A Note From Your AMS
As I sit here at my desk writing this article, I am two days removed from returning from the association’s first mission trip to Chile. As the Association Mission Strategist of Lake Cumberland Baptist Association, I must say that I am extremely proud of our team—not only because of the amount of work we accomplished, but also the spirit and joy with which these men worked. There was plenty of joking and kidding throughout the trip, and I couldn’t have been prouder of our guys for the humility and sacrifice they showed. We even exceeded our goals, which made me extremely proud as their leader.
We worked at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Santiago, alongside Ben Ward, our IMB missionary serving there. Ben and his wife Lindsey, along with their children—Judah (11), Ava (9), and Cora (6)—have been in Chile just over a year. Let me encourage our churches to adopt this missionary family in prayer. The Wards are originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, and we witnessed firsthand their dedication and sacrifice to serve God’s Kingdom.
While there, we also met Lucas Harbin, a friend of Ben’s and a recent IMB Journeyman who served two years in Central Asia seeking out unreached people groups. Lucas helped us with the remodeling project and shared powerful stories from the field.
Our team was the first of three scheduled for a remodeling project at the Seminary. We began work on the Chapel and Library. Teams from Hendersonville FBC and Immanuel Baptist Church, Lexington will follow in the coming weeks to complete the renovations.
Additionally, we identified a new mission opportunity with a Venezuelan church plant that has major construction needs. We hope to combine a construction team with a VBS or Backyard Bible Club during the Chilean summer (December–February), with January and February being ideal for outreach. Please pray and consider whether God is calling you to serve. If interested, contact the office so we can begin planning a future trip.
For His Glory,
Bro. Tommy
Watchword
“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”
— 1 Thessalonians 2:8
WMU Corner
As we begin 2025, I’d like to invite each of you to get involved with Lake Cumberland Baptist WMU. Our mission is to help churches give, learn, pray, and do missions—because we can accomplish so much more together. If your church needs encouragement or a speaker, I’d be honored to help.
Upcoming Events
April 4–5: Kentucky WMU Celebration
Location: Central Baptist Church, Winchester, KY
May 4: WMU Annual Tea – 2:00 PM
Location: Calvary Baptist Church
Speaker: Gina Hasty, our Missionary of the Year
May 6: WMU Leadership Meeting – 6:00 PM
Location: Calvary Baptist Church
Mission Opportunity
Our mission project this quarter supports scholarships for Laurel Lake Baptist Camp. Each scholarship is $145 and helps send a child to camp who otherwise couldn’t afford it—a chance to hear the gospel for the first time.
To donate, send checks to the Associational Office and note “LLBC Scholarship” in the memo.
Questions? Contact:
Rita Robinson – (606) 305-7241
Roetta Vaught
Associational WMU Director
(606) 875-0515
roettavaught@yahoo.com
Upcoming Events
April 11–12: Chaplaincy Training
April 12: Disaster Relief Training
Location: Forks of Elkhorn Baptist ChurchApril 13: Personal Evangelism Commitment Day
April 20: Easter Sunday
April 23: IMB Missionary Kenny Spain will visit LCBA
Location: TBAApril 25–27: KBC Children’s Choir
May 1: National Day of Prayer
May 1: Boomer & Senior Celebration
Location: First Baptist Church, Richmond, KYMay 4: SBC Seminary Sunday
May 13: Executive Board Meeting
Location: Pleasant View Baptist Church
Meal at 6:00 PM | Meeting at 7:00 PMMay 18: Children’s Ministry Sunday
May 26: Memorial Day (LCBA Office Closed)
Pray For Our Churches Without Pastors
Acorn
Northside
Mt. Pisgah
New Enterprise
Flat Lick
Duke Memorial
First Baptist Church Burnside
Good Hope
Bethany
Bluegrass Senior Living Services – 2:00 PM
April 2025
April 6 – Immanuel Baptist Church
April 13 – Neeley’s Creek Baptist Church
April 20 – No Services (Easter)
April 27 – Cumberland Baptist Church
May 2025
May 4 – Bethlehem Baptist Church
May 11 – Sunrise Baptist Church
May 18 – Pulaski Baptist Church
May 25 – Refuge Baptist Church
If your church cannot attend your scheduled date, please call 606-679-4578 to let them know. Residents truly appreciate your ministry and communication.
General Information
2024 Minute Books are ready for pickup at the Associational Office, Monday–Thursday.
Next Executive Board Meeting: May 13 at Pleasant View Baptist Church
IMB Missionary Kenny Spain will visit LCBA on Wednesday, April 23 (Location TBA)
