Make sure you are following all our Facebook pages!

Together we can accomplish a great deal for the Lord…Separate we can accomplish a little for the Lord. (1 John 3:17-18) I am asking each church member to promote “HOPE Sunday” on Sunday, October 2nd. This is an opportunity for church member to give directly to ministries that support their Tri-Rivers Baptist Area Churches.

Seeking $5.00 per church member in support of Tri-Rivers HOPE Ministries:

·      Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter

·      Disaster Relief within the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area & Mobile Laundry Unit

·      Tri-Rivers Retreat Center – Free Use for Area Churches, Ministries and Congregations

·      Heal the Hurt Retreats – Free Retreats for those impacted by Hurts (abuse, additions, grief, etc.)

·      Churches Helping Churches – Assisting Churches in their time of need (Acts 2:42-47)

$5.00 dollars is an immaterial amount if it stands alone, but if it stands together with the 80 plus Churches and over 10,000 believers who worship the Lord on any given Sunday within the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area it becomes a tool to strengthen God’s Church so that together, we can meet the needs of the Least of These (Matthew 25:40). 

I pray you will Participate and Promote HOPE SUNDAY. HOPE is an expectation of what God will do through His Church. Let’s HOPE Together.

In God’s Service,

Rev Richard Ray

Director of Missions

“1 Timothy 1:18…

“Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,” (NIV)

I first want to say that I have been enjoying the Thursday Night ZOOM Bible Study’s with Lampasas Baptist Association Ministers. In last week's discussion as we looked at 1 Timothy this one verse struck a chord with me, especially the word “recalling”. 

Each day is a spiritual battle, and it is a fight that must be fought well. Serving in the military (as many of you have), to fight a battle well you are given commands that must be followed and then you are trained in such a way that when the battle begins you react without hesitation or reservation. Your spiritual training kicks into gear and you move without worry because of your Spiritual Muscle Memory. 

Muscle Memory by definition is: “the ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement”.

My question for you and for myself is, “How is your Spiritual Muscle Memory?” Do you serve the Lord without worry, hesitation, or reservation as a result of your frequent repetition of sharing your Faith in Christ? 

Let us all become better equipped and better trained in the movement of Christ so we may fight the battle well. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This past week, I was blessed to attend several Ministry ZOOM Meetings, served church leaderships on pulpit supplies and pastor search, while serving at the Tri-Rivers Retreat Center as we hosted the Christian Women/Men Job Corp Leadership training. I along with Talon Keeney and Miles Miears assisted Pidcoke Baptist Church in completing a plumbing project. I also attended a special worship service at True Vine Fellowship Church in Hico and joined the BSM of Tarleton on their Campus Prayer Walk.

On Sunday, I worshiped and sang in the choir at Fairy Baptist Church and that afternoon I attended the Hamilton Baptist Association Leadership Meeting hosted at FBC Hico.  This past week, we also mailed out to each church information on the upcoming Annual Meeting of Churches hosted by FBC Stephenville as well as information concerning each church Annual Church Profile (ACP).

This week, I will be attending addition ministry ZOOM Meetings, while also serving our churches seeking ministry staff, visiting with pastors and this Sunday I will be preaching at FBC Gatesville and that afternoon attending the Coryell Baptist Association Meeting hosted at Mountain Baptist Church.  We will again be preparing information to send to church messengers as we prepare for the Annual Meeting of Churches on October 2^nd. 

We will also be serving churches this week in the areas of website & streaming service, Bible Study resources, financial accounting, and providing maintenance at the Tri-Rivers Retreat Center as we continue to host ministry retreats throughout the summer/fall. 

Please review the latest Classified Ad in this newsletter as we have churches seeking church staff positions and other various ministry needs.

Please take time to view the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area Newsletter to remain connected to ministry needs and Resource/Training Opportunities and to view all upcoming Ministry, Training and Fellowship Opportunities.

If you have a ministry need or request, please do not hesitate to call your Area Office as we are here to serve you 24/7. 

“All the Believers were together and had everything in common.” - Acts 2:44

“We are a Brotherhood of Churches”

Rev Richard Ray, Director of Missions 

From Jamie Lopez - Tri-Rivers Hispanic Church Director

On July 31, 2022, the Hispanic Churches of the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area had our quarterly fellowship meeting at the Primera Iglesia Bautista Lampasas. We had 68 people in attendance that evening. Each congregation had the opportunity to present a special song and a brief testimony, it was an awesome worship time.

