"The Catalyst"
July 2013
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S CORNER
This past month Omega and I had the privilege of once again attending the Southern Baptist Convention. It is always an uplifting experience for us to attend that great gathering of Southern Baptists from all parts of the world. Of course, an interesting aspect of that experience for me is to attend the Southern Baptists Directors of Missions Conference on the weekend before the Convention. This year the SBCADOM meeting was held at the great Second Baptist Church. Dr. Ed Young, a native of Laurel, MS is the long time pastor of that church. It was exciting to learn that the week before we were there the attendance at 2nd was 20,000 (in 15 worship services in seven different locations). We worshipped there on Sunday morning and it was an awesome and encouraging experience.
At the Convention we heard great reports and challenges regarding the work of our Lord through Southern Baptists. One report that was the most significant for me was that there are 80,000 people coming to Christ every day on an average in our world. In this day of discouragement about the moral decline in America, it is uplifting to know that God is at work all over the world bringing people to Himself. Don't be discouraged! Look up! Your redemption draws near.
I hear reports every week of wonderful results from Vacation Bible Schools and from mission endeavors that are carried out by Rankin Baptists. I praise the Lord for you and for your faithfulness to Him.
Rejoicing in Him,
Allen Stephens
Executive Director
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Encouragement Bags for new Cancer Patients at Baptist Hospital
We are so thrilled about the Encouragement Bag project at Rankin County Baptist Association with Baptist Hospital. This project was an idea that came from the G.A.'s and R. A.'s at Bethel Baptist Church. There are about 300 new patients each month and so far we have 13 churches signed up to provide the bags to the hospital patients. Included in the bags are spiritual literature, a Bible, snacks, a bottle of water, crossword puzzles and other various items. Our prayer is that these patients will know that Rankin Baptist Association is there for them, praying for them and understanding of this time in their life.
Seen in the above picture is the Believer's Sunday School class at FBC Brandon who supplied the bags for the month of July. The second picture is of the 300 completed bags being delivered on July 1st to the Cancer Clinic; seen on the left of the cart is Tonya Ball, Navigator for the Cancer Center, and on the right is Allen Stephens, DOM for Rankin County Baptist Association. The third picture is one of the decorated bags next to the RCBA mission statement.
Also, a big thank you to Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, Mississippi Benevolence, Rock Bluff Baptist Church and Paul Baggett's Sunday School class at FBC Brandon for donating part of the funding required to purchase Bibles for each Encouragement Bag. If there are Sunday School classes or individuals that would like to participate in this project by purchasing Bibles (we need 360 the first year) you can mail a check to RCBA, 200 Park Place Drive, Pearl, MS 39208 and designate it for Encouragement Bags.
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SAVE THE DATE Nursing Home Ministry Gala Date: October 3rd at Brandon City Hall |
Addictions Seminar
Dr. Louis Breland
Thank you so much to Dr. Breland for spending his morning to share with our Pastors about Addictions. Don't forget our final Life Coaching Series seminar will be on September 19th from 9:00 a.m. - noon and the topic is Stress Management. This seminar will be facilliated by Ruth Whitley, Crossroads Counseling Center.
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Pelahatchie Baptist Church in Dominican Republic
The following are pictures of the recent mission trip to the Dominican Republic. For the week we worshipped, shared the Word, gave gifts, and served juice and cookies to 1500 children.
360 children in VBS
Drilling for water
Caleb Hughes stirring Koolaid for VBS children
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DATES TO REMEMBER:
July 16, 2013 - Growing Churches meeting at RCBA offices - 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
July 17, 2013 - Finance Committee meeting - 11:30 a.m. at RCBA offices
July 18, 2013 - Strategy Committee meeting at 10:30 a.m. and Administrative Committee meeting at 11:30 a.m. at RCBA offices
July 26, 2013 - Mississippi Baptist Youth Night (Collide) - 6:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Coliseum - free to public; Collide, Ed Newton, Speaker and Matt Papa, Worship Leader.
July 28, 2013 - WMU School Prayer Walk - organize an event for your area.
August 8, 2013 - Greater Vision will be in concert on 7:00 p.m. at Pelahatchie Baptist Church -doors will open at 6:00 p.m. A love offering will be taken.
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RCBA Connections:
1. 4th of July Patriotic Celebration on July 3rd - United We Stand - A Tribute of Praise to God and Country; the combined choirs and orchestras of Brandon Baptist, FBC Brandon, Oakdale, and Crossroads will join together - will not want to miss!
2,Congratulations to: Hannah Page, Crossgates for placing 3rd in the State Bible Drill competition; and Cade Holland, Pinelake for placing 1st in the Middle School division for Bible Drill competition.....we are so very proud of you !!
3. The medical Mission trip to Ukraine (July 19-27) from Brandon Baptist is in need of over the counter pain meds and vitamins (both children's and adult) to take on the trip. You can take to the church or drop off at RCBA and we will deliver for you.
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VBS Schedule 2013
Great things to come! Bring your kids, neighbors, grandkids....to learn about Jesus
July 7 - 10 - Crossview - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
July 8 - 11 - Truitt Memorial - 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
July 14 - 18 - FBC Pearl - 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
July 15 - 19 - Pelahatchie Baptist - 6:00 p.m. -
8:30 p.m.
July 17 - 21 - Trinity - 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on the 17 - 19; 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. on the 20 - 21
July 21 - 25 - Flowood Baptist - 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
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Tri4Life 2013
Center for Pregnancy Choices
Date: August 10th
Place: Fannin Landing Boat Launch
The race will begin at 7:00 a.m. with a 1/3 mile swim, followed by a 16 mile bike ride, and ends with a 5K run, all in the Reservoir area.
Volunteers needed for the day of the event - parking, traffic control, water stations, kayaks, timing helpers, marking the participants, first aid and food for partcipants.
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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)
Survey of The Old Testament
July 9, 16, 23, 30 Instructor: Dr. Rick Henson
The History of Christianity from 500 - 1500 A.D.
September 3, 10, 17, 24 Instructor: Bill Hyer
Minor Prophets with a Major Message
October 8, 15, 22, 29 Instructor: Dr. Steve Jackson
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Nursing Home Ministry Golf Tournament
We praise God for the success of the 2nd Annual NHM Golf Classic. On behalf of the many "forgotten people" whom will be seen because of your support we thank you.
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FBC Brandon - England
FBC Brandon Mission team in Birmingham England - working at Moneyhull Church and within the Muslim communities
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Truitt Memorial Baptist
Truitt Memorial Baptist in Pearl, MS is seeking a part-time Music Assistant. This is a paid staff position. Duties will be playing keyboard for a praise team, assisting children's choir volunteer leaders and general assisting the Associate Pastor/Minister of Music. Contact the church office between 8:00 a.m. - noon, Monday - Thursday for more information at 601-939-2975.
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Piano to donate
Piano available in good condition. Contact McLaurin Heights Baptist Church at 601-939-3379 and they will put you in contact with the individual who has the piano.
Organ to Donate
Full Church Organ to give away - Yamaha with 2 full keyboards, full stops, and full pedal board - call Charlotte at 601-942-5323 if interested.
Also, RCBA has puppet ministry set-up to give to an interested church. Please call us at 601-939-2182 if interested in starting this ministry or adding to your current ministry.
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