September 2017 CBA Newsletter

A Word from Your Missionary, Steve Laughman

A fellow Associational Missionary recently asked his fellow AMs the question: What’s going on in your association that has you excited and energized? His goal was to encourage our fellow AMs by sharing stories of how God is working throughout our state. I didn’t have to think long for an answer. To tell the truth, there are so many great things that I struggled to keep my answer short. In fact, this article is too short to include all the positive things I see God doing in the Centennial Baptist Association. He is at work bringing life back to struggling churches, drawing new congregations into partnership, and building connections between churches that show the world what church is about. What an exciting time to serve the Lord in this place! I hope you feel the same way.

The question my friend, Bobby Braswell, asked our fellow AMs is a good one, so I am going to ask it myself in a different way. What is God doing in your church that has you excited and energized? How is He moving and how does this encourage you and your people? We can all get discouraged in ministry, even when things are going well. Let’s take some time to encourage one another with some good news. It’s OK to brag on Jesus for a minute. In fact, Paul wrote that he boasted only in the Lord.

Here is how this will work: most of you have a facebook page. If you don’t already follow the Centennial Baptist Association page, do that now. I have posted this question on our page. Just add your comment and take the time to read the ones from your fellow believers. My hope is that we will all find encouragement and comradery in this exercise. If you don’t have facebook, I’m sure you can find a fellow church member who can post something for you.

Be sure to make plans to attend our upcoming business meetings to hear more details about what God is doing through the Centennial Association. Executive Committee will meet at Maynard, September 7th at 6:30. We will share a meal and conduct business around the table. This meeting is for all pastors, full-time staff, elected executive committee members, CBA officers, CBA ministry directors and the chairmen of each CBA committee. Our Annual Fall Meeting will be held at Antioch on October 24th beginning at 4:30. We will have a longer business meeting due to extended reports from several committees including our Strategy Planning Team. We will also be collecting backpacks for our partnership with the Bethel Association. This meeting is open to anyone who would like to attend. Messengers from each church will be allowed to vote, so be sure to elect your messengers prior to the meeting.

Thank you for making my job so much fun. We truly do have some of the best churches in the world right here in the Centennial Baptist Association.

July 2017 CBA Newsletter

A Word from your Missionary

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1

We who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ know a freedom that the rest of the world does not understand. We have been set free from the bondage of our past, from the bondage of sin, and from the curse of death. For this reason, we are implored to stand firm against those things that have the potential to ensnare us again. Even when we think we are well-guarded, we all have the potential to fall once again. Praise God for a Savior who forgives and restores willingly! Let us remember that true freedom is only found in Jesus Christ.

Throughout the month of June I was able to visit several of you during VBS. Thank you for giving of your time and talents to serve the children and lead them to Jesus. Your investment in them is an investment in the future of your church and in the Kingdom of God. I look forward to seeing many more of you this month as we wrap up our VBS season and move on toward all of our back to school activities.

Pray for our mission team as we head to Copper Basin this month. We will once again be serving at the Crisis Center and helping residents in the area with some home repairs. Although this is our final year of partnering with Copper Basin, rest assured that we will continue to collect Backpacks of Hope to be used during Christmas outreach. You will hear more about this effort in the coming months.

Check out the rest of the newsletter for information about upcoming events. GO Georgia was so good last year that they decided to add a second location. GO Georgia is an equipping conference for all church leaders. There will be training sessions for every ministry of your church including but not limited to Sunday School, church administration, music, children’s ministry, youth ministry, and missions. The cost is extremely reasonable and the content is excellent. I plan to attend the event in Tifton, and I hope to see many of you there. For more information including how to register and a list of all training sessions, go to gogeorgia.net.

Continue to pray for your CBA Strategy Planning Team. God has blessed us with some productive time together, and we are excited about how the process is going. Thank you for being a part of the Centennial Baptist Association. Together we are making Christ known throughout our four counties and beyond.   

 

May 2017 CBA Newsletter

A Word from Your Missionary:

There are times in our lives when the future seems full of hope and promise: Graduation Day, the birth of a child, your Wedding Day, or the first day on a new job. Although I do not have a child graduating this year, the feelings are still fresh. As parents, our emotions are all mixed up between the sense of losing something and the joy of accomplishing something. While the student graduating is looking toward the future, we are remembering the journey to get there.

