BFM Spring Conference 2024
We hope you will make plans to join us for the BFM Spring Conference!
Friday, April 12 – Saturday, April 13, 2024
Grace Baptist Church
2920 Beaver Valley Road
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
Contact:
Church: 937-878-9992
Pastor Mark Pyles: 304-545-0603
Theme:
The Preeminence of Christ
FULL SCHEDULE:
Friday, April 12
6:30- Opening- Pastor Mark
6:35- Special
6:40- Congregational singing
6:45- Message – “Christ’s Preeminence in Creation” – Pastor Kevin Ridder, Chillicothe Baptist Church, Chillicothe, Ohio
7:30- 7:45- Break
7:45- Special
7:50- Congregational singing
7:55- Message – “Christ’s Preeminence over the Church” – Dr. Sheridan Stanton; veteran missionary to Peru (32 years) and now pastor of Berea Baptist Church, Hiddenite, NC
Saturday, April 13
9:00- Welcome and BFM update- David Pitman
9:15- Special
9:20- Congregational singing
9:25- Message – “Christ’s Preeminence in Reconciliation” – Pastor Landon Copley; Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Standing Ground, KY
10:10- 10:25- Break
10:25- Zoom with BFM missionary
10:40- Special
10:50- Congregational singing
10:50- Message – Missions Report- Sheridan Stanton on Peru and Mark Pyles on Brazil trip
11:35- 1:00- Lunch
1:00- Zoom with BFM missionary
1:15- Special
1:20- Congregational singing
1:25- Message – “Christ’s Preeminence in the Ministry” -Pastor Terry Adkins; New Hope Baptist Church, Dearborn Heights, MI
2:10-2:15- Closing- Pastor Mark
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BFM Spring Conference 2023
Date: March 31-April 1, 2023
Theme: The Advancement of the Glory of God
Contact Info
Grace Baptist Church
2920 Beaver Valley Road
Fairborn, Ohio 45324 [Google Map]
Contact: Pastor Mark Pyles
Email: pastormark@gbcfairborn.com
Cell: 304-545-0603
Individual Messages
The Advancement of the Glory of God in Election (Dave Parks)
The Advancement of the Glory of God in Redemption (Greg Winn)
The Advancement of the Glory of God in Sanctification (David Pitman)
The Advancement of the Glory of God in Glorification (Terry Adkins)
The Advancement of the Glory of God in the Great Commission (Mike Creiglow)
Schedule
Friday, March 31
6:30- Opening- Pastor Mark Pyles
6:35- Congregational
6:40- Special Music
6:50- Message – Dave Parks
7:30- Zoom with Missionary
7:40- Congregational
7:45- Special Music
7:50- Message – Greg Winn
Saturday, April 1
9:00- Welcome and BFM Update
9:15- Congregational
9:20- Special Music
9:25- Message – David Pitman
10:05- Break
10:30- Zoom with Missionary
10:50- Congregational
10:55- Special
11:00- Message – Terry Adkins
11:45- Lunch
1:00- Zoom with Missionary
1:15- Congregational
1:20- Special
1:25- Message – Mike Creiglow
Accommodations
A few Hotels nearby among many:
Comfort Inn & Suites Fairborn near Wright Patterson AFB
730 East Xenia Drive, Fairborn, OH, 45324 | (937) 754-9109
Wingate by Wyndham Dayton – Fairborn
3055 Presidential Drive, Fairborn, Ohio 45324 | (937) 986-1368
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Fairborn South,
3971 Colonel Glenn Highway, Beavercreek, Ohio | (937) 429-2222
Tru by Hilton Beavercreek Dayton
3813 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Fairborn, Ohio, 45324 | (937) 988-0250
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Discussing Ministry Plans for Church Planting
May 1, 2017
Dear praying friends,
We are now near halfway through 2017 and time is passing so quickly. Thanks so much to each one who prays for us, writes or sacrificially gives to the Lord and His work. You are each such a blessing and we thank God for you.
Our daughters are near the end of the school year at Calvary Baptist Academy in Hurricane, WV. They have a month left of school. This has been such a good year for them and they have gotten the much-needed socialization that they have lacked on the mission field. They also have learned time management skills, responsibility, studying for tests, etc. This has all been very good for them and we are so thankful for this experience they have had. Please pray for them as they finish up this month, that they would finish well and strong in their studies.
