Missionary`s Heart - The Arkansas River Valley Baptist Association

Missionary’s
Heart
I’m in favor of the new networks that have
developed. Any network that pushes people to greater
mission and partnership is a great thing. But local
churches need to decide how best to connect with
them—when to partner and when not to partner.
The article to the right is an excerpt from one of Ed
Stetzer’s last publications as head of Lifeway
Research. When some in our denomination are
wondering if the Association has any relevance in the
modern church culture, one of the most
knowledgeable persons on the subject seems to think
the very future of our denomination may well depend
on how well we strengthen the ties between the local
congregation and her closest missions organization.
There can be a place for these smaller geographic
connections for churches to continue, like
associations. A far spread network may share your
passion for church planting, but they don’t share your
zip code. There are roles local leaders can provide
that a national organization will not be able to mimic.
As we approach another Annual Meeting (and the
reports that accompany it!) I wonder how well you
would say we have done in becoming more relevant
to your church. I will be the first to say that
‘becoming relevant’ is a process that will never end.
Until the Lord returns, our culture will continue to
produce changes that require adaptations to the way
your church does ministry. Consequently, those
adaptations will affect the types of ministry helps
your Association will seek to provide to her churches.
The key to sustained ministry in associations is
discovering the needs of the churches local to your
area and meeting them. Theological networks, along
with state and national organizations cannot possible
know all of the ministry needs of the people on your
street. But your association may.
Adaptations to the ministries you help us provide
are already successfully evident in the ARVBA
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We have already discovered new ways to
streamline Church Camp and, this year, we were
even able to hold the first ever middle school
worship service!
The Resource Room is up and running with
discipleship materials, books and videos available
to our churches.
Our Youth and Children’s groups have enjoyed
free fellowship times at the water park, revivals,
and more.
The Golden Age Conference (and ARVBA Sr.
Adult Ukulele Band!) ministered to Senior adults
from around the area.
The ARVBA Sr. Adult ministry is strengthening
fellowship between member churches and
providing opportunities for service for our retired
folks.
ARVBA DAY is coming and who knows what
God has planned for that!!!
Also, you can meet and connect with local pastors
who are, yes, different than you. That’s good for you,
your church, and the kingdom...
Those closest to the ground can have the strongest
partnership if they involve more churches, engage
faithfully, and connect pastors.
Excerpt from Ed Stetzers article, “The Future Of
The SBC—Local Associations”
http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2016/
june/future-of-sbc-local-associations.html?
visit_source=twitter
All of these adaptive new ministries are possible
because your church has chosen to financially support
your Association. Thank you for that and thank you
for partnering together to make the ARVBA one of
the strongest Associations in the state.
Please pray for us as we ‘get ready’ for ARVBA
DAY and for the Annual meeting in October.
Please remember us as many of your churches are
preparing their budgets for next year.
