Joy's thoughts on missions & WMU http://www.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/ en-us Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:33:10 -0400 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:33:10 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=questions-about-the-gcr-report.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/questions-about-the-gcr-report.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/questions-about-the-gcr-report.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/questions-about-the-gcr-report.htm Great Commission Task Force Progress Report a few days ago, I received some questions about the report.  The questions reminded me that the report includes some terms that may not be familiar.  After answering the email, I decided to share my response in case others had similar questions. I've also included some information specific to Kentucky.

1. Cooperative Agreements are the agreements that each state has with the North American Mission Board to provide funding for certain items in that state.  The agreements vary from state to state.  What it means is that the funds we send to NAMB via CP and AAEO are returned to states to fund missionaries and ministries in that state.  Stronger states like Kentucky, send more to NAMB through these channels than we receive back.  New work states receive upwards of 90% of their operating budgets through the Cooperative Agreements.  In the 2009-10 KBC budget, it shows that we expect to receive $588,702 from NAMB.  (KBC gave over $2 million to AAEO last year plus what was sent to the SBC through CP.  CP is then divided between IMB, NAMB, the seminaries, etc.)
       These are called Cooperative Agreements because there are only a handful of missionaries who are fully funded by NAMB.  All other NAMB career missionaries are funded through a variety of sources depending on where they are ultimately employed (NAMB, state convention, association, church).  
       Note: MSC missionaries do not receive any NAMB funding.  They are included in the prayer calendar and sometimes receive some program support for work that they do through the state convention or the association.

2. The Cooperative Program is a voluntary program at every level.  Churches determine what amount they will send (usually a percentage of their undesignated receipts).  State conventions determine what percentage they will send to the SBC, and the SBC designates how CP funds are divided among IMB, NAMB, seminaries, etc.  The SBC division is approved at the Southern Baptist Convention each year.
       The suggested percentage of church CP giving is 10% of undesignated receipts.  We have churches that give far more, and many who give less.  The current average is between 6-7%.  
       In Kentucky, 37.32% of CP is forwarded to the SBC where it is divided between IMB, NAMB, seminaries, etc according to the plan approved by the SBC.  KBC retains 62.68% which is divided according to a plan approved by the KBC Mission Board.  This division includes the work of the KBC staff as well as amounts for Christian Education (Baptist colleges and schools) and the KBC entities (Assemblies, Foundation, WMU, Sunrise, Western Recorder, and Baptist Healthcare System).
       The 2009-10 KBC Cooperative Program budget is divided as follows:  $9,136,887 SBC, $9,015,276 KBC Mission Board, and $6,327,837 for Christian Education and KBC entities.  Total:  $24,480,000.  
       KBC also has some other sources of income including the Eliza Broadus Offering, NAMB (Cooperative Agreements), investment income, etc.  Total other income estimated for 2009-10 is $2,650,606.
       
3. Great Commission Giving: In addition to gifts through the Cooperative Program, and missions offerings (LMCO, AAEO, EBO) some churches want to give designated gifts to IMB, NAMB, etc.  Some churches would prefer to do most of their support for SBC work through designated gifts rather than CP.  Because of our emphasis on CP, sometimes these churches have not felt that their gifts were affirmed or recognized. The recommendation by the GCR task force is to celebrate all gifts to SBC causes, including designated gifts. This total will be called Great Commission Giving.
       
The Progress Report of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force deals with both spiritual and methodological issues. Certainly we as Southern Baptists long for our denomination, including every church, association, and state convention to make the Great Commission a priority. If we do, we will see an increase in baptisms, missionary appointments, and missions giving.  The GCR emphasis was also a call to study how Southern Baptists could more effectively use our resources to spread the gospel.  The GCR task force has looked at very complicated issues and has presented a plan.  Not everyone will agree with all the details (and there are still many details yet to be worked out).  There are certainly hard choices that states will have to make.  But it is also a fair question to ask ourselves as a denomination:  With 95%+ of the Christian resources of the world found in the United States, where people can freely hear the gospel, should we not increase the amount that we use for international missions when there are people in the world who have never heard the gospel even one time? The recommendation in the GCR Progress Report to increase IMB funding from 50% to 51% (of national CP funds) is to indicate our desire to focus on reaching the world with the gospel.  It is not a large increase at this time, but it is symbolic.

Many have encouraged state conventions to raise the percentage they send to the SBC, suggesting even that states work towards a 50-50 split of CP funds with states retaining 50% for work in the state, and sending 50% for SBC work (IMB, NAMB, seminaries, etc.). Dr. Don Mathis, our current KBC president, has been speaking out about CP and saying that he has studied the giving in our state.  He has concluded that if every church would increase their CP giving by 1% a year to reach 10%, that there would be enough money to do everything KBC is doing now AND give 50% to national SBC causes.

Kentucky has also appointed a Great Commission Task Force to study how Kentucky Baptists can more effectively use our resources to fulfill the Great Commission.  I was asked to serve on this committee which is meeting monthly between now and the KBC meeting in November. We hope to bring a report at that time.  We are looking at every aspect of KBC work, including the work of the Mission Board and staff, as well as the colleges and all of the entities.  The Task Force is charged with examining all of our work and making recommendations.
       