Last week we were able to go to the BFM missions conference in Lexington, KY. It was good to hear solid messages from the Word of God, discuss with others the challenges we face on the field and get advisement from our mission board. It was good to see each one who attended and to fellowship with them. Thank the Lord for Godly men and advisement that we receive from them.
I (Nathan) am in the process of discussing ministry plans on church planting with an experienced missionary who has done church planting for several years in Kenya. I am very open and receptive to advisement from Godly men who have faithfully planted churches, whether in the US or abroad. Proverbs 11:14 says “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” May we seek wisdom from above, trusting Him to lead and guide each step of the way. God bless you all.
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Furlough Address:
56 Lobo Lane
Culloden, WV 25510
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
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Spring Conference 2013 [Tuesday Morning]
The Spring Conference this morning at Thompson Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky.
Pastor Mark Pyles from Grace Baptist Church in Fairborn, Ohio delivered the message. His text was from Exodus 33 and he wanted us to see the great need of God’s people to see God’s glory.
Below are some nuggets of truth from his message:
The first thing we need to do to enjoy God’s glory is to strip ourselves of all worldliness. Some gifts from God we make idols–we must discard them.
We must commit to the place of His presence (vs. 7-11). Many go through motions of religious practice while making idols in our head. His presence is in the camp. His presence is outside the camp. (Hebrews 13:13) His presence is in the home.
Are you interceding for your nation? For the lost? (vs. 12-17)
The more you know Him, the more you want to know Him. (vs.18-23) Moses had seen more of God than any man at that point.
God proclaims His goodness by proclaiming His sovereignty.
God answers Moses’ request by giving Moses what he needed, not what he asked for. God hid Moses in the cleft of the rock. We are hid in Christ, our Protection and Safety!
Why didn’t God show Moses His face? His face represents His whole being. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
We will be transformed from glory to glory. A metamorphosis! Changing from glory to glory to glory.
We see the glory of God by seeing people saved. We see the glory of God by seeing believers being obedient and in the Word.
When the glory of God is revealed, we will see the enemy attack.
Do you desire to see the glory of God?
We hope you can join us tonight! [Schedule]
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Spring Conference Recap [Monday Evening]
Our 53rd Annual Spring Conference began this evening at Thompson Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky.
The choir from Thompson Road opened with “Revive Thy Work, O Lord,” and the congregation joined in on the final verse (a slightly different version of the lyrics can be found here), followed by “Holy, Holy, Holy.” ♪
In his opening remarks, Pastor Dave Parks said, “If we’re not doing the work of God, we’re doing the wrong work.” Bro. Kenneth White then prayed specifically for the health of Pastor Glenn Archer, the missionaries, for our hearts to be stirred, and for the Lord to revive His work.
After, we sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” ♪ “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.” ♪
Pastor Harold Draper, former missionary to Brazil 32½ years who now pastors Seventh Street Baptist Church in Cannelton, Illinois, was the first speaker. His text was from Psalm 51:12-13 about reviving the Lord’s work.
What is the Lord’s work? The souls of men. We are His workmanship! So if the Lord revives His work, it will be because He revives His workers.
Revival fires are started with small pieces of wood–not wagon-loads.
If you want to get close to the Lord, get close to somebody who’s close to the Lord. –H.H. Overbey
How can we be revived as His workers and thus His work be revived?
David had two requests in Psalm 51:
1) Restore the joy of His salvation
2) Anoint with His Spirit
Revival is when God’s people rejoice in their salvation.
We’re to never get over the thrill of our salvation!
Our Salvation:
- was planned in eternity (Ephesians 1:4)
- was provided for in the past (Titus 3:4; John 3:16)
- is presently protected at the throne of grace (Hebrews 7:25)
- will be perfected in the future (1 John 3:2; Philippians 3:21)
- is an eternal possession (1 Peter 1:3)
Don’t take your salvation for granted. Let it motivate you and revive you. (Hebrews 2:3)
Then after you’re revived and made spiritually stronger, THEN you will be effectual in mission work and in the Lord’s work.
“Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.” -Psalm 51:12-13
♪ It was fitting to sing “Saved, Saved, Saved” following a message that left you so grateful for your salvation.
All the Pastors in attendance stood up to represent their churches (probably 20-25??), all the way from Florida, Michigan, and Brazil!
The conference offering was then given (not taken ;)) as Bro. Stanley & Sis. Emily Keyes from Illinois ministered in song through trombone, piano, and voice. ♪ He died for me! ♪ This couple has been so faithful to come and play at the Spring Conference for the past 18 years–and what a blessing they are!
