Bright Ideas

Central Region's Board of Directors supports sharing ideas as resources. Each month, creative ideas gleaned from local church newsletters are published in the Region's newspaper, Central Region Life.

Flu Precautions
Prairie Village, Prairie
(December, 2009) — The following timely information was shared through a recent issue of the Prairie Breeze: Seasonal flu, as well as swine flu, is spread by coughing, sneezing, or touching something with flu virus and then touching one’s mouth or nose. Symptoms can include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting. Those with flu can infect others from one day before having symptoms and up to seven days after symptoms start. Those with any flu-type symptoms are encouraged to stay home rather than risk spreading it to others. All of us are encouraged to wash hands frequently, sneeze or cough into our sleeve, avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, avoid close contact with those who are sick, seek medical attention early, and make special efforts to maintain good health through rest, exercise, and nutrition. When handling food at church, it is wise to use plastic gloves.

Philippine Connection Mission Trip
FBC, Olathe
(November, 2009) — In October, First Baptist Church, Olathe, invited Prairie Baptist Church, Prairie Village, to a fundraising dinner in support of the Philippine Connection Mission Trip which is scheduled for next summer. The purpose of the event was to raise money to develop conferences for Filipino pastors with little opportunity for fellowship and continuing education. Paul and Morna Wood, members of FBC, Olathe, came up with the original idea; and Paul traveled to the Philippines last summer with Terry and Ruth Rosell to discuss plans with the Filipino Baptist Convention leaders and faculty at their theological and Bible schools.

Oklahoma Work Team
FBC, McPherson
(November, 2009) — First Baptist Church, McPherson, recently sponsored a work trip to Bacone College and Murrow Indian Children’s Home to help with painting, drywall, plumbing, and tile.

Children’s Disaster Services
FBC, McPherson
(October, 2009) — First Baptist Church, McPherson, encourages members to receive specialized training to work with children whose families are involved in natural disasters. The training sessions, held at another church in the McPherson area, prepare trainees to care for traumatized children when parents are involved in cleanup or other emergency tasks.

OGHS Fundraiser
FBC, Sedan
(October, 2009) — For more than 20 years, First Baptist Church, Sedan, has raised money for the One Great Hour of Sharing disaster relief offering by running a food stand at the annual Chautauqua County Fair. Volunteers from the church share their time, talents and treasure to make this project a reality. A total of $2,317.75 was raised this year.

Sign Up for Mission Work Trip
Central Region
(September, 2009) — The Central Region is sponsoring a mission work trip to Kodiak, Alaska, (Woody Island) June 6-21, 2010. If you are interested, please contact Bob Turner at 245 S. 8th St. R301, Salina, KS 67401 or call 785-643-1756 for the details. Please don’t wait, do it now.

Bethel Tour
FBC, McPherson
(September, 2009) — In August, First Baptist Church, McPherson, hosted a bus tour to Bethel Neighborhood Center in the inner city of Kansas City, Kan. They took along with them food for the Bethel pantry, postage stamps, paper goods, and snack items. Bethel provides a parish nurse, after school programs, a noon meal for the elderly, a food pantry, worship services and a variety of other community services.

Service for the Unemployed
Wichita, First
(August, 2009) — On July 15, First Baptist Church, Wichita, held a special service to sing, read Scripture, and hear testimonies and pray on behalf of the unemployed in the church, city and nation. Those currently unemployed and those with compassion for the unemployed were welcomed.

Victory Village
Silver Lake, First
(August, 2009) — Pastor Deron Johnson, First Baptist Church, Silver Lake, along with church members Terry Scott, Bill Riley and Brent Landis, recently worked in the summer heat up on the roof of Victory Village Christian Academy, Hutchinson. Victory Village serves students (without charge to them or their parents), by providing a clean, safe place to live; a good education; nutritious meals; training in life skills; activities and opportunities to be involved in ministry; and most importantly, an introduction to Jesus Christ. For more details about Victory Village and Heart Ministries, visit www.heartministries.org.

Mission Trip
Wichita, Meridian Avenue
(July, 2009) — Meridian Avenue Baptist Church, Wichita, is sponsoring a mission trip to Nicaragua from Jan. 16-25, 2010. The mission team will assist A Ministry of Sharing (AMOS), the ministry that ABC missionaries Dr. David and Dr. Laura Parajón serve. The group will include members from three other ABC/CR churches in the Wichita area, and there is room for more. If you are interested in participating, please contact Les Pierce (316-841-0400) or Jim Zier (316-943-2397).

