Monthly Archives: January 2015

EBO at Work: Making the impossible possible

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Randy McPheron, Director of Missions for Rockcastle Association, could hardly contain his excitement when he shared Teddy’s story with me.  Teddy Fulton wanted to give public commitment to his faith in Christ and be baptized in a church.  The challenge was that Teddy, age 24 at the time of this story had been left paralyzed after an accident at 16.

A resident at Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center, Teddy told Luther Allen, hospital chaplain, that he wanted to be baptized and he wanted it to take place in a church. Considering his medical condition, this was impossible. But because of a grant from the Eliza Broadus Offering, the impossible was made possible.

This story actually began in 2010 when the Rockcastle Baptist Association Jail Ministry applied for an EBO grant to help them purchase a portable baptistry.  The ministry was featured in our 2012 materials, including a video of B.J. Bradley holding a baptism at the jail.

When Teddy asked to be baptized in a church, Randy asked if the portable baptistry could be used. After several meetings, it was determined that the best option was to set it up at Northside Baptist Church and take Teddy and a medical team there.  A maintenance crew built a special platform that would allow the wheels of a hydraulic lift to fit underneath. A special face tent and cover for Teddy’s tracheostomy were designed.

On a Sunday afternoon about 50 people gathered at Northside Baptist Church to help Teddy experience baptism as his public confession of Christ as Savior.  His mother and sister drove from South Carolina to be there. Also present was his Kentucky family, including about three dozen employees of Rockcastle Regional, many attending on their own time to show support.

Last week the Kentucky WMU Finance Committee met to review 89 applications for grants from the 2014-15 Eliza Broadus Offering. Great prayer and discernment is required in making these decisions each year as there are always more requests than funds.

Your faithful giving makes it possible for us to provide grants to ministries across Kentucky. EBO is received all year long and we have not yet reached our goal of $1,250,000 for the 2014-15 offering year. Focus on WMU in February is a great time to receive the offering again to ensure that requests like the one in 2010 from Rockcastle can be filled and keep making an impact for years to come!

PS: You can also give to the Eliza Broadus Offering online!

Annual Meeting Opportunity through Adult Kentucky Changers

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA special opportunity to be involved in Adult Kentucky Changers will take place in the days leading up to the 2015 Kentucky WMU Annual Meeting.  On April 7-9, 2015 (Tuesday-Thursday), Adult Kentucky Changers will work in and around the city of Lawrenceburg doing much needed repairs to two homes and a community center.

Adults 18 and older are invited to join the effort to share Christ and minister to people in need. The Adults Changers will be doing repairs such as roofing, painting, light carpentry work, plumbing, landscaping, and general cleaning.  There will be an experienced Crew Chief to oversee each project and there will be something for everyone to do.

Participants may stay at Lawrenceburg First Baptist Church, arriving on Monday evening, April 6, or by 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7.  The cost per person is $35 and includes morning and evening meals at the church. Sack lunches will be delivered to job sites each day. Adult Changers will not only have a Kentucky Changers project experience, but they will also have a time of praise and worship on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.  The final celebration will be part of the Kentucky WMU Annual Meeting on Friday evening when the homeowners will be invited to come and participate in the evening session.

The Kentucky WMU Annual Meeting will be April 10-11 at the Sand Spring Baptist Church. Special guests include Debby Akerman, national WMU president; Sister Christian Drama; international missionaries. There will be a prayer rally at the state capitol on Friday afternoon as well as ministry projects at the church. The Friday evening session includes a commissioning service for Kentucky missionaries as well as the Kentucky Changers celebration. On Saturday there will be a missions block party.

10649899_10152679438212834_5523562800521635176_nCome early to the Annual Meeting and join in Adult Kentucky Changers.  Staying at the church is optional but past participants will tell you it is part of the fun and camaraderie.  For more information and registration, contact Peggy Murphy.  Email: [email protected].   Phone: 502-489-3457.