Please check out our webpage, Facebook page, or
my soon-to-be updated blog for more information
about your Association and all of her events and
ministries.
And by the way... how strong are the ties between
your church and your
Association?
ARVBA Church Support!!!
Church treasurers! We ar e pr esently pr epar ing r epor ts for the
Annual Meeting in October. Please check the info here for accuracy
through July. Thanks for giving ARVBA Churches!!!
July
Atkins 1st
Year to Date
519.00
4041.24
0
600.00
Bakers Creek
111.00
971.68
Calvary
162.35
755.53
Centerville 1st
0
646.00
The Women’s Missionary Union of the
Arkansas River Valley Baptist Association is excited to announce
our Fourth Annual Fall Women’s Event! This year we are hosting
a one-day Women’s Conference benefitting Arkansas Alaska
Missions. Arkansas Alaska Missions is a ministry founded by
Lloyd and Cheryl Stem from Lavaca, Arkansas and which serves
the Athabascan villages surrounding Tok, Alaska. The conference
will take place on September 10 at Fair Park Baptist Church in
Russellville from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Clarksville 1st
41.67
291.69
Crow Mnt.
294.88
1914.25
Crestview
0
536.70
Danville 1st
833.33
5833.31
Darby Lane
86.68
701.31
Dardanelle 1st
472.68
3012.24
Delaware 1st
0
Our featured speaker will be Dr. Vicki Henderson. Dr.
Henderson is a retired OB/GYN physician, Medical Director of
Choices Pregnancy Resource Clinic, and popular conference
speaker. Dr. Henderson also shares encouragement with thousands
of women through her writing at myupsiderightlife.com.
Dover 1st
545.60
4686.73
East Point
316.77
2294.04
Fair Park
200.00
1400.00
Flat Rock
227.93
1409.74
Mrs. Melissa Smith will be leading us in worship. Melissa has
served the Lord through music for over 30 years. She is the wife of
Pastor Jeff Smith of First Baptist Church in Havana and has a
passion for teaching women. Melissa will also be sharing about her
recent ministry experience with Arkansas Alaska Missions.
Grace Baptist
201.91
1669.53
Havana 1st
359.62
2250.47
Hector 1st
221.92
2141.14
Hopewell 1st
186.00
1263.00
Knoxville 1st
385.23
2627.97
London 1st
876.64
7178.55
Ard Community
Associational
WMU Annual Meeting
is Coming!
Church leader, You are a vital partner in
reaching the next generation with the
gospel. Because you are on the front lines
of ministering to the next generation, the
Arkansas Baptist State Convention
invites you to participate in a FREE Church Safety Training
dedicated to sexual abuse awareness and prevention on September
12 or 13, led by Gr egor y Love, developer of Ministr ySafe.
Here are the essential details about the trainings
Monday, September 12, 9:30am – 2:00pm
Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 3900 Grand Ave, Ft Smith, AR
Monday, September 12, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
First Baptist Church, 200 South Denver, Russellville, AR 72801
PLEASE REGISTER: Training is FREE. Mater ials and a meal
will be provided at each location so registration is required for
participation in this event. Be pr epar ed to include your name,
the name of your church, contact information, and the names of
people you are registering. Learn the three ways to register On the
ABSC website.
Moreland 1st
0
0
62.00
New Hope
506.00
4035.00
Ola 1st
49.71
440.96
Plainview 1st
0
2333.49
Pleasant View
187.96
1330.68
Pottsville 1st
545.28
4721.30
Rover 1st
111.92
917.71
Russellville 1st
650.00
4550.00
Russellville 2nd
583.33
4083.31
Scranton 1st
1032.07
4286.10
0
800.00
Unity Southern
Total
9599.48
73785.67
The
GoodNews Letter


