On Monday, September 16, the BBFI held its National Meeting on the outskirts of Rapid City, SD.  The meeting was hosted by two of the BBFI’s newest Church Planters, Matt Price from nearby Sturgis, and Andy Daniel of Mercy Gate in Box Elder, where the meetings took place.

Expectations were high for the meeting, being billed as somewhat of a destination meeting, and the week did not disappoint.  There was great preaching and equally encouraging breakout sessions.  John Stroup (Freeway Ministries), Max Kennedy (BBFI Missionary to Nicaragua), Pastor Linzy Slayden (Owasso, OK) and BBFI President Jon Haley (Ft. Worth, TX) were among the featured speakers.  We were also treated to in-depth sessions dealing with such topics as: Church Revitalization, The “Digital” Church, Recovery Ministries, Your Retirement Plan and Marriage. 

As always, the most enjoyable part of the meeting, for us in the Mission Office, was the approval of new missionaries.  We were blessed to see one new couple (Kshitiz & Brenna Ghimire to Nepal), and a single missionary (Krista Moeller, who recently married current BBFI missionary Rich Moeller, Scotland) approved as BBFI missionaries.  There was also the reinstatement of formerly retired BBFI missionary, Christine Enoch, to Kenya.  We praise the Lord for these new servants who are following the Lord’s call on their lives to GO! The meeting culminated with the Wednesday evening worship service taking place at the outdoor amphitheater at Mount Rushmore.  And, wow, was that impressive.  How moving it was to sing praises to the Great God who created the mountain that ultimately would be carved out.  An inspiring message of vision for the future of the BBFI was preached by BBFI President Jon Haley.  And a clear Gospel Message was given for all to hear (which included dozens of bystanders looking and listening in).  This was truly a “monumental” meeting!

-by BBFI Associate Mission Director, Brian Garrison