2009 Leadership Conference Promotes Fiscal Responsibility

Transcription

1 January Published Monthly by the Michigan State Association of Free Will Baptists Leadership Conference Promotes Fiscal Responsibility NASHVILLE, TN One hundred twenty leaders from 21 states gathered at Nashville Airport Marriott Hotel, December 7-8, to promote good stewardship and greater fiscal responsibility. Workshops tackled a list of related topics, such as Ensuring Financial Integrity, To Cut [Staff] or Not to Cut, and Compensation Issues: Setting Staff Salaries. Keynote speaker Will Harmon (AR) encouraged listeners to think biblically about money, as he presented a comprehensive scriptural view of financial accountability. The Oklahoma native pastors Cavanaugh FWB Church in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Recently, the church was honored for reaching $1 million in cooperative giving. He [Harmon] was infinitely practical, said one conference attendee. His messages convicted me and encouraged me to return to my church and put what I ve learned into practice. performances by the College Choir and New Mercy trio, all under the direction of Dr. James Stevens. Jan Clay of Indianapolis, Indiana, led congregational worship. FWBBC Choir FWBBC New Mercy Trio Rev. Will Harmon Conference services featured music provided by Free Will Baptist Bible College, including A full slate of workshops featured a variety of presenters including: Keith Burden (TN), Tim Eaton (OK), Larry Howlett (KY), Bill Evans (KY), and David Williford (TN). One highlight of the Tuesday morning schedule was the seminar 1

2 featuring Certified Public Accountant, Larry C. Howlett. Drawing on 30 years of experience with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Howlett specializes in helping churches and ministries become more financially effective. live. I encourage all Free Will Baptist leaders to make plans to attend next year s meeting. The 2010 Leadership Conference will meet December 6-7, at the Nashville Airport Marriott Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. Visit for more details. New Associate Pastor Rev. Milford Byrd has been elected Associate Pastor of the First Free Will Baptist Church of Ypsilanti. Rev. Rudy Shankle is the pastor. President Tim Eaton, Hillsdale FWB College All workshops were received enthusiastically. Talking about money is never easy, said Ryan Lewis, conference coordinator. But Scripture makes it clear that it also a very important topic. This conference provided a wealth of information for church leaders information they will use daily in their ministry. Denominational officers and board members handled a lengthy slate of business in conjunction with the meeting. The Nominating Committee of the National Association of Free Will Baptists met to recommend individuals for board and commission vacancies to be filled at the 2010 convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mark McCraney (AL) chairs the seven-person committee. Other national boards and committees that held meetings include the Executive Committee, Home Missions Board, International Missions Board, Board of the Free Will Baptist Foundation, Randall House Publications Board, and the Executive Committee of Women Nationally Active for Christ. Keith Burden, executive secretary of the National Association, summed up the conference: I can t think of a meeting when the subject matter was more relevant. Across the board, the speakers were high caliber, and their messages hit us where we Former WNAC Executive Secretary Dead at 91 Nashville, TN Cleo Wilburn Pursell died Thursday, December 17, 2009, at age 91. The Fort Worth, Texas, native was born in 1918, converted in 1934, and ordained to the ministry five years later. For more than two decades, Cleo and her husband Paul ministered in seven churches (and a children s home) in Oklahoma and California before she became the first full-time executive secretary of Women s National Auxiliary Convention (known today as Women Nationally Active for Christ or WNAC) in The position took the couple to Nashville, Tennessee, where they lived the rest of their lives. WNAC flourished under Pursell s leadership for 22 years ( ). She guided the department through an office move, edited and expanded Co- Laborer magazine, established the annual Fellowship Dinner at the Free Will Baptist convention, began national retreats for women, and eventually took WNAC membership to an all-time high. A prolific writer, Pursell authored Missionary Education of Our Youth in 1955, The Woman s Auxiliary Manual in 1965, and Anne: You re Super in She wrote a feature column for Contact magazine Words for Women and published two poignant pamphlets following the death of her husband: Facing Death and Dying and Triumph Over Suffering. 2

