The Baptist Bible Fellowship held its Annual Fellowship Meeting at Park Crest Baptist Church in Springfield, MO, September 19-21, 2022. The theme of the meeting focused on renewing your purpose. Host pastor, Phil Housley, stated during the meeting, “Our church’s prayer is for each person attending to experience a renewed purpose for why you do what you do.” Housley also stated that one of his personal goals was for the meeting to be an encouragement to pastors, missionaries, and full-time church staff. One of the many ways this was accomplished was through various giveaways. In the weeks leading up to the meeting, there were drawings for gifts for those that had preregistered, such as a two-night stay at Big Cedar Lodge and a round of golf for a foursome once they arrived in town. The church also gave away many books and other gifts throughout the week.
Preaching is Always a Priority
One thing that can be counted on at BBFI meetings is good preaching and teaching. Jim Baize, pastor of First Baptist Church of Coronado, CA, kicked off the meeting on Monday night. Tuesday morning consisted of two more sermons, a ladies’ meeting, and several panel discussions. A Creative Access Missionary spoke first, followed by Grant Staubs, pastor of Mid-Way Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. Erin Davis from the ministry Revive Our Hearts spoke during the ladies’ meeting. Tuesday morning concluded with a ladies’, men’s, and retired ministers’ panel discussions. The ladies’ panel included Erin Davis, a Creative Access Missionary, Stephanie Housley, Theresa Lindsey, Tina Ebert, Coco Lyons, and Lindy Aguier. The men’s panel included Phil Housley, Ira Walton, Kevin Carson, Mark Ballmer, and Grant Staubs. The retired minister’s panel included Don Elmore, Mike Randall, Jim Goodman, and Keith Gillming. Tuesday night wrapped up the preaching services with Timothy Ateek, teaching pastor at Watermark Church in Dallas, TX metro. Each of the sermons from the week can be viewed by clicking here.
Fellowship Is Why Many Attend
You can’t have a Fellowship meeting without fellowship, and Park Crest went above and beyond to provide ample opportunities to connect with old friends and make new friends. Following the service, on Monday night, all were invited to enjoy some original Springfield Cashew Chicken (and other Chinese food options). Tuesday afternoon included several different “hangouts.” Church planters met at a local shop to brainstorm and pray together. Youth pastors went to a target golf course (similar to a Top Golf) to unwind and connect. Those that work in children’s ministry met at a different local coffee shop. There was also a workshop for worship ministry and production and another on utilizing the Bible software Logos. Tuesday night following the service, everyone enjoyed a food truck that provided warm and fresh cookies. The proximity to Branson is a nice treat to having the fall meeting in Springfield. On Wednesday afternoon, over one hundred people enjoyed the Sight and Sound Theater’s production of JESUS.
Missions is Still the Strong Right Arm
Since the founding of The Fellowship, worldwide evangelism has been a priority. Missions continues to be one of the key areas that unify the Fellowship. Wednesday morning was focused on missions. There was one new career missionary couple approved, and one new W.I.N. missionary approved. The newly approved career missionary couple is Kevin and Stacy Adams. The Adams were approved to Wales. Their sending church is Cherry Street Baptist Church in Springfield, MO. The newly approved W.I.N. missionary couple is Michael and Shaleena Quinlan. They will serve in Greece with BBFI missionaries George and Luisa Dimakos and James and Cristina Sinde. The Quinlans are from Overland Park Baptist Church in Overland Park, KS. The Mission Office also announced a new partnership with Baptist Bible College. BBC will now offer an 18-hour Missions Certificate to fulfill the BBFI mission’s requirement. Mission Director, Jon Konnerup, provided an update to the building project that will include a new mission office, missionary housing, and an event center. A groundbreaking will be held on Friday, October 7, 2022. “Missions’ Morning” concluded with a showing of the newly released documentary on the life of BBFI missionary Lavern Rodgers. This video can be seen by clicking here.
Emphasis on Church Planting
Over the last several years, there has been a renewed emphasis on church planting in the BBFI. Randy Abell, BBFI 3rd Vice-President, announced over 30 new churches started affiliated with the BBFI over the past five years. One new BBFI-approved church planter was introduced. Matt and Melissa Price are pastoring Connection Church in Sturgis, SD. On Tuesday night, all church planters present were introduced on the stage and were given a gift bag. To see a listing of all BBFI-approved church planters, click here.
