May 2016 BBFI National Meeting Report
by Randy Harp
Mark Batterson writes in his book All In, “If Jesus is not Lord of all then Jesus is not Lord at all.” “All In” was the theme for the 66th Annual Graduation Fellowship Week held on the campus of Baptist Bible College. Hundreds of pastors, church staff, missionaries, and alumni made their annual “pilgrimage” back to Springfield for one of the BBFI’s highlights. Those able to make it to this year’s event were encouraged and challenged to go all in for Jesus, the Gospel, and worldwide evangelism.
This year’s May meeting emphasized those areas that make the BBFI special. Continuing the momentum from the Global Fellowship Meeting in Korea, there was a focus on missions. As is expected from a BBFI meeting, there was also great preaching. And we all know anytime a few pastors get together there will be plenty of fellowship. Of course, there was the need to conduct the normal business of the Fellowship. And, for close to 50 students, the most important part of the week was the graduation ceremony.
MISSIONS
One couple and one single career missionary were approved and one couple was reinstated. Christian and Shawna Hendrick were approved as missionaries to the Democratic Republic of Congo. They served part of their internship as TEAM missionaries working alongside Elmer Deal. A single lady was approved as a missionary to a creative access nation in south Asia. Richard and Missy Orrick were reinstated as missionaries to Wales.
There were two TEAM (short-term) missionaries approved. Wade and Shannon Cooperrider will work with Brian and Rachel Weed in Nicaragua. Joshua and Teah Lane will serve with Wesley and Melina Lane in the Dominican Republic.
Jim and Geri McCarty (Hong Kong and Taiwan) and a couple serving in a creative access nation received their 30-year pins, while Frank and Karen Auterson (Ethiopia and New Guinea) were recognized for their 50 years of service as BBFI missionaries.
Mission Director Jon Konnerup shared dates for upcoming mission events. The BBFI Missionary Family Reunion will be held June 13-17 in Branson, MO. Missionary Candidate School is July 11-15 at the Mission Office in Springfield. The World Mission Forum is an event hosted by the Mission Office to discuss and inform about world evangelism. The first forum was held at Baptist Bible College and a second is being planned for this fall in Texas.
A new BBFI Missions mobile app was also introduced. This app will help pastors and church members stay in better contact with their BBFI missionaries and it will inform potential new missionaries of the mission office services.
PREACHING
Seven men preached during Fellowship Week, all with the theme “All In.” Tom Messer preached Monday night on the supremacy of the Gospel. It was a reminder, at the end of the day, the Gospel is sufficient to meet all of our needs. Tuesday morning included three speakers, Jason Henderson, Matt Eachus, and John Houston. I do not believe it was intentional, but all three shared on the struggles of ministry. I heard many people say they were possibly the most honest and transparent messages on ministry struggles ever heard at a national Fellowship meeting.
Mark Hoover spoke Tuesday night on the importance of being all in for reaching your community for Christ. The phrase, “Draw a crowd and preach the Word” was repeated often. Jon Konnerup wrapped up Wednesday’s mission morning with a challenge to align with and stay focused on God’s mission — to share the Gospel with the world. Jonathan Falwell was the final speaker of the week, on Wednesday night, and used Noah as a biblical illustration of being all in. You can listen to these messages on the new BBFI mobile app, online, or the BBFI Leadership Podcast on iTunes.
FELLOWSHIP
You can’t have a Fellowship meeting without fellowship. The second annual Party in the Parking Lot took place after Monday night’s services. The parking lot, commonly referred to as the Caf Pit, was transformed and lit to intentionally provide attendees a place to catch up and reconnect. The BBC food services provided several stations with a variety of food from alligator tail and a whole hog to deep fried cookie dough balls and ice cream slushies.
BBC provided a breakfast for the men to enjoy prior to their meeting on Tuesday morning while the women gathered for a ladies meeting with pastor’s wife Judy Henderson speaking. Tuesday afternoon also provided a time of fellowship at the BBC Alumni and Friends Banquet.
BUSINESS
During the business meeting Tuesday, pastors received reports from the Mission Office, colleges, APEX, and the Tribune. BBC President Mark Milioni shared the need to remodel the BBC dorms at $7,500 per dorm room. Baptist Bible College and Institute of Costa Rica and Grace School of Theology in The Woodlands, TX, were introduced as BBFI affiliate schools. APEX reports being ahead of schedule in reducing liabilities and has operated in the black for the past two years. Communication Director Randy Harp shared highlights of his first six months, introduced the new BBFI mobile app, and shared the current financial state of the Tribune and the need for new partners.
Other business included forming a committee to examine the current BBFI Constitution and Bylaws to evaluate its language in lieu of current political and cultural challenges. The ballot for BBFI national officers was also presented and distributed to supporting pastors. Those in attendance could submit their completed ballot during the business meeting. If you were not in attendance you are encouraged to participate by contacting the BBFI Mission Office by phone or email (elections@bbfimissions.com) and requesting a ballot be mailed to your church. All ballots must be returned to the Mission Office postmarked by July 1 to be counted. (For a listing of candidates see page 22.) Ben Feldott wrapped up the business meeting with an invitation for all to attend the September Fellowship Meeting at his church in Cape Cod, MA. (For more information see ad on page 9.)
GRADUATES
For 47 people, the highlight of the week came at Thursday morning’s graduation ceremony. This year marked the completion of President Milioni’s first freshmen class. It also included the graduation of eleven from the seminary with a master’s degree. The trustee board conferred an honorary doctorate degree to Jonathan Falwell, this year’s commencement speaker.