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January 2014 – Mission Director’s Report

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The Special Missions Committee met at Perryville, MO last month and the meeting provided an opportunity for great discussion on current mission works and plans for the future of church planting in Missouri. Below is a synopsis of a few of the actions taken at this meeting:

1. An offering of $1000 was approved to be given to the Refuge Work Fund in Nixa, MO. All agreed that John and Alisha Herring are doing a great job in establishing a new work and our state missions program can and should provide financial assistance.

2. Our Mission Symposium emphasis offering is designated to the Missouri Baptist Paper. Our state paper is one of the finest within the BMAA and is in need of financial support if it is to maintain its current format. We hope every church will consider giving a special emphasis offering in May, 2014.

3. Our Missions Director will host a 2-Day Prayer Retreat with both the missions committees of both the BMA of MO and the Meramec Association. During the retreat we will consider and discuss the practical step-by-step plans for church planting found in the book “Missional Journey” by Robert Logan and Dave DeVries. Both of these authors are recognized experts in the field of church planting and now they have provided a wonderful guide on how to make disciples, that will in turn, plant churches. From this retreat, we will put together further action plans that move toward more churches being planted. Pray with us that God will provide wisdom and courage during the retreat: January 27-28, 2014.

I am very grateful to the pastors who serve on our missions committees. They tirelessly give of their time and energy to seek out new mission fields, assess worthy missionary candidates, and provide me with wise counsel. When I think about the past few years, I wish that more churches were planted. Yet I know that these men have followed God’s leading and have done the very best job with the opportunities that God has presented.

Danny Kirk

It’s Time!

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To Make Your Reservations for the 2014 BMAA Meeting in Lilttle Rock, Arkansas!

The 2014 session of the Baptist Missionary Association of America will meet April 28-30 at the beautiful Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Bro. Pastor, we need your help. When the BMAA Committee on Arrangements contracts with a convention center to host our annual meeting, the rental fee is normally tied to the number of hotel rooms we expect our attendees to use during the meeting. The rental fee in Little Rock is contingent upon our use of rooms blocked at the designated hotels. The rental fee will increase by the daily cost of each room not used.

The Committee on Arrangements has negotiated terms in Little Rock that will allow the conference center space to be rent free if we use the total number of rooms blocked at the Marriott and two overflow hotels. Please help us fill the Marriott first to cap the cost of the rental space and then the overflow rooms will help us get the meeting space rent free.

Our association has had to pay extra in the past years because many of the blocked hotel rooms were not used. Please help us avoid a situation like that this year.

We appreciate your help.

Charles Attebery, Leon Carmical, James Ray Raines
BMAA Committee on Arrangements

Happy New Year!

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May God bless you with a joyous new year! We pray that you will have a closer walk with Jesus this year! Thank you God for your blessings in 2013!

Psalm 98:1 says:
“Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”

December 2013 – Report from North Lake Church

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Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!
We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration in Smithville, MO this past month. Several guests and friends attended our services and celebrated with us on November 24th. We had plenty of food and fellowship, and as always, it seemed to bring lots of smiles and happiness to the hearts of people in attendance.

Our planting process continues, and I trust that your prayers do as well. I ask that you pray about these goals that we recently set for North Lake to meet over the next few months: 1) That we would “Live Sent,” 2) That we would strive to be a “Healthy Church,” 3) That we would become “Good Financial Stewards,” 4) That our worship service attendance would increase to 70. 5) That our LifeGroup attendance would increase to 70. 6) That we would remain engaged in our community by participating in a monthly cause for Christ.

Most of these don’t really need defining, but some of you may be wondering what it means to “Live Sent”. Simply put, “we want each person to be living God’s mission for their life”…. not their own mission, or a part of God’s mission, but really living God’s mission for them. God’s mission is my mission when I live the great commission, live by Kingdom values not cultural values, and I strive to do it the way Jesus taught us to do it. I am realizing that talking about “Living Sent” and actually doing it are two very different things. “Living Sent” requires obedience to God’s Word, and a sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading. I pray that God teaches North Lake to “Live Sent” in the coming months.

Thank you all for your prayers and support of God’s work in Smithville, MO.

Pastor Jamie Jones

December 2013 – Mission Director’s Report

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Help Me…I’m Stuck!
I remember a time last year when there were some new things happening in my life and ministry. I felt blessed, challenged, passionate, and excited because it seemed that God was up to something big in both my life and my wife’s life. Yet despite these wonderful experiences, I just felt “stuck”, unable to make the decisions that would affect our future. It was a paralysis of my own making as I contemplated different case scenarios, failures, consequences, and unknown factors. Eventually, I would bring this situation to my coach who would help me get “unstuck” and move forward. I came to realize that every pastor or leader needs a coach How did my coach help me?

