BETHEL MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION
BOARD MEETING
Rough River State Park, KY
October 9, 2019

Those present: Chairman Rev Don Horath, Vice Chairman Rev Steve Owens, Treasurer Rev Phil Frye, Secretary Rev David Matthews, Rev John Wongler, Rev Joe Greene, Rev Josh Long, Rev Josh Powell, Provisional board member Rev Jerry VanRonk and Emeritus members Rev Jim Wilson and Rev Don Matthews.

Chairman Rev Don Horath called the meeting to order and Rev Frye led in prayer. Chairman Horath expressed his appreciation to Rev Wilson and Rev Wongler for their coordination, planning and leadership in this annual BMA Conference.

Chairman Horath called upon Rev Wongler to lead discussion on recent concerns and issues with the caretaker at the Bethel Conference Center, Brother Jeremy Howell. After considerable discussion and expression of concerns, Brother Howell was invited into the meeting to explain his side of these concerns and answer questions from the board. It was made very clear to him what issues concerned the board regarding the issues of his accomplishment of contract duties, his possible seeking of employment elsewhere and his problems and concerns with church attendance at Hatfield Church. After a lengthy discussion with him on all these issues and making sure he understood our expectations, he was dismissed from the meeting for further discussion and decisions by the board.

After further discussion, Rev Frye made a motion that the board dismiss Brother Howell and seek another caretaker. Rev Wongler seconded the motion. Upon further discussion, the board voted 3-1 in favor of his removal. Four members abstained. With eight board members present, three votes did not carry the required quorum of votes necessary to pass the motion. After further discussion, Rev Frye moved that we place Brother Jeremy under a probationary period for one more year, in which time, Rev Wilson, Superintendent of the Conference Center, would monitor his progress in completion of his contractual requirements and report to the board for further considerations. Rev Greene seconded the motion and the vote passed 6 to 1, with one abstention.

ACTION: Rev Matthews, Secretary, will prepare a letter from the chairman to Brother Jeremy expressly stating our concerns and expectations and the results of the vote of the board. Rev Wilson will monitor Jeremy’s completion of his required tasks, according to the contract, regularly and report back to the board on his progress. At next year’s annual meeting, the board will again consider further employment of Jeremy Howell as our caretaker, unless prior to that time cause would be given to terminate his employment via the process stated in the contract.

As it was past time to start the annual membership meeting, Rev Frye moved that we adjourn the meeting and continue the board’s business after the membership meeting. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

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Chairman Horath reconvened the board meeting immediately following the annual membership meeting.

Chairman Horath confirmed that the leadership remained as previously agreed for Senior and Junior Youth Conferences for 2020. Tentative dates were confirmed as June 22-25 for Junior Conference and July 13-17 for Senior Conference.

Rev Frye led a discussion on needed improvements at the Conference Center. In light of finances received due to the harvesting of trees on conference grounds, he stated that the priority for camp repairs should be the new roof for the all weather dorm, a new replacement for the HVAC system in the all weather dorm and lastly, the possible purchase of a replacement for the conference center tractor. Rev Wilson moved that we proceed with the roof replacement and the HVAC system with funds received and reconsider the tractor replacement when those two projects were completed. Rev Long seconded the motion and all approved.

Chairman Horath reminded everyone of the BMA website at www.bmaministries.com and briefed all board members on access to password restricted portions of the site. Everyone was reminded to check the website frequently as updates are always being made.

Chairman Horath notified the board that the position of treasurer expires at the end of the year. Rev Greene moved that Rev Frye be re-appointed to serve in this position for another three year term. Rev Matthews seconded the motion and all approved.

Chairman Horath opened up nominations for the chairman position, renewed each year. Rev Frye moved that Rev Wongler be appointed chairman and Rev Long seconded the motion. Rev Wongler stated that he did not want to serve as chairman at this time, so the motion was defeated. Rev Wongler then moved that we elect Rev Steve Owens as the new chairman and Rev Long seconded the motion. The vote carried unanimously. Rev Long then nominated Rev Wongler as the Vice Chairman. This was seconded by Rev Frye and all approved. It was noted that the Vice Chairman also serves as the chairman of the credentials committee. Everyone joined together in expressing their thanks to Rev Horath for his many years of service to the BMA as its chairman.

