The Baptist Bible Fellowship International met on the campus of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO, May 2-5, 2023. BBC president, Mark Milioni, shared the theme of the meeting during his opening message on night one. The theme was “We preach Christ crucified.” This theme was woven throughout all of the sermons and special meetings during the week. Another common theme throughout the week was the positivity and general sense of enthusiasm for what God is doing in and through the BBFI. Dean Hughes, BBFI State Representative and pastor of Eastside Baptist Church in Topeka, KS, shared, “God is still doing great things, and we are encouraged as we celebrate that.”
Preaching on Christ Crucified
The keynote speakers included five members of the BBFI Executive Committee and two BBC trustees. Mark Milioni opened the meeting by introducing the theme by speaking from I Corinthians 1:18-25. He shared, “The preaching of Christ crucified is the only answer we have to this world.” (You can watch his sermon by clicking here.) Wednesday morning included three sermons. Randy Abell, BBFI 3rd VP and pastor of Heartland Baptist Church in Ames, IA, shared a challenge on church planting by emphasizing the phrase, “He must needs go through Samaria” from John 4. (You can watch his sermon by clicking here.) Jason Petermann, BBFI 4th VP and pastor of Christ Community Church in Bartlesville, OK, shared from I Corinthians 15 on the importance and priority of holding on to and preaching the Gospel. (You can watch his sermon by clicking here.) Bob Stephenson, BBFI Secretary and pastor of Graceway Baptist Church in Springfield, MO, preached out of Luke 24 and the men that traveled with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. (You can watch his sermon by clicking here.) Wednesday night included two sermons. Kevin Carson, BBFI 2nd VP and pastor of Sonrise Baptist Church in Ozark, MO, preached from Colossians 1 on the supremacy of Christ. (You can watch his sermon by clicking here.) Jon Haley, BBFI President and pastor of Hallmark Church in Fort Worth, TX, preached from II Corinthians 5 on what compels us and the focus to live holy lives. (You can watch his sermon by clicking here.) Thursday night, two representatives from the BBC trustee board spoke. Derald Gautier, the pastor of Belmar Church in Littleton, CO, preached from I Corinthians 1 and reminded everyone that what is needed most in life and ministry is the power of God in our lives. (You can watch his sermon by clicking here.) Lonnie Lehrman, BBC Trustee Chairman and pastor of Granbury Baptist Church in Granbury, TX, preached from Joshua 4 on setting up stones of remembrance. (You can watch his sermon by clicking here.)
We Do Missions Because of Christ Crucified
A missions emphasis is sprinkled throughout every National Fellowship Meeting. During Fellowship Week, the Mission Office shared reports with the State Representatives on Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday afternoon, the Field Reps gathered with missionary candidates and their sending pastors. Thursday morning is known by many as “Missions Morning.” Five couples and one single lady were approved as career missionaries. These include:
- Brynn Gotcher, missionary to the Philippines. Her sending church is Hope Community Church, pastored by Jon Slayden. (You can watch her approval by clicking here.)
- Jacob and Sydney Mulford, missionaries to Portugal. Their sending church is Park Crest Baptist Church, pastored by Phil Housley. (You can watch their approval by clicking here.)
- Jared and Haley Paiz, missionaries to Costa Rica. Their sending church is Temple Baptist Church, pastored by Keith Buttram. (You can watch their approval by clicking here.)
- Tyler and Sarah Prince, missionaries to Ireland. Their sending church is Bible Baptist Church, pastored by Billy Neuman. (You can watch their approval by clicking here.)
- Shaun and Jeri Vance, missionaries to Kenya. Their sending church is Decatur Baptist Church, pastored by Joe McKaig. (You can watch their approval by clicking here.)
- Corey and Cora Wilcher, missionaries to Canada. Their sending church is Bible Baptist Church, pastored by Ted House. (You can watch their approval by clicking here.)
Other missionary news includes Michael and Cristy Wyatt being reinstated as missionaries to England and three missionary families changing fields. Jim and Laura Hutchinson, Joe and Darcy Flory, and Vladimir and Debbie Lukyanov transition from CAN to the country of Estonia. There were also some special recognitions for missionaries serving 30 and 50 years.
30 Years
- Don and Kathy Mingo, South Africa and missionary to missionaries. (You can watch their recognition by clicking here.)
- Rex and Jan Harmon, missionaries to Jamaica. (You can watch their recognition by clicking here.)
- Arlen and Lana Payne, missionaries to the Seminole People. (You can watch their recognition by clicking here.)
- Paul and Chelli Sudbrock, missionaries to Germany. (You can watch their recognition by clicking here.)
50 years
- Jerry and Sherry Daniels, missionaries to Kenya. (You can watch their recognition by clicking here.)
The Mission Office also shared very encouraging reports from the 2022 missionary reports.