SEPTEMBER 12th
 MinistrySafe Training at 1st Russ.

SEPTEMBER 17th
ARVBA DAY!!!

SEPTEMBER 25th
 Crow Mountain Baptist Church’s 25th
Anniversary

August, 2016
SEPTEMBER 10th
 ARVBA WMU Annual Meeting
OCTOBER 1st

Acts 1:8 One Day Mission To Ft. Smith!

OCTOBER 4th
 Executive Board Meeting (ARVBA Office)

OCTOBER 11th
 ARVBA Annual Meeting at Dover 1st
It’s Almost Here!!!
Celebrating
25 years
of Ministry!
You are invited to share in the 25th anniversary
celebration at Crow Mountain Baptist Church. The
special service will begin at 2 o'clock on September
25th and will feature, among other things, awesome
worship and gifted speakers. See you there!!!
WHAT IS IT!!!
ARVBA DAY is a one-day ‘mission trip’ you, your
family, or your church group can take to do actual
ministry in our own Association. This year a bunch
of folks from our ARVBA churches will meet at 1st
Danville from which we will fan out to also cover
Rover, Plainview, Bellville, Havana, and Ola. This
is another way the churches of the ARVBA are
partnering together to impact lostness in our
communities.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE?
ARVBA DAY will begin with everyone meeting up
at Danville’s First Baptist Church at 8:00 where we
will have a brief, guided time of prayer and receive
any instructions or assignments that may be needed.
Each team, group, or individual will leave the church
as close to 8:30 as possible and head to their
respective ministry areas.
www.thearvba.com
“Churches Doing More Together!”
Associational Missions Emphasis 2016
We ask each volunteer to conclude their mission
project(s) by no later than 2 o’clock so that we can
all return to Danville 1st and be seated in the
auditorium by 2:30 for a report and celebration time
before we all head home by 3 o’clock.
801 East 16th Street
Russellville, AR 72801
WHAT IS THE COST?
The price for this One-Day Mission adventure is
only $10 per person and will help us keep the cost of
food and project materials to a manageable level.
That being said, please do not let the cost keep you
from joining us on this special day. Just let someone
from your church know and we will cover that
expense for you!
The Arkansas River Valley
Baptist Association
WHO CAN BE A ONE-DAY MISSIONARY?
We want ARVBA Day to be a family friendly event
where everyone can experience the joy of doing
ministry together. To that end we encourage parents/
guardians to bring their children and teens with them
when they come. (please use your best judgment
when considering very small children!)
There are a few guidelines we ask you to follow.
First, all participants under age 18 must have the
Minor Permission Form filled out and returned.
(Any forms you may need can be downloaded from
the Association website)
Second, youth ages 13 to 17 must have one adult
sponsor per 4 youth & at least one adult must serve
with each youth team.
Third, Children Ages 12 and under must be
accompanied by their parent/guardian and work on
the same team.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
Project possibilities might include the following:
(when you sign up you get to pick your top 3)
 Block Parties & Kids activities;
 Prayer walking/driving;
 Mowing/yard work;
 Light construction (Home repair, painting, etc);
 Door-to-door visitation;
 Meal Prep for the folks (hot dog cooks!)
 Meal deliveries for the separate sites;
 And others we may discover.
More information is added to the ARVBA
webpage almost daily. Go there to get the latest
updates, sign you or your team up, or download
any needed forms
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Russellville, AR 72801
Permit #150
EAST POINT BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
Compiled by Nilene R. Wester
East Point Baptist Church was organized in 1872 in the Green Point School building. One of the oldest churches in Pope County, EBC is located 11 miles northwest of Russellville in the East Point Community. The first reference to this church in the minutes of the Russellville Association was in 1882 when the report gave a total
membership of 25. Rev. E.D. Landers was listed as the pastor and Z.A. Hughes as the church clerk.
The church was originally known as Green Point Church and met in the school building and under brush arbors until the first church building was erected on land purchased from John and Tempe Smith for the sum of
$5.00. This land was on the east point of London Mountain and southeast of the Green Point School, so the
church became known as East Point. The first building, a one room frame structure, was located on the east side
of the road from the present building and was south of the large oak tree that stands near the front of the East
Point Cemetery.
As far as is known, in addition to Mr. Landers, a Bro. Hudspeth and a Bro. Moody were the only pastors from
1872 until 1893. All of the early church records were lost several years ago when a fire destroyed the home of the
church clerk. It became necessary to use the church building for school from January 1928 until the summer of
1929 because the Rachel school, located about one half mile southeast of the church, had been consumed by fire.
In the early days of the church, the worship service would find the men sitting on one side of the building, the
women on the other, and children would often be asleep on a quilt spread on the floor. In the summertime the "air
conditioning" consisted of windows wide open and, if lucky, a funeral home or some other types of hand fan. The
cold winters brought a different challenge as the worshippers struggled to stay warm around the wood stove.
Lighting for the services was provided by kerosene lamps and lanterns.
In 1930 it became necessary to replace the first church building. On July 15 of that year, with men, women and
