JOURNEY WITH JEFF: Special Emphasis 2024

      For as long as I can remember, long before I became a part of the team at the Trumpet, this ministry has been the place people look to for the latest information. We regularly receive phone calls, emails or messages from people asking for information about something going on in the BMA. One of our goals through all we offer is to be the “Go-To” place for all information relating to BMA events, activities and more.

      One way we want to continue being your “Go-To” source for all BMA News (and more) is by moving to a 12-page paper each week (as funds and content allow). We already produce a 12-page issue once a month with the BMA Global and Transforming Arkansas inserts. The additional space would allow us to include more weekly news and information to keep our readers as informed as possible. I have a stack of articles and information on my desk that never made it to publication because there wasn’t room, and they are now out of date or not relevant “news” anymore. Our goal with 12 pages would be to find a few more regular columnists to anchor the pages, and then be able to include some of the other content we don’t have room for right now. To do this for the additional 33 issues for the year will cost approximately $12,000. We believe this is an investment in the future of this ministry.

      Another area where we need funds is the expected cost of the parking lot and water system for our facilities. I don’t have the space here to detail what is going on, but the short story is we are in the process of adding a parking lot and providing water access to become self-sufficient and are not depending on the new owners of the former Temple Baptist Church (South City Church) property. The final cost is unknown now, but we expect it to be over $50,000. This cost will be split with State Missions, so our portion is expected to be over $25,000. We hope to raise $10,000 toward this expected expense as part of Special Emphasis. We have already spent $6,500 on permit and engineering fees to get approval to begin the parking lot.

      The final area we are focusing on this year is upgrades to our computers. We included this expense during Special Emphasis last year but delayed purchasing the upgraded systems because of price increases and the availability of equipment that would best meet our needs. We hope to raise the extra expense to have the funds available and be able to proceed when it is time to upgrade. We are seeking to raise $8,000 for this future expense.

      That brings our total goal for Special Emphasis this year to $30,000. Meeting these needs will help us continue to do our part to make sure we are the “Go-To” source for BMA news and so much more.

      We have set up a special page where you can find graphics and flyers to help promote this special time set aside for us to raise funds for this ministry at BaptistTrumpet.com/SE2024. I invite you to check it out, and if you have not already done so, please schedule a time of prayer for this ministry with your church and prayerfully consider giving to help us meet our goal for this year.

      I am excited to be going to First Baptist Church in Waldo this Sunday to share how God is working through the ministry of the Baptist Trumpet, and I would also love to come and share with your church. You can contact me at editor@baptisttrumpet.com, the office at (501) 565-4601 or my cell phone at (501) 425-4781.

Special Emphasis Update

      Thanks to each of these churches and individuals who have given:

2024 Special Emphasis • Goal — $30,000

Previously Reported                                                                                                                                                                                   $2,144

College View, Magnolia*                                                                                                                                                                              $5,200

Pat/Diane Spriggs                                                                                                                             $300

Fellowship, Bella Vista                                                                                                                    $1,000

Michael/Donna Gray                                                                                                                      $1,200

Pleasant Grove, Carlisle                                                                                                                     $215

Total                                                                                                                                                                                                              $10,059

*This was previously listed incorrectly as College Ave.