TEXAS STATE MISSIONS REPORT FOR MAY 2005
Beginning Balance - $199,298.23
General Fund Offerings - $16,230.67
Missionary Salaries - $11,612.00
Designated/Heritage Housing - $1,007.09
Designated/LaMarque Mission - $284.30
Adm. Salaries and Expense - $2,686.97
Ending Balance - $201,229.93
Summer is here and everyone is busy with various summer activities; VBS, Church Camp, ABA, etc. The fiscal year for the MBA of TX ends on August 31st and we will close another very good year because of the very liberal, and continuing, offerings from our churches across the great state of Texas. September 15th is the deadline for receiving requests from churches asking for financial support for their missionary or mission project. I want to call attention to those planning to ask for assistance that we have proposed mission policy changes to be considered at our messenger meeting in November. Those who will be requesting support should consider the possible changes as they would, no doubt, affect your request and on-going support. If your church plans to make such a request please contact the office of Secretary-Treasurer, MBA of TX, P.O. Box 450813, Garland, TX 75045-0813 to receive the request forms and a copy of the proposed changes to the Mission Policy. You can telephone me at 972-272-7727.
We must remember that these funds are given for the purpose of establishing churches or perhaps to help a struggling church for a short time of rebounding. We have for too long established missions and provided salary to a missionary with little prospect of the mission becoming a church. The Mission Policy recommends that churches request funds for the support of God-called, trained and experienced men who will carry our this great work of God.
There are many means for obtaining help and experience today before launching out to begin a church. We have many scriptural references of men going on the mission field by first accompanying experienced men to help and learn. Most examples of the New Testament name teams of men, or at least two men, going out in the establishing of new churches. May we look to God’s Word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit in carrying out the work of Missions.
JOEL CLAY
LAMARQUE
Souls Saved 4 Baptisms 4 Letter 0 Statement 3
Sunday School 50 Morning Worship 140 Evening Worship N/A
Total Church Offering $12,409.85 Gave To Missions $1,181.59 Paid For Rent $750.00
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Mark 16:15 Greetings to our brothers and sisters in Christ. The month of May was another incredible month for our Mission. Our Lord continues to demonstrate for us just how awesome He is. We had a family of four to unite with us after visiting for several weeks of Bible study and morning worship. I was honored to be able to share Christ with them and to baptize the entire family on the second Sunday. What a joy to witness the Word of God drawing entire families to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. There were several rededications and three additions by statement as well. Awesome! We are still receiving a large number of first time guests each Sunday. God is so good.
Another highlight for the month was our first memorial Day picnic that we held at a local park. We were able to fellowship with an estimated 150 members and guests, as well as some of the young men from the Pathway to Recovery group. There was a "rib cook-off" competition held and guess who won? That’s right! I took first with my holy smoked ribs and sauce. It was great fun and fellowship.
We are now gearing up for our Vacation Bible School and week-long summer camp. It is our hope to attract fifty children for VBS and to also involve as many in our youth camp. Please pray with us for the success of these activities.
There is no new development on the building we are hoping to acquire. Please continue to pray with us that God’s will be done.
We praise the Lord for all the faithful churches that have supported us in this work; for the continued support, care and prayers of Mission Bend BC of Houston, Woodville MBC Ladies Auxiliary, Calvary MBC of Baytown, Unity MBC of Richwood, Florida Avenue BC of Beaumont, Baker Drive BC of Dickinson. Thank you so much for considering our Mission.
ROY FIKAC
ROUND ROCK
Souls Saved 0 Baptisms 0 Letter 0 Statement 0
Sunday School 49 Morning Worship 80 Evening Worship 31
Total Church Offering $6,500.07 Gave To Missions $200.00 Paid On Property $2,412.00
It’s time to break out the sunglasses and watermelon. It’s hot! We are planning on having our very first Faith Promise Conference in August. We will have a date set for our organization service by next report time. I’ve been wanting to send out that report for a long time (I know you have, too.). If the LORD delays His coming that report will be coming next month. Hope you will be able to come and see what the LORD has done and what HE is doing. Church Camp and Vacation Bible School are right around the corner. Please be in prayer the LORD will bless both of them.
We had no additions in May. Saw some new faces. They saw mine and didn’t come back. We averaged 49 in Sunday School, 80 in Morning Worship and 31 on Sunday night with about the same number on Wednesday.
