BRADLEY BAPTIST BEACON

Transcription

1 BRADLEY BAPTIST BEACON FEBRUARY and MARCH North Ocoee Street- Cleveland, TN (423) Fax: (423) Website: bradleybaptist.org ON MISSION CELEBRATION More info on page 4 Ecuador Mission Trip Info Page 2 Inside this issue: Ethnic Ministry Update 2 Evangelism Director Update 3 BBA News 4 A Word from the DOM 5 Other Dates & Events 6 If you would like to receive The Bradley Baptist Beacon electronically, please call the BBA office at or send your information to bba10@bellsouth.net Steve Holt Retreat Leader Friday, March 13 7:00-9:30 pm Saturday, March 14 8:00 am-noon Basic training for Deacons focuses on what it means to be a deacon using the life of Phillip as a biblical model Deacons & Pastors & Gardeners of the Fellowship looks at the deacons role and tips on how to build a spirit of rich fellowship among believers Call the BBA office at to register

2 - Frances Irizarry, BBA Ethnic Ministry Director Page 2 That s Happy New Year to you! Feliz Año Nuevo! [fa-lees AH-nyo noo-eh-voh] I am really happy and thankful that I got the chance to spend Christmas and New Year s Eve with my family in Puerto Rico. Our traditions for the season s celebrations are a little different from what most Americans are used to. For example, turkey is not part of our Christmas meal. Instead, we have lechón asado (roasted pork, if possible done the traditional way on an open fire), arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), pasteles (similar to Mexican tamales but the dough is made out of green bananas instead of corn meal). This menu may not sound very appetizing to you but it makes my mouth water! In Puerto Rico we also have another tradition, that of the parrandas. This is when friends get together late at night, bring out whatever instruments they can carry and practice a few Christmas songs. After midnight, they go out to an unsuspecting friend s or acquaintance s home to wake them up with their singing. They play their instruments and sing loud until the friend turns on a light in their home indicating that he is getting ready to open the door and welcome them in. Once inside the home, the family joins in the singing and refreshments are served. After a while the whole parranda takes off, sometimes with the addition of the family s members, to go repeat the operation at another friend s home. This continues until they are too tired to go on or the sun comes out, whatever happens first. So, if you ever get to spend the Christmas season in Puerto Rico, make sure you stock up on refreshments because you may need them when you least expect! Sadly, though, we do have something similar with American traditions. With all the eating and the partying we tend to forget the true meaning of Christmas. Many of us Christians sometimes assume that people around us know that Christmas is about Jesus but the truth is that, even in our churches, there are some people that have not yet understood who He really is and who He was even before He was born as a baby in Bethlehem. There are still millions around us who only know of his name as a curse word. And then there are the thousands of immigrants even here in Cleveland who have simply never heard His name at all. As we begin this brand new year by the grace of God, we who claim to know Him and to want to honor His name need to make a commitment to make an extra effort not just in word but in deed to make His name known among those who have never heard. Let s make this new year really count for the Kingdom of God. We have a commission to fulfill. People need the Lord. Let s not get distracted by circumstances around us. The economy, politics, war, disasters they are almost guaranteed to be bad but the Lord is in control and we are His. Let s focus on the work of the Kingdom, and trust Him to supply all our needs. Let s honor His name and make His name known among ALL peoples. So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and our heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:31-34, NIV) Bradley Baptist Association Partnering with International World Changers Quito, Ecuador June 20-27, 2009 Ocoee Regional Multicultural Services (ORMS) board chairman Gary Ray presented three Mosaic Awards to community leaders who were honored during their December meeting. ORMS is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting community awareness and acceptance of diversity among its citizens. (Photo L-R) Gary Ray, Mayor Tom Rowland (community leadership award), Phil Taylor, Bradley Co. Baptist Association (community support award) and Assistant District Attorney, Drew Robinson (community service award). YOUR LIFE - HIS MISSION Street witnessing, sports evangelism, Scripture distribution, prayer walking, light construction, drama $625 + airfare projects filled on a first-come basis Who Can Go? All students having completed the 9th grade or be at least 15 years old prior to the start of the project, who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are actively involved in a Bradley Baptist Association church Contact Phil by January 31st

