Baptist Missionary Association of Missouri
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psalm 95:2
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitude toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 per cent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it. “I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my
position. Attitude keeps me going or cripples my progress…It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitude is right, there’s no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.
—Charles R Swindoll,
Strengthening Your Grip
Bates Creek, Potosi would like to thank the retreat committee and Sis. Valarie Fish for another great retreat. We had five
ladies go from Bates Creek. It was a great time of learning and fellowship with each other and with other ladies from around
the state of Missouri. Sarah Buckley, Reporter
Bethany, St. Louis, had four of our ladies, along with Sis. McCanless, attended the Ladies Retreat and what a blessing it
was. The music, devotionals, fellowship and the speaker were all spirit led. If your ladies have never attended these retreats, you should encourage them to do so.
Kathy Chapman, Reporter
Others made good comments in their “News From the Churches” articles and all indications are that the ladies had a great
time and were challenged to do their best for the Lord. Perhaps we will have a report in the next issue with more details about the meeting.
September 16, 2017, Landmark in DeSoto hosted the Washington County District WMA. Opening song was “Just Over In the Gloryland” and opening prayer by Sis. Jean Haderlein. After the Youth and the Men left for their meetings, the Welcome was given by Sis. Betty Harrison and the Response by Sis. Pam Callahan of Zion. President Barb Williams gave a devotional on “Stuff” reading from Matthew 6:19-21 and I Corinthians 13:13.
The new business consisted of election of officers for 2017-2018. The new officers are:
President – Connie Reifsteck – Zion
1st Vice President – Sharon Page – Landmark
2nd Vice President – Bea Evans – Stony Point
Secretary/Treasurer – Tracy Goede – Zion
Assist. Secretary/Treasurer – Ladonna Baker – Zion
Historian/Reporter – Norma Womble – Zion
Youth Promoter – Dana Dane – Bethesda
Assistant – Lady from Stony Point to be named later
Advisory Council: Bea Evans, Janet Widger, and Sharon Page,
2017-2018 Project:
25% Missouri Missionary Baptist Paper
25% Camp Garwood
30% General Fund
20% Youth
Sis. Connie Reifsteck gave the charge to the new officers and Sis. Bea Evans led in prayer for the new officers. The next district WMA meeting will be Friday, November 10, 2017 at Stony Point Missionary Baptist Church, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Norma Womble – Reporter
by Dennis Baker, Brotherhood President
A total of eighteen men attended the Brotherhood Fall Retreat at Camp Garwood. Bro. Jason Redden, pastor of Emmanuel
Baptist Church, Sikeston, provided an excellent devotional concerning “Making Choices.” Jason also shared his personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ.
Following the devotion, we were blessed by the testimonies of the men and boys who shared their experience of salvation. Some of the men were moved to tears as they shared what God has been doing in their life. Bro. Rick Garza provided us with three excellent meals. Friday menu was chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn on the cob. Saturday morning, we enjoyed eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy. For lunch we relished cheese burgers.
The annual archery competition seemed to be enjoyed by all the men. Even those who did not compete seemed to enjoy watching. The best overall score for the amateur level was Andrew Wilhing from Stony Point. The best overall score for the advanced level was Brian Vollersten, also from Stony Point. We are thankful for the financial support of those who attended. We received a total offering of $150.00. We are also thankful for the churches that regularly support this ministry. I personally enjoyed the beautiful weather and fellowship with my brothers in Christ. The life changing testimonies were a spiritual encouragement. Thank you, Bro. Garza for the wonderful meals. Bro. Rick Garza has posted several pictures of the retreat on Camp Garwood’s Facebook page
(to be considered October 28, 2017)
by Dan Wisely, Clerk
This is a particularly busy time as some local associations have their annual meetings, and the annual State Association meets which involves the closing of financial and record books of all our departments. As we review the past year we are reminded of God’s blessings upon His work among our churches.
