September 2021 Spot light Newsletter |
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, our office remains closed, however, we are working remotely and responding to all phone calls, text messages and emails. - SBA Staff |
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A Word from Dr. Virgil Dwyer, AMS:
Greetings to all our friends in the Sandhills Baptist Association,
This summer has been a great season of new opportunities for the association. While the difficulties of COVID-19 and international tragedies such as the safety of our missionaries in Afghanistan, these times serve as a reminder that God remains in control. As we quickly approach our month of prayer in September, I want to share with you how you and your churches can continue to pray for the new direction of the SBA as our Fall meeting approaches on October 18, 2021 at 7pm to be hosted by Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
First, let me start by thanking each and every one reading this letter for taking the time and interest to know what is going on and stay informed as to the new direction for the Sandhills Baptist Association. Of our nearly 1100 recipients of the newsletter, only 28 percent on average open the letter to read what is going on in our association. That equates to over 700 recipients, who have email and have signed up to receive our letter, who do not read the information being published to help communicate the activities of our association. The SBA has a resident total membership of over 3,021 members according to our 2020 Annual Church Profile reporting. This tells us that only 36 percent of the association is receiving the primary means of communication via our monthly newsletter. Through the use of social media, email, town hall meetings, executive council meetings, personal visits, pastoral luncheons, and special training events for ministry leaders, our goal is to inform and communicate with the association as much as possible. If you have suggestions for how we can increase this communication we welcome your feedback in order to serve you better. Please email me directly at virgil@sandhillsbaptist.org.
Secondly, we are pleased to announce a few updates on recommendations that have been brought before the association at the previous three town hall meetings. If you participated in our town hall meetings, your feedback has offered insights and understanding that is paramount to our associational health and future direction. Thank you for sharing and participating. Based upon the feedback received, your executive council has agreed to table the recommendation regarding the sale of the resource center until a permanent AMS can be hired and conduct a feasibility assessment with the newly assembled leadership team once complete. In the meantime, we will evaluate the best way to utilize the facility in the months ahead until future AMS hiring is in place. The executive council proposed a strategy for the new AMS Search Team to commence on or about April of 2021.
Thirdly, increased communication and participation from among the churches in the association was identified as a critical weakness. At our third town hall meeting, the executive council proposed recommendations for increasing participation by opening all future executive council meetings to every person in the association. This means every member will be able to participate and listen to executive council meetings in their entirety. A new team leader structure is being defined to help identify specific responsibilities of future executive council team leaders to increase ministry effectiveness to Encourage, Equip, and Evangelize alongside each and every church in the association. Churches do not exist to support the association but rather the association exists to support the local church! Please continue to pray we identify just what the association can do that helps our churches meet their mission field without replicating in effort or structure the ministry functions of the local church.
Lastly, I am pleased to introduce a new action the executive council is taking to prepare future resources and opportunities for current and future support to missionaries and pastors. Over the past six months, the issue of establishing an endowment for missionary and pastor support for the association has been discussed and recognized as necessary and beneficial for our future in the association. In recognition of the need for this future initiative, the executive council is establishing the Zeb and Evelynn Moss Endowment for Missionary and Pastoral Education and Equipping to be established on October 1st, 2021. This endowment is in honor of the long and faithful service of the Moss family to our association and will be used to help encourage and equip missionary work as well as pastoral education and training to foster increased evangelizing at home, regionally, nationally and abroad. At our fall meeting we will roll out the process and goals for contributing to this endowment fund. We hope you will prayerfully get behind this effort of honoring two of our faithful and lifelong servants of the Gospel and consider your part in sacrificially giving for the future work of the Sandhills Baptist Association through this endowment.
God bless you and may we indeed do more for the kingdom together!
Dr. Virgil G. Dwyer Jr
Associational Mission Strategist
Sandhills Baptist Association
mobile: 910-358-7656
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Ives Memorial Baptist Church located at 365 E. Philadelphia Ave. in Pinebluff is looking for a full time Worship Leader. Candidates that feel lead to apply should send cover letter, resume and references to https://office@imbcworship.org
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The First Baptist Church of Sanford, NC, has an exciting opportunity for a full-time, permanent Church Secretary. FBC Sanford has a heart for local missions grounded in the heart of the Great Commission. The Church Secretary is the first person that meets and greets guest and members to our church daily, Monday – Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm. This person must have tact, courtesy, diplomacy, a love for Christ and a love for people. Proficiency in MS applications.
