Late Breaking News

 THE NEW GLEANER     (Click on the icon to  view the Gleaner.)
We are presenting the GLEANER on the Web Page in a new format. We hope you will enjoy turning the pages and reading the GLEANER, looking at the pictures and viewing the graphics. 

THE JACK R. COURTNEY MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Mark your calendar now for June 7, 2008 and plan to participate in the 2008 Jack R. Courtney Memorial Golf Tournament at Country Club of Arkansas.

PRAY THAT GOD WILL SUPPLY OUR BUDGETED NEEDS DURING 2008
The messengers of our churches adopted a record budget of $5,786,957.62 for 2008. Please join us in daily prayer that God will continue to "supply our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

The value of the American dollar continues to decrease throughout the nations, which definitely affects our missionaries and their ability to carry on their missions program. Your missionaries are all having to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the dollar for all its worth.  Pray that God will put it on the hearts of His churches and His people to increase their giving to BMAA Missions.

TWO NEW MISSIONARIES ELECTED AT  THE ASSOCIATION
Bro. and Mrs. Eric (Kelly) Johnson were presented to the messengers on April 23 for their approval to serve as missionaries in Mexico. This dedicated couple now serve on the staff of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas. They will begin training and deputation in June. The Johnson Family plan to be on the field in September, 2008.

Bro. and Mrs. Michael (Jocelyn) Barton were presented to the messengers on April 23 for their approval to serve as associate missionaries in Canada. The Bartons are now serving at Eglise Baptiste de la Nouvelle Beauce. They will receive training at Swartz Creek Baptist Church under Dr. Roy McLaughlin. After training and deputation they will return to Canada in January, 2008.

WE CONGRATULATE THE NATIONAL WMA FOR EXCEEDING THEIR 2008 GOAL!
Our WMA ladies have certainly been generous in their giving to their 2008 projects, so much so that they have exceeded their goal of $80,000. At last count they have raised $87,493.75. Their project included: 40% for the video classroom at our BMAT Seminary; 40% to help BMMI purchase an ambulance for a province in China; and 10% for the WMA General Fund. God has tremendously blessed the faith of our ladies. We thank each one who helped the WMA exceed their goal.

BMMI INVITES YOU TO MAKE EVERLASTING SMILES -- FILL A CHRISTMAS SHOE BOX
Jesus, the original Christmas Gift -- taught us that Christmas is all about giving. The "Make Everlasting Smiles" project helps children learn the joy of giving and makes Christmas a time to smile for children around the world. Fill a gift-wrapped shoebox with things like toys, school supplies, toothbrush, toothpaste, wash cloth, soap and a Spanish Bible or books. Please include $5 to cover the cost of shipping. Last year we sent 5,100 to Southeast Asia nations. This year the boxes will be sent to Spanish speaking nations. This is a wonderful project for individuals, families, WMA's VBS, Sunday School classes, Sunbeams, GMA's, Galileans, AWANA, Pioneers, and even Brotherhoods! Pray about taking part in this worthy Christmas project. The boxes need to be sent to the Missions Department by September 15. For further information call the Missions Department at 501-455-4977.

A GREAT VBS PROJECT--
LOOKING FOR A VBS PROJECT?
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO ADOPT CHILDREN HELPING CHILDREN
Many of our churches adopted this project last year for VBS, and by doing so contributed thousands of dollars to help purchase food, medicine, shoes and boots for boys and girls around the globe. There is not a better VBS project that this! For more information contact Dr. Ralph Izard or Mrs. Doris Dickey at 501-455-4977 and ask about CHILDREN HELPING CHILDREN.

BMMI WANTS TO SIGN YOU UP FOR A TRIP DURING 2008
There's always room for one more, come join us! Future trips include:  Laos and Thailand (May 19-June 3); Guatemala (June 7-14); Russia (July 8-15); Ghana (July 11-19); Guatemala (July 26 - August 2); Georgia (August 8-16); Peru (September 12-20); Bolivia (October 10-18); Dominican Republic (November 3-11); China (November 10-20); and Nigeria (November 29-December 8). Why not make further inquiry into one of these trips? You may do so by calling BMMI at 501-455-4977. Call us today.

