COMMUNICATOR. Notes. January Rev. David Boothe, Interim DOM, Tracey Ostrander, Adm. Asst.,

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1 COMMUNICATOR January 2009 Rev. David Boothe, Interim DOM, Tracey Ostrander, Adm. Asst., Baptist Mission Center Serving Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides Associations Notes Being in a state of transition can be viewed as a time of fear or as a time of opportunity. Being a Pastor for almost twenty-five years and being privileged to serve in several different states, I ve learned some truths concerning being in transition. With the Baptist Mission Center and the three respective Baptist Associations in transition, there may be some looking toward the future with the question: What will the future bring? Not one of us has knowledge to answer this question due to not having certain knowledge of the future. Yet by placing our faith in the Lord God and by trusting His leading, I believe the future will hold promise with fulfillment. First, let us look at the fear of transition. When a new Pastor enters a church, there are members wanting to know what he is going to do and where is he going to lead. These people may wish for change from the past or they may wish to continue the present direction. Nonetheless, there is a bit of apprehension. With the Baptist Mission Center in the search for a new Director of Missions, I believe some in the Associations are eager to know who the next Director will be and where he will guide the ministry. To be sure, some want no change while others are longing to see a new direction. Another source of transitional fear centers around control. As a new Pastor enters the church, members are curious as to whether they will be within his inner circle with the privilege to grant advice. Those individuals making decisions wish not to lose their position. Again, with the future bringing a new Director of Missions, different individuals, churches, etc. may be asking about their say in the direction of the ministry. Yes, these two plus others may cause some to fear the transition process swirling about us. Now may we view the prospects of opportunity brought about by the calling of a new Director of Missions. With new leadership, come new ideas. With new ideas come the potential to reach out and touch churches and lives that may not have been recently touched. Yes, when a new Pastor enters a church, the opportunity to present new ways of doing ministry along with new ministries and a new vision provide opportunity for the church to move forward and to grow. The same principle applies to the Baptist Mission Center and to the leadership provided to the three Associations. With new direction, new ideas, and new ministries, the opportunities may make this a most exciting time. It is my hope and my prayer that every church with their varied congregations connected to the Baptist Mission Center will look to this time of transition with a deep, abiding faith in our Lord. Let us be challenged to follow as God guides us along a path bringing glory to Him. What will be the result of this period of transition? We can only speculate, yet God knows. Where will a new Director of Missions lead? We have no idea, yet God foresees the future. What will be our response to the leadership of the new Director of Missions? Please allow faith, prayer, encouragement, and support to be the sign of the time. Lord, grant us the wisdom to accept the direction in which You are moving. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Pg 1 Ephesians 4: 4-6

2 Pres. Barack Obama, Even if you did not vote for our current President I m sure you would agree he needs our prayers during this difficult time. Churches without pastors: Alexandria Korean, Big Island BC-Deville, Hargis BC-Montegomery, Hot Wells BC,- Boyce, Macedonia BC Effie, Pineville Park BC Pineville, Rapdies Station BC Boyce, Richey BC Deville, Sherwood BC Tioga, Nellie Malone, Hosanna Bapt. Prayer Concerns S.A.F.E. Drug Rehab program through Hosana Baptist Church Ginger Hisaw, Counselor at Granberry Counseling Center (BMC) on a international mission trip. Janice Nida, Secretary, Holloway Baptist Church, going on a mission trip. Director of Missions Search Committee, Please pray for the Trustees to find God s man for the job of Director of Missions. Annette Maxey (parents are Kirk & Natalie Maxey, grandparents at FBC, Dry Prong) Welcome! Rev. David Boothe Interim Director of Missions Rev. Richard LaCour Discipleship Baptist Church SEMINARY EXTENSION CLASSES! A new class will be starting March 17, 2009 with Dr. Herb Dickerson. The title is Evangelistic Preaching. Register First night. Cost: $130. You must pay for your books before taking them with you. Pg 2

3 February 2009: Youth Disciple Now, Caney Lake, Jimmy David State Park, February 6-8 Kaleidoscope, Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, February 7, 8:00 a.m. Quarterly Sunday School Training Clinic, Bethel Baptist Church, February 10, 6:30 GA-Acteen Mission Banquet, Lincecum Baptist Church, February 28, 6:30 March 2009: WMU Home Mission Study, Bethel Baptist Church, March 2, 10:00 a.m. Executive Baord Meeting, Summerfield Baptist Church, March 2, 6:30 VBS Team Members Meeting, Dry Prong First Baptist Church, March 2, 7-8 Suggested date for Church Bible Drill, March 29. VBS Clinic, Central La. Association, Emmanuel Baptist Church, March 30, 6:30 VBS Clinic, North Rapides Association, First Baptist Church, Pineville, March 31, 6:30 VBS Clinic, Big Creek Association, Bethel Bapt. Church, Colfax, April 7, 5:30 pm February 2, 2009 Rev. David Boothe will begin at the Baptist Mission Center as the Interim Director of Missions. Bro. David has long been involved in the work of the association. He has been the Assistant Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria for the past 31 1/2 years working most recently with the Senior Adults and pastoral ministries. As of this year he has retired from Calvary Baptist. He has also served as the Treasurer for Central Louisiana Baptist Association for some time now. Bro. David would like for each and everyone to know he has an open door policy. He has often said he wants to be a pastors pastor. He will be visiting in the churches at Sunday and Wednesday night services during the next three months. He will be in the office or on the field an average of three days per week, however he can be reached by phone at other times. If you have a need please do not hesitate to call the Baptist Mission Center. Pg 3

