Rehoboth
Ministries
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Disaster Relief
RBA has a ministry to serve those in hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc. This ministry is under the leadership of Ronnie Clements, and works with the Georgia Baptist Convention and American Red Cross. Services include feeding, clean-up and recovery, communications, chaplain ministry, and child care.
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Church Planting
It is the mission of RBA to follow the example of the Apostle Paul in being pro-active in planting churches. This is often done in partnership with an existing (sponsoring) church. Certain criteria must be met in order to be an associational sponsored church plant. These requirements are administered by the Missions Development Committee.
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New Church Development/Nurturing
It often takes time for a new church to be stable and self-supporting. For this reason RBA makes a commitment to “stay the course” and assist new churches with on-going aid, resources, advice, etc.
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Church Resourcing
Often churches have needs for materials, transportation, leadership assistance, services, etc. By pooling resources, member churches get to share these things, making it cost-efficient for the church.
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Land Acquisition
When an approved church plant settles on a site for its location, the association has assisted with funds in the past. These funds are administered by the Mission Strategy Action Team, and are subject to availability and criteria as established by the Mission Strategy Action Team.
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Building Start-up
Once land has been acquired for the new church site, and the congregation has planned for an approved building, RBA desires to assist with initiating the building process. The amount of financial assistance is subject to availability and administered by the Mission Strategy Action Team.
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Staff Assistance
There are times when a church needs to create a position in order to minister and grow, but the funds needed are not within its reach. RBA has a ministry to come alongside a church and to assist with funding for a staff member for up to two years.
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Pastoral Aid
(for church plants and churches under mission status): A new church plant or a church that has fallen on difficult times may apply for pastoral assistance from RBA to aid in paying its pastor. This is for a period not to exceed five years and declines over the five-year period (with the intent of seeing the church become more self-supporting).
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Library
Education and Discipleship Training Materials: Missions education, Discipleship resources and teaching series, books, study aids, videos and DVDs are available to member churches on a cost-free basis. In addition, equipment such as video/dvd projectors, projection screens, etc. are available.
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Training Events/Conferences
The association provides training events for teachers, workers and leaders in such areas as Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, etc. These are free of charge.
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Christian Social Ministry
Christ fed those who were hungry and commands us to do the same. RBA operates the CSM at the intersection of Watson Blvd. and Second St. in Warner Robins. CSM Director is Jerome Singletary; hours of operation are Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Last year, this ministry served some 4,600 families from all over Central Georgia.
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RBA Mission Launch Center
New churches and certain Ethnic mission churches are not able to have their own facility, at least at first. Property belonging to a former church was given to RBA and established as a “Launch Center,” or a place for churches to be able to meet, hold services, grow, and stabilize and move toward independence. RBA has such a facility at Hwy. 41 and Crestview Road in Houston Co.; at present, this facility is shared by three congregations who coordinate and cooperate in their schedules and work.
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Van Provision/Transportation
Some churches are not able to afford their own van; others sometimes need an extra van for trips. Member churches and their groups and ministries are able to share vans through the association provided proper information is on file with the association and scheduling is done in advance.
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Event Help and Equipment
At times, a church may have a vision for doing ministry for which they need certain equipment that the church may not have. RBA provides BBQ grills, a trailer, chairs, tables, etc. that can be used. In addition, Disaster Relief may be able to assist with tents for events.
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Office Services
RBA owns an array of office machines and equipment for the use and benefit of member churches. These include a printer/copier, a laminating machine, a folding machine, and die cuts for artwork. In addition, the association assists with promotion of events and publicity through print, our website, newsletter, etc.
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Mission Endeavors
RBA is committed to the Great Commission; our Lord taught us not only to give, but also to go and be on mission with Him. RBA provides opportunities for individuals and churches to go and be on mission. Our current international partnership is with Moldova in Eastern Europe. We are also exploring a partnership with the Appalachian region.
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Custom Training/Equipping
Churches have transitions where leaders need to be advised and equipped to serve. The association provides onsite training for Pastor search committees, Transition teams, and the like. In addition, RBA has responded and developed special needs training in the areas of evangelism, missions education, altar training, and others.
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Truck Stop Ministry
RBA partners with Truck Stop Ministries, Inc. to offer chapel services to over the road truck drivers traveling through our area. The location is at the Pilot station at the intersection of I-75 and the 247 Connector (exit 146). This evangelistic ministry offers opportunities to preach, teach, witness, sing, etc. while providing an alternative to the trappings of adult entertainment in the area. Tim Millwood is the Team Leader for this work.
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Ministerial Encouragement/Counsel
Ministry can be a trying and even a lonely place. Everyone needs encouragement and loving accountability. To pastors and staff members who need counsel, encouragement, advice, or a “sounding board” the Director of Missions' heartfelt desire is to be a “minister to our ministers.”
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Seminary Financial Aid
For students in member churches called to ministry who are pursuing an accredited seminary degree from one of the six Southern Baptist Seminaries or from Luther Rice Seminary (an SBC affiliated institution), RBA offers financial aid. Applications for aid should be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the student's pastor, and are subject to the current availability of funds.
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Consulting/Advice for Committees and Leaders
Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes and an objective observer is needed to troubleshoot a problem or challenge. RBA provides ministry resource leaders specialized in areas such as SS, DT, Men's Ministry, Women's Ministry, etc. These leaders will meet with pastors, leaders, committees, etc. on their church site and try to assist the church with needs.