Brother Steve Woods shared a powerful and encouraging message of the importance of the local church making Disciples of Christ for our next generations. After the service we enjoyed a delicious meal and were able to connect with each other.  Great spirit and great fellowship. 

Ministry Assistant Report – Talon Keeney

  Hello everyone, I pray you all have had a great week! Continue to pray for the people of Ukraine.

 This past Sunday I visited Fairy Baptist Church, sang in their choir and attended the Hamilton Baptist Association Leadership Meeting. This coming Sunday I will be visiting a Tri-Rivers Baptist Area church, attending the Coryell Baptist Association Leadership Meeting and Monday I will be at the Tri-Rivers Retreat Center recording the Tri-Rivers Podcast.

 I am available to assist any of our area churches who need a guest worship leader or musician, and I am available to give sound and video media consultations and assistance.

 We are in need of Musicians, Worship Leaders, and Local Church Missionaries to serve in our area Churches. If you feel led to serve in this area, please contact your Area Office at tririversdom@gmail.com or 254-865-1299.

 I am here to serve you in all your ministry needs and it is my joy to do so. I look forward to meeting you as my wife Josalyne and I travel the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area visiting and worshiping with you on Sunday's.

Talon Keeney

Ministry Assistant

Tri-Rivers Retreat Center Water Well Repair

Expense Assistance

The Tri-Rivers Retreat Center Water Well was repaired on May 6^th, 2022, which included the replacement of all the downhole pipe, water pump and the control box. There were several holes in the down hole pipes and the water pump was 18 years old and beginning to wane, therefore the repair was necessary. The cost was just over $9,000.00 and as this expense was unexpected and out of the scope of our general maintenance budget, we are asking for any financial assistance in funding this expense. 

We are asking for donations of any amount to restore the Maintenance Fund that serves the Tri-Rivers Retreat Center. All funds received over and above the invoice amount will be designated to the Retreat Center Maintenance Fund for future use.

Donations can be sent to the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area Designated: Water Well Repair

Tri-Rivers Baptist Area

502 E. Main Street

Gatesville, TX 76528

Or you may give Online by clicking the

"Donate HERE Button" Below

The Tri-Rivers Retreat Center which is owned by each church within the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area and funded exclusively by donations received from churches, organizations and individuals allows us to never charge a fee to use this valuable ministry facility. This is truly a unique ministry tool unlike anything I have ever been a part of. This facility is used weekly to encourage and strengthen God’s Church, His Children, and our Ministry Partners in fulfilling the Great Commission while delivering the message of Salvation to those who are lost.

As of the date of this request the Tri-Rivers Retreat Center has hosted 15 ministry retreats with 393 people entering its gates to Encounter Christ without the concern of Expense. To date we have 38 confirmed reservations for 2022, including retreats from Texas WMU, Christian Women Job Corp, Christian Men’s Job Corp, Area Churches/Ministers, Domestic/Abuse Survivors, Preteen/Youth Camps, National Network of Youth Ministers and Families. (View full calendar at tririversretreatcenter.com)

I want to thank all those who have already provided funds and I want to thank you in advance for your assistance in this Unexpected but Necessary Repair Expense to allow your Retreat Center to continue to serve all those who enter its gates. 

Thank you for those who have already donated funds toward this expense. It is greatly appreciated: 

• Betty Rials
• Turnersville Baptist Church
• Huckabay Baptist Church
• Duffau Baptist Church
• Providence Baptist Church
• Jonesboro Baptist Church
• Edna Hill Baptist Church
• FBC Kempner
• Fairy Baptist Church
• White Hall Baptist Church
• Briggs Baptist Church
• Community Baptist Church
• Clairette Baptist Church
• Calvary Baptist Church
• True Vine Fellowship
• Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
• Greens Creek Baptist Church
• Pidcoke Baptist Church
• Dave Keith
• FBC Stephenville
• Trinity Baptist Church
• Trinity Baptist Church VBS
• Hamilton Baptist Association

Cost of Repair:       $10,000.00

Donations Received:  $10,000.00

Remaining Balance:  $0.00

In God’s Service,

Rev Richard Ray

Director of Missions

Coryell Baptist Association

Sunday, August 21st

3:00 pm

Mountain Baptist Church

Erath Baptist Association

Thursday, Sept 1st

10:30 am - Business Session

11:00 am - Lunch/Discipleship Training 

BSM Building, Tarleton 

Each day, God is transforming lives through TBM ministries. Driven by their faith and responding to God's call to serve, TBM volunteers are meeting needs and sharing His love.

