Who Do We Associate For? - Baptist Publishing House

Equipped for Ministry

By Jordan M. Tew, Executive Director

Executive Editor’s Note: As part of this year’s theme, Your Connection to the Mission, the Baptist Trumpet is excited to feature this series in the first few issues of the year. These stories will highlight how churches in the Baptist Missionary Association (BMA), working together, have impacted lives around the world for eternity. From pastors encouraged by BMA Financial to students transformed at Central Baptist College and individuals reached through missionary efforts from the state, national and international work of missions, these narratives celebrate the life-changing power of our shared mission. This series serves as a reminder of the incredible difference you and your church make when connected to the mission of advancing God’s kingdom. Together, we are making a global and eternal impact. Stay informed about what God is doing, be inspired by the lives changed through the ministries of the BMA and get involved as you stay connected to the mission through the Baptist Trumpet.

I met Brandon Bates a few years ago in the small town of Sulphur, Okla. I was preaching at the Southeast Oklahoma Youth Camp, and we quickly became friends. Brandon was not a minister when we first met, but that changed soon after. By the end of the week at camp, he had made his calling to the ministry known to both the camp and his church.

Fast forward about a year, and Brandon had become the pastor of his home church, Coalgate Baptist Church in Coalgate, Okla. Like most pastors, Brandon is bi-vocational. He works as a mechanic for a local school district in addition to his pastoral duties. I’ve had the privilege of watching him grow as a pastor over the last three years.

I recently asked him to share how the ministry of the Baptist Publishing House has blessed him and his church, and here is what he shared:

“The Baptist Publishing House has been a blessing, not just to me as a pastor with their wonderful resources, but also to our church. The well-put-together and thoughtful studies have been a tremendous help in our Sunday School classes. With the in-depth expository studies of Scripture, each member has grown exponentially.

“All the other free resources offered by the Baptist Publishing House have also contributed to my personal growth as a pastor. The Baptist Publishing House's commitment to the local church is always evident. Their devotion to serving our Lord Jesus Christ is reflected in the hard work of each individual."

Brandon has shared with me how our Sunday school curriculum, the Baptist Expositor, has aided him in sermon preparation. He has adopted the study approach outlined in the Expositor and applied it to his study of God’s Word and the writing of his sermons. I’ve heard him preach, and I can affirm that God has equipped him for this kind of ministry. It is both humbling and encouraging to consider that the Lord has used the BMA Sunday School curriculum to equip a preacher and raise up a pastor!

Brandon’s story embodies what we aspire to achieve at Baptist Publishing House. We aim to direct people to the Bible and assist churches with evangelism and discipleship by offering high-quality, doctrinally sound resources. As the BMA’s publications department, we are committed to supporting your church in these areas.

Please pray specifically for the ministry of Baptist Publishing House in the following needs:

• That we finish the writing and printing of the DiscipleKidz curriculum.

• That we can begin developing a youth/student ministry curriculum.

• For our Spanish language efforts to flourish.

• For opportunities to minister to more people, churches and associations.

• That local churches would support us through regular, budgeted giving this year.

If you would like a sample of our products, please e-mail me at baptistpublishing@gmail.com, and I will be happy to send you a sample.