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May 15, 2015 the annual Missions Symposium of the BMA of Missouri was held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Poplar, Bluff. Special guest, Bro. Scott Attebery and Bro. Todd West shared a new initiative called “Activate” which is a coach-driven tool to help churches stop the decline and to experience good health and growth.

These brethren challenged us to realize the importance of evaluating our churches and shared ways to do this and the positive results it is having on those churches who are willing to apply the available tools.

Several of those present seemed to be eager to start the process and talked of plans for initiating this in some of their churches. Saturday, May 16, 2015, the messenger of our churches gathered to hold the mid-year business meeting of our association.

Newly elected moderator Bro. Brian Meade was well prepared with plans for congregational singing, a devotional, a message, and a well planned order of business. Bro. Russell Chitwood led the singing accompanied by Sis. Judy Fish at the piano. Host pastor, Bro. Matt Johnson brought a timely devotional based on Ephesians 3:20-21.

The messengers voted to amend our doctrinal statement to explain our belief on Creation (see “C”and “D” in Editor’s Note on page 3 under “Resolutions.) This change took place immediately for our State Association Doctrinal Statement.

Bro. Don Burke was re-elected as our clerk with Bro. Dale Fish as assistant clerk. In the clerk’s report, Bro. Burke noted that thanks to the work of Ashley Acres we can now go to
the BMA of Missouri web site and fid copies of most of the Minutes since our association began. A motion was made and passed that we give Sis. Ashley a love offering of $250 for her help in making these available online. To look up Minutes of the BMA of Missouri go to bmamissouri.org and click on “about us” then click on “Minutes” and select the year you need. Bro. Burke said he still needed copies of the Minutes for 1982, 1949, 1947 and all prior to 1946. If you have any
of these please contact him about borrowing them so they can be included in the online archives of our association. Contact him at potosipastor@gmail.com.

Editor James Hoffmann gave the report on the Missouri Missionary Baptist Paper noting that we fiished the first 6 months of this associational year with a balance in the bank of $596.53 but since the end of March the offerings have dropped and we are near a negative balance for operating funds. He asked that we prayerfully consider increasing regular support for this ministry. He also pointed out that it looks as though postage is going to increase dramatically after the fist of June this year.

Bro. Hoffmann also gave the Kenneth Gibson Seminary Student Grant Fund report noting that we helped Bro. Jamie Jones with books and tuition during the last 6 months and that another pastor is enrolling in an off campus program and we will be helping him within the next two weeks. There is a balance of $20,903.70 in this account.

The Missouri Missionary Baptist Loan Association report was given. Treasurer David Griggs reported that the balance in this fund is $ 353.818.77 which includes a balance on the
loan to Cornerstone Baptist Church, in Raymore of $33,100 and a total in the Grant Fund of $4,582.25. President Dennis Baker noted that this “Grant Fund” is money that is available
for grants to BMA of Missouri churches that have immediate fiancial needs. Please contact Bro. Baker if you need more information about this.

Bro. Dennis Baker, President of the State Brotherhood reported on the Men’s Spring Retreat and encourage our men and boys to watch for details on the Fall Retreat later this year.
We will run the announcement in this publication as soon as plans are finalized.

Sis. Janet Widger gave the State WMA report and commended those who helped with the gift bags and other things for hosting the National WMA in Springfild in April.

Bro. Don Burke gave a report from the Alive Committee which revealed the following:
1. That the same offiers be retained as last year. (Chairman – Jim Ainley; Assistant Chairman – Brad Banderman; Clerk/Treasurer – Don Burke.
2. Approval of the details for the 2015 Alive Conference:
• Date December 29-31.
• Location – Doubletree, Chesterfild
• Main Speaker – Michael Trent
• Worship Band – Jim Ainley Band
• Increase cost of Conference to $50 per person
3. Recommend that Dan Wisely be reelected to Committee/term ending in 2019.
4. Recommend that Caleb Houston (Kewanee) replace Brad Banderman (term ending 2018), with Brad to be picked up as a committeeman by the Meramec Association.
This report was approved and the recommendations were accepted.

The Special Missions Committee made the following recommendation to the Missionary Committee and
they were approved and accepted by the messengers present:
1. That we regrettably accept the resignation of Bro. Danny Kirk effective at the end of May 31, 2015.
2. That Bro. James Hoffmann, Assistant Director of Missions will assume the responsibilities as outlined in the Missions Policy Handbook as we search for a new Director.
3. That Bro. Kirk be allowed to keep the laptop computer that was purchased last year with Associational funds.
4. That we give Bro. Kirk a severance package of $100 per year for his 15 years of service.
5. That the Mission Symposium offering be designated to Camp Garwood for the new roof on the Tabernacle.