Our Association has had 134 years of ministry. What an accomplishment! Our past is rich, and our future is bright! I want to thank the Strategy Planning team for bringing their experience and wisdom to the table as we seek to plot a course for the next 3-5 years. I also want to extend my gratitude to all the pastors who were able to be part of the evaluation process on April 24 & 25. I look forward to hearing the report from our State Missionaries regarding your input. The initial reports I received were enlightening and encouraging. Thank you again for sharing your advice and your concerns with us.

Only the Lord knows what the future holds, but my hope is that God continues to use the Centennial Baptist Association to equip churches and leaders to reach their communities for many years to come. The fields are ready for the harvest. Most of our churches have plenty of empty seats and room to grow. The next generation desperately needs to see a church that is alive, has answers to life’s challenges, and loves them with the love of God. We owe it to them to be the community of faith they need.

Join me in praying that God will strengthen our churches and renew a passion for the lost around us. May He empower us to love the way He loves. I envision churches that experience such a move of God that they cannot even explain how it happened.

Thank you for what you do to shine the light of Jesus. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your ministry. Do not hesitate to call on me when I can be of service.

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

February 2017 CBA Newsletter

A Word from Your Missionary:

I had to confess something to my wife today. Just like Paul in Romans 7, there are times when I know what I should do and I don’t do it and other times when I know what I shouldn’t do and that is the very thing I do. The subject of my confession was the over-scheduling of events that take up the time and energy of our pastors. In my effort to support you and your work, I have a tendency to ask you to put even more on your plate and your calendar.

Case in point: February and March. We have a bunch of stuff going on at CBA over the next two months. Each and every event, meeting, and ministry is valuable and designed to meet needs. Each is meant to enhance your ministry. When you find that to be true, then I invite you to wholeheartedly participate. When you find that not to be true, then encourage those who may benefit to participate, but feel free to skip it yourself. We understand that each ministry event has a specific audience in mind. Our calendar is like a Venn diagram. If you find yourself in the overlapping sections, I apologize.

This newsletter is full of opportunities like EQUIP, Children’s Ministry Workshop, Southside Summit, and the Dental Health Clinic. We have Pastor Roundtables, the Johnny Hunt Simulcast, and the Quarterly Fellowship Lunch. State Missionary Randy Mullinax will join us at the Monthly Ministers Meeting with a plan to make our churches more mindful of how our guests experience church. We even have an Executive Committee meeting where we will discuss the agenda for the CBA Annual Spring Meeting. In fact, there is too much information to even include in this limited space. Please check out more details on the website, www.centennialbaptistassociation.com.

I want you all to know that I appreciate your time and the way you support the Centennial Association. Pray for our Strategy Team as we seek to define clear ways to support our churches and to be the best association we can be to the glory of God.

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

January 2017 CBA Newsletter

A Word from Your Missionary:

How big do you dream? Whether God has given you the responsibility to pastor a church, lead a ministry, parent children, or just do your part for the Kingdom, I believe God wants us to expect great things. The father of the modern missions movement, William Carey, is quoted as saying, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” His life certainly demonstrated a dedication to this admonition.

It is easy to get frustrated and beaten down in ministry. Sometimes it seems that the whole world is against you. Guess what? It probably is. Jesus told his disciples that the world would hate them because of their association with Him. When the believers in Acts were beaten for preaching the Gospel, they rejoiced because they were deemed worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. Sometimes we think that the slightest opposition to us is reason enough to give up and try something different. If we have taken the time to make sure our goals are covered in prayer and in line with God’s will, nothing should prevent us from reaching them. Through His strength we can do great things.

So I return to my first question: How big do you dream? Do you see your church baptizing twice as many people in 2017 as you did in 2016? Do you see yourself personally winning more people to Jesus this year? Can you imagine how your life would change if you made a point to share your story with people every week or even every day? How many lost people in Upson, Pike, Lamar, and Monroe counties can come to Jesus this year if we all just dedicate ourselves to boldly sharing the Gospel? Have you identified someone you can disciple this year? Are there lost people you are praying for and building relationships with? A big dream starts with simple steps.