Retired Pastors and Missionaries Meeting
A new meeting took place during this year’s Annual Fellowship Meeting. In an attempt to remember those who have given so much, a retired pastor and missionary celebration took place Tuesday afternoon. Immediately following the retired ministers’ panel discussion at Park Crest, all were invited to a special lunch in the Presidential Dining Hall at Baptist Bible College. Organizer Don Elmore said the lunch was “fit for a king.” This special celebration included lunch, a time of “old fashioned gospel sangin” and a message from retired pastor Keith Gillming. All those in attendance left with door prizes and a free ticket to the Sight and Sound Theater’s production of JESUS. Click here to read more about the retired pastors meeting.
Important Business Accomplished
The September BBFI meeting serves as the Annual Business Meeting of the BBFI, and this year there were several important items to discuss. During the May BBFI meeting on the campus of Baptist Bible College, the ballot was established to vote for new officers. Pastors and missionaries (based on the newly established criteria) were allowed to mail in their ballots through July 1, 2022. This meeting served as the transition to the newly elected officers: Jon Haley as president, John Theisen as 1st Vice-President, Kevin Carson as 2nd Vice-President, Randy Abell as 3rd Vice-President, Jason Petermann as inaugural 4th Vice-President, Bob Stephenson as Secretary, and Gary Fuller as Treasurer. Only Fuller is serving in the same position for a second term. Both Haley and Petermann were previously on the executive committee but serving in different positions.
A new BBFI Central Office was announced. This new Central Office will focus on strengthening the Fellowship domestically. This new office is a result of a multi-year strategic planning effort and was a focus of the previous Executive Committee. Former BBFI president, Tim Adrian, shared, “It is unrealistic to think a movement like ours can operate successfully without an office and an individual directing their full attention to the details and organization that brings growth and success.” This new office will focus on five areas, including state fellowships, regional and national conferences, APEX church planting and church revitalization, communication, and networking both inside and outside the BBFI. The current Communication Office will transition to become the new BBFI Central Office, and Randy Harp will transition from Communication Director to the new Executive Director of the Central Office. Click here to read the introduction letter from Tim Adrian and Jon Haley.
One of the first areas focused on to help strengthen BBFI churches and pastors is partnerships with other organizations. The BBFI has had longstanding relationships with organizations like GuideOne Insurance with Mel Himes and GuideStone retirement services. New partners were introduced during the business meeting. Clear Price Health is a new BBFI-endorsed medical plan that provides access to care to all BBFI pastors, staff, and missionaries at a substantially reduced price. RightNow Media is a streaming library of more than 20,000 Bible study videos. All churches that support the new Central Office will be given a free personal account to RightNow Media. All churches that currently provide RightNow Media to their church members will be given a discount on their church membership (a one-tier price point discount). A third new partner is with Logos Bible software. The Central Office will host webinars with Logos presenters and trainers and offer discount codes for those who attend. Be on the lookout for more partners in the future that will help strengthen your church.
Other business included introducing and approving a new state fellowship, and reports from entity leaders, BBFI vice presidents, and college presidents. The South Dakota state fellowship was recognized with Kenneth Brock, pastor of Mercy Gate Church in Rapid City, SD, as the new State Representative. Both Mark Milioni, president of Baptist Bible College, and Dave Melton, president of Boston Baptist College, reported positive updates on the two BBFI Partner Schools. BBFI 2nd Vice-President, Kevin Carson, reported on two of the BBFI Affiliate Schools, Louisiana Baptist University and Grace School of Theology. Greg Lyons, BBFI missionary to the Philippines and president of Global Life University, was introduced as the newly elected president of Louisiana Baptist University. Grace School of Theology requested to be withdrawn from affiliate status with the BBFI.
Future Meetings
February 2023 – Regional Healthy Church Conferences sponsored by APEX Churches
May 2-5, 2023 – BBC’s Fellowship Week
September 18-20, 2023 – Annual Fellowship Meeting at Sonrise Baptist Church in Clovis, CA
