December 2008

1 Ministers’ Conference

4 International Friends-last day-

Christmas Break

6 NEGSMO-Gift Wrapping-Tanger II

8 Ministers’ Conference

13 NEGSMO-Gift Wrapping-Tanger II

15 Ministers’ Christmas Fellowship-

Food Provided

16 Sarepta Closes at Noon

17-31 Sarepta Closed for Christmas

Holiday and Staff Vacations

20 NEGSMO-Gift Wrapping-Tanger II

24 Christmas Eve

25 Merry Christmas!

January 2009

1 Happy New Year!

New Year’s Day-Sarepta Closed

5 Ministers’ Conference

8 International Friends-resumes

12 Ministers’ Conference

16-18 GBC Young Women’s Retreat

19 Ministers’ Conference

27 Associational Women on Mission

Fellowship

22-24 GBC Women’s Enrichment Ministry

Leader Retreat

26 Ministers’ Conference

29-30 Women on Mission Leaders’ Retreat

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

Athens, GA

Permit #214

The Sarepta Vision Sarepta Baptist Association 4010 Jefferson Road Athens, GA 30607-1457 Phone: 706-549-5872 Fax: 706-543-3591 www.sareptamissions.org Return Service Requested

November/December 2008

Sarepta Vision “Year of Discipleship”

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“Strategically Aligned to Reach, Evangelize, Proclaim, Teach & Ass imilate”

Volume 10, Issue 11

Director of Missions: Dr. Lex Bowen—lex@sareptamissions.org International Friends Director: Phil Smith—phil.linda66@gmail.com Administrative Assistant: Kara Rebitch—kara@sareptamissions.org Secretary: Betty Johnson—betty@sareptamissions.org Financial Secretary: Emily Fleming—emily@sareptamissions.org

Week of Prayer for International Missions & Lottie Moon

Christmas Offering

November 30-December 7 National Goal: 170 Million

For more information and to order and download material go to: www.imb.org

I want to express my gratitude to the fine folks at Friendship Baptist and their pastor Dr. Larry Elliott for hosting the Annual Meeting in such a wonderful way. There were 180 people in attendance for the evening of reports of inspiration and from various ministries.

I want to report that our Sunday School Mentoring process is going great. We had our third monthly meeting and 140 people in attendance at First Baptist Winterville. We

will have one more meeting in November and then take December off and resume in January. I appreciate Palmer Rehberg, Minister of Education at First Baptist Winterville for coordinating this whole process.

Our LeaderPath group is also continuing strong. The LeaderPath group consists of pastors who have agreed to meet monthly (except June & July) for two years. Our two-hour monthly meeting is divided into two parts: first, we discuss a book that we read as a group and secondly, we have a topic for discussion related to leadership. Occasionally we will have GBC staff lead day-long workshops on leadership topics. I would like to see if there is interest in starting a second LeaderPath Group beginning in January. If you have an interest in being involved in Leader-Path Group #2, please send me an email or give me a call if you have any questions or would like to sign up. If you would like to speak with one of our present LeaderPath pastors, give me a call, and I’ll let you know who they are.

Later this month, I’ll be participating in a two-day Coaching Clinic in Atlanta sponsored by the Atlanta Association. I’ve actually already begun the process through telephone contact from my coach, who is leading me through this process. This training process will conclude in August 2009. At that time I’ll be certified by Dr. Robert Logan to do Coaching 101 training. There are many applications for this process at the associational level.

The holiday season is right upon us! On behalf of the Sarepta Baptist Association Staff, I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

The World At Our Doorstep……………….………………………………………………………Phil Smith

We see good things happen at Beech Haven every Thursday morning during English classes. There is an excitement that accompanies our work every week. One of the most exciting events for me

this year has been the enrollment of the Burmese Karen refugees several weeks ago. They left the refugee camp in Thailand in February of this year. Some had been in that camp for 22 years. Some of them cycled through Jubilee Partners in Comer and went to Atlanta for re-settlement. Others came into the country through a program in Arizona. The two groups are related. The Atlanta group decided that they did not like Atlanta. A similar decision was made in Arizona. The two groups found employment in Oglethorpe County and joined up there. An American friend has been faithful to bring some of them to English classes.

There are 12 adults and 7 children. The adults profess faith in Jesus. Not only are they believers but they are Baptist. They readily and proudly trace their Christian

heritage back to Adoniram Judson, the first Baptist foreign missionary. Judson began that work almost 200 years ago! They have a desire to gather more of their group here and build a church. One of the fluent young men told me, “We will build our church before we build our houses.”

Our contact has been fairly intense during the short time since we met them. Moons Grove provided a large number of blankets. Watkinsville sent loads of clothing and a lot of kids’ items. Someone gave a washer/dryer. Other items have come in as well.

These dear people are safe from the evil government that has carried out genocidal persecution of this group for many years. But they have a huge challenge ahead of them, the extent of which they have no idea about. We have extended fellowship. They need our affirmation. They need our encouragement and friendship. They need our prayers. Please consider personal involvement. You will be blessed! They are our people.

