Week of Prayer

This is the Week of Prayer for North American Missions. Churches start promoting the Annie Armstrong offering this week, as well. I don't need to spend a lot of time convincing you that our nation is in need of prayer. We must remember, however, that our greatest need is not economic or political. It is not about who gets the nominations for President or what's going on with your favorite sports team or celebrity. This nation is in need of the move of God.

Marni and I were blessed to serve as church planters with NAMB right out of seminary. I can tell you from experience that the journey of a North American missionary is difficult and challenging. People think that living in America means the task is easier than if God had sent us to another country. In some ways this is true. We already spoke the language and our children got to see their grandparents often. However, serving in the US comes with its own set of problems. People are not always receptive to the Gospel when they have easy access to it. The cost of living in the US is high, which as it turns out was one of our biggest struggles. I am thankful for the time we spent on the mission field here in the US, because it helps me know how to pray for those who are still serving through NAMB.

Thank you for praying for missionaries, whether they are on the other side of the world or serving right here in North America. Keep supporting them with your love and your gifts through CP and the Annie Armstrong offering. Remember that their struggle is real and unique to their setting.

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