Articles

November 2015 – Assistant Mission Director’s Report

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I apologize for not being present at the annual meeting as I had an unexpected twelve day stay in the hospital and am still
not up to par. The doctor said it will take at least 8 weeks for a full recovery. I do appreciate your prayers and calls.

It was great to hear the good reports from the meeting. I thank Bro. Don Burke for writing a summary of the meeting and sending pictures so I could get the report of the meeting in this edition of the paper.

Thank you for your confidence in me in selecting me to continue editing the paper and in selecting me to continue as
Assistant Missions Director.

Thank you also for the generous offering from the state to help us continue printing the paper each month. I pray this will be a great year in all the churches of our association as we work together reaching lost souls before the Lord returns.

Let’s follow the Lord’s leading in all we do.

Silence No More!

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In a world that becomes more diverse and more global each day, Christian believers must face the toughest of questions from the existence of hell, to the evil of evolution, to the common objection of Christianity, and especially the moral
lifestyle of born again believers. God’s people cannot remain silent of Bible truths. “Silence no more” is the Moral Action
outcry.

Jude 3 sounded out the alarm: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto
the saints.” The words “earnestly contend” mean to give a determined, intense struggle to defeat the foe. God wants us
to valiantly strive for the faith. Born again Christians are to defend Bible-living styles. Our morals have to be upheld and
lived by joyfully.

Simon Peter in I Peter 3:15 gave a command also, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” A ready answer is needed to share why we morally live as we do! A good verbal defense refuting the claims of the destructive critic is needed.

Silence no more, as we seek to defeat humanism. Humanism has drastically affected the basic morality of the United States and the world. It is a subtle philosophy and it is often undetected by those not aware of it. Humanism is that old struggle of man’s will against God’s will. It is not new. A true humanist believes in himself rather than God.

Silence no more, as we combat disrespect for authority. Humanism affects children in many ways and in this children
are taught that whatever you choose will be right for you because you choose it. Romans 1:30-31 declares that they are
“Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.” We must teach respect for those in authority.

Silence no more, as Christians seek to change the decline in discipline. Since children are taught that they are their own
authority, they want to do their own thing. They will ignore the leadership of parents, teachers, law enforcement and others in authority over them. The verse of Romans 1:30 uses the words “despiteful and disobedient”.

Silence no more, as Christians desire to stop the decline in school/college academics. We call it the dumbing down
of American children. When discipline deteriorates, learning also deteriorates. Teachers are not able to teach if
they do not have the attention of the children. Romans 1:31 declares they will be “without understanding”.

Silence no more, as God’s churches refute total sexual freedom. Humanists want to “liberate” our children from sexual inhibitions. Often their sex education programs are nothing more than academic pornography. To combat this humanistic
philosophy, children need to be trained from the Bible in church, in school, and in the home. We have Bible reasons
why we must defend our morality. Dr. Charles Swindoll gives Christians ways and reasons to stand against the wiles of the devil:
Number one: know where you stand. You cannot afford the luxury of being ignorant or ill-informed when it comes to biblical truth and faith. So educate yourself in the common areas that come under attack: the Bible, the Trinity, the person and work
of Christ, and the means of salvation.
Number two: know where the enemy stands. Learn the tactics of those who oppose the truth. Satan is wily and is as “crooked as a dog’s hind leg.”
Number three: know the Scriptures consistently. The Bible is the only tangible, offensive weapon the Lord has given us in our battle against falsehood; the apostle Paul called the Word of God “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). Learn to wield it with skill and wisdom.
Number four: stand alone if necessary. We need more men and women like Esther, who risked her life to save a nation…like Daniel, who refused to compromise his principles…like Paul, who, though condemned to death, stared in a madman’s eyes and preached the gospel.

Silence no more!
God’s Son will give us the
courage we need.

by Dr. John M. Adams • Executive Director – Moral Action

October 2015 – Assistant Mission Director’s Report

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Please let this be a last minute reminder that our annual state association meeting is upon us and we need your presence and participation (input) in this important meeting. See the time, place and date below. It has been a joy to preach and represent our state work at Lindsay Lane Baptist Church in Florissant for two Sundays in July. They are presently without a pastor and desire our prayers as they seek new leadership. It was also a blessing to fill the pulpit at Ozark Heights near Potosi as Pastor Brian Meade and his wife took a few says off to attend the Pastor’s Oasis the fist weekend of October.

