May 2014 meeting report
by Keith Bassham
Reset was the key word for the 2014 edition of the BBFI May Graduation Fellowship Week held May 5-8 on the campus of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. While some features were left roughly where they always have been, annual visitors and those who have not been on the campus of BBC for some time may have noted a number of resets.
For one, the week was scheduled earlier than anyone could recall. For several years, Fellowship Week has been held in the middle of the month, or sometimes later (the dates for next year are May 4-7, by the way, so plan ahead). Another reset for meeting attendees concerned the Tuesday format. BBC President Mark Milioni, concerned that the current meeting schedule did not allow for as many preachers as in the past, constructed a Tuesday “TED talk” venue (named for popular conferences featuring ideas presented in short segments — TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design) so that nine preachers addressed the Fellowship on church, legal, theological, and other timely issues in 13-minute segments. Speakers for Tuesday were Paul Blue, Marcus Mackey, Griffin Jones, Eddie Bumpers, Jeff Smith, Ed Holland, David Middlebrook, Wayne Slusser, and Gary Fuller. And, of course, this was in addition to the evening preachers and the missionary presentations on Wednesday. Milioni said of his choices, “We had speakers from all aspects of ministry — senior pastors, staff, well-known and new. When I was a pastor, learning and getting good ideas were very important reasons I wanted to come to Fellowship Week.”
The core of Fellowship Week remains unchanged, however. Classmates reconnect, new missionaries introduce themselves to the Fellowship, graduates begin transitions to new lives, and the Fellowship takes time to think about their past and their futures. BBC faculty and staff were everywhere, helping however they could. (By the way, BBC faculty and staff are often ignored when the thanks go out, but Fellowship Week would not be possible without them.) In those ways, this meeting was like every other May meeting held since 1951.
The evening speakers, BBFI President Linzy Slayden, AWANA President Jack Eggar, Pastor Mark Hoover, and BBC President Mark Milioni, all challenged the Fellowship to be more evangelistic, aggressive, and compassionate for the lost in the world. Milioni called to mind the moral and intellectual challenges for preachers of the life-giving Word in these days. Commencement speaker Keith Gillming sounded a call for faithfulness in a changing world.
BBFI missions is the focus on Wednesday of Fellowship Week. Beside the preaching, it is the opportunity for missionaries and the Fellowship to meet one another. New missionaries approved were Max and Jennifer Kennedy (Nicaragua), Aaron and Chrissie McNeff (Argentina), Jordan and Nikky Nisly (Philippines), Shane and Kayti Salmon (Thailand), and Michael and Cristy Wyatt (Japan). Two families were approved to Restricted Access Nations. TEAM missionaries approved were Joshua and Brenda Casey (Belgium), Brennan and Libby Penner (Belgium), Daniel and Lauren Schlagel (Dominican Republic), and Hannah Yelinek (England). The BBFI also endorsed LT1 Elliott Barrowclough to be a chaplain to the U.S. Army National Guard.
Missionaries honored for their 50 years of service to the BBFI were Boyd and Donna Lyons (Philippines), Richard and Lynda Todd (Argentina), and Maudie Meek in abesentia (Costa Rica). Those honored with their 30-year pins were Jeff and Judy Blanton (South Africa), Michael and Cindy Burgett (Japan), Rick and Joy Kelly (Guam), Bruce and Pam O’Neal (Philippines/Manna), and in absentia Carl and Bonnie Clark (Botswana), and Steve and Pam Workman (Botswana).
The music for the week showed versatility, and there was something for everyone. Nate Harmon can take a congregation from excited to devotional with just a few melodic notes and chords. Solos, groups, and even a choir kept things moving forward. A men’s group made up of local worship and music ministers was a highlight.
The past few years, the Fellowship has been honoring those who have served in ministry for a very long time with a Fellowship Faithfulness Award. The recipients in May were Kenneth (posthumous) and Norma Gillming, and Eli Harju, all of whom were beloved teachers in Fellowship schools. Thousands, and through their extended influence, millions have been touched by their ministries.
The BBFI handles some business matters in May, though the annual business meeting takes place in September. Among those items considered in May is the selection of nominees for national offices. When the Committee of Directors met Monday afternoon, May 5, they selected these nominees, which were passed on to the national business meeting the next day. (Complete list of nominees is on page 5.)
Pastors received ballots and marked them during the meeting. Those who did not attend may request a ballot from the Mission Office. Ballots must be submitted to the Mission Office no later than July 1 to be counted. New officers will take their places at the end of the September meeting, and they will serve a two-year term.
In the business meeting Tuesday, the pastors also received reports from the colleges, the Mission Office, and the Tribune. The Mission Office budget for 2014-2015 was approved. Pastors also approved a resolution affirming that the pastors of the Baptist Bible Fellowship will continue to maintain a strong biblical and moral stance in the face of cultural pressures (see the text of the resolution on page 30 of this magazine). BBFI Mission Director Jon Konnerup reported that our missionaries and the churches over which they preside had 119,778 people saved, and 155 churches were started.
Vice President Dan Lamb reported the status of the National Church Planting Office (NCPO) and gave some details concerning the future of that office (see the NCPO column in this issue for some of those details). Patrick and Courtney Shawhan are newly approved church planters.New trustees for Baptist Bible College are Ed Holland and David Janney.
New trustee for Boston Baptist College is Chris Edwards. The BBC May College Offering as the Tribune went to press was $280,000. President Milioni said he was pleased and thankful given the large offering received by the college earlier in the year.
At commencement Thursday, 54 undergrad and 15 graduate students received their degrees. Other significant meetings during the week included class reunions, a reception and meeting for the women (Stephanie Young Brown was the speaker and BBC’s drama team provided entertainment), a President’s Reception after the Monday evening service, and an Alumni and Friends Banquet held Wednesday afternoon. All were well attended, and the spirit prevailing over the entire meeting carried over into each event.
Local pastor Rob Hoffman and a veteran of Fellowship Week meeting planning in the past declared the week one of the best he could remember. Mark Milioni, the host, said, “Last week was not only a great win for BBC. It was a great win for the BBF.” I believe many will agree.
Upcoming meeting dates
September 22-24, 2014 – Beacon Baptist Church, Taylor, MI, Pastor Herb Gilbert
February 16-18, 2015 – Orlando Baptist Church, Orlando, FL, Pastor David Janney
May 4-7, 2015 – Baptist Bible College
September 2015 – Temple Baptist Church Albuquerque, NM (date not set)
March 13-17, 2016 – International meeting in Seoul, Korea
September 2016 – Friendship BaptistChurch, Owasso, OK (date not set)