As I write all of this, please understand that my purpose is to provide explanations for those who may find that the GCR Progress Report contains some unfamiliar terms or ideas.  As a member of the Kentucky Great Commission Task Force, I am committed to seeking God's direction for Kentucky Baptist work and the use of our resources.  As a member of the committee, I have been given many things to read, will be hearing reports, and sharing in prayer and discussion with the other committee members.  Please pray for the national GCR Task Force and for the Kentucky Task Force.  Above all, pray that we will indeed see a renewed commitment to the Lord and the Great Commission. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/questions-about-the-gcr-report.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/questions-about-the-gcr-report.htm?opendocument&comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:49:49 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=reflections-on-the-great-commission-resurgence-task-force-report.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/reflections-on-the-great-commission-resurgence-task-force-report.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/reflections-on-the-great-commission-resurgence-task-force-report.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/reflections-on-the-great-commission-resurgence-task-force-report.htm
One of the things that I greatly appreciate about the GCR Task Force is the way that they are communicating their findings and vision quickly to everyone who is interested.  You can view a video of Dr. Floyd presenting the report and download a copy at www.pray4gcr.com.  Most importantly, you can sign up to pray for a Great Commission Resurgence and for the Task Force.  Over 6,000 people have committed to pray.

I wanted to attend the presentation for several reasons.  First, I am serving on the Kentucky Great Commission Task Force and wanted to hear the tone and the content of the report from the national task force.  Secondly, a number of WMU leaders attended because we know that WMU has always been about the Great Commission.  We know that there will be implications for our work.

One of the significant changes will be in NAMB's primary assignment and in what we call Cooperative Agreements with the states.  The phase out of these agreements and funding will mean change for many state conventions, especially in new work states.  But the increased focus on planting churches in the parts of our country that are least reached with the gospel has great potential.  

Another recommendation is to free the IMB to work with unreached people groups wherever they are found, regardless of geography.  That means that some work to engage unreached people groups may take place in the United States when there are pockets of these folks right here.

Another recommendation is to both promote the Cooperative Program as our primary channel of support for SBC missions, yet at the same time affirm all Great Commission giving of our churches.  Gifts to CP, missions offerings, associations, and other designated missions giving would be included in the reports of total Great Commission giving.  This, too, will encourage giving through all channels of SBC missions support chosen by our churches.

The GCR Task Force Progress Report is one that every Southern Baptist needs to read.  Much prayer and thought and hours of work have taken place.  It is a progress report and the final report will be released on Monday, May 3rd.  This Task Force needs our prayers as they hear reactions to the Progress Report and entities begin to think through the implications and how best to proceed.  I urge you to sign up to be GCR prayer partner.

I also encourage you to sign up to receive the Kentucky Great Commission blog by email.  The Kentucky blog provides great information about Kentucky missions and includes progress reports of both the national and Kentucky Great Commission Task Force.

Above all, pray for a Great Commission Resurgence.  Like a spiritual awakening, it will be longed for and prayed for before it will become reality (Preparing for a Great Commission Resurgence).  May it begin with me. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/reflections-on-the-great-commission-resurgence-task-force-report.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/reflections-on-the-great-commission-resurgence-task-force-report.htm?opendocument&comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:28:22 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=on-the-road-with-kentucky-wmu.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/on-the-road-with-kentucky-wmu.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/on-the-road-with-kentucky-wmu.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/on-the-road-with-kentucky-wmu.htm
Kentucky WMU has been asked from time to time to plan this type of trip.  Since we hosted the national WMU Annual Meeting last June and had over 700 from Kentucky to attend, we thought that this might be a good time for a bus trip to the national WMU meeting.  

The national meeting will be in Orlando, which is a long way to ride on a bus.  But by traveling overnight, we save two nights of hotel expense.  For folks who would rather not have the long walks of airports, plus having to go through security and keep up with your belongings, getting on a bus is much simpler even if it is a long ride.

The trip will depart from Louisville on Friday, June 11 and return early on Thursday, June 17.  We will attend the national WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting (Sunday & Monday). We will also attend most of the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting (Tuesday and Wednesday morning).

Click here for complete details and a registration form. Cost of the trip is $400 which includes bus transportation and hotel (double occupancy).   Deposits ($100 per person) are due by March 15, with the balance by May 1.  We must have at least 30 for this trip.  If we do not have the required number, those who have signed up will be given the option to fly (at additional cost).  

We are also offering the opportunity to go to Hawaii with the WMU Foundation for the Baptist Women's Leadership Conference and Baptist World Congress.  This trip runs from July 23 - August 2.  Click here for all the details.

On the road...again!  Hope you will join us for one of these trips. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/on-the-road-with-kentucky-wmu.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/on-the-road-with-kentucky-wmu.htm?opendocument&comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:02:18 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=buckets-of-hope.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/buckets-of-hope.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/buckets-of-hope.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/buckets-of-hope.htm
All of the project details are listed on the Kentucky Baptist Convention Buckets of Hope for Haiti web page: http://www.kybaptist.org/kbc.nsf/pages/haiti-buckets.html. The web page includes a specific list of items and packing instructions.  There is even a video to show you how to pack the bucket and get everything in it!  Contact information for each association is also included on the web site.

Please follow the exact packing list provided on the web site.  We have learned that buckets may be any color, but the items in the buckets must be exact. The buckets must be completed and delivered to your Baptist Association collection point by March 4, 2010.  From there, they will be transported to Miami, Florida, where they will be packed in cargo containers and shipped to Haiti.  Each bucket will be labeled as a "Bucket of Hope," indicating that the bucket is is a gift of Christian love and support from Southern Baptists.  A gospel tract will be added to each bucket before shipment to Haiti.

