It's almost here! Michigan Junior Youth Camp! June 22 26, 2015

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1 The National Association of Free Will Baptists Grand Rapids, Michigan July 19 22, 2015 Flying to the National Association? Options: Of course, you may fly into the Gerald Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, or into other airports and rent a car to drive. The Metro International Airport in Detroit 2 ½ hours; Chicago Midway Airport 3 hours; Bishop International Airport, Flint 2 hours; Capital City Airport, Lansing 1 hour. How did Gerald R. Ford International Airport celebrate its 2014 ranking as one of the world's top 5 airports? By developing even more perks - like a newly expanded concourse featuring new traveler amenities. In January 2015, the airport unveiled a renovated Concourse B, serving Southwest, Allegiant and United airlines. There's also a new travel store and a larger, more comfortable passenger seating area. Plus, each gate now features large, West Michigan-themed murals to welcome incoming and outgoing fliers. In February 2014, Airport Council International included Gerald R. Ford International Airport in the "Best Airports by Size: 2-5 million passengers" category as part of its Airport Service Quality awards. Located just 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, the airport offers a remarkably convenient travel experience. Each attendee is encouraged to take some additional time in Michigan to explore many of the unique attractions and the beautiful scenery. Grand Rapids is only a thirty minute drive to the Lake Michigan's Gold Coast, with more than 300 miles of spectacular beaches, soaring sand dunes and dazzling sunsets. Pray for the Officers: Rev. Tim York, moderator; Rev. William Smith, assistant moderator; Rev. Randy Bryant, clerk; Rev. Ernie Lewis, assistant clerk Pray for the Speakers: Sunday School: Rev. Paul Harrison; Sunday AM: Rev. Gary Fry; Sunday PM: Rev. Rick Locklear; Monday PM: Rev. Frank Woods; Tuesday Preaching Conference: Rev. Brian Williams and Rev. Danny Baer; Tuesday PM: Rev. Steve Lytle; Wednesday PM: Rev. Tom McCullough It's almost here! Michigan Junior Youth Camp! June 22 26, 2015 Michigan FWB Youth Camp is just right around the corner. Once again, camp will be held at Simpson Park Campground in Romeo, MI. Our next and final worker s meeting will be Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 7 pm at the campground. Hope to see you there! If you have any questions about camp please call (810) Thanks! Bro. Gordie

2 Dear Michigan friends, Good News From Spain Page 2 In just a few weeks, the Alpedrete Outreach Center will be converted into a rainforest, complete with vines and leaves and greenery everywhere. Butterflies, tree frogs, parrots, and snakes will welcome the kids from around town for our annual end-of-the-year party. Our ETEAMers will help us plan an event to wow all of the children who have been coming to our activities for the past several years. As they enter, they will be greeted by a rainforest scene with a 3D jeep, where they can take fun photos. They will travel from station to station throughout the day making crafts, eating snacks, and playing games. We strategically planned our rainforest-themed party because we knew that all of our decorations (plus a WHOLE lot more!) can be reused in July for our Vacation Bible School. This year s theme, Journey Off the Map, will take our kids to uncharted territory where they will begin to understand that obedience to God can lead them beyond the expected. As they spend the week learning truths from the Bible, they will also be encouraged to give to our mission project. Our VBS offerings will go to the Dr. Miley Memorial Project, a THP renovation of the Doropo Hospital in Cote D Ivoire, which was founded by Dr. LaVerne Miley. Please take a few minutes to check out the website to learn more about this project: We re looking forward to a summer filled with many adventures! Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana Dear Friends, Update From France [Stateside] Ouf! That's the French equivalent of the American "phew". But whether you say "ouf" or "phew", that's the way we have felt after these past three weeks. That doesn't mean we did not enjoy them. We did. But we got back to MI exhausted. * We enjoyed visiting with the Good Springs church family in Pleasant View, TN. My brother Randy shepherds this very special group of people. Their influence in our lives goes back to our Bible College days when Becky and I were involved in youth ministry, and then as an interim pastor for over a year. There is no way we could ever repay them for their patience and generosity towards us. It was so good to spend some time with them again. * Then we enjoyed visiting with the Oak Grove Church family. They are a wonderful church family in TN near a little town called Lancing. You have to drive a long way off the beaten track to get to them, but it's always worth the detour. They have faithfully prayed for us and supported our ministry for nearly 30 years. On the way there we had a little accident. We were stopped at a traffic light when "boom", our car was rear-ended. Fortunately the damage was limited and we were able to drive on, but waiting for the police to fill out reports made us late for our church service. I called Pastor Mark Langley and informed him we were running late and would not have time to change from our "traveling clothes" before we arrived. He said that was not a problem and particularly assured us Becky would not be the only woman wearing slacks for this service. Of course when we got there, all the women had on dresses and Becky felt embarrassed. Until one late-comer came in with a baby girl. Realizing Becky's predicament she lifted her little girl to show everyone she was wearing pants! They made us feel right at home. * After that it was on to the western coast of NC where along with three other missionary families we participated in a Missions Conference sponsored by churches in Beaufort, Davis, Stacy, and Morehead City. We have never been so "spoiled" by a group of churches. They wanted us to feel like we were "special" because we serve as missionaries. We enjoyed lots of seafood, great fellowship, and some

