Fellowship Week Report and Message

Last week the Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI) met on the campus of Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary (BBC/TS) for what is known as Fellowship Week. During this week, in addition to the BBFI conducting business and enjoying fellowship together, there were three days of messages and various presentations. In addition, at the conclusion of the week was the 72nd annual BBC/TS graduation. I had the special privilege of both being a plenary speaker on Wednesday night and the closing benediction with a few words in the graduation ceremony.

Plus, did I mention meetings? The BBFI executive committee conducted business on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. In addition, on Wednesday the field reps met for approving missionaries, reinstatements, change of field requests, and other business. Most days started before sunup and finished late after sunset.

But, what an incredible blessing!

Growing up, my dad pastored in Bowling Green, Kentucky and participated in the BBFI. He served in a variety of positions, including as a state rep, state chairman, and missions field rep. Further, he and mom both graduated from BBC and, over the years, sent many students to BBC. Because of this, we annually traveled to Springfield, Missouri to participate in Fellowship Week. Our family has many fond memories of those annual trips.

In 1994 I had the privilege of becoming an alumnus of BBC. After a few more degrees, in 1999, BBC/TS asked me to start the biblical counseling program. Since then, I have been able to serve alongside the faculty and administration of BBC/TS as a faculty member of my alma mater.

Both when I started pastoral ministry in 1996 and later as I became a church planter in 2002, I had the added benefit of participating as a pastor in the BBFI. Just as I had watched my dad serve other pastors in his state and serve as a field rep for worldwide missions, I now had the same privilege.

Further, there are hundreds of other reasons that I am blessed to participate – 24 years of current and former students who participate as well. What a joy to see their families (babies were everywhere this year), hear them preach, participate in their approval as missionaries, hear their church planting and missionary reports, and connect this year’s graduates with the same.

Plenary Session/Sermon – We preach Christ (Colossians 1).

The theme for Fellowship Week this year was “We Preach Christ Crucified.” President Mark Milioni invited the executive committee to speak throughout the week and address this theme from our various areas of responsibility. As the current 2nd Vice President of Education, this provided me the opportunity to discuss the theme from the perspective of education.

Here are the notes as well as the sermon.

Downloadable Notes: Fellowship Week Colosians 1 We preach Christ Kevin Carson

You can watch all the other sermons, church planting approvals, missionary approvals, missionary service awards, and other presentations at this LINK.

Congratulations Graduates and Some Random Pictures from the Week

Here are some pictures of the night I had the privilege to speak, graduation, and some others of the week. I am thankful for BBC/TS’s photographers for most of these pictures.

BBFI Executive Team at Sonrise for the Monday meetings

I loved this table topper by Karla and Stephany with oranges, limes, and lemons!

Our ladies who hosted the BBFI Executive Committee

Missions Morning is the best. Check out the videos for more!

Party in the Pit with Mom and Grandad with Mrs Mulford

Some of the MABC Graduates

Congratulating Makala

Hooding Chaplain Captain David Sisco for his MABC.

With our Sonrise Army Chaplain Captain David Disco

With Abby and Dr Dunning

Enjoying Evan and his children

Grandad and Amari on graduation morning

Chaplain Cody Coolidge, one of our Sonrise chaplains

Graduation Benediction

With Logan, who went from a 4th grade football player to a brother in Christ and now a soon-to-be pastor

Jeremiah and I for our Bible picture

With Cassidy!

 

 

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