That's something to celebrate.

So on TBM Day, Aug. 21, let's do just that. Your church or Bible study can rejoice knowing all of the people they ministered to through TBM ministries.

How can you celebrate?

• Show a TBM video before or during your Bible study or worship service.
• Request a TBM speaker. We even have ordained ministers who can deliver the message that day.
• Wear your TBM gear. Show others your love for TBM by wearing a TBM shirt to church. When someone asks you about it, tell them how God is working through the ministry.

Where can you get these resources? Download them at https://www.tbmtx.org/tbm-day.

Can we help you celebrate that day? Let me know. We're glad to help.

Mickey Lenamon

TBM Executive Director/CEO

Thank you for supporting Texas Missions! We wanted to give you an exclusive update on what we're working on behind the scenes.

• The Mary Hill Davis Offering® for Texas Missions (MHDO) website has been updated with resources and stories, with additional items coming soon. Visit: iamtexasmissions.org

• You may now order printed MHDO posters, prayer guides, and giving envelopes for shipment. Download materials are also available. Visit iamtexasmissions.org/order.

• We are adding more videos to our vast I am Texas Missions video library. You may access/download all MHDO videos here.

• This year, we will be giving you a first-hand look at how the MHDO-supported ministries and missionaries are using your gifts. Follow us on social media to watch and share our weekly video interviews.
• WMU of Texas Facebook page
• Mary Hill Davis Offering Facebook page
• WMU of Texas Instagram

• If you're not a part of our growing WMU of Texas Facebook community group, you are missing out. Join over 790 WMU leaders here.

Thank you for the ways you have continued to reach and serve your community for Texas Missions.

The 2022 Texas Missions offering goal is $3.6 million. If you would like to make a life-changing impact through the Mary Hill Davis Offering, select the give button below.

GIVE ONLINE

PRINTED MATERIALS

DOWNLOAD MATERIALS

Download

Youth Ministry's National Day of Volunteer

Youth Ministry Training

is coming Saturday, September 24th.

The National Network of Youth Ministries is a host again this year and will be at Tri-Rivers Retreat Center. Youth Pastors can come FREE or bring your ENTIRE team of volunteers for one low price — use promo code “iknowahost” for $20 off!

For details or to register your team, go to www.trainmyvolunteers.com.

If you want to come as a youth pastor for FREE,

sign up by emailing Kevin Miles at kmiles@nnym.org.

Lunch will be provided. Training is 9am-noon.

Become a

Local Church Missionary

Serving Churches within the

Tri-Rivers Baptist Area

Serve Short Term or Long Term

Assisting a Church in reaching their Community for Jesus Christ

To Learn More & To Complete Application

Go HERE

If Your Church is Interested in hosting a

Local Church Missionary

to Serve in your Church & Community

please complete the

Church Missionary Request Form

Tri-Rivers Podcast

Tri-Rivers Retreat Center

Supply Need Amazon Wish List

Help support your Tri-Rivers Retreat Center by purchasing supplies through our Amazon Wish List!

Washer and Dryer Need

The Tri-Rivers Retreat Center is in need of

1 washer and 1 gas (propane) dryers

Used/New

If you are interested in donating please

contact us at: tririversdom@gmail.com or 432-202-1526

Has your Church Scheduled a Revival for 2022?

Please let us know by emailing us the following information to tririversdom@gmail.com 

Name of Church 

Dates of Revival Services

Evangelist Name 

Worship Leaders Name

We are promoting all Revival Dates in the Newsletter an on the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area Website



Better Together

Networking means leveraging efforts - working together.

And "together" means all of us - youth workers, teenage leaders, teachers, parents, other adults - everyone who loves kids.

We want to equip you to step out and work alongside youth leaders and other caring adults locally - empowered by national connections to reach and equip young people for Jesus Christ.

