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A Prophet’s Reward
A Prophet’s Reward, has grown from five to seven faithful members. We have moved from beyond just a ministry and have built meaningful relationships with one another. We also meet regularly for a time of fellowship and to strengthen one another. We continue to nurture our relationship with the Lord and to help Pastor cast the vision that God has given him by providing him assistance. Our goals for 2009 are to work on a budget to allow at least one armor bearer to travel with Pastor Williams throughout the city as well as out of town. We would like to update communication devices for our ministry as well as have regularly scheduled meetings with Pastor Williams and Executive Pastor French. We would like to establish set duties for any new member that joins our ministry as well as a variety of continuous training for ministry members.
Associate Ministers
The Associate Ministers assist the Pastor in functions of the church such as leading worship, assisting in Baptism and Communion. The Associate Ministers meet every second Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
Congregational Care
The purpose of this ministry is to help the Pastor minister to the congregation by comforting the congregation in sickness and in health, to challenge the community with a new vision for the year and to serve as a conduit to relay important information concerning the church to its members. Congregational Care meets the 4th Friday of the month at 6 p.m. at 619 East Lampton.
Couple's Ministry
The Couples Ministry is given leadership by Vincent and Pam Simms along with Fred & Beverly Peterson, under the leadership of Pastor Williams and we were directed by Rev Eric French for 2008. Our Executive Secretary is Elaine Huddleston.Our mission is to glorify God and support the pastoral ministry of Bates Memorial Baptist Church by providing married couples with the practical tools to build, develop, heal and sustain Christ-centered marriages by focusing on foundational Biblical principles, accountability, modeling and fellowship to encourage one another. This year we were enriched by having a permanent speaker-Rev. Eric French-that covered wonderful subjects like Little Foxes in your marriage and multiple sessions on the Song of Solomon. We also learned to save money and use coupons as a part of money management strategies. Our activities included Men Can Cook where we had more than 40 men preparing an evening of fine dining and music for their wives. In February married couples of Bates renewed their vows. We had cookouts on the river, movies and dinners throughout the year. Rev. Eric French will continue to direct the ministry in 2009. Currently we are reviewing the movie Fireproof and we are participating in the 40 Day Love Dare Challenge. We average 20-30 couples at each meeting.As a part of the pre-martial counseling the newlyweds will be formally introduced to the leaders in the Couple’s Ministry. They will be advised on what’s currently being taught, given contact names and they will be added to the email list for current events and information.Also we are recommending and encouraging couples in counseling to attend the Couples Ministry Meeting as a part of taking ownership of improving their relationships.We know we have some strong married couples that are leaders in our church and we would love to have your faithful participation.
Culinary Ministry
Our mission is to serve the Lord in gladness, to provide culinary service, foremost to aid to our Pastor and his guest, Executive Pastor and/or Ministries, Bates Members and to provide hospitality to any of our Bates bereaved families.
Our duties include:
·Provide full service catering to any ministry
·Product ordering
·Clean up and maintain order when kitchen is in use
·Provide catering for Pastor and/or Executive Pastor when needed
·Provide full dinner and/or lunch for bereaved families
·Wednesday Noon Day Lunches
·Attendant on duty during Wedding rehearsal dinners
·Follow up on weekly commissary and/or non commissary supply ordering ( such as; condiments, plates, cups, forks etc.)
For 2009 the Culinary ministry would like to promote involvement, unity and commitment.
Deacon Ministry
Deacons assist the pastor in ministry to the entire congregation. In 2008 the Deacon Ministry was given leadership by Deacon Cassandra Grigsby and Deacon Daniel Guess. We have formulated classes for congregational care which has helped us to increase our visitation to members. In deciding to make Bates Benevolence for members only (allowing non-members to receive assistance through our Community Development Corporation) we have recognized that the benevolence has been more spiritual. During the benevolence meeting the deacons are able to counsel members allowing for personal accountable. In 2009 the deacons are looking forward to a Spring Ordination for our Yokefellows. We will also would like to generate between 50-100 Yokefellows for 2009. We will continue classes for our education and we are looking forward to a deacon leadership retreat. We will also work on continuing to increase our visitation to the sick and shut in as well as increase the spiritual maturity and leadership for all deacons.
