December 2017 FOCUS
Bowie Baptist Association
Contend for the Faith
Southerland Springs, once known simply as a small town near San Antonio, is now synonymous with the violence increasingly common to society. On November 5th, twenty-six innocents died having gathered moments earlier at the First Baptist Church for worship. It wasn’t the first such shooting. Here in East Texas we remember Dangerfield and Wedgwood. But this one comes so soon after other incidents, Las Vegas and the New York bicycle path attack for example, that the emotions are overwhelming.
In the wake of these events we hear an endless cacophony of media personalities debating what actions must occur to put an end to such deeds. Unfortunately, most miss the point. They address the issue as if we have a gun problem, or a terror problem, when, in fact, we have a heart problem. To quote Henry Brandt, “the heart of the problem is the problem of the heart.”
Let me ask a question. Amid a culture that devalues life, abandons restraint, and fuels self-worship, what else should we expect? Romans 1:28-30 says, “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness…” Such is life in a fallen world.
So, what’s the answer? It’s not a new law, although we can have that debate. After all, government exists to provide boundaries limiting the extremes to which a sinful humanity may reach.
But to really address the problem, we must return to the Gospel. Preach Jesus! Teach men, women, boys and girls how to love Him, walk with Him, and serve Him! In Jude 3, Paul says that, while he wanted to encourage his protégé about their shared salvation in Christ, he “… found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
Thanksgiving is here. Christmas is coming. Don’t yield to the despair of the 24/7 news cycle. Jesus Christ is alive and well. Let’s show the world that this is so.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
Bro. Jim
One More Thing! On Saturday Dec. 16th, beginning at 8:00 AM, Cross View Baptist is hosting a church security seminar led by Kenny Sanders. Kenny, with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Department, is a nationally respected authority on church vulnerability and security. He also happens to be a lay pastor, having served as interim pastor for numerous congregations in our area. Bring your safety / security team members!
Walk Through Bethlehem
See the shops & visit with the merchants as your guide walks with you through the market place of the city of Bethlehem.
Midway Baptist Church
December 2-3, 6:00pm—8:30pm
December 9-10, 6:00pm—8:30pm
For information on how you can help, please contact the church at 903-334-9707
BBA Pastor's Monthly Fellowship
Monday, Dec 4, 2017, 10:00 AM
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Jones Lane, Texarkana, TX, United States
Administrative Team Meeting
The next Administrative Committee Meeting will be December 12th, 10:00 AM, at the BBA Office. Meetings are open to participation from interested persons within the association.
Crossview Baptist Church - Church Security Seminar
The class starts with an overview of church violence and a threat assessment of the church building and operating procedures. Then, it moves to the development of church security plans in the event that something does go wrong. This training is based on years of research data from actual acts of church violence. It has been featured on Fox News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC. The course has been taught hundreds and hundreds of times throughout the four states area.
For those who are interested, please RSVP by contacting the church office 903-794-6066.
2017 Christmas Programs
Myrtle Springs
November 30th, December 1st & December 3rd, 7 pm - "A Mountain Christmas Memory"
Presented by choir & drama team
Highland Park
December 10th, 10:45 am - "Here With Us"
Liberty Eylau
December 17th, 6 pm - "Family Night at Christmas"
New Boston FBC
December 3rd, 6 pm - "Hanging of the Green"
December 17th, 6 pm - "Christmas Carol Sing"
Pleasant Grove
December 17th, 6 pm - "At Last, Noel"
Upward Basketball & Cheerleading Squad
Registration is open now with practices beginning in December. (K - 6th grade) To register or for more information, contact Liberty Eylau Bapitst Church at 903-832-7526. Click here for more information.
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
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 15, 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.
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.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
December 3rd - December 10th.
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. The National Goal this year is $160 Million. 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 about the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and promotional materials for your church, click here.
2017 Week of Prayer for International Missions
December 3rd - December 10th
Day 1 - Bagby Family, Nepal
Day 2 - Muslims of Russia
Day 3 - Jones Family, Japan
Day 4 - Mexico City Team
Day 5 - The Forgotten Refugee
Day 6 - Mikeska Family, London
Day 7 - What God Has Done - World Wide
Day 8 - Why Prayer Matters - World Wide
For more information about these missionaries and their stories, click here.
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
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.
December 2017
10 Pastor's Monthly Fellowship, Pleasant Grove, 10 am
12 Administrative Team Meeting, BBA Office, 10 am
25 Christmas Day
25 - Jan 1 BBA Office closed
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
December Friendship Center
- Circle J Cowboy Church
- 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
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/