2008 VOLUNTEER STUDENT MISSIONS TRIPS BEING PLANNED
Bro. Donny Parrish and his staff are busy planning the final stages of preparation for VSM teams that will serve in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Cambodia, Czech Republic, China, Ghana, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Romania and Thailand this summer. The Lord willing. Sponsors have been trained, Bootcamp is just ahead (June 10-13) and then the teams will begin leaving for their assigned fields. Our young people are attempting to raise the needed funds for these trips within the states, and $3,000 for trips outside the USA). Pray that God will bless each participant and that He will be glorified through all that is done this Summer through our students.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED BEING A PART OF A BARNABAS TEAM?
There are three more trips this year: Ghana in August; Australia in August; and Georgia in November. We need pastors and others to go with us to help encourage and to train our national workers. You will be blessed by going. Contact Bro. Larry Barker, 501-455-4977 for further information.

VSM BOOTCAMP - JUNE 10-13, 2008
All VSM team members and leaders are required to attend this special week of training at Daniel Springs Encampment at Gary, Texas. It is a MUST for all who are planning to be a part of team this summer. Further information may be obtained at www.teamvsm.com., or by calling Donna Carroll at VSM at 469-762-4017.

YOUR PRAYERS ARE GREATLY NEEDED ...
            JOIN THE BMAA INTERCESSORY PRAYER FORCE
We have asked God to give us 5,000 prayer warriors who will pray daily for BMAA missionaries. If you have not enrolled as yet, why not call 501-455-4977 and enlist today!

OPERATION NEW GENERATION
God is blessing and using our students in China to His glory and honor. Pray for them as they continue to study and seek to "let their light so shine" among the Chinese people.  Pray that God will guard, protect, empower and use them to bring their fellow students to faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

10,000 VISIONARIES NEEDED!
Bro. Don Collins, former Executive Director of BMAA Missions initiated our Visionary Program twenty-five years ago. Those who join the Visionary Program agree to invest $25.00 on an annual basis. The money received by the BMAA Department of Missions is placed in a fund which is annually divided between the North American Revolving Loan Fund, and the International Revolving Loan Fund to loan to our missionaries to help purchase land and construct buildings. (These loans are interest free for the first five years. As the funds are repaid they are available for additional loans to other missionaries.)
Your help is needed! We need 10,000 new Visionaries who will covenant to give $25.00 each year. As you know, the cost of land and building materials is astronomical and is making it all but impossible to construct places of worship. Mission churches also have a very difficult time obtaining loans from lending institutions since they have no financial history or credit rating.
We would welcome your help in enlisting 10,000 new Visionaries! Pray about it and call the Missions Office in Little Rock, Arkansas (501-455-4977).

ARE YOU A GLEANER READER?
If you are a Gleaner reader, thank you for subscribing to this bi-monthly publication. If you are not we invite you to subscribe today. The Gleaner Magazine is the official publication of your BMAA Missions Department. You will be blessed by reading stories from our Missionaries and mission teams. The annual subscription rate for individuals is $7.50. A church plan is also available at $6.00 per family. Should you be 65 years of age, or older, the cost of $1.00. Why not subscribe today?

MISSIONS PROJECTS WHICH MIGHT INTEREST YOU
From time to time individuals, churches or groups within churches make inquiry about projects for our missionaries. Here are a few you might consider:

     $300 per month to help pay the salaries of our missionary pastors who are planting new churches in Yerevan, Armenia. There are ten of these, and they are all deserving of our support.

     $50,000 for each of these ten new churches to purchase land in Yerevan, Armenia.

     $40,000 to help pay for the ambulance BMMI recently donated to a province in China. This is one of the projects of our national WMA. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

     $8,000 to help pay for a much needed truck for Bro. Edmond Mamom in Cambodia and Thailand.

      $10,000 for Dorcas House and other ministries of Bro. and Mrs. Don Newsom in the Philippines.

       $15,000 for Medical Clinic in Laos , a project of the Arkansas State WMA.

       $10,000 to help complete the medical boat in Bolivia.

       $400 a month to help pay a new foreign national in Cambodia. He is our first convert there.