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Edisto Baptist Association News

Vol.1 No.3 August-September-October 2016

Greetings Edisto Baptist Association-

As I get older and live longer than my mother, (died at age 57) and my father in-law (died at

age 51), I am constantly reminded of what the Psalmist declared, “This is the day the Lord hath made:

we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalms 118:24)! Notice the admonition for each of us. God, the

creator of all things good and beautiful, and the giver of every good, great and perfect gift, made this

day especially for you and me to enjoy His creative work while worshipping Him on a daily basis.

A little boy once said, “God doesn’t make any junk.” How very true those words are and with such a

powerful theology coming from the mouth of a child created in His image and likeness! Notice that

the Psalmist said something else, “we will rejoice and be glad in it! He didn’t say that we might or

that it was a good possibility that we would rejoice, he said we WILL, an imperative for sure!

Looking at that, we can vividly see that God made the day for us to see, behold, bask in and to enjoy

His new creation, enjoy a new day, and enjoy worshipping Him every day we live with a realization

that tomorrow is not promised. So, what will you do with TODAY? It is your choice for sure, but

you can NEVER make up for what you did not do TODAY!

Jesus said, “I came that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).

The great Apostle Paul wrote to the young Philippian believers declaring, “Rejoice in the Lord

always: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Jesus said, “There is joy in the presence of the

angels over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). The great Apostle Paul said, “Today is the day of

salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Why do I share this with us? We are not promised tomorrow. We are warned, “Today, if you will

hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation” (Psalms 95:7-8; Hebrews 3:15). Do not

under any circumstances put off until tomorrow what the Holy Spirit is leading and convicting you to

do TODAY!

You see, EBA Leadership, pastors, churches, and members, we have only TODAY. We have some of

the finest pastors and greatest churches anywhere. Yet, I fully realize that some of our communities

are not growing, some are even in a major decline. However, in the midst of all happenings, may we

remember we have all been brought to the kingdom for such a time as this. Pastors and churches, may

we not become complacent, indifferent or “Business as Usual,” but constantly seek the lost. May we

realize that wherever a lost person is, that is a mission field. We are to be missionaries for Him and

His great and awesome glory. Are you being a SOUL WINNER TODAY? “He that winneth souls is

wise” (Proverbs 11:30).

Now, why DO I REALLY SHARE THIS? Because in 2015, the Southern Baptist

Convention baptized the fewest number of believers since 1947--- from a high of more than

400,000 down to just over 200,000! Does that not make you want to cry? It begs the

question as to where our priorities are! Have we misplaced them somehow? I plead and

challenge us as pastors, churches and as an association to partner with one another to reach

one more soul for His Kingdom. Mrs. Roma and I join with you, support you in your

endeavors, and pray along with you that we set a priority to reach people for Jesus.

In His Eternal Grip,

Bro. Johnny and Mrs. Roma

Established 1834 – www.EdistoBaptistAssociation.org

Reaching America & the World through Missions

A Message from the EBA Director of Missions Dates of Interest

This Quarter

========================

AUGUST

Back to School

___________

September

11 EBA Evangelism Rally

16 Haitian Children's Choir 7 p.m., Kedron

22 IMPACT [understanding and engaging a shifting culture] sponsored by SCBC at Shandon (Cola) Register online: http://www.scbaptist.org/impact/ ($39/person or $20/person for a group of 10). Worship and sessions for pastors and church leaders to engage changing communities with the gospel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ October

1 EBA Youth Rally

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Windsor

21-23 Carolina Girls (Acteens)