The food items can be generic, store brand items.  Once the food supplies are used, the Haitians will find multiple everyday uses for the bucket.  Please do not substitute any item listed and do not add anything additional inside the bucket.

We have participated in sending coats and food boxes to Korea, buckets of home health care supplies to Africa, and now buckets of food for Haiti.  Such tangible expressions of God's love open doors for a gospel witness.  This is short notice and a quick deadline, but the need is urgent.  Many Kentucky Baptists have wanted a hands on way to be of help, and Buckets of Hope is a project that individuals and churches can do.

Contact your association for the collection point in your area and pack a Bucket of Hope today. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/buckets-of-hope.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/buckets-of-hope.htm?opendocument&comments Thu, 4 Feb 2010 11:22:06 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=missions-offerings-growing.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/missions-offerings-growing.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/missions-offerings-growing.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/missions-offerings-growing.htm
"The recession has hit our little church as it has others.  Several have lost their job and yet another will this coming year.  In spite of this we dared to set a goal higher than ever before for International Missions: $600.00.  Not so high compared to other churches, but high for Unity.  Soon as the the church set this goal, I discovered that it takes $787.15 to support a Foreign Missionary for a week.  I challenged our folks to reset the goal to that figure.  This past Sunday we announced the results of our sacrificial giving: $1,315.00!  Unreal.  Fantastic.  I often tell them: 'You don't have to be big to be good.'  Unity Baptist Church may be very small but they are a church with a very big heart.  I am proud to be able to help them."

Thanks Bro. Jim for sharing this story of sacrificial giving.  Thanks to everyone at Unity Baptist for giving to support the spread of the gospel around the world.

The largest  Lottie Moon Christmas Offering amount from Kentucky was given in 2007-08 - $4,435,031.69.  Last year (2008-09), we gave $4,420,420.28.  As of February 3, our LMCO total is $3,658,491.86.  We are well on our way to exceeding the largest amount ever given for international missions from Kentucky!   (Note: Our fiscal year for KBC is September 1 - August 31, and we also track all missions offerings and the Cooperative Program for the same time frame.)

Another special note:  The 2009-10 Eliza Broadus Offering has exceeded the goal of $1,100,000.00!!   As of Feb. 3, the total given is $1,149,380.74, making this the largest Eliza Broadus Offering ever!

Thank you Kentucky Baptists for your faithful giving. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/missions-offerings-growing.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/missions-offerings-growing.htm?opendocument&comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:33:03 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=big-jar-giving.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/big-jar-giving.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/big-jar-giving.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/big-jar-giving.htm
I looked to see where the funds had come from, and found a gift from the Cherry Hill Baptist Church in Central City of $121,550.58.  I thought it must be a mistake and that was Lottie Moon Christmas Offering money.  A little more research showed large gifts to AAEO and LMCO, too.  I asked around and someone knew that Cherry Hill was the home church of an aunt of a former Kentucky WMU staff member.

I called the church and learned about Marie Nicholson, a widowed retired school teacher who loved the Lord and missions.  When she died earlier this year, she left the bulk of her estate to her church and designated that most of her gift was to go to missions.

I've asked the Western Recorder  to follow-up and to do a story on Mrs. Nicholson. What I want to point out is how her story is a perfect illustration of Big Jar Giving.  

Our partners in Christian Estate Planning, the Kentucky Baptist Foundation and PhilanthroCorp, tell us that for most Americans, the majority of their wealth, whether modest or large, consists of assets, not cash.  Assets include things like your home, life insurance policies, retirement, IRA, etc. They are not readily available for cash gifts during your lifetime.  This is the Big Jar.  On average, the Big Jar represents about 91% of your net worth.

The little jar is our regular income. This may be salary, retirement or annuity income, investment distributions, etc.  The little jar is cash income and it is the source of how we generally give during our lifetime.  We are taught to tithe our income.  But the little jar represents only about 9% of our net worth.

What if we all planned to tithe from the Big Jar?  Tithing from the Big Jar takes forethought.  Once you die, it is too late.  Legacy giving such as demonstrated by Mrs. Nichols comes as a result of planning ahead.  You cannot take your money with you when you die, but you can determine how it is used.  With forethought, you can plan to take care of your family AND contribute to the Lord's work, making an impact for years to come.

You are invited to utilize a great free resource available on our web site, the Estate Plan Organizer.  The EPO will help you gather into one place information that you need to plan your will and provide for your family and the Lord's work at death.  It may be completed on line and printed out OR we can provide you with a blank print copy to complete by hand.  All information completed on line is confidential.  Once completed, you can take it to your lawyer or financial planner for assistance with your estate planning.

Thank you Mrs. Nicholson for your Big Jar giving. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/big-jar-giving.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/big-jar-giving.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:00:05 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=shelby-touched-twice-clinic.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/shelby-touched-twice-clinic.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/shelby-touched-twice-clinic.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/shelby-touched-twice-clinic.htm
Judy Phillips, a member of Salem Baptist Church in Shelby Baptist Association, is leading this effort.  She participated in a Touched Twice clinic in Lynch last summer and determined to bring it to Shelbyville.  Touched Twice is a national ministry that organizes clinics.  Learn more about them at http://touchedtwice.org and http://touchedtwiceunited.org.