4 February 2009: Central La. Baptist Assoc., Music Directors Meeting, Baptist Mission Center, February 10, 7:00 Central La. Baptist Assoc. Admin. Team Meeting, Baptist Mission Center, February 12, 10:30 a.m. State WMU Council Meeting, Baptist Building, Alexandria, February 16. State Acteens Convention, Tall Timbers, Woodworth, February March 2009: Week of Prayer for North American Missions & Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, March 1-8. M-Jam, Louisiana College, Pineville, March 7. Gaither Homecoming Tour, Rapides Parish Coliseum, Alexandria, March 7, 6:00 WMU Missions Celebration/Annual Meeting, McClendon Baptist, West Monroe, March VBS Clinic, Central La. Association, Emmanual Baptist Church, March 30, 6:30 June 15-17, 2009, for kids who have finished 2nd grade through 6th. Led by OneWay Ministries, for more information call Pg

5 February 2009: Women s Conference with Martha Bailey, Speaker, Women of Praise, Music, February 7, 8:30 a.m., First Baptist Church, Pineville.. Family of Grace, Saturday night worship, (1st Saturday night each month), 6:00 NR Admin. Team Meeting, February 10, 10:30 a.m., at Baptist Mission Center 2nd Annual Children s Ministry Day, Tioga First Baptist Church, February 14, Gateway Baptist Church, Ball, February 15, 10:45 a.m. Grand Opening NR WMU Council Meeting, February 19, Baptist Mission Center Married Couples Date Night, February 21, 6:00, Holloway Baptist Church, Deville, Dinner and a movie (Fireprooof) Baptist Men s Day, February 22, Tioga First Baptist Church, Wild Game Supper, February 28, 6:00, Longview Baptist Church March 2009: VBS Clinic, North Rapides Association, First Baptist Church, Pineville, March 31, 6:30 Associational Kids Retreat! Faith Factor April 9 & 10, at Tall Timbers for 1st through 6th grade. Faith Factor teaches about who our faith is in. Led by OneWay Life Ministries For more information call Tall Timbers at Pg 5

6 The CCP Korner (Catalytic Church Planter) For those who don t know, I am your new Catalytic Church Planter for the CENLA area. My name is David Garza Jr. Lydia, my wife of 25 years and I have 3 children, Sarah (19), Raquel (16), and David III (Trey) 13. We have ministered in Texas in the pastoral role for 12 years and served in Ecuador, South America as IMB missionaries for 8 years. The Lord has brought me to central Louisiana to start new churches and the greatest need for this area is the Hispanic community, which will be the main focal group in my efforts. It is obvious to most, that the Hispanic community has been steadily growing in the Alexandria/Pineville area and there are no Hispanic evangelical churches in which to worship. I will be using the House Church Model to begin new works in the area. There are a few believers in the Pineville/Ball area that I pray will be the catapult to a new church start. I have already seen and met many Hispanics that are excited about the possibility to sing and pray in their heart language. One couple has already offered their apartment to begin having Bible studies in and they are not believers. Pray along with me that the Father will continue to stir the hearts of those He wants to use in His work. You can be involved in this ministry in many ways. Besides the obvious of prayer and sharing the Gospel, I have Spanish tracts that can be used to make an initial contact. The tracts have my name and phone number on them, so the people can get in touch with me if they so chose. If you know of a Hispanic family that needs help with translation, please let me know. I would be more than happy to help with those needs as well. Thank you and God bless you, David Garza Jr. Catalytic Church Planter CenLA Area Baptist Mission Center 2201 Melrose Street * Pineville, Louisiana / * dgarza@suddenlinkmail.com Pg 6 CCP speaks to the Trinity Baptist Church, Pineville, group of GA s

7 Are you in need of... A pulpit, communion table and 2 pews. If so, contact Nona Jean, Rosepine First Baptist Church, at Folding chairs in great condition. If so, contact Cathy Singletary at or Bro. Ronnie Sandifer at from Fellowship Baptist Church. Baldwin Tube Organ and Baptist Hymnals, call for free items Family Bibles, call Ed Weiland at Piano and organ free to any church, call Charles Garner, Upright piano, choir robes (20) and hymnals free, call Baldwin electric organ, free, call Central Louisiana Baptist Association VBS Clinic Emmanuel Baptist Church, Alexandria March 30, :00 to 8:30 North Rapides Baptist Association VBS Clinic First Baptist Church, Pineville March 31, :00 to 8:30 BIG CREEK Baptist Association VBS Clinic BETHEL Baptist Church, COLFAX April 7, :30 to 8:00 Pg 7

8 Who holds the key to your heart? Baptist Mission Center 2201 Melrose Street Pineville, LA Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Pineville, LA Permit #214 Pg 8