Tenth Annual Missionary Conference - "Holding the Rope"

October 17-21, 2009: Faith Baptist Church in Water Valley, Mississippi, held its Tenth Annual Missionary Conference. The theme of the 2009 conference was "Holding the Rope," which refers to the importance of the local church being faithful in the support of worldwide misssions.

The conference began with an Annual Missionary Banquet in the church's Gymnatorium Building at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening October 17. The banquet featured a film presentation titled "God's Plodder" which was produced by Baptist International Missions, Inc. Dr. James Ray, president of B.I.M.I. narrated the documentary film on the life and ministry of William Carey. Carey is quoted as saying that he was willing to go to India as a missionary if the Baptist churches in England would remember to "Hold the Rope" in supporting the effort.

Pastor Bob Hill introduced Missionary-Evangelist, Lynn Potts, as the keynote speaker for the conference. Lynn Potts, and his wife, Linda, presented the first two sessions. The husband and wife team represented their Pictures and Praise Ministry. Linda, a talented chalk artist, drew as her husband spoke. Brother Potts brought two messages, one on Sunday morning and one on Sunday evening. The messages were "Holding the Rope for Missions" and "We Do Not Well, If We Do Not Tell." Special music for the day was presented by sisters-in-law Sarah Anne Hill and Rebekah Hill (pianist).

On Monday night, Tommy Miles, Assistant to the Director of the Bible Education and Missionary Society (B.E.A.M.S.), presented the ministry of his organization. B.E.A.M.S. buys and ships whole, hardback Bibles to some 2000 missionaries around the world. Brother Miles, along with his wife, Stephanie, and his daughter, Katie, provided special music for the evening. At the close of the session, members of Faith Baptist Church sponsored the shipping of fifteen cases of Bibles around the world.

The Junior Boys' Wednesday Night Prayer Group saved aluminum cans for several months and presented Brother Miles a check to buy and ship Bibles to missionaries around the world. Mr. Cliff Phillips and his boys class gave a check for almost $250.00.

Missionary-Pastor Bill Fluker, who serves under B.I.M.I. in a church planting ministry in Jackson, Mississippi, spoke on Tuesday night of the conference. Faith Baptist Church has supported the work of Bill and Fannie Fluker in Jackson for several years. In his session, Brother Fluker addressed the importance of guarding against things in life that would distract the church's effort in "Holding the Rope" in support of world missions.

The conference ended on Wednesday evening, October 21, with veteran missionaries Norm and Pat Brockway. The Brockways served for over twenty-five years in central Mexico under Maranatha Missions. They are currently on extended furlough in the United States. During this most recent stay, Brother Brockway has already started a church for hispanic speaking people in Warner-Robbins, Georgia. Faith Baptist Church has supported the Brockways since 2001.

Faith Baptist Church is located at 1300 Eckford Street in Water Valley, Mississippi, one block East of Central Street. The church is the home of Faith Christian Academy (Grade Levels 1-12) which is currently in its thirty-first consecutive year in serving the greater Water Valley - Oxford area. Dr. Bob Hill, pastor, extends a cordial invitation to attend the church where every visitor is an honored guest.