Newsletter Date

August 2016

The Alpha Bit Volume 26 Issue 11

Inside this issue:

Pastors Corner 1

Church News 2

Christmas in August 2

Youth Retreat

Summit 2016

3

Right to Life update 3

Monthly Income

Birthday’s Anniversaries

Contact info

4

Youth Retreat Registration

And letter

Sunday School Training

5-8

9

The Alpha Bit Volume 26 Issue 11

PASTORS

CORNER Pastor Wayne Rowan

Lick Creek Baptist Church Who would you classify as a true

friend? We all will have many friends

throughout our lifetime, but if we have

2 or 3 really true friends we are

blessed. Sometimes this friend may

live in another part of the nation and

you may not be able to see them as

often as you would like. They may live

next door to you and see them all the

time. It makes no difference. True

friendship knows no boundaries.

I had the funeral of one of my closest

friends...and it was a difficult task but

also a blessing for me. It was difficult

because of the knowledge that I would

not be able to fellowship with him any

longer on this earth and a blessing be-

cause he would not suffer any longer.

He had a heart that served the Lord

and His church and he loved people. A

year ago I attended the funeral of an-other true friend. He was my mentor

and father in the Lord. I will miss

these two men and the influence that

they had in my life.

You learn so much from true friends.

You can share your burdens and sor-

rows with them and they will be hon-

est with you about what needs to be

done. They will correct you when you

are wrong and cry with you when you

hurt, they will laugh and sing with you

when you are rejoicing. There is noth-

ing like the fellowship of a true friend.

I will miss these two men.

No matter how hard we try to stay

strong for the families of our friends

we can’t hold back the tears. Even

though we know where they are, we

still long for them and set in the dark

and think of them. Sometimes we even

feel that we have been cut off and are

alone in our walk without them, even

when we are surrounded by so many

other people.

My wife is the closest friend that I have

and she knows that even though she is

with me, I still need the relationship

that I once had with them. She is won-

derful and always is there for me, but in

a different way. I know that Jesus is a

friend that sticks closer than a brother,

but I know that He understands our

need for fellowship with a true friend.

Bro. Ed Griffin was my mentor and

true friend. He died from cancer and it

came suddenly. His precious wife and

children understood the relationship

that we enjoyed. We would talk two

or three times each month and we

would listen to each others problems

and give each other advice and we

would pray for each other. He was a huge LSU fan and I am a VOL fan. We

would talk on the phone during every

ball game. I miss those talks.

Continued on page 2

This is the SECOND edition

with the new section called

Pastor’s Corner. All pastors

current and retired, Youth,

Assistant Pastor are encouraged

to prayerfully consider what you

can submit for this new column.

PASTORS—-Put the date

September 15 on your calendar

all Pastors have been invited to

a Pastor’s Appreciation Dinner

sponsored by the Gideon

Organization. Location:

Farifield Baptist Church. Date:

September 15th

Time: 6:30 pm

Page 2

Pastors corner Continued from page 1

Bro. Ed and I would meet to conventions and Bible

conferences for many years following our move back

to TN in 1984.

Bro Conyer Walker was my brother in the Lord and

my true friend. He died on November 30, 2011 and

was only 60 years old. He was the Pastor of Open

Door Fellowship Baptist Church. The church met in

his home. His wife Helen helped him with the small

church and they held services on Sunday mornings

and Wed. nights. It was a small group of believers that

loved their pastor and helped meet his needs. He

died getting ready for Wednesday night service. Bro.

Conyer had heart valve surgery several years ago and during the surgery he had a brain stem stroke. This

left him blind for about a year and he also resembled

one with cerebral palsy. This caused him to have diffi-

culty in speech and mobility.

He and I made many trips together to various meet-

ings

and conventions across the state. He enjoyed life to

the fullest. Some folks have asked me why I would

take him places with all of the difficulties that he had

and I would simply say that it was not a burden be-

cause he was my brother. If you ever met Conyer

you would never forget him. He had such a zest for

life and he would say that he was perfect and every-

one else had a problem. He was my true friend.

So, now I have to seek out someone to take their

place in my life. It will be a labor of love. You see, I

have three other men that I can look to for that type

of relationship. We are already good friends. They

are godly men who serve the Lord with uncompro-

mising faithfulness. Two of these men live in Jackson TN and the other in Memphis. They are great men

who understand the sacrifice of service. I pray that

some day we all can say without a doubt that we are

all true friends.

So, as I finish this, let me say that I pray that everyone

who reads this has someone that they can call their

true friend. Someone who will always be there for

you no matter what happens in your life.

Romans 8:28

The Alpha Bit Volume 26 Issue 11

New Life

Most Sunday and Wednesday nights we enjoy

a bible lesson and then we begin a rousing

game of Bible Jeopardy or Wheel of Bible

Knowledge! It is amazing how much you can

learn from these games and have fun doing it.