CPR/AED Training
Prairie Village, Prairie
(July, 2009) — The Prairie Baptist Church, Prairie Village, offered two CPR/AED (cardio pulmonary resuscitation/automated external defibrillator) training sessions in June. All ushers, greeters and staff were urged to participate, and each church group was encouraged to have at least one member receive the life-saving training. The church newsletter stated, “Each additional person trained means the greater likelihood that we will be able to respond effectively to a cardiac emergency.”

Welcoming Libby
Hiawatha, First
(June, 2009) — A new associate pastor, Layman Pierce, arrived at First Baptist Church, Hiawatha, in June. The women of the church prepared a special welcome for his wife, Libby. Each church family had been asked to provide a card and include a family photo, with a short introduction of each family member. Cards were collected in a basket at the back of the church.

Chef Tips
Salina, First
(June, 2009) — In May, Steve Fagerburg, Kevin Hazelton, Jim Bridges and Kim Brundige, of First Baptist Church, Salina, participated in the Salina Rescue Mission Golf Tournament. To raise money for their pledge, the golfers served as chefs at the church’s Fellowship Picnic cooking up hamburgers and hot dogs. In return for all their hard work, they received “tips.” More than $450 was collected to buy canned soup for the mission.

Bible Drive
Olathe, First
(May, 2009) — In July, First Baptist Church, Olathe, Deaf International, and the Winnipeg Church of the Deaf partnered together to participate in Camp “Kakepitay,” a retreat specifically for deaf Christians in Canada. Sean Holloway, a senior at Central Baptist Seminary and member of FBC, Olathe, coordinated a Bible Drive for the event.

Autobiographies
McLouth, First
(May, 2009) — Senior Adults sharpen their minds while learning to cue their memories on specific topics, write autobiographies and share their stories with others through nine guided class sessions provided at First Baptist Church, McLouth.

40 Days of Light
McLouth, First
(April, 2009) — Many churches formally celebrate the Lenten season as a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and preparation preceding Easter. This year, members of First Baptist Church, McLouth, were asked to spend those 40 days finding a way, every day, to bless or encourage others in their church, school, workplace and community. Rev. Scott Berry, pastor, challenged each to be more deliberate in “Being Like a Light.”

Battle of the Bands
Uniontown, First Missionary
(April, 2009) — First Missionary, Uniontown, recently participated in a Battle of the Bands held in the local high school gym. Any church having a Praise Team was welcome, and entry fees were donated to the Bethel Neighborhood Center. The speaker for the event was D. J. Dangerfield, youth minister, First Baptist Church, Chanute.

Free Tax Preparation
Ottawa University
(March, 2009) — Ottawa University is offering free tax preparation for members of the local Ottawa community, particularly for those in the low-moderate income range and senior citizens. Forms included in the service are federal forms 1040A, 1040-EZ, and Kansas associated forms, including Homestead tax and Food and Sales tax forms. The service is offered as part of a service-learning opportunity for OU accounting students under the supervision of instructor Dr. Marylou DeWald.

Christian Soup Kitchen
Hutchinson, Countryside
(March, 2009) — On the second Tuesday of each month, volunteers at the Countryside Baptist Church, Hutchinson, cook up 35 pounds of hamburger and 5 gallons of green beans to provide a hot meal for visitors to their Christian Soup Kitchen and for home deliveries. An average of 137 meals are served each month.

Bridge Team
Louisburg, First
(February, 2009) — FBC Bridge Team, a new group at First Baptist Church, Louisburg, assists those struggling financially. With a goal of providing assistance that will take people from dependence to financial self-sufficiency, the group provides a bridge from difficulty to success while demonstrating the love of Jesus. They offer the services of mentors, financial counselors, advocates, and they supply transportation to community services.

Got Their Goat
Topeka, First
(February, 2009) — The Young Missionaries Group at First Baptist Church, Topeka, collected $215 to purchase a goat in Nicaragua. The group is working with David and Laura Parajon, ABC missionaries there. Dr. Bob McElroy, who will be traveling to Nicaragua in February, volunteered to take the money and make the purchase. Any remaining funds will be donated to the Parajon’s Wipe Out Worms (WOW) campaign which provides medicine to deworm the children in Managua.

