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Holston Baptist Association, 207 University Parkway, Johnson City, TN 37604 www.holstonbaptists.org
October Volume LVIII—Issue 10
THE MESSENGER
Ben Brags—On the Savior!
For this year, we have talked, prayed and planned about "How to Think and Act Like Missionaries." So now, what are we going to do about it? Better question: Where are we going to join God in our thinking and doing? Our IMB President, David Platt, says he is encouraged to see compassion, conviction, and courage in churches to confront many social issues of our day, yet he is discouraged that we normally pick issues around what is most comfortable and least costly...for us. Dr. Platt writes, "In a world where
everything revolves around yourself -- protect yourself, promote yourself, comfort yourself, and take care of yourself -- Jesus says, Crucify yourself!" As Christ-followers, we want our focus to begin, not with social issues, but with the holiness, love, goodness, truth, justice, authority and mercy of God that is revealed in the gospel. Then such an Infinity-of-Infinity God will reshape our "thinking and acting" with regard to the social issues in our communities. "To share the gospel through relationships with every soul in NE TN within the next five years" is not a tool and technique issue; it is a heart issue, a First-Love issue. And Revitalization is not a tool and technique issue either; it is a First-Love issue, which also hinges on whether churches are "outward focused." We will recognize revitalization when members are, one-by-one, returning to First-Love Christianity, who then influence the whole church culture to "corporately think and act as missionaries" on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Why is this vision difficult to believe? I am invited to pray before the JC City Commission next month, and I want to also commend to them the crucified-with-Christ servants of over 100 Holston churches as a resource and as part of a solution in the social issues of this region. I want to simply ask, "How can we help you?" Then I want to do likewise in every community in our region. But I won't go alone. Who will go with me? Pastors, leaders, warriors... Let me hear from you! What might happen if we get in over our heads and are forced to cry out to God to help us walk by faith... in tackling hard problems, in building relationships in tough places, and in touching and transforming messy lives in every community of this region? What gifts and skills are isolated inside the church walls or sitting dormant, just waiting to be challenged and involved in a "deliberate outward focus" that requires faith and the power of God, else we fail? ************************************************ On-Mission Celebration is meant for EVERY Holston church! Please note the numerous Host Church Locations on page 6. Every non-host church is hereby most eagerly invited to bring loads of your folk to hear the missionary of your choice, at the church of your choice, for any service Oct. 10-18.
Have you THANKED your Pastor?
Have you PRAYED for you Pastor?
What are YOU doing for your Pastor?
Holston Baptist Association Appreciates All of Our Pastors
and their Families!
Nick Adams
Jeff Alford
Stan Anderson
Clay Austin
Claude Babb
Dwayne Baird
Joe Blankenship (INT)
Richard Blankenship
Pete Booher
Roy Branson
Allen Brummett
Logan Buchanan
Greg Burton
Robert Carty
Jim Chatman
Bill Christian
Tommy Clark
Jerry Cornett
David Crutchfield
Jim Cumbow
Shawn Cutshall
Allen Davis
Steve Davis
Jack Dykes
Bill Duncan
Mike Eklund
Jamie Ferguson
John Ferguson
Tony French
Paul Garritt
David Green
James Harrison
Mark Harrod
Doug Henshaw (INT)
Dwight Hobbs
Tommy Hood
Brian Hollaway
Tim Jackson
Dwight Jenkins
Jerry Keasling
Paul Ketron
Ken Kyker
Jim Lindsey (INT)
William Lunsford
Paul Maye
Chippy McClain
Harold McNabb
John McPheron
C.C. Mills
Bryan Moore
Charles Morgan
Kevin Morris
Randall Morton
Joey Murdock
Rich Murray
Sherrel Nave
Brian Nulf
Mike Oaks
Don Page
Steve Pate
Bill Peeler (INT)
Jim Perkins
Ferrell Peterson
Tommy Pierce
Craig Ponder
Michael Pope
Rick Powell
Ben Proffitt
Jerry Puckett (INT)
Jon Reed
Nathan Reynolds
Mike Richards
James Roberts
Greg Salyer
Ed Scarbrough
Daniel Shrader
Bryan Smith
David Smith
Zach Smith
Al South
Butch Stout
Claude Swatzell
Bill Taylor
Michael Taylor
Pete Tackett
Tal Thompson
Mike Tyson
Jaime Velasco
Dennis Wall
Victor Wallace (INT)
Reggie Weems
Ken Whaley
Larry Wiley
Keith Williams
Paul Winchester
Andy Wood
10 Ideas for Pastor Appreciation Month
1. Write Lots of Letters– On Sunday before Pastor Appreciation Day, distribute stamped envelopes addressed
to the pastor. An instruction note invites each church member to write and mail a personal note of
encouragement and appreciation to the pastor during the week.
2. Customize a T-shirt– Order a “Best Pastor in________” T-shirt, cap or plaque, and present it with flourish.
3. Create Original Art– Laminate bookmarks created by the children in your church, featuring their art and
signatures. Allow kids to present the bookmarks to the pastor personally.