Shelby Touched Twice now has a website through Salem Baptist church: http://touchedtwice.southvillesalembaptist.org.  Additional volunteers are needed for this effort. If you would like to help with the Shelby Touched Twice effort, please visit the website and register.  Volunteers are needed before the clinic as well as the day of the clinic.  

Shelby Touched Twice is collecting non-perishable food, spring and summer clothes, toiletry items for gift bags and Bibles (English and Spanish translations).  STT hopes to send each guest home with a bag of food, toiletry gift bag, Bible and clothes if they wish to receive them.  

Shelby Touched Twice is also receiving financial donations for the clinic through Salem Baptist Church.  Please visit the web site for more information.  Or contact Judy Phillips at: shelbytouchedtwice@gmail.com
 
A significant part of the Shelby Touched Twice story is that about 20 people from Salem participated in the Lynch Touched Twice clinic last year.  That might not seem remarkable, but when you consider that this congregation runs about 80 on Sundays, that number represents 25% of their people. The experience not only made an impact in Lynch, but it has had a profound effect on Salem Baptist Church. Now they are leading the way in organizing the ministry in Shelbyville.  Missions involvement always takes people to a new level spiritually and one touch brings another and another.  It is not just the guests that are touched twice.  So are the missions volunteers.

Want a second touch from the Lord?  Get involved in missions.  You'll find that you are touched twice, too. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/shelby-touched-twice-clinic.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/shelby-touched-twice-clinic.htm?opendocument&comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:37:02 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=giving-for-haiti-relief.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/giving-for-haiti-relief.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/giving-for-haiti-relief.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/giving-for-haiti-relief.htm
Many good organizations are raising money for Haiti relief.  As you have probably heard on the news, however, there are scams already popping up.  All of us who give want to know that our gifts are being used for either immediate needs or for the long term rebuilding that must take place.  I will name four places to give that I feel very confident will combine relief with sharing the gospel.

Kentucky Baptist Convention Disaster Relief - Coy Webb, our KBC DR Director, is heading to Haiti with some of our DR leaders to determine the best way for Kentucky Baptists to respond.  Every dollar given through KBC for Disaster Relief will be used to make an impact.  Because the work is done by volunteers, your gifts will go farther and will be accompanied by a gospel witness.  You can get updates on the KBC web site (www.kybaptist.org) and donate on line.  Your church can also send gifts to the KBC and designate them for Disaster Relief.

International Mission Board - The IMB is sending a team this week to assess the best way for Southern Baptists to respond.  You can give to the IMB Haiti Reponse Fund on line or by mailing a check to the IMB Office of Finance.  For more information, go to www.imb.org.

Baptist Global Response - Established several years ago as the Southern Baptist organization for response to global disasters and human needs, BGR is working cooperatively with the IMB to determine the needs and best response.  For for information, go to www.baptistglobalresponse.com.  You can give on line or by mail.

WMU Foundation HEART Fund - After 9/11, the WMU Foundation established a special fund for responding to critical human needs. The WMU HEART Fund (Humanitarian Emergency Aid for Rebuilding Tomorrow) is specifically designed to allow national WMU and the WMU Foundation to respond to requests from WMU leaders across the country and around the world during emergencies and natural disasters.  By donating to Haiti relief through WMU, we can assist our sisters in Haiti and be certain that the money we give will be used exclusively for the purpose of helping others.  For more information and/or to give on line, go to www.wmufoundation.com

Yesterday I participated in the Revive Prayerwalk at Shelby County High School.  Even as we were praying for revival at our school, we also prayed for the people of Haiti.  Remember them and those who are going to help in your prayers this week and the months ahead.  Pray for the people and for the spread of the gospel during these difficult days. Pray that God will bring good out of this tragedy. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/giving-for-haiti-relief.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/giving-for-haiti-relief.htm?opendocument&comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:17:15 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=doll-power.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/doll-power.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/doll-power.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/doll-power.htm Missions Mosaic . The article tells how Robin learned about this ministry and started it with the help of approximately 30 women at Frankfort Baptist in Corbin.

Over 1,000 dolls have been sent to 15 states and 5 countries.  The dolls have two sides, one with closed eyes, and one with open eyes, representing a lost person's spiritual condition.  Each doll includes a beaded necklace with an explanation of the plan of salvation. You can make witnessing dolls, too.  Go to www.womenonmission.com and click on {projects}.

The article includes pictures of children with the dolls, as well as a picture of dolls lined up across the front of the church prior to being sent on a missions trip. How special to pray over those dolls, and for the children who would receive them. Thank you, Robin, and volunteers for such a wonderful ministry. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/doll-power.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/doll-power.htm?opendocument&comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:46:14 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=new-blue-is-red.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/new-blue-is-red.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/new-blue-is-red.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/new-blue-is-red.htm
Shades of REaD is the Women on Mission book discussion group.  Each month the Shades of REaD article in Missions Mosaic  features a different Christian book. The monthly Shades of REaD article includes a discussion guide and meeting suggestions.  For women who love to read and enjoy discussing what they have read, the Shades of REaD book discussion group is a wonderful way to have a Women on Mission group.

The red hair color was fun, but it was also significant as I looked around the room. We had all ages of women present, from 20-somethings, to senior women.  All were passionate about the Great Commission and the mission of WMU to prepare people for it.  As we teach missions to our children, promote missions praying and giving, and encourage people to be personally involved in ministry, WMU is focused on the Great Commission.  Studies show that churches with WMU give more through the Cooperative Program and all of the missions offerings.  NAMB has released a report that churches with Girls in Action and Royal Ambassadors baptized more children last year than churches without missions organizations.  WMU is as vital as ever to motivate churches to be about the Great Commission.