No further business coming before the board, Rev Greene moved that we adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Rev Frye and all approved.

Submitted by Secretary Rev David Matthews Those present: Chairman Rev Don Horath, Vice Chairman Rev Steve Owens, Treasurer Rev Phil Frye, Secretary Rev David Matthews, Rev John Wongler, Rev Keenan Smith, Rev Josh Powell and Emeritus member Rev Jim Wilson.

Chairman Rev Don Horath called the meeting to order and Rev Wongler led in prayer. Chairman Horath expressed his appreciation to Rev Wongler and Hatfield Church for an outstanding Junior Youth Conference and Rev Smith, Revs Josh and Rhonda Powell and the Crosby church for an outstanding Senior Youth Conference.

Secretary Matthews was asked to read the board meeting minutes from the May 3 Board Meeting at Bethel Youth Camp and Conference Center. All members had previously reviewed the minutes. Therefore, Rev Wongler moved that the minutes be accepted as written. Rev Frye seconded the motion and all approved the minutes.

Treasurer Frye was asked to review the financial report for 2019. The balance at the start of the year was $6,608. Total income for the quarter was $57,574 (largely from income received for forested lumber) and expenses were $25,422 leaving a balance of $38,760. Rev Owens moved that the report be accepted. Rev Matthews seconded the motion and all approved.

Rev Matthews submitted the report from Bethel Publishing House. He reported that materials purchased from our churches came to $133 while amount submitted to BPH was $159. This resulted in a balance so far this year of $54. Everyone was encouraged to use BPH to purchase their Sunday School literature. Rev Frye moved that the report be accepted. Rev Wongler seconded the motion and all approved.

In the absence of Foreign Missions Secretary Joe Greene, Rev Matthews presented the Missions report. He reported that giving to missions through this quarter was $14,860, which was $2,031 less than last year. Rev Frye moved that the missions report be accepted. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

Rev Frye briefed the board on details he had learned recently about conceal/carry permit holders. He stated that training was always important, it was important that leaders always know who was armed and when, and he stressed the importance of our insurance holders knowing that information as well.

Chairman Horath advised all members that the Fall BMA Conference would be held at Rough River State Park in Kentucky again this year, October 7-9. He stated that details for the evening services, individual sessions and conference facilities would be coordinated by Rev Wilson and Rev Wongler.

The board met with Caretaker Jeremy Powell to reaffirm his contract as caretaker for another year. There was serious discussion about the need for a replacement tractor for work at the camp to replace the Long Tractor. Costs and possible models were suggested by several. It was agreed that Rev Smith, Rev Wongler and Caretaker Powell would research possible replacements and their costs and report their findings to the board at the October Annual Meeting.
ACTION: Rev Smith, Rev Wongler and Caretaker Powell will report the results of their research concerning replacement of the current tractor being used at the Conference Center at the October Annual Meeting.

There was discussion about the possibility of adding a ZIP LINE to the recreational equipment/options at the Conference Center. It was agreed that Rev Smith and Rev Powell would research the possibilities including costs and report to the board in October. Additionally, Rev Frye will report the costs of insurance with a zip line installed at the Conference Center during conferences.
ACTION: Rev Smith and Rev Powell will report the results of their research on zip lines and their costs during the October Annual Conference. Additionally, Rev Frye will report on insurance costs if this activity would be included in our conference programs.

Chairman Horath started discussion about the possibility of the BMA conducting a “Homecoming Camp” at the Conference Center in 2020, possibly in August or September. It was agreed to further discuss potential for such a program in the following General Membership meeting.

No further business coming before the board, Rev Wongler moved that we adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Rev Smith and all approved.



Submitted by Secretary Rev David Matthews