Bradley Baptist Beacon

Bradley County Baptist Association

November, 2006

2006 Project Helping Hands Connecting a Community October 2 –November 10

A Legacy of Love, Featuring the Birdsong Family

Yaunna’s passion for the helpless unborn resounded in the passionate words of thanks to the many churches that support New Hope and enabled them to open a second center. Yaunna also shared with everyone that the number of abortions received by Bradley County residents were lower than any time since 1973. Praise the Lord. Police Chaplain Earl Farris spoke at the celebration sharing how the impact is being felt in the community of Churches teaming together and reaching out. Chaplain Farris explained the connection between the programs such as late night basketball, Ocoee Outreach, Shop with a Cop, Project Helping Hands and a decrease in crime. Our featured speaker Lonnie Rowan shared his testimony of God’s Awesome sovereignty. Five years ago Lonnie lost both legs in a fire that nearly took his life. During the accident Lonnie saw God at work and since the fire Lonnie has experience over ten souls coming to know the Lord through the sharing of his testimony of God’s faithfulness. Lonnie shared how he drew closer to God and surrendered to do whatever God called him to do. One of God’s first callings came in 2005 when Lonnie’s church planned a Mission

Trip to Ocoee Outreach to do home repair. A mission work where physical mobility is a definite benefit. A

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Annual Harvest Celebration, Team Work,

Working together for Victory

What a wonderful time of fellowship, business and prayer. Our Annual Harvest Celebration was marked by good food, passionate praise, musical ministers, and a sense of awe. God is working in our community. He is working through the Bradley Baptist Association. He is working through the body of believers in the church. God is at work and Bradley County Believers are joining Him. The night started out cold and rainy, and ended with a warmth of heart that overcame the weather. A wonderful meal of Barbeque with all the fixing's , a little business meeting and the celebration was underway.

Guest speaker Don Pierson , prayer coordinator for TBC challenged everyone in the building to examine our prayer focus.

Are we focused on the throne or the pew? Special Speaker Yaunna Higgins of New Hope Pregnancy Center spoke of the challenges her staff face everyday as they go into the schools with the abstinence program.

MINISTERING IN OUR JERUSALEM HARVEST CELEBRATION

Fun, Food and Fellowship at Waterville

Phil & Peggy Taylor, and Don Pierson

Cloverleaf’s Bro Huel enjoying food and conversation with the Harris’.

Thompson Station’s Vicki & Don Still

Mt Carmel Pastor Truitt Cockerel and Tim Myers of Waterville sharing a

smile

white socks and stamped Christmas cards to the BBA by December 18th. Contact Lynn Dykes for more information.

Regional Men’s Conference featuring Dr. Johnny Hunt. “Hang in there” The life of Job H o s t e d b y W e s t w o o d Baptist Church

January 26-27 Friday: 7:00-10:00pm Saturday 7:00am-10:30. A word from Pastor Hunt: Greetings Friends in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Oh How I look forward to seeing you at Hang in There! We will take a long look at a “whatever it takes kind of guy” named Job. The bible documents that God said of Job he was blameless, upright; he feared God and shunned evil. Pretty good resume, huh! Job’s life is an amazing Hang in There story. There is so much to learn from his encounters with loss, pain, bad counsel from family and friends and intimate conversations with God. When it was all said and done, the bible records Job was a Hang in There kind of guy. Job 42 records the Lord accepted his prayer and blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first. Until then… Hang in There!

Johnny M. Hunt Sr. Pastor, First Baptist Woodstock Conference fee: $35

Looking for a Holiday Servant Project for your Family, Sunday School Class, Small Group, Youth Group, etc… Project Helping hands has families and individuals that are struggling to make ends meet in need of someone to adopt them for Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can adopt them by providing a Food Box for both holidays and possibly gifts for less fortunate children living in the home for Christmas. Volunteers from several BBA Churches have been interviewing

applicants, assessing and validating their needs, and have been praying and sharing Christ with them. Over 20 individuals have made decisions for Christ. If you would like to adopt a family or would like more information call PHH at the BBA office. 476-5493.

Annual Sock and Stamped Christmas Card drive for the Jail Ministry. Please Bring plain

COMMUNITY

challenge from a 15 year old student in his church had Lonnie volunteering to come and God placed him in just the right situations. He was able to make a difference in people’s lives for eternity. Lonnie’s story and how God used him through Ocoee Outreach was an inspiration and challenge to all . Lonnie and his wife Brenda are members at First Baptist Church, Fort Gibson, OK. The Celebration worship experience

was closed out with a spectacular example of teamwork. Lanny Green Minister of Music North Cleveland Baptist, David Dale Minister of Music Candies Creek Baptist, and Sammy Parris Minister of Music Waterville Baptist performed the song “ Stand as One”. The Three Ministers of Music professionally vocalized the spirit of teamwork that symbolized the Annual Harvest Celebration and the BBA. The celebration concluded with a heartfelt prayer of commitment from our pastors with Brian Smith closing.