♪ We then sang “Send the Light.”
Missionary Harold Bratcher, who just retired from 53½ years of service in Brazil, brought the second message, mainly using Habakkuk 3:1-2. “I’m glad to be here, but–excuse my English–I’m even gladder to be saved,” he said, and then broke out singing “Blessed Assurance.” His message was soaked with Scripture and song.
Revival means to reserve something alive, to regain to life and consciousness, to give new strength and energy, to improve the position or condition of.
♪ O, the love that drew salvation’s plan. O, the grace that brought it down to man! ♪
“O Lord, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” -Habakkuk 3:1-2
Bro. Bratcher read much Scripture in his familiar resonate voice–how encouraging!
Romans 1:16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Hosea 14:9
Romans 5:1-11
He reminded us to rejoice in the Lord always! Quit your complaining! Quit your bellyaching!
Do you have the blessed assurance that we have a heavenly Advocate?
He read a passage from Dr. Louis W. Arnold’s devotional book, found in the April 12 devotion, titled “Our Heavenly Advocate.” Satan accuses us day and night, but his accusations amount to nothing because we have an Advocate with the Father!
Safe am I in the hand of God. Isn’t it grand to be a Christian?! ♪ Using an illustration with his coin purse, he reminded us that no one can snatch us out of the Father’s hand!
He ended his message by reading Romans 8:31-39. Romans 8 begins with no condemnation and ends with no separation.
“Nay, no, não!” he exclaimed. In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
♪ The Love of God is greater far… ♪
We ended the evening by singing, “He Hideth My Soul.”
♪ His perfect salvation. His wonderful love. I’ll shout with the millions on high! ♪
We hope you can join us tomorrow! [Schedule]
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2013 BFM Spring Conference Theme & Featured Offering
CONFERENCE THEME:
“O LORD, REVIVE YOUR WORK!”
Habakkuk 3:2: “O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years…!”
WE NEED REVIVAL…NOW!
Habakkuk prayed this desperate prayer to God in very troubled times. Bad times from all fronts were upon them and worse times were coming. Disasters and calamities of all sorts were impending and threatening. The spirituality and fervor of the kingdom of God was at low ebb. What they needed above all else was a movement of the Spirit and power of God!
We are facing similar times in our own day – and we, too, need a serious, massive infusion and revival of the power of God in our personal lives, in the ministries of our churches, and in the ministries of our missionaries who are so faithfully serving Jesus Christ in the nations of the world.
Our commission and mandate from Jesus Christ is still urgent and pressing upon us. The challenges and prospects of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are still operative. But, we must experience a true Heaven-sent revival of commitment and passion if we are to respond to the needs of our world in an effective way.
God’s Hand is not weakened that He cannot save. The Gospel message is still the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. Jesus Christ still commands us to follow Him to the ends of the earth with His Good News. The “Hand of the Lord” [Acts 11.21] is still working with us – if we will give ourselves to Him.
WE MUST RECEIVE FROM GOD A REVIVAL OF ALL THE SAME GRACES FOR WHICH HABAKKUK PRAYED…such as:
- A revival of crying out to God for His intervention and work – chapter 1.1-5
- A revival of confidence in the Word of God to speak to us and through us – chapter 2.1-3
- A revival of living by faith and abject dependence upon God – chapter 2.4 [And, of course, this ‘faith’ is FAITH IN CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL]
- A revival of seeking God’s Glory in our service and among the nations of the world – chapter 2.14
- A revival of humble worship before the Presence of God – chapter 2.20
- A revival of desperate praying to God – chapter 3.1-16
- A revival of rejoicing in God and before God regardless of the circumstances in which we serve or the inconveniences we are given to suffer – chapter 3.17-19
And – the need and call to God for these and all other graces we must receive from Him goes on and on – not only in this message for Habakkuk’s time, but all throughout the annals of Scripture and the generations of history…right up to this present moment and day. “O LORD, REVIVE YOUR WORK IN THE MIDST OF THESE YEARS!”
We want and need – and pray to God for – REVIVAL in our mutual missionary endeavors. We have deep needs, but God promises us that ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against’ His churches and the mission He has committed to us to fulfill.
WE ARE INVITING YOU TO COME AND JOIN US FOR THIS TIME OF SEEKING THE FACE OF GOD AND THE POWER AND GLORY OF HIS GRACE UPON US.