Gifts of Music
DeSoto Baptist Church
(January, 2009) — The DeSoto Baptist Church recently held a winter fund-raiser to benefit their AB Girls and Boys and 17 teens at the Good Shepherd Fold in Uganda who are taking weekly piano lessons. The youth have only two keyboards for practicing. Their teacher must travel two hours each way every Saturday. Once a month they have an opportunity to participate with a choir. The church hopes to provide two more keyboards for the Uganda youth.

Hospice Cookie Sampler
McPherson, First
(January, 2009) — First, McPherson, participates with other churches in an annual community Cookie Sampler. The members donate homemade cookies, candies and bread which are then sold by the pound. The proceeds help support the only non-profit hospice care facility in their community.

Bethel Christmas Shop, New Approach
Prairie Village, Prairie
(December, 2008) — Bethel Neighborhood Center, Kansas City, Kan., has implemented a new financial literacy program for 20-25 families working toward a better life. Financial resources provided through the annual Christmas Shop give families in the program the opportunity to both learn about and practice taking control of their financial future. This includes helping youth establish bank accounts, bringing in banking officials to explain credit, mortgages, etc., and helping each family decide what they need to make their life better or more successful. Members of Prairie Baptist Church, Prairie Village, assist in several ways. Some adopted a family for Christmas, some contributed to a special fund for immediate needs of the families or for scholarship funds for the youth, and some volunteered their time to organize the gifts in early December. This program was designed to encourage people to take control of their own destiny.

Celebrate Family Day
FBC, Coffeyville
(November, 2008) — First Baptist Church, Coffeyville, chose a week in September to observe Family Day. Families were encouraged to eat together and to use Family Day as a springboard to make family dinners a regular part of their lives.

No Excuse Sunday
FBC, Salina
(November, 2008) — Sept. 7, 2008, was designated as, "No Excuse" Sunday at First Baptist Church, Salina. Active members called or sent personal notes to those that had not been attending worship and urged them to return. There's no excuse not to reach out to those who may need a little more encouragement, support and love.

Back to School Ideas
Paola, Valley Center, Pittsburg & Sterling
(October, 2008) — Several Region churches found ways to help with the challenges faced by those sending students back to school. FBC, Paola, participated in a Back to School Bash held in the city park. The Kindness Kids 2008 of FBC, Valley Center, stuffed backpacks with school supplies to be delivered to the local elementary and middle schools. South Broadway, Pittsburg, provided Monday night meals for the students of Pittsburg State University. Pastor Cliff and Carol Kirk, of FBC, Sterling, met with students at Sterling College and gave each one a brochure about the church, a Slinky and snacks.

Ukraine Connection
FBC, Louisburg
(September, 2008) — First Baptist Church, Louisburg, hosted Ukrainian pastor Elisey and Oksana Pronin earlier this year. The couple toured some National Parks, observed operations at two church camps, spoke 15 times and promoted sister church relationships while visiting congregations and individuals across the Region. The final Sunday of their stay, the church took a love offering to help provide medicines and to benefit the Revival Church in Pervomaysk.

Compassion Sunday
Victory Village Chapel
(September, 2008) — A Compassion Sunday was held at the Victory Village chapel (25-30 members, including 14 students). Through Compassion International, the students are supporting a child corporately. Three other children are being sponsored by the rest of the congregation. Founded in 1952, Compassion International began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and healthcare.

Prayer for Churches
FBC, Coffeyville & Howard
(August, 2008) —The First Baptist Churches of Coffeyville and Howard take time each month to pray for other churches and their members. Coffeyville prays for one pastor and his church family each week. Howard contacts three churches in the Southeast Area each month to let them know they are remembered in prayer.

Book Drive for Greensburg School
Judson, Kansas City
(August, 2008) — In memory of Melissa Chandley, a young teacher from Judson Baptist Church, Kansas City, who died in June, the Reach Out Group sponsored a book drive for the Greensburg Elementary School. The Chandley family and the Reach Out group traveled to Greensburg to present 345 new books, plus a large box of gently used books and $2,500 (Melissa’s memorial fund) to the school library. Bookplates on each book stated that it had been donated in memory of Melissa Chandley, a third grade teacher.

Neighborhood Tea
Appanoose, Pomona
(July, 2008) — The women of Appanoose Baptist Church, Pomona, held a tea for their neighbors on May 10. Rather than gathering to celebrate Mother's Day with just the women of their congregation, they sent invitations to all women in their neighborhood. The program included special music, a dramatic presentation, games, door prizes, refreshments, and good fellowship. New friendships were begun as a result of their efforts. Appanoose is a country church near Pomona in the East Central Area. Rev. Lynne Smith is their new pastor.

