Arizona Southern Baptist Convention

Download the latest issue.

Download the Spanish version here.

Steve Bass reflected on 2009 and looked forward to 2010 in his state missionary report during the business session of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting Nov. 13.

"I don't know that I've ever seen a year that I want in the rear-view mirror quicker when it comes to finances than 2009," he said. While the ASBC finished 2008 exceeding expected receipts for the Cooperative Program budget, after the first quarter of 2009, receipts were only 80-83 percent of the expected amount, he said.

"We cut $600,000 out of our budget almost in one day," he said, praising the ASBC office staff and the directors of evangelism/missions.

The Cooperative Program budget provides either full or partial funding for 83 missionaries in Arizona, including the ASBC office staff, directors of evangelism/missions, seminary professors, 40 church planters, Christian Challenge ministers and others, Bass explained.

The office staff took voluntary salary reductions that "allowed us to keep the money going to the field missionaries," he said. "And I've got to tell you, I'm so proud of our staff for doing that."

The directors of evangelism/missions also "rose to the occasion" when they learned that some field money intended for the associations would be cut, he said.

"What really hurts," though, Bass said, is that "we're a reflection of the churches, and I can't help but think that there are some ... single staff churches that are really hurting. And my prayers are for you and with you."

Speaking specifically to laymen, he added, "Whatever you cut in your budget, don't cut your pastor's salary, and I beg you, please don't cut your missions giving. Find a way to get around that, because I believe when we do that, God is going to bless us."

Looking forward, Bass said, "My greatest point of joy for 2010 is God's Plan for Sharing," the nationwide evangelistic emphasis. He asked all Arizona Southern Baptists to join him in his commitment to sharing the gospel with someone once a week for 52 weeks.

"If we have 100,000 Arizona Southern Baptists and each one of us will share the gospel once a week for 52 weeks, in one year we can make 5.2 million gospel presentations," he said. Noting that the population of Arizona is 6 million, he explained, "In 18 months we can sow down this state with the gospel of Christ."

A continuing challenge in 2010 will be fundraising for a new facility for the Arizona Campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Bass said. The state's economy has had a negative impact on fundraising efforts, he said.

"What we've asked God to do is that He just slow us down and (help us) be patient," he said. "God is trying to show us something in this time, and we're going to continue to make contacts and continue to cultivate for a time of giving."

In further reflection on 2009, Bass:

– Reported that after vandalism and theft of Disaster Relief equipment at the beginning of the fire and hurricane season earlier this year, the units are now better equipped than ever and ready to go.

– Praised the work of the Student Evangelism Team, which plans Zona Yuth Kamp; the ACE Team and Keith Henry, church ministries leadership facilitator who stepped in when Mark Gibson, church ministries program facilitator, resigned; and the Personnel Team of the Convention Council, who recommended the calling of Eddy Pearson as church ministries discipleship facilitator and Julie Evans as Christian Challenge director at the University of Arizona.

– Thanked God for the Arizona Campus of Golden Gate, which had its highest incoming class, with 24 students, this fall.

– Expressed gratitude to the Board of Directors of Arizona Baptist Children's Services, which reorganized the agency's structure and called Steve Hanna as president.

– Expressed sadness at the death of John Kizzire, director of evangelism/missions in Mount Graham Association, in April.

Back