Prayer Warriors, Thank You

Greetings from Izhevsk Udmurtia from our October 09 team. Things are going great. The Lord is breaking down walls and creating new hearts.

Thanks to Mrs Edith Mitchell and her prayer warriors from First Baptist, Mountain Home we were able to present our friend, V with a special gift to help with the many tasks of ministry that he does: showing the Jesus film; helping start new works in villages, and chauferring teams around under stressful conditions.

V is one of the few who can preach the gospel in Udmurt language. Udmurts can understand Russian but hear with their hearts better in their own language.

Thanks to all of you at White River Baptist who pray for us and this ministry. As a result, many tremendous blessings are happening; one of which is 2 new young seminary families moving here to live.

Serving Him together,

Jack

Dedication of Remodeled White River Offices

White River Baptist Association has recently added 18 feet to their building's length providing storage and work space and an additonal office.  The photographs above show the original building (left) and the building with the additional area (right).


From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, October 25, 2009, there will be an Open House at the newly remodeled offices of White River Baptist Association.  Come by and see the improvements, and enjoy some light refreshments.


At 3:00 PM, we will gather in the secretary's office and offer a prayer of dedication that God will continue to bless the churches and  ministries of White River Association in the honor of Jesus' Name.  We hope many churches of White River area will be represented.


White River Baptist Association has been a missions presence in Baxter and Marion Counties for 169 years.

Hopewell Celebrates 135th Anniversary -- October 11, 2009

135 years ago, Hopewell Baptist Church began its ministry in our area.  They are celebrating the anniversary of that beginning on October 11.  Services will begin at 10:00 AM, with Dr. Emil Turner, Executiver Director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, as the featured speaker.  Following morning services there will be a meal in the church's fellowship hall.  Afternoon services will feature a concert by the Spokesmen Quartet and other local singers.  The surrounding churches and community are invited.

Yellville First Baptist Church Offers Special October Community Events

First Baptist Church of Yellville is presenting special events on 4 Saturday evening during the month of October.  Here are some of the movies from their October-Reach 2009:


THE CLIMB, OCTOBER 3 @ 7:30 PM AT YELLVILLE CITY PARK -- bring your lawn chair.

FLYWHEEL, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 @ 7:30 PM, AT THE MARION COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, SUMMIT

JESUS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 @ 7:30 PM -

IT'S A DRIVE-IN MOVIE AT THE PARKING LOT 

OF YELLVILLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH -- 

BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIR

CLOSING OUT OCTOBER-REACH, THERE WILL BE A FALL FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31 @ 5:00 - 7:30 PM AT YELLVILLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.  THERE WILL BE FOOD, GAMES, AND FUN FOR ALL AGES.

In case of inclement weather scheduled events will be held at Yellville First Baptist Church.  For more information call Yellville First Baptist Church at 870-449-6741.

First Baptist Church of Bull Shoals Celebrates

Jerry and Martha Backus have served First Baptist of Bull Shoals for 30 years, and the church celebrated that event on September 20th at the Bel Arco Resort.  Members of the Bull Shoals community celebrated along with the church.  We are thankful for such a ministering couple serving among us here in White River Baptist Association.  We are thankful for all those who have been saved and have grown over these years as a product of their ministry from 1979 to 2009.  May God give them many more years of service to our Lord!

Another item of celebration is the addition recently added to the worship center of FBC Bull Shoals. 

They were using their fellowship hall for overflow space along with a camera and closed circuit television to accomodate their attendance.

 

Pardon this picture, but I just had to have my photo taken with my friend and colleague, Bro. Jerry Backus. It is hard to get either of us to smile.  By the way, Jerry cleans up pretty good!

White River Office Remodeling Progress

Here are some photos of the remodeled office of White River Baptist Association.

The 18 feet addition has provided a new office for the associational secretary, a larger workroom, and much needed storage.

God's Roundup in progress. . . yeehaaw!

J.W. Ott and J.J. Hudson getting things ready for another worship time at the newly started Cowboy Church located at the overlook at Cotter, Arkansas. J.W. is the churches main leader doing the preaching and coordinating the work being done there. His wife May and several from Rea Valley Baptist are helping with singing and other things.