I trust that all our churches have taken advantage of “Pastor Appreciation Month (October) to express your love and appreciation to your pastor and his wife. Just a few kind words, a meaningful card or note, a dinner out, a gift from the heart, or other acts of appreciation can make a great difference in the life of those who are serving the Lord as shepherds of His Flock. It is still not too late for you to do this.

Your Special Missions Committee has met with the Assistant Director of Missions and have some important recommendation for you to consider at our annual meeting. Please come, ask questions, make suggestions and help us as we seek God’s will in our state work. Perhaps you have an idea that we have not considered and can be an inspiration to all our churches.

Remember that your church needs to be represented by messenger (each church is allowed three) or letter (if no one
is available to represent you) and each church is allowed one Committeeman to serve on the Missionary Committee. Offerings are needed to help pay for the recording and printing of our Minutes and can be turned in at the meeting. Charity Baptist Church is ready and looking forward to hosting our meeting this year. We also need invitations for the Mid-Year Meeting and
Missions Symposium in May of 2016 and the Annual Meeting is 2016. Mark the meeting you want to host in the box on the church letter to extend your invitation or just ask to host the meeting when the time for selection comes up in the meeting.

Pray for our officers as they lead the meeting and for the host church as they prepare to welcome the churches of the BMA of Missouri. Let’s gather with high expectations of what God can and will do as we seek His will.

by James Hoffman

The Most Important Piece of Furniture in the Home

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I know many of you would say the bed is the most important piece of furniture in your home. Ha! And I would be the first to agree that crawling into your own bed for a nap or a good night’s rest is a great thing. But I am looking at the piece
of furniture that would have the greatest impact on the family for good. And to that end, there is no comparison to the dining table. Even in one of the most iconic pictures that we see of a portrayal of Jesus; he is at the table eating with friends during the Last Supper. The dining table is the most important piece of furniture in your home for building family bonding and cohesiveness.

Of course that assumes that the family actually uses the dining table. And that they have boundaries and house rules
for the table traditions. The reason the table is so important; is not the food consumed. It is the conversation that is carried out. Communication is the key to a close family. The more we communicate, the better and stronger we become.
No matter what the problem in the home; as long as we keep a dialogue of open, honest and loving communication between
family members, all problems can be solved with God’s help. Hopefully, Christian families sit down at the table to eat and
start the entire process off with the most important form of communication – and that is prayer. The family that prays
together – stays together.

Since biblical times, the breaking of bread together as a family was critical for social bonding. It offers opportunities
for inter-generational exchange of ideas and values. It is checking in with your family. It is fiding out what is going on in
their day. It is a great time to teach family doctrine. During the course of conversation with children, there are many opportunities to speak of what is right and wrong and how we should handle situations. Talking at the dinner table is where a family can learn how to respond to life in general on a daily basis. It can be a time of sharing, learning and dreaming together.

It does not have to be all conversation of signifiant meaning either. Just sitting around talking about anything builds time
together as a family. Some of my greatest memories are sitting around with my extended family at the dining room table during the holidays. There was so much laughter. Story telling for 2 hours after eating was quite possible. This is where little
children and grandchildren learn so much of who they are as a people. They hear stories of how it was in the old days. They
hear parents, grandparents and others share how they survived or made it through some situation. And all the family learns
the value of laughter. It is good medicine. Families should make meal times enjoyable with lots of stories that often times
begin with….. do you remember the time when……

But we need a few simple rules to insure that meals times are pleasant experiences for all Tense situations or difficult
topics are off limits. Grades, who you are dating or not going to date, the horror of work etc… should be discussed at
family meetings, or another time. If an argument ensues; adults must make sure to say we can talk about it after supper. Siblings are not allowed to make fun of, or put others down. People should be encouraged during meal times.
Everyone should have an opportunity to share their day, but do not have to be forced to share. It should be a happy
time. Sensitive family issues are put aside for another time. Arguments are never allowed at the table.

The cell phone is the single greatest destroyer of family communication. All families must set a hard “house
rule” of no cell phones at the dinner table. You surely can go an hour talking with your family gathered around the
table without your phone. If you can’t, then you need to get help for your phone addiction. Adults always find
excuses for themselves. It is work. There might be an emergency. People found out about emergencies and dealt with them for thousands of years before cell phones. There is no e-mail or text from work that is more important than family time together. Of course, none of this matters if the family doesn’t actually eat together. You must find time to eat together at the table multiple times per week. The more the better. Yes, we are all busy and having to run here and there. Yes, young
people always want to be engaged with electronics like TV or music. We must come apart or we will fall apart. We
must build in time to talk and eat and be together with no outside inflences. And yes it does need to be at the table.
It forces you to look into each other’s eyes. Sitting on the couch or floor can mean no eye contact. Biblical families
always broke bread together with those they loved. So did Jesus. We must get back to this important aspect of family life. It’s a major factor in a loving family.

