Continued on pg. 2

From Your Director of Missions —-Neil O’Donnell

THE LEFLORE COUNTY BAPTIST

USPS 309-120 Second Class Postage PAID

LEFLORE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES

106 Flanagan St., Ste. A, Poteau, OK 74953 Phone: (918) 647-8271 Fax: (918) 647-8273 www.lefloreassociation.org

106 Flanagan St., Ste. A, Poteau, OK 74953

March

March 2020 Vol. 67 Issue 3

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:4-9 GRACE! What a strange and wonderful thing it is. “By GRACE we have been saved”, God shows us “the Immeasurable riches of His GRACE, for by GRACE through faith, we have been saved.” It’s all about that GRACE! We have acronyms to explain it, “God’s Riches at Christ Expense.” We have phrases to explain it, “God giving us what we don’t deserve”, “God’s unmerited favor.” But mere words fall too short to explain the actual truth of GRACE. Let’s just stop here for a few minutes right now and ponder exactly what God has done, and is doing, for us through His GRACE. I believe the first thing we must do is realize just how diametrically opposed to the world God’s GRACE really is. The world system is a system of merit. If you want a job you have to work. Not only work, but if you want to keep your job you have to work harder and better than others or they might take the job from you. If you want to get a promotion in your job or receive a raise, you have to work hard and do your best. When we do our best, we expect our employer to reward us with more money, more benefits or a higher position. If you want to be friends with someone you have to be nice to them. If you are nice to them, they might be nice to you, but if you treat someone badly, they will not want to be friends with you. Everything about the world system we live in is earned. But God’s GRACE! Well, that’s an entirely different deal all together. God’s love for us is so great that He pours out His GRACE upon us even though we are wretched and completely unworthy of anything. The idea of working to earn God’s love and mercy can never add up in our favor. There is no way to work harder or do better than others so that God will love me as much or more than

Neil O’Donnell Director of Missions

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

“From Your DOM” 1&2

“Choices Thank You” 2

“Set Free Ministry” 2

“Van for Sale” 2

“Brotherhood Spotlight” 3

“KBA Needs You” 3

“Church Anniversary” 3

“Seeking Pastor” 3

“Cabin for Sale” 4

“Financials” 4

“Pastorless Churches” 4

“Birthdays/Anniversaries” 4

7th– Youth Rally 7th, 14th, 28th-Set Free Training

LBA Office @ 9-12 9th-South Zone Brotherhood-

Albion 1st @ 6:30 22nd-150th Year Anniversary-

Double Branch @10:30 23rd-North Zone Brotherhood-

Spiro 1st @ 6:30

April 12th-Easter

May 7th –National Day of Prayer

Upcoming Events

March

Continued from pg. 1

FBC Spiro is selling their 2004 Ford Diesel 19 passenger bus with a wheelchair lift. The vehicle has 43,000 mile

on it and has new batteries. The asking price is $18,500. If anyone is interested

please contact Jon Davis at

(479)459-3983 or Brent Jarrell at

(918) 721-8370.

Page 2 Vol. 67 Issue 3

He loves them. Just how hard do I have to work to earn God’s love? Where do you draw the line? It’s a never ending struggle! How can you meas-ure it? Well, you can’t! As Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:7, “God shows us “the Immeasurable riches of His GRACE.” He has gifted it to us. Not only did He gift it to us, the price of the gift was the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ! I guess it’s hard to understand because every-thing we do, or everything we get in this world we have to earn or work for. But God’s Grace is other worldly. I have a very difficult time get-ting my head around how He could have sent His Son to die for me. My thoughts and my actions leave so much to be desired. So, I’m going to stop writing now and start giving thanks to the God of creation for loving me so much that He would draw me to Himself and save my soul so I might live with Him in Heaven for all of eternity.

Thank you to the churches that help keep our doors open. If I have missed anyone please let me know. We truly appreciate all

you do for us.

Big Creek Buffalo Valley

Forrester Friendship

God’s Country Cowboy Church Hodgen

Howe Faith Shady Point Southside Springhill

Talihina 1st

Wister Bethel

Set Free Prayer Ministry Training

Location: Leflore Baptist Association 106 Flanagan St, Poteau, 74953 Dates:: March 7, 9-Noon (Free Lunch), March 14&28, 9-Noon Instructor: Jim Gardner, Ph.D., Therapist, Author, Speaker Basic, Intermediate & Advanced Training During these three Saturday Classes you will learn:

March 7: How to overcome grief, anger & shames March14: How to overcome addictions & depression March 28: How to overcome traumas, sexual abuse, & marital

problems Learn how to help your family, friends, & church members Pre-Registration Required: Call 918-413-5475

Executive Board Meeting Please Mark your calendars and plan to join us

April 13 @ 6:30 For our Quarterly Executive Board Meeting

At the LBA Office.