A motion was made to give Mt. Zion Baptist Church and her pastor a standing vote of appreciation for their great hospitality in hosting these meetings.

Following the adjournment of the business session Bro. Sean Kallner, Pastor of Springhill Baptist Church, Fairdealing, brought a very inspiring message entitled: Turning Things Rightside Up” based on Acts 17:1-7. He pointed out that the three things necessary to have the right affect on those around us are:
1. Integrity
2. Intensity
3. Involvement.

Our Annual Meeting will be held at Charity Baptist Church in Bismarck, Missouri, Saturday, October 24, 2015, starting at 9:00 a.m.

All churches of the BMA of MO are encouraged to be represented by letter and messengers at this meeting.

Mid-Year Report
May 16, 2015
Mt. Zion Baptist
Church, Poplar Bluff, MO

This will be my fial report before the BMA of Missouri as your state missions director. I have enjoyed the past 15 years serving you in this capacity. I have learned much about the state work, its pastors and lay leaders, and the churches that comprise this great association. I am
wiser and my soul has been tempered having served with you. So, it was with sadness that I announced my resignation, effective May 31, 2015 to the Advisory Committee when we met last month at Perryville. God has given my wife and I a great opportunity to serve in an exciting new
church plant in Northwest Arkansas. Although our ministry roots have been in Missouri for over 17 years, we feel that this move is God’s will for us, and we look forward to this next phase of
our life and ministry. Thank you for your kindness, support, and generosity over the years.
I am thankful to Bro. Todd West and Dr. Scott Attebery for their investment in our churches during the mission symposium. For those churches who gave a special offering to Camp Garwood,
I say “Thank You”. At the symposium an offering of nearly $750 was received for the replacement of the roof on the tabernacle. In addition to the offering, the association voted to cover the remaining balance for this project from the missions funds.

Bro. Hoffmann has agreed to continue to serve the association as assistant director
of missions and all checks can continue to be sent to the mail box address in Florissant, MO.

by Bro. Danny Kirk

by Pastor Ben Kingston, Bethel Baptist Church • Lonedell, MO

I’m sitting here on Wednesday night at one of the most beautiful evenings that I’ve ever seen at Jesus Camp at the Meramec Retreat Center. We had a good crowd; however it is small. I’m sitting here wondering aloud that out of 20 churches why is this tabernacle not full on Wednesday night? This campus is within 20 to 40 minutes of most of our churches.

About 5 years ago I had the idea to challenge our churches to have a Camp attendance sign-up by March, challenging each member and attendee to pick a night to attend. If you want to pick all the same night for your church, that’s great. Or, if you have folks that want to come different nights whatever the case may be.

As the Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church and the Chairman of the Camp Committee, I’m asking every church to participate in the Meramec Association Jesus Camp and by March that you put a sign-up sheet. I’m challenging the Pastors to challenge your members and attendees to pick a night and come. The goal is to get as many folks of your membership here that you can.

So now, a test question: “Do I have to convince anyone in this association that America needs revival? If so, then I’ll love you enough to tell you that you have your head firmly in the sand. We are a broken nation. We are a dying nation, and as a result, we are a suffering nation. I don’t believe our kids are the problem. I believe Christians refusing to sell out to the Great Commission is.

I know that our churches are full of people that are sold out today to the Commission, so I’m asking you to be the change that you want to see in our youth and here is an opportunity to do just that.

One of the things that is wrong with Christianity in America is a refusal to join in where you see God working. We had 13 saved at Kid Camp. God is working! Please come. Bring your kids and grand kids, or send hem and then come in the evening and see what God has done on that day.

This association has somewhere in the neighborhood of $500,000 invested. We should not only support because of finances. We should support this Camp because of the commitment to Christ. Our goal is to reach lost men, women, boys, and girls.

I was told as a young lad that the reason that we are part of an association is because we can do together more than what we can do alone, so I’m asking you to come together and let’s do more.

Those words were spoken into my phone over 6 months ago. You may notice it is not the most eloquent letter you have ever heard, but I hope you hear the passion and desperation that we all should feel about the condition of our nation.

In those 6 months we have seen a government cast off the Constitution in her dealings. Many of our states that voted to uphold the scriptural definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman have seen that vote overturned. Ferguson has happened. A minister has been told that if he does not solemnize marriages between homosexuals he will face jail time. The Houston Mayor subpoenaed the sermons of Houston Churches because of their stand against a policy she was supporting that furthered the LBGT agenda (she has since dropped it). And now, the Mayor of Atlanta, GA has fired the Fire Chief for a Christian book that he wrote that has 1-2 pages addressing homosexuality as a sin. We are in trouble.

I am submitting this challenge now to get involved in any way and everywhere you can. Specifically, come to Camp.

