BARRY McGEE AT MOUNTAIN HOME BAPTIST CHURCH

Barry McGee Ministries Coming to Mountain Home Baptist Church

Christian Comedian, Barry McGee, will be at Mountain Home Baptist Church, Sunday, August 7^th for the Sunday morning and evening services which begin at 10:00 am & 6:00 pm.  Barry does musical comedy, drama presentations and speaking engagements.  He is the three time Comedian of the Year with Inspirational Country Music Association.  Barry serves as a Motor Sports Chaplain and does shows at NASCAR/NHRA events.  He has worked with Lee Greenwood, Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs and many more.  Mountain Home Baptist Church is located just off the bypass at 1960 Glenbriar Dr.  For more information call the church office at 425-3150.

DISASTER RELIEF TRAINING OFFERED

White River Baptist Association has been involved in Disaster Relief at least 10 years, with local volunteers serving from Florida to New York as they responded to the opportunities to assist disaster victims.

We currently have a chainsaw trailer and a need to train more volunteers to respond to the call out to serve.  On Saturday, July 23, White River will conduct its second training event for disaster relief volunteers this year.  It will be held at Rea Valley Baptist Church, on 101 South off 62/412 West near Flippin.  Call White River Baptist Association office (870-453-2575) to reserve your place and lunch.  Or call to gain more information about the training or the ministry of Disaster Relief.


The training and orientation will begin at 8:30 AM and go till around 3 PM.  Registration will begin at 8:00 AM.

GRIEF RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP STARTED

 

Are you grieving for a loved one?  Let us help.  Grief Share sessions begin Sunday, July 17, 2011, at Yellville First Baptist Church at 4 PM.

You are invited to just show up at that time, or call ahead to the church office (870-449-6741), or call Gaynell Sasser (870-449-6410).  Sessions will continue for several weeks, and you can begin at any time, since each of the 13 sessions are self-contained.  The sessions will be Bible based.  We request your prayers for the leaders and group members.

Please share this opportunity with others who will benefit from this ministry.

EVANGELISM RESPONSE CENTER TRAINING

Are you looking for . . .

An innovative and exciting evangelism tool?
An opportunity to volunteer from home?
An outlet to provide phone Christian counseling?
An evangelistic tool your church can use to discover seekers in your community? 
A way to know more about how you can have new life in Jesus Christ? 

Check out the following website to gain more information, such as how and when this ministry is carried out.  But, there is another and better way — On July 10, from 2 to 3:30 PM at the Hensley Building at East Side Baptist Church in Mountain Home, there will be volunteer training for the Evangelism Response Center.                                                                                                                                                                 

Information regarding the Evangelism Response Center 
can be found at the website -- http://www.erconline.net/                                                                                                               

                                                              

This is a great ministry for senior adults as well as adults that have time to log in and receive phone calls from persons seeking spiritual assistance.  Please share this opportunity with others who may not know of this unique ministry.

CARROLL ROBERSON MINISTRIES

Carroll Roberson

Carroll Roberson Ministries Coming to Mountain Home Baptist Church

Sunday, July 17^th at 10:00 am, Carroll Roberson will bring the morning message.  Sunday evening Carroll Roberson will present a concert at 6:00 pm.   Carroll Roberson’s ministry is multi-faceted.  Carroll is available to do concert events, revivals, and Bible seminars.  He carries the message of Christ to multitudes each year. MHBC is located just off the Sheid-Hopper Bypass at 1960 Glenbriar.  The concert is free of charge and a nursery will be provided for both services.  For more information, call the church office at 425-3150.

WRBA WILD GAME DINNER 2011

The participants begin to gather for the meal

White River Baptist Association hosted its first annual Wild Game Dinner on Saturday, April 16.   153 men and boys (a few daughters attended also) participated in event held at the Exhibit Building at Baxter County Fairgrounds.  The menu included deer burgers, wild hog, and few unnamed entrees that tasted similar to opposum.  The meal was supplemented by covered dishes provided by the participants.

David Small kicks off the event

The program included brief introductions to our ministries by the WRBA Family Ministry Team leader (Randy Livingston) and WRBA Associational Missionary (Maurice Hitt).  David Small and Jim Brown, two of the planning committee members, shared their vision for future wild game dinners, and kicked off the event.  The pastors who were present were introduced along with the full planning committee.

Estel Grigg shares today's turkey hunt

After a great meal, Estel Grigg shared this morning's successful turkey hunt by his son and granddaughter.  (It made me wish my grandsons lived close enough for me to take them hunting.)  After an inspiring video of pro fisherman, Hank Parker, who shared his salvation testimony, Eric Smeltzer closed the service with a message on how God can take a "mess" and straighten out a person's life through forgiveness that only God can give.   