We have visitation on Tuesday Night - not many of our brethren attend. It you know of some legal means that might help there, I’m open to suggestions.
Offerings averaged $1,300.00 a week and gave $200.00 to Missions. Our missions giving needs some work and I am hoping that Faith Promise might give it the boost it needs.
Still a lot of lost folks in this part of the country. Still a lot of work left to do. Would appreciate your prayers concerning what the Lord might have me to do in the future. Thanks for all these years of loving prayers and support.
LARRY FRYE
DENTON
Souls Saved 7 Baptisms 0 Letter 0 Statement 0
Sunday School 21 Morning Worship 23 Evening Worship 7
Total Church Offering $1,624.05 Gave To Missions $662.41 Paid For Rent/Property $1,300.00
There were seven professions of faith this month. Six of these were in Church. They were from our bus ministry. Four of these were from our new Wednesday night youth Choir that we started. The other one was a lady, while I was door-knocking. Praise the Lord! Please pray for these kids and their home life.
We have some more encouraging news about the water line. It looks like we might be able to go a different direction. If so, it would be estimated to cost about $70,000.00 instead of the previous estimated $350,000.00. Please continue to pray for this problem.
We continue to have visitors each week that need a church home. Please pray for them. Please pray the Lord will send us more laborers.
I would like to thank our supporters. Thanks for all your prayers and your financial support. Your support is just as important as our labors on the field. You can’t have one without the other. You have a great part in everything that the Lord does here in Denton. May God bless you.
RICKEY PAYNE
WILLS POINT
Souls Saved 1 Baptisms 1 Letter 0 Statement 0
Sunday School 42 Morning Worship 57 Evening Worship 29
Total Church Offering $3,706.00 Gave To Missions $370.00 Paid On Property $600.00
Greetings from Meadowbrook. May was an exciting month. We had one come to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior and is now awaiting baptism. We at Meadowbrook still need and covet your prayers. This is an honorable work God has given us to do and the Lord is blessing us tremendously. We would like to thank all who have supported this great work financially and with many prayers. Please continue to remember us in your prayers. God bless!
W. S. TAYLOR
FORT WORTH
Souls Saved 0 Baptisms 0 Letter 0 Statement
Sunday School 22 Morning Worship 26 Evening Worship 13
Total Church Offering $4,012.00 Gave To Missions $180.00 Paid For Rent $1,600.00
The road work has begun! Both roads that lead into our property are now torn up and blocked off, making it difficult to get to services. The City says they will be that way until August, so pray for us. It’s already affecting our attendance.
Some much needed repairs to our building have been taken care of by the company we’re leasing from. They painted all the outside so when the roads open back up people will see us looking much better.
We’re looking at alternate plans for our new building and have been in contact with our banker about the financing. Please continue to pray for us. We’re excited about an ABA family who will be moving into our area within the month. They have visited with us several times and we’re praying that God will lead them to join and work with us. We received a total of $1,101.00 from other churches.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO "SENDING CHURCHES’
September 15th is the deadline for receiving requests from churches planning to ask for financial support from the MBA of Texas for their Missionary or mission project. I would like to call attention to those planning to make such a request that we have proposed Mission Policy changes to be considered at our messenger meeting in November. Those requesting support should consider the possible changes as they would probably affect your request and on-going support for your Missionary. If your church plans to make a request you should contact the office of the Secretary-Treasurer at P.O. Box 450813, Garland, TX 75045-0813 or contact by telephone at 972-272-7727 for a copy of the request form and a copy of the proposed Mission Policy changes.
A sending church should keep in mind that these funds are given for the purpose of establishing churches or helping struggling churches to rebound. For a long time we have just established missions and provided a salary to a missionary without much prospect of the mission becoming an established church. The changes proposed for the Mission Policy recommends that sending churches request support for experienced and trained men to carry out this great work of God.
There are many opportunities for obtaining help and experience today before a man ever launches out to begin a mission. We have many scriptural references of men who plan to go on the mission field by first accompanying experienced men to help them and learn from them. Time can then be used on the Mission field in a much more effective way because the Missionary has taken the opportunity to learn from an experienced, God-called man. Many examples in the New Testament name at least two men going out together to establish new churches. Let us look to God’s Word and ask the leadership of the Holy Spirit in carrying out the mission work for the MBA of Texas.