3 She will be remembered for her far-reaching vision and consistent leadership. Cleo Pursell epitomized a gracious, godly, lovely woman, said Rebecca Pugh, president of WNAC. Her constant devotion to the Lord helped her point women to the Lord and His kingdom. Member Care Position Eliminated, Gilliland Now Consultant work for as long as the Lord provides me opportunities to do so. The board voted to heartily commend Dr. Gilliland, according to board chairman Danny Williams, for the outstanding work and ministry he has provided to our Mission and personnel for these past eight years. We are praying the Lord will bless him in every endeavor and commend him as a true professional in his field. Neil s presence in the office will be sorely missed, stated Forlines. His humor and insight have proven beneficial in many tense situations. I am thankful he will still be available as a resource. Over the last few years, Gilliland has become a sought-after speaker for youth events, seminars, and marriage retreats, as well as a facilitator for concert of prayer events. He also provides extensive pre-marital counseling in the Nashville area. Keener Named Regional Director Antioch, TN As a result of the current economic crisis and a four-month fall in donations, the Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions approved a greatly reduced 2010 budget in the December 2009 meeting. The Mission eliminated four positions in the home office including the director of member care. Dr. Neil Gilliland has served in this role since it was created in Meeting this new budget, on the expense side, required some painful cuts, lamented James Forlines, general director. One of the most difficult was the elimination of the full-time position of director of member care. We are committed to continue providing for the spiritual and emotional needs of our missionaries, staff, and families, affirmed Mark McPeak, deputy director of stateside operations. Because of this, we have entered into a contract agreement with Neil to provide member care services in a more limited capacity. Beginning in January of 2010, Dr. Gilliland will be on call to provide his expertise and care to the IM family. I began on the path to prepare myself academically for this role back in 1993, before the position existed at IM, says Gilliland. This is not just my profession; it is my life passion to care for missionaries and their families. I will continue this Antioch, TN In action at the December 9-10, 2009, meeting, the Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions voted to appoint Tim Keener as regional director for Europe. Clint Morgan has served as interim regional director in addition to his other duties, filling the role following Jeff Turnbough s promotion to deputy director of field operations. Keener will oversee the Mission s work in France, Spain, and Bulgaria. Morgan will continue to serve as regional director for creative access works, Russia, and Africa. Deputy Director Turnbough commended Keener to the board, citing the 32-yearold s exceptional management skills, spiritual maturity, and insight into the work in France. Tim is younger that the other RDs, Turnbough stated, 3

4 but after reviewing his work, talking with some who have worked closely with him, and interviewing him several times over an extended period, I can confidently assert that no IM worker in Europe is more gifted or better suited to the role. The native Ohioan will work under the mentorship and supervision of Turnbough and Morgan for a year. With the sweeping changes the Mission is currently experiencing, we believe opting for a younger, gifted worker who wholeheartedly embraces the direction of the Mission is a wise decision, Morgan explained. By placing Tim under a one-year apprenticeship with Jeff and myself, we believe his natural and spiritual gifts will be honed and offset his minimal cross-cultural ministry experience. James Forlines, general director of the Mission declared, Tim has exhibited impressive insight and discernment during his time in France. His spiritual maturity, commitment, and vision for an explosion of church planting efforts should prove an effective combination for accelerating the spread of the gospel in Europe. Initially appointed to overseas work in 2001, Tim and his wife of 10 years, Di (Frye), began working in France in In 2004, the couple moved to Nantes, joining missionaries in the Brittany region. Tim and Di are currently teamed with Matt and Cristina Price and two French families, endeavoring to plant a church in the St. Herblain area of greater Nantes. Tim and Di are the parents of four boys: Eli, Ethan, Ezekiel, and Noah. Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. To Be Announced Cost: $ Directions: Take US-127 to the Berry Road exit. Turn west and go to Churchill. Turn right and go to Perrine. Turn right on Perrine and follow to the Youth Haven Ranch entrance [about ½ mile on right]. FWBBC Bible Conference/FORUM10 The FWBBC Bible Conference will take place from March 7 through Wednesday evening, March 10. Watch for future announcements concerning the speakers. Forum10 Occurring simultaneously on March 8-9 with the Bible Conference is FORUM10. FORUM10 is especially designed for youth workers, students, and church leaders. Come and join the conversation on "How can we reach a postmodern generation with the gospel?" Great Week in Spain! Men s Retreat January 24-26, 2010 Youth Haven Ranch 3796 Perrine Road Rives Junction, MI Telephone: Theme: Faithful in Suffering Speakers: Monday, 9:30 a.m. Rev. Rick Locklear Monday, 11:00 a.m. Rev. Tom McCullough Monday, 6:30 p.m. Rev. Charles Cooper Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. Rev. Rudy Shankle We had a wonderful Christmas week here in Spain. On Tuesday, Alejandro and Ana participated in their school's Christmas program held in the local Cultural Center. They both brought home report cards that made us very proud of their efforts so far this year. On Wednesday, we celebrated with our mission family. It was neat to have 24 of us gathered together for a traditional American meal. Afterwards, some of us went into Madrid for our annual squid sandwich and outdoor Christmas show at a big department store. The rest of the week we enjoyed being snuggled in 4

