Dear Friends,

Before I share about us personally, I want to announce a very exciting new ministry that Barnabas Enrichment Ministries is planning.  On November 10^th of this year BEM will be doing a Small Church Conference in Kokomo, Indiana.  This will be the first time that BEM has offered such a conference to small churches, and we hope to see it develop into a ministry that is done in different parts of our country.  Small churches are at the heart of BEM’s service to God’s people.  All of BEM’s missionaries and board members desire to encourage pastors, missionaries, and people of small church congregations.

Here are some of the exciting aspects of our Small Church Conference in November.  This is a one day conference taking place on Saturday.  However, we are having a special time of fun and fellowship the night before for any who arrive early.  (We will have limited housing provided at no charge for those who are staying overnight on Friday.  This is limited and is available on a first come basis.  There are plenty of motels in the area as well.)  On Saturday a children’s program will be provided with activities taking place at the same time the adults are meeting.  Also, there will be a set of free materials given out to each family unit during the conference.

There is no charge for this conference!  This is not because we have no expense in putting this program together.  There will be cost for BEM to hold the conference, but the desire of our organization is to help small churches that are often dealing with financial challenges.  (There will be an offering taken at the conference on Saturday, and BEM has an account set up for anyone who believes the Lord would have them donate to conference expense ahead of time.)

You can register online at this site.  (See the Home page and go to the bottom left and click the link.)

or by mail at

Small Church Encouragement Conference
PO Box 296
Russiaville, IN 46979-0296
 

Now, besides this exciting conference, I want to share what else is happening in our lives!  I have been traveling since the last of July, driving over 4000 miles so far with a couple of thousand left to go!  I have been in Arizona and California speaking in churches, and I am now in Utah for the next few weeks.  I will be home September 19^th.  This trip involves reporting back to supporting churches, a Missions’ Conference, and helping a pastor and his wife as they travel back east and introduce their newborn son to their family.  I am speaking in the church services for them and taking care of their two dogs that are very well behaved!

Beabea is busy back in Indiana with her caregiver responsibilities.  Pray for my mother-in-law, Lillian Stoner, who is having some health challenges.  She is a dear lady, and we want to see her doing better and enjoying life.  Please continue to pray that nothing more will go wrong in our house while I am away.  The sump-pump went out a couple of weeks back, and it caused some flooding in our basement.  Several people from the church we attend in Russiaville came right away and helped Beabea solve the problems.  I am so grateful for the love of those dear friends.

Enjoying my security in Christ,

John

Commissioning Church: Shepherd Road Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1054, Mulberry, FL  33860

Barnabas Enrichment Ministries
P.O. Box 229
Elkhart, IN 46515-0229

(765) 667-2532