I know God can do amazing things through people who are willing. Let us be those people. I want to see churches worshipping God without reservation. I want to see people that seem very far from God come to know Him as Savior and Lord. I want to see broken families healed, restored, and actively following Jesus together. I want to see an entire association of churches make such a difference in our communities this year that even the most hard-hearted cynic takes notice and wants to know more about Jesus. How big will you dream in 2017?

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

December 2016 CBA Newsletter

A Word from Your Missionary:

We have one more month remaining in 2016. Most of us will spend a good portion of that time getting ready for Christmas. We will practice for cantatas and plays. We will decorate and bake. We will shop (some of us more than we should). If this December is like past Decembers it will go by in a flash, and we will be ringing in the New Year before you know it. If we are not careful, we will rush through it all without taking the time to pause and reflect.

When I think of 2016, I will remember ENCOUNTER and how I saw God renew an urgency for evangelism among our churches. I pray that this continues throughout the coming year. Wouldn’t you love to be able to baptize more new followers of Jesus in 2017 that ever before? I know that would please our Father. Ask yourself what you can do to make this goal a reality.

When I think of 2016, I will probably remember one of the harshest political seasons in my lifetime. If the election taught us anything, it is that our nation is still deeply divided in many ways. Our communities need to see the unity that defines the Church according to Scripture. My prayer for 2017 is that each local church will strive to live in harmony for the sake of God’s renown. As we represent Him, may we dismiss our preferences in favor of proclaiming His clear Gospel message.

When I think of 2016, I will also remember some personal milestones and challenges. Abigail graduated from high school and began college. We lost a dear aunt. My father-in-law had by-pass surgery in July and is still dealing with complications. Our family like many of yours experienced ups and downs this year. I am so thankful for a God who makes His presence known each and every day. We do not serve a God who is distant and unattached to us. I pray that His power and presence will be evident in your lives every moment of this next year.

Thank you for another great year of ministry. The future is bright and full of hope. We still have much to accomplish together. Pray with me that we will finish this year strong and will enter 2017 with a vision that is perfectly aligned with God’s plan. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

November 2016 CBA Newsletter

I recently heard an interview with A. J. Jacobs, a secular Jewish man, who wrote The Year of Living Biblically after spending a year trying to closely follow every law in the Bible. Jacobs does not claim to be a follower of Christ or even a believer in God. But according to the interview, among the most important thing this year taught him was the value of gratitude. Thanksgiving is a powerful principle that is found throughout Scripture. I wonder how our lives would change if we practiced it more often.

In a culture in which we can go to the store and get whatever we want 24/7, we take for granted pretty much everything. If we ever find ourselves without electricity or food or some other convenience, we complain a little, but know that it is probably just temporary. If we are honest, most of us are pretty spoiled. Thanksgiving reminds us that we are not our own provider. Everything we have comes from a loving God who cares deeply for us and meets our needs in abundance.

I am as guilty as the next guy in my lack of gratitude for God’s blessings. You would think that those of us who live comfortable lifestyles compared to the rest of the world would be more grateful, but I think the opposite tends to be true. So what is the solution? I started by reading from the book of Psalms. The various authors remind us over and over to give thanks to God. We are to remember His blessings and cry out to Him with thanksgiving and praise. Our worship is to reflect a grateful heart for His presence in our lives. We should be aware continually of how He has delivered us from our enemies and the sin that would destroy us without His ever-present help. That’s a good place to start.

I am thankful for the great year we have had together. I am grateful to work with so many great churches and pastors who understand the power of the Gospel to save. I praise God that we have freedom to proclaim His truth and to live out our convictions. I thank God for the family and friends He has given me. And I thank God for the calling He has placed on my life, that I can live my life with purpose know He has a plan much bigger and greater than I can even imagine.

Join me this Thanksgiving season in being more intentional in our praise and thanksgiving to the One who gives all good gifts. Keep your eyes open to His goodness and grace in all the little things in life. Enjoy the time with family and friends and let each one of them know how thankful you are for them. And take the time to tell God how thankful you are.