4. Place Your Church in a Frame– Prepare a beautifully framed photo or painting of the church building. Even
better: take a group photo of church members in front of the building. Use extra wide matting and ask
every church member to sign the mat before adding glass.
5. Purchase Helpful Commentaries– Purchase a full set of Bible commentaries. Allow various groups, such as
Bible classes, committees or church organizations, to present one book of the set, individually wrapped
with their personal notes of appreciation on the inside pages.
6. Make a Video Presentation– Create a presentation of photos and video of the pastor(s) in action during
the past year. Set it to music and play it as a pre-service video.
7. Give Public Thanks– Take out a full-page ad in your local newspaper, featuring a photo of your pastor and
a declaration of your church’s love and appreciation. Even better: Add every member’s signature on the
ad.
8. Do a Office Makeover– Do a surprise office makeover, with the pastor’s wife’s input, of course. Consider
fresh paint, updated décor, new furniture and even a computer or technology upgrade.
9. Supply Favorite Things– Think of one small thing your pastor enjoys, such as M&Ms, fishing lures, coffee,
etc. Ask each member to bring that item on Sunday, i.e. one bag, any size, of M&Ms. Supply extras for
guests or forgetful members.
10. Celebrate 30 Days of Appreciation– Use an October calendar to schedule volunteers for a month-long
schedule of surprise treats.
Each day of the month, the pastor will receive a surprise token of appreciation from a church member,
committee or group within the church. The tributes can vary widely. Some ideas include: a balloon delivery, a
shoe shine, an apple pie or gift certificate. After a whole month of pleasant surprises, won’t your pastor feel
appreciated?
And won’t God be honored by your acts of love for His servant? Don’t forget to include a sincere note with
specific reasons you appreciate the minister’s spiritual leadership, dedication, time and commitment.
Honor God by honoring His servants, with a thoughtful, personalized encouragement that fits your unique
church and pastor.
http://www.lifeway.com/Article/pastor-Ideas-for-Pastor-Appreciation-Month-in-October
Dr. Tommy Hood
Central Baptist Church would like to welcome and
recognize Dr. Tommy Hood to their church as their new
Pastor. Dr. Tommy Hood comes to them from Texas with his
wife, Paula and their son, Andrew. His first official day as
Pastor at Central Baptist Church, was September 1st.
Trinity Baptist Church ordained two new deacons on
Sunday, August 30th.
From left to right is Lucas Denton, Pastor Mark Harrod , and
on the right is David Abel.
Luka Temaj is a New Citizen!!
Luka came all the way from Serbia and now calls the U.S.
“home” with his wife and daughter. He is now the Associate
Pastor at Faith Fellowship. Tim Jackson is Pastor.
On Sunday, August 23rd, Bowmantown
Baptist Church ordained three new dea-
cons. After the morning message, the three
new deacons provided a brief testimony to
the congregation. From left to right is Lonis
Francis, Heath Broyles, Reverend Maurice
Quillen, and Eric Bailey.
Trinity Baptist Church has a
prayer bench to give to a church.
It is 12 feet long; white with
cranberry padding.
Please contact Tony Maden at
753-4394
Colonial Heights Baptist Church is
selling 80 choir robes. The robes
are royal blue with deep red and
crème stoles. They are of
various sizes and price is
negotiable. For more information
please contact Greg Whitlock at
239-5123 (ext. 104) or email him
Woodlawn Baptist Church, in
Bristol, TN is seeking a full time
pastor. They are asking that the
candidate holds a seminary
degree from a Southern Baptist
institute, and a minimum of five
years experience. Please submit
resume, statement of faith, and
vision for growth to:
Woodlawn Baptist Church
Pastor Search Committee
1400 Southside Ave.
Bristol, TN 37620
Among the Churches
Roy Jenkins from Enon Baptist Church, Keith
Weatherly from Clark Street Baptist Church
and Daniel Dunn from Unicoi Baptist Church
have resigned as Pastor.
Baptisms Among the Churches
Calvary Baptist Church in Erwin
had 1 baptism last month
New Salem Baptist Church had 2
river baptisms last month
William “Billy” Duncan
Son of Rev. Bill and Carolyn Duncan, passed away
unexpectedly on Wednesday September 2, 2015. Billy was a
member and the pianist at Bluff City Baptist Church. Our
deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers are with the
family.
Frank Lethcoe
Frank was a minister for 50 years here in East
Tennessee and was a member of First Baptist
Church of Jonesborough. He passed away Monday
September 21, 2015 at the James H. Quillen VA
Medical Center.
World Missions Conference 2015
October 11th-18th
There will be twenty-three churches hosting this years
World Missions Conference. There are going to be fifteen
different missionaries come and share with the churches
just a little bit of what they do. We have missionaries
coming from all over: International Mission Board (IMB),
North America Mission Board (NAMB), Partnership
Missions, Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC), and
Holston Missions.
