BETHEL MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION - BOARD MEETING
ZOOM Conference, Online
January 15, 2022


Those present: Chairman Rev John Wongler, Vice Chairman Rev Steve Owens, Treasurer Rev Phil Frye, Secretary Rev David Matthews, Rev Joe Greene, Rev Josh Long, Rev Kevin Horath, Rev Josh Powell, Chairman Emeritus Rev Don Horath, Emeritus Member Rev Don Matthews, Missions Secretary Rev Jose Rodriguez, Provisional Member Rev Scott Branam.

Chairman Wongler called the meeting to order reading from Isaiah 49. Rev Frye led in prayer.

Secretary Matthews was asked to read the minutes from the October 6, 2021 Board Meeting at Hillside Bethel Tabernacle, Decatur. After a summary of the major items of the minutes, and since everyone had previously read the minutes from that meeting, Rev Long moved that the minutes be accepted as written. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

Treasurer Frye was asked to review the financial report for 2021. The balance at the start of the year was $2,292. Income received for the year was $50,471 and expenditures were $36,257. The balance at the end of the year was $16,507. Major expenditures included $10,452 for Senior Youth Conference, $6,324 for Junior Conference, $8,433 for Remodel/Repairs and $6,951 for Insurance. Rev Long moved that the report be accepted, Rev Matthews seconded the motion and all approved.

Foreign Missions Secretary Rev Jose Rodriguez was called upon to present the Missions report. He reported that giving to missions through this quarter was $2,600 and the bank balance was $14,651. He also briefed that thirteen missionaries were being supported. Rev Frye moved that the missions report be accepted. Rev Greene seconded the motion and all approved.

Rev Matthews submitted the report from Bethel Publishing House. He reported that materials purchased from our churches this year were $370 while the amount submitted to BPH was $422. This resulted in a balance for the year of $52. Everyone was encouraged to use BPH to purchase their Sunday School literature, purchase books written by our BMA authors and to review and use the website regularly. Rev Frye moved that the report be accepted and, since only one church was purchasing literature, that we cease providing quarterly reports. Rev Greene seconded the motion and all approved.

Rev Josh Powell briefed plans for the 2022 Senior Youth Conference July 18-22, 2022. The theme will be “It’s Time”, and theme Scripture will be Esther 4:14. He mentioned that youth from the Boonville, Bloomington and Evansville churches were probably going to be attending our Senior Conference this year and that would require us to probably utilize every sleeping location available. He recommended that we inventory all available bunks as soon as possible to make sure we were prepared for the increased number of campers. He mentioned that we did not have a lead cook available yet and asked everyone to help with that need. He discussed concerns about camp security, especially regarding access to the grounds by those not registered, church members attending the evening services and campers leaving the services in the evening without supervision. This issue will be discussed further at the Spring Conference. He also recommended we discuss returning to conferences held from Monday to Saturday again as he feels we really benefitted from prior Friday night evening services. He also confirmed with Chairman Wongler that we were ready to purchase a new “Fat Boy” blob for lake recreation.

Rev Josh Powell also confirmed that the BMA Spring Conference is still planned for March 29 to April 1 at Crosby Church in Crosby, TX.

Chairman Wongler briefed plans for the 2022 Junior Youth Conference June 20-23, 2022. The theme will be “Be Salty”, and theme Scripture will be Matthew 5:13. He mentioned that planning is moving forward and that the use of horses for recreation might also be considered. He also expressed concerns about security at Junior Conference. He then led a discussion about the need to increase the price for registration from $135 to $150 per camper, primarily due to increase in food costs. Treasurer Rev Frye said that we need to eliminate the date for early/late registration and simply let campers and pastors know that if they register after a certain date, they would not be receiving the camp T-shirt. As a result, Rev Frye moved that we change Junior Conference registration to $150 and $75 for adults and workers and consider changing Senior Conference registration next year if current registrations did not meet the costs. He also moved that we eliminate added fees for late registration and simply use the early date for ordering and receiving camp T-shirts. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

As a result of the discussion, Junior Youth Conference will be June 20-23 with registration at $150 and date to receive the camp T-shirt will be May 23. Senior Youth Conference will be July 18-22 with registration at $180 and date to receive the camp T-shirt will be June 13.
ACTION: Rev Wongler will brief the board and membership on plans for Junior Youth Conference at the Spring Conference in March. Revs Smith, Josh and Rhonda Powell will brief the board and membership on plans for Senior Youth Conference at the Spring Conference as well. Additionally, the above-mentioned discussion items and concerns will be further discussed.

Chairman Wongler led a discussion about work completed and needing to be done at the Conference Center. He thanked Brother Owens and his people from Lincoln for their extra work on camp needs and repairs and mentioned the patched roof in the tabernacle, new lighting system in the tabernacle, repair of deck posts supporting the All Weather Dorm and installation of a door on the shelter by the lake making storage more efficient and security improved. He mentioned the water line that needs to be replaced leading to the bath house, roof on Shelter 3 needs to be repaired, the bathroom in the cooks’ quarters needs to be repaired and remodeled, a plumbing access panel needs to be installed in front of the dining hall, some doors in the All Weather Dorm need to be repaired or replaced, duct work in the All Weather Dorm needs to be wrapped and insulated and Dorm 7 needs to be prepared for use during the larger enrollment at our Conferences this summer.

Rev Owens stated that his group from Lincoln, IL will be coming for a work day in the Spring, most likely around April 22-23. Rev Wongler also established BMA work days at the Conference Center for May 19-21.

Rev Wongler mentioned several of our pastors and ministers who had just recently suffered family losses and sicknesses, specifically Bloomington Victory Center and it’s fire, and our support to them in these times of need. He asked Rev Rodriguez to lead in prayer as we closed the meeting. No further business coming before the board, Rev Frye moved that the meeting be adjourned. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

Submitted by Secretary Rev David Matthews