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

October 2016 CBA Newsletter

A Word from Your Missionary:

Praise the Lord of the Harvest! ENCOUNTER resulted in a renewed sense of urgency for the Gospel and a number of changed lives, including many who became believers in Jesus Christ. Our hearts were challenged and encouraged. We experienced incredible worship and Spirit filled preaching. I was particularly thankful for the way our churches worked together to cover all the areas of responsibility. My prayer is that revival will continue in each of our churches as we meet weekly to worship and proclaim the truth.

I would love to hear about your experience at ENCOUNTER. On October 10 at 10 AM at New Bethel Baptist Church, we will have a feedback and celebration time to talk about how ENCOUNTER went and how we can do even better next time. Jon Reed has asked me to make sure he hears from us, as well. This time is for pastors as well as anyone else who was involved in ENCOUNTER. All feedback is welcome.

So, what’s next? That is a question that many have asked me recently. On the immediate horizon, we have our upcoming Fall Meeting at Mt. Olive on October 25th. I would encourage everyone to participate in this time of reporting and handling some important business for our association. We will also enjoy a meal together and have a great time of worship. Dr. Ken Ross, pastor of Milner, will be our speaker. Don’t forget to bring your Backpacks for Appalachia to the Fall meeting.

Shortly following that, I would like to invite each of you to a day of training hosted by our Women’s Ministry. This is in cooperation with the Flint River Association and will be held on Saturday, October 29th. You will find all the details in this newsletter.

Under the leadership of the Steering Committee, we have already begun a Strategy Planning process that will help us shape the vision for our next several years. Centennial has been blessed to accomplish quite a bit up to this point. We want to continue that momentum by planning for the future. By taking a look at where we are and what is needed, we can be prepared for what God has in store. Pray with me as we embark on this challenging endeavor. You will hear more about this in the next few months.

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

September CBA Newsletter

A Word from Your Missionary:

Fifteen years ago our world changed forever. Terrorists took control of four planes with the intention of bringing our nation to her knees. The towers fell. The Pentagon was rocked. A field in Pennsylvania became a memorial to brave souls who attempted to take back their plane. And on September 11, 2001, and in the days to follow our nation did fall to her knees. For the first time in a long while, we were united in our grief and looked to God Almighty for comfort and healing.

Many people believed God would use that tragic day to bring revival throughout our land. His presence and influence could be felt everywhere. People were unashamed to speak His name. He did bring some to Himself. He did remind us of what could be and of our great need for Him. However, eventually people forgot how desperately we need the Lord. Most Americans stopped looking to God and simply got used to the new normal.

I believe God still wants to revive His church in America. I believe His grace is still sufficient to save lost souls. I believe He still desires repentance and obedience. Not so we can be better Americans or so our nation will prosper. But so we, the children of God, can be the Church shining the light of Christ as a beacon to those who are lost and hurting.

Join me this September 11th as I pray for our nation, our communities and the lost all around us. What if every church set aside time on that Sunday as a solemn assembly dedicated to prayer and repentance? ENCOUNTER begins the following evening. We have all prayed and prepared for a harvest of souls. Let us make sure our own hearts are right and ready for revival, so that we can make Him known.

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

August 2016 CBA Newsletter

The time has arrived for the rubber to meet the road, the hammer to hit the nail, the boots to be on the ground. Use whatever metaphor works for you. It is crunch time, and I could not be more excited. We have all worked toward this moment for about a year. ENCOUNTER starts in just a few weeks. As the time arrives, let us keep a few things in mind:

·         Prayer is the most powerful evangelistic tool we have. When we pray daily for our lost friends and family by name, our hearts turn to God’s desire for their souls. We begin to look for opportunities to share Christ with them. We get excited about how God is moving them toward Himself. Do not neglect seeking the Lord when it comes to a spiritual harvest.

·         The Holy Spirit is in charge. Although we get to be the hands and feet, working to put all the pieces together, we recognize that everything we do must be led by God’s Spirit. Our worship, our service, our planning, and our goals should all be designed by Him and filled with His presence. Be sensitive to how the Holy Spirit will guide you during this time of revival.

