BFM Spring Conference 2016: Theme
CONFERENCE THEME: “Every disciple…a disciple-maker!” Matthew 28.18-20
We all emphasize the Great Commission. We are Great Commission believers. We are Great Commission churches. We are Great Commission missionaries. The Great Commission is very straightforward and simple: “MAKE DISCIPLES”. Our Lord Jesus Christ commands us to make disciples for Him. A disciple is personally and whole-heartedly committed to obeying, following, and becoming like Him in every aspect of our lives.
But, our problem very often is that we try to delegate the real responsibility of ‘making disciples’ off onto someone else. Our churches here in the States will delegate and expect our missionaries abroad to make disciples while we neglect and fail to do so here. And, within our churches, many members will renege on the personal responsibility to make disciples and pass off that responsibility onto their pastors and leaders.
But, we must return to and reinforce the original intent and meaning of “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” – and that is, EVERY DISCIPLE MUST BE A DISCIPLE-MAKER. That means that most disciple-making will be done within the relationships that each of us maintains with other people. Most of our disciple-making will not be performed in the auditoriums of our churches, but rather in the personal interactions we have with others in our homes, in coffee-shops, in intentional encounters and interactions we have in our daily activities.
How did the first church in Jerusalem and the early churches in Judea, Samaria, and beyond – how did they make disciples? All of their disciples certainly were not made in their public corporate assemblies – though we are sure some were. But, their disciples were made as all the disciples went from place to place “talking the Word” as in Acts 8.4.
The making of other disciples must be the deliberate ministry of every disciple of Jesus Christ. Our churches should not only encourage every disciple to be a disciple-maker, but we should train our people to do so, and then create the occasions and environment where disciple-making will happen.
We live in a time and culture when “going to church” is no longer on people’s conscience or agenda. They don’t have a personal sense that they need to or ought to “go to church.” So, if we reach them at all, we must go to them – which was Jesus’ original command, anyway. “As you are going, make disciples of all the nations.” We must be “talking the Word” in all the places where we go…where they are…where we meet and encounter them. And, we must be calling everyone we talk with to “Follow Jesus” – be His disciple!
My own conviction for this urgent ministry was stoked a few months ago when I read a book that is currently available [2013]: Follow Me by David Platt. I would encourage everyone to get the book and read it. I was deeply convicted, challenged, and encouraged by Platt’s call for us to return to the mission that Jesus Himself fulfilled and then commanded us to repeat and perpetuate. Jesus’ call was – and still is – “Follow Me!” When Jesus commissioned us, “And you shall be My witnesses…,” He meant that each one of His disciples [followers] must accept and fulfill the responsibility to be calling all the others in the world to follow Jesus also.
“Every disciple…a disciple-maker!” is the essential ministry that will assure, not just the survival, but the health, growth, and effectiveness of our respective churches. “Every disciple…a disciple-maker!” is the essential key to the continuation and increase of our missionaries’ support. If we in our Stateside churches are not being Great Commission churches by making disciples, then we will decline and die, and there won’t be enough healthy, vibrant, effective churches to maintain our missionaries’ support – much less anticipate growth and increase of our missionary outreach.
So, let’s respond to the admonition our Lord sent to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2.5: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent.”
Come and gather with us as we challenge and encourage one another to love and good works – and especially those good works of “Every disciple…a disciple-maker!”
—All the Details—
Download the Full Program: PDF | Word doc
Schedule
Conference Theme
Conference Offering
Travel Directions
Accommodations Info
Children’s Sessions
Conference Graphic
All Spring Conference Posts
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BFM Spring Conference 2016: Conference Offering
CONFERENCE OFFERING: DESIGNATED FOR ‘MISSIONARIES’ CONFERENCE TRAVEL EXPENSES’
Three of our missionaries are traveling to be with us during our Spring Conference. Paul Hatcher, John & Alta Hatcher, and Bobby & Charlene Wacaser are all coming from Florida. Judson and Raquel Hatcher and their children will be coming from Lynchburg VA. All of our missionaries live on extremely tight budgets and will be hard-pressed to find the additional funds for travel and motel expenses to attend this Conference. So, we want to reimburse them as much as possible for these expenses. Please plan to bring and give as generous an offering as you can toward their travel/accommodations expenses.
If you cannot attend the Conference, but still want to give a gift, send it to our Treasurer: Pastor George Sledd | PO Box 471280 | Lake Monroe FL 32747-1280
Or, you can contribute online either by check/debit or by credit card. Go to our website: www.baptistfaithmissions.org and click on the DONATE/SUPPORT page. Enter your designation for SPRING CONFERENCE OFFERING.