23 EBA Annual Meeting

3 p.m., Windsor

31 Light the Night, 6-8 pm

Sponsored by CTFK

~~~~~~~~~~~~ EBA Historical Note: The minutes from the 51st annual session stated that Brother Howell was “uneducated, could scarcely read his Bible, yet God wonderfully blessed his ministry.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Your church, department, and committee information is needed to help make our newsletter complete. Please email information to ebainformation@gmail.com

Next deadline: October 30

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If every SC Baptist loved their neighbor and every

church cared for one local school, an entire generation in SC would be saturated with the gospel before they reach college. (Source: SCBC Evangelism)

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Seivern Missions Fundraising Update: Picnic table and Chicken Coop sales are going well and have helped the church get close to their half-way mark to fund their first ever mission trip. The church goal is $25,000.

Pleasant Hill’s Busy Summer is Blessed

Pleasant Hill has been busy with VBS, mission trips, youth camps and of course family vacations. God has blessed our

work and we have seen several young people come to know Christ this summer. We thank Rev. Bill Watkins for allowing

our India mission team to share during revival at Oak Grove. It was a blessing to share with our sister church, Oak Grove,

our love for missions and what God can do through missions. God has again shown himself faithful through these

summer months and we look forward to what He will do in the coming days.

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EBA Youth Rally Plans Set First Baptist Church Windsor will host the EBA Youth Rally from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Oct. 1. The EBA Youth Directors have made wonderful plans to engage all youth! A praise band from North Carolina and a drama will be on tap for the first session of the day. Food will be provided, along with Olympic-themed team games during the time between the two major sessions. During the second session, worship will be led by Roger Williams and the All Mixed Up Quartet. The message will be delivered by Roger Williams. Bring as many youth as possible to this exciting day! See the EBA website for more information (edistobaptistassociation.org) or contact Rev. Adam Hensley (803) 653-1549 or Rev. Geoff Mason (618) 977-1745.

Springfield’s Evangelism Blitz is Successful Springfield Baptist coordinated an evangelism blitz that included several backyard Bible clubs and summer block parties

in downtown Springfield and downtown Neeses. Several hundred people attended. We were able to make many

connections during those block parties. We held a one-week food bank and clothes closet, as well as hosted a back to

school bash in town. We look forward to making more connections in our community. These activities and community

outreach opportunities were some of the greatest accomplishments God brought to Springfield this summer.

Mandy Fulmer teaches a Backyard Bible Club.

Scripture focus: Mark 12: 30-31 30 And thou

shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with

all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy

strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy

neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment

greater than these.

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Church News Berlin

Bethcar GriefShare meets every Thursday night at 6 pm. To join or for more information, contact GriefShare team leaders Ed & Norma Mixon at 803-643-9871. Corinth Dean Swamp

Kedron September 16 Haitian Children's

Choir 7 p.m.

Mt. Ebal September 11 Awana, 5:30 p.m. Mt Hermon New Holland Oak Grove Perry

Pleasant Hill October 16 - 20 Revival, 7 p.m.

Rocky Grove Oct. 23 Homecoming 10 a.m. One big service with dinner after the service.

Join us for this special day.

Rocky Springs Salley

Seivern Sept. 4 Financial Peace University

7 p.m. Classes meet on consecutive Sunday nights until Oct.30. For more information, call Pastor Geoff 618-977-1745. Everyone is welcome.

Oct. 22 Yard Sale, 8 a.m. Famous

Country Store, 11 a.m. Yard Sale proceeds for the 2017 Mission Trip to Calgary. Country Store proceeds support the WMU.

Nov. 20 Homecoming 11 a.m. Dec. 18 Christmas Program, 5 p.m.

Springfield Tabernacle Wagener Windsor =================================

Oct. 31 Light the Night from 6 to 8 p.m. sponsored by Churches Together For Kids (CTFK) Wagener.

========================= KNOW YOUR EBA – 2015-2016 Moderator Appointed Committees

Nominating Mandy Fulmer; Julie Gartman; Rev. Phillip Proveaux; Rev. Wayne Whaley; Bill Buchner

Time, Place, and Preacher Rev. Wayne Whaley; Rev. Adam Hensley; Rev. Bobby Paschal Standing Committees

Budget & Finance Wayne Furtick (18); Larry Poole (18); Rev. Dr. John O'Cain (18); Lloyd Morgan (16); Vickie Watkins (17)

Resolutions/Constitution Rev. Owen McAlister (18); Lynndie Proveaux (18); Charles Sharpe (18); Rev. Dr. Bill Paulling (18); Rev. Milford Oswald (17); Timmy Barr (17); Rev. Dr.John O'Cain (16)

Evangelism & Missions Ray Drayer (18); Allison Minton (18); Rufus Morgan (18); Rev. Bill Watkins (18); Lee Stutts (16)

Memorial Rea Bolin (18); Rae Hall (18); Julie Gartman (17); Fannie Mae Hall (17); Shirley Padgett (16)