3 - Randy Bonner, BBA Ministry Evangelism Director Page 3 CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY: 41 BBA CHURCHES ADOPT FAMILIES IN NEED DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON THROUGH PROJECT HELPING HANDS The 2008 Holiday Season was a record year in many respects for Project Helping Hands, a networking ministry of the Bradley Baptist Association. We had the most requests for help to-date with close to 400 families representing more than 1,000 individuals applying for assistance. As PHH volunteers shared and prayed with families, approximately 40 individuals made decisions for Christ. One of the greatest things to come from the Holiday Season, along with all of the decisions that were made for Christ, was the sense of connection between our churches and families in our communities. A record number of 41 out of 58 BBA Churches adopted approximately 225 families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have received some great stories of how God has been blessing those connections and even how some of the families who received helped are now visiting or attending the church. If you have a story to share with us about an individual or family your church has helped through the PHH Network, please or mail it to us (see front page). A special thank you to all of our 100 plus incredible volunteers and to our exceptional leadership team that consisted of PHH Coordinator, Karen Trotter (Ridgeview), Assisting Agencies Assistant, Freeda Davis (Ridgeview), and our team leaders; Shirley Freeman (Georgetown), Sue Harris (Cloverleaf), Diane Cantrel (Elkmont), Karen Hicks (Philippi), and Sylvia Scoggins (Clingan Ridge). SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN NUMBER OF FAMILIES SEEKING HELP FROM AREA FOOD AND BENEVOLENT MINISTRIES Although we have been more fortunate than other places around the Country, we are still seeing the effects of the economy. The number of families that have been impacted by the economy living in Bradley County has led to significant increases of those seeking help from area food and benevolent ministries. I witnessed it first hand this year with Project Helping Hands. As we try to stay connected and network with community benevolent ministries, all of them are reporting a record number of requests for help. As more families are requesting help, there is the need for more resources such as food and volunteers. Although there are about a dozen food banks in Cleveland, TN., I have identified six of the larger ones. You might be surprised to note that four of these ministry centers are from churches in the Bradley Baptist Association. Our BBA churches have been doing a better job of working together and I know that our BBA churches that have community food and benevolent ministries are always looking for more sister churches, for volunteers, food and any other resources your church might be able to provide. If your church would like to get involved in one of these food ministries, I would encourage you to call the contact person noted by each. BBA CHURCHES WITH COMMUNITY FOOD MINISTRIES: Big Spring Baptist Crisis Center, helping over 100 families each month with food and at times with furniture. Call Big Spring Baptist at FBC Cleveland Manna Ministry, helping 588 families (approx. 1,400 individuals) each month with food and other resources. Contact Carol Marr at Macedonia Baptist Living Bread Ministry, helping 573 families each month with food. Contact the church office at Valley View Baptist Storehouse Ministry Center, helping 300 families each month with food. Contact the church at OTHER AREA FOOD MINISTRIES: The Caring Place, helping 1,100 families each month with food and clothing. Contact Reba Terry at Faith Memorial Church (Littlefields), helping approx. 300 families each month with food. Contact the church at Randy Bonner, BBA Ministry Evangelism Director BBA has a limited number of spots reserved for YEC. The cost of $62 per person will include coach bus transportation, hotel (with 4 to a room), continental breakfast and the YEC Conference fee. Call Randy or Dimple at ASAP to sign up. Deadline for payment is Thursday, February 12

4 Page 4 Bradley Baptist News.... Yuletide Joy was the theme for 2008 Pastor s Appreciation Christmas Banquet, on Monday, December 1, at Candies Creek Baptist Church. This night was designed to show appreciation to the BBA pastors, their spouses and church staff. Approximately 250 guests represented 31 of our local churches and several retired pastors. Thank you pastors for the service you have so faithfully given. The event was made possible by the wonderful service of our many volunteers. A big thank you to: Candies Creek Baptist Church Pastor, staff and volunteers for being gracious host for the event Bobby, Kitty and Patrick Dye and the kitchen crew of volunteers for the great food you served Decorators who made the tables brighten the room for the evening (too many to name) Youth for doing a fantastic job serving our tables The businesses that made gift giving possible Maple Street Baptist The newest BBA Pastor, Nathan Headrick Center Point Baptist "Praise the Lord with the harp"...psalm 33:2 Greg Buchanan-A World-Class Harpist & Artist, filled the church with absolute awe as he played hymns with a heart-felt sensitivity, shared his testimony and read the scripture from God s Word. AWESOME! The wonderful evening concluded as Bro. Phil asked each church to gather around their pastor to pray for them and their ministry. Ross Heinricy, Hopewell Baptist Pastor, received the Whitestone gift... prayed and laid their hands on them... Acts 6:6 THANK YOU! Because the BBA churches helped, we were able to give Christmas cards and socks to the inmates again this year. Thank you to the churches. We also share our appreciation with those who gave their time to this ministry all year long. Lynn Dykes Jail Ministry Michigan Avenue Baptist Church set a goal to increase the number of shoe boxes they would send to Operation Christmas Child from 41 in 2007 to 100 in MET THEIR GOAL SENT 102 Dr. Jerry Rankin, Pres. International Mission Board will speak on October 6th ON MISSION CELEBRATION October 3-7, 2009 We now have 29 verbal commitments it s not too late for your church to participate. Contact the BBA office at so that we can arrange with our mission boards for missionary speakers. Please sign and return your commitment letter to the BBA! Pray that our Lord may use this OMC to bring about a spiritual awakening for Bradley Baptists.

