Thanksgiving Conference Recap [Tuesday Evening]
Our 58th Annual Thanksgiving Conference continued Tuesday evening at New Hope Baptist Church in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
Bro. Randy Jones, President of BFM spoke during the first evening session. He had a video presentation that covered BFM’s purpose statement and current directions, noting that “The Mission Sheet” today is mainly our website. He discussed the current state of what is being accomplished administratively through BFM and our goals for the future.
Overview of Accomplishments Year-to-Date:
-Highlight Founders Day Offering
-4% of offerings go to administration; 96% goes to missionaries
-New Brochure
-New Facebook Page
-Mission Sheets in PDF Format
-YouTube Channel
-Email Newsletter
-Giving has increased 3% over the past year. The goal is 25% over 3 years.
Goals:
-Increase giving 25% over 3 years
-Add a missionary each year for 3 years
-Increase salaries by 5% this year
-Change the retirement plan
-Visit missionaries on a 3-year cycle
-Eliminate car fund
-Establish a repository for BFM Documents
-Try to visit all supporting churches every 3 years
-Encourage churches to visit the mission field
Bro. Sheridan Stanton, missionary to Peru, sang “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning,” which can be viewed below.
He then delivered the final message of the evening, giving an overview of his experience in church planting.
Bro. Stanton was sent out under the authority of Jordan Missionary Baptist Church and received support from churches and BFM.
Lima–the capital of Peru– was designed for 3 million people and has a population of 12 million people. The Stantons started three churches in Lima. They have been in Huanuco, Peru for 15 years planting New Testament Baptist Churches that are Gospel-motivated and doctrinally sound.
The Stantons have found that it takes approximately 5-7 years to establish a church. They should be doctrinally sound and able to take care of their pastor and building…then they move on. The newest work should be established in two years.
The Stantons also run a Baptist Institute with about 120 pastors. They prepare and print material for Sunday School and training and love to host mission teams.
You do what you do because you believe what you believe.
Over 160 churches in Peru started with the determination of Bro. Richard Hallum with one church plant.
Mission work is for all of us. Start social networking. Learn. Share.
Pastor Darrell Messer presented Pastor Terry Adkins with a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the BFM Board of Directors, as seen below.
You can find all the Thanksgiving Conference Recaps by clicking here.
You can give to our Thanksgiving Offering by clicking here and typing “Thanksgiving Offering” in the Memo field.
Read more
Thanksgiving Conference Recap [Monday Evening]
Our 58th Annual Thanksgiving Conference began this evening at New Hope Baptist Church in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
Pastor George Sledd who pastors Jordan Baptist Church in Sanford, Florida, and also serves as Treasurer for BFM, was the first speaker. His text was 1 Corinthians 3:1-6 about the sowing of seed, nourishing of seed, and obtaining the increase of what’s sown and nourished. Below are some notable quotes:
Only God can give the increase. The very heartbeat of God has an evangelistic rhythm–a soul-winning rhythm.
Are you interested in growth? To grow, you must plant.
Increase means to be greater.
The harvester is not greater than the planter. (vs. 8)
God has planted you where you are now. Delight yourself in the Lord. (Psalm 1:1-3)
Grow up. Do greater things. Increase means glory to God.
He gave the example of Adoniram Judson who had one convert in 5 years, 18 in 10 years, and thousands at his death. Robert Morissey had one convert in 7 years. Other examples included Noah, Jeremiah, and Jonah.
Isaiah 9:7- The increase of His glory!
He also read a poem called “The Bridge Builder.” There is a new generation coming up after us. God is preparing someone to take the place of those who have been faithful.
Pastor Denny Herndon from Immanuel Baptist Church in Riverview, Michigan preached from Matthew 13, using the parable of the sower scattering seed.
One seed has the plan of God. (Matthew 28:19)
A seed needs three things:
1) Proper food
2) Water
3) Sun/Son
To plant is to instill truth.
The Word needs to be taught.
Read more
Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [November 2012]
October 31, 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
There are no “big shots” in God’s Kingdom, only little people with a big God. So, I want to start by thanking each of you who participate with us in the mission to which our Lord has called us; each one who gives, each one who prays, each one who blogs, each one who works in the editing and distribution of the Mission Sheets, each one who posts on or designs internet sites related to the mission work, each one who places a Mission Sheet in the hands of each person who meets with their church or their friends, each one who serves in a conference. There are many other activities that happen which contribute together for the propagation of the Good News of Jesus Christ here in France and in many other locations. We thank God for moving each one of you to be involved!
That is really how it works here and elsewhere. Together we reach others. One of our desires is to help each disciple of Jesus Christ here in France reach their friends. This is at the heart of the being a disciple of Jesus in this present world. Disciples follow and seek to be like the Master. Our Master came to “seek and save that which was lost”. As His followers, this becomes our responsibility and privilege. This is how it worked in Judea and Galilee, in Antioch, and how it works in the USA, France and elsewhere.
On Sundays and in our Bible studies we emphasize the question, “How can we live what we have learned about Jesus this week?” We pray for our friends who need Christ. We try to encourage each other to love and help those whom we have contact with each day. We give the disciples opportunities to tell about how God has blessed them and given them opportunities to be a witness to others in words and actions during the week. Friends, acquaintances, co-workers, neighbors, and sometimes enemies come to know Christ as each disciple lives out Jesus where they live.
