Posts By :

admin

June 2017 – Assistant Mission Director’s Report

 150 150 admin
By:
0

Thanks to the hospitality of Pastor Wayne and Sis. Ruth Gibson, the good folks of Landmark Baptist Church, Bro. Je? Swart,
our Associational Officers, and the cooperation of all who attended we had a great Missions Symposium and Mid-Year Meeting in DeSoto. Thanks to everyone who was involved!

My wife and I attended the National BMAA meeting in Texas but had to miss the last day due to coming home for the funeral of
Bro. Terry Manning, a member of Bethany. It was a good meeting and we were glad to be able to enjoy some of it. The article below is printed to introduce you to a Missouri family that is working in Colorado with the Navajo Indians under the sponsorship of their home church, First Baptist of Bourbon. This family has been selected as a project by our State WMA for the 2017-2018 year. Read about them, pray for them, and support them through our WMA this year.

James Hoffman

A Note From Our Camp Director

 150 150 admin
By:
0

In May, our funds were running very low. We asked for and received a $20,000 loan from the revolving loan fund to cover the remaining dorm expenses and operate until camp week. We have since received a couple special gifts. I especially want to
send a heart felt Thanks to the remaining members of Springdale who have graciously blessed camp with funds as a result of closing their doors. Your gift will enable us to give back the loan and complete the building debt free. We praise the Lord for that!

We have been busy at camp trying to get our hut ready. Joe has been busy trying to get the new dorm ready. And both are very
close to being finished. Folks have been asking, “What can we do?” At this point EVERYTHING! Because I have done very little normal camp stuff. If you are coming to help get ready for camp, let me know I’ll have plenty for you to do.

As camp is quickly approaching, all of the churches should have already received a packet. If you have not please give me a
call. The church registration date is June 19. Registering by this date insures your T-shirt order will be filled. It also gives your group a better chance of being placed in the dorm of your choice. The registration helps us prepare in many ways. Not only in dorm space but also camper sites, food ordering and a more accurate T-shirt order. Not to mention tracking the number of campers throughout the week.

Please be sure the adults in your group have completed the adult screening form and that all of your campers are familiar with the camp rules. Continue to pray for our speakers, worship leaders, teachers, sponsors, and most of all the lost who will be introduced to Jesus in the valley we call Garwood.

Chris Polk • P.O. Box 271 • Matthews MO 63867
Home 573-472-1038 • Cell 573-380-1975 •
campgarwood@gmail.com

North Lake In Transition

 150 150 admin
By:
0

North Lake Church, Smithville, is defnitely in transition. Not only are they in the process of finding and moving into a new home, they also have called Jared Kathcart (former Associate Pastor at North Lake) to be the pastor as they move forward. Jared and his wife Nikki have two daughters, Andie North Lake In Transition Grace and Rowen, and enjoy building into the lives of the families in Smithville. He has a particular heart for living out the Gospel of Christ, and sees ministry as a God-given opportunity to help individuals and communities grow in their identities in Christ, as well as their knowledge of His truth and love. Jared has over 11 years of experience in ministry, serving at First Baptist Church in Bolivar, MO, Wellborn Baptist Church in Kansas City, KS, and with North Lake since 2012. Jared has a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry from Southwest Baptist University, and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct professor. Along with Christ, his family, and his ministry, Jared is a lover of a long list of many other things which includes “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the Dallas Cowboys, and camping. You can reach Jared anytime by emailing him at jkathcart@hotmail.com or by calling 816-447-6033. Please be in prayer for North Lake, and for the Kathcart family. You can follow the pastor’s blog at https:// jaredkathcart.wordpress.com

-copied The Baptist Herald

Camp Time is Approaching!

 150 150 admin
By:
0

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

 150 150 admin
By:
0

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

 150 150 admin
By:
0

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

 150 150 admin
By:
0

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!!

 150 150 admin
By:
0

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

 150 150 admin
By:
0

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

 150 150 admin
By:
0

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