Discussion on Restructuring
FBC, Caney
(July, 2008) — First Baptist Church, Caney, hosted the Southeast Area Executive Committee meeting on Saturday, July 12. Past Region president, Danny Trent, and the current Region president, Dave Davis, were on hand to answer questions about proposed Region restructuring.

Puppet Ministry
FBC, Abilene
(June, 2008) — Using inexpensive animal puppets, members of First Baptist Church, Abilene, have created a theatre company featuring consistent, recognizable characters with distinct voices and personalities. The animals "re-enact" Bible stories, throwing in lots of silliness. The puppeteers started in the baptismal and later moved to a simple puppet stage constructed from PVC pipe. Shows are unscripted, but do require prior reading of the Bible story and some brainstorming to plan how characters will be portrayed and what props will be needed. This has been an effective ministry and very well received.

Donations to Day Center for Homeless
Community, Tulsa
(May, 2008) — The ABW Ministries and church family of Community Baptist Church, Tulsa, collected donations for the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless. The Center helps find safe, affordable housing for clients. Each person that moves into an apartment received a box of "basics" to help in their move ito self sufficiency. Donations for boxes include kitchen and bath items, alarm clocks and telephones.

Community Resource Fair
West Side, Topeka
(May, 2008) — West Side Baptist Church, Topeka, joined with several other community organizations to sponsor a Community Resource Fair. Representatives of local service agencies were on hand to share information on valuable resources available to the community. The event kicked off with a Fun Run which passed through the church parking lot.

Cake Ministry
FBC, Columbus
(April, 2008) — Yvonne Stanton, wife of Rev. Warren Stanton, pastor, FBC, Columbus, bakes and decorates complimentary wedding and anniversary cakes for church members. The cake ministry is her way of making the special events in members' lives even more joyous occasions.

KSU Booth
KSU Campus Center
(April, 2008) — On April 19, peer ministers of the KSU Campus Center manned a booth at the K-State Open House. It was an opportunity to show guests and visitors how the campus center can impact their lives. Information was available on the Bible studies, Shakes n' Prayer, Friday night activities, Sunday meals, and FBC, Manhattan. The event was also a chance to raise awareness that the campus center is a place with an open computer lab, a place to study, and a place of refuge when schedules become too hectic.

Faith Walks
FBC, Paola
(March, 2008) — Faith Walks were held on Monday nights at First Baptist Church, Paola. The program, consisting of scripture, devotions, and prayer time, ended with a power walk. The group began by walking two miles for the first two weeks and worked their way up to four miles. All members were invited to come to any or all sessions, and all ages were included.

Retiree Group
FBC, Leavenworth
(March, 2008) — Retired men and women formed a group called New Beginnings at FBC, Leavenworth. The group meets once a month to share fellowship and discuss problems, concerns and projects of mutual interest. Some projects that have been considered are Wednesday night soup suppers, a parents night out and nursing home ministry.

Valentines for Soldiers
FBC, Salina
(February, 2008) — What started out as a 2006 Vacation Bible School project is now a year-round labor of love for FBC, Salina. The church collects donations and assembles boxes of homemade goodies, games, Bibles and personal items for shipment to Iraq. The project, which has been featured by some local newspapers and radio stations, is well supported. Postage has been completely covered by donations.

Life Care Project
FBC, Council Grove
(February, 2008) — First Baptist Church, Council Grove's Discovery Club K-2 class has sent baby items to Life Care in Ottawa, Kan. Life Care is a Christian Center that helps financially struggling unwed mothers.

Lights, Camera, Baptist Unity
Prairie, Prairie Village
(January, 2008) — A camera crew from the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board video taped a day in the life of Prairie Baptist Church for presentation during the New Baptist Covenant gathering. Prairie's worshipping, rehearsing, breaking bread, teaching, welcoming and caring were featured as part of the demonstration of Baptist unity in Atlanta.

Bread Bank
FBC, McPherson
(January, 2008) — First Baptist Church, McPherson, provided frozen loaves of bread in various sizes and flavors (sugar and fat free). Members were urged to "Use them as the Spirit leads you to encourage others in the FBC family and beyond. Reach out in the spirit of loving kindness and compassion and offer these loaves as symbols of the unity we share in Christ. May recipients be nourished body, soul and spirit as you find you will be as well!"

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