 Eric, pastor of The River Bible Church in Mountain Home, took a simple illustration of getting his dad's fishing reel all tangled-up, and by his father's skill, put the reel in order.  In the same way, God can take our mess and by His grace He can clean us up.

Eric Smeltzer share a testimony of God's grace

The Family Ministry Team of WRBA are already planning for next year's event.  Thank you for all the effort to make this year's Men and Boys Wild Game Dinner a successful event that is intended to draw us closer to the Lord and to our families.

ENGAGE SOCHI -- MAY 31, 2011 PRESENTATION

Engage Sochi Arkansas Summer Tour
May 31 - June 3, Five Locations

Are you ready to engage Sochi?  Sochi, Russia, will be the site of the 2014 Winter Olympics/Paralympics, but there’s a lot to do before and after the Winter Games!
Starting in early 2012 and going well into 2014, IMB representatives will be hosting teams in Sochi for:

• English language training/outreach for locals
• Prayerwalking
• Training local believers/strengthening local churches and home groups
• Black Sea Beach Reach-Evangelism

Most teams that serve before and after the Olympics will be able to lodge at no cost, thanks to the support of the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering!  Your costs will include roundtrip airfare to Sochi, meals, and in-country transportation, which will be shared with the group you are with.  Groups will have the option of stopping off in Moscow for a tour (cost extra).

  Though the above information speaks of 5 locations, one of those is right here in Mountain Home.  It will be hosted at East Side Baptist Church.  Meal is at 5:30 - 6:45 PM, and Presentation is from 6:45 to 7:15 PM.  Registration for the event is required -- Click ONLINE HERE to make your online Registration; or call Jill at 800-838-2272 extension 5149.

From 2012 to 2014, IMB representatives Don and Diane Combs will host teams for the projects listed above.  Don and Diane will be here on May 31 to share their vision and how you and your church can be involved in this amazing opportunity for missions efforts during the 2014 Olympics.


For more information, check out overview document by clicking HERE.

MEN AND BOYS WILD GAME DINNER

YOU ARE INVITED!

Men and Boys Wild Game Dinner

Saturday April 16, 2011
Baxter County Fairgrounds
Sponsored by WRBA Men's Ministry Team

Shooting Contests, Games, Door Prizes,
Exhibits, Lots of Great Food, Great Time of
Fellowship for Christian Men and Boys

Speaker - Eric Smeltzer

Tickets $5.00 plus a covered dish.
Doors Open at 3:00 p.m.
Meal Served at 5:00 p.m.
 

For More Information, Contact:
Gary Sloan at 870-427-3836
OR
Randy Livingston 870-404-2292

White River Baptist Association
P.O. Box 358, Flippin, AR 72634
870-453 -2575

NEW BLOG

I am posting here that I have begun second blog called LOADED AND COCKED. Just click the blog name and it will take you there.  The first posting will explain its purpose.  There is a LIKE button on the site plus a place to subsribe or follow the postings.

I am interested in your response to this personal writing project.  I hope you will enjoy it!

Mission partnerships . . . here and beyond!

We are asking everyone to begin praying for us (WRBA) as we seek God's direction in mission partnerships right here in our own backyard or further out. We don't need to ask His will about does He want us to do it ( He wrote that instruction down just so we wouldn't forget it; see Matthew 28:18 plus the three other text messages :-) ). We do need to ask Him to guide us as to who, when, what and where.
If you are interested in your church getting involved locally or beyond, please call the WRBA office or write me at artmanjackg@gmail.com . "Here am I, send me Lord" is a great place to start the prayer. See you on the field.

Jack Gilliland
Rea Valley Baptist
Mission Ministry Team

Baptist Relief for Japan

I am sure the issue of how can you or your church respond to the disaster and tragedy in Japan has come to your mind.  Clicking on Japan Relief will take you to the web address of Arkansas Baptist State Convention Japan Relief site. Individuals or churches can also contribute to the Japan Relief by donating through White River Baptist Association by mailing a check to WRBA Japan Relief Fund, P. O. Box 358, Flippin, AR 72653.  We are providing this as an alternative only for your convenience.  White River will send all contributions to this fund to the ABSC Japan Relief. 


In addition to financial responses we can provide, I encourage you to intercede on behalf of the victims and their families, missionary families living there, and Americans who live and work there.  As tragic as the earthquake and tsunami are, we can believe that God will compassionately work among the communities there.  Pray that a spiritual awakening will occur among the people.

The New York Times has an interesting presentation of before and after satellite photos of the area affected by the earthquake and tsunami.  There is a blue slider in the midst of each picture that allows you to slide right and see the before photo and then as you slide left you will be able to see the after effects of the disaster.  It is a sobering piece of photo journalism.  Click HERE to view those photos.