Baileyton/New Lebannon Mt. Zion
Calvary, Erwin New Salem
Central, Erwin Ninth Street
Cherokee Shallow Ford
Cherry Grove Skyline
First Baptist, Jonesborough Southside
Fordtown/ Beulah Southwestern
Greenwood Sunset
Harmony Trinity
Mountain View Towering Oaks
University Parkway
There are sixteen missionaries coming from all over the world to the World
Missions Conference to tell their stories. We will have missionaries from
Sub-Saharan Africa, Las Vegas, Poland, Harvest of Israel, Denver, Colorado,
Helena, Montana, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Northeast Tennessee. Please try to
attend this week as we try to think like missionaries and to
Imagine the Glory!
John Basham Stephen Knell
Jack Burns Joe Ledford
Brandon Caudell Kim Margrave
Jonathan Chapman John Parrott
Alan Duncan Greg R.
Darren Hales Joe Sorah
Bruce Hendrich Jim W.
Ted Holmes Steve Witt
There will be a meal provided for all the missionaries at the Holston Baptist Association on October 14th
at 12:00 Noon
Churches Hosting WMC Missionaries
The Gathering
229th Annual Meeting
October 20th
Oak Grove Baptist Church
Breakouts:
1) Stewardship of Health: Heart Care...Physical & Spiritual Led by Pastor Greg Burton and Allison Turner The poor health stewardship of one ministry leader can harm, not only himself but also, the faithfulness and fruitful-ness of every member of his church family. But just a few wise choices can lead to wonderful new directions, plus add strength, sincerity and depth to our lives and ministries. Discover insights, make choices, and really LIVE! ****** 2) Daily Personal Worship: How to Spend 30 Minutes With God Led by Pastors Brian Nulf & Cody Greene To walk in Christ-likeness and the abundant life, the most basic need is daily personal worship. We will seek to give practical demonstration and tools to help individuals improve their daily personal worship and love for God. ***** 3) Membership Matters: Designing a Membership Class Led by Professor Chuck Lawless Membership means "involvement," not just attendance. Based on research, we will focus on methods for unlocking the potential of "pew sitters" and making membership more about giving than receiving, more about going than com-ing, and more about serving than being served. Simple, well-designed Membership Classes could help jumpstart your church. ***** 4) Eight Basic Mission Strategies Led by IMB Missionary Alan Duncan From Neighborhoods to the Nations, thinking and acting like a missionary ***** 5) Engaging Islam Led by Missionary John Basham Islam in America? Why did 9-11 happen? How can your church relate to Islam in your community?
Please go online to pre-register at www.holstonbaptists.org
ATTENTION CHURCHES!
The Annual Church Profile (ACP) deadline is October 5th. Please have all of your churches
information as well as each individuals personal information submitted online or mailed to
the Holston Baptist Association so we can meet our deadline. Thank you in advance.
Jonathan Chapman, Director of the BCM at ETSU, is asking
for Pop Tart donations for their Pop Tart ministry. They are
handing out 60-80 Pop Tarts each week. If you would like to
donate any Pop Tarts, you may bring them to Holston Baptist
Association office or at the BCM on Campus.
Tennessee Baptist has sent out a Prayer Card to start praying for Revival in the State of Tennessee. Look at our counties and how many are lost just in the Holston Baptist Association.
County Population Lost Churches Lostness to
Churches Ratio
Population to
Churches Ratio
Greene 68,831 39,647 22 1,802 3,129
Sullivan 156,823 90,330 53 1,506 2,614
Washington 122,979 70,836 53 1,337 2,320
Unicoi 18,313 10,548 10 1,055 1,831
Carter 57,424 33,076 40 827 1,436
Seminary Extension Courses for Fall 2015
Classes for the 2nd Term start October 26th-December 14th
The cost is $70
Course Location Time Teacher
How To Understand the
Bible
HBA Mondays 6:30-9:00
p.m.
Jeremy Rhoton
Old Testament Survey II Calvary Baptist Church Mondays 6:30-9:00 Willie Lunsford
James 1st Baptist Greeneville Thursdays 6:30-9:00 Daniel Shrader
One-On-One Discipleship
Saturday November 7th
9:00-2:00 p.m. (Lunch Provided)
Grace Baptist Church
612 Collins Drive
The cost is $20 a person which covers the cost of your materials.
Please confirm your attendance by calling (423) 297-5148 no later than Friday, October 30th.
Volunteer Chaplains Needed:
Holston Valley Medical Center is looking for more clergy and non-clergy to become members of
Holston Valley Medical Center’s Pastoral Care Department. If you are interested in becoming a
volunteer chaplain or would like to learn more, please call (423) 224-5911.
November 7th One-On-One Discipleship Workshop
December 7th Minister/Spouse Christmas Banquet
January 17th Minister/Spouse retreat at
Ridgecrest
4 Right to Life Chain– Heritage, 2:00
5 ACP Deadline
Pastor’s Conference, HBA, 10:00 a.m.
10 WMC Dinner/ Meeting at Southwestern
11-18 World Missions Conference
14 Missionary Luncheon– HBA, Lower Level
15 WPRO at HBA, 12:00
17 University Parkway Baptist Church, Women’s Ministry Fall Conference
20 The Gathering, Oak Grove Baptist Church, 3:30 p.m.
22 Student Minister Fellowship
1 Daylight Saving Time End
7 One-On-One Discipleship Workshop
9-11 TBC, Millington
26-27 Thanksgiving