5 at home with our kids. We finished our "Jesse Tree", watched some Christmas videos, opened presents, played Monopoly, made hot chocolate, and just enjoyed being together for a few nonrushed days.!feliz Navidad from our family to yours! Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana Pastor Resigns! I am sending this letter to you with mixed feelings. I have decided, and have already resigned as pastor of Liberty Free Will Baptist Church. I am seeking where God would have me to be and in the interim will be sitting and being ministered to myself. I am interested in finding another work when God decides to open the door. Please keep us in your prayers as well as Liberty Church. In His service, Brother Rick Dunn [Ed. Note: Anyone interested in contacting Bro. Rick in regards to future ministry may do so at >revrdunn@comcast.net<. Free Will Baptist Family Ministries intervened and brought him through this terrible ordeal. Dr. Kilgore is doing much better, but during the next few months he will be going through chemotherapy and will not be able to keep up with his normal heavy work load and travel schedule. Someone has so accurately said, Times of adversity are times when your true friends are revealed. I trust (editor Glenn Poston speaking) during this time the churches of the Tennessee State Association will reveal how much we love and appreciate Dr. Kilgore and his family. I cannot imagine FWBFM without Dr. Kilgore. He is one of our most capable leaders and he is the director of one of our most challenging ministries. Let s us all pray for him and stand firm behind this great ministry during these trying days. From the Tennessee ECHO March 24-26, 2010 Deep South Golf Tournament George T. Bagby State Park Ft. Gaines, GA The Master s Men Deep South Golf Tournament is a 54-hole three-day two-man scramble tournament. The fee for this tournament is $300 per golfer. This fee includes: Green fees and cart for the tournament, breakfast (three days), dinner (two days), and three nights lodging. Count Me In Conference During an annual check-up in September, Dr. James Kilgore, Executive Director of FWBFM, discovered he had colon cancer. After what was thought to be a routine surgery, a pin-hole leak allowed bacteria and infection to flood his body, and on September 12 doctors performed emergency surgery to repair the damage. He literally had to fight for his life, but God graciously One of the greatest needs of the church today is to practice the principle of men mentoring in Titus 2:1-10. CMI conferences are designed to equip and challenge men to practice this principle. Make plans to attend a CMI conference near you. Don t forget to register for the Men s Retreat! 5

