Baptist Missionary Association of Missouri
From Our President….
Greetings to the churches of the BMA of America!
I hope 2016 has gotten off to a wonderful start and proves to be a year that overflows with God’s abundant blessings on you and
your church family. I wanted to remind you that on April 25 – 27 we will gather in beautiful Gatlinburg,Tennessee for the
annual meeting of our national association. I hope you will make plans to be there for what I believe will be an enjoyable and exciting few days together.
As an added feature at last year’s meeting some opportunities were offered to attend workshops on various topics. The hope was that this would provide attendees a time to receive practical instruction and help, allowing us all to return to our fields of ministry better equipped to serve and lead effectively. The response was overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to offering additional workshops at the upcoming meeting. Of course, these are provided in addition to the times of conducting business and opportunities to gather for worship.
On page 8 of this publication is a preliminary schedule for the meeting in Gatlinburg. I trust this overview will be helpful to you in planning your schedule and travel.
If the Lord returns before April 25, I will see you in Heaven. Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you in Gatlinburg!
Until Then,
Jason Aultman, President
Our church Bible Study takes us to the timely, even if somewhat awkward, passage of Proverbs 7. In a time when
sexual moors and their Biblical standards are so totally out the window for in our society, this chapter cautions against the
“forbidden woman”/adulteress — in essence the gal who offers herself to the sexual interests of a man to whom she isn’t
married. Of special note is Vv. 10ff as it describes no less than nine hints that your gal may be the wrong kind of gal to get
involved in:
Men, Take Heed!
by Pastor Don Burke, Breton Creek Baptist Church, Potosi, MO
(Editor’s Note: Bro. Burke posted this note on FaceBook recently and has given permission for me to print it as I feel
it is a lesson all men need to study and use to safeguard their lives.)
II Corinthians 5:10
by Dennis Baker, Brotherhood President
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Could 2016 be the year that Jesus returns? With all the turmoil going on in our country and world, many Bible students are getting excited about the possibility. The Bible speaks of many implications surrounding the Second coming of Christ. However, we will only focus on two: the basis of judgment and the finality of judgment.
All must appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according
to the he hath done, whether it be good or bad. John 5:28-29, Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
While some might conclude that judgment will be based on good or bad deeds, Jesus indicated that some who claim and
even appear to have good deeds would be told to depart. Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in
that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
The standard on which the evaluation will be made is the revealed will of God. John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” Even those who have not heard the law will be judged; “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law,” Romans 2:12.
Once judgment is passed, the judgment will be permanent and irrevocable. The saved and the unsaved will be sent away to their respective final places. There is no hint that the verdict can be changed. Jesus concluded His teaching about the last judgment by saying, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal,” Matthew 25:46.
If Jesus does return in 2016 will you be ready?
We hope you have had a great holiday season. And trust the Lord will bless you in this New Year. There’s a lot of things to
report this month. And at the same time, there’s not much. Because I have a lot of incomplete information. Work has begun on the tabernacle. By the end of the month the new roof. Insulation and ceiling should be in place. I’ll post pictures on Facebook as I get them.
We also met with the land surveyor this month. Along with putting markers up around camp we plan to cut a trail around the property. If you have always wanted to help but are busy in the summer. Here’s your opportunity. If you have attended camp
the past few years, or have read our reports, you know that we need more bunk space. The committee discussed several options. We could split our camp week by age or church size for example. All agreed that isn’t what we want to do. So we are looking into building options.
With that in mind. The committee has set March 6th as Camp Emphasis Sunday. We are asking churches to promote this
as an opportunity to jump start this building project. It would mean a lot to myself and the committee. If our churches on that Sunday would set aside time to pray, promote and collect for Camp Garwood it would help tremendously.
While the emphasis Sunday focuses on the building project. We also want to remind you about the DEW fund. The Dollar
Every Week fund has been such a blessing, as we have been able to continue camp improvements and operate in the black because of the faithful DEWers.
Be watching for the Spring dates and opportunities to come help. We look forward to seeing you soon. As always, Please continue to pray for us. 2016 is going to be a busy year.
Chris
573-380-1975 • PO Box 271• Matthews MO 63867
Dr. John M. Adams Executive Director – Moral Action
The sanctity of life defies humanity as being more sacred than the rest of God’s creation. In Genesis 9:3 God told humans that
they have the authority to kill and eat other forms of life; but in Genesis 9:6 the murdering of other human beings is totally forbidden with the penalty pronounced as death.
God’s churches and individual believers should pause on Sunday, January 17, 2016, and reflect on the beauty of life in the
womb and to pray for the proponents of abortion and euthanasia. While the sanctity of life ethics may be disparaged by the
world, it is God’s voice. The Bible is clear: human life is precious at all ages. We are reminded by Ethics leader Dr. Russell Moore that we have to say things to each other that Christians shouldn’t have to say:
1. Mothers shouldn’t kill their – babies.
2. Fathers shouldn’t abandon their – families.
3. No human life is – worthless.
The very fact that these thoughts should be proclaimed is a true reminder of the horrors of this present world’s darkness. So may we join millions of others on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, January 17, 2016 and love life.
March 6, 2016
The Camp Committee has set a time for our churches to have a special day for Camp Garwood (see article below.)
Each church is encouraged to emphasize the importance of the ministry of Camp Garwood on this day by:
Many souls are saved through our Camp Ministry, God has given us capable leaders, and we need to keep improving the facilities so this ministry can grow. We pray that all our churches will get behind this effort and help us reap the harvest before it is too late! What will YOU do?
Contact Bro. Chris Polk for ideas or more information
“The rains came down, and the floods came up” in many areas of our state during the last week of 2015. As far as I
know none of our church properties around the state suffered major damage, but I am sure there was some wet basements
and perhaps some services canceled as many folks could not get the their church buildings because of the flooded roads.
The ALIVE conference dismissed early and several groups had long trips home due to the different routes they had to take
because of flooded roads. From what I hear everyone made it home safely and we praise God for that.
One thing we were reminded of with the flooding is that man cannot prevent some things and must trust the Lord to
help in difficult times. Wouldn’t it be great if we could see the Spirit of God “rush” into the churches of the BMA of Missouri, as flood waters came around our state with “power and force,” making changes in the lives of us Christians that would convict and change our hearts and bring revival in our land!
God is able to do what needs to be done and wants us to trust Him and yield our lives to Him.
Just as most of us here in Missouri and Illinois focused on the weather so much it changed our lives for a few days, the Spirit of God “flooding our hearts” would help us focus on what God is doing, can do, and wants to do through us and many souls would be saved.
Our prayer for 2016 should focus on God and what we are willing to let Him do through us. We need to surrender to God’s calling no matter what He calls us to do or where He leads us to go. We should be serving,praying, witnessing, planting
churches being obedient to Him.
The work of installing a new roof, insulation, and new ceiling in the Tabernacle at Camp Garwood has started and is progressing nicely. Funds for this project are already in hand and the money raised by the Camp Garwood Sunday March 6th will help with other needful building project to improve our facilities and provide more bunk space as our annual camp attendance grows.
Please let God lead you in helping on this special day!