·         Conflict is from the enemy. Satan will use whatever we allow him to use to defeat God’s plan. Sometimes that tool is church members who are angry, bitter and selfish. We must seek unity in and among our churches and put aside our own preferences for the sake of the Gospel.

There is much more I want to share, but space and time are limited. Go to our website for resources related to ENCOUNTER. Be a part of what God is doing in our community through this event. It is not too late to get involved. I hope to see you all, and those you bring with you, at ENCOUNTER, September 12-15 at the Rock Ranch.

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

June 2016 CBA Newsletter

When I was a kid I spent my summers going from one Vacation Bible School to another so by the end of the summer, I knew all the songs very well. I had also seen a few pastors get pies in the face and eaten my share of cookies. But I had also made lots of friends and heard the wonderful stories of the Bible over and over again. I still look forward to VBS every year. I pray that the Lord brings children and parents to salvation this summer through your efforts.

I was able to travel to Ducktown this week to prepare the way for our trip to Copper Basin, July 8-12. This year we will focus on two primary projects: working at the Crisis Center and completing some light construction projects. If you would like to join us, please make plans to be at the team meeting 6:30 on June 2 at Shiloh in Thomaston. I would ask that everyone pray for the team and for the Pattersons who run the Crisis Center. Al and Margaret are experiencing some challenges of their own at this time. Let’s continue to pray for them and the vital work they are doing.

We also have folks from Centennial churches traveling all over the world to places like Panama, Honduras, Moldova, Montana, Oklahoma, and Nicaragua, to name just a few. I am grateful that we have so many mission minded followers of Christ serving in our churches. I am also thankful that we live in a time when traveling to the uttermost is feasible. My prayer is that as we go, we will not only make disciples of all nations, but we will bring the excitement of evangelism home with us.

The Most Important Day of ENCOUNTER will be here next month, July 30th. Please, mark your calendars and encourage your fellow church members to attend. We will begin the day at 9:00 with training for our Response Team, those who will be assisting people as they make decisions for Christ at ENCOUNTER. Then at 10:00 Evangelist Jon Reed will share with all of us how to intentionally engage the lost people in our lives with the Gospel and an invitation to join us at ENCOUNTER. I cannot emphasize enough that this day is for ALL church members, not just pastors and leadership. I believe that churches that make this a priority will see an environment of evangelism grow among their fellowship and will see people come to know Christ at ENCOUNTER. I look forward to seeing you all there.

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

May 2016 CBA Newletter

Recently I had a wonderful conversation with my daughter, Abigail, who will be graduating from high school this month. We talked a lot about achievements and honors and how incredibly proud I am of everything she has accomplished. We talked about how things come to an end and how new beginnings can be challenging and exciting. After our conversation, I reflected on how thankful I am that God entrusted Marni and me to equip our children for whatever He has planned for them. I am sure we don’t always get it right, but maybe they can learn from our mistakes, as well.

Many of you as pastors are also entrusted with equipping the saints for the work of ministry. During our ENCOUNTER Prep meeting in April, we reflected on how well we are doing in this area. My hope is that you are all joyfully completing the task of equipping those in your care. There are times when challenges arise. When that happens, know that you are not alone.

We are now only four months away from ENCOUNTER. If you have not already begun to promote this area wide harvest revival in your church, please do so. Encourage all of your church members to set aside July 30th as the Most Important Day of ENCOUNTER. On that day, we will all meet at FBC Barnesville to hear from Jon Reed about how each of us can engage the lost effectively. This is not just for church leaders or pastors. This is a day for every church member who wants to see people they know get saved. There will also be a time on that same day for training those who will be helping during the decision time. More details will be available soon.

It is also time for our ministry teams to begin planning for ENCOUNTER. We still need churches to take on the responsibilities of the following teams: Children’s Care, Follow-Up, and Publicity. If your church would like to fill one of these roles, please contact me as soon as possible.

Even as we look toward the future, let us not forget what is going on right around the corner. The Bible Reading Marathon and National Day of Prayer will be the first week of this month. The Quarterly Lunch Fellowship will be the second week. Baccalaureates for our graduates will be coming up after that. And then we are all busy with Vacation Bible Schools, mission trips, and summer activities. May the Lord bless your efforts as you seek to reach people with the life-changing message of Jesus and His gift of salvation.

