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November 2017 Check out our website: www.ozarkprairieba.com

Check us out on Facebook.

2017-2018 OPBA Theme . . . . . .

First National Thanksgiving Proclamation

George Washington, 1779

Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Al-

mighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to

implore His protection and favor; Whereas, both the houses of Congress

have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people

of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed

by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Al-

mighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to estab-

lish a form of government for their safety and happiness!" Now therefore, I

do recommend next, to be devoted by the people of the states to the service

of that great and glorious being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good

that was, that is, or that will be, that we may then all unite in rendering unto

Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the

people of this country. Source unknown

Oh, that we would remember during this Holiday Season and always to Be

Thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving

Bro. Steve

Highlights from the Annual Meeting held on September 17, 2017

Pre-session music was by Kevin Stewart. Pastor Robb Hodson of the host church, FBC La-mar, welcomed the messengers and guests to the 20th Annual Meeting of the Ozark Prai-rie Baptist Association. There were 14 churches, which constituted a quorum, with 38 mes-sengers, 14 pastors and 18 visitors in attendance. (The final count was 16 churches , 15 pas-tors, 43 messengers and 24 visitors for a total of 82 in attendance.) The proposed budget for FY 2017-2018 was sent back to committee with the recommendation of increasing the DOM compensation package 3-5%. The Moderator made his appointments to the Memo-rial , Nominating and Preacher/Place and Resolution committees.

During the miscellaneous business, Jim Lovercamp, Baptist Hill Camp Director, announced that the Campers on Missions, with over 100 volunteers working at the Hill installing a new roof on the big dormitory. Churches wishing to donated toward this may call the camp office. He also stated that in 2018, Baptist Hill will be celebrating their 100th anniversary with a variety of special events occurring. Other guests included Tron Peterson of Peterson Ministries and Lodge of Hope, Peggy Harding with Operation Christmas Child and Vivian Crowley with Deaf Ministries. All the visitors had information tables available during the supper break.

Steve Livingston sang “Thy Mercy, My God” just before Benjamin Hawkins, Pathway Asso-ciation Editor, brought the keynote address, using the scripture Joshua 21:43-45, as to how God always keeps His promises.

After the supper break, worship was led by Steve Livingston. Our DOM, Steve Williams, gave the DOM report and outlined his activities since the 2016 Annual Meeting. He recog-nized the pastors new to OPBA in the past year, and the two that have retired.

Carolyn Rogers, OPBA Treasurer gave the Financial reports and asked that the churches consider sending in their checks for OPBA on a monthly basis.

The motion was made, seconded and carried that the 2017-2018 Calendar be approved as printed. The proposed budget was presented with the recommended changes to the DOM salary package at $42,000 , with the $2,000 increase being added to the DOM Retirement line item. The Resolutions committee report was presented by Ken Roller and the motion was made, seconded and carried to adopt the resolutions.

The Preacher/Place committee gave the following report:

Executive Board Meetings: Jan. 18, 2018 at South Greenfield with Daniel Leith bringing the message, and May 17, 2018 at Cornerstone with Mike Tull to bring the mes-sage. The 21st Annual OPBA Meeting will be Sept. 16, 2018 at Liberty Baptist with Tom Welch bringing the Annual Message.

The Memorial Service was conducted by Linda Welch, Althea VanDeMark and Debbie Sheat.

Steve Livingston lead congregational singing before Kevin Sheat, Grace Place Pastor, preached the Annual Message on God’s Promises.

Motion was made, seconded and carried to adjourn. Kurtis Estes dismissed in prayer.

$47,068.21

Final Financial Report for OPBA for FY 2016-2017

As of September 30, 2017

Revenue needed per budget $ 6,235.00

Revenue received for September $ 5,262.87

Revenue under budget for September $ 972.13

Expenses for September ($ 6253.96)

Designated money in accounts as of September 30, 2017:

Baptist Hill (* paid at start of next month) $ 1,138.92

Gordon Rhoades Mission Offering $ 6,639.37

Camp (Children’s & Middle School) $ 4,385.49

Camp Scholarship funds remaining $ 680.00

International Missions Offering $ 427.19

Red Oak, Iowa Missions Fund $ .00

Undesignated money as of September 30, 2017

2017-2018 OPBA Leadership

Moderator Robb Hodson Vice Moderator Kurtis Estes

Clerk Beverly Ramseyer Treasurer Carolyn Rogers

Asst. Treasurer Kathy Steenrod Pastoral Ministry Jack Slade

SS/VBS Director Linda Welch Children’s Camp Chelsea Toler

Men’s Ministry Derick Hurt Middle School Camp Kerri Toler

WMU Director Janet Miller Evangelism Director Kurtis Estes

November 11/5 Disaster Relief Appreciation Sunday Iantha Fall Revival begins with Steve Williams as the evangelist 11/12 150th Anniversary Celebration at FBC, Lamar 11/23 Thanksgiving (OPBA office closed until 11/27)

December

12/1 Pastors and Wives Christmas Dinner at Two Sisters Café, 6:00 p.m.

