2019 Year in Review

General Baptist Ministries working from the denominational offices in Poplar Bluff, Missouri functioned throughout 2019 under the mandate to “maximize Kingdom impact by starting, equipping and inspiring local churches to accomplish the Great Commission.” This mission found expression in the 2019 Strategic Plan submitted, reviewed and approved by the Council of Associations. This missional objective draws from the larger mission envisioned for General Baptist Ministries of “fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through equipping Christians in the local church and challenging them to become actively involved in the mission and purpose of the Church (C of A Bylaw VI. A.).

These missional objectives of General Baptist Ministries are identified in the organizing documents of the General Association of General Baptists and the General Baptist Council of Associations, Inc. as adopted by the various representatives of the churches and associations affiliated with General Baptists.

A SNAPSHOT OF SOME OF THE MINISTRIES UNDERTAKEN IN 2019 FOLLOWS.

Congregational Ministries continued to provide a response system to local churches. On-site consultations, phone and digital communications and sharing custom designed resources all assist in this process. In 2019 several downloadable resources addressing pastor search, pastor compensation and organizational models were popular. Church turnaround resources remain available at http://www.turnaround2020.net.

Church Rebrand Pilot Project. In 2019 a grant was given to the First General Baptist Church of Clay, Kentucky to assist them with a Rebrand/Restart in their community. The grant from the denomination helped provide coaching, web site development and local advertising. As a result of this effort the church re-launched in the fall with 151 members and guests present on their first Big Day. In the following weeks they continued to see first time guests with a steady increase in average attendance. Pastor Johnny Hibbs reports that folks have discovered new avenues of service and witness with a genuine atmosphere of spiritual renewal in every service.

THE GENERAL BAPTIST FOUNDATION

One little known aspect of General Baptist Ministries is the on-going work of the General Baptist Foundation. This permanent fund provides a way to advance the work of General Baptists beyond our years on earth by providing perpetual assistance for the causes designated by the grantors. This endowment is held by a board approved by the Council of Associations. The board provides general oversight for investments to insure both the safety of the principal while generating a fair return on investment. In calendar year 2019 nearly $50,000.00 was dispersed to various departmental ministries as designated by the original grantors. Additional amounts were sent to other ministries as identified in the various bequests. FOUNDATION | 1Corinthians 3 :10 –13 General Baptist

Women’s Ministry serves in a support role to the larger mission of General Baptists. The fall of 2019 saw record attendance at their newly developed conference Inside Out. A recent newsletter compared designated giving for 2018 and 2019.

SUMMIT MISSION & MINISTRY

Since 2007 General Baptists Ministries has hosted the annual Mission & Ministry Summit. The Summit serves to provide meaningful worship, practical training and up-close-and-personal missionary connection. In its most recent years The Summit has welcomed nearly 2,000 adult leaders from across the nation. Those churches sending teams to The Summit continue to enjoy a head-start in local ministry development and church outreach. The 2020 Mission & Ministry Summit will be hosted at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida on July 20-22, 2020.

LAMP (Leaders Advancing in Ministry Program) is a home-based, self-paced ministry preparation course. Each student works with a mentor and all submissions are reviewed by the LAMP Director before course credit is given. LAMP enrollees who complete all three levels satisfy minimum educational requirements for ordination as a General Baptist Minister. At the end of 2019 there were: • 169 active students • 26 newly enrolled in 2019. Nearly 300 course credits were given based on the certificates completed and the work submitted.

Level 100 completed by 12 persons. Level 200 completed by 7 persons. Level 300 completed by 5 persons. In addition to those students directly enrolled in the program LAMP extends the Level 300 Certificate of Ministries to those who complete the training curriculum of the Christian Training Institute currently offering classes in Portland, Tennessee, Madisonville, Kentucky and Morgantown, Kentucky.

General Baptist International’s Mission One included mission trips, Launch Internships and short-term missions for more than 225 people in 2019. Over 50% of the participants were under age 40. The Mission One program is a wonderful way for people from multiple generations to serve together. If you would like to become involved in a Mission One Program, please e-mail Mission One Coordinator Dr. Jim Pratt at jim.pratt@generalbaptist.com