Texas
The Texas Baptist Bible Fellowship met at Central Baptist Church in Tyler, TX, on October 9-10, 2023. The theme of the meeting was “Lead the Way” and featured Brian Moore, pastor of Crosspointe Church in Anaheim, CA, and Jon Slayden, pastor of Hope Community Church in Midland, TX, as speakers. Each message provided a challenge to grow in leadership and lead the way in pointing people to Jesus. Additionally, the churches joined together for a “Missionary Launch” for Brynn Gotcher, BBFI missionary to the Philippines. Brynn is sent out of Hope Community Church in Midland, TX. Monday night, the church catered dinner from Chuy’s Mexican restaurant to allow additional time for the guests to spend more time together and encourage one another.
Iowa
The Iowa Baptist Fellowship met in Ames, IA, at Heartland Baptist Church for their fall meeting on October 9-10, 2023. As is their tradition, they went to a Japanese steakhouse for dinner on Monday night and then to Randy and Deanna Abell’s home for a dessert fellowship. Tuesday morning, they gathered at the church for preaching and teaching. Charles Lyons preached several sermons on our adversary, the devil, and how he wants to discourage us, work against us, and deceives, destroys, and isolates us. Dave McIntosh, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Muscatine, IA, spoke on how to start a Christian school. Matt Price, a church planting pastor of Connection Church in Sturgis, SD, gave an update on his new church.
Missouri
The Missouri Baptist Bible Fellowship met at Seminole Baptist Temple in Springfield, MO on October 9, 2023. After a pulled pork lunch together, the preaching service started. The theme of the meeting was “Set the Pace.” Speakers were Kurtis Kolb, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in St. Charles, MO, and Dwight Scott, pastor of Bannister Road Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO. One of the preachers spoke from the perspective of just beginning his pastoral ministry, and the other from the perspective of preparing for retirement. There was also a panel discussion with retired pastor, Bill Kolb, and Seminole Baptist administrative pastor, Eric Starrett, joining the two speakers. During the business meeting the following men were elected to serve their state fellowship: Kevin Kolb, Chairman, Steve Doss, Vice-Chairman, Dennis Mays, Treasurer, and Phil Housley, State Rep.
Kansas
The Kansas Baptist Bible Fellowship met in Wichita, KS, at Glenville Church on October 3, 2023. The KBBF brought in leadership expert, Kim Beckham, to teach his seminar “Leadership Skills Every Pastor Must Master.” Dean Hughes, Kansas State Rep, shared, “The same afternoon as the fellowship meeting, I received a phone call from someone in my church and was able to use some of the material that was taught that morning.”
