ADVISOR. 50 Years associational. Making a Difference Through Christ. Office Closed. Pastor/Deacon Training.

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1 associational ADVISOR January Alice Street, Waycross phone (912) fax (912) Associational Missionary: Don Patterson Mission Strategist: Greg Benfield Ministry Assistant: Sarah Rozier POBA Mission Statement: The Piedmont-Okefenokee Baptist Association exists to equip, enable, serve, and encourage a cooperating partnership of Southern Baptist Churches to effectively build the kingdom of God through evangelism, missions, discipleship, ministry and prayer. Office Closed The POBA Office will be closed on January 1 Pastor/Deacon Training Saturday, January 5 Walkerville Bap st See page 2 VBS Jumpstart Thursday, January 17 Sweat Memorial Bap st 7:00 pm See page 2 50 Years Making a Difference Through Christ Celebrate with us at the ANNUAL MEETING Thursday, January 24, 2019 Sweat Memorial Baptist Church Meal: 6:00 pm Meeting: 6:45 pm RSVP for the meal by Thursday, January 17 mypoba.com Sanc ty of Life Chain Sunday, January 20 POBA RA Derby Saturday, January 26 Jamestown Bap st Church See page 3 in this ISSUE: Points From The Missionary s Pen, 50 Years of POBA, VBS 2 News, Churches w/o Pastors, Ordination, Prayer, RAs 3 Continuing Education, Associational Choir, What We Believe 4 Set Free, South GA Men s Conference 5 Calendar 6

2 Page 2 P OINTS FROM THE MISSIONARY S PEN Pastor/Deacon Training will be January 5 at Walkerville Bap st Church, 8:30 am-12:00 pm. Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, January 2 online at mypoba.com or by calling the POBA Office ( ). Bro. Mike Griffin will be our trainer for the event. Below is a statement about Mike that will help you know him be er. Biographical Informa on on Mike Griffin Mike Griffin is a na ve Georgian. He was born in the southern part of the state in Thomasville. He graduated from Thomas County Central High School in He earned his undergraduate degree at The Bap st College of Florida in Graceville, Florida in Rev. Don Patterson, cell (912) For the last 26 years, Mike and his family have enjoyed living in Hartwell, Georgia. Mike and Liza have been married for 40 years; they have four children and six grandchildren. Mike serves as the senior pastor of Liberty Bap st Church, in Hartwell, Georgia. Mike has been a Southern Bap st pastor for 34 years. He is also President of the board of Ten Commandments Georgia, an organiza on that encourages the display of the Ten Commandments in our homes, churches, businesses and public buildings. In 2006 Mike ran as the Republican candidate for Georgia State Representa ve in the 29th District against a 14 year Democrat incumbent. Mike started working with Georgia Right to Life in 2008 and for 8 years represented them as a lobbyist at the State Capitol and serving as their State Field Director. Mike has also served as past Vice President of Georgia Right to Life. The Associational Advisor In April, 2010 Mike was considered to be one of Georgia s top 50 most influen al Republicans at the state Capitol. The AJC ar cle: Georgia Influencers ranked Mike at #11 among Republicans having the most influence at the Capitol. He has served as a poli cal consultant and has given advice to candidates and even served as former state Senator Jeff Chapman s State Field Director in his 2010 bid for the Republican Governor nomina on. In January 2014, Mike accepted a posi on with the Georgia Bap st Conven on as their Public Affairs Representa ve. His du es include lobbying at the state Capitol and speaking on moral and religious liberty issues around the state. Mike has worked for 11 years at the Georgia State Capitol, lobbying on behalf of social and moral issues. J OIN US AT THE POBA 50 YEAR C ELEBRATION & ANNUAL MEETING Thursday, January 24 Sweat Memorial Bap st Church Meal: 6:00 pm Mee ng: 6:45 pm RSVP for the meal at mypoba.com by Thursday, January 17. VBS JUMPSTART JANUARY 17 AT S WEAT MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH Thursday, January 17 7:00 pm Sweat Memorial will be hos ng Georgia Bap st Mission Board s VBS Jumpstart. VBS Jumpstarts are for Pastors and key VBS leadership. At the VBS Jumpstart leaders will begin zooming in on In the Wild VBS so that they will be prepared to help par- cipants have amazing encounters with Jesus.

