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Camp Time is Approaching!

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July 31 – August 4, 2017
Church Registration Deadline is June 19th

Pray about what you can do to help get camp ready Contact Chris for more information and To volunteer to help make this the GREATEST Camp For the Glory of God!!

Register here!

A Result from The Renewal Retreats

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The Special Missions Committee met April 17th in preparation for the BMA of Missouri Mid-year Meeting. The agenda included a report and discussion about the Renewal Retreats, including the participants’ desire for unity between the State and Meramec Associations. Out of this discussion three from this committee – Pastors representing both Associations – volunteered to draft a “Statement of Unity” to encourage the continued efforts in this process, and specifically hoping that in our 2017 annual meetings all entities will consider making an official stand to put the past in the past and go forward in unity for the good of all the work in Missouri.

Statement of Unity

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18)

We the undersigned, as pastors in both the Meramec and State Associations, would like to voice our appreciation for the desire expressed in the recent Renewal retreats to reunite our two Associations.

    Specifically:

  • We are inspired by the unanimous desire to put all past differences aside and again embrace one another in unity;
  • We acknowledge that faults have been committed by both sides in the original disagreement and/or dealing with related issues since then;
  • We apologize for any faults or shortcomings on our own part, and extend forgiveness for any offense committed by others;
  • We encourage others to do the same;
  • We anticipate that time – hopefully in the immediate future – when all parties have forgiven and sought forgiveness, when we all reach out in love and acceptance to one another, when all is restored.

We would ask that each pastor, each church, and each Association similarly resolve to put this issue behind us, and be a part of this movement of blessed unity.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

– Bro. Ben Kingston, Bro. Brian Meade, Bro. Don Burke

May 2017 – Assistant Mission Director’s Report

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I hope many of our readers and church leaders are making plans to attend the BMA of MO Mission Symposium and Mid-Year Business meeting at Landmark Baptist Church in DeSoto, May 19-20, 2017. This is a great opportunity for us to fellowship, learn, and participate in the wonderful work of God and we should take
advantage of the opportunity to get to know one another better. Landmark is eagerly awaiting our meeting with them and are making preparations to welcome us for these two days of joy and worship.

Our Special Missions Committee met April 17th and had a harmonious and productive meeting. The following members were present: Chairman Ben Kingston, Clerk Dan Wisely, Russell Chitwood, Dale Fish, Don Burke, and Brian Meade, As a result of this meeting there is an article on page 7 of this issue that calls for unity and cooperation in our work in Missouri. It is time to put the past in the past and go forward for the glory of God.

Please prayerfully consider this idea and consider leading your local and state associations to adopt a “statement of unity” in your annual meetings this year. I look forward to our next Renewal Retreat with the church sta?s of all the state and local associations together to learn more about one another and bond together as we work for the Lord. Bro. Ben Kingston is working on setting a time and place for this meeting and it will be announced as soon as information is available. Please make plans to attend.

Please join me in prayer concerning the planting of churches in Missouri.

by James Hoffman

New Director of International Missions

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Bro. Eric Johnson, former missionary to Mexico, will replace Bro. Phil Knott as Director of International Missions, effective in May. Bro. Knott recently announced his retirement after four years in that position.

Johnson was born into a family of BMA missionaries, and he and his wife, Kelly, and three children, Audrey Lee, Matty Ann, and Abram Gaylan, began serving as church planters in Pachuca, Mexico, in 2008. In 2011 Kelly was diagnosed with an illness that, over time, God has used to lead them back to ministry in the United States. Since then Johnson has continued to serve in BMA Missions through church planter training in evangelism, discipleship, and Biblical studies. Knott will work with Johnson during the next year as Johnson transitions into his new role as International Missions Director.

“We give praise and glory to God, our Healer, for the work he has done during the difficult time of Kelly’s illness and diagnosis, and we are very grateful for his mercy in our lives. Because of the strict nature of her diet and her immune system we had to conclude that it was not God’s will for us to live in Mexico. This was not an easy decision, but an obvious one. Dr. John David Smith, Bro. Phil and BMA Missions staff were very helpful to us during this time. I am very grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord and our churches, and I believe that God has much more in store for our future.”

Two Great Meetings You Don’t Want To Miss!!

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Landmark Missionary Baptist Church
1215 Boyd St. • DeSoto, MO is excitedly preparing to host:

The 2017 BMA of MO Missions Symposium

starting at 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 19th with another session starting at 9:00 a.m. Saturday. May 20th featuring guest speaker: Jeff Stewart who will speaking on “The Rapture of the Saints” – answering your questions about the Rapture & “Is the United States Mentioned in Prophecy?” This will be followed by

The 2017 Mid-year Meeting of the BMA of MO

May 20th, starting at approximately 10:30 a.m. as we take care the business of our association ministries. Each church is encouraged to send three messengers to participate in this meeting, and others are invited to attend.