—All the Details—
Download the Full Program: PDF | Word doc
Schedule
Conference Theme
Conference Offering
Travel Directions
Accommodations Info
Children’s Sessions
Conference Graphic
All Spring Conference Posts
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BFM Spring Conference 2016: Accommodations
MOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS INFORMATION
Quality Inn
http://www.qualityinnlexingtonky.com/
Google Map for Quality Inn
We have not been able to get special event rates from Quality Inn this year, but they are still the least expensive rates and your best value for the room. There will be other horse-related events going on here in Lexington during those same days, so the sooner you can book, the most likely you will be to get a reservation. I’m writing this on 3/25, and the rates range from $69.00-$80.00.
Candlewood Suites
http://candlewoodsuiteslexington.com/
Google map for Candlewood Suites
The next most reasonable alternative is Candlewood Suites. But, their availability is very limited here a month out, so they will most likely be full by Conference time – or by the time you get this information. Their representative, though, has told me they are willing to offer a single-queen room for $99.00 per night. I spoke with Allison Shannon, Director of Sales at 859.368.0087 / ext 105.
Or, you seasoned travelers may be able to find more reasonable accommodations than these.
WE ENCOURAGE CHURCHES TO PAY YOUR PASTOR’S [AND HIS WIFE] TRAVEL EXPENSES TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE. It will give them the opportunity to enjoy what is always a much-needed physical and spiritual re-charging for your church’s ministry. We use these Conference occasions to highlight and update our missions partners concerning our missionaries’ ministries and also stir up all of us to greater interest, investment, and involvement in our mutual missions endeavors. He will come back to you with a greater burden, zeal, and enthusiasm for missions.
Will you take the lead to ask your church to do this for your pastor, our missionaries, and your church?
SPECIAL NEEDS ACCOMMODATIONS
The Lord has blessed our church to make some much-needed upgrades and improvements to our facility to accommodate our own members and guests who suffer from physical mobility impairments. We have installed an elevator-lift to transport persons from one level to the other, and also we have completely renovated or constructed new restrooms [both male and female] to make them wheelchair accessible. These improvements will make all of our activities much more comfortable and accessible.
—All the Details—
Download the Full Program: PDF | Word doc
Schedule
Conference Theme
Conference Offering
Travel Directions
Accommodations Info
Children’s Sessions
Conference Graphic
All Spring Conference Posts
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BFM Spring Conference 2016: Children’s Sessions
CHILDREN’S MISSIONS CONFERENCE SESSIONS
Every year we conduct sessions for the children [age 4 through grade 5] who attend our Conference services. My wife, Debbie, conducts these learning and activity sessions. Each year, we focus on a particular nation of the world, highlighting its culture and customs along with their need for the Gospel and opportunities to take the Gospel to those peoples. Our Children’s Center is always set up with crafts and activities which engage the children’s attention and interests in the missions lessons. This year’s Missionary focus will be on KENYA.
—All the Details—
Download the Full Program: PDF | Word doc
Schedule
Conference Theme
Conference Offering
Travel Directions
Accommodations Info
Children’s Sessions
Conference Graphic
All Spring Conference Posts
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BFM Spring Conference 2016
56th ANNUAL SPRING MISSIONS CONFERENCE
in the interests of BAPTIST FAITH MISSIONS
April 25, 26, 27 | 2016
Hosted by THOMPSON ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
320 Thompson Road | Lexington KY 40508
Dave Parks, Pastor-Teacher | 859.223.8374 | daveparks@twc.com
CONFERENCE THEME:
“Every disciple…a disciple-maker!”
Matthew 28.19
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Monday Evening
5:00 – 6:00 Supper
7:00 Praise
7:20 Message: Hershael York, Pastor, Buck Run Baptist Church, Frankfort KY
8:00 Praise
8:20 Message: Todd Burus, Executive Pastor, Thompson Road Baptist Church, Lexington KY
Tuesday Morning
9:30 Praise
9:45 Message: Judson Hatcher, Missionary to Brazil supported through BFM
10:25 Break
10:35 Message: Philip Dubarry, Associate Pastor, Addyston Baptist Church, Addyston OH
11:00 General Seminar / Workshop
12:00 Lunch
1:30 OPEN FORUM FOR Q & A / SUGGESTIONS AND ADVICE
5:00 – 6:00 Supper
Tuesday Evening
7:00 Praise
7:20 Message: Aaron Karr, Pastor for Missions, Calvary Baptist Church, Hurricane WV
8:00 Praise
8:20 Message: Kevin Ridder, Pastor, Bible Baptist Church, North Vernon IN
Wednesday Morning
9:30 Praise
9:40 Message: Michael Jackman, St Clair Shores MI
10:20 Praise
10:30 Message: Bobby Wacaser, Missionary to Brazil supported through BFM
11:10 Break
11:20 Message: Steve Hall, Hope Baptist Church, Fairfield OH
12:00 Lunch
5:00-6:00 Supper
Wednesday Evening
7:00 Praise
7:30 Message: Paul Hatcher, Missionary to Brazil supported through BFM
TRAVEL DIRECTIONS
GPS ADDRESS: 320 THOMPSON ROAD, LEXINGTON KY 40508
FROM SOUTH ON I-75: Get off at Exit 104 (Athens-Boonesborough). Turn west toward town. You will be on Athens-Boonesborough Road / Richmond Road Extension. As you approach Lexington, the road will become Richmond Road around Jacobson Park. Continue straight into Lexington. Richmond Road will become Main Street. You will pass the Rupp Arena / Lexington Convention Center on your left. Turn left at the next traffic light. This is Jefferson Street. Turn right in the middle of the overpass bridge onto Manchester. About one mile down Manchester, turn right on Thompson Road and come to the top of the hill.
