The Son & the Sand October 2006
The Baldwin Baptist Association’s Annual Meeting is coming up this month, and since most of our newsletter readers will not be able to attend the two-day event, we thought we would send you the gulf area resort ministries’ annual report in place of our regular monthly update… We are excited to be able to share the good news of Jesus Christ… And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15 Baldwin Baptist Resort Ministry Mission Statement: We seek to share the life changing message of God’s love and grace with hungry hearts and thirsty souls in ways that meet the needs of resort visitors and residents as we challenge and encourage followers of Christ, on Alabama’s gulf coast, to be ambassadors of Christ everywhere they go. We are thankful to be able to share the good news of Jesus Christ… We truly appreciate the churches of the Baldwin Baptist Association for their prayer support, financial support, and encouragement. God’s love and grace is the message that the ministry, its many volunteers, and prayer partners seek to carry to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. We simply could not be effective without your enormous support. In 2006 God’s guidance and direction resulted in a wonderful year of resort ministry on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. This year the resort committee led by Mitch Nelson has helped to better reach out to Gulf Coast residents and visitors with the gospel of Jesus Christ. A special thanks to the committee members for being a team that has sought God’s will. We are consistently partnering with individuals and churches to share the good news of Jesus Christ… A total of over 600 students and adults on mission with the Gulf Area Resort Ministries’ staff have reached out to thousands of Gulf Coast visitors and residents with the gospel of Jesus Christ in 2006. Through our combined efforts many of those we ministered to made decisions for Christ and rededications. This year’s ministry partnerships also led to several commitments to full time mission service. Here is a list of many of our ministry partners: 2006 Spring Break Mission Teams: Calhoun BCM team, Perdido Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Gulf Shores, Lifeway Community Church, First Baptist Church of Orange Beach, & Central Baptist Church (Waycross, GA). We partnered with a staff of 18 summer missionaries in 2006: The following students came from AL, MO, KY, FL, NC, SC, TX, and MS… Chris Dye – barefoot believers intern (bb intern), Chase Rogers – bb intern, Merena Crauswell – regular summer missionary, Jessica Nolte – sojourner, Lana Hall – bb intern, Alicia Christian – regular summer missionary, Courtney Cross -regular summer missionary, Heather Ferguson – regular summer missionary, Katy Maynard – bb intern, Meagan Ballard – regular summer missionary, Chris Porter – bb intern, Ashley Welch – sojourner, Matt Goins – bb intern, Brittany Scott – regular summer missionary, Derrick Fields – bb intern, Ashley Carroll-sojourner, Tony Bush – bb intern, & Lisa Langley – summer assistant to interns It was a privilege to serve alongside such a dynamic and encouraging group of student ministers. Ministry sites included Luxury RV, Gulf Breeze RV, Gulf State Park Campground, the State Park Romar Beach Access, Island Retreat RV, and the Public Beach. In 2006 we added several new ministry sites including The Track, the Caribe Resort, Sea Cove Apartments, the new State Park Beach Pavilion, and the Best Western on the Beach. Throughout the summer we shared the love of Christ with thousands of people. Many Gulf Coast visitors made decisions for Christ, rededications, and commitments to full-time missions service. Looking ahead to 2007… We anticipate another wonderful season of senior adult ministry among our Gulf Coast visitors. (Resort Worship Services at Island Retreat RV, Gulf State Park Campground, Luxury RV, and the Plantation Resort). We will also be involved in the leadership of Snowbird Bible Studies and various Outreach events at Island Retreat RV, Gulf State Park Campground, and Luxury RV. We are excited about the ability to partner with two Mission Service Corp Missionary couples during this snowbird season. Butch and Vi Reik (2nd year) will serve at the Gulf State Park Campground, and Gene and Ruby Buttrey (5th year) will serve at Island Retreat RV. Resort Worship – We pray that God would prick the heart of a camper, usher them into a resort worship service each Sunday, and there our guest would find encouragement, grace, and His love. Snowbird Ministries – Pray for God’s direction and guidance as we adjust to new opportunities. Please pray for everyone at the Baldwin Baptist Association and Gulf Area Resort Ministries as we assess the needs of our county. Pray that God would motivate us with the love of Christ and guide us to identify & meet needs. It was an amazing year. Thank you for your amazing encouragement and powerful prayer support.
