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Recommendations of the Special Missions Committee
The Special Missions Committee of the BMA of Missouri met September 9, 2020 at Perryville, MO. The following recommendations were approved to submit to the Missionary Committee of the BMA of MO for consideration at the annual meeting October 10, 2020 at Zion Baptist Church in St. Louis.

1. We recommend Bro. Ben Kingston serve as the Missions Director at a salary of $650 a month with $200 of that designated for clerical help.
2. We recommend Bro. Don Burke serve as Assistant Director of Missions.
3. We recommend that outgoing Director, Bro. James Hoffmann, be paid $600 a month to assist (train) Bro. Kingston for a three-month transition period starting in October 2020.

Recommendations of the Loan Association Committee
The Loan Association Committee met at the Grecian Steak Hose in Sikeston September 5, 2020 and offers the following recommendations for your consideration at our annual meeting October 10:2020.

1. We recommend that the BMA of Missouri show our appreciation to Bro. David Griggs by giving him a $1000 love offering and a Certificate of Appreciation for his faithful service as Treasurer and that we continue to pray for his health and well being.
2. We recommend that this body give a standing vote of appreciation to Bro. Dennis Baker for his outstanding service especially during this past year.
3. We recommend that the By-laws of the Loan committee under section I – Purpose Item 2 be changed to “Loans to established Baptist Missionary Association of Missouri churches for maintenance, remodeling, repairs, and new construction of buildings used for worship and education. Loans are subject to a negotiated interest rate with a loan limitation of $50,000 and payment terms no greater than ten (10) years. Loans must be secured with a Quick-Claim Deed of Trust that states, “If the church defaults on the loan, the church ceases to exist, or the church ceases to be a member in good standing with the Baptist Missionary Association of Missouri or its successors, the ownership of the property and buildings described on the Deed of Trust will be transferred to the ownership of the Baptist Missionary of Association of Missouri. It shall be the responsibility of the borrower to maintain the property and buildings and to provide liability and property Insurance that includes the Baptist Missionary Association of Missouri as lender.”

We are getting ready for our Annual State Association which meets at Zion Baptist Church in St. Louis October 10, 2020. Various committee are meeting and getting ready to give their annual reports and bring recommendations for the approval of the messengers of the church that make up our great Baptist Missionary Association of Missouri

Because our mid-year meeting was cancelled in May it seems like it has been a long time since we have meet as an association of churches. Please note the messages on the first page of this issue of the paper to see the changes our Moderator and Host Pastor are suggesting we follow at this meeting because of the pandemic we are experiencing this year.

We are praying that each church will send their three messengers and each committee member will be ready with progressive reports and recommendations to present for consideration. Please make sure your church is represented.

Your Missions Director and the Special Missions Committee will meet in a few days to get ready for the annual association. They will be presenting a nomination for Missions Director and offering some recommendations that we hope will increase our outreach across Missouri and surrounding states. Please pray for us as we seek God’s will in the work you have entrusted to us.

It is encouraging to hear reports of how people around the world are opening up to the Gospel during the troublesome times that everyone is experiencing. May we look for opportunities to minister to our friends, families, neighbors and others as many are seeking answers that can only be answered through God’s Word and God’s wisdom.

September is officially the last month I will be serving as Missions Director for the BMA of Missouri. Of course I will be assisting in the transition to a new director through the month of October and will give my annual report at the annual meeting.

It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve in this capacity since 2015. I am disappointed that we have not had more success in our State Mission work and that we have seen some churches close in these years instead of seeing new churches planted.

I have enjoyed getting to know more of our pastors and churches as I have had the privilege to visit association meetings and worship services all over our great state. It has been uplifting to see many pastors working faithfully in their fields and growing through experience as they serve the Lord.

Thank you for your support, patience, cooperation, and encouragement over these years. I especially appreciate the Special Missions Committee for their dedication and assistance as we have met, prayed, discussed, debated, planned, and worked together in this great work!

Let’s support our new director as we go forward!

By James Hoffman, Mission’s Director

Due to continuing health issues, Bro. David Griggs has informed the editor that, after 30+ years he is resigning as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in St. Louis and the church has voted to disband. They are selling their property and have two offers at this time. They also have some song books, a good piano and an organ and other items that they would love to see used in other churches. If you are interested contact Bro. Griggs at 314-724-4204.