We voted in January to have meetings on Monday evenings so everyone can attend. Join us to get an update on all your association is doing. 2 members from each church are asked to attend.

LeFlore Baptist Association Page 4

Calling all High School Juniors and Above

KBA is looking for summer help. Join them for a summer filled with fun and fellowship helping

facilitate the camps and programs for the summer of 2020. For more information go to kbacamp.com

and click on the info tab.

Kiamichi

Baptist

Assembly

Seeking Full Time Pastor

Must be able to interface with Hispanic Ministry. Southern Baptist Seminary preferred.

Resumes should be emailed to janie@fbcpoteau.com or mailed to 300 N. Witte,

Poteau, OK 74953

Hello Brotherhood Brethren, I apologize for not being able to Thank Pastor Leonard Presley & Liberty Hill Baptist Church for hosting the 1st Brotherhood meeting of the new year and of the New Dacade! That’s an awesome way to kick off our Brotherhood Meetings. We discussed John 15:1-10 and the importance of staying connected to the Vine. Jesus Said, “I am the true vine and my Father is the Vinedresser.” Jesus warns us about being pruned of weak branches that are not producing fruit and they are cast into the fire. But if we abide in Him the pruning will produce fruit abundantly. Pastor Leonard brought a great message from Ephesians 6:10-20 about how and why we should get up and put on the whole armor of God each and every day. It was a great message that we all needed to hear. He sure has a special gift for delivering the Word of God in his message. Now I want to thank Mr. Larry Sockey and Pocola 1st Baptist for hosting a wonderful Valentine’s Banquet for the North Zone Men and their wives. We had an excellent turnout from our churches. It was beautifully planned out and we were all spoiled by the church youth who were available as servants. The church ladies prepared all we could ever want or need to eat. Thank you all so much. The music was great and sure set up for the rest of the night. We asked Dexter Haskins to bring us a presentation about the upcoming Mexico Mission trip coming up in March. He shared a video and narrated the mission trips and the history of the churches they have been involved with over the past 35 years. It was really touching to see the video of how the size of the VBS increased every night until there were around 100 kids by the last night. A special thank you to all the families from our churches who gave cheerfully to the offering that was given to do God’s work in Mexico. Pastor Devon Minor of Friendship Baptist Fellowship brought the message for our banquet. He started in Ephesians 5:22-23 which was more than a message of love for husband and wife, but also a love for Christ and how Christ loved us; “the Church” Our next meeting will be at Spiro 1st Baptist on March 23rd at 6:30 pm. How to see you all there. May God Bless you all.

Daryl McDonald Thank you to Big Creek Baptist Church for hosting the Central Zone Valentine’s Meeting. Bob Jordan and Robert Swinford and agreed to be the co-directors for the central zone. If you would like to host a brotherhood meeting or have any questions please contact Bob Jordan at (918) 208-7983. Thank you to Whitesboro Baptist Church for hosting the South Zone.

Double Branch Baptist Church

Would like to invite you March 22, 2020

@ 10:30am 150th Year Anniversary

Join us for preaching, special music with

the Batchelor Family, and

dinner on the grounds.

Birthdays

2nd-Tony Couch

3rd-Jason Feemster, Spiro 1st

4th-Vicky O’Donnell

7th-Mark Morris, Loving

9th-Martha Laughlin, Sprinhill

10th-Brenn Hardin, Heavener 1st

13th-Jennifer Feemster, Spiro 1st

13th-Don Rundles, Stapp-Zoe

15th-Molly Minor, Monroe

24th-Lisa Minor, Friendship

Wedding Anniversaries

23rd-T.J. & Amanda Martin, God’s CCC

24th-Devon & Lisa Minor, Friendship

24th-Jason & Brittany Waymire, Cross Community

Church Anniversaries 02yrs-Wayne Burden, Muse 01yr-Jason Feemster, Spiro 1st

Page 5

Printed monthly by and for the

LEFLORE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES

106 Flanagan St., Ste. A, Poteau, OK 74953 Phone: (918) 647-8271 Fax: (918) 647-8273 www.lefloreassociation.org

Neil O'Donnell D.O.M. broneilo@lefloreassociation.org

Rachael Marrow, Admin. Asst. rmarrow@lefloreassociation.org

LBA OFFICE HOURS: 8 am-5 pm, Monday-Thursday

Monroe Cabin for Sale

Monroe Baptist Church has decided to sell there cabin located at Kiamichi Baptist Assembly. For information on this or to schedule a time to see the cabin, please contact Pastor Jeremy

Minor 918-635-0725.