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Cameron Baptist is seeking a part-time Youth Director to lead, care, and teach their middle to high school students. Teaching responsibilities will include Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. A detailed job description can be found at www.cameronbaptistchurch.org/youth-leader-position/
If interested in this position please call the church at (910) 245-7222.
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Seven Lakes Baptist Church is seeking a full time Pastor of Student Ministries. Seven Lakes Baptist was started out of a vision by the founding Pastor Ken Hankins(deceased) out of a need to have a local church in the Seven Lakes, NC Community. They are a body of believers that follow the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All their teaching and ministries are rooted and flow out of these biblical doctrines. The church currently has a Sr. Pastor, Chris Hrasbosky (the second pastor), a full time Worship Pastor and a 30 hr Admin. Secretary. The former youth pastor vacated the position to follow God's calling to train for full time pastoral counseling. The church has examined the current needs of the church and community and opted for a new role-Pastor of Student Ministries to better equip all children and youth. This person will need to be gifted in leadership in order to train, shepherd and support the volunteers under his areas of ministries. Any interested men are encouraged to send their resumes and a statement of faith to Resumes@slbcnc.com. Any Questions can be directed to Debbie Fox @ 910-639-4037
For More information please click on the links below:
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The SBA is seeking a friendly self-starter to fill the part time Administrative Assistant position. This person serves as an assistant to the AMS and is important for the communication between the association and churches. Some expected responsibilities include but are not limited to checking the mail, answering phones, responding to email, generating, and distributing flyers and the Monthly newsletter. Interested applicants should be familiar with Microsoft word, and Excel, as well as be willing to learn how to efficiently use Quickbooks and Wix. If you are seeking a position that involves being a team player, encourages creativity, and helps to further God’s kingdom then please direct any questions or send your resume with a cover letter to Virgil@sandhillsbaptist.org no later than Oct 15th. 2021.
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In attempts to help our churches gain employment opportunities, businesses and community leaders often reach out to the SBA looking to hire faithful believers to fill critical needs in their business. Below are some current opportunities if any of your members are looking for employment in the following areas: |
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- Flickering Lamps by Henry and Richard Blackaby
- The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
- Canoeing the Mountains by Todd Bolsinger
- Shadow Christians by Dr. Jeff Iorg
- Heaven by Randy Alcorn
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A time for Discussion and Resource Sharing with our Church Ministry Leaders |
We would like to offer a time of discussion, feedback (and desserts!) to our Ministry leaders. Check out our schedule below and stay tuned for more details to come!
Chairman of the Deacons: Sept 14th from 7pm to 8:30 pm at the Sandhills Training and Resource center.
Youth Ministry Leaders (k-12): Oct. 12th from 7pm-8:30pm at the Sandhills Training and Resource center.
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October 16th from 8:30 to 4:30
at
Ives Memorial Baptist Church
(Lunch will be provided)
Click below for More information and to register!
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Please join us this month for our Weekly prayer walks at the SBA Training and Resource building. The first walk will take place Wed. Sept 1st from 9am-1pm. See below for more Prayer walk dates all to take place from 9am to 1pm:
Wed. Sept 8th
Wed. Sept. 15th
Wed. Sept. 22nd
Wed. Sept. 29th
We hope to see you there as we prayerfully consider what the future looks like for the SBA.
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Upcoming Associational Meeting Dates: |
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Monday, October 18th- SBA Annual Fall Meeting and Vote on Recommendations. Thank you Pleasant Hill Baptist Church for hosting! 2237 Camp Easter Rd. Carthage, NC 28327
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Support These Local Children's Camps |
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You are receiving this email because you are a pastor or leader in a church that is a part of Sandhills Baptist Association or a friend of the Association and have received emails from us in the past. |
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