Great To Be Back Together
The Baptist Bible Fellowship International held its annual Fellowship Week on the campus of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO, from May 3 – 6, 2021. This was the first in-person national meeting in almost a year and a half. As always, Mark Milioni and the staff of BBC did an outstanding job hosting the Fellowship. Every detail was thought through from the pre-meeting meeting of the BBFI State Reps to the conclusion of the graduation service, and all was done with excellence. The theme of the meeting was “Better Together,” as BBC and the BBFI celebrated 70 years of ministry.
A common thought amongst those in attendance was, “It’s great to be back together again.” It was encouraging to see pastors, missionaries, church staff, alumni, and students catching up and sharing both the struggles and victories of the past year. Most would agree that it indeed was a great meeting.
Great Preaching
One thing the Fellowship has been known for over the past 70 years is strong preaching. As Jerry Thorpe said, “A.V. Henderson would preach for 20 minutes, and Art Wilson would preach for two hours. Both would have you on the edge of your seat the entire time and challenge you in your walk with God.” Strong preaching was evident during Fellowship Week. Jerry Thorpe, pastor emeritus of Crossroads Fellowship (formerly Temple Baptist Church) in Odessa, TX, spoke Monday night. Tuesday morning featured three preachers, Randy Abell, pastor of Heartland Baptist Church in Ames, IA; Kim Beckham, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Tyler, TX; and Linzy Slayden, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Owasso, OK. Larry Lamb, pastor of Cielo Vista Church in El Paso, TX, preached Tuesday night. Tim Adrian, BBFI President and pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Hutchinson, KS, spoke Wednesday night. You can listen to each of these sermons on the BBFI YouTube Channel by clicking here.
Great Worship
Nate Harmon, BBC Vice-President, orchestrated and led worship each night, but he was far from alone. The platform was full of BBC alumni who serve as worship leaders and musicians from around the country. Worship leaders included Jared Barringer from Beacon Baptist in Taylor, MI, Tyler Inglett from Family Fellowship in Greenville, TX, Whitney Vowell from Seminole Baptist in Springfield, MO, Jonathan Williams from Graceway Baptist in Springfield, MO, and Alex Zuniga from Freeway Ministries South in Springfield, MO. Other musicians included Michael Nall from Friendship Baptist in Owasso, OK; Lauren Reedy, who is a music teacher in Cassville, MO; Tyler Carlton from Park Crest Baptist in Springfield, MO; Daniel Marino from Mountain Grove First Baptist, Jerrod Cate, who serves as a vocal coach for Springfield Little Theater, and Rochelle Harmon from Park Crest Baptist in Springfield, MO. Each night also featured a BBC alumni choir.
Great Missions Emphasis
In 1950 Fred Donnelson famously made the statement, “The strong right arm of the Fellowship is to be missions.” By 1954, BBC already had 51 students enrolled in the mission program, and the Donnelson declared in the Tribune that “Baptist Bible College is Center of World Missions.” On Tuesday night, BBFI Mission Director, Jon Konnerup, shared a 70-year reflection of BBFI missions. Wednesday morning was set aside as “Missions Morning.” There were several recognitions, including Debbie Schmachtenberger, who recently retired from the BBFI Mission Office after 45 years of service. There were also six missionary couples recognized for 50 years of service. John and Carrie Barnes serve in Costa Rica. Paul and Alexis Dedeyan serve in France. David and Edna Howell serve in Brazil. Becky Lee serves in Mexico. Her husband, Jim, passed away in December 2020. Larry and Sharon Lilly serve in Mexico. Craig and Frances Lingo serve in Colombia.
New missionaries that have been approved over the past year were introduced. World Initiative Network (W.I.N.) missionaries include:
- Vanessa Hartzog, missionary to Nicaragua, working alongside Wade and Shannon Cooperrider. Her sending church is Palm Valley Church in Goodyear, AZ.
- David and Kim Hayes, missionaries to Kenya, working alongside Lisa Moore. Their sending church is Hallmark Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX.
- Debbie Taylor, missionary to Belgium, working alongside Larry and Jean Taylor. Her sending church is Hallmark Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX.
- Adriel and Kaitlynne Yos, missionaries to Guatemala. Their sending church is New Testament Baptist Church in Largo, FL.
- Makayla Frye, missionary to Kenya, working alongside David and Kim Hayes and Lisa Moore. Her sending church is High Street Baptist Church in Springfield, MO.
New career BBFI missionaries include:
- Bethany Dick, missionary to the Philippines. Her sending church is Fairfield Baptist Church in Fairfield, OH, pastored by Rob Rosenbalm.
- Steven and Laura Pratt, missionaries to Canada. Their sending church is Bible Baptist Church in Wilmington, OH, pastored by Josh Dixon.
- Chris and Miranda Shirrell, missionaries to Japan. Their sending church is Graceway Baptist Church in Springfield, MO, pastored by Bob Stephenson.
- There was also a new missionary approved to a Creative Access Nation.
Military Chaplain Captain David Sisco from United States Army shared the importance of chaplaincy within the U.S. military.
