1844 Acton Hwy, Granbury, TX Serving Erath, Hood, Parker & Somervell Co.

Transcription

1 THE BEACON Paluxy Baptist Association Glenn L. Ward, Director of Missions 1844 Acton Hwy, Granbury, TX Phone Serving Erath, Hood, Parker & Somervell Co. DO WE NEED MORE NEW CHURCHES? The title question automatically turns some people off and perhaps others immediately respond negatively. However, let me share some sobering statistics about our area that might surprise you. Percept Group has been providing demographic information since 1990 using various sources to obtain all sorts of statistics for any given area. Anyone who looks around can t help but notice that our location is growing. However, here are some figures from Percept Group s findings: In Hood and Somervell Counties we have a population of 65,634 residents, which is an increase of 17,725 or 37% since During the same time period the U.S. as a whole grew by 15.5%! And our two-county area is projected to grow by an additional 4,562 between 2017 and Of these residents, only 41.9% indicate a strong involvement with their faith. That means that 58.1% of our population is not engaged, or only casually involved with their faith. Research also revealed that 24.1% want to find a good church, while 18% are looking for spiritual teaching. It sounds like the words of Jesus are still true: Do you not say, Four months more and then the harvest? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest (John 4:35). While many of our churches are doing great things to impact their neighborhoods and/or communities, it seems that in many locations we are not providing the ministries, outreach or other services necessary to reach the majority of current residents with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Statistics have shown for years that new classes and new churches tend to grow faster than existing ones. Therefore, one of the most effective things we can do is plant new churches that can reach people who are not currently engaged or involved with an existing church. May the Lord give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches (Rev. 3:7) about enlarging His Kingdom where we are, and to the ends of the earth! Spring Break is coming and several churches will have mission trips. Please pray for all! Our PBA trip to Juarez, Mexico, has 30 participants, representing 5 churches! We appreciate your prayers! I m so glad to be your DOM, Glenn March 2017 Vol. XXV Issue III In This Issue Letter from Your DOM Staff Openings Women s Gathering Report Calendar & Events Financial Statement River Ministry Seeds PBA OFFICE HOURS MON. FRI. 9:00-3:00 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt. 5:16

2 News from our Association MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND PLAN TO GO!!! PBA Mission Trips to La Mision in Juarez, Mexico are scheduled for 2017 March (Spring Break) and July 8-15 (Will include VBS); Ministry to Women & Children, Worship Services, Bible Studies, and Construction Projects. For more detailed information and what to bring, contact Bro. Glenn at PBA Office, Pray For One Another Missionaries Unity and God s Peace in U.S. President Trump and Staff Revival among God s People Again Jesus said, Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. John 20:21 We also want to welcome the following to First Baptist Granbury Church Staff; Don Anderson -Traditional Worship Spence Anderson -Contemporary Worship Terry Chapman -Administrative Pastor Peace for Israel Protection for Military and Police Our Pastors and Leaders Bro. Glenn and Mission Team going to Mexico March Our Churches needing Pastors March Birthdays 3 Betty Baldwin FBC Lipan 16 Darrell Chandler Allison 18 Shane Brooks Tolar 26 Mark Forrest Lakeside Anniversaries 1 Don & Darlene Atchison PBA, Thorp Spring 6 Gary & Connie Leonard Triple Cross 6 Scott & Melanie Athey Bear Creek 12 Mel & Pamela McKinney FBC Thorp Spring 14 Paul & Carole Rummage Lakeside 15 JJ & Terry Jennings Happy Trails 17 Aaron & Camille Landis Mambrino 18 Mike & Heather Corb FB Granbury The Women s Gathering Report We give the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ glory and praise for a blessed 2017 Gathering. Women from many Baptist and other local churches attended. Nancy, our faithful sister in Christ, proclaimed the truth of God's word and challenged the ladies to put themselves on the altar and trust God, just as Abraham did in obedience. An added blessing was that Nancy's husband, Rami was present and prayed, interceding for our Gathering event. We want to thank Acton Baptist Church and their Women's Ministry Team for hosting this year and making everyone feel welcomed. The hospitality and fellowship was wonderful, along with the decorating, preparing the food and faithfully serving in so many ways. Our thanks to the women of First Baptist Thorp Spring for being on hand to help with registration and to greet our ladies. Thank you, Lakeside Baptist for helping with our printing. We had women from five of our association churches involved with the planning and teaching. They worked many hours laboring for the Lord to honor Him, and I know many were blessed because of their faithfulness. Thank you all for praying; that is the key that moves the hand of our faithful Lord God. If you or your church would like to be involved with the planning for next year, please me janiefaithwalker@gmail.com.