Lunch will be provided by the host church on Saturday

Prayer: The Power of the Local Church

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I Timothy 2:1-8
by Dennis Baker, Brotherhood President

The focus of the text is prayer for all men in relationship to the preaching of the gospel message. Paul encourages Timothy to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks on behalf of all men. This included praying for all that are in authority. Then he emphasizes, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.”

No one is outside the in?uence of prayer. This means that we pray for the unsaved and saved, for people near us and people far away, for enemies as well as friends. We must pray for those in authority. Even when we cannot respect men or women in authority, we must respect their office and pray for them. When we face opposition and persecution it is wise to pray for those in authority. It is good that we pray, “so that we might live peaceful and quiet lives in holiness.” The word “quiet” has reference to a calm attitude within us. The calm attitude is the result of turning over what is on our heart to God.

Paul stresses the reason for prayer, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

The purpose of prayer is not to get our will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth. It is God’s will that we pray for “all men” because as stated in the text, God would, “have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” We must pray for all people, Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, religious and pagan. We have the responsibility of praying for lost souls and making ourselves available to share the gospel with others.

The basis for prayer is the work of Jesus Christ as Savior and Mediator. There is only one God, therefore there is a need for only one Mediator, and that Mediator is Jesus Christ. No other person can qualify. Because the death of Christ is efficient only for those who trust Him, but is sufficient for the sins of the whole world we must pray for all as we become a part of God’s world program to reach all people before it is too late.

The posture of the heart is more important than the posture of the body. “Holy hands” refers to a holy life. It is symbolic of a blameless life. If we have sin in our lives we cannot expect God to answer our prayers. Psalms 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” The phrase “without wrath and doubting” requires that we be on good terms with other believers. Christians should learn to disagree without being disagreeable.

Effective praying is demanding. It requires a right relationship with God and with fellow believers. How much more effective would the ministry of the local church be if we spent more time preparing to pray and getting our heart right before God? Do you think it would help us to quit looking at past hurts and disappointments and cause us to be focused on praying for “all” that they might be saved?

I would like to close by sharing a blessing I receive the first Wednesday night of the month at the church I pastor. The entire service is focused on prayer. There are no classes or preaching, just the church praying together. We have a prayer list with many names, some are church members, some family members, coworkers, friends, neighbors, and ministries. We pray for health needs, our church ministries, the bereaved, the unsaved, and the churches and pastors of our associational works. Some of the names or items have been on the list for years, but we rejoice together as God answers our prayers. Prayer is the Power of the Local church!

Greetings From Garwood

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Ahhh Springtime! It’s the time of year all of Gods critters get busy. And so do we! Work has begun on the new dorm. Hopefully we can send some pictures next month. We are working on the directors apartment. We’ve also done some work on the paintball area preparing for our retreat this weekend.

Looking back, We had such a wonderful time at the Renewal Retreat. I believe it was helpful for all who attended. It certainly was for me. Thanks to Bro. Ben Kingston and all that helped.

Looking forward we are expecting another great Men’s retreat May 12th-13th. Please encourage your men to attend this retreat, and bring the boys (young men) with them. We always have a great time of fellowship. It’s Spring so we will have skeet shooting, Door prizes and Lots of food.

Ladies don’t forget! The GMA retreat is July 7-8. For more information concerning this retreat or if you would like to help. Please contact Shelia Polk 573-380-4064.

As Spring gives way to Summer we will try to get camp ready early this year. There are always little jobs that get pushed back until camp week. I can’t do that this year. Due to a con?ict at work I am unable to get o? for camp week. Not to worry though, my trusty assistant is on board and ready to take my place. I’m really hoping to make it over for the evening services. We have plenty of time, 18 Saturdays to be exact!

There’s a ton of stuff happening at camp this year. Not one but two super men of God! Shawn Hammontree and his son-in-law Jordan Bowen will be there. Not one but two great worship groups. The Harpers you all know and love and Central Baptist Church/Conway’s youth band, Crossroads is coming to help with filling in the gap after evening services. They will also be helping with some of the recreation activities. But that’s not all, We are working on train cars to haul 35-40 people around camp. But wait! No really, you have to wait. Because, Sorry I can’t give any details yet. But it’s gonna be Gggreat! I’m really excited about this year’s camp. AND I CANT GO! (Yes, I’m crying just a little)

As I was typing this I received the proofs for our promotion posters. Looks good! They will be included in the packets that should be mailed in early May. Be sure to get your adults screened. Everyone 18 and over has to complete the form every year. It’s not too early go ahead and get it out of the way.