There are now six ongoing regular Bible Studies in four different locations. A couple of these are one on one. The others are groups. We are encouraged by new people who are participants in these Bible studies. Judy and I are also very happy about several new neighbors with whom we have good relationships. These give us opportunities to share about our faith. Word spreads. I was encouraged a while back when someone at the Sunday morning meeting for the first time told me about an incident that happened as they were on their way. The person got lost in the neighborhood and stopped to ask someone they saw if they knew where the church met. Remember, our church meets in our home. The person, from several blocks away, indicated the way. They said, “I am sure it is there. That is were a pastor lives.”
A couple of weeks ago, a church member whose children go to the public school where Philip and Amanda’s children went before moving 3 yrs. ago said, “It is wonderful, the parents that I meet at school know your grandchildren, Philip and Amanda and you the grandparents. They mention that you are all very nice and kind.”
Next week is Vacation Bible School. The six teachers are in the last throes of preparation. The children who are coming are schoolmates, friends, children of friends, neighbors. Those who come, come because they know and trust those who lead. That’s how it works!
The Youth Meeting this month was excellent. Since we had a bonfire, Philip collected a lot of combustible material, divided the youth into “work groups” whose goal it was to construct the most durable object. They then tossed the products of their work into the fire. Of course, sooner or later, all the creations were gone. He then spoke to them from I Corinthians 3 about a life that lasts for eternity. I had an excellent conversation with one of the young men who has been very skeptical in the past. He seems to be more receptive now.
Someone wrote to ask me if the the young man in the picture with last month’s letter was Samuel. It was not. The young man in that picture comes on Sundays from time to time. The candid shot was taken by Judy after Theo’s baptism. I have had many personal conversations with Him about the Lord over a period of several years. He has never made a profession of faith. By far, not all who hear trust Christ. But we are still praying for him and others on a regular basis. We would love to have you join us in our prayers.
I usually do not mention names in my letters because of laws of privacy in France and because people really want to protect their privacy. We also do not want to them to think that we are using them for our means.
Well, I must stop. Hope to see those who are able to attend the Thanksgiving Conference at New Hope Baptist Church. Judy and I will be jetting to Chicago in a couple of weeks to help our daughter Lydia and family following the birth of her third child. We will return to France, the Lord willing, on New Years Day. This trip will allow me to be at the conference. It is only my 2nd time to be able to attend in the 13 years we have been serving in France.
May you enjoy Christ and let it show today!
From France for Christ,
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
Click here to donate to BFM.
Read more
2012 BFM Thanksgiving Conference
We heartily invite you to join us for the
58th Annual Thanksgiving Missions Conference
November 19-21, 2012
Hosted by New Hope Baptist Church, Dearborn Heights, MI
Pastor Terry Adkins | pastorterrynewhope@yahoo.com | 313.562-5579
Conference Theme: “Planting Church in All Kinds of Soil”
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”
– 1 Corinthians 3:6 –
Monday Evening, November 19
5:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30 p.m. Music
6:45 p.m. Singing
7:15 p.m. Message
Pastor George Sledd
Jordan Baptist Church; Sanford, FL
8:00 p.m. Singing
8:25 p.m. Message
Pastor Denny Herndon
Immanuel Baptist Church; Riverview, MI
Tuesday Morning, November 20
9:15 a.m. Music
9:30 a.m. Singing
9:45 a.m. Message
Pastor Dan Hillard
East Keys Baptist Church; Springfield, IL
10:25 a.m. Singing
10:30 a.m. Message
Pastor Peter Santisteban
Victory Baptist Church; Russellville, KY
11:10 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. Message
Pastor Raul Bergerman
West Griffin Baptist Church; Griffin, GA
12:00 noon Lunch
Tuesday Afternoon, November 20
1:30 p.m. BFM Advisory Meeting—Open Forum
Tuesday Evening, November 20
5:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30 p.m. Music
6:45 p.m. Singing
7:15 p.m. Message
Bro. Randy Jones
BFM President; Catlettsburg, KY
8:25 p.m. Message
Missionary Sheridan Stanton
Huanuco, Peru
Wednesday Morning, November 21
9:45 a.m. Music
10:00 a.m. Singing
10:15 a.m. Message
Bro. Michael Jackman
Twelve-Ryan Baptist Church; Warren, MI
11:00 a.m. Singing
11:15 a.m. Message
Missionary John Mark Hatcher
Tournefeuille, France
12:00 noon Thanksgiving Lunch
Everyone is invited to sing in our conference choir on Monday night.
Do you have questions about Baptist Faith Missions or want to know more about BFM? Then please join us at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for our BFM advisory meeting. Everyone is invited to attend.
For directions to New Hope Baptist Church and/or information on lodging, please contact: Pastor Terry Adkins (313) 562-5579 or pastorterrynewhope@yahoo.com
———————————-
A Word document of the conference schedule is available for download here:
58th Annual BFM Thanksgiving Missions Conference
Read more