Welcome
A Word from Your Director of Missions
Last month I started a series on how our adversary, Satan, attacks us, and often we don’t realize it! Now, I am looking at more ways that he affects us today. I searched, and this is not original content but accumulated thoughts, so here are some of the things that I found. 1 Peter 5:8 (HCSB) says “Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”
Today, Satan deceives people in ordinary, modern ways rather than only through direct evil. Some examples are:
Twisting the truth – making sin seem harmless, or good seem unnecessary. We twist the truth when it fits our needs or when we have been caught in a lie.
Encouraging pride – this leads us to rely on ourselves instead of God. This kind of pride will always lead us into destruction. And it is so easy to fall into. We hear statements like “I tried everything and nothing worked, so I guess I will try God.” That was because we wanted to be our own god in our own world.
Creating doubt – when we question God’s goodness, His truth, or His Word, this becomes the easiest way we fall into Satan’s trap.
Normalizing compromise – thinking “just this once,” or “we will try this and see if it works out,” even when we know that it is bending to someone else’s ideology, thinking that it will be ok for this time, but not for next time.
Distraction and busyness – keeping people too preoccupied to pray, reflect, or obey. We are busy all the time, with thoughts like wishing there were 25 hours instead of 24 in a day so you could use that extra hour for time with God! We have all the time we need for God if we place Him first in our daily actions.
Fear and discouragement – convincing people they are hopeless, abandoned, or beyond grace. Once you step here, it will continue in a downward spiral. That’s why we need to encourage each other every day, lifting up each other in prayer daily.
False identities and lies – like “you are what you achieve,” “you are unforgivable,” or “truth is whatever feels right.” The world teaches us to be the best that we can be. And only you can direct your life. As Christians, we believe that God has set our path and wants us to be the best that God wants us to be!
Division – stirring bitterness, offense, envy, and conflict in families, churches, and communities. Do I need to say more? Division is always in the forefront of all conflicts.
Counterfeit spirituality – promoting beliefs that sound uplifting but pull people away from God’s truth.
We must stay in His Word every day and always make sure that we have put on the full armor of God! If you are, or have been, struggling in any of the above, please reach out to your pastor or a trusted Christian friend; they will walk with you in love, and together they will walk the journey with you to bring you closer to Our Savior. Don’t let Satan win in your life! God has already defeated him! Let’s walk in victory with Jesus!
mswdom@marktwain.net
bppastor@yahoo.com
(O) 573-209-3064
(M) 660-734-2080
(H) 573-655-0172
Announcements
Mission Project for Uganda
Kimbre and Emma will be making a trip to Kampala, Uganda in Africa! They will be going in July so any donations for the preemie ministry need to be given to Kimbre by the end of June. They can use preemie onesies, preemie diapers, preemie socks/booties, preemie hats, crochet hooks size H, I, and J, and newborn receiving blankets. The Mama Tulia ministry can also use money that will be used for newborn vitamins, yarn, and meals. If you can help, please talk with Kimbre at 573-288-4759.
News from the Clerk
It is time to complete the ACP – the Annual Church Profile. Each church clerk and pastor should get this information by the end of June. That way, you can take church action at your July church business meeting. The data is shared with our Association, the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The information to the website before August 7. We then put reports from your ACP in the Book of Reports for our Annual Meeting which will be August 28-29, 2026 at First Baptist Church, Ewing. If you have any questions, please contact Violet Brownell, Association Clerk, at 573-248-8870. I may have time to answer questions during the day, but I will have access to my laptop to provide better answers after 5 pm.
Camp News
Things are coming along quite nicely. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Ewing Baptist Church at 7 pm. Here we will go over some final details until the next big meeting which will be July 11 at 11 am. This will be a training meeting that we hope will get everyone that is volunteering as a cabin leader to be at.
The kitchen is still looking for help for Wednesday and Thursday lunch. I do believe all the other spots have been filled. We want to thank everyone that has been involved for all the help with church camp planning along with everyone who has volunteered so far to make camp happen. It is greatly appreciated.
Lastly, HLGU, if we haven’t already told the great news, will be assisting us this year at camp. They have some fun and new ideas to do. We look forward to that this year.