Or you can Email Kevin Miles

South Central Regional Coordinator

Email Kevin Here

We are excited to share that our latest resource is our online learning system featuring Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry which introduces learners to six essential characteristics emulating Jesus’ ministry:

• Go deeper in intimacy with Christ
• Pray with passion for God’s presence and power
• Build leaders for in-depth and long-term ministry
• Disciple students to move toward maturity in Christ
• Penetrate the culture through relationships
• Create outreach opportunities to reach students for Christ

While we still offer in-person training forums, we believe the addition of individualized online training will put this invaluable resource into the hands of many more people. Because we offer the training in English, Spanish, Russian, and Swahili, it will exponentially increase our reach. 

We are building on our past to influence the future. And we are giving JFYMO away free to youth leaders during our introductory period. You can learn more by visiting JFYMO.com. 

Pastors Join Today

This private Facebook group is created for those serving as Pastors only within the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area. This private group is a safe place for Pastors to share prayer concerns, victories and resources with fellow Pastors. On the 10th day of each month, we are asking each pastor to pray for one another.

This Pastors Only Facebook Page was created by

Pastors for Pastors.

We are a Brotherhood of Pastors.

Join Us Today

Church Registration for On-Site Active Shooter Response Class 

Tri-Rivers Baptist Area will offer free Certified On-Site Active Shooter Response Class. Bob Ray III is Texas DPS Certified in Active Shooter Response. He is available through your Tri-Rivers Area Office to educate your church safety/security team and congregation. There is no cost to your church.

Register your church for the Active Shooter Response Class opportunity by calling your Area Office or Register On-line Below

 (254) 865-1299 * tririversdom@gmail.com 

Disaster Relief Orientation

This is where TBM Disaster Relief training begins. All TBM Disaster Relief volunteers must complete this training as well as a background check in order to serve. This class provides the fundamentals for serving in the wake of disasters. 

Specialty Trainings: All participants must have first taken the orientation class.

Food Handling Training

A warm meal warms the soul after a disaster. You can provide that critical meal through TBM feeding teams.

Fire and Flood Recovery Training

Fires and floods can ruin everything a person owns in a few short hours. Learn how you can deliver help, hope and healing after these disasters. 

Box Unit Training

When people lose everything in a disaster, they will begin the painful process of trying to salvage their items. Through TBM box ministry, you can walk alongside them in that process. 

Shower/Laundry Training

After a disaster, a hot shower and clean laundry are an immense blessing. You can provide that through TBM shower/laundry teams. 

Rebuild Training

This course empowers you to rebuild homes after disasters.

To view the list of Bible Studies Available at your Area Office, go to our website tri-riversbaptistarea.com or click Here

Tri-Rivers Baptist Area is partnering with Restoration Advocates, Inc. as we continue to minister to victims of Domestic Violence. 

Restoration Advocates exists to provide the care and support necessary for women, and their dependent children, who are victims of domestic violence and other dangers that place them at risk of life or physical harm and/or deprive them of their overall safety and sense of well-being. Our mission is for every woman in an unsafe home to have the confidence, as well as the resources, to independently support herself and her children.  

To that end, we have established a safe haven called Restoration Place, where survivors of family violence can live in safety as they restore their lives to health and happiness. Restoration Place provides emergency housing for women and children in crisis and we also offer transitional housing for a period of up to two years if that is needed for the family to be fully independent and self-supporting. Learn More HERE 

FREE CHURCH PEWS!

First Baptist Church Copperas Cove needs a new home for the current pews in their sanctuary. These church pews range in size from 16ft to 18ft with a few being shorter.

All pews are FREE!

If your church is interested please contact the church at: (254) 547-3717 or reception@fbccove.net

Tri-Rivers Baptist Area Churches

&

Surrounding Area Churches

Seeking Pastors & Ministry Staff

View Church Profile and Submit Resume

HERE

First Baptist Church of Evant, Texas, 

is seeking a

Worship Pastor

Youth Pastor

Please Submit Resumes or Questions to 

Pastor Dane Barron 

jd_barron27@yahoo.com

First Baptist Church of Gatesville, TX

is seeking a

Worship Minister

First Baptist Church of Gatesville, Tx. is prayerfully seeking a part-time Worship Minister to lead the music ministry of our church. Our congregation is a diverse family that enjoys both traditional hymns as well as contemporary music during our worship services. We are seeking a godly individual who is called to lead in this capacity, who is energetic and willing to engage in the life of the church. This individual will be responsible for the planning, organizing, conducting, and evaluation of the music ministry in cooperation with the Pastor as well as the oversight, and coordination of musical, artistic, and technical elements of the weekly worship services.  