Following is a letter from Makayla Sanders encouraging you not to just come and worship, but come and participate. Have you got your steel-toed boots on?
There is one main area that is physically noticeable wherein most Baptist Churches are in disobedience and that is our eating habits. What would happen in our Churches if we got in line with scripture and treated the body that He gave us as His temple and did not defile it with too much sugar, fat, etc.? I believe we would see an outpouring of God’s power that would surprise us and most likely revive us.

So please hear Makayla:

Hello, my name is Makayla Sanders. Bro. Ben asked me to write this letter to you. We were talking during ‘The Beast’ challenge at camp last year about how many people in our association could and should run ‘The Beast.’ Then we got onto health, so I just want to share these thoughts with you in light of that conversation.

Do you think it is a sin to be overweight? Why would it be? “It is not hurting anyone” is what most people think. Well, you are hurting someone, more than one person – you’re hurting yourself and God. Being overweight is a sin. Proverbs 23:1-3 says ‘when you sit down to eat with a ruler consider carefully what is in front of you and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to your appetite. Do not desire his delicacies for they are deceptive food.” The Bible does not really mean to put a knife to your throat, it is just saying to curb your appetite; control it. As Christians, we look at people that drink and think, “I can’t believe they are doing that” or “drinking is not the answer to your problems.” Well, when we look down on them for doing that, we should look at what we do wrong. Proverbs 23:20 “Do not mix with wine bibbers or with gluttonous eaters of meat.” This is saying that overeating is just as bad as drinking.

God wants us to live a healthy, joyful life. I’m almost 100% sure that you want to live a healthy, joyful life as well, so why not take a stand? Do what you’re called to do and be a good example for people; for the kids growing up behind you.

I am 16 years old and one of my biggest fears is becoming overweight so what I need to do is eat healthy. A website that I have used to see if I can find a type of healthy snack is Pinterest. Pinterest has a ton of great ideas for eating healthy. If you and your family are always on the go, then you can look up quick and easy healthy dinners or you could prepare a meal, freeze it, and pop it in the oven when you are ready to have that meal.

Another thing I need to do is to stay active. We are always busy running around, some of us taking our kids to places that we need to go. Well, that doesn’t always leave time to be active so we say,“Okay, I can’t workout today, I’ll do it tomorrow,” or “I cannot fit it in my schedule, I cannot do it today.” Then the cycle repeats itself everyday. We need to make it a habit and make it a part of our schedule. Being active doesn’t always mean to go on a run, lift weights or see how many sit ups or push ups we can do. Being active can mean to play outside with our families or go on a bike ride – something enjoyable. You could even start a group and work out together and use each other as motivation. When you start falling behind you can ask someone else to help you. I know it is very hard to keep going and stay in that routine, but if you use each other for motivation and ask God for the strength, you will be able to do it if it is something you truly want for yourself and your family.

I’m writing this paper because I want to be able to help people out with their struggles. I am wanting to become a personal trainer after high school. God has blessed me with an opportunity to become a personal trainer. At the age right now, I think I would be able to use this job as a mission field. If I get this job it would be such a blessing. If I do not get the job then it’s OK, I will still try to stay active and eat healthy.

Please join us at Jesus Camp this year. Accept Bro. Ben’s challenge and let’s attend the worship services. Accept the challenge to get in shape and run ‘The Beast’!

Did you hear her passion? This is just one of many of our young people that attend our church not once a week, not twice a week, but three times a week and they love us. They want us to live as long as God wants us to. They want us to be healthy. They want us to set the example for them. They want us to be around long enough to see their VBS closing program, to see their Awana closing program, to see their baptism, to see their graduation, to see their wedding, to see their children.

Adults, I hear it all the time from quite honestly, I believe, preachers that are tired of talking to disinterested adults. Those preachers say that they believe the next revival is going to come from the youth and that most, if not all great revivals have come from the youth. I’m not trying to argue against history as much as tell you that I don’t believe that is God’s design. According to Scripture, it’s the adults that are to set the example. It’s the adults that are to lead.

So, I’m challenging myself and the Meramec Association to: #1 Pick at least one night to come to camp worship and be there by 6:30 p.m. #2 If you’re overweight, accept the challenge and let’s get in shape. #3 If you are able, take the challenge of the obstacle course that we call ‘The Beast’ and let’s have some fun. #4 and greatest of all, let’s individually daily pray for revival in America and please end your prayer with “Lord, start with me.”

Meramec Camp is July 19-25, 2015 – See YOU There!!

Editor’s Note: Even though this article is addressed to the churches of the Meramec Association it is a challenge to all us us. I hope everyone will read it and Pray for REVIVAL. “Let it begin in ME!”