MAKING IT WORK CONFERENCE 2011

On Monday evening, February 28, White River Baptist Association is sponsoring the Making It Work Conference 2011 which will be held at Gassville Baptist Church from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.  The Leadership and Worship Team of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention is co-sponsoring that event, which was planned by the ABSC Team along with the Church Development Team of WRBA.

The seminars offered that evening were designed with pastors, staff, deacons,  youth and children's workers, women, and church members in mind.  In other words, all the church leaders will benefit from attending this event.

Seminars topics include the following: Sharpening Pastoral Skills, A Biblical Worldview (What it is and How to get it), Reflecting His Glory, A Deacon (Be it, See it, Do it), Reach Generation Now, and Discipline...Who needs it?

Each seminar will have a conference leader who serves in ministry area that includes their topic -- so you will be getting good information from experience and training.

I hope you will attend and encourage others to be present for this conference.  Click HERE to see a copy of the program.

BROWN LIKE COFFEE

Brown Like Coffee is authored under the pseudonym, "The List Guy."  The title really has little relationship with the content except that the major sections are marked by certain coffee names such as Cup of Joe, Expresso, Mocha, and Cappucino.  The sub-title prepares you better for the content and purpose of this volume: "For students who think outside the box." 

The List Guy has some great chapters for students who really want to avoid the trends of college students who fail to find who God really wants them to be.  Here are some sample thought provoking chapter titles: Three Lame Reasons to Go to College,  Six Reasons I Am a Follower of Jesus, Seven Questions to Rock Your World, Three Professors from Hell, Six Steps to Dynamic Dating, and Five Students Who Are Changing the World.

One of the most significant chapters for me was Three Stories of Faith and Courage as The List Guy gives an account of young people who saw the obstacles, experienced the fear, and made tough decisions despite the opportunity to avoid hard times. 

I highly recommend this volume to high school seniors, college students, youth ministers (and pastors), faculty, and parents of college-age students. It would also make a nice gift for graduating high school seniors.

I wish I had the book 46 years ago when I started college.

 

PRAY --VOTE -- PRAY

Tuesday, November 2, is the date of the general election, and we all need to cast our ballots.  I am not promoting any candidate or political party through this blog, but I am promoting the need for citizens to express their right and privilege of voting.  The correct chronology appears to me to be: pray, vote, pray.

Pray: pray concerning the election and who God would have you cast your ballot.  It really doesn't matter who the polls say will win or who others encourage you to vote for.  Take your lead from above.

Vote: go to your voting precinct and exercise your duty as a citizen.

Pray: pray for those who are elected.

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior." 1 Timothy 2:1-3

Christians are citizens of earth and citizens of heaven and have responsibilities toward both. "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's.  Give unto God what belongs to God."  A prayerful vote and a prayerful follow-up to an election is an exceptional way of giving to both Caesar and God.

ANNUAL MEETING OF WHITE RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

The 168th Annual Meeting of White River Baptist Association will take place on October 18, 2010 at New Hope Baptist Church located 5 miles south of Yellville on Highway 14 South.  The first session will begin at 4:00 PM, and will include a report from the Family Ministry Team and will conclude with the Doctrinal Sermon by Bro. Jimmy Dale Huskey, Pastor of Bruno Baptist Church.  The first session will be followed by a meal for the messengers from the churches.

Emil Turner

The second session of the Annual Meeting will begin at 6:30 PM and will include reports by the Administrative, Church Development, and Missions Ministry Teams.  The session will conclude with the Annual Message delivered by Dr. Emil Turner, Executive Director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.  Bro. Gene Carson, Moderator for WRBA and Pastor of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, will preside over the Annual Meeting.

Each church affiliated with White River Baptist Association elects a certain number of messengers that is determined by total membership from the previous year's report.  Contact Barbara Carson or Maurice Hitt at 870-453-2575 to determine the maximum number your church can send, though unlimited guests from the churches are welcome.

THREE RIVERS BIKER CHURCH CONDUCTS BENEFIT FOR ARKANSAS BAPTIST CHILDREN'S HOMES

The Benefit for the Arkansas Baptist Children's Home went well this past Saturday.  Riders from around the state and some from Kentucky participated in the event, enjoyed the food, fellowship and worship. John Steer was the guest speaker, and by the way, he is a great singer too.

It is estimated that 160 attended the event with at least 57 coming by motorcycle.  (Notice the last picture to get an idea of nearly 60 cycles in the parking lot.)  I saw a number of churches represented at the event from our area and around the state.  It was great to see another new church helping out at the event -- Bar None Cowboy Church had folks helping out with directing traffic and parking, and cooking. 

The gifts to the AB Children's Homes were 7 bags of toys and nearly $1000 in financial gifts.  I appreciate the efforts of Three Rivers Biker Church (3RBC) and their pastor, Jim Greenslade.  God is at work at 3RBC!