Jon Konnerup introduced Project 938 based on Matthew 9:38, where we are commanded to pray for more laborers to fulfill the Great Commission. This project is a challenge to all BBFI churches to pray for more laborers. Project 938 is an intentional call for concerted prayer that men and women will hear and surrender to the call of God. October 3, 2021, is a day set aside where every BBFI church is being asked to emphasize the need to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers. Visit www.project938.world for more information and to register.
Click here to watch Missions Morning.
Great Emphasis On Church Planting
There has been a concerted effort over the past few years to reemphasize the importance of church planting. Former Third Vice-President Sean Sears and current Third Vice-President Terry Kizer, along with the church planting sub-committee of BBFI State Representatives, have worked hard to develop a plan and a process to approve new BBFI Church Planters. There were five church planters presented on Wednesday night. Andy and Tabitha Daniel are church planters in Box Elder, South Dakota. Kenneth and Sara Brock are church planters in Rapid City, South Dakota. Bobby and Alejandra Sharp are church planters in McFarland, CA. Arthur and Jessica Goncalves are church planters in Sanford, FL. Steven and Devonne Lucas are church planters in Norton, MA. You can support each of these missionaries through the BBFI Mission Office.
Great To Hear From the Entity Leaders
Each evening a separate BBFI entity was featured. Monday night Mark Milioni presented a 70-year reflection of BBC and shared many exciting victories and plans for the future. Tuesday night Jon Konnerup presented a 70-year reflection of BBFI missions. It was encouraging to see missionary Lavern Rodgers who has been a missionary to Japan for 70 years. He also shared some victories from 2020. Based on the reports submitted by BBFI missionaries, in 2020, there were 61,848 professions of faith, 9,531 baptisms, 26,131 leaders in training, 680 new missions or Bible studies started, and 408 new churches organized. Wednesday night Randy Harp presented a walk-through BBFI history using several Tribune headlines. He also played a game of “Name that Preacher,” where soundbites were played of several founders of the Fellowship preaching, and those in attendance shouted out the name of the preacher. You can listen to each of these presentations on the BBFI YouTube Channel by clicking here.
Great Extras
As important as the organized services are to a Fellowship Meeting, there are always many more opportunities for fellowship. Monday night’s “Party in the Pit” has become a new tradition that most look forward to. The BBC Caf Pit is transformed into a social gathering place with plenty of food, drinks, and desserts. This year included two fully smoked pigs, ice cream floats, and a campfire with s’mores kits. Tuesday morning was a special ladies meeting with Carrie Liles speaking. Wednesday morning was the annual alumni breakfast. BBC president, Mark Milioni, said it was the largest crowd since he has been the president. New alumni association officers were nominated, and a challenge to sponsor a remodel of the BBC chapel was presented. BBC offered its first-ever online students’ dinner on Wednesday evening, celebrating the launch of the new, fully online degree options.
Great Graduation
For roughly 50 people and their families, Thursday morning was the highlight of the week as BBC held its 70th graduation ceremony. Long-time BBC professor Ray Adams gave the commencement speech. He also was awarded an honorary doctorate degree. Other graduate awards included:
- Male Key Award – Dennis Mays
- Female Key Award – Brynn Gotcher
- Male Class Speaker – Andrew Daniel
- Female Class Speaker – Ciana Bates
- Delta Epsilon Chi ABHE Honor Society Award – Isaac Demotta, Dennis Mays, Hieu Tran, Frederick Mierow
- Zondervan Biblical Greek Award – Hieu Tran
- Effie Donnelson Award (Missions) – Brynn Gotcher
- Fred Donnelson Award (Missions) – Hieuy Tran
- Biblical Counseling Award – Christian Martin
- Pastoral Studies Award – Andre Daniel and Dennis Mays
- Male Ministry Studies Award – Hieu Tran
- Female Ministry Studies Award – Brynn Gotcher
- Male Christian Service Award – Parker Blue
- Female Christian Service Award – Megan Plunk
To watch the graduation service, click here.
Great Business Meeting
BBFI president, Tim Adrian, hosted the Tuesday morning business meeting. Each of the BBFI Vice-Presidents and each entity leader shared reports. Mel Himes, founder, and president of Mel Himes and Associates Insurance Agency, presented a check to the BBFI of $31,000. He also shared how State Fellowships can join a special program that allows for similar incentives.
Tim Adrian shared two proposals approved by the State Representatives and will be voted on in September. More information will be provided on these proposals over the summer.
Proposal #1: A Forth Vice President shall be added to the Executive Committee with the responsibility of promoting church growth, health, development, and revitalization. He hall work alongside the other members of the Executive Committee for the furtherance of the BBFI and its associated entities and purposes.
Proposal #2: Voting rights in the Baptist Bible Fellowship will be extended to BBFI approved career missionaries that are currently fulfilling the role of the lead pastor of a local church.
There had been conversation on a third proposal on limiting the number of national Fellowship Meetings to one per year, but that proposal did not make it out of the State Representative meeting. The plan moving forward is to have a meeting in May on the campus of Baptist Bible College, a meeting in September at a BBFI church, and a virtual meeting in February.
Future Meetings
- September Meeting – September 20-22, 2021, at Antioch Bible Baptist Church, pastored by Steve Doss, in Gladstone, MO (Kansas City suburb).
- Healthy Church Conference – March 21-23, 2022, on the campus of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO.
- May Meeting – Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO.