3 March Calendar 5 Addiction Solution Program at Church on Thistle Ridge, hear straight from drug abuse victims. 10:45 am 5-12 ANNIE ARMSTRONG Week of Prayer, (Below) 9 Safeguarding Church Ministry Conference, SBTC Office in Grapevine, (Below) PBA Mission Trip to La Mision, Juarez, Mexico Contact Bro. Glenn for more info, (Pg 2) 13 Community Prayer Meeting, Southside Baptist Church, 7PM (Pg 4) Texas Faith & Family Day, TX Capital, Austin, 31 Acteens Afterglow, First Baptist Church, Midland 31-Apr 1 WMU of Texas Annual Meeting and Missions Celebration, First Baptist Church, Midland April Calendar 16-June 4 REVIVE TX for more information on how your church can become involved. (Pg 5) E3 Conference, Alsbury Baptist Church, Burleson, TX Dr. Robert Ellis, speaker 22 International Commission Equipping & Enabling to GO and Make Disciples, (Pg 4) 28-May 4 Bible Reading Marathon on Courthouse Square, (Pg 4) 4 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER (Pg 4) May Calendar Churches Needing Staff El Buen Pastor Bi-vocational Pastor Cottonwood Bi-vocational Pastor Fairview Bi-Vocational Pastor FB Glen Rose Children s Minister (30 hrs per wk) ANNIE ARMSTRONG EASTER OFFERING March 5-12 WEEK OF PRAYER FOR NORTH AMERICAN MISSIONS Offering Goal: $70 Million 100% of your gift supports North American missions and the more than 5,000 missionaries. To order materials, visit and select Order Materials link next to the Annie Armstrong information. If you have any questions or need help, contact Gayla Harris at SAFEGUARDING CHURCH MINISTRY CONFERENCE Sexual Abuse Awareness & Prevention March 9, 2017 SBTC Office, Grapevine A comprehensive training covering the WHAT, WHERE and WHY churches are at risk and HOW to prevent an incident from occurring in your church. 10AM-3PM Includes Lunch Ph or go to

4 EQUIPPING & ENABLING To GO and Make Disciples Matthew 28:19-20 April 22, 2017 Reception 5:30 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Pecan Plantation Club House, Granbury By International Commission

5 Paluxy Baptist Association Statement of Cash Flows January 1 to January 31, 2017 January Monthly Budget Annual Budget General Fund: Receipts: From Churches $ 12, $ 11, $ 143, Other $ 1.04 $ - $ - Total Receipts $ 12, $ 11, $ 143, Expenses: Missions $ 1, $ 1, $ 16, Support Ministries $ $ 1, $ 20, Personnel $ 7, $ 7, $ 87, Office $ 1, $ 1, $ 19, Total Expenses $ 11, $ 11, $ 143, Receipts Over (Under) Expenses $ 1, Bank Balance -- Beginning $ 119, Bank Balance -- Ending $ 120, Designated Accounts: Receipts $ 1, Expenditures $ (500.00) $ Bank Balance -- Beginning $ 30, Bank Balance -- Ending $ 31, ` COMING SOON Check out

6 Planting Eternal Seeds with Seeds Using Seeds to Share the Gospel River Ministry Missionaries along the border and in Mexico need seed packets! Can you collect seed packets to send to the border. We use seeds to draw in the community by planting community gardens, giving away seeds or plants to families in need, as an example in VBS, and more! Each way these seeds are used is a way we can plant a seed of truth, a seed of the gospel, a seed of Christ's love in the heart of someone who doesn't know God yet or needs to get to know him better. You can do this as an individual, a Life Group, a GA/ RA or Awanas group, church, anything - simply collect seed packets and send them to us by the end of March. Mail them to: Texas Baptists Atten: River Ministry 7557 Rambler Rd, Suite 1200 Dallas, TX Or contact Daniel Rangel, Director of River Ministry for more info,