Article provided by…
Family Ark Ministries
Travis Plumlee, Director
P.O. Box 163 • Mountain View, Arkansas 72560
E-mail: kingofthemountain@mvtel.net
WebSite: travisplumlee.com

Annual Meeting of the BMA of Missouri

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October 24, 2015 • 9:00 a.m.
Charity Baptist Church
Bismarck, Missouri

From The Host Pastor
Good morning to all the good folks of the BMA of Missouri. Charity is very excited to be the Host Church for the Annual
Meeting in October. We will not have valet parking, but we will have great food and we are big on Southern Hospitality. If you have never been to Charity at Bismarck, it is easy to find. Just come to Park Hills, take the Leadington exit onto Hwy
32 west. Go right for 7 miles to the Bismarck city limits. For those preachers running late, watch your speed, you will get a ticket. Go until you see Spruce Street on your right, go all the way to the end of Spruce St. You can’t miss us.
Our physical address is
1324 Spruce Street
Bismarck, MO 63624.

If you need a hotel room, please give me a call, I would be
glad to assist you. Our honored guest speaker will be the King of
Kings. See ya there.

Lee Miller 573-701-6223

August 2015 – Assistant Mission Director’s Report

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Another month has passed quickly and I am learning more about how to do this job. I have not had the opportunity to visit any churches to present our State Mission work but I have an appointment August 30th to be with Bethlehem Baptist Church in Doniphan and look forward to this opportunity.

I was asked to speak at the SouthWest Missouri Association’s annual meeting August 15th but due to a previous commitment I will probably not be able to be with them.

I do look forward to visiting among our churches as opportunities arise.

Please pray for your Special Mission Committee as we meet sometime before the State Meeting in October. We hope to have some suggestions for our churches to consider concerning our Mission work at this meeting.

If you have any suggestions about directions we should go and plans we should make please contact me at 314-277-8644
or any member of the Special Missions Committee. Members are: Chairman, Wayne Gibson, Jerry Adams, Brian Meade,
Ben Kingston, Don Burke and Tom McCanless. We appreciate your input.

Prayers are needed as we have several churches who are searching for pastors at this time. Please encourage preachers who are not pastoring to avail themselves of the opportunities to let God lead them into productive work with these churches.

Prayers are also needed for God to lead us to areas where new works need to be started. The filds are white…we need to harvest!

If you know of someone who feels God is leading him to do mission work (or Pastor) in Missouri please have him contact me for more information.

July 2015 – Assistant Mission Director’s Report

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This past month has passed fast as I tried to adjust to the added responsibilities of keeping books for the Missions account of the BMA of Missouri and tried to fit in a two week trip with some of our family.

When Bro. Danny and I talked of making the transition upon his resignation we decided to keep the Post Offie Box he had used in Florissant in hopes that it might make things a little less confusing for all involved.

That has not worked as smoothly as we had hoped. I had forgotten that he was also the Missions Director of the Meramec Association and their mail went to the same P.O. Box.

Bro. Johnny Dover is the Director of Missions for the Meramec Association and he has received some mail for the BMA of Missouri and I have received some mail for the Meramec Association. We have worked together forwarding those checks to the right Missions Account but we both feel that this confusion causes a delay in receiving and depositing your checks and that it would be best to close the P.O. Box and encourage our church treasurers to send the BMA of MO offerings to my address
and the Meramec offeringsto his address. Of course I will keep the P.O. Box open for at least two more months and give time for everyone to make the adjustments involved.

Please note that the checks and correspondence for Meramec Association Missions should be sent to:
Pastor John Dover
Friendship Baptist Church
630 N. Commercial Street
St. Clair, MO 63077

All correspondence and checks for BMA of MO Missions should be sent to:
James Hoffmann
176 Bear Creek Dr.
Wentzville, MO 63385

Treasurers who also send offerings to the Missouri Missionary Baptist Paper are encouraged to put both checks in one envelope and mail to Bro. Hoffmann at the address above. If you have any questions feel free to call me at 314-277-8644.

Thank you for your patience as we serve the Lord and His churches in Missouri.

