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David Earl Griggs, age 70, of St. Louis, MO passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022. David was born September 29, 1951 in St. Louis, MO. Beloved son of the late John D. and Pearlie M. Griggs (nee Smith). Dearest brother of Delmar (Vicki) Griggs and Darran (Christine) Griggs. Loving uncle of Christopher Drysdale, Eric Griggs, Elizabeth Griggs and John Griggs. Our dear cousin, pastor and friend of many.

David pastored Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Lemay, MO for 35 years. Outside his loving family David was a dear cousin, pastor and friend of many. His personality is revealed by some of the comments made by those who knew him best.

A friend said, “Bro. David was a very special person. When he came to Emmanuel, he became part of my family. He was a blessing to all that knew him. I have many fond memories of Bro. David. Always there when you needed him!”

A relative said, “Uncle David was one of the most influential people in my life. He introduced me to GOD, he embraced me as his own nephew. This man was, and still is, the most pure Soul I have ever met!”

And still another friend said,” An outstanding singer, minister, and wonderful personal friend. He was in my college choirs and especially on several European concert tours.”

The funeral service was at Lakewood Baptist Church, near Potosi, MO February 16, with Pastor Mike Jarvis officiating. Interment was at Lakewood Baptist Church Cemetery.

The Youth Alive Conference 2021 was a great success! Central Collective lead our worship with Bro. Tony Crocker delivering our messages. He challenged us about the Holiness of God and our need for a Savior!

This was a great experience for our Youth and the fellowship was great among the 250 in attendance. Many of our churches have commented about how their Youth seemed to grow spiritually as they praised the Lord and enjoyed His Word and learned how to apply it to their lives.

Thanks to all the sponsors and to the planning committee for taking the time to make the preparations for the Youth to have a great time of being together!

May God bless our churches with strong, dedicated Youth who will grow up to be great leaders in out churches in the years ahead!

BMA Missions is thankful for your partnership. Together we see God blessing with more missionaries in more countries making more disciples and planting more churches than ever before. World Missions Day is February 27, 2022, and we are hoping it is an impactful day at your church. Here are some ideas to help you prepare.

PLAN YOUR WORLD MISSIONS DAY EVENT

World Missions Day is an opportunity to rally your church around the purpose for which we exist – to fulfill the Great Commission. During your World Missions Day celebration please include:

• a reminder that we have a Great Commission mandate both locally and globally
• a celebration of how your partnership with BMA Missions is changing lives around the world
• a time of prayer for our missionaries and missions efforts around the world
• a chance to give to The Jerry Kidd Offering, which goes to supports the continued efforts of furthering the gospel

RESOURCES

To assist in preparing for your event, the following resources are available to every church:

• Printed materials – donation envelopes, bulletin inserts, and posters
• Video, digital and printable resources that includes promotional videos, logos, and images
• Apparel – BMA shirt for every pastor who registers and T-shirts available for purchase
• Guest speaker – Invite someone from BMA Missions to speak to your church.

Contact Sidney Vines – Items available at www.bmamissions.org/worldmissionsday or contact Sidney Vines (sidney@bmaam.com, 501-358-3848).

PROMOTIONAL IDEAS

Here are some ways to plan ahead, create awareness, generate excitement, and engage people.

• Set and promote an offering goal for your church through bulletins, announcements, social media platforms, etc. and provide donation envelopes in bulletins, foyers, pews, and classrooms.
• Create a missions board in high traffic areas with verses, printed materials, missionary pictures, offering goals, etc.
• Create visibility by hanging posters in high traffic areas and using logos (available for download) in your bulletins, worship visuals, websites, social media, and other printed materials.
• Distribute bulletin inserts, play promotional videos, and ask your pastor to reference them in services.
• Present a missions sermon series that culminates on World Missions Day.
• Incorporate music and songs with a missions theme to compliment your missions emphasis.
• Contact Sidney to invite a BMA Missions staff member to speak at your church.
• Promote a week or month of prayer using prayer guide handouts, emails, or social media to guide daily prayer.
• Have small groups/classes research a country or missionary for a presentation (info on bmaamissions.org)
• Use quotes or testimonials from church members who participate in or have a special heart for missions.

PRAYER GUIDE IDEAS

• For evangelism and discipleship to take root in our churches
• For pastors as they lead our churches during this difficult time in our country
• For BMA Missions leaders who train, support, and invest in missionaries and missions efforts around the world
• For North American church planters, which includes U.S., Hispanic, Arabic, and other non-English speaking church plants as well as chaplains ministering to our military personnel
• For U.S. missionaries overseas that they will be effective in making disciples and raising leaders to carry on the work in their own countries
• For national ChangeMaker missionaries who are planting churches in their own countries
• For God to call new missionaries and open doors to new countries and people groups
• For the people affected by the challenges created by Covid-19 all around the world
• For the increasing oppression of the gospel at home and abroad

More information on specific missionaries and countries can be found at bmaamissions.org.