The games are all designed by Mrs Milam and

the subject matter is applicable to the les-

sons.

Pastor Jerry Milam

Please send in the news you would like

to share. How was your VBS? There is

always room for more.

Your mission group can directly help a North

American Missionary with items needed for

ministry and outreach. You can find step-by-

step instructions and a list of missionaries at

www.wmu.com/christmasinaugust.

Tuesday night the 2nd of August clerks and

secretaries from all over this association

gathered for good food, fellowship and a bit

of training. Libby Eaton from the TBC came

and explained the TeD system as well as a

question and answer time regarding the im-

portant duties of the church clerk. We had

22 ladies attend. Thank you all! Remember

those ACP’s!

Page 3 The Alpha Bit Volume 26 Issue 11

The battle still rages over the

life rights of the unborn. Please

be in prayer as Brian Harris and others

go in our stead to defend this very basic

right. Life. There has been a recent set-

back with the Supreme Court Striking

down health provisions in the State of

Texas. The life of these young ones need

your support more than ever. Here in

Tennessee we are in a battle to maintain

what we have already settled, Prop 1.

Judge Sharpe has a momentous decision

and Planned Parenthood is fighting tooth

and nail to repeal this amendment.

Please contact the state office at

615 298 LIFE, info@tnrtl.org ,

www.tnrtl.org or toll free 1 877 Choose

Life to see what YOU can do!

Program Personalities Steve Gaines SBC President and Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN

Thom Rainer President and CEO, LifeWay Church Re-sources, Nashville, TN

O. S. Hawkins President and CEO, GuideStone Financial Resources, Dallas, TX

Travis Cottrell Worship Pastor, Englewood Baptist Church, Jackson, TN

YOUTH LEADERS:

Hey! This is a great opportunity to meet and

make friends with fellow Christians from your

tri-county area—-don’t miss out this Septem-

ber 9-11 come out to Linden Valley!!

Bro Eddie Boyd and Carrie work very hard to

instill Christ first in this youth event and they

sprinkle in a lot of fun too!

Alpha Youth Retreat

September 9-11 2016

Save the date!!

Jeff Williamson:

Director of TBC IMPACT Camp for

10yrs

Participated in international Mission

Trips

Favorite Verse - John 15:13 -

Favorite Bible Account - Jonah

Lesson writer for Lifeway and Interlinc

Remember, you must be a cooperative giving church in order

to register any member of your church as messenger.

NOV. 13-17, 2016 SEVIERVILLE CONVENTION CENTER,

SEVIERVILLE

See the back pages for registration forms and further information

Moderator: Bryan Thomas

Vice-Moderator: Keith Fulton

AUGUST

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Page 4 Treasurer: Becky Hamilton

Clerk:

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 2016

AUGUST 2016

2-3

9-11

15

15

Pine Grove Creek Revival Pitch a tent 6 pm

to 6 pm all welcome

Youth Retreat and Mission Linden Valley

Registration see last pages for details

ACP’s are due

Pastor’s Appreciation Dinner Sponsored by

the Gideon’s Fairfield Baptist Church 6:30

pm.

Contact Us at :

PO Box 219

Office: 931.729.4571

alphaba1960@gmail.com

The Alpha Bit Volume 26 Issue 11

18

Sunday School Training FBC Linden

Pastors and Ministry staff:

Shepherds' Haven of Rest Ministries

To RENEW their spiritual lives, their walk with the

Lord, their marriage, and their ministry through wor-

ship, relaxation, solitude, biblical guidance, and encour-

agement.

To REFRESH their bodies, minds, and spirits.

To REFOCUS their sense of God’s calling and purpose

for their lives.

To RESTORE their passion for God, for their mar-

riage, and for ministry. The long-term goal of the min-

istry is to help curb the dropout rate of pastors and to

see men serve the Lord in power and

joywww.shorministries.com

7 Enlo Ray Jansto Wrigley

20 Art McCormack, Garrett

22 Rev. & Mrs. Ken Stone, Calvary Bible

23 Rev & Mrs. Jerry McDonald, New Hope

23 Jetta Smith, Hohenwald 1St Music

25 Tom Jansto Wrigley

27 Bryan and Jessica Thomas, Maple Valley

30 Barbara Fulton, FBC Linden

MONTHLY RECEIPTS JULY 2016

Beginning Balance

Bread of Life

Calvary Bible $100.00

Centerville, 1st $95.67

Cross Roads $100.00

East Hickman

Edgewood

Fairfield 648.58

Faith

Flatwoods

Garrett $55.00

Highland $401.00

Hohenwald, 1st $642.00

Lick Creek $55.77

Linden, 1st

Lobelville, 1st $50.00

Maple Valley $87.05

New Beginnings $300.00

New Hope $1,200.00

New Life $20.00

Pine Grove $225.00

Pinewood, 1st $761.19

Piney $37.50

Swan Creek $640.00

Tom's Creek $374.13

Wrigley $59.94

Total Church Giving $5,852.83

Registration Deadline Monday August, 29th 2016

Name:_________________________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________________

