The Clarion Volume 46 Issue 2

February 2017

Our mission is to Encourage, Equip and Engage our network of churches to share the love

of Christ with our communities.

Office Directory 2335 Industrial Drive

Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 785-3115 (800) 727-7707

Fax - (850) 763-9736 www.nwcbap.org

Director of Missions Troy Varnum

troy@nwcbap.org

Ministry Assistant Phyllis Poland

secretary@nwcbap.org

VIM Coordinator Jennie London

vim.nwcba@juno.com

Seafarers Director Ken Hall, Dir.

KHall2523@yahoo.com

FBCH Family Support Counselor

Emily Fidler Emily.Fidler@fbchomes.org

(850) 281-4446

Moderator Michael Petty

mpetty1961@yahoo.com

AFFIRMING THE POSITIVE

Update on our transition to the Mission Center:

We have our sign up at the North Bay property in Lynn Haven. Art of

Iron did a great job. We have also started showing a presence at the new

property by having Ministers’ Conferences, some Peer Groups, and other meeting

there. Our “for sale” sign will be up at the Industrial Drive location any day

now.

We are in the process of cleaning out both the Industrial Drive and the

North Bay buildings and have some items to share with churches. So far, we

have given some of my library, some from our Media Center, tables, shelf,

hymnals, and a van that needed work, among other things. Most items to be

given away are kept in the Fellowship Hall area of the North Bay property. The

best time to see them is right before or after the 11 a.m. Minsters’ Conference

each Monday.

Holy Hill Construction:

The new site plan has been submitted to the City of Parker. This is a

critical step in the process. Please be in prayer as the plans go through the

approval process. Right now, estimates are being calculated for completion of

the project. When plans are approved and I have a working set of figures, I plan

to engage our partners regarding what we can do to help.

This seems like a good place to thank Johnny Sims (Baytowne

Engineering), Joe Robbins (Robbins Construction), and Perry Stevens (Perry

Stevens Constructions) for the education they have given to me in this effort.

Perry has been contractor for the building, which is 90% completed, while

Johnny and Joe have been instrumental in troubleshooting a drainage issue and

suggesting the best way to finish the site in a cost effective yet quality way.

Another essential group is the volunteers who have provided most of the

labor. For years, I have been sharing the blessings of Builders for Christ Mission

Trips. These endeavors have helped several churches complete construction

projects that couldn’t have been done without volunteer labor. Holy Hill was a

way for us to use this resource in our own backyard. We are so grateful for

Frank Sheets and the folks from some of our churches, especially FBC, Panama

City, who have been so faithful throughout this project.

These are just two of the mission investments we are making this year.

As you read this issue of the “Clarion,” we hope you will continue to recognize

the joy and the blessings that God gives us through the collaboration of our

Association.

In Christ,

Troy

VOLUNTEER IN MISSIONS JENNIE LONDON

Volunteer Mission Vision

Update on the Blue Springs Baptist Assembly Grounds – In case you have not yet

heard, the Florida Baptist Convention has gifted the Blue Springs Assembly Grounds at

Marianna to the Baptist College of Florida (BCF). After being used very little for quite some

time, this great facility is now being renovated, mostly by volunteers. And, reservations for

various youth groups have already been accepted for this coming summer.

February 9 - 11, a group of almost 150 Florida Baptist Disaster Relief Volunteers

converged on the grounds, armed with chain saws and some heavy equipment, to clear part of

the land around the existing ball field in order to allow for its expansion. Many trees were cut

down and a lot of underbrush was cleared out. The BCF has also partnered with Campers on

Missions (COM) and they have now declared Blue Springs as their permanent home. Several

members are currently on site in their motorhomes and RVs and are doing volunteer

maintenance work on the motel facilities and other buildings. This is all “Volunteers in

Missions” as only the Lord knows the eternal impact that this facility may provide for many

people in the future.

Back to the past - An update on one of our former ND Partnership pastors – For all

our NWC churches and volunteers who assisted in anyway with Prairie View Community

Church in Fargo, ND, you may like to know that we’ve just learned that Morgan Medford,

former pastor of PVCC, and his wife Jan, moved to Florida late May of last year and are living

in Brandon. Morgan is working on getting CPE units for hospital chaplaincy and is working at

Florida Hospital in Tampa. Jan is working in Sarasota. They plan to move to the Sarasota area

this summer and Morgan hopes to get a position there as a Chaplain. They send their love to

all who assisted them and Prairie View during our ND Partnership from 1998 to 2006. Some

of you may recall that Morgan served as Guest Speaker in our Association for the 2000 North

American Missions Week of Prayer.

In HIS Service,

Jennie London

vim.nwca@juno.com (850) 763-8258

This first month of the New Year got off to a busy start! Five of our homes went through

the relicensing process so that they can continue to provide foster care for another year. That is

exciting! Also exciting is that one of our families has now been providing foster care for three

years and was able to apply for a three year license. They were the first Bay County home

licensed when I started this position, and it is very neat and encouraging to see the commitment

they’ve made to the children who have been in their home, as well as making a commitment to

the future. It is a reminder to me how young our program is here and I stand in awe at all that

God has done in just a few short years!