Recreation Patrick Hutto (18); Pete Allen (18); Rev. Wayne Whaley (18); Rev. Chris Addy (17); Chuck Smith (17)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ General Officers/Directors Rev. Dr. John B. Willis, Moderator Rev. Phillip Proveaux, Vice Moderator Jon Smith. Clerk-Treasurer Tina Salley, Assistant Clerk-Treasurer Rev. Owen McAlister. Disaster Relief Dr. Debbie Bass, Discipleship & Website Rev. Jared Pemper, Evangelism Bob Salley, Sr., Men's Ministry Margaret Ann Barr, Music Rev. Dr. John O’Cain, Prayer Terry Kittrell, Sunday School Jan Hegler, Vacation Bible School Becky Morgan, Women's Ministry Jan Hegler, WMU Rev. Adam Hensley, Rev. Geoff Mason, Youth

Departments of Work Rev. Dr. John B. Willis, Baptist Courier Francis Yon, Baptist Foundation Dr. Debbie Bass, Christian Ed/ Campus Ministry

Rita W. Brown, Office of Public Policy Nell T. Able, Connie Maxwell Rev. Chris Addy, Guidestone Financial Muriel Hall, Ministry to the Aging Dr. Debbie Bass, Newsletter Editor Rev. Dr. Bill Paulling, Mrs. Frances Yon Prison Ministries Rev. Owen McAlister, White Oak

=====================

Collegiate Ministries – Connect college students with Baptist Ministries on college campuses throughout SC. Find out more at http://www.scbaptist.org/collegiate-ministry/

--------------- Financial Ministries - The Baptist Foundation of South Carolina provides information related to wills, planned giving, endowments, and investments for churches. http://baptistfoundationsc.org/

----------------- Music Ministries – Consider sponsoring a student for piano lessons to prepare for future church musicians..

---------------

Christian Education –For information on the School Time Bible program and adopting a school, contact Sandy Bezjak at sandybezjak@scbaptist.org

Information for the October

Annual Report is due to

Mr. Jon Smith, EBA

clerk/treasurer

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Did you know…? Last Sunday, 300,000 SC Baptists met for worship while over 3.6 million people were unengaged in any Christian church. What if every SC Baptist took personal responsibility for three (3) people far from God each year? Every life in SC would be saturated with the Gospel by 2020. (Source: SCBC Evangelism)

====================================

SC Baptist Disaster Relief units are now on ALERT to respond to the catastrophic flooding in Louisiana. You can train to be a responder. Contact Sue Harmon (SCBC) for more information.

Rebuild SC helps with projects to help families affected by the SC flood. For more information about RebuildSC opportunities, contact Jack at 864-225-7759 or jvMcCormick@bellsouth.net

Church Health: Take the test Where will your church be in 5, 10, or 15 years? Will it be a vibrant congregation with the heart of Christ for others? (Source and test: http://scbctest.com/church-health/)

Newsletter Deadline for Churches, EBA

Departments, and EBA Committees is

October 30. Please send your

Information for the next newsletter

covering November-December-January

to ebainformation@gmail.com

The Gospel

Responsbility

300,000 SC

Baptists

2020

Personal

EBA Evangelism Rally:

Redeeming the time, for the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16) The first EBA Evangelism Rally is 6 p.m., September 11 at

Berlin. The Evangelism Committee announced that childcare will

be provided. Rev. Johnny Muller and Monty Hale (SCBC) will

present the messages. Expect congregational music along with

some video messages.

Monty Hale will focus his attention on church members with an

urgency in advancing the kingdom. The Rally is a call for every

disciple of Christ to follow the Great Commission.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EBA 2016 November Discipleship Rally and Speaker’s Tournament for each EBA church community outreach

All EBA churches may decide to participate in outreach and discipleship through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s My Hope project. Materials are free. More information is available at https://myhopewithbillygraham.org/

To preorder free literature and the CD, go to https://myhopewithbillygraham.org/product/my-hope- 2016-film/

Previous My Hope 30-minute programs include 2013 The Cross, 2014 Heaven, and 2015 Value of Soul. The 2016 video is Decision. The My Hope initiative encourages and equips the local church to proclaim the Gospel and share the Gospel message with friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors using any of the video programs that contain testimonies and messages from Billy Graham and Franklin Graham. It involves the entire church in spreading the Good News, by praying for community friends and family members who are not involved in church then inviting them to ‘movie night’ to view Decision.

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Bible Drill Curriculum

Teachers of children in grades 1 through 6, if interested, can email ebainformation@gmail.com for more information about beginning a Bible Drill curriculum and about participation in the EBA Bible Drill workshop. If churches want to participate, there will be an EBA Bible Drill in April 2017.

====================== School Partners Wagener-Salley High School is encouraging partnerships, as well as

support for students who are unable to pay the fees necessary to

enroll in career/vocational classes. Contact the school for

additional information.