A Line From Lex………………………………………………………………..……………………….....……Page 2 A Line From Lex……………………………………………………………………………………….....……Page 2 Events…………....………..…………………..……………..…………………………………………………….….Page 5

Georgia Baptist Women’s Events

Young Women’s Retreat (a retreat for women 20-30)

January 16-18, 2009 Camp Pinnacle Conference Center, Clayton, Gerogia

Cost: $95-includes meals, lodging and programming fees Program questions: Janet Speer-jspeer@gabaptist.org

Registration questions: Ellen Eklund-eeklund@gabaptist.org ************************************************************

Selah-Women’s Enrichment Ministry Leader Retreat

January 22-24, 2009 Camp Pinnacle Conference Center, Clayton, Georgia

Cost: $150-includes five meals, lodging and program fees For more information: Janet Speer-jspeer@gabaptist.org

or 1-800-746-4422, x329

Christmas for the Children of InmatesChristmas for the Children of Inmates

Angel Tree is a ministry of Prison Fellowship Ministries. Angel Tree Christmas gives churches and individuals an opportunity to share Christ’s love by helping to meet the needs of families of prisoners. Angel Tree Christmas works by connecting parents in prison with their children

through the delivery of Christmas gifts. In most cases, local church volunteers purchase and deliver gifts and share the Gospel with the children of inmates in the name of their prisoner-parent. There are 100 Angel Tree kids in Clarke County without a church or volunteer sponsor. If you are interested in sponsoring these children, please contact Scott Kelly, Georgia Field Director at: Scott_Kelly@pfm.org or 770-529-8090 or toll-free at 866-529-8094. For more information you may go to their website at: www.angeltree.org

2009 State Evangelism Conference

February 23-24, 2009 Blackshear Place Baptist Church

Gainesville, Georgia Speakers: Ergun Caner, Larry Harmon, Geoff Hammond, Ken Hemphill, Fred Luter, Josh McDowell, David Platt, Alvin Reid, Bobby Welch, Ralph West, Larry Wynn, Music: Erica Branch, Rhon Carter, This Hope

For more information: evan.gabaptist.org

Ministers’ Conference Every Monday from

11:30-12:30 Scheduled Dates:

November 24—Stuart Lang,

Associational Mission-GBC

December 1—Scott Kindig, GBC

Youth Ministries

December 8—Bill Prince, Biblical

Principles, Inc., Pathway to Financial

Freedom

December 15—Sarepta Ministers

Christmas Fellowship

Associational News..…………….………………………………………………………………………...……Page 4

VBs 09VBs 09VBs 09VBs 09 You may pre-order now! CALL or email Kara and it

will be Pre-ordered for you shipped free to you in December.

Boomerang Express—Large Sampler-189.99 or Small Sampler-$59.99

Truth Trek—Starter Kit-$99.99

11:30

(Northeast Georgia (Northeast Georgia (Northeast Georgia Special Missions Outreach)Special Missions Outreach)Special Missions Outreach)

Gift Wrapping—We will be reaching out to the shoppers at Tanger Outlets doing free gift-wrapping on December 6, 13, 20. We need your help—we will be on the Tanger II side, which has a higher volume of activity. Volunteers-20-25 per shift, funds to pay for materials-$700-$900. Please contact Kevin if you can help—706-491-7064. Appreciation Platters—We will also be doing platters of goodies for the store employees to be delivered between December 6-13. We need 150-200 platters. Contact Louise Maddox to sign up for platters: 706-795-2619.

Associational ModeratorAssociational ModeratorAssociational ModeratorAssociational Moderator Rev. Jeff WellsRev. Jeff WellsRev. Jeff WellsRev. Jeff Wells Associational ViceAssociational ViceAssociational ViceAssociational Vice----ModeratorModeratorModeratorModerator Dr. Larry ElliottDr. Larry ElliottDr. Larry ElliottDr. Larry Elliott Associational ClerkAssociational ClerkAssociational ClerkAssociational Clerk Barbara HaxtonBarbara HaxtonBarbara HaxtonBarbara Haxton

Nicholson Baptist Church is seeking a part-time secretary-20/week. Call the church office

if interested: 706-757-3412. You may inquire about open positions at our churches by contacting Kara at Sarepta: kara@sareptamissions.org

Lex , Phil, Kara, Lex , Phil, Kara, Lex , Phil, Kara, Lex , Phil, Kara, Emily, BettyEmily, BettyEmily, BettyEmily, Betty

Sarepta will be closed December 17Sarepta will be closed December 17Sarepta will be closed December 17Sarepta will be closed December 17----January 1 for Christmas Holidays and January 1 for Christmas Holidays and January 1 for Christmas Holidays and January 1 for Christmas Holidays and

Staff VacationsStaff VacationsStaff VacationsStaff Vacations

Ministers’ ChristmasMinisters’ ChristmasMinisters’ ChristmasMinisters’ Christmas

FellowshipFellowshipFellowshipFellowship----Sarepta CenterSarepta CenterSarepta CenterSarepta Center

