Mission: Brownwood May 2009 Report

The top picture is of myself, my wife, a mission member and two members of Northcrest MBC of Andrews, TX, who delivered the pews. The bottom picture is of the front of the building. We have since added a 15'x4' sign to the front.

Grace Pointe MBM moves into vacant church building

May was a busy month for Grace Pointe as we worked tirelessly to get set up in the new building on U.S. 67/84, in order to have our first services June 7. Northcrest MBC of Andrews, TX, delivered our donated church pews. We spent many hours assessing the building improvement needs, getting all the paperwork in order with the city and utilities providers, and getting signs made.

Our current efforts are installing vinyl composition tile flooring in the fellowship hall and kitchen, painting and adding new carpet to the nursery, and installing the appliances. Mission members are providing the labor, so the only expense we are incurring has been for materials.

We also spent money on promoting the new work through radio advertising. Our first Sunday services in the new building saw 23 in attendance, with more than $500 being collected in offerings.

Missionary Baptist Churches greatly support Brownwood work

I stand in awe at the progress we have made so far as a mission. We began having public services back in November 2008, and have grown from 5 to 23 in eight months, have rented building facilities, and are poised to make a bigger impact on Brownwood.

Much of our accomplishments were made possible by the faithful support of our sister churches.

We had no problem paying the building deposit, turning on utilities, furnishing the building, putting up signs, and promoting the work because the churches of the MBA of Texas, and one church in Arkansas have faithfully supported out work financially and prayerfully.

Thank you for giving us the tools to do this work.

Attendance

Grace Pointe MBM (Sunday Mornings)

5/3 – 23
5/10 – 23
5/17 – 18
5/24 – 22
5/31 – 18

Grace Pointe MBM (Tuesday Youth)

5/5 – 21
5/12 – 16
5/19 – 12
5/26 – 9

Market Place (Wednesday Evenings)

5/6 – 10
5/13 – 10
5/20 – 11
5/27 – 11

Finances

Grace Pointe MBM
Offerings – $928
Memorial MBC (Rusk, TX) $600 (3-months)
John Nickle (Rusk, TX) $25
Southwest Assoc.Mission Rally $235.47
Cathy Copeland (Brownwood) $315
Northcrest BC (Andrews, TX) $100.37
Beacon BC (San Angelo, TX) $115
Beacon Ladies Aux $35

Expenses:
New checks - $16.33
TMD - $46.40
Texas state missions - $46.40
Benevolence - $75
Leland salary - $100
Banking - $3

Mission: Brownwood Fund
Support:
MBA of Texas $1,911
Denson Springs MBC (Grapeland) $100
Heritage BC (Missouri City, TX) $200
White Rock MBC (Center, TX) $100
58th Ave MBC (Amarillo, TX) $158.15
Bassett Rd BC (Palestine, TX) $75
Bethel MBC (Tatum, TX) $50
Quaker Ave BC (Lubbock, TX) $100
Rocky Springs MBC (Jacksonville) $200
East Side BC (Jacksonville, TX) $100
Memory Lane MBC (Palestine, TX) $50
Hickory Grove MBC (Newport, AR) $108.17
Wyndrock MBC (Abilene, TX) $40
Nevill’s Chapel MBC (Mt. Pleasant, TX) $192.21

Expenses:
Salary: $1,211
Hymnals: $419.70
Brownwood Water Dep. $100

Building Fund
Balance Forward - $300.06

Sublett Road MBC (Arlington, TX) $50
First Baptist Church (Arp, TX) $120

Ending Balance - $470.06

Mission: Brownwood Feb 09 Report

Grace Pointe attendance solidifies

Grace Pointe actually saw an improvement in attendance in February. We saw our low attendance at 11, with a high attendance of 15.

Another encouraging sign is the fact that our core is becoming more consistent in their attendance. In fact, one of our newest members actually had the hours of her new job worked around church services.

Our youth programs on Tuesday night got off to a good start. Our high attendance was 15 on Feb. 3, with a low attendance of 6 on Feb 24.

We set a new record for average attendance at Market Place for Wednesday evening attendance. That average attendance was 14. Our high attendance was 17 on Feb. 18. Our low was 12.

Core Group and regular attendees progress

One of our regular attendees from Market Place is now attending Sunday services at Grace Pointe and is taking an active role in the ministries of our mission.

One of our core families has not only become more faithful in their attendance, but they are actively applying the teaching and preaching to their lives and are making Spiritual and practical progress.

Grace Pointe’s core group is now mulling VBS plans for this summer.

Thank you for your prayers.

Building fund off to slow start

There are currently three church buildings on the market in Brownwood, with a fourth that could be purchased with the right offer.

These buildings range in price from $150,000 - $250,000. One will soon be available for rent for $600/month. I think we should expect to pay approximately $150,000-$175,000.

Currently, we have $300 in our building fund.

Our plans for Grace Pointe’s organization are not contingent on having a building. However, in West Central Texas, buildings can be a useful tool when it comes to visibility, as well as offering sufficient space for worship services and teaching ministries.

KSTA Radio suffers serious technical damage

I am employed as the station manager for KSTA radio in nearby Coleman, Tex., a position I have held since July 2008.

This month, KSTA’s main studio console failed, forcing me to make alternate broadcast arrangements and consuming much of my time with technical adjustments, plus additional weekend monitoring.

As of the writing of this report, the issues have been repaired. However, the added stress and lost time related to this incident have taxed the mission immeasurably.

Mission: Brownwood returns to the Brownwood Housing Authority

In March, Ken and Barbara Sibley will bring their program to Brownwood. We are planning a three-day event which will include presentations at Market Place, the Brownwood Housing Authority and Grace Pointe MBM. We are really excited to reconnect with the kids we ministered to at the housing authority.

By The Numbers….

Attendance

Grace Pointe MBM (Sunday Mornings)

2/1 – 11
2/8 – 14
2/15 – 11
2/22 – 15

Grace Pointe MBM (Tuesday Youth)

2/3 – 15
2/10 – 9
2/17 – 13
2/24 – 6

Total Grace Pointe Offerings: $415

Market Place (Wednesday Evenings)

2/4 – 15
2/11 – 12
2/18 – 17
2/25 – 12

Finances

Support

Heritage BC (Tyler, TX) $100
John Nickle (Rusk, TX) $25
MBA of Texas - $1,911
Denson Springs MBC (Grapeland) $100
White Rock MBC (Center, TX) $100
Muse MBC (Grapeland, TX) $200
58th Ave MBC (Amarillo, TX) $102.39
East Side MBC (Jacksonville, TX) $100
Quaker Ave MBC (Lubbock, TX) $100
Wyndrock MBC (Abilene, TX) $40
Nevill’s Chapel MBC (Mt. Pleasant, TX)
$150.29
RidgeCrest MBC (Levelland, TX) $25
Memory Lane MBC (Palestine, TX) $50
Bethel MBC (Tatum, TX) $50

Expenses

Salary - $1,000
Housing - $700
Insurance allowance - $211
Multi-media projector - $703.61
Brownwood Housing Authority Community Center Rental - $100

(From Grace Pointe’s account)
Youth ministry curriculum - $953.