    Let me share with you what happened to me through my coaching relationship:

  1. With the right questions, my coach helped me prioritize my activities. There were several “good things” I could be doing, but I had to process and focus on what was important to our family while the rest could simply wait.
  2. My coach helped me clarify what God was up to in my life. I had a vision of what I felt God wanted me to do, but I could not articulate it. Once I was able to put into words exactly what it would look like to accomplish the goal, hesitation on my part began to dissolve.
  3. Sometimes, I can convince myself there is only one way to do something. My coach was great at challenging my assumptions and helping me to think “outside the box.” Other viable options and possibilities grew out of our conversations.
  4. We all have blind spots and as I entered into the possibilities of this new transition, I did not want to make a decision based on something I could not…or refused to see. My coach helped me consider the things that were real, but not on my radar at the moment.
  5. As I answered my coach’s questions and created a step-by-step action plan, the Holy Spirit began the work of affirmation in my heart. I speak of affirmation that comes from prayer, clarification and prioritizing of the goal, addressing blind spots, and considering multiple possible options. As my coach led me through this process, I became “unstuck”, taking the final steps to move forward and submit to God’s leading.

Christmas — Jesus IS the Reason for THE Season!!

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“And it came to pass, in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed (registered)….
And Joseph also went up out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem….
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:1, 4-7

Thanksgiving Comes From Thanksliving

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Giving thanks unto God is good for us to do. We give thanks because of:
1. Our Situation: Things could be a lot worse than they are.
2. Our Supplies: God supplies all our needs and more.
3. Our Strength: “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
4. Our Song: He puts a song in our heart.

There are at least five reasons each of us have for giving thanks:
1. God’s Word, Psalm 119:105.
2. God’s Works, Psalm 107:8.
3. God’s Will, Ephesians 1:5.
4. God’s Wonders, Psalm 105:5.
5. God’s Ways, Psalm 18:32.

This Thanksgiving take time to show your thankfulness by doing something for someone that needs encouragement or friendship.

It is impossible to be thankful when you are always reaching for the emptiness of this world. Think about the meaning of this little verse that Tom McCanless shared at the Association.

We pray without crying, Give without sacrificing, And live without fasting, Is it any wonder that we Sow without reaping.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Two Petitioning Churches Received at Annual Meeting

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Saturday, October 26, 2013, forty-five messengers representing eighteen churches along with several visitors gathered in the facilities of Bethany Baptist Church in St. Louis for the 86th Annual Meeting of the Baptist Missionary Association of Missouri. Another thirty-eight churches represented by letter only.

Moderator Claude Evans asked Bro. Harrison Soldona from Lindsay Lane Baptist Church in Florissant to lead the opening song. He was accompanied by Sis. Ladonna Baker at the piano.
Bro. James Hoffmann extended a warm welcome to everyone present before he introduced the new pastor of Lindsay Lane, Bro. Drew Sawyer, who brought a challenging devotional about letting our Light Shine as Jesus instructed us in Matthew 5.
Two petitionary letters were read.

The West Doniphan Baptist Church, Doniphan, MO, and the Abundant Life in Christ Church in Charleston, MO petitioned for membership in the BMA of MO. A motion and second passed to accept these churches into the Association. Bro. James Hoffmann welcomed those present from Abundant Life in Christ into our association. No one was present from West Doniphan.

Bro. Evans pointed out that there needs to be some clarification regarding two statements in our By-Laws which cause some confusion. These statements are found on pages 10 and 11 of the 2012 Minutes.

Under Article IV – Meetings, Section 1, part A, it says “The host pastor shall be in charge of planning the worship service” for the Annual Meeting.

Article VI – Officers, Section 5 it says “The messengers shall, in annual session, elect a speaker and alternate to bring the annual message the following year.”

A motion and second passed to remove Section 5 from Article VI which gives the responsibility of selecting a speaker for the worship service in the annual meeting to the host pastor.
The following reports were given at various times during the meeting:

The ALIVE report by Brad Banderman; Brotherhood report by Dennis Baker; WMA Report by Terri Adams; Missouri Missionary Baptist Loan Association Report by Dennis Baker, Ted Hurley and David Griggs; the Kenneth E. Gibson Seminary Student Grant Fund Report by James Hoffmann; the Publications Committee Report by James Hoffmann and Jim Ford; The Encampment Committee Report by Chris Polk; the Clerk’s Report was read by Assistant Clerk, Dale Fish; the Missionary Committee Report by Wayne Gibson, Brian Meade, Danny Kirk, and Jamie Jones; and the Resolutions Committee Report by Tom McCanless.

The following were elected to serve in their respective positions with their term ending in ( ): Chris Dicus – ALIVE Committee (2017); Loan Association Officers – all six re-elected (2018); Jim Ford – Publications Committee (2016); and Dan Wisely – Encampment Committee (2018).