Monday, December 15Monday, December 15Monday, December 15Monday, December 15

11:3011:3011:3011:30----12:3012:3012:3012:30

Food providedFood providedFood providedFood provided Church Positions

Financial…..……...……………………………………….…………………..…………………..…….........……..Page 3

Helpful Hints in Filing the 2008 Form 1099-MISC

The church should have completed a Form W-9 on each self-employed individual or business that conducted services for the church. If the church does not have a Form W-9 or obtained the necessary federal identification of the individual/business, then the church should have withheld 28% of the income as a mandatory federal withholding. The church must issue a Form 1099-MISC to each individual/business that is not incorporated and has earnings of at least $600.00 annually from the church. Usually, the income earned is reported on Box 7 of Form 1099-MISC. The Form 1099-MISC is not given to benevolence recipients. If you would like more information, contact Church Financial Services of the GBC at 1-800-746-4422 or www.churchfinancialservices.org

Organization Oct 2008 Y-T-D 2008

Academy Baptist $100.00 $1,000.00

Apple Valley Baptist $125.00 $1,475.00

Athens First Baptist $275.00 $2,750.00

Athens Korean $210.00 $1,130.00

Attica Baptist $0.00 $500.00

Beaverdam Baptist $0.00 $565.00

Beech Haven Baptist $0.00 $12,279.78

Berea Baptist $90.00 $900.00

Bethany Baptist $0.00 $600.00

Blacks Creek Baptist $185.44 $2,483.29

Cabin Creek Baptist $0.00 $300.00

Calvary Baptist $0.00 $280.00

Carlton Baptist $70.00 $930.00

Center Baptist $71.00 $71.00

Central Baptist $0.00 $740.70

Cleveland Road Baptist $161.77 $1,599.48

Clouds Creek Baptist $144.01 $1,603.47

Colbert Baptist $633.31 $5,871.02

Collier Baptist $279.32 $2,746.68

Comer Baptist $900.56 $8,596.05

Commerce First Baptist $0.00 $5,079.46

Corinth Baptist $0.00 $2,300.00

Crawford Baptist $150.00 $550.00

East Athens Baptist $463.00 $4,486.00

Edwards Chapel Baptist $171.83 $2,276.32

Forest Heights Baptist $0.00 $800.00

Friendship Baptist $0.00 $2,629.73

Glade Baptist $148.16 $1,888.53

Glory Baptist $0.00 $300.00

Green Acres Baptist $623.00 $7,061.00

Grove Level Baptist $250.00 $2,500.00

Hudson River Baptist $79.00 $979.76

Hull Baptist $750.00 $7,500.00

Ila Baptist $256.89 $1,071.56

Johnson Drive Baptist $181.74 $3,041.18

Lexington Baptist $658.00 $8,119.00

Madison Street Baptist $484.37 $5,566.37

Maysville Baptist $1,303.64 $15,490.81

Meadow Baptist $375.00 $850.00

Millstone Baptist $0.00 $36.00

Montgomery Hghts Baptist $380.73 $1,358.82

Moon's Grove Baptist $0.00 $5,836.67

Mount Olive Baptist $0.00 $5,227.60

New Harmony Baptist $200.00 $700.00

New Hope Baptist $0.00 $1,356.91

Nicholson Baptist $0.00 $1,881.64

Oconee Baptist $200.00 $200.00

Oconee Heights Baptist $93.71 $1,092.28

Pendergrass Baptist $0.00 $1,490.91

Pleasant Grove Baptist $106.15 $1,105.87

Prince Avenue Baptist $1,125.00 $12,250.00

Prince Avenue Hispanic Baptist $125.00 $1,250.00

Providence Baptist $291.16 $2,493.83

Riverside Baptist $192.30 $1,830.23

Rogers Baptist $103.20 $1,165.45

Salem Baptist $250.00 $2,250.00

Sandy Creek Baptist $100.00 $1,000.00

Sandy Cross Baptist $0.00 $1,200.00

Stevens Grove Baptist $135.00 $1,469.00

Union Baptist $850.00 $7,650.00

Vesta Baptist $247.00 $1,473.00

Watkinsville First Baptist $500.00 $5,000.00

West End Baptist $0.00 $1,587.45

Winterville First Baptist $1,453.04 $16,988.53

Grand Total: $15,492.33 $196,805.38

SAREPTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

Financial Summary

Balance as of October 31, 2008 (6,499.82)

October Budget 22,430.58

October Budget Receipts 15,183.92

October Budget Expenses 20,234.65

Budget Year-to-Date 224,305.80

Budget Receipts Year-to-Date 195,677.89

Budget Expenses Year-to-Date 202,177.71

Annual Budget 269,167.00

Designated Funds

Mission Development Fund 44,329.62

International Friends 95.00

Disaster Relief 1,517.88

Mission Partnerships 1,249.12

VBS Literature Income 594.09

New Equipment/Repairs Escrow 878.24

SBA History 636.34

Special Events Fund 575.00

Balance in Designated Funds 49,875.29