BETHEL MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION - BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Bethel Youth Camp and Conference Center, IN
July 15, 2021


Those present: Chairman Rev John Wongler, Vice Chairman Rev Steve Owens, Treasurer Rev Phil Frye, Secretary Rev David Matthews, Rev Don Horath, Rev Keenan Smith, Rev Josh Powell, Emeritus Member Rev Jim Wilson, Via Zoom: Rev Josh Long, Emeritus Member Rev Don Matthews, Missions Secretary Rev Jose Rodriguez.

Chairman Wongler called the meeting to order and Rev Wilson led in prayer. Chairman Wongler expressed his appreciation to Directors Rev Smith, Revs Josh and Rhonda Powel and all those who worked so hard to make this year’s Senior Conference a great success. He felt it had been one of the greatest camps we have ever had.

Chairman Wongler called on Rev Horath who presented members with Rev Kevin Horath’s most recent book, “Living a Life Used by God” and encouraged any who wished to purchase additional copies to use Amazon.com to purchase as many as desired. Rev Horath then briefed board members on plans for this October’s Fall Conference. He stated that the conference would be held at Decatur Hillside Bethel Tabernacle, October 4-6, 2021 in combination with commemoration of the church’s and pastor’s 60th anniversary. He noted that the theme is “Stay the Course.” Prior BMA member Rev David Worley will be the speaker Sunday morning, October 3 at the anniversary service and Monday night at the conference. Tuesday night will feature the Ordination of Rev Kevin Horath. Plans for the October Annual Board and Membership Meetings will be made for Wednesday morning. Following this, Hillside will host lunch at Yoder’s Restaurant, a popular Amish restaurant with a tour of the local Amish area afterward. Because they need to know exact numbers, he requested that everyone wishing to attend these special events would RSVP as soon as possible prior to the conference. Wednesday night will feature the very popular Bluegrass family singers, Williamson Branch, to lead in services and singing for Wednesday night.
ACTION: All members who wish to attend Wednesday lunch hosted by Hillside Bethel and tour of Amish area should RSVP with their intentions as soon as possible.

Secretary Matthews was asked to read the minutes from the April 14 Board Meeting conducted at Hatfield Bethel Church. After summarizing what had been previously discussed and since everyone had previously read the minutes from those meetings, Rev Frye 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. The balance at the start of the quarter was $2,292. Income received was $27,461 and expenditures were $20,175. The bank balance at the end of the quarter was $9,578. It was noted that expenses for Junior Camp totaled $7,023 and repairs and remodeling came to $6,131. Rev Owens moved that the report be accepted, Rev Powell seconded the motion and all approved.

Rev Matthews submitted the report from Bethel Publishing House. He reported a previous balance of $10. This quarter BPH received $88 from Hillside Bethel for $77 worth of literature and materials, leaving an end of quarter balance for the year of $21. Everyone was encouraged to use BPH to purchase their Sunday School literature. Rev Matthews also briefed board members on the newly added, password-protected section of the BMA website that allows members to review upcoming meeting items (agenda, minutes and reports) prior to the meeting. It was decided however, that because it was sensitive, the financial report would not be included in this section of the website. Rev Frye moved that the report be accepted, Rev Owens 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 $4,790 and the bank balance was $13,226. He also briefed that seventeen missionaries were being supported. He reported some concern that several checks had not been cashed by Witt-Warren Ministries. After significant research and several contacts, he believes that the issue has been resolved. Rev Matthews moved that the missions report be accepted. Rev Powell seconded the motion and all approved.

Chairman Wongler asked board members and pastors if anyone would like to commit to host the conference for Spring 2022. Rev Smith tentatively agreed to consider hosting that conference at Crosby Church next Spring. He will confer with his church staff and report to the board on plans for that conference at the Fall Conference in Decatur. Rev Wongler also asked Rev Phillips if he and his church would host the Fall Conference at Reo in the Fall of 2022. He is considering it.
ACTION: Rev Smith will report back to the board on plans for the Spring 2022 Conference at the Fall Conference at Decatur in October.

Chairman Wongler led a discussion on leadership of next year’s Junior and Senior Youth Conferences. Consensus opinion agreed that leadership should remain unchanged for 2022 with Rev and Sister Wongler leading Junior Conference and Rev Smith, Revs Josh and Rhonda Powell again leading Senior Conference.

Chairman Wongler led a discussion about other use and renting the Conference grounds and facilities in the future. He stated that Townsend Bible Church wants to rent the entire grounds, represented by a Pastor Josh Newcombe. All members readily agreed that we want to continue the policy of reaching out to only religious organizations and other churches to rent our grounds and approved of Rev Wongler coordinating rental by this organization under the currently existing agreements set up by our established rental policies. He also mentioned that his church at Hatfield Bethel intends to rent the campground in the last weekend in August for a church event. Mention was also made of possible intentions by the Lincoln and Crosby churches of returning in October some time to hold another work day prior to winterizing the grounds for the year.

Before closing the meeting, Rev Smith asked the board to consider praying about our feelings about including a female member on the board from our membership in the future. Rev Wongler also mentioning possibly including a female member as a provisional member in the near future. He agreed, as chairman, to consult individual members to consider their feelings in the matter as we have some who may have doctrinal issues with doing so. Further discussion will be considered at future board meetings.

As it was time to start the membership meeting, Rev Wilson moved that we adjourn the meeting. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

Submitted by Secretary Rev David Matthews