WE ENCOURAGE CHURCHES TO PAY YOUR PASTOR’S [AND HIS WIFE] TRAVEL EXPENSES TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE. It will give them the opportunity to enjoy what is always a much-needed physical and spiritual re-charging for your church’s ministry. They will come back to you with a greater burden, zeal, and enthusiasm for missions.
We use these Conference occasions to highlight what God is doing around the world through our missionaries…and update our missions partners concerning their ministries…and also stir up all of us to greater interest, investment, and involvement in our mutual missions endeavors.
Will you take the lead to ask your church to do this for your pastor, our missionaries, and your church?
Thank you for your friendship and especially for your fellowship in missions. We hope to have the opportunity to fellowship, pray, worship, and seek God together with you during this Missions Conference. Please make every effort you can to come and share this occasion with us.
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CONFERENCE OFFERING:
DESIGNATED FOR OUR ‘GENERAL FUND’
Our greatest need continues to be increased supplies for our GENERAL FUND. Our GENERAL FUND offerings provide for all the commitments we have made to our missionaries. For example, every month, we disburse AT LEAST $46,034.54 from the GENERAL FUND just for the Essential Maintenance Transactions [EMT] which supply the essential and basic ‘living expenses’ commitments we have made to our missionaries. These include their salaries, standard ministry expense allowances, hospitalization premiums, and the publication of their newsletters we print and send to you each month to report on their ministry activities.
And, that is not including also the expenses paid for from the GENERAL FUND which finance the other commitments and benefits they receive each month or periodically through the year as they are due.
WE DO NOT ASK THEM TO ‘RAISE’ THESE SUPPORT FUNDS FOR THEMSELVES. But, if monthly GENERAL FUND offerings are not sufficient to cover those disbursements, then we have no choice but to NOT GIVE THEM those same monthly commitments proportionate to the current deficits in GENERAL FUND monthly offerings. That is why we are always emphasizing THE GENERAL FUND offerings.
And, as most of you know, beginning in January 2013, we gave our missionaries a much-needed and long-overdue 5% increase of their monthly salaries. We are now one quarter into the year, and our monthly GENERAL FUND supplies are running very close. We have always made our commitments to our missionaries BY FAITH and ‘AS THE LORD SUPPLIES.’
So, we are asking you to give as generously as you can to our Conference Offerings which we will use to replenish their GENERAL FUND supplies for their essential living and ministry expenses.
If you cannot attend the Conference, but still want to give a gift, send it to our Treasurer:
Pastor George Sledd
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe FL 32747-1280
Or, you can contribute online either by check/debit or by credit card securely on the Donate/Support page of our website. Enter your designation for SPRING CONFERENCE OFFERING in the Memo field.
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SPECIAL NOTE: We are blessed to have in attendance for this Conference both of our longest-serving and most-veteran missionaries: John and Alta Hatcher and Harold Bratcher. They will both be preaching during this Conference and we want to give them special recognition during the Tuesday evening service and express our profound respect and appreciation to them for their faithful and fruitful service to Jesus Christ in fellowship with Baptist Faith Missions. We encourage you to join us for that service!———————————-
Related Posts:
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FaithWORKS Report [March 2013]
2013 SPRING MISSIONARY BIBLE CONFERENCE
April 22-24
Hosted by Thompson Road Baptist Church | Lexington, KY | Dave Parks, Pastor
Block these dates and plan to attend.
The theme for our Conference is “O LORD, REVIVE YOUR WORK!” based on Habakkuk’s prayer in Habakkuk 3.2.
Be checking our website’s FaithWorks Blog and Events pages for the complete Conference program. One of the prominent features of this Spring Conference will be the presence of two of our most veteran missionaries: Harold Bratcher and John and Alta Hatcher. Brother Bratcher is retiring from 53½ years of active and faithful overseas service and is relocating here in the States. John and Alta Hatcher are marking 58 years of missionary service in Brasil. We will be blessed to have these faithful servants of the Lord in our Conference services – and we want to take this opportunity to recognize them and express our love and gratitude to God and to them for their exemplary service.
WHEN: Thursday, April 25 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm
[This will be the Thursday morning following the conclusion of the BFM Spring Missions Conference.]
WHERE: The old Ashland Avenue Church Building at 163 North Ashland Avenue; Lexington, Kentucky
COST: No cost for the breakfast
Alumni, Family, & Friends Welcome!
For more information, please correspond with Michael Campbell at jacknjackie [at] windstream.net.
