May 2018 Check out our website: www.ozarkprairieba.com Check us out on Facebook. It s Game On! for VBS in La Crosse As you know, Ozark Prairie Baptist Association has partnered with Three Rivers Fellowship in La Cross, Wisconsin. Pastor Anthony Schindler has requested that we bring a team to lead Vacation Bible School this Summer. WHAT WE KNOW What: ONE-DAY VBS (on Saturday) When: July 12-15 (Drive, Prep, VBS, Worship and Home) Where: At the Church or Alternative Location Cost? $200 (may vary) includes room and food in La Crosse (fuel paid by OPBA) PERSONNEL NEEDED Teachers 3, Music 2, Recreation 2, Crafts 2, Food 2-3, Security -2, Helpers -? We are putting the Team together NOW! If you would like to go on this trip, please contact Steve at 479-970-5880 or the OPBA office ASAP. We will need to have a background check on all members of the team. It s GAME ON! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Here are some additional needs from Three Rivers Fellowship. It would be awesome if Individuals or churches could take on one of these requests. 1. T-Shirts for the College Ministry - $300 2. Mugs for Welcome Gifts - $400 3. Childcare expense for upcoming Financial Peace University 9 week Course - $300 PLUS We are also sending a small team prior to VBS to repair the kitchen floor and a door project. If you would like to help financially or have interest in going, contact Steve. 1
The first Mother s Day was celebrated in West Virginia in 1912. Mothers were to be recognized as an important part of our culture and lives. The heart of a mother is like a rare jewel. They love their children during the worst and best of times. Yet all mothers are not the same. Author and speaker Patsy Clairmont says, Normal is just a setting on your clothes dryer. We are all different. She shared that as women we may struggle, fail, start over, and celebrate. But we are mothers who can love unlike any other person. God created families and gave mothers a unique place in that unit. We can love, give of ourselves, cook, clean, wash clothes, put Band-Aids on scrapes be the first one up in the morning or the last one down at night. We juggle a lot of things including raising children, working at jobs, managing a home, and sometimes finding time for ourselves. Each day is a new beginning of what lies before us. We have destiny, purpose, and the power to do and be all that we are called to be. Nothing can stop us except ourselves. As mothers, we need to find the strength to face each day knowing that God loves us. This scripture seems to be written just for mothers. If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4 Our children need that unselfish love of a mother. We as mothers need to love our mothers too. Long life is promised to all who show honor to them. Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth." Ephesians 6:1-3 Mothers make up a crucial part of our lives. So whether it is a Hallmark card, dinner out, hug, or a kiss on the cheek, we should show we care. It is so important to give our love to these dedicated women in our lives and don t take them for granted. Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18 2
News from our churches...... FBC Golden City We are so excited to report that we had three girls accept Jesus as their Savior in March. We are looking forward to their baptism as soon as repairs are made to our baptistry. Kings Point Our pastor, Ernie Demster, was ordained on April 22nd with many the3re to support him in his new role. Those attending Kings Point are very pleased to have Pastor Ernie leading our church. Improvements continue at the church with a fresh coat of paint throughout, and the renovation of a Sunday School classroom from the gifts from members. A donor also recently blessed us with wireless microphones. In April we delivered several more Teachers Appreciation baskets to area schools. April 29th included services at Good Shepherd and also our 5th Sunday Sing at Hulston New Hope. The month of May will include our Mothers Day recognition and a celebration of our graduates with a potluck lunch. FBC Lamar We will be participating in the National Day of Prayer at the Thiebaud Auditorium at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, May 3rd. Our youth will be leading us in worship on May 6th. We will also be recognizing our High School graduates on May 6th. On Mother s Day we will have our annual Parent/Baby Dedication with two boys and one girl being dedicated. The youth will begin meeting at the park for the summer on May 30th from 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. They will have a time for devotions, games and food. Fairview The Spring Revival was such a blessing. We heard four great messages from Bro. Nolan Carrier. John Stroup preached the morning service on April 15th. Bro Stroup leads the Freeway Ministries in Springfield. He shared how God changed his life. We have three Family Fun nights schedule this summer starting in June. The dates and times to be announced. Several other summer things are being planned. Pray for us as we are praying for you. God is moving and we re just enjoying his blessings at Liberty. FBC Lockwood It is exciting to see Wednesday night activities for children and youth continue to grow. We had a young man from SBU preach on Ministerial Education Sunday. We will be recognizing our high school and college graduates in the morning worship service on May 6th. A spring cleaning day of the church is scheduled for May 26th starting at 9:00 a.m. 3