Tommy Johnson, owner of the Johnson farm where the meetings are being held in his horse barn/arena has graciously been instrumental in providing this location.

They had their first major event, a cookout/gospel singing last night, August 22 and 85 people turned out. Everyone had a wonderful time.

It looks like this is taking hold and will become a permanent fixture for the area. Future events are being planned and of course the major goal is to present the Good News of Jesus Christ to all in the area who love Western/Cowboy/farm culture. We praise the Lord for how He is blessing this.

Facebook for Pastors

Chris Forbes has produced a brief book describing how Facebook could be used in ministry. In our age when many of the younger generation are using facebook to strengthen their social networks, and even senior adults are using such means to keep up with their family and friends (me included), perhaps pastors and staff members may need to take a hard look at the possibilities for facebook as a ministry vehicle.

Click on the image to the left to find the internet page and to download the e-book offered there.

For Pastors and Church Clerks: Annual Church Profile

It is that time of year when we start preparing for our Annual Meeting. This year the meeting will be at Gassville Baptist Church on October 19, 2009 starting at 4:00 pm.

I will need your ACP information to be entered by September 10 so that I can prepare the Book Of Reports.

If you are going to enter the information please call me and let me know that you are finished. If you want me to enter it for you, please mail me your finished paper work and I will be glad to enter it for you.

Thank you for getting this important information ready for the book of reports. We are looking forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call and ask. The office phone number is 870-453-2575.

Barbara

The Martins in Concert

The Martins in Concert

Saturday, October 10th, 7:00 pm

Mountain Home Baptist Church

1960 Glenbriar

(Just off the bypass)

Ticket cost is $10.00 per person

May be purchased now at MHBC during office hours or

at The Christian Book Outlet, Mountain Home (beginning August 3rd)

Yes, You Can

Women's Community Ministry of Mountain Home is hosting "Yes, You Can" Conference on September 19 at Dunbar Auditorium. Karen Scalf Linamen will be featured at this event. Karen is a former editor with Focus on the Family and a contributing writer for Today's Christian Woman magazine. She is both a humorist and motivational speaker, as well as a Christian writer, authoring such books as Chocolatherapy, Welcome to the Funny Farm, and Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight.

The conference will begin at 9 AM and end at 2:30 PM. Tickets cost $15 per person, and they go on sell Saturday August 1. Early bird (August 1-15) tickets cost $12 each. See website (www.wcmmh.org) for more details.


Contact persons for more information:
Stephanie Hughes (425-3689) -- ticket information
Marilyn Meuhler (424-7251) -- general information
Kathy Bauer (425-2080) -- general information
Bernadette Godwin (404-6884) -- promotional information

Ticket outlets include: KCMH Radio, Arvest Bank in Mountain Home & Yellville, East Side Baptist Church, and FBC Mountain Home.

More 'Cowboys' in church. . .

Wish we had a picture, but for now just a news item. Say hello to the newest 'Cowboy Church' in the area. It has been in existence now for 4 weeks and meets in the main horse barn at Tommy Johnson's farm overlooking Cotter on Hwy 62 / 412. It also meets at 9 am so the workers can run back to Rea Valley where most of them are involved in ministries there as well.
J. W. Ott, a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Rea Valley Baptist said the Lord had been dealing with him about reaching out to some of his friends and long time aquaintances in the Rea Valley area. With a group of about 15 from Rea Valley church helping with music and transporting chairs etc., we have met four times with an average attendance of 30+ and is increasing each time.
For now, it is just an extension of Rea Valley church and will remain under that canopy for awhile until or if the Lord moves them into a group ready to fly solo.
We ask you to pray for us a we move into this new mission outreach and if you can,come and see us when you can. . . and wear your boots, this is a real horse barn.

Jack Gilliland, pastor
Rea Valley Baptist

Bar None votes to purchase property

Sunday, July 12, was a banner day for Bar None Cowboy Church. In a brief business meeting following the morning worship, the members voted unanimously to purchase to former Circle H property north of Mountain Home on County Road 15. The property consists of approximately 23 acres and a 58,000 square foot building, formerly the Circle H arena. This purchase will provide space for worship, Bible study groups, fellowship hall, and special arena events.

