YOUR APRIL/MAY 2019
ANNIE ARMSTRONG EASTER OFFERING
HOW YOUR GIFTS EQUIP NORTH AMERICAN MISSIONARIES: $5
Bus fare for travel in a local community
$25
Meal with an unreached person
$85
Subscription for training resources
$175
Laundromat fees for a family of four
$300
Training and conference for a church planter’s wife
$500
Food and supplies for a neighborhood outreach event
$1,000
Emergency travel assistance for a missionary family
$1,200
Bibles, gospel tracts and discipleship materials for a church plant
$1,400
Monthly worship facility rent
MISSIONS UPDATE Hagerstown church (our newest mission plant) asks for your continued prayers. After only a month of public worship services at Pangborn Elementary School they are already seeing people drawing closer to Christ and desiring church membership. Pray for Pastor Joshua McClain and his family, and the other leaders in the core group who are "all in" in making a difference in that part of Hagerstown for Christ!
Remember that BCM/D has a VBS consultant to help with questions, training, etc. for VBS! Contact June Holland jholland@bcmd.org 800-466-5290 x233 Vacation Bible School Expo April 26, 5:30-8:30pm First English Baptist Church Frostburg, MD
AN UPDATE FROM OUR DIRECTOR It has been a while since I gave you an update on my recovery from liver transplant surgery in October 2018, so here it is: I'm probably about 75% back to great health and making progress every week. I'm still doing outpatient physical therapy several times each week, doing blood tests every 2 weeks, and going back to Georgetown Medstar in DC every 4 weeks for follow ups with my transplant coordinator. For the most part everything looks good medically in my recovery. One problem has been trouble breathing well at night when I lay flat and try to sleep. It was somewhat baffling why this was happening, until they discovered that my right lung had quite a bit of fluid on it, and they suggested draining it off. As it turns out the 2.2 liters that had built up since the surgery had actually collapsed my right lung. Mystery solved! We'll be keeping an eye on things to (hopefully) make sure that the fluid does NOT return. Other than that - my recovery is actually quite extraordinary - with no signs of organ rejection and my energy levels are increasing weekly. There are no other major issues that are evident. All blood tests come back with extremely good results - except for a slow decline in platelets which we are keeping an eye on (they say that one medication that will soon be removed is the cause). It's looking more and more like I will be back to 100% of my normal work load by summer. I'm thrilled at God's provision and care being lavished on me during this very scary time. I have started to get back out in the churches to visit, preach, celebrate, and hopefully soon - also sing! It feels good to be back in action, and I am excited about what God is doing in and through our association churches! If you have a Sunday that you would like me to come to YOUR church, please let me know. Recently I have been honored to be a part of a ordination service for a new pastor, a pastor installation service, and have visited our newest mission in Hagerstown. In May I will be speaking at a few churches too. It feels good to be back out there doing what God has called me to do. Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated and am humbled by the support of the folks in BRBA churches. You all are the BEST!! God has been gracious to me and given me a new lease of this earthly life, so my service to Him not only continues - but increases along with my gratitude. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!! Blessings to all! Bruce ________________________________________________________
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS APRIL 14 APRIL 21 APRIL 26 MAY 2 MAY 5 MAY 12 MAY 15 MAY 16
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MAY 18 MAY 27 -
Palm Sunday EASTER !!! Western Baptist Association VBS training and supper (reservation deadline is 4/22/19) National Day of Prayer Senior Adult emphasis in SBC churches Mother's Day (Christian Home emphasis in SBC churches) BCM/D Prayer Essentials training 9-11:30 AM - Columbia , MD BCM/D Prayer Boot Camp @ SKYCROFT CONFERENCE CENTER Middletown, MD Armed Forces Day MEMORIAL DAY
EQUIPMENT UPDATES FOR OUR CHURCHES This summer we will have TWO block party trailers for use by ANY of our
churches for your VBS, or local outreach event. In years past we had weeks where more than one of our churches wanted the use of our one BPT at the same time, and someone had to be turned down. That will no longer be the case! The 2 trailers will have much of the same equipment on them, and I am happy to say that we're investing in newer equipment this year as well. So don't be afraid to contact Pastor Dave Hays and get on the schedule for your event this summer! Did you know that BRBA has a large grill that is available for church cook-outs? Contact us to reserve this resource too for your summer event! Two projects are underway that should benefit our churches greatly in the years ahead: BRBA has just received a grant from the BCMD STRENGTHENING CHURCHES program to outfit a FAIR or CONCESSION TRAILER that can be used at local county fairs, special community events, or wherever you want to have a presence in serving small food / drink items to make your church more known in the community. The unit will also double as a small version of a DISASTER RELIEF FEEDING UNIT, where small meals could be served to workers and volunteers on scene of a local disaster. While this won't be available THIS summer, we hope it will be next year. Keep your eyes open for details as they become available. We are also looking at the possibility of updating our DISASTER RELIEF COMMUNICATIONS / COMMAND vehicle. The age of the current unit is becoming a bit of a problem (to get parts. etc.) and discussions are now underway to do the best that we can to make the right choices as God leads us in updating and upgrading this valuable resource to our region.
Greenridge Baptist Church in Boyds, MD now has an opening in our staff for a Marketing & Social Media Coordinator. We will be taking resumes through April 4th. For more information, contact: Dabria Tomlin, Administrative Assistant Greenridge Baptist Church dtomlin@greenridgeba ptist.org 301.972.0271
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WORLD CHANGERS is seeking a site coordinator. Contact Person: Pastor Kyle Canty at kcanty@namb.net
The BRBA Pastors’ and Staff Breakfast’s are held the first Wednesday of each month. Wednesday, May 1, 2019 8:00 am Bonnie’s at the Red Byrd Keedysville, MD
THE NEWS JOURNAL OF THE BLUE RIDGE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
You can subscribe to the online version of our newsletter at www.blueridgebaptist.org
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MISSIONS March 16 - 23, 2019 the Blue Ridge Baptist Association sent 17 short term missionaries on our 5th annual mission trip to the Dominican Republic to share the gospel (and a bunch of shoe boxes) with children in that country. This is an amazing trip that always brings our team members back forever changed in their perspective on international missions! This year the team estimates that almost 1,000 children were given the shoe boxes full of gifts, and also told about the greatest gift of all - salvation through the work of our Lord - Jesus Christ. Many accepted Christ as savior and the local churches that we work with will do their best to follow up with each decision. After one gathering where 329 children (a much larger crowd than usual) were hosted, the Holy Spirit was obviously on the move. Many of those children were given the opportunity to follow Christ for the first time in their young lives and responded. Outside - over 200 parents were waiting for their children to finish the gathering. Pastor Peter Guadalupe spoke to the crowd of adults briefly about suffering and trials ... and about the hope and comfort that can be found in Jesus. MORE THAN 100 of those adults gave their lives to the Lord that evening, causing the team and all of heaven to rejoice. Thanks to the team for venturing out for this wonderful week of ministry and service. Thank you to the churches who give to local missions through BRBA so that we can plan trips such as these that make such a difference in everyone's lives. Thanks to the volunteer shuttle bus drivers who took the team to and from the airport. But most of all - thanks be to God for the way he uses normal everyday people to make a huge impact in advancing the gospel to others. What about you? Interested in going to the Dominican Republic in 2020?? Contact the BRBA office NOW and get on the waiting list before it fills up (240) 818-8760 ... and start the process to get your passport. You'll be glad you did!