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October 12th forty-four messengers from fifteen churches of the BMA of MO gathered in Sikeston for our Annual Association. This meeting was earlier in October than our previous meetings due to Bylaw changes made last year.

Bethel Baptist Church and Pastor Billy Davis were gracious hosts for the Association’s 92nd annual meeting. After a morning devotional from John 14:6 by Bro. Troy Sisk, Moderator Ben Kingston called the business meeting to order.

Two churches re-petitioned into membership with the Association – New Testament at Sullivan, and Friendship at Caseyville. We welcome these congregations back into our fellowship.

Messengers approved the recommendations from the Special Missions Committee to amend the Association bylaws related to Associational officers (see September Missouri Missionary Baptist), and to purchase liability insurance for the Association. This policy combines the present insurance for Camp with additional coverage for other areas of the Association. Payment for the new consolidated policy will be divided as follows: 60% paid by Camp, 20% by Missions, and 20% by the Loan Association.

Other missions-related business included sending $3,000 to the BMAA Seminary (Jacksonville, TX), and continued support for Bro. Matt Barker in Nixa, MO. (Note: Since the meeting Bro. Matt Barker has resigned the work in Nixa.) See article on page 3.

The messengers also approved the Loan Association transferring the interest they receive this year to pay on the Camp Garwood loan. This will amount to approximately $900.

New committeemen elected to the various committees included:

• Alive Committee – Bro. Brian Buckley (term ending 2023)
• Publications Committee – Bro. Jim Ainley (2022)
• Encampment Committee – Bro. Joe McElroy (2024)
• Special Missions Committee – Bro. Ben Kingston (2026)

Additionally the following were appointed by the moderator:

• Resolutions Committee – Bros. David Griggs, Billy Davis, Gary Longstaff
• Enrollment Committee – Bros. Russell Chitwood, Dan Wisely, Matt Bolen

by Don Burke, Association Clerk

The Baptist Publishing House has published a series of videos online to help our churches know more about our new curriculum and how to use it to its full potential. The videos can be found on our website: www.baptistpublishinghouse.com or on youtube.com (Just search “Baptist Publishing House”).

The Mighty Jungle.
There are no words to describe the beauty of it. As we traveled the Tambo River, I took a multitude of pictures, none of which truly captured the beauty of this place.

But the greater beauty came when we docked the boat and moved into the trees where the most beautiful people are found. You can’t see the villages from the river, but nestled behind the stunning trees, there is life.
The most recent Baptist Medical Missions International (BMMI) trip was to Peru in August. For the third year in a row, BMMI was invited there to set up four medical clinics in two new villages. In addition to making many new friends, we saw almost 500 patients with 111 professing Christ as their Savior.

But it’s not easy to get to the Ashaninkas. It takes three days to get there by plane, vans, and a long boat ride. But the travel is worth it because God is doing amazing things in this area, mostly due to the relationships Pastor Paul Tinoco has built with the village chiefs.

On our first visit three years ago, we were not sure how we would be received, but we were welcomed and invited back. Since that visit, the tribes have been meeting about planting the first church in this area, which is what Pastor Paul prays for.

It has been such a blessing for BMMI to be able to work alongside our national missionaries and help open doors for them. That is what BMMI medical clinics do: Open doors so that more people can hear the saving message of Jesus.

To God be the glory for what He is doing in the jungle of Peru. Please pray with us for the Ashaninkan Indian tribes!

by Angela Rice

Dear state churches: Yes, the news about Dustin is less than encouraging from a Missouri missions standpoint. But we are grateful that a strong missions minded BMA church got the Pastor they desired. Now we must believe that with everything in place to hire a missionary that God will provide us with His man. Let’s pray for great commission success for First Baptist Magnolia and for God to give us His missionary in His timing. LETS KEEP MOVING!

Bro. Ben Kingston

Wow! Just doesn’t describe the retreat this year. It was more than WOW!
The committee and others did an excellent job in planning the retreat and “working” behind the scenes. Deiatre Gillam led us in music worship throughout the two days. Becky Cate deserves a big THANK YOU for bringing and operating the sound system. Friday afternoon, Krissy Whitlock set the tone for the two days with an exceptional devotional.
Friday evening MO WMA President welcomed everyone and then blessed us with a very inspiring song.

Then Sabrina Clayton! I already knew she would be great and I’m so glad that other ladies from Missouri got the opportunity to hear her. She taught us from scripture, she inspired us, she encouraged us, she made us laugh and she made us cry. We are also glad she brought ten ladies from her church in Tupelo, MS with her. We hope that they enjoyed their visit to Missouri as much as we enjoyed having them here.

We were honored to have Bro. Jerry and Sis. Sue Kidd with us. Saturday morning he presented the National WMA Project “Missionary Care.” I had the privilege to introduce him. He and Sis. Sue have “worked” with missions for over 50 years. They both have a heart and love for our missionaries.
His presentation tugged at our heart strings in a way that I don’t think anyone else could. After his presentation we took an offering. It’s a Baptist thing! The ladies generously gave $900.00 for this project.

There were 99 in attendance! These represented 22 churches, 5 states and 1 foreign country. (Personal note: my sisters and I were blessed to have a cousin who is a “worker” in Bangladesh attend while she is on furlough.)

Now the BIG announcement!
Four Hundred Eighty items were donated to the silent auction. Someone commented, “You could set up housekeeping with all these items!” After counting the money and collecting a last minute offering, the auction made $2,025.50 for Camp Garwood! This includes some items from Camp that were donated and brought in $113.00. Also, some may be wondering about the quilts made with Camp Garwood T-shirts. Krissey Morgan Whitlock and Kari Hartlein took those quilts home.

Our Missouri ladies are generous and love Camp Garwood!
The other BIG announcement!!
Mark your calendars for
September 11 & 12, 2020!
Same location:
Drury Inn & Suites, Arnold, MO