Budget Summary

(January 1st—January 31st 2019) Requirements .................... $ 15,317 Undesignated receipts ....... $ 17,233 Over...................................... $ 1916

Special Thank You to the Churches/People that help make

the Debt Reduction Possible:

Bethel Big Creek

Brotherhood Buffalo Valley

Calhoun Falfa

Friendship Baptist Fellowship Heart O’the Hills

Heavener 1st Howe Faith Liberty Hill

Loving Monroe Octavia

Poteau 1st Prairie Grove Shady Point Springhill Stapp-Zoe

Talihina 1st Whitesboro $-

$50,000.00

$100,000.00

$150,000.00

$200,000.00

$250,000.00

$300,000.00

$350,000.00

$400,000.00

$450,000.00

$500,000.00

Orginal debt 2017 2018 2019 now

Bal

ance

$8

8.1

82

$4

75

,00

0

$1

82

,410

$1

57

,704

$1

19

,614

Pray for Pastorless Churches

Arkoma 1st Buffalo Valley

Howe 1st Pilgrim Rest

Pocola 1st Poteau 1st

Whitesboro

And I will give you Pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with

knowledge & Understanding. Jeremiah 3:15

% Jan YTD

Alb io n 3.0 -$ 4 2 1.17$

Arko ma 6.0 764.01$ 2 ,6 0 3 .4 8$

Big Creek 4.5 1,240.31$ 5,0 9 2 .3 5$

Big Creek, Hisp anic 10.00$ 2 0 .0 0$

Bo ko she 6.0 387.63$ 1,777.50$

Buffalo Valley 4.0 362.06$ 1,2 8 5.78$

Calho un 4.0 531.32$ 1,4 4 1.2 0$

Camero n 4.5 83.73$ 8 3 .73$

Co wling to n 5.0 -$ -$

Do ub le Branch 3.0 432.48$ 1,2 4 6 .16$

Falfa 7.0 133.17$ 4 76 .0 5$

Fo rres ter 3.0 161.52$ 59 3 .4 9$

Friend ship 3.0 314.20$ 1,14 9 .3 7$

Go d 's Ctry. Co wb o y 100.00$ 4 0 0 .0 0$

Heart O' The Hills 2.0 733.01$ 9 4 6 .8 1$

Heavener, Firs t 1.5 1,034.00$ 3 ,4 9 3 .15$

Heavener, Trinity Flat 150.00$ 6 0 0 .0 0$

Ho d g en 3.0 233.40$ 6 8 6 .0 2$

Ho ntub b y 3.3 143.00$ 6 18 .0 0$

Ho we, Faith 5.0 275.60$ 9 6 7.6 0$

Ho we, Firs t 2.0 2 3 9 .6 4$

Ind ep end ence 3.0 74.04$ 3 0 9 .4 5$

LeFlo re 7.0 74.11$ 3 70 .55$

Lib erty Hill 6.0 410.02$ 1,6 0 3 .3 6$

Lo ving 3.0 -$ 4 8 2 .4 2$

Mo nro e 2.5 221.00$ 8 3 0 .0 0$

Mt. View 5.0 -$ -$

Muse 2.0 72.00$ 3 2 5.0 0$

Nueva Nacimento En Cris to 4.0 -$ -$

Octavia 4.0 -$ 4 ,6 4 2 .78$

Pag e 1.0 -$ -$

Panama, Firs t 3.0 131.46$ 4 11.4 0$

Perry Chap el 3.0 -$ -$

Pilg rims Res t 1.0 16.61$ 6 3 .4 7$

Po co la, Firs t 3.0 1,676.25$ 1,6 76 .2 5$

Po co la, Trinity 2.0 -$ 6 0 0 .0 0$

Po teau, Firs t 4.0 855.31$ 5,0 3 4 .75$

Po teau, Hisp anic -$ -$

Po teau, Cro ss Co mm.Imm 1.00 200.00$ 8 0 0 .0 0$

Po teau, So uths id e 4.00 1,295.68$ 4 ,8 2 9 .3 7$

Po teau, Trinity 5.00 159.00$ 58 2 .0 0$

Prairie Gro ve 7.50 446.60$ 2 ,0 59 .6 8$

Shad y Po int 4.00 438.00$ 1,4 2 9 .0 0$

Sp iro , Calvary 3.00 -$ -$

Sp iro , Firs t 3.00 -$ 8 ,9 9 4 .56$

Sp ring hill 4.00 1,699.89$ 7,3 8 1.71$

Stap p -Zo e 5.00 504.60$ 9 3 4 .3 2$

Summerfield 5.00 231.00$ 775.0 0$

Talihina 3.00 878.15$ 3 ,10 9 .9 8$

Victo ry 5.00 -$ -$

Whitesb o ro 2.00 369.00$ 1,3 6 3 .0 0$

Wis ter, Bethel 4.00 2,838.78$ 4 ,70 1.4 2$

Wis ter, Firs t 2.50 66.07$ 3 12 .3 7$

To tal 19,747.01$ 77,76 3 .3 4$

Receip ts fro m January 2 0 2 0

(received as o f January 3 1, 2 0 2 0 )