2015 BMAA Resolutions

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The following resolutions were presented by “Moral Action” in their annual report to the churches of the BMA of America and adopted by the messengers at the recent meeting in Springfield, Missouri.

Resolution #1
Reaffirmation of God’s Plan for Marriage: One man and one woman
Whereas, there is an ongoing battle by Satanic forces to dissolve the institution of holy marriage; and Whereas, the media, the liberal press, social progressives and the liberal churches seek to diminish the importance of true marriage; and Whereas, Christians affirm God’s plan for marriage and sexual intimacy as one man and one woman legally married for life; and Whereas, any other relationship that involves sexual intimacy is considered outside the bounds of God’s law; Be it therefore resolved, that we promote Godly marriage and urge the churches and messengers of the Baptist Missionary Association of America meeting in Springfield, Missouri, April, 2015, to recognize the importance of the institution of marriage.

Resolution #2
Reaffirmation on Abortion and the Sacredness of Human Life
Whereas, the sacredness of human life is of great concern to our Baptist people; and Whereas, abortion as a means of birth control violates the sacredness of human life; and Whereas, more recently the procedures of partial birth abortion and the development of new drugs that will induce spontaneous abortions compound the tragedy of abortion as a means of birth control; and Whereas, these procedures raise new moral and ethical issues about the sacredness of human life; Therefore, Be it Resolved, that we strongly urge the Baptist Missionary Association messengers, meeting in Springfield, Missouri, April, 2015, to continue to publicly oppose any type of abortion as a means of birth control.

Resolution #3
Whereas, Associational Baptists have not always clearly stood for racial justice and equality, and, Whereas, the growth of ethnic populations in the United States and the assimilations into Baptist congregations is therefore a good indicator of diversity and, Whereas, the Word of God affirms that all people are created in the image of God and are equal; and, Whereas, all peoples need Jesus Christ as a savior, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that we strongly urge the Baptist Missionary Association of American messengers meeting in Springfield, Missouri, April, 2015, affirm our desire to stand for racial equality.

Resolution #4
Sexual Abuse of Children
Whereas, God’s word is clear in its affirmation that children are a gift from the Lord (Psalms 127:3-5) and, Whereas, Jesus clearly showed his love for children; and Whereas, the sexual abuse of children remains a criminal offense with more than 18 million victims last year in America alone, and Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the messengers of the Baptist Missionary Association of America, meeting in Springfield, Missouri, April, 2015, call upon all our churches and pastors to stand in the protection and love of children; and Be it resolved, to report and seek legal prosecution of child abusers.

Resolution #5
Executive Administration Declaration
Whereas, God’s word states that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, and Be It Resolved, that we strongly protest and disagree with the proclamation by the President of the United States that the
month of June be declared Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) pride month, and Be It Resolved, that the messengers of the Baptist Missionary Association of America meeting in Springfield, Missouri, April, 2015, pray for the executive leadership of our nation.

Editor’s Note:
These “Resolutions” are offered as recommendations or suggestions that our churches should consider as they live spiritual and moral lives and are not binding upon our fellowship in any way. From some of the correspondence I have received Resolution #1 is being confused by some who think it is the addition to our doctrinal statement that we will vote on at next year’s BMA annual meeting in April 2016.

The following is the recommended addition to our doctrinal statement:
“Article III – Creation C. Man — As the crowning work of His creation, God created humankind (male and female) in His own image (Psa. 8; Gen. 1:27; 2:7). Consequently, every person from conception is of inherent dignity and worth and merits the respect of all other persons (Psa. 51:5; Psa. 139:13-16; Gen. 9:6; Matt. 10:28-31; James 3:9). D. Marriage — God created marriage (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:23-24). Jesus Christ declared the creator’s intention for marriage to be the inseparable and exclusive union between a man and a woman (natural man and natural woman) (Matt.19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9). Marriage testifies of the union between Christ and the church (Eph. 5:31-32; Rom. 1:25-27).

These amendments were presented by Springhill Baptist Church at Greenbrier, AR; Ed Stephenson, pastor.  These additions to our Doctrinal Statement were presented and discussed at this year’s meeting in Springfield, MO and the messengers present at the 2016 annual meeting will vote (without further discussion) to accept them or reject them. If adopted they will be binding upon our fellowship just like the doctrinal statement we now have. Each church can record in their Minutes a motion to adopt these changes (for their own protection) once they are approved by the Association or make these changes to their doctrinal statement now.

Missions Symposium & Semi-Annual Meeting of the BMA of Missouri

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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.

Mission Director’s Final Report

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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