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Ordination Council
Ordaining a man to the Gospel ministry or deacon ministry is a joyous, but serious event for the candidate and the church. Smaller churches may have a limited number of qualified examiners; larger churches may have a larger number, but want to give more credibility to the candidate's examination by calling in objective ordained men to assist in the Ordaining Council. RBA has an Ordination Council, comprised of pastors to assist in these types of situations.
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wMu and G A's
The Women's Missionary Union has been an auxiliary of the SBC for three generations. The passion of this organization is to support missions and missionaries around the world, and to educate and inform people in the churches about this work in order that it always continue. Girls in Action (G A's) is a missions program designed to get girls involved in missions. The association sponsors events, conducts leader training, and provides resources to churches in this area of ministry.
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Men's Ministry and R A's
MenMen's Ministry (formerly Brotherhood) is a changing field. The men of today seek different things in serving and in being ministered to. Fellowship, encouragement, accountability, and opportunities to employ skills in serving are a few of the things offered through Men's Ministry. R A's (Royal Ambassadors) are the boys and young Men's arm of Men's Ministry; this organization is designed to help boys have fun in acquiring masculine skills while informing them about missions around the world.Men's Ministry (formerly Brotherhood) is a changing field. The men of today seek different things in serving and in being ministered to. Fellowship, encouragement, accountability, and opportunities to employ skills in serving are a few of the things offered through Men's Ministry. R A's (Royal Ambassadors) are the boys and young Men's arm of Men's Ministry; this organization is designed to help boys have fun in acquiring masculine skills while informing them about missions around the world.s Ministry (formerly Brotherhood) is a changing field. The men of today seek different things in serving and in being ministered to. Fellowship, encouragement, accountability, and opportunities to employ skills in serving are a few of the things offered through Men's Ministry. R A's (Royal Ambassadors) are the boys and young Men's arm of Men's Ministry; this organization is designed to help boys have fun in acquiring masculine skills while informing them about missions around the world.
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Migrant Ministry and Health Fair
Central Georgia is blessed with agriculture. Many workers from the U.S., Mexico, and Central America pass through our region each season to serve in this industry. RBA partners with our Bautista Templo Hispana (Spanish Church) to feed, teach (literacy), evangelize, and serve these workers and their families from March to July. In addition, RBA partners with Central Baptist to provide a Health Fair (clinic) to address medical needs.
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Communication from the Denomination
RBA receives reports, information, upcoming events and promotions, news issues, and the like from our state and national conventions and filters and passes needed information to the churches, pastors, etc.
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Support for church events
A church might have a vision for doing an event or ministry to reach its area with the Gospel, but not have the funds to complete the task. Member churches may apply for financial assistance to make their vision a reality provided the church is a member in good standing and is willing to open the event to include other churches or to be missional in their approach.
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Ethnic Missions/Ministries
Partnering currently with Central Baptist, RBA sponsors several ethnic works targeted to specific people groups in order to overcome cultural and language barriers. These include missions to the Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, and Hispanic communities. RBA is open to consider other target people groups and to partner with other churches who are committed to carrying out this Great Commission mandate.
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Background checks for staff members
We live in a time when security is crucial. Even in apostolic times, the church was warned of “wolves in sheep's clothing.” RBA has a service provided to its member churches for checking for criminal backgrounds on potential ministerial candidates.
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Wild Game Dinner
For 18 years, RBA has sponsored an annual Wild Game Dinner as an outreach/evangelistic event in middle Georgia. Past guest speakers include comedian Dennis Swanberg, MLB pitcher John Smoltz, Coach Bobby Bowden, and NASCAR drivers Kyle Petty and Lake Speed. The record crowd for this event exceeded 3400, and is usually held in February at the Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry. In 2008, 89 people gave their life to Christ at this event.
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Meeting Facilities
God has blessed the association with a great facility that includes offices, a conference room, kitchen and assembly room. Whenever possible, the association opens these facilities to member churches for meetings, conferences, gatherings, training, etc. Meetings should be requested and scheduled through Kathy Bryant.
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Conflict Mediation/Resolution
Even the most mature Christians have disagreements, such as Paul and Barnabus in Acts. There are Biblical injunctions regarding the settling of disputes in the church. At times, an objective and impartial observer can be effective in mediating and resolving conflict. The Director of Missions has often been called on in Baptist life to assist in resolving such issues.
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Incorporation Guidelines
Churches today are subject to liabilities and lawsuits. For this reason, it is advisable to incorporate as a legal entity in order to protect individual members from liabilities in a suit. The association provides a presentation and information about the process of incorporating. The presentation is provided at no cost to member churches.
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Church short-term loans
There are times when a congregation needs funds to meet a need like a building repair, equipment purchase, pay a debt, etc. In order to serve the churches, the association Revolving Loan account was created to make small loans ($5000 or less) to member churches for a period not to exceed 36 months. This service is done to assist churches, not to make money for RBA. Therefore the rate of interest is one-half (1/2) the current prime rate.
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Pulpit Supply
When a pastor has to be away or a church is without a pastor, feeling confident about the man who fills the pulpit is important. The Associational Missionary/Director considers it an honor and privilege to proclaim God's Word in the absence of a pastor. When another speaker is preferred or the Associational Missionary is not available, the association maintains a list of qualified men who have expressed a desire to preach and makes this supply list available to the churches as a service.