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JJERUSALEMERUSALEM HARVEST CELEBRATION

CONT.

MEN’S MINISTRY

JAIL MINISTRY

The f i r s t cool morning of 2006 was the annual Royal Ambassador Bike Ride for the Annie Armstrong Christmas Offering of the BBA. The Group traveled to the Tennessee River Walk in Chattanooga. There were 18 people present with 7 adults and 11 children. Two churches from the association were represented. The RA’s rode approximately 12 miles and at the end enjoyed a hamburger and hot dog grill out. The fire was a welcome place to assemble in the brisk fall morning. We welcome every church in the association to attend our next event which will be the Annual Hayride and Hot Dog Roast at John Moore Farm. This takes place on November third and we are asking that every person bring a child size winter item (gloves, socks, toboggan, scarf) to be given to the Children's Home in Chattanooga. May God bless us together as we serve Him. Charles Hysinger.

With the involvement of BBA churches and volunteers, LateNight Basketball Outreach will be in its 8th session in

ROYAL AMBASSADORS November & December on Friday nights. LateNight Basketball is a partnership between the Bradley Baptist Association and the Cleveland City Police Dept. and the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland that gives H.S. students & young 20s a safe and positive environment to go to on Friday nights and opens opportunities for volunteers from our churches to build relationships and share the Gospel. If your church would like to help sponsor a Friday night in November or December contact Randy at the BBA Office (476-5493). Churches that sponsor a Friday night help by providing volunteers, pizza & drinks, and somewhere to share their story (testimony).

1,300 Teens Gather for

SYATP Rally w/ a renewed

call to prayer & spiritual

awakening

The Association is sponsoring a trip to Youth Evangelism Conference for BBA Churches to travel together via Coach Bus and stay at the same Hotel in Nashville. Cost per person is $46 (lodging, registration, transportation), space is limited so call ASAP to reserve spots. The 2006 Appalachian Regional

Ministries Summit was "Your One Stop Vision Trip" for volunteer missions in Appalachia. Over 45 ministries from across the region came together to show the a t t e n d e e s t h e i r m i s s i o n opportunities for 2007. Over 130 people who attended the Summit looking for short term mission opportunities with over 200 people attending the Thursday evening session. Frank Nuckolls, chairman of the ARM executive committee presented Phil Taylor and Randy Bonner of the BBA with a portrait, “Bridge of Hope,” in recognition for their work in receiving and using short term volunteers in the Bradley County Baptist Association. The BCBA is one of the leading associations in Appalachia in utilizing short term volunteers in ministry.

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JJERUSALEMERUSALEM CONTCONT..

SYATP 2006

SSAMARIAAMARIA

LATE NIGHT BASKETBALL

Last springs LateNight HS 1st & 2nd place teams with Officer Joe Bafford (top row left), & FBC Youth Minister, Heath Eslinger (top

row right)

YOUTH– YEC

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“Have you read the ‘Faith Notices’ in today’s paper?” “No, why?” “Richard King – he’s gone,

quits, washed out.” “The evangelist Richard King? But he was just here; I heard him preach. He spoke as if he’d never been closer to the Lord. You’re kidding.” “I wish I were. Here, read about it yourself.” FAITH NOTICES BELLMAN, JANECE, 32, author of best-selling book Discovering Christ’s Joy was arrested on July 9 for possession of cocaine. She was attending a Christian booksellers’ convention where she was one of the keynote speakers. Cause of fall--stress. LORAY, REV. JOHN, 53, was forced to resign his fourteen-year pastorate when it was discovered that he was addicted to pornography. Cause of fall--sexual immorality. KING, RICHARD, 36, evangelist, admitted on June 15 to having an affair for the past three years with a member of his crusade staff. Richard King Ministries is also under indictment for tax fraud and misappropriation of funds. Cause of fall--immorality and greed. WILER, MELISSA, 19, beloved daughter of Will and Susan Wiler, former active church member. Last Tuesday denied having ever believed. Has left home and is currently living with her boyfriend. Cause of fall--drifted from the faith