6 ANDERSON UPDATE Contact Verlin or Debbie at B.P. 607 Bondoukou, RCI, West Africa Phone: Send donations to Free Will Baptist International Missions, Verlin Anderson account P.O. Box 5002 Antioch, TN The weather in Bondoukou during rain season is extremely humid, but oh, the beautiful flowers! Our yard is a feast for the eyes: pink roses and hibiscus; white gardenias; yellow bells; fiery orange ixoras and irises; purple, pink, and peach bougainvilleas; and tiny red blossoms on the Thorns of Christ lining our gateway. Verlin returned to Cote d Ivoire July 1; Debbie and Corbin followed on July 13. We begin this 4- year term with a sense of great anticipation and some trepidation. Alice Smith and our family are the FWB missionaries remaining here, so the workload is enormous and the days short. Yet we know that our Father controls these circumstances for the advancement of His work. He does not give more than we can bear, and we pray for what Asher received in Deuteronomy 33:23, as our days, so shall our strength be. Our first few weeks were hectic with unpacking barrels and repairing everything that was malfunctioning: the car, the freezer, the stove, the Internet, 2 toilets, 2 sinks, a water heater, the generator, voltage regulators, light sockets, and so on. Verlin did not sleep much with the long to-do list to complete, and Debbie rushed to get the house unpacked before Corbin s school began on August 10th. During those frantic days, visits and visitors happened regularly, as well. In mid-august, Verlin set out on a small motorbike for the national Pastor s Retreat, which was a 5-hour drive north to the small village of Tehini. He slept on the floor among the pastors for 5 days, took bucket baths, and ate mystery meats in the sauces including agouti (rat), gazelle, calf s feet, and hedgehog. It was a blessed time for the pastors to be together. Despite no electricity, it was providential that he was able to share a video message from Robert West, former missionary to Cote d Ivoire, who since has gone to be with the Lord after a valiant fight against cancer. Next he participated at the National Association meeting at Bouna for another week. Much business transpired during the 5 days, and the 4th class of pastors from the Bible Institute received their diplomas during one session. BERECA, the NGO now responsible for the Doropo clinic, presented their plans for the future. Verlin preached several times while he was north, but spoke consecutive Sundays in a remote village about 60 kilometers from Bouna. The first Sunday, 3 people were saved after the service and one rededicated his life to the Lord. Pastor Jerome Kambou, who translated for Verlin into Lobi, believes one of the converts was a former fetisher, witch doctor. Pray for the Lord to call leaders for fledging flocks of believers such as this one in numerous villages. They need someone regularly shepherding them to understand and apply the Word of God. We have already met once with the CHE (Community Health Evangelism) team at the Goumere church. That work of training resumes in September. Another church in a very remote region has already requested CHE training, and we expect to hear from a 3rd in a few weeks. Another organization introduces CHE strategy among some of our other churches. Please pray that the mundane stresses of life in Africa do not prevent us from accomplishing the tasks the Lord has set before us. Thank you for helping make our presence here possible. We treasure you as partners in ministry, and have never needed your prayers more. By God s grace, Salomon, the formerly injured Bible Institute student, and the female Muslim convert mentioned in the last newsletter are both doing well. May the name of Jesus be lifted high here in Cote d Ivoire, and there, as you serve Him! Grateful to serve the King in communion with you, Verlin, Debbie, and Corbin Anderson Prayer Requests: *Cason and Cara happily pursue collegiate studies in Nashville. Corbin faces his first year alone on the mission field. African playmates are at our house five days a week, but he does miss his siblings. Pray for our wisdom as parents. *Serious thefts have occurred recently in our neighborhood. One street over, armed robbers stole a new vehicle from an NGO in August. This past Sunday a neighbor s home was emptied of 6