5 A word from the Director. Page 5 Somewhere on cable or late night TV, you might run into my old hero. He's a masked man who rides on a white horse, who shoots silver bullets and always brings in the bad guys. Every episode ends with someone asking, "Who was that Masked Man?" And as the exciting William Tell Overture crescendos in the background, someone will say, "It's the Lone Ranger!" I'm getting all emotional here. Now there was one other thing about the Lone Ranger. He had a faithful sidekick, that Indian man in buckskins, Tonto. He's the one who got famous calling the Lone Ranger "Kemo Sabe." I never did know what that meant. Maybe the Lone Ranger didn't know either. Maybe that's a good thing. But there is one thing about the Lone Ranger that always seemed a little hard to understanding - even the Lone Ranger wasn't alone. Actually, there were never meant to be any Lone Rangers. Let's go all the way back to the original Lone Ranger - Adam, the first man God ever created. As the Creation saga unfolds in Genesis 1, the Bible uses a phrase repeatedly to describe how God felt about what He had been creating each day - "And God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:31 says, "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." There was, in fact, only one thing in Paradise that God said was not good. Our word for today from the Word of God, Genesis 2:18, tells us what it was. "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" And along comes Eve, and the rest is history. But the point is really important - none of us is created to be alone. God says it's not good. But right now, you may be at a point where you're feeling pretty alone. I want you to think about this for a moment - extended loneliness is often a choice you make. See, all too often, we're lonely because we make choices that are cutting us off from people. Like withdrawing because you're wounded, going into self-pity mode, insisting that it can only be a certain person or persons who you will allow to answer your loneliness. Even at the point when the Great Commission and Great Commandment were given to the church, it was not the intent for you to carry the work on your shoulders alone. Our purpose as an association of churches is to create a network of churches, partnerships, individuals and resources that will enable our churches to flourish, provide individuals the opportunity to meet God, and create ministries that effectively address loneliness, isolation and provide networks that prevent the Lone Ranger syndrome. There is no reason for a church to feel you are doing Kingdom work as a Lone Ranger. The expansion of God s Kingdom in our Jerusalem depends on our cooperative ministries, unity through diversity, and cooperation with surrounding ourselves with other Great Commission believers. Let s remember we are much better accomplishing Kingdom Initiatives together than alone. It's not good for you to be alone. So instead of waiting for something or someone magical to come in and end your loneliness, would you take action to break out of Lonely Island. God will give you the strength, but you have to take the step. You may need to open up those feelings you've been burying, even if showing your feelings isn't usually your style. You're a prisoner of yourself. You have to do what you may not feel like doing, and that's to reach out to people when you feel like crawling into your cave. Maybe it's time to broaden your world, to risk moving beyond the small circle you've been depending on to meet all your needs. There could be a broken relationship you have to start to restore. Look for some people who need your love and attention. Your community is full of lonely people who need you. And treat people as you would like to be treated, not necessarily the way people have treated you. Don't allow yourself to remain alone. Give yourself completely to the Savior who says, "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). And then, with your trembling hand firmly holding His strong hand, venture out of the cave called Loneliness into the light called Loving Others. Remember, even the Lone Ranger wasn't alone. And your Lord never meant for you to be either. In His Grace, Phil (Semi-Annual Association Meeting) Maple Street Baptist 6:30 PM -

6 February and March 2009 Bradley Baptist Association Phil Taylor Director of Missions Randy Bonner Ministry Evangelism Director Frances Irizarry Ethnic Ministries Director Denise Roebuck Collegiate Ministries Dimple Cox Ministry Assistant Loyce Farris DOM Assistant RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Permit #288 Cleveland, TN CALENDAR JANUARY 14th FBC Ladies Bible BBA 18th Sanctity of Life Sunday 21st FBC Ladies Bible BBA 28th Pastor s 12:00 noon 28th FBC Ladies Bible BBA 29th/31st Gwinnett Arena, Atlanta, GA FEBRUARY 4th MDT 10:00 AM 7th Library Clingan Ridge w/pete Vanderpool Storytelling 11th FBC Ladies Bible BBA 18th FBC Ladies Bible BBA 25th Pastor s 12:00 noon Among Our Churches Tasso Baptist Church is seeking a part-time Worship Leader. Contact Pastor Michael Emmanuel Baptist Church The Lord has blessed the children s ministry and they are in need of a church bus. If you have one for sale or to be donated, please call Pastor Tim Woody at Center Point Baptist Church welcomes their new pastor, Nathan Headrick. MARCH 3rd Deadline for Beacon news articles 4th MDT 10:00 AM 6th 7th Nashville 13th-14th Deacon s Retreat 25th Pastor s 12:00 noon 29th Last Day for Library Reading Club LIBRARY CALENDAR January 11-March 29 Adult Winter Reading Club Read 4 books (one of which is a non-fiction) to qualify for Associational level door prizes Saturday, February 9:00 AM Clingan Ridge Pete Vanderpool Storytelling Janice Baker, Director Lynda Harrington, Assistant Director Clara Hudson, Secretary