Association Missionary Thoughts With the COVID 19 Pandemic, things
have really taken a turn from our regular
daily routines. Sheltering at home, Social
Distancing, wearing of face mask and
gloves and sanitizing everything is now
our daily norm.
Even with all we are facing we should not lose
faith. God’s Word prophetically teaches us that
these type things will happen. We just need to
Trust Him (Proverbs 3: 5 – 6). We just need to do
what we need to do until we can get back to our
normal lives.
With this being said, the Savannah Baptist Associa-
tion Leadership and the Leadership of the Savannah
Baptist Center have made the decision to stay
closed until the end of April. This could change if
things take a turn for the better. However, due to
the homeless clients to whom we minister, we
would not be able to sanitize the Savannah Baptist
Center and keep it sanitized. We will all be working
from our homes. We can all be reached by cell
phones or by emails if needed. Please call us if we
can help.
We will be postponing all ministries until further
notice. We will postpone our Paper Product Drive
for the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home in Baxley
as well as all meetings. With so many variables, we
believe it is the best interest of everyone that we do
this.
Also, we understand that through this Pandemic
your lives have changed as well as your ministries in
your church. One concern for all of us is finances.
Please encourage your people to continue to give.
If you haven’t, set up ways they can give online.
Help them to be able to help God’s Church.
Praying for each of you and the Churches you
serve.
God is still in control.
Serving Him Together,
Buddy Wasson
SBA Mission Strategist
Assembly News Assembly Plan for this Current Crisis
As we all navigate this current COVID-19
health situation, here are a few updates on
how your Assembly is operating for the time being:
1)Contingency Plans for Groups Already Scheduled
We are working with all groups who have scheduled ac-
tivities at the Assembly through May to develop contin-
gency plans depending on how long this situation per-
sists. If you have something scheduled and you haven’t
heard from us, please contact us as soon as possible to
discuss alternative plans.
2) No New Reservations in the Buildings for Now
We are currently closed to new “in-building” reservations
thru April 15 (for now). This date will be adjusted as we
observe and assess how the next few weeks play out.
3) Camping Space Still Available at this Time
For now, we are remaining open to camping groups if
you’re interested, as this will allow guests to be outdoors
and safely spread out. Please contact us if you’d like to
come camping or just spend a little time in God’s crea-
tion.
4) Prayer Requests
Beyond all this, I hope you’ll join me in praying for
God’s wisdom for each of us as we go through this chal-
lenge together. Let’s also continue praying for all the
churches of our Association as they seek to serve as
Christ’s hands and feet right now. Finally, let’s pray for
God’s healing and for Him to use this entire situation for
His glory.
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and per-
severance, character; and character, hope. Now hope
does not disappoint, because the love of God has been
poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was giv-
en to us.” - Romans 5:3-5
Be encouraged—God is in control!
Rev. Tommy Duke
Director, Savannah Baptist Assembly
www.SBAssembly.org | Office:
912.772.3368 | Mobile: 912.667.7127
Tony’s Tidbits
Beware the Ides of March or in this case the
corona virus. The virus has brought much
change into all our lives. I never intended on
being a face in front of a camera. Talking to
people and interacting with them in person has always been
my preferred method of ministry. At least for now that has
all changed. As of March 16th students will no longer be
coming to campus for classes. Gatherings of more than 10 are
discouraged. So, now what?
What a great time to try new things. Virtual will be our new
reality. We might actually learn some things to add to our
ministry going forward. Our purpose remains the same. We
still desire to minister to the college students in our area. We
will keep doing it to the best of our abilities. More than likely
you will see us on Facebook. We will be using some other
forms of social media to continue our small group Bible stud-
ies. The reality is that our audience will actually expand. We
will no longer be confined to a particular geography.
One of the toughest questions we had to answer is how will
we continue to have gospel conversations? They can still hap-
pen. We plan on reaching out to everyone in our database.
We will make contacts via social media. Same goal but just a
different approach. One student has figured out a way to
reach out to his classmates through the university email sys-
tem. As we pray and seek God, we are certain of His direc-
tion in our future.
Many students will have more free time on their hands. Pray
with us that God would use this time to continue to shape
them into the men and women of God that He desires. Pray
with us that the Gospel will spread more quickly than the
virus. Social isolation should open the door for spiritual inter-
action. Keep looking for open doors for the Gospel. God
really can and does use everything for good because He is
Good!
