Mission: Brownwood Update

It looks like the door at Market Place might be closing. There is increased hostility from many of the residents being directed toward my wife and my children (and possibly me, but no one talks to me face to face about it), and attendance has been falling. We plan to begin having Wednesday services at the new building on Wednesday nights... but that won't likely start until August.

Awana is still going strong at Brownwood Apts Phase II, with 12 being in attendance Tuesday. We played Bible Bingo and found out the kids have been retaining their lessons and memory verses very well.

Mission: Brownwood April 2009 Report

Grace Pointe MBM signs 1-year lease on vacant church building

The members of Grace Pointe Missionary Baptist Mission held their first successful business meeting the first Sunday in April. The mission voted to rent a vacant church building on U.S. 67/84 in Brownwood for $600/month. Our sponsoring church voted to back the effort and Grace Pointe will move into her new facility in June.

The mission also voted to send 10% of their monthly offerings to missions, with 5% going to the Texas state association and 5% going to Texas Mission Development. Then, Jessica and I were sent outside while they voted to pay me $100 per month.

Grace Pointe MBM attendance solidifies

Attendance in April hovered around 17, with the monthly high being 18, and the low being 16. One encouraging development is the fact that residents from Market Place are now coming over to Grace Pointe, and the fact that all mission members are becoming faithful in their attendance. (Preview – We had 23 in attendance during the first Sunday of May).

Attendance at midweek services at Market Place fell off a little, but Tuesday night Awana attendance is on the upswing.

Awana program nets new families to Grace Pointe

Our Tuesday evening Awana program at the Brownwood Phase II Apartments continues to go well.

April 28, our two core Awana families both called to say they couldn’t make it. That night, I expected a low turnout, but wound up with 16 in attendance. The three families that came said they saw our posters that were put up around the complex. Two of the families just wanted their kids to be a part of something, one family had previously taken their children to Awana, but hadn’t been to church in two years. We are really beginning to see doors opened in Brownwood. (Preview – May 5, Awana Attendance hits an all-time high at 21).

The Numbers….

Attendance
Grace Pointe MBM (Sunday Mornings)

4/5 – 17 ($123.85)
4/12 – 17 ($30)
4/19 – 16 ($253.20)
4/26 – 18 ($80)

Grace Pointe MBM (Tuesday Youth)

4/7 – 8
4/14 – 11
4/21 – 12
4/28 – 16

Market Place (Wednesday Evenings)

4/1 – 16
4/8 – 13
4/15 – 11
4/22 – 12
4/29 – 12

Finances
Grace Pointe MBM

Offerings – 487.05
Northcrest MBC (Andrews) $89.87
John Nickle - $25
Jim Slocumb - $200

Expenses:
Building rent/deposit - $1,200
TMD - $24.35
Texas state missions - $24.35
Pastor salary - $100

Mission: Brownwood Fund

Support:
Salmon (Elkhart) $25
White Rock (Center) $100
MBA of Texas $1,911
Rocky Springs (Jacksonville) $150
Bethel (Tatum) $50
58th Ave (Amarillo) $200
Heritage (Missouri City) $200.07
Quaker Ave (Lubbock) $100
Wyndrock (Abilene) $40
Eastside (Jacksonville) $100
RidgeCrest (Levelland) $25
Memory Lane (Palestine) $50
Nevill’s Chapel (Mt. Pleasant) $159.26
Muse (Grapeland) $200
Hickory Grove (Newport, AR) $97.34

Expenses:
Vehicle expense $1,000
Housing $700
Salary $1,211
General expenses $400

News from the Battlefield

We had 21 at Awana last night, and two workers. I praise God for the numbers, but with the number of kids, ranging from 2 to 9 years of age, and only having two workers, we're going to have to retool our Awana program to better meet the needs of these kids. Hey! Anyone want to come to Brownwood and join our work?

Midweek bulletin

We had 12 at Awana last night, with 5 first time guests. A couple of our core families were out for various reasons.

Beginning next Tuesday, I'll add, yet, another feature to my blog... "How-To Tuesday." Had it not been for the Macedonian Missions Conference at TBI when I was in school, I wouldn't have had a clue as to where to start in getting a mission work started. How-To Tuesday will feature observations and tips I learned the hard way, some that have been offered by those who have been there, and warnings about pitfalls that may come along the way.

Quick Mission: Brownwood update

We had 18 in Awana last night... 16 in morning services last Sunday. We are looking at the possibility of renting a vacant church building, starting sometime in the summer. Grace Pointe MBM has really progressed well over the past four months... I hope it continues!

AWANA update

We had 11 last night and 2 return visitors at AWANA. YAY!

Biggest AWANA Night Ever!!!!

We had 16 in Awana last night!!!! All our core group and one repeat visitor. WHOO-HOOO!

Awana update

Two new kids attended and we had a total of 13 in attendance at Awana last night.

More praises

We had 15 tonight for our first night of Awana. I fully expect this program to take off! Canvassing efforts in Northwest Brownwood are also going well. Look for some additions soon!

Upcoming plans

Youth Bible classes continue through the end of January on Tuesday nights at the Brownwood Apts. Phase II Community Room, at which time we'll launch the Awana program.

We'll wrap up our series on the early life and ministry of Christ Jan. 25. The sermon series for February is "Extreme Home Makeover for Families." I'm considering doing the Jerusalem Priority in March.

Coming soon to Grace Pointe MBC

At the request of the overwhelming majority of the members and attendees at Grace Pointe, we will be launching an Awanas program at the Brownwood Apts. Phase II, hopefully by January.

A proponent of the Discovery Club, I had mixed emotions about this at the start. However, after reviewing the doctrinal statement of the Awanas program, and learning that they do not mind that we teach local/visible church only, and observing the enthusiasm people have for this program... I think going with Awanas is the best option at this point.