THANK YOU EACH ONE FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS TO OUR GENERAL FUND!
Our General Fund supplies the essential disbursements we make to our missionaries each month for their salary, standard expense funds, hospitalization premiums, and their correspondences with you through this Mission Sheets.
The total disbursement each month just for these Essential Maintenance Transactions is $46,039.61. That amount must be supplied each month from the General Fund to supply these commitments. If we don’t receive sufficient offerings to meet these commitments, then we will necessarily have to REDUCE the deposits we make to your missionaries’ accounts.
We want to thank EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU who gives faithfully and generously to our General Fund each month. We do talk with some of you as we meet up with you from place to place and try to express our profound gratitude to God for you. YOUR OFFERINGS TO THE GENERAL FUND DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY PREVENTED US FROM HAVING TO REDUCE OUR MONTHLY COMMITMENTS TO OUR MISSIONARIES DURING THIS MONTH OF MARCH. For that, we thank you – and thank God for you!
THANKSGIVING OFFERING TOTAL-TO-DATE: $52,348.17
You will note in the Contributions Record in this issue that an additional $1,250.00 was given for our current Thanksgiving Offering last month. We bless God for each one of you who has given to this offering. We are still running $4000.00 behind last year’s total offering – and last year’s Thanksgiving Offering did not carry us through to the end of 2012 to meet our missionaries’ support services. But, we know that you who have given have done so faithfully, generously, and faithfully – and we bless God for every one of you.
The offering is still open for your contributions – or re-contributions as God supplies you with the ability to give.
These offerings are essential to fulfilling the financial benefits and commitments we have made to provide for their needs and to support all the activities required to keep their ministries going.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY TO GOD – AND ASK HIM TO GIVE YOU A GENEROUS OFFERING TO CONTRIBUTE! ‘THANK YOU!’ to every one who has contributed this year to make this offering what it is!
FOUNDERS MONTH OFFERING
June is our Founders Month and we will be asking you again for a special Founders Month Offering. We want to revive this giving ministry to help us continue to provide for our missionaries’ needs. Nothing we ever ask for or do is for any personal benefit to any of us – but everything is so we can continue to meet the commitments we have made to our missionaries so they can continue their daily ministries unhindered and undistracted by a lack of financial supplies.
Will you be praying ahead to June – and plan to participate with your church in a fellowship-wide FOUNDERS MONTH OFFERING?
MISSIONARIES’ FURLOUGH SCHEDULE
Harold Bratcher is retiring from 53½ years of active and faithful missionary service in Manaus, Brazil, and is relocating to live here in the States. He is selling his home in Manaus and is seeking to purchase a home here. If you wish to contact him before he establishes a permanent address, you may contact him at: 859.277.3716 / 1012 Balsam Drive, Lexington KY 40504 / or through his email address: harold_bratcher@yahoo.com
PRAY AND PRAISE!
- MIKE AND BEV CREIGLOW – PRAISE GOD for God’s continuing work through all the ministries of First Baptist Church, Cruzeiro do Sul
- JOHN AND ALTA HATCHER – PRAY that God will give them a good and safe trip to the States for our Spring Conference – and that God will sustain them with physical and spiritual strength.
- JOHN AND JUDY HATCHER – PRAISE GOD for increasing interest among the young people they are reaching. PRAY for God to make the Word-seed grow in the hearts of those who recently completed their Bible reading adventure.
- A.J. AND BARB HENSLEY – PRAY for two Conferences they are planning this year. PRAISE GOD for the people He is bringing to their new church plant and for the open doors of witnessing the Gospel.
- NATHAN AND CARRIE RADFORD – PRAY always for the struggling church plant in Shangalamwe. They are continuing to instruct and encourage indigenous church independence and growth.
- ROGER AND JULIE TATE – PRAY for God to make His work grow in Kenya. PRAY over his letter and chart outlining their groups they are forming under the leadership of Titus.
- SHERIDAN AND ANITA STANTON – PRAISE GOD for a safe return to Peru and for delivering them through many obstacles. PRAISE GOD also for increases in their missions and new converts to Christ.
- BOBBY AND CHARLENE WACASER – PRAY for God to raise up a pastoral leader for the new mission work in Corbelia. PRAISE GOD for the continuing open doors God is giving them for sharing the Gospel.
- PAUL AND WANDA HATCHER – PRAISE GOD for the continuing good news from their church plants and for the harvest of converts God is bringing in.
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