7 belongings while she was out. We never leave our yard unattended for even one hour, and keep at least one ferocious-looking looking dog. The situation requires constant vigilance; still, we know our true Protector and sleep in peace. Pray that we ll live peacefully in godliness to share salvation. *Many Many groups of believers in remote villages receive littlee spiritual instruction. African pastors of larger FWB churches visit and preach when possible, but their time and resources are limited. Pray their understanding will increase to find their available resources. *Pray for the CHE team at Goumere, as they sseek to train more people in the church to work in CHE, and reach out at the village of Karako. CHE multiplies teachers. Baptists, May 13-15, 15, 2010, in Frankenmut Frankenmuth, Michigan. Garnett Reid Revises ETA Bible Survey Book New Addition to the Website: NASHVILLE, TN Dr. Dr. Garnett Reid, chair of the Biblical and Ministry Studies Department at Free Will Baptist Bible College, served as revision editor for the 2009 update of Evangelical Training Association s Old Testament Survey, Part 1: Genesis-Esther. The 12--chapter, 128-page softcover volume is part of ETA s ongoing Bible and Theology Series. I was honored to be part of this effort to keep biblical study materials relevant and fresh, Dr. Reid said. This book is one of ETA s basic curriculum tools forr Bible students. The revisions provide a look through new eyes at Old Testament history and the unfolding story of redemption. It is more than a rehash of previous materials, and includes expanded sections and upgraded language that connect with today today s complex culture. The latest revision under Dr. Reid s direction retains the original classic outlines of Dr. Samuel Schultz, but 90 percent of the content is new. The volume remains sensitive to the adjustments necessary to streamline and expand the commentary. The Old Testament has come under closer scrutiny than ever in recent years, and the relevance of studying the Old Testament must be reaffirmed to Christians in each generation. Dr. Reid has been a member of the FWBBC faculty since He writes w the Intersect column for ONE Magazine and is a Thanks to Bro. Steve Lemon for this addition to the website. Bro. Rudy Taylor has consented to help Steve as webmaster. Watch for more improvements to this site. Other additions include a monthly update from the Promotional Secretary and chairmen of the standing boards, as well as from the general officers. The Menorah and the Michigan WAC Newsletter are currently posted on the site. Please make your plans to attend the Michigan State Association of Free Will 7

8 Michigan State Association Of Free Will Baptists Hayes Road Clinton Twp., MI frequent conference speaker. He publishes regularly in professional journals such as Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, Integrity: A Journal of Christian Thought, and others. International Missions International Missions Set 2010 WMO Goal at $600,000 The IM Ambassadors met in late September and agreed to set the goal for the World Missions Offering at $600,000. The Ambassador Program was started in the fall of Since then WMO church participation has increased by 48% and the offerings have skyrocketed by 83%. The Ambassadors are seasoned men and their wives with a passion for world missions. Go10 Walk for the World is also in full swing as young people from across the nation are invited to participate in a 2,500 mile walk retracing the life journey of Laura Belle Barnard as she set out for India in The walk will begin in Glennville, Georgia on Easter Sunday and culminate in Oklahoma City at the 2010 National association. For more information or to sign up to participate, please contact one of the regional coordinators, or log on to A Note From The Riggs Dear Friends, Thank you for your prayers for our recent Christmas program. Overall we were very pleased with the way things worked out. A couple of families from the church in Nantes came and helped us out and were a real encouragement to our small group. Our church family enjoyed this first Christmas together, and the children seemed to especially enjoy the program. There were a couple of children from outside the church that joined us, and also a Christian family in the area who attended for the first time. Another couple who are very special to us also attended for the first time. A major disappointment was the number of friends we invited who did not attend, but many could not because of other plans. So all in all we are thankful for the program and continue to pray the Lord will bless this new witness for Christ in Châteaubriant. The Michigan Free Will Baptist Menorah is a monthly publication of the Michigan State Association of Free Will Baptists, Hayes Road, Clinton Twp., MI 48038, Rev. Gene Norris, Editor and Promotional Secretary; Rev. Ron Helms, Moderator; Rev. Joseph Jones, Assistant Moderator; Rev. Allen West, Clerk; Rev. Jeff Isaacs, Assistant Clerk; Mr. William Ferguson, Treasurer; Rev. Steve Thrasher, Assistant Treasurer. News for publication is to be received by the 25th of the month at Hayes Road, Clinton Twp., MI or at gnorris101@comcast.net. Thanks so much for your prayers! Steve & Becky Riggs France 8

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