Name of Church:__________________________________________________________________

Permission of Parent or Guardian:_____________________________________________________

Emergency Contact:______________________________Phone Number______________________

Adult Teen Male Female

Shirt Size: Small Medium Large X-Large 2XX 3XX

Registration Fees

This year will once again be a two night retreat. This is what I feel God is leading us to do. This will allow

those who cannot make it for Friday night to still be able to have the experience of Saturday night. Please

check the nights that you will be attending below:

September 11-12 $85.00

September 12-13 $85.00

September 11-13 $115.00 Make checks payable to Alpha Baptist Association

Additional costs will be collected at camp:

Paint Ball $25.00 ZIP Line $ 8.00 per zip

(Bring old clothes) Kayaking 2 person $27.00

Must have shoes

Youth Retreat 2016 September 9-11 Page 5

Alpha Baptist Youth Retreat

Is summer really almost over. I always heard that

time flies and that it goes even faster the older you

get. I will attest to the fact that those people were

correct. Life keeps going by faster and faster. It

seems like one day we are celebrating the new year

and the next we are putting the turkey in the oven

for Thanksgiving. We have so many people that we

come in contact with in our hectic lives. These

people are eternal souls and many of them are

longing for someone to step out of the fast lane and

let them know that someone cares and there is more

to life than just getting through and there is an

Awesome God who loves them so much that He

died for them. In John 13:34 Jesus tells us to love

like He loves us. That would be to love with a love

that gives up our desires and puts others first. This

year we are going to discuss how to put others first

and go be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are going

to serve the people of Linden and the surrounding

area with the Love of our Lord. The world needs

fixing. The world needs rescue. We have the answer

Page 6

July 29 2016

Our Retreat will be a two night retreat. This will

allow those who cannot make it for Friday night to

still be able to have the experience of Saturday

night. For those who can stay for both nights then

that is just an added blessing with your students.

The cost is for the retreat is kept as low as possible

because we want everyone that wants to attend to

be able to attend.

One night (either Friday or Saturday) - $85.00 per

person. This will include one night in the

bunkhouse, four meals and a t-shirt.

Two night - $115.00 per person. This will include two

nights in the bunkhouse, five meals and a t-shirt.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:

Monday August, 29th 2016

Your registrations need to be in to the Alpha office

by this date for us to be able to make sure you get a

t-shirt and we have time to make final preparations

for the weekend. If your registration is not in by

this date we cannot guarantee that you will receive a

t-shirt.

The pool will be open on Saturday for those who

would like to swim. Please only wear appropriate

swim suits. We cannot be the clothing police so we

ask that you as leaders take on this responsibility to

make sure that everyone is dressed appropriately.

We ask that all students both boys and girls wear a tshirt

while in the pool.

Page 7

Suggested items to bring with you.

1. Bible

2. Bedding. Most of us just utilize a sleeping bag

and pillow on the bunk beds.

3. Toiletries. While bathing is not required,

showers are available and appreciated.

4. Changes of clothes. There are many

opportunities to get dirty at Linden Valley.

5. A hunger to draw closer to The Lord. While

being clean and rested is important in this life

there is nothing more important than our

relationship with Jesus.

Again please pray for our retreat and the workers.

God is great and powerful all the time. We are weak

and powerless all the time. We need His power to

do anything that will be of eternal consequence.

Please feel free to contact me or the office with any

questions. You can reach Ruth at the office at

931-729-4571.

Your Brother by His Grace

Eddie

615-347-0396 ecboyd@bellsouth.net

Page 8

Page 9

Sunday School Training will be offered at FBC Linden on Thursday August 18th at 6:00 PM.

The trainers will be:

Pastor’s and SS/DT directors Mark Miller

Adults Ken Marler

Youth Jimmy Andrews

Children Vicki Hulsey

Preschool Ann Oliver

The schedule is:

6:00 to 6:30 PM Motivational/Inspirational Message (Mark Miller)

6:30 to 6:50 PM General Q & A with our Trainers

6:50 to 7:05 PM Snack Break

7:05 to 7:55 PM Age Group Training Sessions

7:55 to 8:00 PM Closing

For any additional information:

Rev. Keith Fulton

Pastor, FBC Linden

e-mail kbfulton1@gmail.com

Phone 931-589-2227