Hearts Reaching Hearts (Women's Ministry)
As the human heart is made up of chambers, the model of our Women's Ministry is designed, developed and fashioned in the likeness to express the living order of our spiritual nature as God has given women hearts to reach another woman's heart. Each chamber fills the task as a ventricle component to women of Bates Memorial, our families and the community working together to pump the source of life, Jesus Christ, into society. The Women’s Council meets every 2nd Tuesday at 6 p.m. Women’s Bible Study meets every 4th Saturday at 9 a.m.“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (II Corinthians 3:5).
Prison Ministry
This ministry makes monthly visits to those that are incarcerated in the local prisons and halfway houses. Many souls have been blessed and lives have been saved through this ministry. “Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering, as though you were suffering as they were. (Hebrews 13:3) The Prison Ministry meets every 1st Sunday after 11:30 service at 620 E. Lampton. In 2008 the Prison Ministry established a worship service at NorthPoint Training Center in Danville, Kentucky every 5th Sunday of the month, the Prison Ministry Angel Tree, provided transportation to male inmates from the Dismas Charities Portland Facility to Bible Study and Saturday Night Live Service. The Prison Ministry also continued their Bible Study in Jefferson County Jails. We have had 95 inmates saved, 52 baptized, 26 rededications and given out 147 Bibles. At the Northpoint Training Center 6 inmates have been saved and 2 rededications. In 2009 The Prison Ministry will teach MasterLife I at the Dismas Charities St. Ann Campus, Peewee Valley Correctional Complex and provide Worship Services at Northpoint Training Center.
R.E.A.C.H.
The R.E.A.C.H. ministry has reached new heights in 2008 by establishing a new Men’s Sunday School class called “Iron Sharpens Iron”. The Men Of Bates a.k.a. MOB outreach ministry was unveiled and we had a high time in the Lord with our Annual Men’s Day Conference and Weekend where we had our first golf outing in order to have a time of fellowship. We also continued showing our love and support for one another through our monthly Soul Food and Fellowship Breakfast. In 2009 the MOB is looking to establish a new, diverse Men’s Ministry Council and to assist in getting more men involved in all ministries. We also look forward to continued growth in both Soul Food and Iron Sharpens Iron classes. The MOB would like to become more active and visible throughout Bates and to work more with our Youth Ministry. This ministry is established to reach, support and empower Christian men in a holistic way: spiritually, mentally, physically, socially and emotionally. We intend to accomplish this through the following goals. {Reaching up to God in worship and praise. Reaching out to the community to save the lost. Reaching around one another in fellowship and bonding. Reaching down to the hurting to compassionately minister to human need.} We invite all men to join us at Soul Food for Men (Men’s Bible Study and Breakfast) which meets the 2nd Saturday of the month at 8 a.m. at 619 E. Lampton.
R.U.S.H. (Recovering Until Solutions Happens)
The R.U.SH. Mission is to provide a God-centered and Bible focused ministry that will help align the principles of recovery with the word of God for those who are struggling with life recovery issues. Our activities involve an open forum discussion that allows you to bring any issues of concern to the group. All meetings are confidential. We invite you to join God’s people and learn how to live happy, joyful and free. R.U.S.H. meets every first Friday of the month at 6-7:30 p.m. at 620 East Lampton Street .
Security Ministry
This ministry secures the parking lot and checks cars to make sure they are secure. We have men riding the block securing cars parked on the street. We walk out with the Deacons after receiving the offering. We are one of the first members in the church and the last to leave.
Van Ministry
The purpose of the Van Ministry is an opportunity for Christians to provide transportation for those who would like to attend the worship services, but are unable to, due to lack of transportation. This is a very essential part of Sunday and Mid-Week Worship Services as we set out to make access to worship easier eliminating any hindrances that those individuals may have for not attending worship services due to lack of transportation.
Willing Workers
The Willing Workers minister to the seniors of our local congregation. As they minister, their aim is to allow each individual to feel the blessings of being a seasoned saint in our congregation. The Willing Workers provide a time of fellowship as they prepare dinner for our Seasoned Saints every 3rd Sunday after 11:30 service. As they serve, the seniors are able to fellowship and share their wisdom. In 2008 the Willing Workers continued to conduct their monthly 3rd Sunday Meal with door prizes of household needs given to participants. We also had a Season Saints Luncheon at The University Club. Our goals for 2009 are to host a luncheon at the Muhammad Ali Museum along with a tour, continue our visits to the sick and shut-in by our ministry volunteers, host the Seniors Day in November and give gift cards to the seniors for Christmas.
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