CAMP TALK Camp dates: July 6-9, 2018 Grades: 3rd-5th and 6th-8th Church Camp 2018: BE THE CHANGE JULY 6-9 This year s camp theme is BE THE CHANGE. Through Bible Studies, Activities, and Group Discussions, campers will discover that they can BE THE CHANGE in their world. Begin praying for Pastor Daniel Leith as he is preparing messages to share with campers and missionaries. Daniel will speak the Truth to us all and we are sure that The Lord will work through him. We are also excited to welcome back The Strength Team. The Strength Team was with us a few years ago, and made a huge impact on campers. The Strength Team will be bringing a message at the Camp Saturday evening. Please be praying about how you can help serve as a missionary this year at camp. We especially need Male CGL s. Being at camp is an amazing experience. Most people agree that they come thinking they are going to be a blessing and as it turns out, they end up being the one who is blessed. We appreciate your prayers as the camp committee is well into the planning stage. 4
Held at FBC Everton each Saturday evening beginning at 5:15 p.m. with dinner. For more information telephone Linda Brown, 417-860-9068. Gordon Rhodes Associational Mission Offering THROUGH THE MONTH OF MAY 2018 Goal: $2500.00 $320 for Baptist Hill Camp Scholarships $500 for the Lodge of Hope (Near Bellamy) $500 for Life Skills Training $1100 for our Wisconsin Partnership P. O. Box S 503 West 4th Street Lockwood, MO 65682 417-232-4249 www.opba3119@sbcglobal.net THE JUNE 2018 EDITION OF THE ENCOURAGER WILL BE MAILED BY MAY25TH. PLEASE HAVE ITEMS INTO THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN JUNE 18TH. 5
Calendar of Events May 6th Senior Adult Day 13th Mother s Day 17th OPBA Executive Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Cornerstone 20th Baptist Association Emphasis Week 28th Memorial Day OPBA office closed. June 8th/9th Bulletproof Conference, Joplin 12th SBC Convention, Dallas Texas 17th Father s Day 24th Mission Dignity Sunday Mandatory Camp Volunteers Meeting, Main Street, 4:00 p.m. 26th Make-up Mandatory Camp Volunteers Meeting, Main Street, 6:30 p.m. Pastors and Wives Celebrations Birthdays 5/23 Jack Slade (Pastor, Cornerstone) 6/2 Mark Williams (Pastor, FBC Lockwood) 6/4 Denise Hodson (PW, FBC Lamar) 6/4 Richard Davenport (Pastor, Sharon) 6/18 Mike Tull; (Pastor, FBC Dadeville) 6/25 Ken Abbott (Pastor, Liberty) Anniversaries 5/11 Lonnie/Juanita Pennell (Newport) 5/19 CK/Margie Warden (Iantha) 5/25 Robb/Denise Hodson (FBC Lamar) 5/26 Charles/Andrea Cross (House of Prayer) 5/31 Josh/Charity Hall (South Greenfield 6/2 Mike/Kim Tull (FBC Dadeville 6
Financial Report for OPBA for FY 2017-2018 As of March 31, 2018 Revenue needed per monthly budget $ 6,611.00 Revenue received for March $ 5093.51 Revenue under budget for March $ 1,517.49 Expenses for March ($ 5,329.41) Designated money in accounts as of March 31, 2018 Baptist Hill (paid at start of next month) $ 873.47 Gordon Rhodes Mission Offerings $ 7,210.32 Camp (Children s and Middle School $ 4,385.49 Camp Scholarship funds remaining $ 680.00 International Missions Fund $ 427.19 Undesignated money as of March 31, 2018 $ 49,858.80 2017-2018 OPBA Leadership Moderator Robb Hodson Vice Moderator Kurtis Estes Clerk Beverly Ramseyer Treasurer Carolyn Rogers Asst. Treasurer Kathy Steenrod Pastoral Ministry Jack Slade SS/VBS Director Linda Welch Children s Camp Chelsea Toler Men s Ministry Derick Hurt Middle School Camp Kerri Toler WMU Director Janet Miller Evangelism Director Kurtis Estes Baptist Hill Camp Board Members Kerri Toler Perry Ellis Althea VanDeMark David Roberts Chelsea Toler Steve Williams 7
US POSTAGE PERMIT NO. 14 LOCKWOOD, MO Ozark Prairie Baptist Association PO Box S 503 W 4th Street Lockwood, MO 65682 TEMPORARY RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED OPBA Office: 417-232-4249 Email: opba3119@sbcglobal.net Web: www.ozarkprairieba.com Like us on Facebook Office Hours for OPBA Monday Friday 8:30-12:30* *To make an appointment outside of office hours, please call our DOM at (479)970-5880. «First Name» «Last Name» «Address» «City» «State» «Zip» NON-PROFIT PAID 8