Bar None met at the Circle H facility on July 5 for morning worship to give everyone a better idea of the property and for each one to consider the potential in the building and location and to seek God's will concerning the purchase.

Antioch Baptist Church hosts Allen Frizell and Family

August 2nd at 6:00 PM at Antioch Baptist Church auditorium, Flippin, Arkansas is the date, time, and place for a Country and Gospel service. Allen Frizell comes from a tradition of country music and he is using his talents to honor the Lord. This event will be a musical treat. Check out Antioch's church website for more details.

Going round and round or just sitting still. . .

It's interesting how one's senses are heightened by being 'out' of your usual surroundings. Here in Seattle are thousands of people going through their daily routines, but most (less than 1 percent) are 'churchless' and most likely do not know the Lord. Certainly, here in America they've 'heard' about Him. . . at least that's what we 'old' Christians assume. The reality is that they have NOT heard about Him. So what can we do about it in WRBA? Let's start by asking Him what He wants to do then 'join Him'.

Jack Gilliland

VSC, Udmurtia Russia and 'beyond' :-)

Mission Ministry Team WRBA

June 28 -- Bar None has special worship services

Bar None Cowboy Church had a special morning worship service on June 28 as part of the Red White Blue Celebration. 180 gathered at the Mountain Home Saddle Club arena with the Cowboy Band leading the worship followed by a presentation by Travis Loewen. Travis shares biblical truths and illustrates them using two horses and a 2000 pound steer as his object lessons.

By the way, that is not Travis on the steer. That's me -- it's hard for me to turn down a dare :-)

In the afternoon, the church gathered north of Gainesville, Missouri, for a baptismal service at Bryant Creek where 9 persons of all ages were baptized. June 28 was a banner day for Bar None Cowboy Church.

Surprising Insights by Thom Rainer

I am recommending to pastors and church leaders Thom Rainer's book entitled Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them. Besides shattering myths about the unchurched and giving the rationale that unchurched families and individuals have expressed on why they returned to church or embraced church for the first time, Rainer deals with leadership issues essential in responding to the needs of the unchurched seeking a church home. 

If a pastor in White River Baptist Association (Baxter and Marion County, AR) is interested in reading this book contact me at WRBA, and I will get you a copy. I am interested in seeing the impact this helpful book will have on churches that begin to better understand the unchurched in our communities.

Lily learns to stand

My granddaughter, Lily Taylor, will be 4 years old in August. She cannot walk, but is learning to stand. Her physical therapist has worked hard to help her learn basic balance skills and we are appreciative. Lily has a genetic disorder called Angelman's Syndrome that affects a lot of her normal progression of skills, and we are grateful for every new skill she learns.

Three Rivers Biker Church

On Sunday evening June 21st, Three Rivers Biker Church met for the first time. It was an interest meeting along with a worship service. 31 attended the service. Robby and Jimmie Lou Springfield led the music as they played guitars and accompanied by a bass player. Jim Greenslade expressed his vision for the Biker Church as he shared his personal testimony.

Bar None Cowboy Church

Bar None Cowboy Church features a talented bluegrass gospel band, featuring Bob Carson on the banjo or fiddle, Deanna Franks at the piano, Amy Flory playing the guitar or dobro, Simon Flory playing mandolin, banjo, or bass, and Lonnie Carson at the bass or guitar.

The band is supported by singers that include the band members plus Regina Mooney (Johnny Cash :-), Lou Donna Malone, Sandra Hitt, Frank Depriest, and sometimes Tommy Steen. I am adding a video as a sample of what the cowboy church experiences each week and some pictures.

Biker Church starting up

This coming Sunday -- June 21, 2009 -- a worship service and interest meeting will be held at the Western World building on College Street in Mountain Home at 6:30 PM. Jim Greenslade and others have been working on this idea for several weeks and they are excited about this opportunity.

My first blog posting

I'm sitting in my office visiting with Tim Wicker and Jack Gilliland. We are talking about missions -- strange subject for an associational missionary. Church planting is on our hearts, and we are seeking to respond to God's heart for the Ozarks.

Jack is pastor at Rea Valley Baptist Church and Tim is a church planting strategist for Arkansas Baptist State Convention. We have worked together on projects in Russia as well.

Looking forward to future posts.