3 Page 3 relaxing time visiting these coastal towns. It was also the first time for Becky and I to meet some of our newest missionaries - the Speers, going to Japan; the Torrisons, going to Uruguay; and another couple working with creative access ministries in Europe. It was an inspiration to us to see the dedication and passion of these younger missionaries to serve Christ in different areas of our world. And so now, back in MI, we are a little tired and saying "ouf". But we are also rejoicing in the Lord's goodness and faithfulness, and in the many expressions of kindness of His people. There is no way we could ever say thank you enough to all of you for your generosity and kindness. Through you we have seen the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. Thank you so very much. We look forward to visiting with many of you over the next few months. Steve & Becky Châteaubriant, France * Then, to cap it all off, we headed back to Nashville for the graduation ceremonies at Welch College. Of course, there was a very special person we went to see, and that is our daughter Laura. It seems like it was only yesterday that we left her, very reluctantly, outside the girl s dorm. But four years have quickly passed, and we are proud of Laura's achievement, and so grateful for the Lord's faithfulness and provision. She graduates with a degree in Biology. Right now she is not sure what the next step will be, and we would appreciate your prayers as we wait on the Lord for direction. The National Youth Conference is a conference dedicated to worship, discipleship, education, and service. You can register online at Speakers for the 2015 NYC are Sunday AM: Corey Minter; Sunday PM: Charles Jackson; Monday PM: Joe Wilson; Tuesday PM: Mark Mittelberg. The NYC Schedule is available in June, Competitive Activities We hope that the Competitive Activities of the National Youth Conference are an effective tool for ministry preparation and faith building for tomorrow s leader. In many ways, we view it as more of a Ministry Expo than simply a competition. Reach That Guy began as a single site opportunity for youth groups to come together and make an impact the city hosting the NYC. It has grown into a three day multi-site experience of service and growth for Free Will Baptist students. RTG organizers work with local churches and non-profits to find areas in need so that students are making a real impact in the city. Join us in Grand Rapids this summer to Reach That Guy.

4 Helms, Jones, West, Thrasher Re-elected! Page 4 The General Officers were re-elected to their respective offices at the annual Michigan State Association of Free Will Baptists which convened at Zehnder s of Frankenmuth in May. Mr. Robert Eisler was elected to replace Rev. Rick Locklear as assistant treasurer who asked not to be re-elected. Something new in church planting The Mission Board has been very concerned about our struggling churches as well as planting new Free Will Baptist churches in Michigan. A part of their report to the State Association is: We are aware of the need to help our struggling churches. This is a topic of discussion at almost every board meeting. We have not settled on an approach yet, but we are ready to come along side any church who needs help and is willing to go through the hard work of church revitalization. Church planting has taken up the majority of our time. After a couple of years of researching, we believe we have a direction a different approach that will work for us. We decided we would learn from the success of others. We like the approach presented by Tom Nebel and Steve Pike in their book, Leading Church Multiplication: Locally, Regionally, Nationally. It is published by SmartChurch Publishing. This is not a plan that we intend to ram down anyone s throat. However, we would like to reach out to each of you, invite you to the table, include you in the discussion, make it our own plan and together rally around the vision of planting a church in Michigan. We plan to have a Pastor s Gathering in September to begin an ongoing dialogue as we work together to build a church in Michigan. The 2015 Fall Minister s Retreat has been cancelled, but the 2016 Minister s Retreat is scheduled for September with Dr. Stan Toler as our guest speaker. The 2016 Men s Retreat is scheduled for January at the Youth Haven Ranch in Rives Junction, Michigan. The North American Ministries team will conduct workshops on Church Revitalization. Morgans Transfer to Spain Antioch, TN The Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions approved Neil and Mandi Morgan s reassignment to Spain from Uruguay via ballot on May 19, Neil and Mandi, scheduled to return to Uruguay on May 31, struggled with the excessive education costs of their girls in Uruguay. After much conversation where multiple options were considered, the couple agreed a transfer to Spain was both practical and God directed. "It was not an easy decision to leave Uruguay. Our brothers and sisters there are very dear to us, Neil and Mandi wrote. However, after much prayerful consideration, we feel this is God's leading and we are excited about the opportunities He has for us in Spain. Initially, the Morgans will work in the Madrid area with an existing church plant. The transfer just makes sense, General Director Clint Morgan stated. The Morgans are a passionate, talented couple and the Mission wanted to see them continue to serve. Uruguay s European culture, an anomaly in South America, should make it easier to adapt to Spain. Neil and Mandi were appointed as career missionaries to Uruguay in April Following deputation ministry and a year of language study in Costa Rica, the Morgans arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay, September They returned to the States in December 2013 for stateside assignment.

