January 2017

THE MOVE IS OVER!

We are now located at the front of the Crosspoint SBC building. The move should benefit both Crosspoint and Gateway. As a result of the move, and our new contract with Charter Spectrum, we expect utility and communications savings for both of us.

We gained a new free resource for all our member churches as well! Have you ever tried to locate an inexpensive, quiet place to do planning, research, or visioning with your staff, deacons, leadership team, etc.? We now have a new conference area with a 12’ table, plenty of space, free wifi, a flat panel for presentations, white board for dreaming and a blu-ray player for videos.

Our promise is to leave you alone and uninterrupted! Call to reserve a time for your team.

Annual Tax Seminar

Monday, February 6 From 7 - 9 pm @ GBA/Crosspoint SBC

Sponsored by IBSA, this free seminar gives pastors, treasurers, and church finance committees updated information pertaining to tax code changes and IRS guidelines for reporting ministers’ compensations and other church tax laws.

Go to www.ibsa.org to register or contact the assoc. office at 254-3953.

10 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER AS WE START 2017

1. How can I reenergize my personal spiritual walk? What tools will I use? How much time will I give to this?

2. What moves must I take to love my wife and/or kids better? If I aim at nothing, that’s what I’ll get! To do nothing is to hurt the relationship.

3. What lost family and/or friends will I focus on in 2017? Never give up on them!

4. Who can I mentor/coach this coming year? We should engage multiple Timothys to coach each year.

5. What sinful habit(s) do I need Christ to eliminate in me? Every sinful habit I harbor in my heart is a barrier to freedom and victory in Christ Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Repentance is my starting point to His righteousness in me!

6. How can I practice godly giving and saving for 2017? Give God at least 24 hours to meet our needs before spending foolishly. Give 10% to God and save 10% for our family every month.

7. What healthy growth practices should I take on for 2017? Fasting, scripture memorization, prayer retreats, ministry events, etc.?

8. To what mission venture(s) is He calling me? How many mission ventures will I commit to plan and save for next year? How can I involve my family in missions?

9. How can I schedule quality time in personal reading next year? What books should I start with? What type of reading is most beneficial for me, for my ministry?

10. How can I keep my spiritual batteries charged? Am I trying to do most things in my own power or the power of God? My passion is empowered by His Spirit!

Sat., Feb. 18 from 8:30 am - 1 pm $20 per person includes lunch & book — Scholarships available

This workshop is designed for the bi-vocational pastor, his wife, and leaders of their church. It reveals the advantages of the bi-vocational role and helps everyone come to grips with who the pastor is and how he functions with a second full-time job! This time will offer great points for all who attend!

Contact the assoc. office to sign up.

Uniquely Bi -vocational Workshop

“Good News of Great Joy!”

The Christmas story tells us in Luke 2:10 that … “the angel said to them (the shepherds), … ‘I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.” During Thanksgiving, Elida and I made a personal trip to the country of Peru to witness the first missions class graduate from the Baptist Seminary in Trujillo. What a privilege and blessing to see 8 men and women complete their studies and venture off into the mission field to share the “good news of great joy” to the world. In addition, we were also able to walk the road our son, Gregory, walked and stand in the very same village plaza he used to declare the “good news of great joy” to the people of Peru as an IMB missionary in 2008.

You and I, once again, have an opportunity to declare the “good news of great joy” to the people of the Gateway Baptist Association area through two, one-day mission events this coming church year. The first missions events is on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Pastor David Brown and Dow Southern Baptist Church will be host to our annual Gateway Baptist Association Children’s Ministry Day. Our children will have an opportunity to be our missionaries and share the “good news of great joy” through their volunteer service in the communities of Dow and Jerseyville. The second missions event is on Saturday, June 3, 2017. Pastor John Heater and New Hope Baptist Church will be host to our annual Missions Spectacular event that promises to be a day of service to this small community of Worden, Illinois.

Start forming your church teams. Get involved in your local, Gateway Baptist Association missions effort by proclaiming the “good news of great joy!” Look for more information about these two, one-day mission events in our upcoming publications. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Let’s Be On Mission With Jesus!

Greg Gomez III Missions Facilitator Gateway Baptist Association 618-254-3953 ext. 14 618-791-2378 greg.gomez52@me.com

MISSIONS REPORT

On Mission with Jesus

Gateway Financial Report

October 2016

November 2016

Year-to-Date 2016

Budget Goal $19,458.33 $19,458.33 $214,041.66

Total Receipts $15,479.68 $9,809.82 $149,819.71

Expenses $17,363.84 $21,269.11 $199,037.43

Net Income -$1,884.16 -$11,459.29 -$49,217.72

Crosspoint So. Baptist Church in Edwardsville Greater St. James Baptist Church in Alton New Douglas Baptist Church State Park Baptist Church in Collinsville

SWIST (Southwest Illinois School of Theology) is a diploma

program offered locally through Gateway Seminary, Metro East Baptist Association and Gateway Baptist Association. SWIST is for ALL CHURCH MEMBERS--not just pastors. (You must be at least 21 years of age and have been a Christian for at least one year to

enroll.) Classes run for 15 weeks.

Costs: $155 for new students;

$125 for returning students.

Classes offered for Spring 2017 (beginning between 1/2—2/4):

DIPLOMA IN CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES CLL 1113 Baptist Heritage & Practice (DCM) — 3 hours

CLS 1114 Old Testament Survey (DCM) — 3 Hours

CLL 1212 Intro Christian Theology (DCM) — 3 Hours (Girard, IL)

DIPLOMA IN THEOLOGY (2nd Level Diploma)

CLP 2421 Planned Pulpit Leadership (DTH) — 3 Hours (Swansea, IL)

To Enroll: New students may go online to complete their admission

application at www.gs.edu, or you may call MEBA at 624-4444.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

II Timothy 2:15

STAY UP-TO-DATE ON THINGS

HAPPENING IN OUR ASSOCIATION

Saturday, Feb. 18 IBSA Building in Springfield 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Cost: $10 (includes lunch)

Welcome to the digital age. Using technology in your ministry can be a challenge or a blessing depending on how well you know the media with which you are working. The Church Technology Conference will provide training in several areas of technology. This conference is designed for both staff and lay volunteers. For a list of break out sessions and to register, go to www.ibsa.org.

LifeWay's VBS 2017 turns your kids into Galactic Starveyors! Come experience a Bible study and/or a rotational site curriculum overview, participate in a sample worship rally, listen to VBS songs, see VBS decorations, sample snack ideas and leave with inspiration about how you can do Vacation Bible School in your church. There will be training for: Preschool, Children 1-2 Grade, Children 3-4 Grade, VBX 5-6 Grade, Pastors and Directors, Crafts Rotation, Missions Rotation, Music Rotation, and Informational Displays.

There is no cost for this event. Each clinic participant will need to register in advance to be entered in a drawing for a chance to receive free LifeWay materials at the clinic. Walk-in registration will also be available. For additional questions, contact Cathy Waters at (217) 391-3124. Register online at www.ibsa.org.

Saturday, February 25

Emmanuel Baptist

Carlinville

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