BAMA MINUTES – FEBRUARY 11, 2009
The Bristolville Area Ministerial Association met Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at North Bristol Christian Church. Present were host pastor Dale Briggs, Jody Baker, Jim Gardiner, Jim George, Rich Whipkey, Ryan Hetzer, Roger Norton, Tal Lewis, Fred Keener, and a guest from the Church of the Brethren, Arnie Leet.
Host pastor Dale Briggs opened the meeting with devotions, challenging us along the lines of Jesus’ words in John 14:12, “He who believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do, because I go to My Father.” Following prayer, the minutes of the November 12, 2008 meeting were read and approved (there was no meeting in December or January). Treasurer Jim George reported that we have $1,327.50 in the treasury. However, he still needs to send half of the Thanksgiving offering to the Bristol Area Food Ministry, as agreed. Also, he noted that the first quarter of our missions giving has not yet been paid, pending our discussion later in the meeting.
Guest Arnie Leet, who along with his wife Ann have a wide background in education, was given the opportunity to share his vision about the desire to start a K-12 Christian school in the Bristolville area. (For those absent from the meeting, his handouts are included). He would like to see this be a non-chartered, non-tax supported school, affiliated with a local church, and reinforcing the Church’s goal of reaching people for Christ. His concern is that many Christian schools lose their focus after a time, and thus their effectiveness.
With concern expressed that not many churches in our immediate area would be large enough to house a school, Arnie acknowledged that it may be more realistic to begin with just grades K-5. It was noted that Wildare, with its space, gymnasium, and spacious kitchen could be a possibility. It was suggested that various representatives of our churches, including faculty and parents (not just pastors) be on a governing board, and that faculty be members of the churches involved. He also envisions the school being able to reach children who have learning disabilities and other special needs. Jim George felt there would be interest in our area in a Christian school, because of disillusionment with the public school system. Arnie said he hasn’t really thought yet about tuition, but that we should be sensitive to those who can’t afford a Christian school, with churches possibly helping subsidize tuition. Jody mentioned the possibility of applying for a faith-based grant. There are no plans yet regarding curriculum for the proposed school, though Arnie envisions a traditional school with each teacher being responsible for several subjects. He would like to see the school be able to open this September, but acknowledged that it’s entirely subject to God’s leading and provision. Dale suggested that the idea be promoted in our churches via a Powerpoint presentation. Much prayer for the situation is recommended.
Dale shared that he’s not sure when it will be possible for ISKOM director John Schmidt to meet with BAMA, due to radiation treatments John has been undergoing as a result of thyroid cancer. And though Dale has tried contacting the Amish home near Parkman about the possibility of them hosting a dinner for BAMA members, he has not been able to find the lady at home.
Regarding the possibility of school outreach assemblies this spring, Ryan said he will talk to Maplewood about this by the time of our next meeting. Jody feels that North Bloomfield is wide open for an assembly, but Dale is uncertain about the support of Bristol’s principal. Jody was enthusiastic about the possibility of having Jonathan McKee do the assemblies ( His charge would be $1,900 for 3 assemblies, including travel, and an extra $500 if an evening event is scheduled as well. Dale mentioned the possibility of having Nick Vujicic of “Life Without Limbs” ( However, the cost would be prohibitive. Though it was felt that it may be too late to schedule an assembly for this year (early May, pre-Prom), we should definitely consider the possibility and pray about it, and make a decision at our March meeting. Also, if anyone has other suggestions of possible speakers, please let Dale know about it.
We continued our discussion from November regarding the possibility of shifting BAMA’s mission focus so that it’s more in keeping with our missions statement. It was shared previously that BAMA is duplicating--through its outreach to the Pregnancy Resource Center, Warren Family Mission, and ISKOM—ministries that several of our churches are already supporting, and that BAMA needs to shift its focus more to ministries our churches are NOT already involved in, such as sponsoring outreach assemblies annually in the local schools. It was moved (by Jim George), seconded, and passed unanimously that we drop our support of the 3 mission outreaches (PRC, Warren Family Mission, and ISKOM), with the intention of focusing more on local outreach through school assemblies, and encouraging local churches to take up the slack financially in the 3 ministries. Roger moved that we go ahead and send first-quarter support to each of the 3 ministries, along with a note explaining what we’re doing and why, and that we’re encouraging our local churches to take up the slack. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Jim George circulated a handout with the results of this year’s Salvation Army Kettle Drive sponsored by the Cortland Area Salvation Army Unity. Pparticipation of churches, as well as giving by the community, was excellent. Money donated amounted to $5,980.69.
In New Business, the Lenten schedule was planned, and is as follows:
March 1Johnston F.U.M.C.Chris Furl
March 8Church of the BrethrenJody Baker
March 15N. Bloomfield Assembly of GodDale Briggs
March 22West Farmington U.M.C.Roger Norton
March 29Bristolville U.M.C.Jim George
April 10(Good Friday)Wildare U.M.C.Ryan Hetzer
All services will begin at 6 p.m., except Good Friday which begins at 7 p.m. Host churches are to provide the opening worship, special music, and refreshments afterward. Refreshments at the Good Friday service are optional.
The meeting was closed in prayer by Ryan Hetzer. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2009; however, no location was set.
Respectfully submitted, Fred Keener, Secretary
From: Richard & Ann Leet
9060 Dennison-Ashtabula Rd
North Bloomfield, Ohio 44450
330-583-2121
Email:
We believe that God is calling us and has given us both the talent and direction to start a Christian School totally devoted to Him with no governmental support. The school would use traditional methods focused on a Bible-based K-12 education.
Ann has been a public school teacher with a reading specialist endorsement for 30 yrs and is still teaching in a Christian School locally for more than 5 years.
Richard (Arnie) has been a school teacher of about 20 years with 11th and 12th grades in the public schools.
Our belief and desire is that we affiliate the school with a host church and other affiliate church bodies of the community that is in agreement with our statement of faith. The school’s governing board would consist of members from hosting and affiliated community churches.
The host church must be able to accommodate the housing of the school with all accordance to health, safety and local codes.
The school will include additional help for enrolled students with learning disabilities. All students will receive instruction in life skills necessary to work in the world but not be of the world.
Our goal in serving the Lord is to reach boys and girls for Christ to educate and develop the whole person for the glory of God with a Christian maturity; equipping each student to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ with a Biblical world view.
It must be classified by the state of Ohio as a non-chartered, non-tax supported school.
We believe that many Christian schools are not of the quality that they should be.
Attached is our statement of faith on which the school must be maintained.
We are to move forward with prayer.
Jesus said in John 17:14-16 (KJV): I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Statement of Faith
We accept the Scriptures as our authority in matters of faith and practice and adopt the following Confession of Faith as our interpretation of Bible Doctrine:
1. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as being verbally inspired by God and inerrant and infallible in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority.
2. We believe in one God eternally existing in one essence, yet three co-equal persons, the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born to the virgin Mary.
4. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, Who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He is the life of the believer, and He empowers the preaching and teaching of the gospel.
5. We believe that mankind was created in the image of God, sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death, but spiritual death, which is separation from God, and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature.
6. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the basis of His shed blood.
7. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, His ascension into heaven, and His present life there as High Priest and Advocate for us.
8. We believe in the blessed hope, which is the personal, visible, and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
9. We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are horn again by the Holy Spirit, and thereby become children of God and heirs of eternal life.
10. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost in hell, and the fellowship of the saved in heaven.
11. We believe in the existence of a personal devil, who is still working in the world to destroy the souls of men, and that he and all his angels and all who do not receive Christ as their Savior will eternally perish in the lake of fire.