So, in WMU, the new blue is red.  Be on the lookout for red haired ladies! ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/new-blue-is-red.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/new-blue-is-red.htm?opendocument&comments Mon, 4 Jan 2010 12:38:07 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=cowboy-church-revival-part-2.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/cowboy-church-revival-part-2.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/cowboy-church-revival-part-2.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/cowboy-church-revival-part-2.htm
A great big howdy on this cold snowy January morning, The week for REVIVAL has finally arrived. If you know someone that needs a map, they can look on the website at www.bluegrasscowboychurch.org. For those of you that may use a gps, the physical address is 30 Legion Road, Paris Kentucky, 40361. There will also be signs (yard sale type signs, if I can get them stuck into the frozen ground) at each end of Legion Road and 1 where you turn into the fairgrounds, if anyone has a problem locating the fargrounds, please feel free to call me and we will direct you, my number is 859-274-3575.

I want to encourage you to come out and join us, I know that the devil will try to convince many to stay home because it is so cold, and he will try to beat you out of any blessing that he can, he doesn't want the revival to take place, but he has no choice in this matter, why? This is GOD's revival for his people (2nd Chr 7:14) and satan is defeated! When CHRIST walked the corridors of hell and took the keys of hell and death from him (Rev. 1:18), he realized that he had lost, all he can do now is is try to discourage us, he knows that his days are numbered and will do anything to stop GOD's people from having revival.

I encourge you to continue to pray for GOD's men as thay come and deliver the message to us, pray for each individual that may come, that GOD's will be done in their heart and life, and most of all pray for the lost, that many souls will be saved! GOD bless and hope to see you there!

Dewayne Waldrup, BGCC
Ridin' on Faith, Branded by His Blood ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/cowboy-church-revival-part-2.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/cowboy-church-revival-part-2.htm?opendocument&comments Sat, 2 Jan 2010 14:26:26 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=cowboy-church-revival.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/cowboy-church-revival.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/cowboy-church-revival.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/cowboy-church-revival.htm
Dewayne Waldrup, pastor of the Blue Grass Cowboy Church, sent out a notice of Revival services in January.  If you have not experienced Cowboy Church and would like to visit, this is a great opportunity.  Dewayne is inviting everyone - cowboys, cowgirls, farmers, city slickers, and just plain country folk!  

January 8-12, 2010
Bourbon County Fairgrounds
30 Legion Road, Paris, Kentucky
7 p.m. each night

Friday, Jan. 8 - Music by Buck Winburn; Guest preacher - Jim Carpenter, Rodeo Cowboy Church, Louisville
Saturday, Jan. 9 - Music by Sid Brantley; Guest preacher - Larry Martin, Equestrian Ministries International / Affiliated International Ministries, Kentucky Baptist Convention
Sunday, Jan. 10 - Music by Casting Nets Ministries; Guest preacher - Jerry Glander, Triple Crown Cowboy Church, Frankfort
Monday, Jan. 11 - Music and preaching by Chris Clarke, Happy Trails Ministries, Burna
Tuesday, Jan. 12 - Music by Changed Heart; Guest preacher - Pat Day, Retired Hall of Fame Jockey, Race Track Chaplaincy of America

Please note: Jan. 8-11 services will be in the Bland Building (small building on the right). Jan. 12 service will be in the Legion Hall building (large building on the left).

For more information about the revival or Blue Grass Cowboy Church, call Dewayne Waldrup at 859-274-3575 or email at dwaldrup.1@netzero.net. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/cowboy-church-revival.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/cowboy-church-revival.htm?opendocument&comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:55:12 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=early-lmco-reports-are-exciting.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/early-lmco-reports-are-exciting.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/early-lmco-reports-are-exciting.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/early-lmco-reports-are-exciting.htm
Various people have made it a point to tell us that the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is up this year in their churches. Many are seeing the highest amounts ever given.

Rick Hatley, pastor of High Point Baptist Church, Mayfield, wrote to say:  "I just had to share this good news with you.  Here at High Point Baptist Church in Mayfield where I am Pastor we have usually given 3500 to 5000 dollars per year to Lottie Moon.  In 2008, I challenged our people to give sacrificially.  So we gave $10,431.00 and our church matched it and our check was $20,862.00. In 2009 we challenged the people to give a little more this year.  As of this morning (12-21-09) our people have given $25,150.00 with another Sunday to go.  So, if we were to write a check today we would be sending $50,300.00 to Lottie Moon.  Our church averages a little over 200 in Sunday School a week."
 
Bro. Rick wrote this as a praise report and it is surely something to celebrate.  We are watching the giving reports with great anticipation.  It is not too late to emphasize international missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in your church.  If you need resources or someone to come make a presentation, please contact Kentucky WMU for assistance.   Kentucky Baptists exceeded 3 million for the LMCO in 1997-98.  We exceeded 4 million in 2006-07 (nine years).  Can we exceed 5 million in 2009-10 (three years)?   This is a huge jump in a short period of time, but the increased giving by  High Point Baptist shows that it is possible.

