Wright Word, June- August 2023
Thomas Wright, Associational Missionary
Emphasizing Biblical Prayer, Evangelistic Ministries, Church Development, Church Planting, Partnership Missions
Jesus as Teacher
Luke 5 offers significant insight into the teaching style of Jesus. In verse three, Jesus “sat down and began teaching from the boat.” The conditions made him get creative so people would hear, understand and act upon biblical truth.
In verses 4-5 Jesus instructed them “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing! But at Your word, I’ll let down the nets.” Like Peter, we tend to impose our will, our agenda, our timeline, and our comfort on God. Stop it! God knows what is best. Look at the huge blessing they received in verse six when they obeyed. “When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear.” Notice they would have missed the blessing if they told God “no.”
Then look in verse eight to see how obedience resulted in the conviction of sin. “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” (HCSB).
Following the example of Jesus in obedience is a worthy discipline.
“Making a Difference Mobile” Simultaneous Outreach Events in March 2024
Mobile Baptists have a unique opportunity to partner with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (ALSBOM) in March 2024. The MBA will host the inauguration of local, simultaneous, outreach events we are calling “Making a Difference Mobile.” That title mimics the 2024 State Convention theme and will continue as a yearly event in cities across Alabama.
The partnership will allow us to receive a limited number of grants for churches to provide outreach events any weekend during March 2024. The events will lead to your harvest events on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.
We are still inventing the logistics. Pastors soon will receive letters explaining the process and including the link to an online application form. The completed form will be due by October 5, 2023. David Gill, Jerrod Brown, Gerald Burch and I happily will help you complete the application and chat about evangelistic ministry options. We encourage regional events with multiple churches collaborating. Be creative with an outreach event you have always wanted to lead your people to use. Reach out to your community, local schools, first responders and ethnic groups. Include sports or professional-themed clinics, banquets, block parties, prayer walking and evangelistic ministry.
The upcoming online form will be completed by the pastor or their assigned leader. Information needed includes: describe the type of event and date, list the other churches collaborating, request the training needed to prepare, other resources needed, a proposed budget including grant amount and any volunteer teams needed from across the state. The intent is to provide matching grants, but each application will be evaluated as to need. Churches in good standing will receive priority approval.
Our MBA Missions/Evangelism committee and moderators will join ALSBOM missionaries to review the applications and award the grants by the end of October 2023. That timeline allows each church four months to prepare specifically for their March event.
Churches of course can conduct any event at any time they choose. The application process is to coordinate limited resources available for Making a Difference Mobile.
Annual Missions Celebration October 1, 2023 at Moffett Road Baptist Church
Please put on your calendar the 2023 Annual Missions Celebration. Once a year we ask churches to come together for three hours on a Sunday afternoon to learn about local cooperative missions through a missions fair and missions presentations. Please put it on the calendar now and consider who will be elected as messengers and who will attend as guests. The information is suitable for all MBA church members. Bring your children and youth for age appropriate missions studies.
Cuba Mission Teams through Shiloh Baptist Church
Shiloh Baptist, in conjunction with our local Cuban pastors, is considering ways to make an eternal impact in Cuba. Gerald Burch and I joined Dr. David Roach to teach and investigate the conditions surrounding Baptist work in Cuba. We are working with local leaders for ways MBA churches can assist Shiloh to provide scripture distribution, sports and children’s clinics, pastor/leader training in Spanish and light construction. Two small teams are scheduled for the near future. Please contact Dr. Roach for details, droach229@gmail.com.
CWP Forecast Improves Thanks to Relief Fund and Increased Attendance
CWP summer registrations continue to move toward pre-pandemic levels. We are financially solvent with a part time director. Thank you to the churches and individuals that helped raise $82,000+ to keep CWP open so far. Please encourage the other 90 MBA churches who have not yet responded. The goal of $120,000 still is needed to bring in a new director and provide for ministry expenses. We prefer our churches use the camp instead of having fund-raisers. We still do not have sufficient income to hire a new full time director.
We still need volunteers and teams to do yard work, cleaning, maintenance and repair. Barry and Dino have a punch list of needs and opportunities for every skill level.
Future Focus Committee (FFC) May Update
We continue to have multiple full price offers and community opposition. Please include in your Wednesday night prayer services for the Lord’s intervention to sell the property, and the location to combine our two current facilities.
- Please pray for the Lord’s timing and intervention to overcome the political opposition to rezoning our property.
- Chaplains continue to go to the ships. Evangelistic ministry continues and we need additional volunteer chaplains to be salt and light to seafarers.
- We will wait to sell the MBA office until a new location is completed using proceeds from the IMC. MBA finance and executive committees have approved a possible bridge loan from the MBA until the MBA office is sold.
- Committee members continue to approach individuals, MBA and other congregations to help find an existing 8-10,000 sf building. Options so far have not been viable due to location or refurbishing needed.
- We need help to mow the yard.
Please continue praying, looking and talking to find the person who will be the answer to the prayers for a new location.
Minister’s Conference
Our Minister’s Conference leadership, Ricky White, Ron Prater and Vaughan Gardner continue to organize our time of fellowship, encouragement and discussion of biblical truth. Notice it is for all ministers, not just pastors. None of us can attend every Monday.
PLEASE do not allow the enemy to isolate us where we are susceptible to discouragement and error. If you are not receiving the weekly Minister’s Conference email please confirm your email address with Vaughan.
Churches Seeking Pastors
Churches seeking pastors: Cloverdale, Dauphin Way, Faith, Fellowship, Indian Springs, Manor, Obedience, Riverside, Smithtown, and Turnerville.
