Baptist Association of Belize

Southern Region

Chairman Chester Ritchie

5 Madre Cocoa Street

Dangriga, Belize CA

Phone:  660-6965

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Southern Region Quarterly Meeting

January 27, 2007

Punta Gorda Baptist Church

 

Chairman Chester Ritchie called the meeting to order 9:30am.  Meeting held Punta Gorda Baptist Church.

 

Welcome:  Pastor Catarino Pop welcomed all to Punta Gorda Baptist Church.

 

Attendance:

            Light of the Valley                     7

            Pomona                                    2

            Dangriga                                   8

            Silk Grass                                 10

            Maya Mopan                           4

            San Juan                                   8

            Mount Zion                              6

            Bella Vista                                4

            Medina Bank                            2

            Silver Creek                             2

            Punta Gorda                             3

            Eldridge                                    1

 

Devotional:

Pastor Caleb Nicholas from Dangriga Baptist Church led the morning devotional and inspired each one with his words from God.

 

Approval of the Minutes:

Minutes of the October 21, 2006 meeting were read. 

 

John Glasgow moved to accept the minutes, Norma Ritchie seconded and the members present approved.

 

Reports:

            Mrs. Noelia Ritchie – Women: Women will be planning a meeting soon to discuss activities in the Southern Region as well as on the national level.  Noelia asked that each church seek to begin a women’s group.  See the Association Calendar for National Women’s Group activities.  Ladies in every church are encouraged to attend the scheduled events.

 

            Pastor Wayne Lopez Men: Men are very important to the local church and each church needs to work to form a men’s group.  Pastor Wayne said he would be available to assist any church with starting a men’s group.  It was suggested that the Association have a men’s retreat.  Pastor Wayne said he would look into the possibilities and get back with everyone.  Pastor Wayne left everyone with a thought, “Men need to find their position in the church so the rest of the family can find theirs.” 

 

            Pastor Caleb Nicholas – Youth: Pastor Caleb attended the National Youth Officers meeting on November 4, 2006.  The group would like to see more involvement of youth in a number of different areas like sporting activities, debates, drama, dance, comedy, music explosion, puppetry, cooking competition or Youth Expo/Job fair.  There will be a Youth Event in Pomona on May 25th.  There will be games and activities for youth and all youth in the region are invited to attend.  Youth are asked to put together a volleyball team and enter a friendly youth tournament.  More details will be sent out when available.

 

            Pastor Caleb Nicholas – Music: There is a young man from Dangriga who is willing to train others in music.  Please let Pastor Caleb know your needs and he will try to work something out for your church.  Pastor hopes to have a music competition and will let folks know later. 

 

            Mrs. Noelia Ritchie – Prayer:  Noelia and Mrs. Diana Gordon are working on activities and will get back with us on dates at a later time.

 

            Mr. Jim Moore – Mission and Evangelism:   Funds collected from the Mission Offering this year will be sent to Jamaica to help with Evangelism during the World Cricket Competition.  If you have not given you donation please do so as soon as possible.  The will be a mission trip again to Punta Gorda from the Belize Baptist Association.  There will be a youth mission trip to Virginia, USA, and there will be a mission trip to Nicaragua.  Anyone interested in being a part of these trips please let Jim know.

 

Noelia Ritchie moved to accept the reports, Jim Moore seconded and the members present approved.

 

Business:

 

Chairman Ritchie gave an update on the land for the Rodney M. Gordon Christian Development Center.  There has been some delays and more needs to be done to finalize the transfer of the land.  All that can be done is being done at this time to move the process along.

 

Chairman Ritchie named the following individuals to the Development Committee:

            Chairman Chester Ritchie

            Vice Chairman John Glasgow

            Secretary Jeff Boyles

            Densil Peters

            Norma Ritchie

            Carry Martinez

            Ustaquio Pop

            Timothy Bolagun

            Phillip Main

 

All members present approved the appointees.

Announcements:

 

Nation Wide Crusade: Operation Andrew.  Mr. Jim Moore gave presentation regarding Operation Andrew and encouraged all churches to participate.  Jeff echoed his challenge and stated each church needed to be ready for the teams before they arrive.  Jeff and Jim are available to assist any church with getting the crusade together.  There is a lot of work to do and plans should be under way now in every church.  If you need help please let us know.  There will be a meeting Friday February 8th at San Ramon Baptist Camp time not yet determined.  Churches with Pastors in Camelote will be given their information at Camelote and will not need to attend on the 8th. 

 

Baptist Day planned for the Monday after Easter and Silver Creek Baptist Church was elected to host the event.  Committees will form to assist with games and food for the event.  Pastor Ritchie stated each church would be responsible for there transportation as that is how it has been done in the past.  Each church in the region is asked to participate in the event and games.

 

Youth Camp Meeting:  February 24th at San Roman Baptist Camp.  All youth pastors are invited to attend.  Chester asked the following to assist in this meeting and planning:  Timothy, Diana Gordon, Wayne Lopez, Caleb Nicholas, Rockell, Veronica Pop, and Jeff Boyles.  Meeting will begin at 9:00am.

 

Next Regional Meeting will be at San Juan Baptist Church on April 28, 2007

 

Motion to adjourn Mrs. Noelia Ritchie, Seconded by Mr. Martin Cus. The members present approved.

 

Chairman Ritchie thanked Pastor Pop and Punta Gorda Baptist Church for hosting the meeting.

 

 

 

 

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Secretary Jeff Boyles

 

 

 

 

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Chairman Chester Ritchie