during first year of college. In reality, of course, there is no such thing as “Faith Notices” for fallen believers. The names and circumstances listed are fictional. But, then, they’re not really-not completely. Haven’t we all heard of examples like these on the national news, local radio stations, in churches, or among friends? And not just once or twice, mind you, but again and again. All around us, Christians of every age and occupation are dropping out of the race set before them as followers of Christ. Oftentimes, these are individuals who explode out of their conversions at full speed amidst cheers and adulation for their spiritual competency. But soon their breathing becomes labored, and their faith begins to weaken. Bible study and prayer become a strain. They grow weary of life’s relentless hurdles. Some stumble and fall, bringing others down with them; others simply slow to a walk and then drop out altogether, disgracing not only themselves but also the Savior they represent. On October 22, 2006 hundreds of people chose to take their names off of the “Faith Notices” list at Indiana Ave. Baptist Church in LaFollette, TN. A revival has broken out and God has been moving in ways that I have never experienced. It’s what we read about and what most pastors would say; “God please let me experience this in my lifetime.” Most of the people that have been standing before church members, family members, friends, neighbors, husbands and wives have been confessing sins that have

been hidden for years, seeking restoration and forgiveness. Others have been asking God to forgive them for being a hindrance. The 3-4 hour services started on a Sunday Morning and no one is expecting it to end anytime soon. I hope to share more about this move of God in the future. The story is being written daily. The apostle Paul wrote, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 The key to winning the spiritual race Paul speaks of is not speed – it’s endurance, obedience, staying faithful to the finish. That’s winning. Is your faith strong enough to go the distance? Does it have the endurance to run the course of a lifetime? In his grace, Rev. Phil Taylor

And now a word from our director……….

I s your heart broken by the

desperate plight of millions of children

around the world? Whether they are refugees

of civil war, survivors of a natural disaster, or victims of extreme poverty, these little ones need to know that they are precious to God. The shoe boxes along with Samaritans Purse provide opportunities for local believers to tell children about Jesus Christ through Gospel literature and evangelism programs. Encourage your church to get involved in Operation Christmas Child. Collection week is November 13-20. Local drop off at Life Care Centers Keith street. For more information contact the BBA @ 476-5493

EENDSNDS OFOF THETHE E EARTHARTH

music ministry. Mrs. Bacon began her career as pianist at Georgetown Baptist in January of 1942 and recently retired. Mrs. Bacon reported, “ In looking back, I realize the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful talent, and I have used it for his glory and in his work. This was a volunteer position. I was never offered compensation, but in return, many things more valuable than money has come my way.” CHURCH LIBRARIES PLAN “GROW IN GRACE” ADULT WINTER READING CLUB The Bradley Baptist Church Library organization is planning an adult winter reading program that is sure to be a hit. You and your church will want to be a part of the "Grow In Grace Reading Club" that will begin January 14 and run through March 25 . Adult readers will have the opportunity to be recognized at a church level and eligible for prizes at an association level for reading only four books (one of which must be non-fiction). If your church would like more information, please contact Janice Baker at 479-2612

Legacy of Love: Pastor Appreciation

Celebration Pastors mark your calendars for December 4th at 6:00 pm. It is time for the annual Pastors appreciation banquet. It will be held this year at Candies Creek Baptist Church. Prepare to relax and worship to the musical styling of the Birdsong Family. The Birdsongs are know for being one of the most versatile full-time gospel groups/bands today. They incorporate the use of all “live” instrumentation to sing and play a variety of musical styles. All their music focuses joyfully on worshiping and praising the Lord. Please contact the BBA for more information.

65 years of Service:

Mrs. Hazel G. Bacon

Mrs. Hazel G. Bacon of Georgetown Baptist was recognized by State Representative Eric Watson for her 65 years of extraordinary service to her church and surrounding area in

Phil Taylor—Director of Missions Randy Bonner—Ministry Evangelism Dir. Chris Stewart—Ocoee Resort Ministries Denise Roebuck—Collegiate Ministries Dimple Cox—Ministry Assistant Julie Jones—Communications Coordinator/DOM Ministry Assistant

2707 N. Ocoee Street Cleveland, TN 37312

Phone: 423-476-5493 Fax: 423-339-3782 Email: bcbaclev@bellsouth.net Website: bradleybaptist.org

Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid

Permit #288 Cleveland, TN

Bradley Baptist Association, November 2006

Among Our ChurchesAmong Our ChurchesAmong Our ChurchesAmong Our Churches Georgetown Baptist Church is needing a Pianist and a Youth Leader. Anyone who is interested can call the church at 339-2132. New Horizons at Hillview need a reliable church van. If you can help please contact Rev. Wallace Varnell at 479-3891 Birchwood Baptist is looking for a part time music minister to lead worship and direct a choir. Please send resumes to 5436 Hwy 60, Birchwood, TN 37308 or email it to jkyle2434@yahoo.com. North Etowah Baptist Church is looking for a bi-vocational youth pastor. Please send resume to Minister of Youth, 585 Co. Rd. 609 Athens, TN. 37303.

November • Nov 2 Last day to receive

applications for Project Helping Hands.

• 11/6—11/13 Phase three of Project Helping Hands.

• 11/3, 11/10, 11/17 Late Night Basketball at Boys and Girls Club @ 9:00 pm