
BBA Office, 10 AM
16 Martin Luther King Day
17 Executive Board Meeting
Myrtle Springs - Noon
December Friendship Center
- Circle J Cowboy
- Buchanan FBC
- Cross Pointe
- Everett
- Gravel Hill
- Highland Park
- Moss Springs
- Plantation
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
Joshua McDonald
Baptist Student Ministry Director
Fraternal Organizations
Sam Clem
Runnin’ WJ Ranch
Edna Walker
Hospitality Director
Bryan Bixler
Friendship Center Director
Bowie Baptist Association
Email: receptionist@bowiebaptist.org
Website: www.bowiebaptist.org
Location: PO Box 7740 Texarkana, TX 75505
Phone: 903-792-0641