5 Page 5 I had Neil and Mandi as students at Welch College one year when we were on stateside assignment, Clint reminisced. They both were outstanding students and demonstrated a great passion for missions. They lived this passion in Uruguay and will now have an opportunity to live it out in Spain. This lateral move was brought about by circumstances beyond their control, but most certainly under His control. We have no doubt they will excel in ministry wherever God places them. The Morgans will begin the process of applying for visas for Spain and continue to hold services as they reorient and prepare for this change in ministry. We ask that you remember our family in prayer during this transition," Mandi said. Neil and Mandi have three daughters: Emma Catherine, Aubrey, and Sofia. The IM Spain team is excited about gaining these reinforcements, Clint Morgan added. The Morgans need the ongoing support of all those who have stood by them in the past." Those wishing to support Neil and Mandi Morgan may give online at fwbgo.com/give or send donations to 5233 Mt. View Rd., Antioch, TN Exciting News from Free Will Baptist North American Ministries Several exciting decisions were made during the April meeting of the Board of Free Will Baptist North American Ministries. (Home Missions) A joint project with North Carolina approved John and April Moran to plant a new church in Apex, NC. John comes to North American Ministries from New Bern, NC, where he was the Pastor of Sherwood Forest Free Will Baptist Church. A team was also approved to plant a new church in Kaneohe, Hawaii. The team consists of Carl and Cynthia Spruill and Chris and Megan Davenport. Carl is the grandson of Luther Sanders, who planted a Free Will Baptist Church in Hawaii many years ago. Carl currently serves as Associate Pastor at Virginia Beach Free Will Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Chris and Megan Davenport currently serve at the Donelson Free Will Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Along with the approval to start two new churches, several decisions were made in the area of Church revitalization. The Board approved a joint project with the State of Alabama to send Billy and Gloria Bevan to Eastside Free Will Baptist Church in Dothan, Alabama as a part of our Church revitalization program. Billy comes to North American Ministries from Eufala, Alabama, where he was the longtime pastor of Sardis Free Will Baptist Church. The North American Ministries Board also voted to partner with two other existing Free Will Baptist Churches in Hobbs, New Mexico and Shreveport, Louisiana as part of the Church revitalization program. We are currently accepting resumes from qualified ministers who may be interested in partnering with us in either of these two projects. For more information, please call Teresa at (615) or your resume to teresa@nafwb.org. Rev. Jim McComas Websites of Interest Michigan State Association of Free Will Baptists: mifwb.com [Rudy Taylor, webmaster: Rudytaylor1@comcast.net] National Association of Free Will Baptists: nafwb.org Free Will Baptist History: fwbhistory.com Free Will Baptist Pastor: fwbpastor.com Free Will Baptist Media Commission: fwbmedia.com [For pastors to submit resumes and for churches searching for pastors, click postings. ]

6 The Michigan Free Will Baptist Menorah 4166 Maplewood Meadows Avenue Grand Blanc, Michigan Meeting Times Changed The Wolverine District Association meeting times are the second Saturday of September, December and March with the March meeting being the annual meeting. The June meeting has been dropped. All-Boards Meeting, June 11, 6:00 p.m. at the Southgate Free Will Baptist Church Activities Building. WNAC Laughter & Latte The informal atmosphere, no conflicting activities, and lower cost make this a popular WNAC event. This year's Laughter & Latte promises to be fun, with a game show atmosphere designed to meet missionaries. The casual atmosphere is perfect for catching up with old friends and making new ones. As always, refreshments will be served and lots of door prizes given away. Tickets are $15. Contact WNAC at The Michigan Free Will Baptist Menorah is a monthly publication of the Michigan State Association of Free Will Baptists and is sent free upon request. Rev. Gene Norris, Promotional Director and Editor; Rev. Ron Helms, Moderator; Rev. Joseph Jones, Assistant Moderator; Rev. Allen West, Clerk; Rev. Steven Thrasher, Treasurer; Mr. Robert Eisler, Assistant Treasurer. News for publication is to be received by the 25 th of the month at 4166 Maplewood Meadows Avenue, Grand Blanc, MI 48439, or gnorris4166@gmail.com.

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