We have a brand new Bay County home that was just licensed last week! They are ready

to receive their first child and I would ask that you pray that God will prepare them for the child

He will send their way. I am also working with 2 families whose files I will be turning in this

next month and four families who just need to make up a class or two and then will also be

ready for the licensing process!

Speaking of classes, I will be starting a new QPT (Quality Parenting Training) class in

February. I am looking forward to working with even more families who want to be a part of our

foster care ministry! The schedule for the class is as follows:

Feb. 16 - Session 1

Feb. 23 - Session 2

March 2 - Session 3

March 9 - Session 4

March 23 - Session 5

March 30 - Session 6

April 6 - Session 7

All classes will be held at Hiland Park Baptist from 6:00-9:00. Child care is available.

Also coming up is a Complimentary Haircut Day being hosted by Emerald Coast Fellow-

ship for our foster children. I would like to thank ECF for their continual support of our local

foster families!

Please keep our ministry in your prayers, especially as we continue to see growth! I would

appreciate your prayers for our families and also your prayers that as God brings more and

more people to this ministry that He will provide all that is needed to serve in a way that brings

Him the greatest glory!

Blessings,

Emily Fidler, BSW, CWLC

Licensing Specialist

C: 850.281.4446 F: 850.763.9736

2335 Industrial Drive, Panama City, FL 32405

YOU ARE NEEDED IN THE SEAFARERS MINISTRY!!! For several months Ken Hall,

Seafarer’s Ministry Director, has shared in the newsletter and with many in our churches about

the need for additional volunteers in this ministry. Ken shared ships are coming in more

frequently and the need for additional help is greater. If you have read the newspaper or heard

the news, the port is looking to purchase the paper mill, make the pass deeper to allow for those

larger ships to pass through, and this means more ships will be coming to both ports. This is an

amazing ministry where the world comes to our port. The port opened the door to our ministry

when many others desired to be there too. This is a great partnership relationship and we desire

to continue to keep this ministry going.

Ken recently shared about the Captain from the Philippines who’s wife died while here last

year. The captain is back to work and he and Ken were able to share about that experience. He

also shared that there was a new ship from Bulgaria too.

We ask that you pray about how God can use you to spread the Word around the world by

meeting needs and sharing Christ right here in Panama City. If you want to hear more, contact

Ken at 850-596-5990.

Serving on the Mission Field, Ken Hall

Director, Seafarer's Ministry

Seafarer’s Ministry Ken Hall, Director JESUSLOVESYOU@knology.net

Check out our Web site at

www.nwcbap.org

Please verify your church

information and let us

know if corrections are

needed

If you have a new staff

member, please send us

the name, staff position,

beginning start date,

birthday (no year needed),

and if married, spouse

name, anniversary date

including the year.

Panama City Florida –

Distance Education Site

BCF Distance Site Locations

For more information:

(800) 328-2660 ext. 460

Email:admissions@baptistcollege.edu

Continue to pray for

Holy Hill Baptist Church

As they await approval to renew construction

***Make Note****

Bro Troy is available to teach the January Bible Study on the book of

“Malachi.” This study can be taught on consecutive dates, once a week,

or whenever your schedule allows. Just contact Bro. Troy at 785-3115.

Do not forget the Steward Workshop on Monday, February 27, 10:00 a.m.

at New Midway Baptist Church. David Ellis, DOM, Walton Association,

will lead this workshop. Lunch provided.

Minister’s Conference Schedule

All minister’s conferences are at the Ministry Center, 1202 Virginia

Avenue, Lynn Haven, 11 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

February 2017

20 - Presidents Day – Office Closed – No Ministers Conference

27 - Pastor Stewardship Workshop and Lunch – New Midway Baptist

Church – 10:00 a.m. David Ellis, DOM, Walton Association, will be

leading this workshop.

March 2017

6 - NAMB Week of Prayer – March 5 - 12, 2017. Ryan Melson,

Church Planter, New Orleans, LA – will be our guest speaker.

(This meeting preceded by an Executive Committee Meeting

at 10:30 a.m. )

