A Word From The Coordinator

A few days ago I attended a workshop held on the campus of Georgetown College. The event, “Communication is Key,” provided excellent examples of two facets of our mission:  providing resources for churches and individuals and accomplishing work through partnerships.

 

Over 30 participants were provided with four key practices for a healthy congregation.  We looked at internal as well as external communication, and the cultural, societal and global shifts in communication processes. 

The Center for Congregational Health, based in North Carolina, actually planned and implemented the workshop through the capable leadership of Natalie Aho, Communications Specialist for the Center.  The success of the workshop is an example of the value of partnerships. The event, as I’ve already mentioned, was held on the campus of Georgetown College and was co-sponsored by the college, Baptist Seminary of Kentucky and Kentucky Baptist Fellowship.

In addition, the makeup of those who attended the workshop was different than most meetings KBF co-sponsors.  Leaders from several denominations attended, including Lutheran, Episcopal, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Baptist.  Fittingly, we can thank another KBF partner for the participation of these non-Baptists.  Marian McClure Taylor with Kentucky Council of Churches, shared information about this workshop with churches and individuals who partner with KCC.  Fourteen leaders from seven non-Baptist congregations responded by attending. 

We, at Kentucky Baptist Fellowship, take seriously our responsibility to provide resources for congregational leaders.  We also value partnerships and diversity. 

CBF General Assembly

June 20-23, 2012

Ft. Worth, Texas 

Join us on Thursday, June 21 for our KBF state meeting at 4pm. 

Learn more and register at www.thefellowship.info/Assembly

Read the May 2012 KBF Newsletter

May 2012 KBF Newsletter

Extreme Build: June 8 - 16, 2012

Fees for 2012:
1-2 Days on site - $40 per person
3-4 Days on site - $75 per person
5+ Days on site - $100 person
(Fee includes donation towards house, meals, t-shirt and incidentals. 
You are responsible for making your own accomodations in McCreary County)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

CONTACT JOSH SPEIGHT FOR INFO

Pictures from KBF Youth Mission Weekend

Jackson, KY - March 23-25, 2012

Louisville, KY - March 9-11, 2012

Kentuckians Join Other Goodwill Baptist In Visit To White House

Photo: EthicsDaily.com

By Bob Fox, Pastor, Faith Baptist Church, Georgetown*

White House Invitation:  those were the three words on the subject line of the e-mail.  I didn’t read it immediately, even though it was from Robert Parham (the director of the Baptist Center For Ethics) so I knew it was something more important than the usual Canadian pharmacy offers.  But still, I expected it was some story about someone else so I put off looking at it.

What a surprise it was when I finally dug to the bottom of the e-mail pile and found that this was not someone else’s story, but the beginning of a chapter in my story.  BCE and the D.C. Baptist Convention, I learned, had organized a meeting between senior officials of the Obama administration and a group of some sixty Baptists with concerns around social justice.

I had no idea why I would be included in this small group, but I immediately replied my acceptance.  But the event was still shrouded in mystery.  I did not know who else was going to be there and I really didn’t know what was going to happen.

On the morning of our meeting we gathered at the D.C. Baptist building for coffee and introductions.  I was pleased by the diversity of the group.  Black, white, male, female, younger, older, big city, small town—all were represented.

Click to read more ...

2012 KBF Mission Offering: Morocco

View of Oujda, Morocco from forest where refugees liveWhat The Picture Doesn't Show
By Roy Fuller

(The following article is part of a series in coordination with the 2012 KBF Mission Offering)

This photo is like so many: an overview of a city from a vantage point on a hill at the edge of town.

The city in this case is Oujda, Morocco. Located in the far east of the country, Oujda is far removed from the well-worn tourist destinations of Fes and Marrakesh.

Members from Highland Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., journeyed there in July 2011 as part of our partnership between the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship and the Protestant Church of Morocco and their work with migrants.

We wanted to see the place where many migrants and refugees enter Morocco with hopes of perhaps eventually making it into Europe and the promise of improved opportunities.

Click to read more ...

March 2, 2012 Tornado Response

KY Gov. Steve Beshear visits West Liberty. (photo by Captain Stephen Martin, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs

UPDATE: 
Laurel County is in need of volunteers to help bag debris and get it to roadways.  Contact East Bernstadt Fire Department (606-843-6511).   

Kentucky Baptist Fellowship and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship are not disaster relief organizations, but do respond when major disaster strikes.  The recent tornado's in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio have caused widespread damage.  KBF is working with KY Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (KY VOAD) to determine the need and the role we can play in the future.

At this time, we are not directly receiving or collecting donations.  We will follow the lead of KY VOAD and help when asked.  When donations and volunteers are organized, we will notify our network.  Monetary donations are accepted at this time to our KBF Disaster Response Fund.   

GIVE NOW BY CLICKING HERE and noting that the money is for Disaster Response (or you may mail a check to the KBF office at 225 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy, Suite 205, Louisville, KY 40222)

Here is additional information from Kentucky.Com about tornado help agencies.

Click here for information about CBF Disaster Response

Additionally, if you or your church community is in need after this storm or you will be organizing your own volunteer efforts, please notify KBF's Disaster Relief Coordinator Jan Causey and KBF Associate Coordinator Josh Speight.

Although not a disaster relief organization,Kentucky Baptist Fellowship responds when major disasters strike through its own resources or partner organizations. KBF's model for response ministry is to be a long-term presence, helping communities recover and rebuild. 
When gift-in-kind donations are helpful in disaster relief, KBF serves as a clearinghouse, matching a donor with a need in the disaster zone. Frequently, KBF establishes a designated fund, where individuals and churches can financially contribute to relief for a specific disaster. When volunteers are needed, KBF invites individuals and groups to apply for service opportunities in the disaster zone.