- 47,739 professions of faith
- 10,985 baptisms
- 29,026 leaders in training
- 894 new missions or Bible studies
- $36,461,561.25 combined giving through the Mission Office
We Plant Churches Because of Christ Crucified
Over the past several years, there has been a renewed emphasis on church planting. In 2021 there were 17 new BBF church planters approved. In 2022 there were three new BBF church planters approved. In May 2023, there were three BBF church planters approved.
- Matt and Missy Price, planting Connection Church in Sturgis, SD. Mercygate Church in Rapid City, SD, is their sending church.
- Scott and Livey Goodwin, planting New Life Baptist Church in Locust Grove, OK. Friendship Baptist Church in Owasso, OK, is their sending church.
- Elvis and Emily Leon, planting Beach Church in Brooklyn, NY. High Street Church in Springfield, MO, is their sending church.
Two church planters, Arthur Goncalves and Ulises Longoria, shared reports on what God is doing in their young churches. Randy Abell reported that 25 of our new church plants had a combined attendance of over 1500 on Easter Sunday!
Click here to watch the Church Planting Hour.
We Fellowship Because of Christ Crucified
There were ample opportunities for friends, new and old alike, to spend together. One of the newer favorite events is known as the “Party in the Pit” following the opening night’s service. Tents are put up in the “caf pit” parking lot with plenty of food options, from street tacos to make-your-own s’mores. As good as the food always is, catching up with friends is better. Wednesday night, after the service, there was a special reception in the newly remodeled student center where everyone was treated to Andy’s Frozen Custard. Thursday morning, the BBC Alumni Association hosted its annual breakfast before the start of the services.
On Wednesday afternoon, BBC hosted the second official gathering of the Fellowship of Retired Ministry Leaders. Don Elmore led the charge to launch this group’s first meeting during the September 2022 National Fellowship Meeting, and it went over so well that immediate plans were made for the second gathering. Over 60 men and women enjoyed a great lunch in the Presidential Dining Hall on campus, followed by a time of singing and a brief challenge from three BBF heroes, Mike Marcellus, Mike Randall, and Carl Boonstra. If you are retired or are approaching retirement, join the Facebook group by clicking here.
Business
BBFI president, Jon Haley, led the business meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Each vice president took the time to provide reports from the BBF entities. Patty Everette, the owner of Clear Price Health, provided an update and information on the BBFI-endorsed medical plan that provides access to care to all BBFI pastors, staff, and missionaries at a substantially reduced rate. Click here to learn more about Clear Price Health.
Graduation Ceremony
For 76 graduates and their families, Friday morning was the highlight of the week as BBC held its 73rd commencement. This year there were eight Associate Degrees, 49 Bachelor of Science Degrees, one Bachelor of Arts Degree, 12 Master of Arts Degrees, four Master of Divinity Degrees, and two Honorary Doctorates. The first Honorary Doctorate recipient was Michael C. Marcellus, pastor of First Independent Baptist Church in Austin, TX. He graduated from Baptist Bible College in 1975 with a degree in Missions. The second Honorary Doctorate recipient was Linzy Slayden, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Owasso, OK. He is a 1983 graduate of Baptist Bible College and also holds both a Master of Ministry degree and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies degree from Temple Baptist Seminary in Chattanooga, TN. Slayden also gave the commencement address.
Other graduate awards included:
Institutional Awards
- Delta Epsilon Chi ABHE Honor Society Award – Veronica Berry, Makala Finks, Ellee Franklin, Shane Phillips, Dawson Schoening, Abigail Weed
- Male Christian Service Award – Cody Gaeta
- Female Christian Service Award – Morgan Grant
- Male Key Award – Dawson Schoening
- Female Key Award – Makala Finks
- Male Scholar Athlete – Spencer Chaddick
- Female Scholar Athlete – Gabrielle Adams
Departmental Awards – Undergraduate
- Biblical Studies Award – Richard Edwards
- Church Ministry Award – Makala Finks
- Effie Donnelson Award (Missions) – Elaina Tran
- Fred Donnelson Award (Missions) – Dawson Schoening
- Education Award – Kayla Schoening
- Business Award – Spencer Chaddick
- Pastoral Studies Award – Logan Emmerth
Departmental Awards – Graduate
- Biblical Counseling – Aubrey Gleason
- Church Ministry – Andrew Daniel
- Organizational Leadership – Judy Henderson
- Seminary – David Sisco
- MDiv – Shane Phillips
Upcoming Meetings
- September 18-20, 2023 – Annual Fellowship Meeting at Sonrise Baptist Church in Clovis, CA (Click here to watch the latest promotional video.)
- April 30 – May 3, 2024 – Fellowship Week at Baptist Bible College
- September 2024 – Annual Fellowship Meeting in Rapid City, SD.