FROM NORTH ON I-75 OR EAST / WEST ON I-64: I-75 and I-64 merge for a few miles on the north/northeast side of Lexington. Come to Exit 115 on 64/75. This is Newtown Pike (State Route 922). Turn south toward Lexington. Follow Newtown Pike until you come to Main Street. Go straight across Main Street onto Oliver Lewis Way. Turn right at the next traffic light onto Manchester / Old Frankfort Pike. Follow Manchester about one mile. Turn right on Thompson Road and come to the top of the hill.
CHILDREN’S MISSIONS CONFERENCE SESSIONS
Every year we conduct sessions for the children [age 4 through grade 5] who attend our Conference services. My wife, Debbie, conducts these learning and activity sessions. Each year, we focus on a particular nation of the world, highlighting its culture and customs along with their need for the Gospel and opportunities to take the Gospel to those peoples. Our Children’s Center is always set up with crafts and activities which engage the children’s attention and interests in the missions lessons. This year’s Missionary focus will be on KENYA.
—All the Details—
Download the Full Program: PDF | Word doc
Schedule
Conference Theme
Conference Offering
Travel Directions
Accommodations Info
Children’s Sessions
Conference Graphic
Conference Recaps
All Spring Conference Posts
Read more
Missionary Update: Paul & Wanda Hatcher in Brazil [May 2015]
Paul and Wanda Hatcher have been serving the Lord together in Brazil since 1974. Paul pastors Tabernacle Baptist Church in Manaus, Brazil. Their main ministry is church planting.
May 08, 2015
Dear Friends and Co-laborers,
We greet each of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are thankful for God’s goodness and grace this new month. Praise God the Father for providing unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He supplies our every need and much more; and we are so grateful to our God.
The first weeks of April, Wanda, Willa and I were in Manaus. It was great to see all our friends and co-workers. It was also a time of rejoicing and celebration of all that God has done and is doing in the gospel ministry in Brazil. Forty years have gone by quite rapidly, that is how long we have been serving in Brazil through the Tabernacle Baptist Church. Our ministry as senior pastor has been to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ, baptize, teach them the teaching of Christ, train and equip the saints. The church has prayed and sent many to the mission fields to reach people with the gospel and start churches. I terminated my service as senior pastor; and the church unanimously called a new pastor, Pastor Michael Samples, who had served as coordinator of our training program for eight years. The church continues to grow and be enthused regarding the spread of the gospel to all Brazil.
We continue to serve out of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, our sending church to continue to do missions in Brazil. I am so grateful for all God’s blessings and grace. In God’s plan some give, some plow, others sow and others reap – it is always God that gives the increase. The results sometimes are visible and we rejoice in the Lord; and we are glad because you are partakers also with us. The increase God is giving will be motive for much rejoicing in eternity to come.
I want to personally thank those of you who support the ministry with your prayers and your financial generosity. Those who hear the gospel are also eternally grateful that you prayed and that you gave.
Wanda and I are currently in Florida, caring for senior missionaries – my dad and mom, John and Alta Hatcher who served 60 years in Brazil and my mother-in-law, Willa, the widow of Wilford McGary, missionary to Appalachia for 35 years. All of them will celebrate or have celebrated their ninetieth birthday this year. Wanda and I consider it a privilege and joy to be with them and care for them. The 30th of April we celebrated Dad’s 90th birthday in Lexington, the day after the Baptist Faith Missions conference. It was good to be with the family for this wonderful occasion. Certainly God is gracious beyond measure.
The Annual Baptist Faith Missions Spring Conference was a great encouragement. The encouragement from the word of God was great. “To Know Christ – And To Make Christ Known!” was the theme. I always enjoy seeing supporting pastors and friends and fellow missionaries serving on the field. Thanks to Pastor Dave Parks and the Thompson Road Baptist Church for your hospitality and love. You are great hosts; may God richly reward you.
