Friendship Baptist Association (FBA) pastors joined on May 14th for an association-wide Fellowship Steak Lunch. Bro. Charles Stoops and FBA staff served Cajun blackened rib-eye steaks, baked potatoes, and green beans.
Pastors and their associates from 17 churches were represented. Bro. Jason Jones from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board also attended as a guest speaker. Jason is the Pastor Wellness Catalyst for the Southwest Region.
Updates on Ephesians 4:12
With roughly 35% of the association represented, Dr. Buck Kinney recast the vision of the association training up more church leaders. He shared about the work the Ephesians 4:12 Council is doing in recruiting mentors for Advancing in Ministry (AIM) Levels 2-4.
These mentors are vital to train the adults who enroll in AIM after sensing a possible call to ministry. Additionally, Buck urged churches to consider offering an internship to provide practical experience for these AIM members.
Charles shared on this note that the association wants to “remove all obstacles” a church may have that may prevent them from joining God’s work in raising new leaders. This includes any financial roadblocks.
Both Buck and Charles stressed that the FBA has grants ready for the churches that would benefit from a temporary ministry assistant but lack the necessary funding to pay the internship wages.
GBBI Classes
Buck also shared about the successful conclusion of the Spring ’25 Semester Georgia Baptist Bible Institute classes. The FBA chapter became the first in the state to offer two classes in a semester, something made possible by the roughly twenty students who are receiving training.
The FBA will offer two classes again in the Fall – Biblical Worldview and Servant Leadership.
Buck says these classes are vital to the mission of Ephesians 4:12 and AIM. He encouraged pastors to keep sending students. He says that the classes in the fall will be particularly beneficial to Sunday School teachers or as deacon training.
Calling Out the Called
Charles also encouraged churches to continue participating in Calling Out the Called. So far, five FBA churches have held Calling Out the Called events with nine surrenders into ministry. He credited these events with adding students to the GBBI classes.
Prayer Requests
Churches learned to continue to pray for the young AIM summer interns and for wisdom for Bro. Colten Cannady as he leads this team of high school and college-aged students.
He also asked for pastors to pray for upcoming Calling Out the Called events.
A Plea for Pastors to Take Care of Their Health
Guest Speaker Jason urged the pastors to make their own emotional and mental well-being a priority. It’s a perspective that God taught him through his own ministry. Rather than working until he burns out, the GBMB catalyst said he now wants to see himself faithfully serving God long into the future.
“Burnout is a process,” he reminded the pastors. “We have to take care of our own Spiritual Walk as well.”
He urged pastors to take time to rest. Most importantly, he encouraged them to stay engaged in their own personal prayer and Bible study. He added, “Spiritual malnutrition often leads to physical and emotional burnout.”
GBMB Provides Assistance for Counseling SErvices
The Georgia Baptist Mission Board is investing in the well-being of pastors and their families. Jason Jones shared there is financial assistance available if a pastor or family member requires counseling.
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