Blessings,
Chris Polk
P.O. Box 271 • Matthews MO 63867

Report to Our Churches about The Renewal Retreats

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This is a report of our two Renewal Weekend meetings that took place March 10th – 11th at the Meramec Retreat Center and March 17th – 18th at Camp Garwood. Both were well attended, each having 11-14 Pastors at each meeting. Some could not stay for the entire meeting, thus the discrepancy in the number. I do want to thank all the Pastors that were able to be present and humbly beg those that were not able, to please
make plans to attend the next one when it is announced.

The spirit of both meetings was tremendous. I was asked if I would give a report, thus the article you have before you.

Nineteen years ago, when God brought me back to Bethel, I came back not only with a burden for Bethel, but also for the local and state associations that she was a part of. These two meetings were a culmination of that burden.

My Father taught me that, associationally we can do more together than we can do apart. I truly believe that still today.

There were 11 elements to go over in the booklet we used. It was made clear to everyone to come with no expectations and with a humble spirit. That request was beautifully carried out.

These are the 11 elements:
1) Sharing personal history and ministry
2) Healing possible fractures
3) Connectedness
4) Association core values
5) Non-negotiables
6) Confict resolution
7) Association focus
8) State VS. Meramec (Yes, we went there)
9) Reaching out to the churches not there
10) A possible strategy to reach Missouri
11) Where to from here

Now, you may look at that and say, “Wow! They got a lot done.” You would not be wrong; just probably not in the way you are thinking. You see, those elements are the areas we must deal with and hammer out. However, I assure you, one 13-hour retreat is not going to allow enough time to exhaust those areas.

So, what did we accomplish? At both retreats we spent the entire Friday evening on the 1st element (Sharing personal history and ministry). Those men shared from their hearts. It was heartbreaking and glorious to hear where they come from and how God has richly blessed them. Hear me, please: your Pastors love the churches to which they have been called.

Next, we enjoyed enriching discussions on our core values and how we can stay better connected.

Just a note on element 8: Both retreat participants shared their absolute desire for past wrongs to be forgiven and forgotten on both sides. So that everyone knows, I purposefully planned the retreats separately not to continue the division, but to give us our space and freedom to speak openly about ending the division and received unanimous approval to bury past wrongs and unite for the greater glory of God. Thus, when we have a “Renewal” Retreat again, it will be as a whole state association because the Meramec is a local association and we know that.

Is it wrong for each local association to have their own retreats? Absolutely not, and I greatly encourage it for fellowships and strategy. But as far as state association renewal, we will be doing it together from this point forward. That was the plan all along. If you have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to call me at (636) 629-2526.

I look forward to God’s blessings upon the state and local associations of Missouri and her churches, to the glory of His Name.

by Ben Kingston

April 2017 – Assistant Mission Director’s Report

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The Pastor and Sta? Renewal Retreats at Camp Garwood and Richwoods Retreat Center were great and we look forward to combined Retreat sometime in the future. Please read the article about the Mission Symposium and Mid-Year BMA of MO meetings and make plans to attend all sessions and bring a generous o?ering to apply to our goal of $5,000.

Each pastor and church needs the support and fellowship of other pastors and churches and these meetings give each of us the opportunity to have many needs met, but we must attend and participate to get
the benefits we need.

I hope many go to the National Meeting in Arlington May 1-3 and the State Meeting in DeSoto May 19-20.

by James Hoffmann

68th Annual Meeting of the BMA of America

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68th Annual Meeting of the BMA of AmericaLetter From Our President…
Greetings to the churches of the BMA of America: Well, it is nearing that time of the year when we have the opportunity to gather and conduct the Lord’s business as an Association. This note is to remind each one that this May 1-3 has been set aside as the time for our 2017 annual meeting to convene in Arlington, Texas. It is my prayer that God will continue to bless all of our departments, agencies and churches. I hope you are already making plans for your church to be represented at this year’s meeting.

Again this year you will be given the opportunity to choose between several great breakout sessions presented this year by our National departments and agencies. It is the desire of your officers and those involved in planning to provide you with materials and practical instruction that you will be able to
use in your respective fields of service. Of course, these are provided in addition to the times of conducting business and opportunities to gather for worship.

Please review the enclosed preliminary schedule of this year’s meeting. This will help you in your planning and travel schedule. Remember, this year’s theme “Brick by Brick” is built around teamwork with the emphasis on increasing our attendance for the purpose of strengthening every area of our ministry. Make plans now to join us and may God bless every aspect of our time together.
Paul White, President BMAA