3 January 2019 Page 3 CHURCHES SEEKING PASTORS Remember these churches in prayer as they seek pastors: Liberty Mt. Calvary Spring Hill Youmans Chapel N EWS AND INFORMATION: Beulah Bap st has called Ma Tu le as pastor. January 5: POBA Pastor/Deacon Training, Walkerville Bap st. January 17: VBS Jumpstart, Sweat Memorial in Waycross, 7:00-8:30 pm. Contact ext 286 with ques ons. January 24: Annual Mee ng & 50th Anniversary of the POBA, Sweat Memorial Bap st. January 24-26: Conclave, Cha anooga TN. Visit ymconclave.org to register. January 26: South Georgia Men s Training Conference, FBC Blackshear February 7-8: Kids Ministry Summit, Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Register at gabap st.org/kids/. February 19: 55+ Swap Shop Tour (for Senior Adult Leaders), Calvary Bap st in Waycross, 10 am-12 pm. Register at gabap st.org/groups-events or call ext 286. Offerman Bap st is accep ng resumes for a bivoca- onal Youth/Children s Pastor. Contact James Lightsey ( ) for more informa on. Bristol is accep ng resumes for a Music Director. Send resumes to Thomas Wright, 905 Grady Street, Blackshear, GA Jamestown has 47 choir robes available: cream colored, light teal stoles, and red/purple reversible stoles. Contact Lamar Chris e if interested ( or ). Deenwood Bap st has a 1998 GMC 3500 Bus (31 passenger, 47k miles, $7500) for sale. Contact The POBA has Communion Trays available to donate to a church. Contact the POBA Office. JANUARY PRAYER FOCUS This month, please remember these pastors and their families in prayer. Set Free: Mark Yeatman (Lori) Shady Grove: Edmund Thri (Robin) South Gate: Edward Colley (Carol) Sweat Memorial: Freddie Smith (Vera) SweetWater: Tim Corey (Raquel) Ten Mile: Jason Hayes (Amanda) Twin Rivers: Jack Sinclair (Jean) Walkerville: Greg Carter (Shae) Ware Terrace: Mike Lee (Becki) Waycross Community: Jerry Weathersby (June) PASTOR ORDINATION SweetWater Bap st is making prepara on to ordain their pastor Tim Corey on January 13, 4:00 pm. The ordina on council will meet on January 6 at 3:00 pm for a me of ques oning. Tim and the church want to invite all ordained men of the Associa on to come to the council and to the ordina on service. RA RACER DERBY JANUARY 26 Saturday, January 26 Jamestown Bap st Church Registra on: 8:30 am Entry Fee: $5 or 3 canned goods Mark your calendars for the POBA RA Camporee on March 1-2. More info to come.

4 Page 4 CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES BEGIN IN JANUARY (Submi ed by Buddy Griner) Our educa on is vital to the growth of the Kingdom of God. As we study the Word of God and find out how to study the Word, our lifestyles change. The way that we understand life begins to change. There is an amazing phenomenon takes place in our lives. We will begin to view our lives that way that God does, and as we do that we will have a desire to change. When this change takes place in our lives, we will then want others to experience that same change. The only way to see change in me and those around me is to get to know Jesus. Studying is the only thing that will do that. What we have been experiencing is those that began this class have a desire to know Jesus more and be able to communicate that knowledge to others. There are two people that are finishing this three-year course in the spring. They have studied intensely and have now come to the end of the course. We will celebrate with them the close of this journey in their lives. It has been a long me since the beginning, but it will con nue to benefit them and others that are around them. The lessons are structured to give us the most out of our me in study. They will bring to light the Old and New Testaments. We cannot understand one with out the other. It is amazing the way that they work together to give us a full understanding of Jesus and His purpose and the end that God has in store for us. We are being changed as we read this. This study will help prepare the Small Group Leader and the Bi-voca onal Pastor. It will help equip any believer to do what God has gi ed them to do. We will begin another book on January 3, This is the last book in a ten-book series. We will be discussing Missions, Evangelism, and Discipleship. If you are interested in this class order a book and come to class. We will be mee ng at Youmans Chapel Bap st Church at 7pm on Thursday January 3. I will see you there. The Life Chain will be on Sunday, January 20. Watch for details by , text, and our Facebook page. The Associational Advisor JOIN THE ASSOCIATIONAL CHOIR A choir comprised of POBA churches will rehearse on Tuesday, January 22 at Sweat Memorial in prepara on for the 50th Anniversary Annual Mee ng to be held on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at Sweat Memorial. Please let Sam Stack ( ) know how many from your choir will be able to par cipate in the POBA joint choir. W HAT WE BELIEVE AS SOUTHERN B APTISTS Each month we focus on a different topic in the Bap st Faith and Message (BFM). You may obtain a copy of the BFM (in print or by ) by contac ng our office. XIV. Coopera on Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associa ons and conven ons as may best secure coopera on for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organiza ons have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effec ve manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educa onal, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ's Kingdom. Chris an unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary coopera on for common ends by various groups of Christ's people. Coopera on is desirable between the various Chris an denomina ons, when the end to be a ained is itself jus fied, and when such coopera on involves no viola on of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament. Exodus 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Ma hew 10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1-10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:5-15; 12; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Gala- ans 1:6-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 1:15-18.