Dr. Paul Chitwood, pastor of First Baptist Church, Mount Washington, is chairman of the trustees at the International Mission Board.  Please pray for Dr. Chitwood as they seek a new president for the IMB and respond to the challenges of sending missionaries.  Pray for this year's Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions to be the largest ever! ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/early-lmco-reports-are-exciting.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/early-lmco-reports-are-exciting.htm?opendocument&comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:05:07 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=enlarged-giving-through-the-cooperative-program.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/enlarged-giving-through-the-cooperative-program.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/enlarged-giving-through-the-cooperative-program.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/enlarged-giving-through-the-cooperative-program.htm
"Lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes" might well be Isaiah's word today to Southern Baptists concerning the Cooperative Program.  In this hour of unprecedented missionary opportunity, a permanent missionary advance requires increased regular support of all state and convention-wide causes.  Always bear in mind that all denominational causes.... are supported through the Cooperative Program.
     1. Cooperate with pastors in planning for and in putting on an every-member canvass in every church....Who better than missionary minded and informed members are equipped to go out and win others to regular giving to kingdom work? We sin against church members when we fail to challenge them to invest for eternal dividends.
     2. Emphasize the winning of new tithers and the bringing of tithes into the storehouse.  The tithe is holy - set apart for the support of divine religion - and God commands in Malachi that it be brought into his storehouse as a part of our worship. Even small churches putting emphasis on this part of God's financial plan have multiplied many times the amount they have been giving through the Cooperative Program.  Winning every member to the tithe will help make a fifty-fifty division of church and Cooperative Program money possible.
     3. Know your church budget and be faithful in attendance at the business meetings of your church.  We are citizens of our Baptist democracy and are responsible to God for being intelligent  citizens and for using our influence to secure a fair share of the church budget for missions.  "There is that which withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty" is as true of a church as of an individual.
     4. Make the matter of increased giving through the Cooperative Program an object of serious prayer. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, said the Lord of Hosts."     (From the 1951-52 WMU Year Book, p. 59.)

This past year the SBC voted to established a Great Commission Resurgence Task Force.  How we fund missions, including the Cooperative Program, is being reviewed. The division of CP funds varies from state to state and some SBC leaders are calling for a change in the division of CP funds between state convention and SBC causes. In Kentucky 37.32% goes to the SBC to fund missions, seminaries, and the work of the denomination; 36.83% is used for state missions and to help churches through the Kentucky Baptist Mission Board; and 25.85% helps our Baptist schools and other KBC entities, including Kentucky WMU.

It should be noted that average church gifts to the Cooperative Program are currently between 6-7% and many SBC leaders are saying that if churches would simply tithe (10%), there would be plenty of funding for Southern Baptist missions, both in the states and around the world.

Somehow, the call for churches to tithe seems mighty small when compared to the call to give 50%.  We have some work to do in the matter of stewardship, individually and corporately.   ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/enlarged-giving-through-the-cooperative-program.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/enlarged-giving-through-the-cooperative-program.htm?opendocument&comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:50:23 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=baptisms-higher-in-churches-with-gas-and-ras.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/baptisms-higher-in-churches-with-gas-and-ras.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/baptisms-higher-in-churches-with-gas-and-ras.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/baptisms-higher-in-churches-with-gas-and-ras.htm http://www.namb.net/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=9qKILUOzEpH&b=227361&ct=7774635

Intentionality is key to reaching children with the gospel.  Intentionally having opportunities for them.  Intentionally inviting them. Intentionally picking them up. Intentionally visiting in the home. Intentionally sharing the plan of salvation. Intentionally teaching through Sunday School, discipleship, missions, music, and other settings.  Churches that reach children do so because they make the effort.

Many churches today have trouble finding teachers for preschoolers, children, and youth. I don't think the excuses of "I did my turn" or "I'm too busy" will cut it when we face our Lord one day.  We must reach children with the gospel. Accepting Christ as Savior at a young age has a lifetime impact. This alone should motivate us to reach kids. Added to this, statistics show that the likelihood of accepting Christ as Savior declines with age. This, too, should prompt us to focus on reaching kids.  

If you doubt that children and youth can make a lifelong decision to follow Christ, just survey a group of adults who are believers. In group after group, the majority will indicate that they accepted Christ as children or youth.

A big thank you to all who teach preschoolers, children, and youth in our churches. A special word of thanks to Mission Friends, GA, RA, Children in Action, Acteens, Challengers, and Youth on Mission leaders. The impact of your ministry will be felt around the world for years to come. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/baptisms-higher-in-churches-with-gas-and-ras.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/baptisms-higher-in-churches-with-gas-and-ras.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 9 Dec 2009 09:41:30 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=guest-blog-international-missions-have-come-to-us.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/guest-blog-international-missions-have-come-to-us.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/guest-blog-international-missions-have-come-to-us.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/guest-blog-international-missions-have-come-to-us.htm Paintsville Herald.  I always enjoy her take on WMU, KBC, and SBC news and missions.  She wrote this week about Friendship International.  With June's permission, here is her column.