children all helping, a work day was held and the old building was torn down, nails were pulled and lumber
stacked for future use. A large one room structure, the basis for the second church building, was started within a
few days and contained much of the lumber and the pillow rock from the old building. This building was located
across the road and on the side of the mountain from the first church. As this was during the "great depression"
the work was done by volunteer labor and money donated by those interested in seeing a new building erected. To
help with the expenses many of the members, and interested people in the community, gave money they received
from selling cream, butter, eggs, and other farm produce. The women of the church pieced a quilt and would embroidery a name on it for a 10 cent donation. The quilt was then sold to the highest bidder, Mrs. Louise Rachel
Holt of Little Rock. During the time of construction, services were held under the large oak tree in the cemetery
and in a brush arbor located just south of the church site. The second building was added and remodeled several
times over the years and finally became a modern facility with classrooms, a vestibule, and restrooms. The parsonage was built on the hill west of the church in 1957-58.
On October 22, 1972, an all-day centennial celebration was observed with many former members, pastors and
friends in attendance. Each year on the second Sunday in May the church is host for an all-day Mother’s Day and
homecoming service, a tradition that began in the 1930’s. The East Point Cemetery began in 1873 with the burial
of a saw miller's wife named Becky Wakefield. The church owned the cemetery property until January 1977
when it was deeded to the East Point Cemetery Association.
On July 9, 1997 material was delivered to begin the construction of a large multi-purpose metal building just
north of the church. Work had been in progress for several months to prepare the ground as a lot of dirt had to be
removed from the side of the mountain to level an area large enough for the concrete slab needed for the building.
The "shell" was erected by a construction company with almost all of the interior work being done by men from
the church. The education building contains a large kitchen, fellowship area that is also used for volley ball and
other games, classrooms, restrooms, and a nursery. An "apartment" to be used for visiting ministers was completed in July, 2004. It is complete with a full bath, queen size bed and two recliner chairs. Evangelist Richard Pickup
was the first minister to stay in the apartment the first week of August, 2004 during a week-long revival.
Music has always been of great importance to the members of East Point and the name Whorton has been entwined with the program for as long as anyone can remember. For years "Uncle" Johnie Whorton was the song
leader. Later his son Earl served as the pianist. His reputation for piano playing extended far beyond the church.
Since the 50's, Vernon Whorton, a great nephew of Johnie, has been the music director.
The Rev. R.L. Loyd served the church as pastor longer than any other minister. Called by the church in 1918
he served part time and full time until 1944 except for a time due to illness. While serving as pastor he lived at
Dover and rode a horse or drove a buggy the 15 miles the one or two weekends a month when preaching services
were
held
on Saturday night and Sunday. Records show that one year he received $23.00 as salary. The longest continuous
full time pastor of the church is Rev. Don Mulford who served the church from November 1988 until June 2002.
The church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Arkansas Baptist State Convention and the Arkansas
River Valley Baptist Association. Several ministers and associational leaders have come from the East Point
Church.
On January 3, 2004, the musical group "Chosen Few" presented a concert to a full house. When everyone
stood at the same time to applaud a loud "pop" was heard. After a little investigation it was found that some of the
foundation had separated from the flooring. Since the metal family life building was almost complete a decision
was made to move into it immediately for all services so the floor could be looked at more extensively. The first
service in the education building was held on January 25 and the transition went smoothly without any interruption. After further investigation under the building it was discovered that part of the floor and some of the walls
were rotten and covered in mold. Parts of the building had been built close to the ground as it was located on the
side of a mountain. On February 29, 2004, it was decided that it would be best to tear down the building and look
forward to rebuilding.
The removal of the 2nd building began on July 15,2004, 74 years to the day the first building was torn down. A
ground breaking ceremony was held on August 15, 2004, following the morning worship service and a new building was started a few days later.
Contractor Monte Estes was retained to erect the new church sanctuary. The new church building includes two
rest rooms, secretary's office, pastor's office with a private entrance, older member's Sunday School room, nursery and changing rooms on each side of the stage and baptistery.
On Sunday, November 21, 2004, a "Bringing In The Harvest" campaign was begun to raise funds for the new
church building. Following the morning worship service church family and friends gathered for a Thanksgiving
dinner.
The first worship service in the new Sanctuary was on Sunday morning, August 7, 2005. A business meeting
had been held in the building the previous Wednesday night.