www.rankinbaptists.org (our new website where all churches are listed

 

Copies of the 2011 Annual Report
and the 2012 Book of Reports are available on our new website.

 

  

"The Catalyst" 

 January 2013
 
Life Coaching Series for Pastors and Staff
begins
January 17, 2013, 9:00 a.m. - noon
RCBA building
Marital Conflict
facilitated by
Dr. Perry Sanderford,
Crossroads Counseling Center
Please R. S. V. P.
601-939-2182
 

Bro. Allen  

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S CORNER 

 

As we begin the New Yea,r there are so many exciting things on the horizon. God is at work in our world in unbelievable ways. It is easy for the devil to cause us to be pessimistic when we look at our society and our government, but we must remember that God is still on His throne. Certain isolated events such as the killing of precious first graders and some of their teachers can cause us to think that things are out of control. Of course, this was the action of one disturbed young man. It does remind us that our world is full of fallen and sinful people, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ can change that.

It is our duty and opportunity to spread the Gospel in our world. I am thankful for the way the Baptists of Rankin County have shown themselves to be compassionate and caring about the lost and needy. It is my belief that hundreds of people both here and around the world will come to know Christ because of the efforts of the persons from our churches who determine to make a difference in our world.

Please be alert to opportunities to grow as a disciple of Christ. Ebenezer Ministries will be having its School of Biblical Studies at the Rankin Baptist Association Office beginning on January 8. Also, the Mississippi Baptist Evangelism Conference will be at the First Baptist Church of Richland on January 27 and 28.

For pastors and other staff members, there will be the first in a Life Coaching Series taught by Dr. Perry Sanderford dealing with Marital Conflict on January 17 from 9am till 11::30 a.m. at RCBA.

In Christ,

Allen Stephens

 

  
India Missions
Sandals 
I weep when I see this photo of Evangelist Mallappa's footwear.  He is a dirt-poor evangelist from the remote village of Daddi in far off northwest Karnataka.  He walks to preach Christ.  Can you see the poverty and plainess of his life?  Homemade shoes held together with nails have carried this man to declare the Gospel in lots of unreached Hindu villages.  He had a servant's heart, always insisting on carrying my suitcase, my books or my stuff.  He would not let me wash my plate after a meal, but always had to do that for me.  I have been to his village and seen his district.  You would not want to live there.  But there Mallappa is preaching, walking, and faithfully serving; and he is a "light that shineth in a dark place." (2 Peter 1:19)
  
Missionaries from India

Ministry Assistants' Christmas Luncheon
Beth Bowman  
  Guest Speaker Beth Bowman - FBC Brandon
  
Servers from Believers SS Class - FBC Brandon   
  
 
Boy, do we know how to laugh!!
  
Over 100 crossword puzzles and photo books were donated from the Ministry Assistants to the Nursing Home Ministry.
Devotional
CWJC devotional
Over the past year, 48 women in Mississippi have been working on a devotional book called "Stories of Hope for Women." The published devotional books will be given
 to 300 female inmates locally. If your church or group would like to sponsor these Devotionals, the printing price is $5.00 per Devotional. An example, sponsoring 10 books will be $50.00 and a sticker will be in the front of each book with your church or group name. Please send your checks to Rankin Baptists, Hope Devotionals, 200 Park Place Drive, Pearl, MS 39208. Info about buying extra Devotionals will be out at a later date. We need to get the first 300 out first.

 

Happy New Year!!
 

 

DATES TO REMEMBER: 
 
Janaury 8th - China Meeting at RCBA offices - 11:30 a.m. 
January 11th - Human Trafficking Awareness Day
January 11th and 12th, 2013 - Marriage Retreat at Flowood Baptist Church led by Ronnie and Beverly Cottingham; it is open to all ages and the cost is $25 per couple; call the church for details
January 17th - Life Coaching Series at RCBA - 9:00 a.m. - noon; facilitated by Dr. Perry Sanderford, Crossroads Counseling Center; topic is Marital Conflict
January 24th - Strategy Committee meeting at 10:30 a.m. at RCBA offices; Administrative Committee meeting at 11:30 a.m.

January 27th and 28th - 2013 State Evangelism Conference - First Baptist Richland; call Don Lum at MBCB for details

January 31st - Finance Committee Meeting - 11:30 a.m. at RCBA offices

February 8th - 10th - DNOW weekend at FBC Richland - call for more information

February 22nd - 24th - DNOW weekend with FBC Brandon, Brandon Baptist, Meadow Grove and First Methodist - call Rushing Mayes at 601-825-6766 if you
 rchurch would like to jump on board

February 24th - 27th - REVIVAL with Gary Bowlin at Flowood Baptist Church

 

 
Ebenezer Ministries
 2013 schedule
 
Rankin County Ebenezer Seminary Schedule

 Meets at Rankin County Baptist Association Building - 6:30 p.m.

(Cost is $50 per monthly session or course)

 

 

A Look at the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
January 8, 15, 22, 29
Rev. Allen Stephens, Instructor

 

General Epistles
March 5, 12, 19, 26
Rev. Bill Hyers, Instructor

 

Studies in Isaiah
May 7, 14, 21, 28
Dr. Sam Hughes, Instructor

 

Church Structure and Leadership
July 9, 16, 23, 30
Dr. Steve Jackson, Instructor
Nursing Home Ministry goes to the Veterans Home
  
   
Santa, Buddy Pharris was a big hit

 
 Dr. Billy Thomas and volunteers are setting up
a shopping spree for residents
 
All of the residents were given sweat suits and socks, and then they went shopping for themselves or family from donated items to the ministry.
There are many volunteer opportunities available with this ministry....please call 601-939-2182 for more information.
Wingard House Christmas Party at Trade Mart
  
248 Lambs were adopted from the Christmas Tree at Walmart, in Flowood, for this party.  It is so amazing to realize, and to see, how very giving the people of Mississippi are.......there is a reason we are always in the top two of the most generous in our nation!!  
  
Children came from 3:00 - 5:00 to play games, eat food, have their pictures made in the Manger Scene, have their faces painted and to hear the REAL Christmas story.  A blessing for all.
  
 
Bikes that were donated for the children
  
 
Instead of pictures with Santa, there were pictures with Jesus
  

Face painting 
CWJC Christmas
  
Gifts for our students children from Clear Branch Baptist Church and Rock Bluff - the kids were blessed!  
 
More than 28,750 Christmas Cards were delivered to inmates this year - seen above is Mary Callahan loading her SUV! Thank you to all of those churches and individuals who helped with this project.
  
Congratulations to Stacey, April, and Pam, graduates at CWJC Richland.  The ladies are required to attend two, 12- week semesters and meet other requirements to qualify for graduation.  Please pray for these ladies.  CWJC Richland is staffed entirely by volunteers and operates through donatons from individuals and churches in our community.
Mississippi State Children's Home Christmas
  
 
  
Seen in the photo above is the Oakdale Baptist Church choir, along with Brother Allen, performing at the Mississippi Children's Home Christmas Party.  The children were challenged with the message of salvation and a story of St. Nick by Dr. Rick Henson.  Also, they were given games from the Rotary Club and hand embroidered pillowcases with Psalm 4:8 on them, from the Believers Class at FBC Brandon.  Then, they ate pizza and cake.  Wonderful time for all!!
  
Also, this ministry needs volunteers for the Wednesday night Bible study groups......call Jim Maulding if interested (601-720-7910).