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Monthly Newsletter
A Minute with Mike
I have spent the spring and summer attending baseball games, not because I am a great fan of baseball, but because I am a great fan of a young baseball player, my grandson, Isaac. He has already indicated that he wants to play Fall Ball so I know how my fall will be spent. Things around the house will go undone, weeds will grow, but that is OK. Those chores will always be there, but Isaac will not always be eight years old and playing baseball.
I remember when I was young playing baseball. I have never been athletic. I do not have the best hand-eye coordination, depth perception, or running skills. I remember the ritual of picking teams to play ball. A bat would be passed between two team leaders we had chosen. They would put their fist over the fist of the other until they reached the top of the bat. (Of course the bat was wood and not these modern aluminum ones. I still think there is nothing like the sound made by a ball hit by a wooden bat.) The leader who cupped the end of the bat would chose first. We boys were excited as the process unfolded. The agony came when I was always chosen last. I then was placed in left field and usually struck out or flied out when at bat.
When Isaac was chosen to play on his All Star Team I, as you can imagine, was a proud grandfather. He has an honor I had never had. As I reflected on that I was reminded that in the game of life God has chosen me in Christ before the foundation of the world. He chose me and adopted me into his family from which I can never be disowned. He did not pass a wooden bat around. It was a wooden cross and what transpired on that wooden cross redeemed me, set me free, and forgave all of my sins. I may reluctantly or never be chosen to be on a baseball team here, but I have been chosen for God’s team. I have the greatest coach, the best team mates and the finest fans there can ever be, the great cloud of saints which surround us. We may lose a game here and there, but we already know that we win the season. Who knows, there may even be baseball in heaven. If so, I will be honored to play left field. My prayer is, as John Fogerty so eloquently said, “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play.” Now, and in eternity.
Mike Young, D Min.
Associational Director of Missions
You should have received ACP materials by now. If you did not receive your packet, please call the Associational Office @ 775-6192.
The ACP deadline is Monday, September 13th.
Dates to Remember
WMU Minute
July has come and gone! Where has the summer gone? Kids will soon be starting back to school, which means your kids programs will be getting started again. There will be training programs for the different WMU programs in Athens, August 20 and 21, with a $15 registration fee, which you might like to attend.
VBS are over and I understand they were well attended. CONGRATULATIONS on a job well done! What a fantastic outreach VBS is!
Thank you to any that participated in the New Union clothing and school supply give away.
August 7, we will be having a yard sale to start raising money for the American Samoa mission trip in 2011. We will also be raffling a queen size quilt, more news on the dates for it next month.
Please note the following mission activities:
August 7 – 7am – Mission trip yard sale at the Associational Office
September 7, 2010 – WMU planning meeting for 2011
This Christmas we will be adopting an Adult Home. We will get a wish list as we did for the Children’s home. More information as it is available.
Sandra Young
TVBA WMU Director
August Emphasis: WMU Christmas in August
August 6th-7th Ignite Youth Conference
Rhea County High School
August 7th American Samoa Trip Fundraiser
Yard Sale – Association Office 7am
August 9th TVBA Finance Committee Meeting
Association Office 10am
August 15th TBC Baptist & Reflector Day
August 16th TVBA Nominating Committee Meeting
Association Office 7pm
THE AMAZING RACE
Training for Church & Associational Missions Leaders
DATE/LOCATION
August 20-21...........Athens, First Baptist Church
Get ready for the new church year and discover what’s new in WMU and Baptist Men. Whether you are a new or experienced mission leader, Equipping Missions Leaders provides you with fellowship, inspiration, motivation and training with other mission leaders. Don’t get left behind. Get in the race... the Amazing Race of Missions!
Some of the conferences that will be offered include:
• Church Missions Leader Conferences for new and experienced leaders. These conferences will cover the basics of leading the organization, appropriate age-level resources, updates/changes, and information about new resources.
• Involving the Uninvolved: ideas for engaging all women in missions
• Introduction to Project HELP: Human Exploitation
• Outdoor Ministries for Men
• Getting Involved with CWJC & CMJC
• Seven Steps to be Becoming a Healthy Leader
• Bible Storying/Telling
• Missionary Conferences
• Incorporating Missions in the Life of the Church
• Associational Missions Leader Conferences
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