I was touched beyond words by the generosity of the churches, pastors, and Executive Board of the association in giving me a one month sabbatical for my 10th anniversary as your Director of Missions.  how can I say thank you for the way you have shown your love and appreciation to us.  These have been ten of the best years of our lives in ministry.  I am blessed beyond measure to be DOM of one of the best associations in the country.

 

As you read these lines I am finishing up my sabbatical and will be back in the office on September 7th.  Dr David Holden has been doing a wonderful job of doing the day to day work of DOM.  Nadeine, Jimmy and Meleta continue to do fine work in their areas of ministry responsibility.  I have been resting, playing golf, fishing, doing some short recreational trips, and honey do's at our home and doing some reading and studying that I have wanted to do for a long time.

 

 

 

I hope you and your church are planning to be a part of the 35th Annual Meeting of our association, September 16th at 3pm and 7pm at Selmore Baptist Church.  In the afternoon session we will hear reports from our teams, vote on the 2011 budget, be involved in worship and hear some powerful preaching from Jonathan McGuire, Pastor of Bridge of Faith Community Church.  Selmore church will provide the evening meal at 5pm and pre-session music at 6:30pm.  In the 7pm evening session we will hear staff reports, also reports from some of our churches that have been involved in missions, evangelism and ministry projects and I will close the evening with a short challenge from the Word of God.  The annual meeting is always a wonderful time of fellowship among our churches and I hope to see you on September 16th at Selmore.

 

 

 

Our association has the wonderful privilege of hosting Dr. Johnny Hunt, Former SBC President and Pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodstock Georgia and his Timothy Barnabas Pastors' Conference and School, November 2-4.  Your pastor and staff have the opportunity to sit at the feet of one of America's most outstanding pastors and leaders.  This is a once in a lifetime experience and could be a real life changing experience for your pastor and staff and a real blessing to your church.  Your church has already received information and the cost of the this conference.  I hope that every church will make it possible for their pastor, staff and pastor's wife to attend Timothy Barnabas.  The money you spend on this conference will not be wasted.  The association is making scholarships available to all senior pastors for part of the cost of the conference.  Be praying for God to use this conference in a great way to encourage and strengthen our pastors in the area of leadership.  At our last executive board and team meetings in July, we had our best team meetings ever in that we were able to approve and give back to our churches close to $10,000.00 in missions and ministry funds.  It was so encouraging to hear about the Free Medical Clinic of the Ozarks in Branson, community celebrations, how our churches have been touched by camp, Resort Summer Missions, BSU, VBS's, block parties and specialized ministries projects that churches are doing, as well as hear how our ministry teams are planning for the future.  I keep saying it but it is true, the association wants to be your Great Commission Partner.  We are here to help resource your local church to fulfill the Great Commission.

 

 

Thank You again for giving Judy and I the wonderful privilege of serving the Lord with you these last ten years and we look forward to great days ahead in ministry together.

 

In His Love,

Bro. Jim