June 14, 2010
Dear Associational Family –
Shirley and I are preparing the summer edition of the Hatcher Pass Vision (associational bulletin insert) and will mail adequate copies to each church this week but there are lots of details to share that will not fit into such a brief piece. First, would you please plan to share the insert with the church as soon as possible? Second, would you please, please note the details below concerning summer missions, the GCRTF report, camps, the associational summer picnic/executive board meeting and the State Fair? Read on!
Summer Missions
We have just completed our first round of Vacation Bible Schools across the valley! I know that at least 20 children received Christ last week in Bible schools and we have more Bible Schools to come. We have four excellent summer missionaries who are working alongside co-laborers from their host churches in VBS throughout the summer. These gals will also assist with three camps and a number of outreach events including Backyard Bible Clubs and evangelistic block parties. We did not have a ‘Welcome’ event for these missionaries but I deeply, deeply appreciate these college students. They have a deep commitment to their Savior, a strong work ethic, and a lot of talent and enthusiasm to share with your church. Please pray for Emily, Heather, Rachel and Ericka! I deeply appreciate those who have agreed to help with housing, food and resources to make their summer missions mobilization possible. I do still need someone to step up and help us get the missions van painted. That would be a special blessing!
Great Commission Reassurance Task Force Report
This is a critical week for the future of Hatcher Pass Baptist Association and our entire Southern Baptist Convention. The Great Commission Reassurance Task Force will present their report to the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Orlando, at 2:45 PM (10:45 AM our time) tomorrow (Tuesday, June 14). I do agree that the Task Force report has sounded a “Code Blue” and that we are in fact at a very critical point if we are to return our denomination to effective evangelistic results.
This numbers have been widely reported, but I borrow these numbers from a recent edition of the Oklahoma Baptist Messenger (http://baptistmessenger.com/gcrtf-%e2%80%98code-blue%e2%80%99-sounded/).
“Of the 7 billion people on Earth, 6 billion are lost, and 3.5 billion of them have never heard the Gospel of Jesus. More than 6,000 people groups are without a Christian witness. The picture in America is almost as grim. Consider that every generation following the “greatest generation” of World War II has become less Christian. It is estimated that the World War II generation was 65 percent Christian. Today, only 15 percent of the Millennials claim to be followers of Christ. In 2008, our churches baptized only half as many teenagers as in 1970.
Reaching America and the world demands people and resources. Moreover, it requires that these components be placed where the greatest needs exist. Consider the giving patterns of Southern Baptists, and it is obvious the resources are dwindling. The average church member gives only 2.5 percent of his income to the local church and beyond. Commitment to the Cooperative Program (CP) by churches has declined from more than 10 percent in the late 1980s to an average of 6 percent. The amount of CP dollars retained by state conventions for ministry and missions averages 63 percent.”
Yes, I am concerned that Hatcher Pass Baptist Association could lose it’s funding for the Associational Missionary position but I am far more concerned that both our denomination and our association renew and strengthen their focus on evangelism and missions. The GCRTF Report does consistently point out that the association is a strategic partner in missions. Yes, the financial needs are great at every level and with every mission agency, including ABC! I am praying that the ABC State Executive Director search process will bring to Alaska a compelling cooperative strategy and renewed focus on shared evangelism, church planting and mission effort but I know the new man will have an overwhelming task if our state convention loses NAMB dollars. Join me in asking God to bless the GCRTF implementation and the ABC search process!
Camps
We are getting calls about camps every day. I deeply appreciate those who have stepped up to lead the various camps. We now know that successful camp programs require a lot of leadership enlistment, delegation, teamwork, team building, local church support and prayer all year long, but as camp dates approach we stretch to bring everything together. Here is encouragement from LaVerne Griffin Camp: “It's not too late to sign up for Girls Camp (June 21-25), Boys Camp (July 5-9), Youth Camp (July 19-23) or JAM Camp (July 25-29)!!!! Please help us get the word out. Email or call if you need registration forms.” For registration information concerning the girl’s camp and boy’s camp you will need to contact the camp by email @ lgyrc@mtaonline.net, on the web @ http://www.lgyrc.org/ or call 376-6887. Jesus, Arts and Music Camp is for kids who have completed grade 3 thru grade 9.
JAM Camp brochures can be downloaded at: http://www.box.net/shared/118u3jopxu.
JAM Camper registration forms are downloaded at http://www.box.net/shared/f037gr8lnt
JAM leadership forms are downloadable at http://www.box.net/shared/pur0qovi71
One church is reporting that they have received adequate scholarship money to fully fund every camper who wants to go to JAM Camp. Other churches are saying that “if a kid wants to go to camp we will get them there” and several campers have told me, ‘I have earned all the money I need to pay for my own registration!’ Registration is coming in! Pray for each of the camps!
Associational Picnic / Executive Board Meeting
Montana Creek Baptist Church will host our summer Executive Board Meeting / Summer Associational Picnic and every member of every church is invited. Make plans to join us on Thursday evening, July 22 at 6:15 PM. Your association and the church will have the food ready. Please join us for the fellowship, for the reception with our summer missionaries, for a brief business session and for prayer for our State Fair effort. Some may want to remain up north to catch a few fish or help with outreach preparation July 23 and an evangelistic block party in Trapper Creek on July 24. Some churches may want to come by van or car pool. I simply urge you to join us as we celebrate cooperative regional missions.
The State Fair 2010
We are still seeking a volunteer or two from every church who will help us to ramp up our State Fair effort. We want this effort to me more evangelistic in nature and believe the “Christmas Cards for the Troops” approach will bring 12,000 plus Alaskans to our booth over a 12 day period. We will have the opportunity to share the real meaning of Christmas as we ask people to sign “Big” Christmas cards that will be sent to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Would you plan now for your church to take at least two full days at the State Fair? It will be a great time of fun, fellowship and sharing our lives with others.
Finally
It is great to work with your church in doing regional missions. Thanks for your gifts to Hatcher Pass Baptist Association. We are thrilled that we can make Matching Ministry Money (3M) available to churches to launch new missions efforts. One request has come to the Associational Missions work group and others are expected soon. Your associational missionary has hinted to a couple of churches that they may want to request funds to send their pastor and his wife on a mission trip. A mission trip supported by the church would qualify, if the church will match what the association contributes. Several churches are working on mission trips. Destinations include Buckland, Alaska and South Korea.
The 2010 Associational Trip to Southern Israel is scheduled to depart on Sunday evening, November 19 and return on Saturday, December 4 to meet the needs of pastors who can only be out for one Sunday. Several are planning some extra days for sightseeing in Jerusalem and Galilee. If you have an interest in joining us, please call Gary Bearce. We would love to tell you more about the trip. We expect our cost to remain about the same as last November’s trip.
Thanks for your partnership with your association. Serving with you, Gary