John Steer and Jim Greenslade, Pastor of 3RBC

Guest Speaker John Steer is surprised by friends from KY

3RBC Parking lot is filled with Motorcycles -- just like they hoped

MARK LOWRY CONCERT -- WHAT A BLESSING!

Mark Lowry

A glimpse of the crowd

Stan Whitmire accompanies Mark

Mark engages the crowd

 It was standing room only (approximately 1100 attending) Monday evening at First Baptist Church in Mountain Home as Mark Lowry gave a great performance for the Senior Adult Night of Encouragement.  Before Mark began his concert, First Day, an "a capella" group from Mountain Home, gave a performance that was well received by the crowd.  Folks from the White River area churches and across northern Arkansas attended and enjoyed this special night for Senior Adults.  

Mark, with his accompanist Stan Whitmire, gave us inspirational encouragement from new musical solos as well as hymns of the faith that Mark sang or led us to sing with him.  In addition, Mark helped us all laugh at ourselves and at his antics on stage.  For sure, not many persons besides Mark Lowry can take a major auto accident and a motorcycle accident and turn those stories into an opportunity for laughter.

Mark closed the concert with a moving presentation of the song he wrote -- Mary, Did You Know?  As he closed, he gave a clear, simple, and complete presentation of the gospel.  I was blessed from the first till the last.

This is the 5th year the Senior Adult Night of Encouragement has been offered, and it was Mark's second appearance.  In these 5 years, Dennis Swanberg and Buddy Greene have also appeared as guest performers. I appreciate all the preparation that was made by Max Pyron, Senior Adult Minister at FBC, and his senior adult leaders.  I am glad that White River association was able to help in a small way to jointly sponsor this event with First Baptist Senior adults.

MARK LOWRY IN CONCERT

 What? Senior Adult Night of Encouragement                               

What's That? Free Concert for Area Senior Adults 

When? September 27 - 7:00 PM

Who? Mark Lowry, gospel singer and humorist

Where? FBC Mountain Home, 400 Club Boulevard

Contact Info?  870-425-6961

Sponsored by FBC Senior Adult Ministry and Family Ministry of White River Baptist Association

Reminder -- Sunday School/Bible Study Leader Training

One Hour on Sunday -- Making it Count

I just wanted to remind Pastors and other leaders that White River Baptist Association is sponsoring a Sunday School Training event this Sunday at 1 PM, with a meal provided at 12:30 PM ($5 each for the meal).  It is hosted at FBC Mountain Home Christian Life Center.

Leaders for the event include Josh Hunt who will train utilizing his Disciplemaking Teachers material.  In addition, Bob Bunn, Todd Capps, and Jerry Vogel will be leading sessions for Youth, Children, and Preschool teachers/leaders respectively.  Bob, Todd, and Jerry serve with LifeWay Resources in Nashville.  

This level of training is not often available in our area, and we hope there will be additional persons who will attend the training event, which is designed to support the local churches. 

Contact Barbara at White River Baptist Association (870-453-2575) by Thursday at 3 PM to pre-register for the meal.  If you do not reach her, contact the office at FBC Mountain Home.  If you miss those two offices, then I encourage you to show up at the door.  If you haven't preregistered for the meal we cannot promise but hopefully there will be food enough for you.  However, if you arrive only for the training, there will be plenty of space.

I hope to see you there.

THE LAND BETWEEN

In early August I attended the Global Leadership Summit sponsored by Willow Creek Association and hosted at FBC Mountain Home. One of the speakers was Jeff Manion, Senior Teaching Pastor of Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  His subject was "the land between."  His presentation was a significant part of this year's Summit, and I purchased his book by the same title.

The Land Between is subtitled "Finding God in Difficult Transitions" and therefore it deals with our response to changes that life brings "where life is not as it once was, and where the future is in question."  Manion outlines the difficulties of the Sinai Wilderness that Moses faced while leading the people of Israel from the security of being an enslaved people in Egypt to becoming the people of God living in the Promised Land.  The land between appears to be a place or time that is ripe for complaint and meltdown as we experience the unwelcomed changes in health, employment, relationships, and fear of an uncertain future.  Have you been there?  Most of us have ... or will. At the same time the land between is also a time in our lives that is fertile for growth in faith and spiritual maturity.  

 While we face those difficulties transitions, it is good to know that God sees our burdens, hears our prayers, and cares and seeks to rescue us for our strengthening.  And sometimes that strength for us may come through the pain of being disciplined, stretched, and trained in the midst of those unwelcomed changes.  I recommend highly this poignant book that is filled with illustrations of personal stories of Manion's own journey as well of those of friends and parishioners, while sharing further insight of what it meant for Moses to lead a people who found difficulty in The Land Between Egypt and Canaan.  Where are you on this journey?