We pray for you that your knowledge and remembrance of our Lord, the only true God, may abundantly increase in wisdom and discernment, that your trust and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ may be steadfast always, and that the love of his Holy Spirit may fill and overflow in your every word and action, with thanksgiving to God through Jesus Christ our only Lord and Life.
Love, Paul and Wanda
Paul and Wanda Hatcher
rphatcher[at]gmail.com
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont, FL 34714
(239)227-6551
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [May 2015]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
May 7, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
During the month since I last wrote you we have covered a lot of miles and seen evidence of God at work in the USA as well as in France. We arrived home last Saturday night after being away for 13 days. The Tournefeuille church meets in our home so we couldn’t sleep in on Sunday morning! It was good to be back with our church family here in France.
The return trip began in Lexington where we participated in two important events. Both of which were a delight and the cause of much thanksgiving on our part. The first of these was the Spring Conference hosted by Thompson Rd. Baptist Church. It had been six years since we last attended this conference. The fellowship was great, the singing was great, the food was great, the messages were great! The theme: Knowing Christ and Making Christ Knows was aptly addressed and we are encouraged by what God is doing.
John & Alta Hatcher with some of their family, including all their children who remain on earth.
As we were waiting for the beginning of the first service just inside the entrance to the church’s home we were nearly knocked off our feet by the surprise (to us) arrival of Mary and Vince Watson, faithful members of Emmanuel Baptist Church during the last 10 years or so of our ministry there. Words can not describe the delight this evoked in our hearts. I had also noticed that Pastor Steve Hall was to speak. This intrigued me for two reasons: First, I didn’t think Steve was in the loop of Baptist Faith Missions, and secondly, I didn’t know he was a pastor! As it turned out, it was the Steve Hall I we knew who was at the Conference with his lovely wife, Deb (formerly Terrell). We were able to renew our acquaintance and review what God has done and is doing. And, these two couples were just four among many wonderful friends in the family God that we were able to visit with. Time was just too short! Thanks Thompson Rd. Church and all the others who worked so tirelessly to be the conduit used by God to provide all of these blessings.
John A. Hatcher celebrating his 90th birthday!
The other great event we celebrated in Lexington was Dad’s 90th birthday. He was born in Alexandria, KY. just a bit north. What a delight to be there for this wonderful occasion and to review with family the innumerable blessings that we have received from our dear Heavenly Father. We were able to visit with many family members from four generations that we had not seen in a long time. During two weeks I was able to visit with my parents and all of my siblings who are still on earth. What a feast and foretaste of heaven! I am including a picture of the birthday celebration.
We hit the ground running here in France. There have been services and Bible studies every day since we returned and each day has been packed with other things that needed to get done. The list is still not exhausted, but this helps us not notice the jet lag so much.
While in Lexington, we received the message that a young lady, who is in the same community choir as I, came on Sunday bringing her two children. I have had the opportunity to talk about the Lord to her and she seems quite interested. She said she enjoyed the meeting and said she would be back.
Thank you for your participation in our lives and ministry.
Rejoicing in France,
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Spring Conference 2015: Offering
CONFERENCE OFFERING: DESIGNATED FOR ‘MISSIONARIES’ FURLOUGH TRAVEL’
Our greatest need continues to be increased supplies for our GENERAL FUND. Our GENERAL FUND offerings provide for all the commitments we have made to our missionaries. For example, every month, we disburse AT LEAST $42,300.54 from the GENERAL FUND just for the Essential Maintenance Transactions which supply the essential and basic ‘living expenses’ commitments we have made to our missionaries. These include their salaries, standard ministry expense allowances, hospitalization premiums, and the publication of their newsletters we print and send to you each month to report on their ministry activities.
And, that is not including also the expenses paid for from the GENERAL FUND which finance the other commitments and benefits they receive each month or periodically through the year as they need them. For example, we reimburse our missionaries’ airfare and travel expenses when they return to the States for their furlough/home assignment. Bobby and Charlene Wacaser and Brennen are in the States right now on their furlough. Later this year, Judson and Raquel Hatcher are due to come to the States for a furlough. Their combined travel expenses will approach $10,000.00. Those disbursements are made from our General Fund.
We don’t have sufficient funds in the General Fund right now to anticipate covering those expenses and all the other commitments we have made to our missionaries for the rest of 2015.
So, we are asking you to give as generously as you can to our Conference Offerings which we will apply toward our missionaries’ furlough travel expenses.
If you cannot attend the Conference, but still want to give a gift, send it to our Treasurer: Pastor George Sledd | PO Box 471280 | Lake Monroe FL 32747-1280.
Or, you can contribute online either by check/debit or by credit card. Go to our website: www.baptistfaithmissions.org and click on the DONATE/SUPPORT page. Enter your designation for SPRING CONFERENCE OFFERING.
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