Saturday, October 17, 2009

Another Great Annual Meeting!

The 60th Annual Meeting of Central Baptist Association was a joyous occasion of fellowship, blessing, and good stewardship of the Lord's business. Nearly 80 messengers and visitors from 16 CBA Churches were in attendance. Thank you to all of the faithful members of FBC Atwood who made us so comfortable and prepared a great dinner!

Highlights of the meeting included wonderful music and singing led by Power of Praise, Bill Fleming, Mike Rutledge, and Chris Granda. Pastor Adam Cruse of FBC Mt Zion brought a blessed Bible Study on our theme of, "Standing on the Word" from Ezra 7:10; and Pastor Doug Davis of Arthur Southern Baptist Church preached the Annual Sermon from Exodus 33 on the theme, "Waiting on the Presence of God."

Pat Pajak of IBSA brought greetings and news about the 2010 "Find it Here" campaign as part of the "Across Illinois" evangelism strategy. Ken Stewart brought greetings and an update from the Baptist Children's Home in Carmi, Illinois.

2008-2009 was an "UP!" year as we were ahead of last year in 10 out of the 13 areas in which our Denomination keeps records! 11 of our 23 Churches were recognized with "Excellence in Ministry" Awards! A benevolence offering in excess of $200.00 was received; and, all reports and the 2009-2010 Budget were adopted.

Pastor Adam Powers was re-elected as our Moderator, Glenn Baker as Assistant Moderator, Sharron Jones as Clerk, Dawn Brown as Treasurer, and Chris Granda as Assistant Treasurer. Thanks to these dear friends for investing so much time and effort into your Association!

Next Year's Meeting, which will mark our 60th Anniversary, will be held October 16, 2010 at the Tri-Valley Baptist Church in Bloomington. Pastor Wes Feltner of Tabernacle Baptist will lead our Bible Study and Pastor Mike Arthur of Emmanuel Baptist will bring the Annual Sermon.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

DON'T MISS YOUR CBA ANNUAL MEETING !

I hope you will take time out of your already too-busy schedule to attend the 60th Annual Meeting of YOUR Association this coming Saturday!

The meeting is being held at the First Baptist Church of Atwood, 231 N. Illinois Street, Atwood. The church is located one block west and one block north of beautiful downtown Atwood. (From US Highway 36, turn North on Atwood Road and go to the bank; turn left (west) on Forest Street and go one block to Illinois Street and turn right (north). The church is in the middle of the block on the left!

We have had an overall "UP!" year this year and we will recognize several of our churches with "Excellence in Ministry" Awards! It appears that the weather will be lovely, and I know the meeting will be a source of great encouragement to you!

Power of Praise will provide pre-session music beginning at 2:45pm. The meeting will begin at 3pm, and we will have dinner together at 5:45pm. There is no charge for the meal, which is being provided by the members of the church. Following the meal, we will have a second session and we should be done by 8pm.

We will have great worship led by Power of Praise, Bill Fleming, and Mike Rutledge. Chris Granda will provide special music in the evening session. You will be blessed by our Annual Bible Study led this year by Pastor Adam Cruse of FBC Mt Zion, and our Annual Sermon by Pastor Doug Davis of Arthur Southern Baptist!

Oh yeah, we'll hear reports, vote on the budget, and all of our usual business; but, we will also have a great and encouraging time of fellowship. Pat Pajak, Associate Executive Director of IBSA will bring us a special report on the new SBC Evangelism initiative, "Across Illinois".