Interested candidates please email your resume to office@fbcgatesville.org

 Live Oak Baptist Church in Gatesville is seeking a part-time

Children's Ministry Director. 

           If you believe that God is calling you to apply for this Ministry Position please contact the Church at lobcfamily@embarqmail.com or 

Chairperson Faye Nichols at fnichols@gatesvilletx.com. 

You can also call the church at (254) 865-5681 for a complete job description. 

Tri-Rivers Baptist Area is also posting this Ministry Position HERE

First Baptist Church Kempner is in need of a piano player. 

For more information contact Don Casper

doncasper932@yahoo.com

(512) 932-3195 

Cross Bearer Baptist Church is in need of a piano player. For more information contact Bro. Fisher

revdillardfisher@yahoo.com

254-462-7865

Oakalla Baptist Church is looking for a pianist for their Sunday Services.

They are willing to pay a honorarium.

If you are interested please contact Bro. Clay Cole:

clay-cole@hot.rr.com or (254) 681-7397

Church youth director with experience needed

(Salary position - $800 a month) to lead children on Wednesday nights. 

Will need to recruit children. Person hired must become a member of our church, attend Sunday morning services, and be willing to teach

Sunday School. 

If interested, call Community Baptist Church, Dublin,

for an application 254-445-4479.

Background check required. 

(Not actual picture)

Selden Baptist Church has a 1960s Hammond Organ available. 

It has a single locking base and full keyboard. 

Contact Milton at 254-386-7966

Tri-Rivers Ministry Fund Supporting Churches

The following churches support the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area Strategic Plan for 2021

(Strategic Ministries, Free Student Summer Retreats, Domestic Violence Emergency Safehouse/Hotline, Etc.)

Carlton Baptist Church | Clairette Baptist Church

Coryell Community Church | Cottonwood Baptist Church

Cross Bearers Baptist Church | Cross Community Baptist Church

Eagle Springs Baptist Church | Eastwood Baptist Church

Edna Hill Baptist Church | Fairy Baptist Church

FBC Copperas Cove | FBC Evant

FBC Hamilton | FBC Kempner

FBC Lampasas | FBC Lometa

St. John Baptist Church | Littleville Baptist Church

Live Oak Baptist Church | Morgan Mill Baptist Church

Northside Baptist Church | Pleasant Valley Baptist Church

PIB Catedral de Alabanza | Primera Iglesia Bautista

Providence Baptist Church | Purmela Baptist Church

Purves Baptist Church | Robertson Ave. Baptist Church

Selden Baptist Church | Sweet Home Baptist Church

Trinity Baptist Church | True Vine Fellowship

Turnersville Baptist Church | Valley Grove Baptist Church

If your church would like to participate contact your director of missions, Richard Ray:

254-865-1299

tririversdom@gmail.com

Tri-Rivers Retreat Fund Supporting Churches

The following churches support the

Tri-Rivers Retreat Center for 2021

Calvary Baptist Church | Carlton Baptist Church

Clairette Baptist Church | Clear Creek Baptist Church

Cottonwood Baptist Church | Cross Bearers Baptist Church

Eastwood Baptist Church | Fairy Baptist Church

FBC Evant | FBC Gatesville | FBC Hico

FBC Kempner | FBC Lampasas | FBC Stephenville

St. John Baptist Church | Jonesboro Baptist Church

Northside Baptist Church | Pidcoke Baptist Church

Primera Iglesia Bautista | Providence Baptist Church

Purmela Baptist Church | School Creek Baptist Church

Trinity Baptist Church | White Hall Baptist Church

White Mound Baptist Church

If your church would like to participate contact your director of missions, Richard Ray:

254-865-1299

tririversdom@gmail.com

Tri-Rivers Baptist Area

502 E. Main Street, Gatesville, TX | 254.865.1299

tririversdom@gmail.com