BETHEL MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION - BOARD MEETING
ZOOM Conference Meeting
April 23, 2020


Those present: Chairman Rev Steve Owens, Vice Chairman Rev John Wongler, Secretary Rev David Matthews, Treasurer Rev Phil Frye, Rev Don Horath, Rev Joe Greene, Rev Keenan Smith, Rev Josh Powell, Member Emeritus Rev Don Matthews.

Chairman Rev Steve Owens called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. He led a discussion about the current restrictions due to the Corona Virus and how they would impact our summer youth conferences. After considerable discussion all voted in favor of cancelling this year’s Junior and Senior Youth Conferences. It was agreed that Pastor Owens would produce a letter to the membership expressing our concerns, decision and regrets for needing to cancel the programs. Secretary Matthews would distribute the letter via emails, the website and on Facebook. Contents of the letter are below:
     “We hope this finds you all well in the midst of this uncertain time. We want to advise you that the BMA Board met Thursday morning via a Zoom Video Conference Call and it is with a heavy heart that we announce that both our Junior and Senior Conferences for the Summer of 2020 have been canceled. This was not an easy decision to make. Much thought, prayer, discussion and consideration went into making this decision. With all the uncertainty of future events, scenarios, insurance liability and impending restrictions and guidelines, not to mention all the necessary time needed for adequate planning, we decided this was what was best. (Not wanted by any of us). Sometimes, as leaders you must be willing to make those really tough decisions and today was one of those times.
      This brings us to our next point. As many of you well know, our Summer Camps are the biggest portion of our yearly financial income for the Camp Grounds. So please keep this issue in your prayers as we look for ways to offset this revenue loss. If you or your church are so led, any financial help for the Camp would be greatly appreciated.
      We will advise you of a possible gathering in late Summer\early Fall as we are considering a few days of a Family Camp\Conference\Fund Raiser as hopefully things will be settled down by then. Thank you for all you are doing for the cause of Christ and the Kingdom of God. Surely, we need each other now more than ever before and most of all we need God’s divine intervention and guidance. Let’s be praying one for another! We love and appreciate each and every one of you! Rev Steve Owens, BMA Chairman”

Further discussion involved the possibility of having some internet services in the future to substitute for the cancelled conferences, as has been done by most of our churches now. Additionally, it was suggested that we might look at having a two or three day Family Camp at the conference center in the late summer or early Fall. The need for funding from members and churches was also discussed as our summer conference programs are the major source of income to the BMA through the year.

Treasurer Rev Phil Frye briefed everyone on his recent discussion with Caretaker Jeremy Howell and his responsibilities during this time of no camps. He was asked to keep all the buildings winterized, keep the water turned off to camp property and allowed to reduce his grass cutting schedule. Concerns were raised regarding the logging company’s lack of cleanup after they finished harvesting the lumber from the property. Secretary Matthews stated that our contract with J&B Log and Lumber did not include specific language about cleanup after the job was finished. He agreed to include the contract language in the minutes as below:
     “This contract is made and entered into by and between J & B Log & Lumber LLC, hereinafter referred to as the Buyer, and Bethel Ministerial Association and Bethel Church Camp, hereinafter referred to as the seller. The property is located in Warrick County Indiana. The seller agrees to allow access with necessary equipment to the tract for the purpose of cutting and removing timber. The seller agrees to allow the buyer to cut trees 14” and up. The Buyer agrees to pay half on the grade, one third on the crating, ties and mat logs. Timber payment will be made on a weekly basis following the week of harvest. The buyer guarantees the seller a minimum of $15,000 plus any remaining balance from the sale of all remaining timber harvested. The buyer will keep tops of timber out of the field and away from the camping area. The road will be graded as needed. No harvesting will be conducted from May 1 to May 5 nor from June 16 to July 14 due to conference ground activities during those times. J&B Log & Lumber LLC will provide liability proof of insurance coverage for the LLC prior to harvesting to BMA Treasurer Phil Frye at 7660 S. SR 25, Rochester, IN 46975. Also, please send all records of logs cut and payments to Rev Frye at the above address.”

Concern was also expressed by Rev Wongler that one of the neighbors to the north of camp property had stated that the lumber company had harvested trees on their property. In that conversation, Rev Wongler stated to the neighbor that the BMA had been assured that GPS positioning of the borders of the property had been assured by J&B Lumber and that should the neighbor have a claim of damages, they should probably have their land re-surveyed and if proven to be true, they should contact J&B Lumber to seek relief from damages from them.

Chairman Owens asked Rev Wongler to lead us in prayer about all of these situations. No further business coming before the board, Chairman Owens expressed appreciation to everyone for participating in the teleconference. Meeting was adjourned.



Submitted by Secretary Rev David Matthews