Calendar of Events

Celebrations

Birthdays

10/23 Josh Hall (South Greenfield 10/29 Seth Williams (DOM son) 11/7 Steve Williams (DOM) 11/16 Kurtis Estes (Main Street) 11/22 Juanita Pennell (PW, Newport 12/25 Gudrun Slade (PW, Cornerstone) 12/30 Robb Hodson (FBC, Lamar)

Anniversaries

10/20 Jack/Gudrun Slade (Cornerstone)

Cornerstone

We hosted The Gould’s in concert October 8th. Deacon Marvin McKenzie was honored on October 14th with a card shower in honor of his 88th birthday at the Maple Senior Living. A Pastor Appreciation luncheon was held on Oct. 22nd to honor Pastor Jack in his completion of his 13th year as our pastor and his and Gudrun’s 38th wedding anniversary. Wishing Pastor Jack and Gudrun the very best.. We love you guys. Both Pastor and Gudrun attended the MBC in Ray-town and visited with their family and many friends. Pastor Jack pastored at Skyline Baptist Church for 15 years. Pastor will be leading a Men’s Bible Study entitled, “Demolishing Strongholds”, written by Dr. Johnny Hunt, Pastor of FBC Woodstock, GA, and past president of the SBC. The study is set to encourage men in finding victory through the trenches of their lives. There is a spiritual breakthrough for every man from God’s Word. The Study begins at 8:00 a.m. on November 7th.

FBC Everton

The Lord’s Supper was observed, and Harold McMasters was honored as Pas-tor Emeritus on October 29th. Bro. David Cloud was called as the new pastor on September 17th. The church will host the Everton Community Thanksgiving lunch on November 12th after the Worship Hour.

FBC Golden City

We will be hosting the Golden City Community Thanksgiving Service on Novem-ber 16th at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Our church is now in the pro-cess of purchasing new chairs that will complement the tables recently pur-chased for the Fellowship Hall.

FBC Lamar

God is Good! This year on November 12th we will be celebrating our 150

th Anni-

versary. We have a day full of celebration starting at 9:00 am with testimonies and memories being shared. There will be a short break around 9:45 am for refreshments then we will resume with our regular worship time of 10:15 for shared time of praise and worship. We would love to invite you to share in this special day with us. We will be a collection center for Operation Christmas Child again and the Collection week will be November 13

th-20

th. We will serve

the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving and will be deliv-ering meals to those who are homebound or who have to work on Thanksgiving. We would love to have you join us for Thanksgiving if you would like to.

Continued on page 5 . . . .

News from our churches . . . . . .

We are putting the contest on hold until fur-ther notice.

Held at FBC Everton each Saturday evening beginning at 5:15 p.m. with din-ner. For more information telephone Linda Brown, 417-860-9068.

New OPBA Logo Contest

Putting the "Thanks" Back in Thanksgiving

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures

forever!

Psalms 118:1

An old pastor and his wife invited a new young couple in the church over for Thanksgiving dinner. As the couple entered the home, they smelled the wonderful turkey and all the trimmings in the kitchen. As the four made their way to the din-ing room table, there was a great feast before them!

But as the young wife scanned the table, she noticed something out of place. Among the turkey, dressing, casseroles, and pies were three Chinese takeout cartons and a plate of egg rolls!

"I know what you're thinking," the old pastor said. "Why is there Chinese takeout on the table?"

"You see," he continued, "23 years ago on Thanksgiving Day, my dear wife burned the turkey and started a fire in our kitchen! In fact, our entire kitchen near-ly caught fire and the whole Thanksgiving meal was charred black!"

"So after the fire department left," he chuckled, "we ordered Chinese takeout and that was our Thanksgiving meal! And every year since, we've had Chinese take-out as a part of our meal to remind us to be thankful for what we have!"

This year, I hope Thanksgiving isn't just a holiday for you. It should be a way of life for every Christian. We serve a wonderful God who sent his Son to die for you. So as you continue to reflect on what you are thankful for this year, remem-ber God's blessings in your life!

GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR HOW HE HAS BLESSED YOU IN YOUR LIFE AND ESPECIALLY FOR SENDING CHRIST TO DIE FOR YOU!

Pastor Jack Graham

REMEMBER, IF YOU HAVE NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, OR EVENTS YOU WANT PUB-

LISHED IN THE NEWSLETTER, PLEASE SUBMIT BY THE 13TH OF EACH MONTH!

Pray for our churches seeking a Pastor:

Arcola Kings Point

News from our churches continued from page 3 . . . .

FBC Lockwood On October 15th we extended the call to Bro. Mark Williams as our new bi-vocational pastor. We extend a big welcome to Mark, his wife Sara, and their two children, Ella and Clay. They will be moving into the parsonage and November 5th will be his first Sunday filling the pulpit. We are excited to have this young man come and to see what plans God has for our church. A very special thanks to Bro. Bob Holman for his dedication while being our interim pastor and helping us during the transition period.

Iantha

We will be having revival services on Nov. 5th-8th at 7:00 p.m. each evening with Bro. Steve Williams as the evangelist. Be in prayer for these services.

Kings Point

King’s Point sponsored a booth at September Days where they sold snow cones. Proceeds, as usual, will go toward supporting a WATOTO house mom and one child. We had a great hayride and picnic recently. One recent Sunday, 6 people came forward to join the church. We provided the nursing home service and hosted the 5

th Sunday Sing on October 29. It is a busy

season, with an upcoming work day, planning for Thanksgiving baskets, and preparing for our many Christmas events and activities. Note: At the time of printing, the church is scheduled on October 22nd to vote on a po-tential new pastor, Ernie Demster.

The next edition of The Encourager will be mailed on November 17th which will be the December issue. We would like to post times and dates of your church’s Christmas programs and activities. Please have items into the of-fice no later than November 13th.