Notes from the Baptist Center

 

The mission vision that I have been sharing with our association since last Fall is that we assess our needs and skills, host teams to help meet the needs, and send teams to minister to others. During June and July, we have implemented, in a small way the last two steps of thevision, by hosting and sending teams.

 

June 26 – July 2 – Fayette County Baptist Association and Haywood County Baptist Association brought a joint volunteer mission team to Polk County led by their Director of Missions, Dr. Charles Pratt. Chestuee Baptist recently installed showers and hosted the group. The team did light construction work at Chestuee Baptist Church and Shiloh Baptist Church, VBS at the local Boys and Girls Club, and finished the week with a Block party, on Thursday night, at Chestuee. Chestuee and Zion utilized the team to preach revivals from Sunday evening through Wednesday evening. Crossroads, Friendship, and Old Ocoee had guest speakers, from the team. Our thanks to the churches listed above and the pastors for receiving the ministry from the team. The blessing of the team fellowshipping with our churches was great.

July 10 – 16 – Your Polk County Baptist Association sent a team of three (Leslie Newman Brown, Thomas Brown, and Ryan Potts) to West Tennessee. My thanks to the Polk County team and the Johnson Grove Baptist Church team, from Beulah Baptist Association, that functioned as one unit. We built a wheel chair ramp for a paraplegic single mother, repaired a floor and did electrical work for a single mother of two.

   

 

Several others worked, but not everybody who worked on the projects stayed for the pictures. We also ministered in Johnson Grove Baptist Church and McConnell Baptist Church by preaching in 3 services, sharing testimonies in 2 services, and singing in 2 services. Thomas and Leslie received a plaque, for the Polk County team, at the Beulah Baptist Association Executive Board meeting. The plaque of appreciation was presented by Johnson Grove Pastor Mike Hazlewood, who also serves as the Beulah Baptist Association Mission Strategist. Bro. Mike is no stranger to Benton, because he led a team to work at the camp last year.

 

Opportunities are available for all skill and talent levels. God wants your availability to meet the physical needs and spiritual needs here in Polk County, across the United States, and around the world. If you are interested in participating in any of these evangelistic events or other mission opportunities, call Ryan at 338-2749. Our plan and goal is to match mission needs and skills of the volunteers. God has equipped you, and we will search for an opportunity for you to serve the Lord through volunteer missions.

 

On a personal note, my mom, Reba Coleman just received her seventh chemo therapy treatment. Thank you for the support that you have offered our family, especially the prayers.

 

Important upcoming events:

 

Monday August 2 – Advisory Council meeting 6:00 pm and Executive Board meeting 7:00 pm at the Baptist Center.
Important budget information will be presented from the Budget and Finance Committee.

 

August 9 – 12 – GPS (God’s Plan for Sharing) Summit Carson Springs Conference Center. I will share more about GPS in the Executive Board meetings and Annual Meeting.

 

August 19 – Sunday School University – Training for all Sunday School Leaders, Smyrna Baptist Church 6:30-9:00 pm.

 

September 24 – 25 - Appalachian Bi-vocational Celebration – retreat for Bi-vocational pastors and their wives. Some churches might even want to fund this event for your pastor to meet with other pastors and learn through worship and breakout sessions. Call Ryan for more information at 338-2749.

 

Check out upcoming events in the PCBA calendar, The Broadcaster newsletter, or at www.polkcountybaptist.org. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Lord, by serving Polk County Baptist churches.

Remember, we can do more together. (see 1 Cor. 3:9).