Last week while I was in Louisville to attend the Western Recorder (state Baptist newspaper) Board meeting, I was privileged to go with my daughter Cathy to a meeting of Friendship International that meets weekly at the venerable Walnut Street Baptist Church in downtown Louisville. Friendship International is a gathering of 136 newly and not-so-newly arrived friends who have come from other countries to live, work, or go to school in the Louisville area. Cathy picks up a lady from India who has a special needs child. She and her husband brought the child from their native India because she could go to school in the United States, but not in her native country.
        I happened to be there the previous week when the volunteers served the Internationals with a typical Thanksgiving dinner. They announced the upcoming "Christmas Around the World " celebration to which the Internationals would bring their native dishes. (Note that any Baptist meeting usually involves food!) The Internationals who come do not have to be Baptist, but they seem to enjoy eating the same as we Baptists do!
        They come one day a week to learn from the volunteers whatever they need. One group Cathy and I passed by was learning to recognize and name a dime, a quarter, and, I presume, all the rest of our currency. I visited in a group that was learning to write a paragraph, one group learning about American idioms, such as "gonna" for "going to." Cathy is using the skills Mrs. Meade taught her in high school to teach sewing to a lady in the sewing group.
       Friendship International is sponsored by Long Run Association of Baptists, which includes 150 Baptist churches in Jefferson County. Volunteers are often retired missionaries and missions workers who have been working with internationals for a long time. I saw lots of my friends I have met in Woman's Missionary Union meetings over the years. It is rewarding to see the zeal that my elderly friends have to keep on with spreading the Word after retirement.
      Cathy shared with me the mission statement of the Friendship International Ministry:
      Purpose: Friendship International Ministry offers opportunities to discover new friends, improve conversational English, develop creative skills, learn about American culture and increase world awareness.
     History: Internationals have been coming to our city for a long time. In 1975, Baptist Women of Long Run Baptist Association saw a need in our growing international community and responded with a program called "Friendship International Ministry". Each year the number of internationals enrolling in the program increases.
      Through Friendship International Ministry, Internationals from every part of the world have improved their English skills, learned citizenship, and have experienced creative activities such as: pottery, cooking, crafts, quilting, and sewing. Bible study, drivers education (book only) , piano, and computer classes are also available. While classes are in session, pre-school activities for children of the international mothers are provided by volunteer care givers.
      If school is not in session in Jefferson County, Friendship International is also cancelled.
      According to the literature given me, 27 different countries are represented at the present time. 46 are from India, 16 from Japan, 10 from Korea, 9 from Mongolia, 8 from the Philippines, 7 from China, 5 from Peru, 4 from Taiwan, Cuba, and Bhutan, 3 from Pakistan, 2 from Iran, Iraq, Puerto Rico, and Sri Lanka, and one each from Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Germany, Guatemala, Lebanon, Nepal, Panama, Spain, Sudan, Tibet and Turkey.
     At this season of the year, our denomination is celebrating a week of prayer for International Missions. (We used to call it Foreign Missions.) We take up an offering for International Missions named for a long-ago missionary to China named Lottie Moon. I told my church when I gave the special offering envelopes out, explaining that the money would be used to support International Missions, that I considered my Lottie Moon Christmas Offering my birthday present to Jesus, and that I never gave anybody else a gift worth more than the amount that went in my Lottie Moon envelope.
      It's good to be able to give to missions, but I am happy to see that so many of the friends I have met in WMU over the years are putting their actions where their money has been going all these years and actually doing missions with the Internationals that have come to live among us! ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/guest-blog-international-missions-have-come-to-us.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/guest-blog-international-missions-have-come-to-us.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:29:34 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=christmas-and-missions.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/christmas-and-missions.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/christmas-and-missions.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/christmas-and-missions.htm
Our Kentucky WMU staff has chosen for several years to do a staff Christmas project rather than a gift exchange among ourselves.  This year we are collecting items requested by the Jefferson Street Baptist Center: coffee, creamer, sugar, men's razors and men's deodorant.  We've invited the Kentucky Baptist building staff to participate and we will be delivering these items on December 15.

Many of our Baptist Centers and ministries collect toys for Christmas.  These are used to help families in providing toys for their children.  Toy donations are needed in many places.  

Last week I wrote about Operation Christmas Child and the determination of one WMU leader to get involved.  Last night I met ladies at Island Creek Baptist Church in Manchester who are driving to Charlotte, North Carolina this week to help get shoe boxes ready for shipment. I also had an email from Lequita Barnett.  Here is her story.

A few years ago, a young lady, Teresa Fightmaster, introduced me to Operation Christmas Child. My love for the OCC ministry has grown exponentially… it’s such a simple way to send the gospel to hurting children suffering from disease, natural disasters and poverty. Filling a shoe box with love, prayers,  and simple things we take for granted has been such a blessing.  Last year, I went to a processing center, thanks to my pastor, Vic Stansbury and Stewart’s Creek Baptist Church who let me hitch a ride. What I learned at the processing center astounded me. I learned:
- A child gets one shoe box, one time!
- The amount of unacceptable items in the boxes was overwhelming.    
- The seven dollars for shipping only pays a fraction of the expense.
- Prayer is the heart of OCC and prayers were part of the processing. Prayers for the children getting the boxes, prayers of praise for those who gave and helped with the boxes, and prayers for the safety of the volunteers delivering the boxes.
- One day we removed reptiles that were “idols” in a country where the boxes were going that day.
- Most importantly, I’ve learned that if every man, woman and child sent a shoe box there would not be enough boxes for the children in India.

Children are offered a ten week discipleship program and Samaritan’s Purse has started giving children New Testaments in their language if they complete the discipleship course. What a wonderful way to spread the gospel around the world!