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

April CBA News Article

On the front page of our recently updated website, you will find the words “The Power of Partnership.” I chose those words, because I believe that we are stronger together than we could ever be on our own. That is true for us as individuals and as individual churches. Each body of believers exists to glorify God in their own area of influence, to equip believers in their own congregation, and to reach the lost in their own community. However, as a whole, the Church is one body with “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father”(Eph. 4:5-6). As Southern Baptists, one way that we demonstrate this truth is by cooperatively supporting missions through Centennial Association, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, the North American Mission Board, and the International Mission Board.

At the end of this month, we have the opportunity to celebrate these partnerships at the Bridges Conference. On April 30th, pastors and church leaders will join with State Missionaries and representatives from NAMB and IMB to enjoy a meal together at First Baptist Thomaston and hear about the work that God is doing through our missions sending agencies. Dr. J. Robert White, Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board will be our keynote speaker. I am thankful that so many of our churches have already planned to be a part of this. Then on the next day, most of our churches will have a State Missionary in their worship services to share a message from God’s Word and a testimony of how God is using their ministry to reduce lostness in Georgia. I want to remind each church that they are doing this as part of their ministry, so your church should not plan to give an honorarium.

For those of you who joined us for the Spring Meeting last month, you heard all about the upcoming ENCOUNTER Harvest Revival. I believe God is preparing our area for a harvest by encouraging us to become laborers in the field. Larry Wynn challenged us to cast the seed of the Gospel anticipating a harvest of souls. Thank you for your response to the call to revival. I want to also thank New Hope for being such a gracious host church.

One last note on the topic of missions: Early this month, we will once again host the Baptist Mobile Health Ministry’s Dental Clinic. There is still a need for volunteers to help with registration and sharing the Gospel with those who come. If you are willing to be a part of this outreach effort, please contact our office soon so that we can be ready for those who come for dental care. If you are unable to help, please keep the weekend of April 7-9 in your prayers as we seek to reach souls through meeting physical needs.

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

March CBA News Article

A Word from Your Missionary:

Years ago I was part of an area-wide revival that we called “Soul Harvest.” It was a beautiful experience as churches of various denominations and racial backgrounds joined together for worship and the proclamation of God’s Word. I was appointed to organize the counseling area, which was a large hallway next to the school gym where we were meeting. On the night Larry Wynn preached, I believe it was a Tuesday, God made His presence known and 62 people made decisions to follow Christ. Our hallway was packed full. There were counselors talking with two or three people at once. Bibles and materials were being passed out faster than we could get them out of the boxes. It was so much fun!

We are blessed to have Larry Wynn scheduled to preach at our CBA Spring Meeting and One Day Revival at New Hope, Thomaston, on Tuesday, March 15th. The business meeting will start at 5:00, followed by a meal at 6:00 and then the Revival service at 7:00. Encourage your entire church family to attend this service. We always have a great time of worship when we get together, but I believe this one is going to be even better. You do not want to miss it.

God is moving among our churches. I hear over and over about people coming to Christ and baptismal pools being filled. Our communities need to see God at work in our churches. I am encouraged by what I see. Church members are going outside the church walls to engage the lost. There is a sense of urgency to share the Gospel. As pastors and church leaders, many of you have the privilege to equip the saints to do this work. Jon Reed made the statement recently that he believes every Christian has a desire to win someone to Christ. They just need the tools and the encouragement. Together, we can make Jesus known throughout Pike, Upson, Monroe and Lamar counties. May our passion for Christ make others hungry for Him, as well.

Pray for our students this month as we have our annual discipleship weekend, EQUIP, at Silvertown on March 4 & 5. If you haven’t yet registered your group, it is not too late. I hope to see you there.

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

February CBA News Article

This article appears in the monthly newsletter of the Centennial Baptist Association.

