Church Development Ministry 2016 Annual Report The Church Development Ministry (CDM) of our association encompasses a wide range of ministries, missions, evangelistic opportunities and equipping events. The main areas of the CDM are: Discipleship and Family Ministries, Men and Boys Ministries, Women and Girls Ministries, Disaster Relief Ministries, Music and Worship Ministries, Student Ministries, Senior Adult Ministries, and African American Church Planting. Senior Adult Ministries Senior adults from across MBA churches joined on October 29, 2015 for the annual Senior Adult Fall Fish Fry Fellowship at Camp Whispering Pines. The guest worship team was Rev. Dale Maddy and his wife Bonnie. Bro. Dale is pastor of Kushla-Bethany Baptist Church. The Maddys shared the gospel through music, stories, and humor. The MBA Senior Adult Ministry and the 55+ Ministry of Cottage Hill Baptist Church joined to present the 2016 Senior Adult Friendship Luncheon. The event was held on February 9, at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. There were 280 seniors from throughout Mobile County at the event. The featured soloist was Jeff Stice. Jeff is known as Southern Gospel Music s Mr. Piano Man. Jeff shared the gospel message through music, stories, and humor. Please continue to pray for those that made decisions at the event. Women and Girls Ministries Girls Winter Weekend was held November 13-14, 2015 with Spreading Christ around the Globe as the theme. The girls enjoyed activities including: mission action, crafts, mission study, archery, meet the missionary, hayride and climbing the rock wall. Janna Lyons was the missionary for the weekend, telling the girls about her trip to Indonesia. During the closing chapel, the girls presented what they had learned about a certain country, the missionary there, and the crafts they made representing that country. There were 48 girls at this camp The MBA Woman s Missionary Union (WMU) held their annual Baptist Women s World Day of Prayer on November 12, 2015. The event was hosted by the WMU at Manor Baptist Church. There were 42 in attendance, representing 15 churches. The theme for the event was Arise Shine, when we Rise Up, He Shines Through. Retired missionary, Jean Champion, was the guest speaker. Through her testimony, participants were encouraged to let their lights shine where ever they serve the Lord. For the closing, Jean gave everyone a glow stick and as the lights were dimed everyone sang This Little of Mine. An offering of $168 was collected and sent to the North American Baptist WMU. Thank You to the staff and congregation of Manor for hosting the event. 1 of 5
The WMU Leadership Team worked with the Alabama Baptist WMU, ALSBOM, and the Alabama Directors of Missions Fellowship to provide backpacks for the Mississippi River Ministry. The WMU team collected backpacks full of school supplies, toiletry items, and gifts Materials provided by the Alabama WMU including the Christmas story were placed in each backpack. The team collected 76 backpacks including 49 from MBA churches. The Mississippi River Ministry works with compassion ministry sites and church plants in eight states. Visit alabamawmu.org/backpacks for more information on this unique opportunity. The associational WMU held the WMU/Women s Ministry Annual Celebration on April 28, 2016 at Snow Road First Baptist Church. The annual event was a time of fellowship, encouragement, prayer, praise and thanksgiving. The guest speaker was Sammie Jo Barstow. She credits being a GA and working on Forward Steps as laying the foundation for a love of Jesus and missions. The theme for this year s celebration was Words to the Wise. During the celebration, participants approved the annual Addine Maynard and WMU Associational Budgets. The ministry includes funding and staffing for Girls Mission Camp and Girls Winter Weekend, and other mission opportunities throughout the year. The 2016-2017 MBA WMU Leadership Team (pictured) were elected. This team exists to help associational churches with any missions ministries/groups of all ages. There were 78 in attendance from 21 associational churches. During the program, the ladies collected an offering of $300 for the Mobile Baptist Association Impact Mobile Missions Offering. The WMU presented the Girls Mission Camp at Camp Whispering Pines June 27 July 1, 2016. The theme was Jesus is the Light of the World. Forty one girls attended camp and had a great time. Amid all the camping fun, the campers and staff celebrated the 2 decisions for Christ that were made during the week. The girls made vanilla bath salts for the women at the Home of Grace. Sunday School Ministries The annual Sunday School Banquet was held on January 26, 2016 at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. At the event MBA churches were recognized for their work in strengthening and building their Bible Study/Sunday School Outreach ministries. The special guest speaker was Thomas Wright, Associational Missionary (Executive Director of Missions for the MBA). The musical guest was Rick Green from Tillman s Corner First Baptist Church. Churches receiving recognition for Sunday School growth were: 2 of 5