I was able to attend the annual meeting of the Meramec Landmark Baptist Association which met at New Testament Baptist Church in Sullivan September 22nd. It was a joy to be welcomed to this meeting and to be able to give a report on State Missions, the Missouri Missionary Baptist and the Kenneth Gibson Seminary Student Grant Fund. Thanks to Bro. Michael Hearts for sending the summary of this meeting that is located elsewhere on this page.
Appreciation is expressed to these churches for their cooperation in our state work during the year and the special offerings that were given at this meeting. Your support and encouragement is a blessing to the Lord’s work.
It was a joy to attend part of the Men’s Retreat at camp Garwood the last weekend of September. It is great to fellowship with the men and boys of our churches and to enjoy a time of relaxation and fellowship at camp.
Our BMA of MO Special Missions Committee met September 14th at the Ponderosa in Perryville. Those present were: Russell Chitwood, Ben Kingston, Don Burke, Dale Fish, Claude Evans, and Dan Wisely. I appreciate these men and their willingness to take time to meet and help plan the work we need to be doing.
Our clerk, Bro. Dan Wisely has taken the time to provide a copy of the recommendations that we plan to present to the Missionary Committee at our State Meeting October 28th at camp Garwood. Those recommendations follow this article.
Please prayerfully consider these recommendations and come to the meeting prepared to vote on them or present recommendations you have that will guide us as we do the work of missions If you have any questions about any of these recommendations please contact me or any of the committee members and we will be happy to try to answer your questions.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Lord and His churches in this capacity and please pray with me that we might use all the opportunities God gives us to reach others with the Gospel and strengthen His Churches.
submitted by Michael Hearst
The Meramec Landmark Baptist Association annual meeting was held Friday, September 22nd at New Testament Baptist Church in Sullivan, MO. The following are some of the highlights of this meeting:
• Bro Joe Ginter, Pastor-Charity, Columbia, MO preached the annual message.
• voted to send $5000 to the BMAA Disaster Relief Fund.
• voted to send $2000 to the BMAA Seminary Chapel Fund as a memorial to Bro. Jim R. Ford.
• voted to send $1,500 to the Kenneth Gibson Scholarship Fund.
• voted to send $1,000 to the Missouri Missionary Baptist paper.
• voted to begin church revitalization e?orts at Charity Baptist Church, Columbia, MO and at Berean Baptist Church, Festus, MO
• authorized Moderator, Bro Ben Kingston, to work with the State Association on a joint “Revitalization” meeting at the State Camp in Garwood, MO and to help with the cost of the meeting.
• standing vote of appreciation for the special offerings from the former Springdale Baptist Church in Fenton, MO.
• standing vote of appreciation to New Testament Baptist Church, Sullivan, MO and Pastor Charles Idleman for their hospitality in hosting this meeting.
•Pastors and wives fellowship to be held Fri, Oct 13 at Meramec Retreat Center
• 2018 Meramec Association’s Annual meeting to be held September 21st at White Oak Grove, Potosi, MO. Brian Kingston was elected to bring Introductory Sermon with Charles Idleman as alternate speaker.
We Need Your Help? Each year the Baptist Missionary Association sends a form to all BMA churches to collect the most up-to-date information. This helps us connect, build relationships, and provide accurate information of the impact BMA churches are
making through their local communities with the gospel.
What Can My Church Do?
1. Visit bmaamerica.org to update your church information at any time Once on the website, select the “BMA Churches” tab listed at the top, then click on “BMA Church Log In.” Only pastors, church sta? members or church members granted authority by their church may add or update their church information.
Or
2. Fill out the pre-populated form provided and mail to:
BMA America
PO Box 1188
Conway, AR 72033
What’s New?
Update your church information online at ANY TIME! Visit bmaamerica.org to view and edit your church information. Once on the website, select the “BMA Churches” tab listed at the top, then click on “BMA Church Log In.”
Only pastors, church staff members or church members granted authority by their church may add or update their church information.
On-line Feature
As an added value to each of our churches and associations, you will now be able to print and mail updated church information to your local and state associations by selecting “Print PDF” at the top right hand corner once you’re logged in.
Need Help?
Please contact Lauren Noland in the Information Services department at 501-358-4007 or lauren@bmaamerica.org