Rev. Tony Branham, Director
Baptist Collegiate Ministries
[email protected] ww.bcmofarmstrong.org
Savannah Baptist Center
During these uncharted days we have tem-
porarily closed the Baptist Center for ser-
vices for the safety of our staff, volunteers
and clients. We look forward to the day
that we can reopen and resume all of our services. In the
meantime please continue to pray for all of us as we
weather this pandemic. Your continued support is very
much appreciated.
If you need to contact us please call and leave a message
or email us. We continue to check these daily.
Thank you very much.
Mrs. Stephanie Carr, Director, SBC
www.savbaptistcenter.org
Like us on to see current needs and info!
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Page 3 Page 2
To our Pastors and
Spouses
SEAFARER MINISTRY
AHOY from the Seafarer’s Ministry!
Just a reminder...we at this time are NOT col-
lecting snacks (Chips, crackers, chocolate candy,
dry soup packets, and the such this year. Instead,
we need Welcome Packets. Filled with your goodies and
then we place gospel tracks, a New Testament and a Jesus
Film DVD. These are needed IMMEDIATELY. Please keep
them coming. You may deliver them to the Savannah Baptist
Association office or, I can arrange to pick them up at your
church office. Simply contact me at my contact info below.
Your continued donations and prayer support are very much
appreciated.
Your fellow servant, Rev. Joe Ortiz, Dir. of the Seafarer’s
Ministry for the Savannah Baptist Association
704 Wheaton St, Savannah, GA 31401 (912) 346-9076
Email: [email protected]
Mrs. Geneva Bowen 4/4
Mrs. Amber Duke 4/8
Dr. Darrell Bailey 4/13
Rev. Jonathan Phillips 4/13
Rev. Mark Gentry 4/14
Rev. Joe Ortiz 4/14
Rev. Steve McCoy 4/15
Rev. Ben Canfield 4/15
Rev. Kenny Harrelson 4/20
Mrs. Kim Baker 4/20
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez 4/26
Mrs. Suzy Cail 4/30
CHURCH EVENTS
If your church is having an event
you would like publicized please
let us know and we’ll post it on
our website!
Ministers Meetings
Mondays at 11:00 am
April 6
Cancelled
April 13
Cancelled
April 20
Cancelled
April 27
Cancelled
Savannah Baptist Association Staff
Rev. Buddy Wasson, Mission Strategist Rev. Tommy Duke, Director, Baptist Assembly Mrs. Connie Martin, Financial Secretary Mrs. Stephanie Carr, Director, Baptist Center Mrs. Janet Bell, Administrative Assistant Rev. Joe Ortiz, Director, Seafarer’s Ministry
Mr. Stephen Bell, Treasurer Rev. Tony Branham, Baptist Collegiate Ministries
Savannah Baptist Association 704 Wheaton Street Savannah, GA 31401
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Phone: 912-232-1033 E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.sbassociation.org
Savannah Baptist Association Vol. No. 51, Issue No. 4
April 2020
The Baptist VisionThe Baptist VisionThe Baptist Vision
90 Day Calendar
April 2020
April 5: Palm Sunday
April 10: Good Friday
April 12: Happy Easter!
April 16: Truck loading for Children’s Home– has been
postponed
April 20: Baptist Center Trustee meeting-1:30pm
April 27-29: Senior Adult Choir Festival-FBC Islands
May 2020
May 7: Baptist Center Volunteer meeting-10:00am
May14: Senior Adult Picnic, J.F. Gregory Park-11:00am
May 18: Baptist Center Trustee meeting-1:30pm
May 25: Memorial Day holiday-office closed
May 28: Assembly Committee meeting-6:30pm
June 2020
June 15: Baptist Center Trustee meeting—1:30 pm
June 21: Happy Father’s Day!
We are on Facebook and Twitter! You can visit us at Savannah Baptist Association. If you cannot find us, email [email protected] with your Facebook name or you can follow us on twitter: @SavAssociation . We will give you a “friend invite”. You can also send us pictures and announcements from your church and we will try to put them on our Facebook or Twitter page. We would love to see pictures of VBS, musicals, ordinations, etc.
All events are located on the Associational web site: www.sbassociation.org
Page 4 Page 1
All articles are due by noon on the 25th of the month. Please mark your
calendars.
A S S O C I A T I O N E V E N T S