5 January 2019 Page 5 SET FREE SOUTH GA (Submi ed by Mark Yeatman) Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 It has been 1 year and 9 months since the Lord began to speak to our hearts about a Set Free church plant in South Georgia. The heartbeat of this ministry, housing and discipling men, is now going strong. We took in our first man November 5 th. Since our opening we have had fi een men come into our ministry and seven of those remain as I write. The other eight stayed from two days to a couple of weeks, in which me we were able to plant the gospel in their hearts. We are in the process of developing rela onships with our local judicial systems so we can impact our local communi es and congrega- ons. We are extremely grateful for the local body of believers! Without our Lord working through His body we know we would not be celebra ng this momentous occasion. Thank you for your service to our Lord and praise His Holy Name for the mighty things He has done. Please con nue to pray for this ministry, the spiritual warfare is very strong. Thank you all for your prayers, gi s, contribu ons, food, hygiene products, medica- ons, work and partnership. We look forward to all our Father will do through this work He has established. SOUTH GEORGIA MEN S CONFERENCE 2019 South Georgia Men's Training Conference - Blackshear, GA Strengthening Your Ministry with Men, Young Men, and Boys This conference at First Bap st of Blackshear will help you find your place of service and equip you to lead men, young men, and boys, and general ministry in your church. It is intended not only for Men's Directors and Royal Ambassador Leaders, but for every man in your church. Six breakout sessions will be offered as follows: Developing Your Comprehensive Men's Ministry led by A. Glen McCall, Men's Ministry, Georgia Bap st Mission Board. Developing Your Young Men and Boys Through Mission Educa on and Ac vi es led by Mike Flowers, Georgia Bap st Mission Board & Camp Kaleo Retreat Center. Developing Your Men's Prayer Ministry led by Marty Youngblood, Church Minister Rela ons, Georgia Bap- st Mission Board. Developing Your Men for Missions Engagement led by Joel Brown, Stone Mountain Associa on Missions Involvement. Developing Your Men's Discipleship and Spiritual Development Ministry led by Steve Kegley, Pastor, First Bap st Saint Marys. Developing Your Men's Outreach and Evangelism Through Outdoors Ministry led by Kyle Woodfin with Legacy Outdoor Ministries and Pastor of Alamo First Bap st. Please contact Men's Ministry with ques ons at or Register at: h ps:// Loca on: First Bap st of Blackshear, 670 Main St, Blackshear, GA Date: January 26, 2019 Time: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Cost: $20 through 1/16/2019; $25 beginning 1/17/2019 (fees include conference, breakfast and lunch)

6 Piedmont Okefenokee Baptist Association 2104 Alice Street, Waycross, GA Phone (912) , Fax (912) CALENDAR January 1 New Year s Day, office closed 5 Pastor/Deacon Training 15 Administra ve Team Mee ng 17 VBS Jumpstart 17 Meal Reserva on Deadline 20 Life Chain 22 Pastor/Staff Prayer 22 POBA Choir Prac ce 24 POBA Annual Mee ng, 50th Anniversary Jacksonville Pastors Conference 26 Men s Ministry Training 26 POBA RA Derby GBMB Evangelism Conference February 11 WMU AIM Mee ng 12 Pastor s Day at the Capitol 16 State RA Derby 19 Senior Adult Swap Shop 19 Administra ve Team Mee ng 26 Pastor/Staff Prayer 28 GBMB Listening Session March 1-2 POBA RA Camporee 8-9 VBS Clinic, Lyons 10 Daylight Saving Time Begins 19 Administra ve Team Mee ng 21 Sons of Jubal 26 Pastor/Staff Prayer Birthdays Melodie Boatwright 5 Mark Williams 6 Janice Bryant 9 Angie Bishop 9 James Lightsey 11 Edie Gunter 12 Mitch Hall 12 Loren Bryant 13 Ray McMillan 15 Charlie Dunn 18 Laura Finley 18 Andrea Stone 19 Buddy Griner 29 Melanie Beal 29 Anne Cardwell 29 Celebrating in January Active pastors/staff & their spouses celebrating this month Anniversaries Randy & Tammy Carson 2 RC & Myra James 7 Barry & Sarah Rozier 19 Lynn & Susan Harris 26 Download The Associa onal Advisor at pobaonline.com Missionary: don.poba@gmail.com Missions Strategist: greg.poba@gmail.com Ministry Assistant: sarah.poba@gmail.com...connect WITH