The Early Bird Registration deadline is June 18 for the $85 camper fee. Starting June 19, the fee goes to $90 with the Final cut off deadline for camp forms on July 10.
We are all looking forward to seeing you this year at camp!! If you have any questions, please reach out to me at 573-231-4266. Contact Bobbi at 573-719-8324 for the kitchen help if you are interested.
Missions Together
There will be no Missions Together meeting in June. But we’re looking forward to meeting July 5 at FBC Ewing at 4:30 pm to look at missions in South Asia. Don’t forget the carry-in at 5:30 pm.
A Music Note by Mike Kitch
Our May Hymn Sing at Providence was well attended! Over 50 people enjoyed spirit-filled singing songs of praise and devotion. At one point, when I was enjoying the beauty and functionality of this new church building, I was reminded how God can turn a tragedy into a blessing! Not to forget the many Christians who gave of themselves to help get it built. God is good. All the time. Next Hymn Sing is at Redeemer’s in Canton on June 9. Come join the assembling!
Pastors and Wives Prayer Meeting and Breakfast
The pastors and their wife breakfast will be postponed a week in June to the 13th at Ewing Cafe at 9 am. Come join us as we fellowship together and encourage one another.
Hands In Service Sewing Group
We will be meeting at LaGrange on June 18 from 1-5 pm to sew eyeglass cases for Vision 3:16. Come when you can. Watch for flannel on sale – we are running low!
And if anyone has preemie or newborn size items for the Mama Tulia Ministry in Uganda, the items need to be given to Kimbre Thrower by the end of June! Cloth diapers in newborn size are greatly appreciated! Contact Violet or Evelyn Scifres for more information about sewing diapers.
They would also like crochet hooks in size H, I, J.
And they could use money to buy newborn vitamins, yarn, and meals.
May we keep our Hands In Service for HIM because we are HIS!
Disaster Relief News
Our Disaster Relief Team is always looking for ways to serve during a time of disaster - in our communities, across our state, and across our nation. We meet every 3 months on the first Thursday evening of the month starting with February, then May, August, and November. Contact: Jill Feldkamp 573-470-1132.
Love Packages
We will continue to collect Bibles and Sunday School literature for Love Packages through out the year and will arrange to get the literature delivered once a year. Contact Mary Ann Lillard at 573-853-4507 or 660-341-0725 if you have any questions.
Missions News
Several from our association went to Glendive, Montana last summer on a mission trip to help David & Cheryl Stahlman who are planting the Hopebridge Church there. We helped with cleaning, construction projects, prayer walking throughout the community, provided nightly VBS and a block party. They periodically send us updates on how things are going, and since we left, they have held weekly Bible studies with a meal on Sunday evenings. We were very happy to hear that on Easter Sunday, they held a preview Church Service with breakfast and had 15 in attendance. Praise the Lord!! Please keep Hopebridge Church, The Stahlman Family and this community in your prayers.
Mission Team Needed
I am looking for at least 4 members from different churches that would like to help in the planning of mission work both in the association and beyond. This also includes social events for association fellowship. Please contact me if you are interested – Bro Barry at 660-734-2080.
09
Meeting in Orlando FL.
7:00 PM
Meet at Redeemer Baptist Church in Canton. Bring a friend! Contact: Mike Kitch 660-956-5591.
Location
Canton,MO
10
Meeting in Orlando FL.
13
9:00 AM
Meet at Ewing Cafe. Pastors and their wives are invited for a time of breakfast, fellowship, and prayer. Contact: Bro Barry Pfister 660-734-2080.
Location
Ewing Cafe
14
18
Camper Registration fee $85 until June 18. Contact: Jill Feldkamp at 573-470-1132.
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Meet at FBC LaGrange from 1-5 pm. Focus on eyeglass cases for Vision 3:16. Contact: Violet at 573-248-8870.
19
Camper fee goes to $90 a camper starting today. Final camper registration deadline is July10. Contact: Jill Feldkamp at 573-470-1132
23
Church Clerks - expect the ACP (Annual Church Profile) forms to arrive before the end of June! Contact: Violet Brownell at 573-248-8870.
Ewing, Missouri
Thunderstorms, some severe, late Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening
74°
82° 70°
Mostly cloudy
Feels Like: 80°Humidity: 93%
Wind: 3 MPH