Missions is not seasonal, but there are certainly some special ways to be on mission at Christmas.  Since "Jesus is the reason for the season," may we each make missions giving and involvement the way that we say "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/christmas-and-missions.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/christmas-and-missions.htm?opendocument&comments Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:59:25 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=one-persons-determination.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/one-persons-determination.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/one-persons-determination.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/one-persons-determination.htm We always enjoy hearing from WMU groups of all ages what they are doing in missions.  Wanda Propes, WMU Director for Evergreen Baptist Church in Frankfort, wrote about the impact of one woman's determination.

"Evergreen Baptist Church has always participated in ways to help those in need. We support local and state ministries, and participate in the three special offerings for state, national, and international missions. These are all sponsored by our WMU ladies. But this year, one of our ladies, Barbara Hockensmith, decided she wanted to do something we had never done before and that was support Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Ministries, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse. Some were hesitant about doing this since we hadn't done it before, and we do have other things going on at this time of year. But with Barbara's determination, it was voted to do this shoe box ministry.  She set our goal at 100 shoeboxes filled with items for children 2-14 years old. We collected for about a month. November 15 was our deadline, and we collected 119 boxes. Wow!! We had, as a church, special prayer for the recipients of these boxes. Don't underestimate your congregation. Barbara didn't and look what we did with prayer and determination!"

Catch that important idea - we had never done this before.  So often, when we step out to do something new in ministry, we discover a new level of enthusiasm for missions. To everyone, as we receive the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and care for people in need in our own communities, let's think about ways to approach the familiar in new ways. It may be in how you promote the offering or in the way you approach a ministry need, but trying something new even as we support the tried and true can help people see the needs and get involved.

Thanks, Wanda, for sharing this story. ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/one-persons-determination.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/one-persons-determination.htm?opendocument&comments Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:38:03 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=thanks-to-kentucky-wmu-volunteers.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/thanks-to-kentucky-wmu-volunteers.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/thanks-to-kentucky-wmu-volunteers.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/thanks-to-kentucky-wmu-volunteers.htm
This past year 51 volunteers from 18 churches worked 471 hours in the Kentucky WMU office.  They help support our missionaries through this volunteer work.  As you pray and give for missions, our volunteers have been behind the scenes helping Kentucky Baptists have needed materials to promote each missions emphasis.

Glenda Triplett, Office Assistant for Kentucky WMU, leads the work of our volunteers. She prepares for each mailing and has everything set up when volunteers come to work. Marilyn Lamkin, our Volunteer Coordinator for many years, makes calls and helps us enlist people to work.

Orders for offering materials come by mail, phone, fax, and email. All of our staff have helped take and fill orders at various times.  Our thanks to each of them as well.

We held our annual Volunteer Luncheon on Thursday, November 19.  It is a special time for us to say thank you to a group of wonderful folks who give so willingly of their time. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week and thank the Lord for His blessings, I am thankful for WMU volunteers and staff who serve so well.  

A Last Frontier missionary visited in our office this past week. As we showed her our workroom and the LMCO materials being mailed out, and the AAEO materials which have just arrived for our next missions emphasis, she simply said, "Please tell the people thank you."  

To each of you, who take the materials we send and get the posters placed around your church, the prayer guides and envelopes in the bulletins, and the other things you do to promote each season of prayer and offering, thank you!  You, too, are a WMU volunteer! ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/thanks-to-kentucky-wmu-volunteers.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/thanks-to-kentucky-wmu-volunteers.htm?opendocument&comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:27:34 -0400 http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/trackback?open&id=over-half-way.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/over-half-way.htm Joy Bolton http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/over-half-way.htm?opendocument&comments http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/over-half-way.htm
However, I do want to report to you have as of today, we have received $626,880.96. That's over half way towards our goal of $1,100,000!!  Thank you Kentucky Baptists for your faithful giving for missions in Kentucky.

I hope you saw my letter to the editor in the November 10 issue of the Western Recorder.  But just in case you did not, let me again express our thanks for the wonderful response to the 2008-09 Eliza Broadus Offering, especially in light of a very difficult year in the economy. Our 2008-09 offering goal was $1,052,008 and it is great excitement that we are able to report the total amount given of $1,103,135.41. Overage funds will be used for evangelism in Kentucky, including “Find It Here.”

Because of your faithful giving for Kentucky missions, ministries across Kentucky receive support every year through EBO. The impact of your praying, giving, and personal involvement will be felt for years to come as the people who came to know Christ this past year grow in their discipleship.

The overage from the 2008-09 Eliza Broadus Offering will be used as follows: $30,000 to provide expanded “Find It Here” media coverage in six associations representing 26 counties with a high percentage of lost/unchurched people; $15,000 for association and church evangelism event assistance; and $6,130 for evangelism projects funded directly by Kentucky WMU.  This is a total of $51,130.

The 2009 Season of Prayer emphasis, It’s Harvest Time, is very timely as we prayerwalk our state in preparation for the “Find It Here” gospel distribution, March 6-21, 2010.  It is a timely theme as we prepare for the World Equestrian Games which will bring thousands of visitors to Kentucky in 2010.  And it is timely as we minister to released offenders who are re-entering our communities and need the guidance of Christ followers as they start again.

The 2009 It’s Harvest Time materials are undated and may be used any time in your church. A DVD and other materials are available from Kentucky WMU or on the web: www.kywmu.org.   ]]> http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dxcomments/over-half-way.htm http://www1.kybaptist.org/kbc/blogs/kywmu.nsf/dx/over-half-way.htm?opendocument&comments