Enrollment Numerical Increase: Attendance Numerical Increase: Tillman s Corner First 331 Redemption 124 Cottage Hill 242 Cottage Hill 68 Redemption 239 Bethel 58 Enrollment Percentage Increase: Attendance Percentage Increase: 3Circle, Semmes 140 % 3Circle, Semmes 125 % Cloverdale 52 % Cloverdale 90 % South City 50 % Spice Pond 85 % The Sunday School ministry presented the annual Vacation Bible School Clinic on April 25, 2016. The event was at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. This year s theme was Submerged: Finding Truth Below the Surface. The scripture verses were Psalm 139:23-24. A very special Thank You to the MBA VBS Team for giving of their time and talents. The team members trained and then equipped 148 church VBS workers for a great outreach ministry into their communities. Twenty-one MBA churches and 4 other churches participated in the clinic. A special Thank You to the pastor, staff and members of Cottage Hill for hosting the event. Men and Boys Ministries The annual RA Racer Tournament was held February 20, 2016 at Government Street Baptist Church. There were 25 participants from 6 MBA churches. The winners are as follows: Race: Lads: Drew Little (1 st ), Cooper Roberts (2 nd ), and Alex Strickland (3 rd ) Crusaders: Devin Little (1 st ), Justin Green (2 nd ), and Steven Smith (3 rd ) Design: Lad- Edward Johnston (1 st ), Colin Trehern (2 nd ), and Alex Strickland (3 rd ) Crusaders- Daniel Gunn (1 st ), Brycen Reed (2 nd ), and Wesley Jarrell (3 rd ) On February 12-13, 2016 the MBA Challenger Basketball Ministry concluded their season by hosting the State Challenger Basketball Ministry Finals here in Mobile. A special Thank You goes to Derek Blackmon, MBA Challenger Basketball League Director, for coordinating the event locally. During the 2015-2016 season, there were 20 teams with over 230 participants. The league is only one way churches reach youth in their communities with the gospel message. 3 of 5
We extend a special Thank You to the various churches that hosted the games throughout the season. Also, we thank all the church volunteers that led young men in spiritual learning and training throughout the season. Inter-Baptist Ministries April 21-23, 2016 Racial Reconciliation Conference at Shocco Springs Conference Center. Discipleship and Family Ministries March 24, 2016 the MBA was delighted to host the 2016 Alabama Tour of Return to Disciple Making Tour with Claude King. The four hour training event was an inspirational time of learning and encouragement for believers to grow in, and share their faith. There were 47 participants and 8 staff/leaders. The key focus of the meeting was on how to be actively involved in Disciple Making. Materials from MasterLife, Six Disciplines for New and Growing Believers (Series), MasterBuilder, and others were shared at the training event. April 5, 2016 the Discipleship and Family Ministries held the annual Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament. The event was at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. There were 15 children, 6 youth, 1 High schooler and 1 speaker representing 8 MBA churches in the competition. The High schooler, 5 youth, 13 children and the speaker were eligible for regionals competition. Congratulations to Goldon Gill (pictured, far left), member of Theodore First Baptist Church, for achieving 3rd Place at the State Speakers Tournament. The event was held at FBC Montgomery. Goldon has been involved in Children and Youth Bible Drills and the Speakers Tournament for the past 5 years. If you want to know about the Bible Drill ministry and how to start one in your church, contact the MBA office. The annual Church Clerks Conference was held on August 9, 2016. There were 38 Church Clerks and Ministry Assistants from 28 MBA churches in attendance. Carol Henderson, the MBA Administrative Assistant, led the conference. Kelly Jones, MBA Receptionist and Church Development Assistant taught the online program. These are just a few of the various ministries that make up the Church Development Ministry. Followers of Jesus from all walks of life, ages, backgrounds and ethnic groups are ministering to friends, neighbors, co-workers and relatives across Mobile County and around the world. They are sharing the Good News of Jesus Love. A Special Thank You to all our Volunteers! No one person can do all of the ministry tasks in the association. It takes a team of very 4 of 5
dedicated volunteers that are called by His Spirit, equipped by His Son and led by Him to accomplish His purposes. Thank You for following Him and using all He has given you to make an eternal impact in the lives of the people of Mobile, Alabama, USA, and the World. The Church Development Ministry is constantly seeking volunteers to help in the various ministry areas. What are the unique experiences, abilities and gifts that God has given you? Are you using them in His Kingdom? Contact me at 251-661-7111, or cdavis@mobilebaptists.org and let s talk about how you might use your gifts through ministry in the associational Church Development Ministry. Blessings! Chuck Davis Director of Church Development and African American Church Planting 5 of 5