Some would think it ironic the first national BBFI midwinter Fellowship meeting with the new shorter schedule should take place in the large expanse offered by Houston, Texas. But anyone attending would agree the schedule was the only thing smaller. The Baptist Bible Fellowship pastors, missionaries, church staff, and their wives and families experienced large-hearted hospitality and care from hosts Central Baptist Church and Pastor Larry Maddox when the BBF met February 18-20.
BBF pastors decided in September to try a new schedule, with all committee and board business to be completed Monday afternoon, with worship and preaching services commencing that evening, and all meetings concluding Wednesday evening. Evening attendance Monday and Tuesday was a little over 500, with more than 600 attending the Wednesday service.
Preachers for the event included missionaries Ray Redmon (Korea), Lance Patterson (Kenya), and Greg Lyons (Philippines), BBC President Jim Edge, BBF Mission Director Jon Konnerup, BBF-NCPO Director Wayne Guinn, Baptist Bible Tribune Editor Keith Bassham, and pastors Bruce Humbert, Pat Finley, Richard Edwards, Gary Grey, John Westfall, Tom Wagoner, and a special guest, SBC President Johnny Hunt. Recordings of the preaching and worship sessions are available from the Central Baptist Church office and some are available online at the church’s website.
The coordinator of the women’s ministries at Central Baptist Church, Madeline Nelson, led a breakfast meeting for women Wednesday morning. Afternoons featured seminars for missionaries, pastors, pastors’ wives, and church staff. Tuesday afternoon, BBC President Jim Edge held an informational meeting for pastors in which he presented information about finances of Baptist Bible College. He announced several cost-cutting moves that will save many thousands of dollars in the next few years, and he announced a May College Offering goal of $1 million.
February Tribune Offering nears goal
One of the features of the midwinter Fellowship meeting is the February Tribune Offering (FTO). Although the 2009-2010 FTO announced was nearly $120,000, it fell short of the goal of $130,000. Editor Keith Bassham gave the information during his message Wednesday morning when he spoke on the subject of hope. He said, “I believe the rest of the offering is coming to us, and we just haven’t gotten the reports yet. Several states gave either an abbreviated report or no report, and “rather than just assume they will do what they have in the past, I prefer to give the information I have and hope others will join those who have already given or have promised.”
The Tribune enjoyed a slight increase in church support during the latter half of 2008 even though the economy was dipping. Bassham said, “This midwinter meeting is usually called the Tribune meeting, and I appreciate so much all the kind things people said about the quality of the magazine during the week.
There were some nice extras
The Crist Family (www.cristfamilymusic.com) provided special music mornings and evenings. Everywhere, Central Baptist Church people were at work during the week. Homemade desserts were served every evening after the services, helpful greeters were at every entrance, and church members graciously parked off campus so the visitors could park their cars in the church lot. Pastor Maddox’s staff worked long hours on behalf of Fellowship visitors. Music and worship was led expertly by Jason Waldroup, and Co-pastor Roy Maddox and secretaries Sharon Reagan and Ann Downey seemed to be everywhere they were needed, going the extra mile and then some. Most Fellowship people did not know the church had just completed one special event, and they were planning a large anniversary celebration just a few weeks away.
One other nice extra was a meal provided to the Fellowship guests through the generosity of Taste of Texas Restau16 rant. When restaurant coowner Nina Hendee, who attends a nearby church, heard about the Fellowship meeting, she offered to cater a steak dinner to the preachers Tuesday evening. The steak dinner was enjoyed by about 500 people.
Minimal business at the February meeting
The BBFI does not schedule a business meeting for February (though there are exceptions, such as last February when the president called a meeting to ratify Jim Edge as president of BBC), but the National Directors and other BBFI entities do meet. Among the business items covered in those meetings, two new church planters were approved, and President Grey introduced a proposal to change the national officer voting procedure. Directors agreed in principle to a procedure that would minimize the politics associated with the elections and ensure participation among those who are both qualified and interested in the BBFI elections. Constitutional amendment language will be read and approved in the May meeting in Springfield, scheduled May 11-14. The September meeting will be hosted by Canton Baptist Temple and Pastor Mike Frazier.