Wayne Gibson was re-elected as Chairman of the Missionary Committee along with Dennis Baker as Assistant Chairman and Jerry Adams as Clerk. Ray Thurman was elected and Assistant Clerk.

Claude Evans was re-elected as President of the BMA of MO and Ray Thurman was re-elected as Vice President.

James Hoffmann was elected as Editor of the Missouri Missionary Baptist paper and Don Burke was re-elected as Assistant Editor. It was noted that the paper is in need of special offerings or increased monthly support as adequate funds are not coming in each month. A motion and second passed to give $800 from our Mission Treasury to the paper in order to pay the editor the Christmas bonus we voted to give him last year. Expenses for the last two years have been about $300 a month more than income and our balance in getting very low.

Chris Polk was re-elected as Camp Superintendent and Treasure with Jerry Adams re-elected as Assistant in both positions.

Danny Kirk was re-elected as Missions Director with James Hoffmann as Assistant Director.

Tom McCanless, Rodney Dunlap and Wayne Gibson were appointed as the 2014 Resolutions Committee and Russell Chitwood, Denver Page and Matt Bolen were appointed as the 2014 Enrollment Committee.

A total of $2,250 was received for Minute Fund and Clerk Hire. The Clerk’s salary was set at $1,125 for this year.

The 2014 Annual Meeting will be at Landmark Baptist church in DeSoto, MO and the 2014 Mission Symposium and Semi-annual Meeting will be at Faith Baptist Church in St. Charles, MO.

We were honored to have the following representative of our National Association departments present to give reports of their various areas of labor: DiscipleGuide – Mike Jenkins; BMAA Missions – David Norvell; BMA Seminary – Van Widger; and National WMA – Janet Widger.

Bro. Russell Chitwood brought an inspirational message using Matthew 28:18-20 in which he emphasized that our Master, Mission, Message and Method never changes as we carry God’s Word to the World.

A rising vote of appreciation was given to the host church for their hospitality and the closing prayer was offered as all preachers present formed a circle and held hands in the altar.

November 2013 – Mission Director’s Report

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I enjoyed the hospitality of Pastor James Hoffmann and the Bethany Baptist Church as they served us during our annual association meeting this past month. I appreciate the confidence of our churches as you reelected me to serve again as your Director of Missions. Our advisory committee and myself will be meeting next month to strategize on how to begin some new church planting efforts.

I am happy to say that my interim pastoral work at Faith Baptist in St. Charles has ended. The church as called Bro. Justin Arender from Louisiana to become their new pastor. Bro. Justin and his wife, Angie, have 4 beautiful children and have recently returned from the Philippines where they had served as missionaries. I am once again available to serve as pulpit fill and to speak about the work of missions at your invitation. Below you will find my annual report to the association:

BMA of Missouri
Missions Director’s Annual Report
October 26, 2013

Our partnership work with the Meramec Association and the BMA of America continues to be blessed of God this past year. Several were saved and baptized while others have stepped into positions of leadership at North Lake Church in Smithville, MO. The mission came very close to leasing a church facility in Smithville, but the owners backed out at the last minute with a leasing agreement beyond the financial means of the mission congregation. Let’s continue to pray for the Jones family as they take another big step toward self support in the coming year.

Once again, Pastor Jerry Adams and the folks at Bethel Baptist Church in Sikeston, were gracious and generous hosts for our annual Mission Symposium and mid-year meeting. We began the symposium on Friday evening with pie and ice cream in the fellowship center as we visited and talked with our missionary guests. We were honored to have Bro. and Mrs. Doyle Moore from the Philippians, Chris Huson, missionary elect to Ecuador, and John Beinlien, missionary to the deaf community in Swartz Creek, MI. Each one of them spoke of their vision and passion for reaching the lost in their respective fields. Bro. Moore finished out the evening with a message from God’s word. The total Symposium offering received was $3,054 for Camp Garwood. Our association blessed each of the visiting missionaries with a $1,000 love offering for their work funds. Thank you for caring for missionaries who serve far beyond our state borders!

A few days after our midyear meeting, tragedy struck the community of Moore, OK as a Category F-5 tornado tore through the neighborhood. During our national meeting in April I was privileged to visit two BMAA churches in Moore. Realizing that many of our BMAA families were affected by this storm, I asked our special mission committee to consider giving an offering to help with relief. The brethren authorized me to send a check for $5,000 to Pastor Doug Brewer and the Southgate Baptist Church to help them to minister to those in need. Thank you again for caring for those in desperate need of help.

On a positive note, there was an increase of $6,000 in church offerings over last year’s total. Please continue to support your state missions program with your prayers and offerings. Thank you for allowing me to serve you as your Director of Missions for the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
Danny R. Kirk