A Word from Your Missionary:

I was reminded recently of the importance of rest. On many occasions our Lord Jesus insisted that the apostles take the time to remove themselves from the hectic work of ministry in order to just spend time with Him. So often, we think of what we do on Sunday at church as the pinnacle of ministry. Although for a pastor, the preaching ministry should be a priority, arguably the priority, we forget that at its heart, Sunday is meant to be a day to recharge and renew our focus so that we can be effective ministers outside the walls of the church the rest of the week. Too often, our church members also get caught up in the idea that the church and Sunday are the focus of ministry. Don’t misunderstand me here. Ministry happens and should happen on Sunday at church. Each of us uses our gifts to sing, teach, proclaim, serve, encourage, mentor, and a host of other action words that denote ministry. And we do that on Sunday. At church.

But, what if we reminded each other that we do all that, not as an end, but as a means to be rested and refreshed to face whatever ministry God puts in our path the rest of the week? We can learn from Jesus, who not only took time to be alone with the Father, but also demanded His closest followers to corporately take a break to just spend time with Him. Sunday shouldn’t be a day that drains you. I pray that you are able to worship this week, undistracted by your ministry responsibilities. My prayer is that God gives you rest for the work He has prepared for you.

Thank you for your continued support of what God is doing here in the Centennial Association. Our first ENCOUNTER Prep for Pastors and Church Leaders was well attended, and I believe God will use each of the monthly training sessions to prepare us for the harvest revival scheduled for September 12-15. The Youth Team has been hard at work planning EQUIP, and it is shaping up to be the best one yet. I hope your students are making plans to attend. Most of our churches have already requested a State Missionary for the upcoming Bridges Conference, and I know you will enjoy hearing from them. If you have not made that request, it is not too late. Buck Burch and I will be making those final assignments over the next couple of weeks.

I want to thank all of the people who played a role in our first ever Children’s Ministry Workshop. At the time of this writing, we are still a couple of days away from the event. I have been blessed by those who have helped put this together as well as by our guest presenters. This is just one more way that our churches are working together to encourage and help one another. What joy that brings to my heart and I know the Lord is pleased, as well.

In His Name,

Steve Laughman

January CBA News Article

A Word from Your Missionary:

We serve a God who makes all things new. He has made new creations of each one of us who believes on His name. His mercies are new every morning. One day He will bring about a new heaven and new earth. I am thankful that although we rejoice in the triumphs of the past, we are able to look forward to new adventures awaiting us.

As we prepare to live out the theme of revival this year, let us prepare ourselves for whatever God has in store. January begins months of ENCOUNTER Prep Training for Pastors and Church Leaders. If you are asking yourself if this is for you, then the answer is “Yes.” Each training session will be held on the Monday of our regular monthly Ministers Meetings. A schedule of topics, trainers, and locations is available on our website. Our first session is with Evangelist Jon Reed entitled “Preparing for Harvest.” Rev. Reed is our scheduled speaker for ENCOUNTER in September. He wants to share with each of you how God will use the preparation time to bring an abundant harvest of souls. I hope you will make plans to join us.

This month is also a time of equipping for anyone working with children in your church. The Children’s Ministry Workshop will be a time for your workers to learn from each other and those who specialize in discipling children. The resource fair will provide a look at what is available to you. The breakout sessions will inform and equip your workers with tools for ministry. The time of worship will encourage you in your pursuit to bring the little ones to Jesus. Even if your church has few or no children, we encourage you to come learn what you can do to reach children and families in your community.

Pastors, I hope you have already put the Bridges to Missions weekend on your church calendar. On Saturday, April 30th, we want you and some of your key leaders to share a meal with us and our State Missionaries, including Executive Director Dr. J. Robert White. Then on Sunday, May 1st, our missionaries are available to preach or just share a moment in your church. To RSVP for the dinner and to schedule a speaker, and even request someone specific, contact the CBA office. I know this will be a time of encouragement for you, your leaders, and your church.

2016 will be an exciting year. I haven’t even mentioned EQUIP, the Dental Health Clinic, One Day Revival, or the work we are doing with Copper Basin Crisis Center. God is blessing our associationof churches. Thank you for all that you are doing in your own area of influence. Thank you for supporting what God has called us to do in our area through Centennial. May God bring many souls into the Kingdom as we seek to make Him known!

In His Name,

Steve Laughman