UPCOMING EQUIPPING EVENTS IN 2017

MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND PLAN TO ATTEND

February 16, 2017 Pastor’s Lunch and Learn

Village Baptist Church, Destin, FL

9:00 a.m. to Noon - Lunch Provided

February 23, 2017 Sharper Ministry Conference

First Baptist Church, Panama City

March 11, 2017 Regional VBS Clinic

Hiland Park Baptist Church

8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

March 18, 2017 Prayer Boot Camp with Claude King

Village Baptist Church, Destin

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

April 10, 2017 Evangelism Conference

Baptist College of Florida

3:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Wedding Anniversaries

13 Daniel (Crystal) McNeill, Minister of Music, FBC, Lynn Haven

20 (‘93) Fred (Leslie) Hapner, Min M/Y-FBC, Bayou George

22 Rick (Vickie) McClung, Min of Evangelism – FBC, Panama City

Staff Anniversaries

8 (‘99) Christine Boggs, Secretary-Hiland Park

9 (’16) Robert Denmark, Pastor, Cove Baptist

10 (‘82) Mary Lou Quick, Secretary-FBC, Southport

11 (’98) Craig Conner, Pastor-FBC, PC

12 (‘96) Connie Raffield, Secretary-Immanuel

22 (’16) Steve Rayburn, Int. Pastor, Brannonville

27 (’05) Eddie LaFountain, Pastor, FBC, Mexico Beach

28 (’16) Chad Reister, Assistant Pastor, Carlisle

Birthdays

5 Gene Hodges, Retired Pastor

8 Daniel McNeill, Minister of Music, FBC, Lynn Haven

14 Barbara Bennett, Counseling/Missions Secretary, Gulf Beach

20 Barry Fish, Music Minister, Gulf Beach

26 Sharon Boulian, Ministry Assistant- Carlisle Baptist

FEBRUARY 2017

“And the two shall become one…”

Pastors’ Lunch and Learn | 1st Quarter | West

The West Florida Region will host four Quarterly Regional Pastors’ Lunch and Learn meetings. Each event will have an intentional topic that will give focus to our conversation. All pastors are invited to join us for these conversations. Special guests have been invited to share from their ministry experience and learning.

Location: Village Baptist Church | 101 Matthew Blvd. | Destin, FL 32541

9:00 am—Noon (CST) Lunch provided on site (no registration fees) Register FOR EACH LUNCH AND LEARN YOU PLAN TO ATTEND at www.flbaptist.org

Schedule for Sharper! Conference

First Baptist Church Panama City

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Fellowship Hall

8:30 AM Registration (coffee & light breakfast served)

9:00 AM Welcome (Dr. Craig Conner, Senior Pastor)

Opening Session

A Look at the Tools of Focus (Bill Sears, Executive Pastor)

9:34 AM Panel 1 with Q & A

* Missions (David Flatt)

* Preschool (Cassie Stroud)

* Children (Ginger Owens)

* Music (Ken Brookins)

* Administration (Mark McQueen)

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM Panel 2 with Q & A

* Pastoral Care (Clyde Ellison)

* Sunday School/Discipleship (Jennifer Sims

* Students (Shane Booker)

* Community Evangelism (Rick McClung)

12:00 PM Lunch - Catered by Newks Eatery

12:45 PM Staff Connections

* Pastor (Dr. Craig Conner * Students (Shane Booker)

* Evangelism (Rick McClung) * Music (Ken Brookins)

* Administration (Mark McQueen) * Adults (Jennifer Sims)

* Preschool (Cassie Stroud) * Missions (David Flatt

* Children (Ginger Owens)

HOLE SPONSORS NEEDED

Practice Round

-

- -

Registration

Remember:

Open to the first 130 paid

Golfers!

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WHERE:

- -

WHEN:

WHO:

WHY:

Cost:

Prizes:

-

Format:

REGISTRATION: -

SUBSTITUTIONS:

REFUND POLICY:

DRESS CODE:

- -

hirteenth nnual

Jack rayson

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Disaster elief

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2017 VBS Training

Hiland Park Baptist

2611 N. Highway 231

Panama City, CL 32405

March 11, 2017 @ 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Register at

www.flbaptist.org (events tab)

Speaking Schedule for

Ryan Melson, Church Planter, New Orleans

NAMB Week of Prayer

March 5-12, 2017

Sunday, March 5, 2017:

11:00 a.m. Worship - FBC, Callaway

6:00 p.m. Worship - Carlisle Baptist

Monday, March 6, 2017:

11:00 a.m. Ministers Conference

7:00 p.m. (ET) First Baptist Church of Apalachicola

Tuesday, March 7, 2017:

10:00 a.m. Springfield Baptist WMU

Wednesday, March 8, 2017:

11:00 a.m. Cedar Grove Baptist Church

6:30 p.m. Sand Hills Baptist Church

Ryan Melson currently serves at West Bank Baptist Church (Marrero) in the New Orleans

area. He is married to Michelle and they have two children. He is currently enrolled at

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he is pursuing am MDiv. in Christian

Theology. He is a volunteer chaplain with the Jefferson Parrish Sheriff’s Department and

serves as a city coach for Send Network’s Generation Send.

WHEN:

March 9, 2017

6:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Springfield Baptist Church

3615 E. Third Street

GUEST SPEAKER:

Lewis Miller

West Florida Catalyst

Florida Baptist Convention

MUSIC:

Immanuel Baptist Church

Praise Team

***Fellowship to follow***

Note: Section 2. Each church shall be entitled to send a Pastor and three other Messengers for the

first 100 members and one additional Messenger for each 50 additional members, or the major frac-

tion thereof, provided no church shall be entitled to more than 10 Messengers from each church. All

Messengers and alternates are to be certified by the local church

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