The May meeting of the Baptist Bible Fellowship took place on the campus of Baptist Bible College April 29 – May 2 with a fitting theme of Looking Ahead. The six members of the BBFI Executive Committee, Tim Adrian, Jon Haley, Jon Slayden, Sean Sears, Michael Haley, and Brian Moore, were the keynote speakers, each speaking and sharing vision for their respective areas of leadership. You can watch each of these sermons on the BBFI Vimeo page by clicking here. Ray Adams was recognized on Tuesday night for his 40 years of teaching at Baptist Bible College. Including time working as a student, Adams has worked for every president of BBC. Tuesday night also included a presentation of $1,000 scholarships to 20 students by MANNA Worldwide. On Wednesday night, Mark Milioni shared many positive reports from Baptist Bible College including a renewed commitment to the mission of training students to serve as pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders.
Fellowship Week includes much more than merely the morning and evening services. Monday night after the service has become a favorite new tradition as everyone moves from the Fieldhouse to the “caf pit” for a time of food sampling and fellowship. Before Tuesday morning’s service, multiple breakout seminars were offered on topics such as church and a/v, counseling in the church, women’s ministry, church mission trips, and social security. During the business meeting on Tuesday morning, Barb Milioni along with many female BBC students hosted a ladies meeting. Tuesday afternoon included a two-hour thinktank on church revitalization. Brian Moore and Michael Haley hosted this interactive discussion on pressure points in revitalization. Wednesday morning began with a packed out annual BBC Alumni and Friends breakfast where Ryan Whitley, pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Arkansas City, KS, was introduced as the new Alumni and Friends president.
Wednesday morning has grown to be known as “Missions Morning.” BBFI 1st vice president, Jon Haley, BBFI Mission Director, Jon Konnerup, and the BBFI Mission Office hosted Wednesday’s “Mission Morning.” Five new career missionaries were approved: Josh and Erin Taylor (Honduras), Nick and Lorena Zarrella (Japan), Chad and Jennifer Braymer (Costa Rica), Josh and Brenda Lei Casey (Spain), and Fabio and Debra Oliveira (Brazil). Two new WIN missionaries were approved: Javier and Tiffany Hidalgo (Scotland), Brianna Swaboni (East Asia).
There were three special recognition awards given. Ken and Debbie Norris, missionaries to the Native Americans, were recognized for 30 years. Robert and Sandra Frazier, missionaries to Mexico, and Jim and Mary Blume, missionaries to Papua New Guinea, were each recognized for 50 years of serving with the BBFI.
Reports were given by Chris Ballinger (Mongolia), Ron and Christine Enoch (South Sudan), and Paul Frizzell (Bolivia).
The Mission Office also announced new Mission Conference Design Packs as well as a brand-new children’s ministry curriculum highlighting BBFI missionaries and their ministries. Click here to see the new curriculum.
The highlight of the week for at least 64 individuals and their families came on Thursday morning with graduation. This year’s class speakers were Tyler Carleton and Micaela Walker. This year’s Key Award winners were Jarrett Reed and Alesha Torres. In addition, Jim and Debbie Goodman, retired pastor and wife of Stillwell Bible Baptist Church in Clarksville, AR, were awarded honorary doctorate degrees. Jim Goodman was also the commencement speaker.
Click here to see more photos from the week from the BBFI Facebook page.